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WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2014 RAJAB 29, 1435 AH www.kuwaittimes.net Premier Indian PM to visit Modi holds China talks with next month3 Pakistan15 rival 3 Filipinos convicted Max 42º Min 29º High Tide of espionage in Qatar 00:05 & 11:03 Low Tide 05:27 & 18:29 40 PAGES NO: 16179 150 FILS Philippines denies spying on Gulf state

MANILA: The Philippines denied yes- death had spied for a “state security conspiracy theories terday it was spying on Qatar, after force” in the Philippines, the newspa- three Filipinos were convicted of espi- per added. He had reportedly passed onage in the Gulf state. One man was copies of project tenders to other com- What a show! sentenced to death and two to life in panies, as well as classified information jail after a court found them guilty of about a Qatari Air Force base to Filipino leaking information that could threat- officials, the Doha News website said, en Qatari national security, foreign citing a source close to the case. department spokesman Charles Jose Al-Raya identified him as a lieu- said. “We are categorically denying that tenant in the Philippines’ state security we are engaged in espionage,” Jose force, which sent him to Qatar, saying By Badrya Darwish said when asked about the case. he was trained under the supervision Jose declined to give any further of another officer at Manila information on the case but Qatari International Airport. He provided media published some details about state security with information he hid, the trial. The three men had been in along with secret documents, in pres- [email protected] custody for five years, Qatar’s Al-Raya ents sent to the officer he worked for daily reported, and were charged with via mediators at Manila Airport, the leaking information about weaponry, newspaper said. The second defendant hat green figure who nominated himself the aircraft, maintenance and servicing leaked secret information to his other day reminded me of a comic series that I records between 2009 and 2010 to Filipino handler and the third travelled Tused to love - Hulk. I used to watch it with my intelligence officials in the Philippines with the main convict to the kids. I’m sure many of you know it. The guy was as well as a former ambassador. The Philippines in 2009 and gave him infor- green but that was OK because he was a superhero - defendants worked at a major state- mation on Qatari military aircraft, the he used to help people and people fell in love with run Qatari company. numbers of Filipinos employed there him. So I cannot compare that guy to our green The two men jailed for life were also and their salaries, Al-Raya said. The nominee. Another guy has been labeled the winter employed by the Qatari Air Force as information could not be independ- nominee. He came heavily wrapped in winter cloth- technicians and provided the third ently verified. The defendants are cur- ing, as if he lives in Alaska where the temperature is man with “secret information” in return rently being tried by an appeals court 40 below zero and not 40 above. So that’s why they CAIRO: Egyptian policemen and election workers wait for voters at a polling center dur- for “big amounts of money”, it said. The in Doha which on Monday set their call them the green and winter guys. defendant who was sentenced to next hearing for Oct 27. — AFP These two guys might be a bit entertaining and ing the second day of presidential elections yesterday. — AP a bit of fun. But I looked at it with irony. Is this the level which our parliament is looked upon by the people now - a theatre to crack jokes, to mock and Egypt extends humiliate? I’m not bothered by the color of the guy’s bisht, be it green or fuscia or light blue, whatever color he voting amid likes. The idea is that this guy is not serious. Mr Green came to mock the standard of the parliamen- low turnout tarians with his scepter. Why was he carrying this other than to mock the parliament, and Mr Winter CAIRO: Egypt gave voters an extra day to cast ballots for a also came, in my opinion, for the same reason. How president yesterday, in a surprise move amid a reportedly can someone come wrapped for winter when it’s low turnout in the first election since the overthrow of an boiling outside and carrying the entire registration Islamist leader. Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, the ex-army chief who fees of KD 50 in coins? This is another attempt at toppled Islamist president Mohamed Morsi last year, is the mockery of the nomination committee and the par- clear frontrunner. But his campaign had hoped for a large liament. turnout as a decisive show of support. After reports of a Don’t tell me a Kuwaiti doesn’t have KD 50. And meagre turnout on Monday’s first day of voting, his back- to add to the fun, he was short of 250 fils, which ers and sympathetic media harangued people to go and some official had to put up. Everyone was laughing. vote as Islamists had urged a boycott. It was a circus that attracted the attention of the One television anchor, the ultra-nationalist Tawfiq whole of Kuwait and the media, and this is what Okasha, went as far as suggesting those who fail to vote they wanted - newspapers, Twitter, Instagram, should “be shot”. The decision to extend the voting into WhatsApp, diwaniyas talking, etc. That was their today was made to “give a chance to the largest possible aim. number of voters to cast their ballots,” said an electoral Actually well done, they accomplished it. In my official. The commission added later that it extended the opinion, this was orchestrated by someone. It can- election because of a “heat wave that resulted in a crowd- not be out of innocence. I actually blame the gov- ing of voters during the evening hours”. ernment and the parliament. Kuwait no longer A comfortable win for Sisi over his sole rival, the leftist respects the parliament. It is a joke. I bet you, hold a Hamdeen Sabbahi, has never been seriously in doubt. But referendum among the Kuwaiti people about the Sabbahi slammed the extension, saying it raised “ques- existing parliament and see the results. Except for tions... about the integrity of the process.” And Sisi’s cam- those who are benefiting directly like the parlia- paign filed a complaint to the commission against the mentarians and their entourage, I doubt that extension, it said in a statement without elaborating. Kuwaitis believe any more in the parliament. I think Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood, subjected to a police crack- the rest of the nation is not interested in any parlia- down that has killed hundreds of its supporters, had ment - we’ve had enough. called for boycott and said it would not recognise the out- Either the parliament becomes more serious to come. So too have key activists behind the 2011 uprising solve our problems and our issues, or khalas, we that toppled long-time strongman Hosni Mubarak in don’t need it anymore. You might say I’m not demo- 2011. They fear Sisi is an autocrat in the making. cratic but excuse me, where is the democracy with The interior ministry said turnout on the first day was such a parliament. How many parliaments after par- about 16 million out of the country’s 53 million eligible liaments have we had since the last couple of years? voters. But the campaign of Sabbahi said its representa- What accomplishments were made? For me the tives at polling stations estimated turnout Monday at only only accomplishments are Mr Winter and Mr Green. 10-15 percent. Long live democracy. Continued on Page 15 MP: Raise nomination fee to end ‘absurdity’ Panel bans ‘nudity’ in public By A Saleh and B Izzak istered a day earlier wearing heavy winter clothing, paid the registration fee in loose change, and used KUWAIT: MP Saadoun Hammad yesterday proposed an inkpad to put his thumbprints on the registration an amendment to the electoral law to raise the papers. “The absurdity happened recently has noth- deposit candidates pay from just KD 50 to as high as ing to do with democracy, but rather is an insult to it,” KD 5,000. The lawmaker said the move will stop can- Hammad said. didates who are not serious from registering to con- Meanwhile, a National Assembly committee deal- test any election or attempting to make fun of the ing with tackling bad social behavior yesterday process, as witnessed during registrations for by- approved a proposal to ban “nudity” of women at all elections that are set to take place on June 26. swimming pools, public places and in hotels, head of Candidate Waleed Al-Nasser drew attention on the committee said. MP Hamdan Al-Azemi, head of Saturday when he appeared in an untraditional the committee for combating alien behavior, said the green bisht and announced that he will work to panel approved a proposal submitted by him to ban legalize the sale of liquor in Kuwait and allow gam- “nudity” of women at places accessible by the public. bling. Another candidate, Mohammad Al-Masri, reg- Continued on Page 15 WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2014 LOCAL

Abdullah Al-Mutairi Abdullah Baqer Awatef Al-Qallaf Bassam Al-Asousee Eid Al-Majdi Eissa Al-Rasheedi KUWAIT: Eleven more candidates submitted their nomination papers for the National Assembly by-election yesterday, due on June 26, the Ministry of Interior’s Elections Affairs Department announced yesterday. By-elections will be held in the three constituencies over five vacant parliamentary seats after the resignations early this month of the five MPs. Cyber weapons real threat to economy, security Cyber security conference a success

By Ben Garcia ticated attackers and adversaries that know how to create maximum damage,” Byers said. KUWAIT: Cyber weapons can now be used by The cyber security conference focused on enemies to ruin and destroy countries’ industrial security, which includes oil and gas economies, Eric Byers, CTO and VP Engineering and chemical industries. “The 400-500 atten- of Tofino Security Products (Belden), told dees for the two-day conference reflects how Kuwait Times on the sidelines of a two-day Kuwait is seriously recognizing cyber threats. cyber security conference at Sheikha Salwa Al- Certainly there is much more to do, even in the Sabah Hall. “Just like the US, Kuwait has many US or other advance countries, but everyone enemies waiting for the right opportunity to nowadays are pretty much aware of these target their vital installations - the oil sector in threats,” he added. the case of Kuwait - and paralyze their source of Byers identified ‘three threat actors’ or cyber revenues and therefore ruin the country’s econ- security threats that are now being considered omy,” warned Byers. a real and present danger to the governments “Cyber weapons are very real and not the and industries of every country. “Earlier, cyber same as conventional weapons that need thou- attackers were boys who were just playing sands of soldiers to win. Cyber weapons only computer games, but nowadays they are very need a small group of people using very limited organized. The number one threat are profes- resources to attack and create maximum dam- sional government organizations. These are age to a country,” Byers noted. “Oil is very military and intelligence units of governments important to Kuwait and if I am the enemy, I with political motives and have professionals will target the oil sector. Attackers are thinking working as a team. They destroyed the uranium exactly this way; they want to create maximum nuclear enrichment facility in Iran. A number of damage and the oil industry is the number one countries have such departments like the US, revenue generating sector for Kuwait,” he said. UK, Russia, Iran and China - they use well coded Hence protecting the vital oil sector with the cyber security tools and are used to attacking best cyber security system is key to combating enemies. The number two threat is organized any form of cyber attacks. “I read a newspaper crime - they extort money from companies in report recently that cyber attacks in the GCC the millions, while the third threat involves cost billions of dollars last year. These will ‘hacktivists’ with social, religious and political increase more if we are not prepared. They are agendas. These three cyber actors have poten- targeting the control system in the govern- tial to target the oil industry in Kuwait,” Byers Eric Byers ment, and we are facing more and more sophis- concluded. VIVA signs agreement with College of Engineering KUWAIT: VIVA, Kuwait’s fastest-growing upon delivery of the classrooms where the and most developed telecom operator, logo and name of VIVA will be featured as a signed a five-year collaboration agreement token of gratitude and appreciation of its with Kuwait University (KU) to set up class- generous sponsorship”, added Dr Al- rooms and a supply center for the students Khayat. of the KU’s College of Engineering and VIVA is committed to keep on encour- Petroleum during the 2014-2015 academic aging student activities and supporting year. the education journey by all available Delighted with this collaboration, VIVA’s means, as well as sponsoring social initia- CEO, Eng. Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Badran tives and projects that make a positive said: “We were looking forward to signing impact on various segments and institu- this agreement as part of the company’s tions of society. social responsibility strategy of supporting VIVA will continue to strengthen its posi- the education sector, youth development, tion as a leading socially responsible insti- and environment protection. VIVA strives to tution committed to supporting various equip educational institutions to provide social initiatives, especially educational students with comfort and a suitable edu- ones such as this to help improve and cational environment that encourages advance the educational system in our them and helps them hone their skills and society. develop their competencies. This agree- VIVA is the fastest-growing telecom Arab ambassadors and the audience during the playing of the national anthems. —Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat ment strengthens the collaboration ties operator in Kuwait. Launched in December between VIVA and Kuwait University, one of 2008, VIVA makes things Possible for its the leading institutions that serves a noble customers by transforming communica- Embassy marks 50th anniversary of PLO cause in Kuwaiti society.” tion, information and entertainment expe- Prof Dr Hussein Ali Al-Khayat, Dean of riences. The company has rapidly estab- the Engineering and Petroleum College at lished an unrivalled position in the market Kuwait University thanked VIVA for its gen- through its customer centric approach. erous sponsorship and serving the Kuwaiti VIVA’s quest is to be the mobile brand of community: “VIVA is working hard to sup- choice in Kuwait by being transparent, port our youth, and especially university engaging, energetic and fulfilling. VIVA students. This sponsorship offers five new continues to take a considerable share of classrooms in response to the growing stu- the market by offering an innovative range dent population and limited number of of best value products, services and con- classrooms at the Engineering and tent propositions; a state of the art, nation- Petroleum College. These classrooms are wide network and world-class service. VIVA expected to be fully completed and ready offers internet speeds of more than 100 by the beginning of the first semester of Mbps, due to the implementation of the 2014-2015.” most advanced fourth generation (4G LTE) Director of Arab World Department at “By virtue of the five-year collaboration network in Kuwait resulting in superior cov- Kuwait Foreign Ministry Abdelhameed agreement, the sponsorship will kick off erage, performance and reliability. Al-Failakawi Palestinian Ambassador Rami Tahboub By Abdellatif Sharaa guardian of the Palestinian cause, and will work on getting Palestinian rights. He said Logistics firm challenges KUWAIT: Marking the 50th anniversary of that new elections for the National the Palestine Liberation Organization and Palestinian Council and the reform of the the 1948 Nakba, the Palestinian Embassy in PLO will take place very soon. KD 111 million fine Kuwait held a gathering at Shamiya Theater Member of the National Council Dr Monday evening. Palestinian Ambassador Salman Abu Sitta presented a brief on how KUWAIT: A local logistics firm plans to chal- use without permission over a period of 10 Rami Tahboub, Director of the Arab World Palestine was taken over by the Jews while lenge a recent court order that fined it KD years, Al-Rai reported yesterday. The Court Bureau at the Foreign Ministry being under British mandate. He said 111 million over accusations of exploiting a of First Instance had initially fined the com- Abdelhameed Al-Failakawi and other Palestinians at that time owned 93 percent state-owned land without a license. The pany KD 10 million, but the Appeals Court ambassadors attended the event. of the land. The Nakba is the most danger- firm was found guilty of encroachment by overruled that ruling and ordered the new Tahboub read a letter on behalf of ous event in the history of Palestine, as the using a 500,000 square meter plot of land payment based on the estimated rent over Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Zionist settlement program uprooted an near the Sixth Ring Road for commercial the period of utilization. which he thanked Kuwait’s Amir, govern- entire population from their historical ment and people for their continued sup- homeland, Palestine, in 1948. The Zionist port to the Palestinian cause. He said forces (named Israeli later) that were Kuwait witnessed the birth of the imported from Europe displaced the peo- Water cuts to force Palestinian Liberation Movement, and gave ple of 675 cities, villages and tribes and all that was needed. Failakawi said that confiscated their lands and property - over Kuwait has stood and will always stand for 78 percent of Palestine. dues payment the Palestinians’ just cause. He added it is All those present agreed that time for them to live in dignity. Palestinians will continue their efforts and KUWAIT: Minister of Electricity and Water, sumer convenience standards and at the Meanwhile, member of the first elected struggle to get their state on the borders of Minister of Public Works Abdul-Aziz Al- same time protect the state’s right,” he said, Palestinian conference, representing June 4, 1967 with Jerusalem as its capital. Ibrahim said that water and electricity will adding that Kuwait pays KD 3 billion as Palestinians in Kuwait, and the first director They also called upon Palestinians to unite, be cut for consumers who do not pay their annual subsidization for electricity and of the PLO office in Kuwait Khair Al-Deen and were pleased with the latest agree- debts. Those owing money to the ministry water. Abu Al-Jebeen gave a historical back- ment to form a national unity government. may take up to 18 months installments to Minister Al-Ibrahim also indicated that ground on the establishment of the A short film about the most important his- pay. Kuwait is the only country that accepts Palestinian national council and the found- torical events on the Palestinian Nakba and The ministry gives consumers a few days consumer’s debts on installment. While ing of the PLO. He said the Palestinian char- the PLO was shown, and patriotic poetry before cutting the services, the miniter other countries force consumers to pay ter mentioned that the PLO will remain the was recited at the event. Palestinian products displayed at the function. confirmed. “We are trying to maintain con- immediately. p3 COPY_Layout 1 5/27/14 10:19 PM Page 1

LOCAL WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2014

Zain organizes customer service seminar for employees

KUWAIT: Zain, the leading telecommuni- expectations. By hosting international cations company in Kuwait, announced speakers such as Mr. Cockerell, our yesterday that it welcomed Lee employees received insights on leader- Cockerell, former Executive Vice ship qualities directly from the guru, Premier to visit President of Operations at Walt Disney helping them elevate their overall under- Parks and Resorts at its main headquar- standing of excellent operational per- ters in Shuwaikh. Cockerell, an interna- formance.” tionally-renowned speaker, presented an Bourisli continued: “Lee’s engaging yet China next month exclusive seminar to Zain employees, relaxed personality, which also shone where he discussed the major challenges through during his time at Disney, had a customer service professionals face positive impact on our employees. The today. seminar offered them a valuable oppor- Chinese envoy confirms visit This exclusive seminar saw the partici- tunity to reinforce their overall knowl- pation of both company executives and edge in the fast-changing field of cus- By Ben Garcia employees, who benefited from the pres- tomer service, where Lee expanded KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Prime Minister HH Sheikh Jaber Al- ence of the globally respected customer upon his famous quote: “It’s not the mag- Mubarak Al-Sabah will visit China June 2-7, service expert. The seminar forms part of ic that makes it work; it’s the way we Ambassador of China to Kuwait Cui Jianchun Zain’s lead partnership of the ‘Knowledge work that makes it magic.”Zain placesits announced during a press conference at the Chinese Club 2014’ event, a year-long integrated customers at the center of everything it embassy in Qurtuba. He said the visit was confirmed program of training sessions that will does, and by training our employees to him by Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Khaled Al- bring together a selection of well-regard- with the latest certified programsinterna- Jarallah. “This is a very important visit to China by HH ed authors, trainers, and consultants to tionally; we ensure that our customers the premier of Kuwait. This is a new phase of Kuwait- provide participants with the opportuni- receive the best possible service.” Zain China relationship,” he noted. The Chinese envoy said ty to identify the most important chal- places the growth and development of issues to be tackled during the premier’s visit include lenges institutions and enterprises face its staff as a top priority and intends to infrastructure, security, energy, banking and cultural in modern economies. continue investing in the human ele- exchanges. “The infrastructure talks will focus on the new economic Silk Road which we are collaborating Commenting on the seminar, Nawal ment of its operations, which will ulti- with Kuwait along with other nations in Europe and Bourisli, Zain Kuwait’s Human Recourses mately have a positive impact on the the Middle East,” the envoy stressed. Director said: “Our employees are the company overall. According to Cui, the Silk Road Project will connect main pillar of our company’s success. Zain is the lead partner of the Europe to South and Central Asia and the Middle East That is a central reason why we partici- ‘Knowledge Club 2014’ event and as such HH Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al- by high-speed rail. “To realize the vision, the countries Ambassador Cui Jianchun pated in this exclusive seminar as such has reserved specified seats in all semi- interested in the Silk Road are coming together to set Mubarak Al-Sabah training programs help our employees nars and workshops for its employees, up an investment bank called Asian Infrastructure rial integrity of our nation. As you may all know, we intend to discuss with our Kuwaiti partners,” he said. appreciate the importance of excelling at offering them an opportunity to attend Investment Bank. This new bank will play a key role in have an ongoing dispute with our land and sea neigh- With regards to bilateral trade, the Chinese envoy laud- customer service, marketing, and busi- and gain valuable insight from knowl- the Silk Road project, which is now under process,” he bors like Japan, Vietnam and the Philippines. Our main ed continuing economic cooperation and relentless ness operations, and thereby ultimately edgeable speakers, business leaders, and mentioned. On the security issue, China and Kuwait objective here is to solve the dispute along with our economic activities from the time China established neighbors peacefully,” Cui asserted. The two leaders diplomatic relations with Kuwait till present. “Trade exceeding our customers’ needs and worldwide authors. will discuss their continuing military cooperation and China’s recent territorial disputes with its neighbors. will also discuss the Syria crisis, the Middle East peace between China and Kuwait stood at $12.5 billion last “We have threats from everywhere - from radicalism to process and their position on vetoing the UN resolu- year. If the level of trade and economic activities con- fundamentalism. We want to talk about military coop- tion for military intervention in Syria. “Energy, cultural tinues, I think within three or four years, trade between Kuwaiti fighter killed in Syria eration and how to protect the sovereignty and territo- and banking issues are also very important subjects we Kuwait and China could double,” he mentioned. KUWAIT: A Kuwaiti man died in Syria invasion of Kuwait in 1990/91, according recently while fighting alongside rebels to sources quoted in the report. GCC states against Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad Azmi is the third Kuwaiti jihadist to army troops, a Kuwaiti newspapers have his name and news about his to upgrade reported yesterday. death in Syria reported by the Kuwaiti ITCs sector Nasser Mesbeh Al-Azmi, known as press. Last march, family of Abu Azzam Abu Badr Al-Kuwaiti by his comrades, Al-Kuwaiti, whose real name is Wajdi KUWAIT: Undersecretaries was killed during an operation in which Tuwairesh Al-Enizy, announced his of the ministries of postal armed rebel forces raided a Syrian death during fighting in Syria, and that services and information regime military camp in Idlib, Al-Watan shortly after the Nusra Front eulogized and telecommunications reported. him as one of its commanders. technologies (ITCs) of the Azmi, known as Abu Badr Al-Kuwaiti The same month, Kuwaiti MP Sultan GCC member countries met among his comrades, had served in the Al-Shemmari confirmed the death of his here yesterday to discuss Kuwaiti army, and joined battalions that brother, Jaza’a, while fighting alongside ways for upgrading the sec- fought against Iraqi troops during Iraq’s the Nusra troops in Syria. tor. The conferees also dis- cussed the preparations for the GCC states’ participa- tion in the coming meeting of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the bids of Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to join the mem- bership of the ITU board, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Communication Hamid Al-Qattan said. “We have reviewed the outcome of the ad hoc pan- els of the ministerial com- mittee, including the rec- ommendations of the 27th meeting of the undersecre- taries of the ministries of postal services and infor- mation and telecommuni- cations technology particu- larly those relating to the gulf express a strategic mail service,” he told reporters. “We have also discussed the implementation of the recommendations of the fifth meeting of the steer- ing committee for speeding up the regulation of the sector and sharing informa- tion on information security and the settlement of dis- putes among internet serv- ice providers,” Al-Qattan revealed. The outcome of the cur- rent meeting will be tabled to the ministerial meeting, due here on June 11, for endorsement, he added. Regarding the recently- approved act on launching a communication authority, he said the planned author- ity will play a regulatory role, not a repressive one. “The mandate of the authority will focus on arranging and improving the communication servic- es, and standardizing the fairs, thus serving the inter- ests of, and ensuring quali- ty service for, customers,” he noted.—KUNA WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2014 LOCAL

In my view kuwait digest Tolerance and Diversify our gratitude income sources

By Abdullatif Al-Duaij

Al-Watan fter discussing the state of the national econ- omy and diversifying sources of income, the By Labeed Abdal Aparliament decided to assign the govern- ment to prepare a study within six months that con- tains economic analyses, solutions and execution plans to guarantee creation of new income resources, while ensuring at the same time that Kuwaitis are not affected. [email protected] The National Assembly allocated a session to dis- cuss an important issue pertaining with the main challenge that Kuwait faces, which is an imminent he Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs warned budget deficit, only to come at the end of it to imams against supporting any candidate in the demand that the government studies how Kuwait Tupcoming by-elections during religious speech- can have multiple sources of income, provided that es, and asked them to instead reiterate the prohibi- these measures do not ‘add burdens’ on Kuwaitis’ tion of vote buying, and importance of voting. shoulders. I believe that this is an important step to avoid I am not exaggerating when I say that everyone mixing religion with politics, with all of its dirty flatters the Kuwaiti citizen, and lacks the courage to games. I also commend the ministry for issuing a ban confront him with the obvious truth that he himself on fundraisers inside mosques in favor of certain can- is primarily responsible for excessive spending of oil didates, or on using worship places for political rea- kuwait digest incomes. The parliament, government, opposition sons. and alleged democratic nationalists all agree that Furthermore, I believe that a similar approach any solutions must not come to ‘exhaust’ the should be taken in another important issue, which is Kuwaiti citizens. And here I have to wonder: Who is fighting terrorism and extremism. Ghannouchi’s remarks going to bear the burdens that come through the On that regard, I would like to share with you a sto- solutions for problems we face? Is it going to be ry that happened with me a few years ago. I was in Asian and Arab labor forces? Who else? Leeds, the United Kingdom, and one day my friend By Dr Bader Al-Daihani The ‘concerned’ parliament demands that the and I had to take a taxi to the train station to go to government finds precautionary measures to avert London. the looming crisis, as long as citizens’ luxury status views and interests without consideration for other The taxi driver was a British Muslim, and a third- n mid-April 2014, the Muslim Brotherhood’s internation- is not affected, or in other words, Kuwaitis are not sects of the Egyptian people who participated in the generation son for immigrants from Southeast Asia. al organization met in Istanbul. The media then circulat- asked to do any tasks or duties! I am not going to revolution, not even for a second. Egyptian citizens He received best education and medical care in the Ied remarks by the head of Al-Nahda Islamic Movement say anything to the government, parliament or saw what happened as a mere substitution of the United Kingdom. (Tunisian Muslim Brotherhood) Rashid Al-Ghannouchi in politicians. Instead, my words are directed towards But when it comes to his religious education, he which he criticized the way the Egyptian Brotherhood han- NDP by the Brotherhood, which means they were not close enough to public opinion and failed to the people who are responsible and are the first vic- received it from his family and mosques, which prob- dled the revolution and how they ran the country. In view tims regarding the case. Everyone has already made ably was the reason why he carried extremist views. achieve what the Egyptian revolution erupted for in of the significance of these remarks made by Ghannouchi, the first place. They were only focused on power and security plans in case the deficit becomes a reality. After noticing that my friend and I were from the whose dedication to the Muslim Brotherhood ideology and Everyone means those who pretend to be defend- Middle East, he started cursing the West and the free positions which they took for themselves more bru- political approach is unquestionable, it would be wise to go ing the people’s rights, including current and for- Western style that includes allowing nightclubs, alco- tally than Mubarak and his regime ever did. They through some of them. So, what did he say? mer MPs, pro-government or oppositionists. hol, etc. were controlled by their egos,” he added. “The Egyptian Brotherhood experience did not go on None of them are concerned about you or your We tried to calm the driver down as he became “For those who wish to review the results of the normal tracks ever since the very first days of the Jan 25 rev- children’s future. If that was not the case, they very intense while criticizing the Western society. We parliamentary elections, they did not reflect the olution. I noticed much confusion and deep hesitation from would approach you with the obvious truth, which reminded him of every country’s right to choose the Brotherhood’s power or majority. It was rather a pas- all Brotherhood leaders. As many others, the Brotherhood is that you alone are the problem and the solution, state’s religion, and that we as Muslims are required to sionate impulse on the Egyptian people’s side. The joined the crowds instead of leading them. The situation the cause and the result. Therefore, you must bear respect the general system in other countries we visit Brotherhood never trusted anybody and were haunt- was very foggy when they joined the revolution - some of your rightful responsibility in working hard to or live in. We also highlighted the importance of ed by conspiracy theories and thus encased and them took part, others made bargains and others negotiat- ensure sustainability of decent living for yourselves openness and respecting others’ lifestyles and beliefs. alienated themselves away from public opinion that ed with Omar Suleiman,” said Ghannouchi. I asked the driver a number of questions during had expected too much of them. Unfortunately, the and your children. This means that you have to “All parties, including the Brotherhood, negotiated to our discussion, which he could not find an answer for. Brotherhood were too busy with controlling the exert efforts, sweat and tears, and you have to start change the form of the regime rather than its essence. For example, I asked him “Shouldn’t you feel grateful state and accordingly, the people deposed them”, he today before it is too late. Parliamentary elections were held and the Brotherhood to this country for all the protection, order, education, continued, noting that the greatest shock happened announced that they would not compete for the presiden- medical care and security that you enjoy equally with when they were controlled by their conceit and Forces of corruption cy, which I thought was a wonderful and wise decision. everybody living on this land?” Especially that the wished to completely control the state in all fields. Rationalization is not going to work, nor will However, they did the exact opposite and dominated the basic teachings of Islam are based on tolerance and He added that they decided running in the presi- prosecuting the alleged thieves of public funds parliament, forming all its committees according to their gratitude. dential elections, nominating Shater, then Morsi. “I help save the budget. Creating alternative sources took the initiative and called to warn them of such a of income is the solution, because oil income alone step. I told them that the circumstances were not is not going to be enough to make ends meet. It is suitable for it. Don’t hold all the cards of the game in strange to see people deny the inevitability of the your hand,” Ghannuochi warned, noting that the welfare state’s end. But I cannot say that it is unex- Brotherhood’s egoism was indescribable. “They pected, because it is too hard to bring dreamers fooled themselves before fooling others. It was a back to reality. It is even harder to convince them great shock when they only got five million votes in that they have to work hard after they wake up. the first round of the presidential elections. I then I find myself forced to make a reminder to the realized, like many others, that the Egyptian people alleged defenders of public works, and the fighters had started at an early stage of holding the against the so-called forces of corruption - maybe it Brotherhood accountable, a stage that will never will help them wake up from their deep slumber. end. The supposed opposition, or most of those who “A huge gap opened between the Brotherhood idolize and follow opposition figures, have a great and the Egyptian people when a Brotherhood-affili- deal of respect for Jassem Al-Saadoun, Chairman of ated president came to power while he was still a Al-Shall Economic Consultants. For years, Al-Shall member of the Brotherhood’s guidance office. He reports have been warning of state bankruptcy that formed a cabinet that raced against the clock to give seems imminent in light of the current spending the Brotherhood the upper hand all over the rate, and the large percentage that the public sec- Egyptian state. They used completely inexperienced tor’s payroll takes in the state’s budget. They have Brotherhood crews in the presidency and the gov- even raised alarm of a day when the state would be ernment. The people were roaring with anger while unable to pay government employees could hap- Brotherhood leaders were indifferent about it. They pen sooner than we think if oil prices drop slightly. took the people, their movements and demands There are reports based on facts and numbers lightly and got busy fighting ‘side-battles’. The truth which indicate that the public sector’s payroll will is that the Egyptian people saw no difference one day consume all oil incomes, without spending between Mubarak regime’s remnants and the on tenders and developmental projects that Brotherhood. The army was watching and occasion- ally interfering. It met the president and Brotherhood allegedly go to certain merchants, and without leaders but they refused meeting any of the squandering as a result of alleged government mis- demands because their narcissism and conceit was management. overwhelming. They listened to nobody and failed to If that was the undeniable truth, then what is the learn their lessons,” he underlined. reason behind all this fuss about corruption, thefts Ghannouchi then urged Egypt’s Brotherhood to and government squandering? I have always been reconsider their attitudes and take part in politics in active against corruption and unjustifiable squan- the next parliamentary elections because he feared der, either due to corruption or through welfare that that “the historic Brotherhood organization might Kuwaitis enjoy without pay. The reality says that we disappear from Egypt in the near future because cannot continue living off oil revenues, because a many of its young members have already joined day will come in which there would be no more oil jihadists and Salafist organizations in Egypt and sur- to sell, oil prices could drop, or demand might sim- rounding countries”. ply become too expensive for oil income to cover. — Translated by Kuwait Times from Al-Jarida — Translated by Kuwait Times from Al-Qabas

kuwait digest Naturalization of bedoons

By Iqbal Al-Ahmad

he situation of 87,279 “bedoons” or the so- deserving citizenship are still waiting in harsh and called illegal residents was legalized during the inhuman conditions. Tperiod between 1986 and 2013. 60,000 people It is unfortunate that there were random deci- left during that 33-year period, according to the gov- sions to naturalize people with questionable contri- ernment. Since the establishment of Central butions to Kuwait, and could have been taken to Apparatus for Illegal Residents, 5,938 people legal- serve personal interests that provide nothing to the ized their status between 2011 and 2014. Those general good. In order to be fair, efforts are required numbers indicate that efforts were taken in the past to consider naturalization of those who deserve citi- few years to address the bedoons’ problem. If similar zenship as soon as possible. This includes many peo- efforts had been taken before, the issue would have ple who have loyalty and a sense of belonging to ended long ago. this land, which far surpasses those expressed by And while we appreciate those efforts, it is impor- many who enjoy citizenship today because of special tant to emphasize the need to stay alert regarding services they may have provided. attempts to obtain Kuwaiti citizenship fraudulently. This also includes expatriates who spent all their At the same time, we call for an end to the injustice lives serving this land that they loved and chose to live practiced against categories of bedoons eligible for in over their homelands. They are a thousand times naturalization, and more deserving than many who more deserving to have Kuwaiti citizenship compared received the nationality by a decision maker’s signa- to those who obtained it in exchange of special servic- ture or any other reason. Meanwhile, bedoons es. — Translated by Kuwait Times from Al-Qabas LOCAL WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2014 Negligence charges in Taima child’s death ‘Mentally unstable man arrested’

KUWAIT: A four-year-old child died after spending detectives received news that a Gulf national sentenced the suspect. The victim also told police that the suspect find a person matching the descriptions. Police called nearly 20 days in the intensive care unit at Jahra hospi- to 99 years in prison has reentered Kuwait illegally. The told him that he was a policeman, and threatened him the complainant back to obtain the license plate num- tal. The boy was hospitalized by his father who found man was arrested outside of his house after he with deportation. Investigations are ongoing. ber of the offender’s car. him with a curtain wrapped around his neck in the exchanged fire with police. Officers found drugs as well diwaniya of their house in Taima. The boy had been on as a gun in the man’s possession. The two were taken to Man stabbed by roommates Mentally ill man life support since he was admitted to the hospital the proper authorities for further action. A man was hospitalized with stab wounds following A mentally unstable man was taken to the before he died on Monday. Negligence charges were a fight inside a Khaitan apartment. Paramedics and Psychology Hospital after he caused a scene at a gov- pressed against the child’s parents. Separately, a Kuwaiti Municipality employee charged police found the Asian man bleeding when they arrived ernment building in Ardiya, and gave a false report citizen died after he suffered a heart attack during a Police are looking to arrest a Kuwaiti Municipality at the scene in response to an emergency call, and about an alleged murder at his house. Police headed to court hearing in a case filed by his son. The young man employee who faces attempted murder charges after rushed him to the Farwaniya Hospital. Preliminary the building of the Central Apparatus of Illegal had sued both of his parents, demanding KD 1 million stabbing a family driver in Firdous. According to the investigations indicate that the man was involved in a Residents Monday afternoon, in response to an emer- in compensation for their alleged failure to provide him police report, the Asian driver had agreed to help the fight with three roommates who attacked him with gency call reporting that a driver hit two cars in front of with proper care and education. man who requested assistance in moving a vegetables knives and escaped. Investigations are ongoing in the building. The complainant further indicated that the kart that he had confiscated in the area. The man had to search for the suspects who face attempted murder accident happened after the man exited the building, Convicted felons arrested leave before completing the job after his employer charges. where he yelled at employees and said “give the chil- Criminal Investigations Department officers arrested called to ask him to take her to the clinic to get her dren of Kuwait their rights.” The man was arrested and two fugitives, one sentenced to death and another to life insulin shot. The man got angry, and went to confront Firdous shooting taken to the Ardiya police station for questioning, dur- in prison, during separate operations in Farwaniya and the driver during which he physically assaulted him and Police arrived to a location in Firdous in response to ing which he told police that he killed a man inside his Sulaibiya. The first suspect, a Bangladeshi man in his 40s, stabbed him with a knife. The driver was rushed to the an emergency call reporting a random shooting in the house. Police headed to the suspect’s house but could was arrested inside his house in Farwaniya Sunday night. Farwaniya Hospital. He was taken by his employer’s son area. Officers searched for a man driving a Japanese- not find a dead body there. The homeowners told offi- The second operation took place in Sulaibiya after to the Firdous police station to press charges against made car who allegedly did the shooting, but could not cers that the suspect is mentally deranged.

Abdullah Ahmed Al-Hilal CFC supports Design Engineering exhibition

KUWAIT: Following its commitment to support local youth initia- tives, Commercial Facilities Company (CFC) announced its spon- sorship of the 26th Design Engineering exhibition organized by the Engineering and Petroleum Faculty at Kuwait University. Specifically, CFC will sponsor sessions focusing on the study and maintenance of electric power stations and Kuwait offshore plat- forms. Speaking about the sponsorship, Abdullah Ahmed Al- Hilal, Assistant Manager - Marketing, Commercial Facilities Company commented: “CFC is always striving to enhance its role as a Kuwaiti company focused on supporting the youth of today. We want to encourage young people to put to use their energetic, dynamic and innovative ideas. This is the fourth year that we have sponsored and supported students’ projects through this event, and we look forward to the presentations which will shed light on the latest scientific innovations, and contribute towards a better scientific environment in Kuwait”. “Through this support, CFC has focused on marking the importance of higher and applied education as a major strategic sector that needs more attention to be linked directly to the needs of the market in various specialties. CFC believes in the importance of helping the Kuwait University students to express their ambitions into real projects which provide our society with innovative ideas and solutions. I would to congratulate the stu- dents who won “the best project” award with their creative ideas with a special identity” Al-Hilal continued. Al-Hilal concluded: “We would like to thank Kuwait University and the Engineering and Petroleum faculty for their trust in CFC as a major supporter for youth, and a successful investor in students encouraging all their creative potential which play an essential role in the scientific innovation process. We would also like to extend our thanks to the students of “Study and maintenance run electric power stations” and the “Kuwait Offshore Platform” proj- ects for appreciating our support and our faith in their ability to improve the scientific and cultural scenario in Kuwait”. In addition to offering the best financial services, CFC has a his- tory rich in social, charitable and cultural initiatives. CFC also plays a major role in the development of the financial and consumer goods industry. It is one of the leading companies offering install- ment credit facilities, car financing, and personal cash loans. Customers can communicate with the company through the “CFC” renewed website www.cfc-kw.com or the CFC Smartphone application that can be downloaded from the “App Store” or “Google Play Store”.” Also Customers can submit applications at CFC’s main office in Sharq, or at any of the company’s branches located in Hawalli, Al Riggae, Fahaheel and Al Jahra, in addition to 21 company representatives spread between the main new and used car dealerships. In addition, customers can also connect with CFC through visiting the company page on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Commercial Facilities Company (CFC) was established in 1977 as the first Kuwaiti closed shareholding company with an initial capital of KD 3.8million (US$ 12.7million). It specializes in provid- ing installment credit facilities to finance consumer and commer- cial products. CFC plays a major role in the development of the financial and consumer goods industry. It is one of the leading companies in offering installment credit facilities, car financing, and personal cash loans. Branching out in strategic locations, CFC has over 200 employees across its five branches and 21 represen- tative offices. LOCAL WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2014 ‘Stay Dasmani-4’ completed at DDI KUWAIT: Dr Fahd Al-Ghimlas, The Director of the Fitness and Rehabilitation Center at Dasman Diabetes Institute, which was established by the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences, announced the completion of the 4th edition of the fitness and educa- tion program of the center under the slogan ‘Be Dasmani’. Dr Ghimlas mentioned that the pro- gram includes educational talks about the exercise and its importance to KUWAIT: Abu Dhabi Tourism Road Show at The Regency.— Photos by Joseph Shagra patients with diabetes, especially Type 2, and how to combat or control it by changing the lifestyle of the individual in the society. This is done through com- Dr Fahad Al-Ghimlas Kuwaitis among top prehensive assessment of subscribers by patient and how to deal with the long- intensive and advanced tests including term illness. full clinical examination as well as blood The program, which began on May and urine tests, cardiogram, and body 12, is overseen by a cadre of specialized composition testing. The program also medical doctors, nurses, specialists in Abu Dhabi visitors contains an integrated heart-and-lung exercise, nutrition and psychology. stress test to assess the efficiency of the Educational brochures were distributed body systems to work during stress. to the participants to enrich their aware- Participants are also evaluated in ness about the disease and how to deal 49 percent increase in number of guests terms of their dietary program, based on with it through a healthier lifestyle. Dr which they benefit from nutritional Ghimlas also added that the program is By Ben Garcia Abu Dhabi’s summer package which runs from June 6 counseling. They also attend lectures open for the public and will be repeated till the end of August. The Abu Dhabi summer season individually and as a group for diabetes frequently in the future to provide this KUWAIT: Kuwaitis are among the top 20 overseas features blockbuster international theatre, ballet, com- and its symptoms and risks and means exceptional service to the largest possi- source for hotel guests in Abu Dhabi, according to the edy and illusionist shows. Abu Dhabi will also host of combating and controlling it. In addi- ble number of people with diabetes. Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority. Speaking during a road regional film premieres, World Cup extravaganzas and tion, the program includes daily exercise To find out more information about show at The Regency, Mubarak Al-Shamisi, Country a host of locally-produced activities in hotels, malls workshops for the muscles and joints. the program, all are welcome to visit the Manager GCC, Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and other attractions. This is extended for a month during Fitness and Rehabilitation Center at the (TCA Abu Dhabi), said in the first quarter of this year, “We have teamed up with leading event producers which daily checks of vital functions and Dasman Diabetes Institute on the fourth 7,344 Kuwaitis stayed in the emirate’s hotels, a 49 per- to deliver headline shows and loads of action, includ- measuring the level of blood sugar take floor, or call 2224 2989. More informa- cent increase from the first three months of last year. ing concerts and performances by artistes from place before and after exercise. Dr tion about the Dasmani program can be “In Q1, our Kuwaiti guests delivered 18,751 guest throughout the Middle East, Russia and the US hosting Ghimlas reported that the most recent found on the center’s webpage: nights and while this was up by 61 percent over the comedy nights, live kids’ shows, theatre spectaculars edition also offered to the participants www.dasmaninstitute.org/frc, or follow same period last year, it only equates to an average and a regional film premiere,” explained Shamisi. group and individual lectures about psy- the news center on social media under length of stay of 2.55 nights,” he said. “We believe we can “Activities are spread across the emirate with events chological wellbeing of the diabetic the handle frc_dasman. do much better and our aim is to convince the Kuwaiti ranging from international performances to local travel trade and its customers that there is so much sporting challenges, mall activities and the best sum- more to do and see in Abu Dhabi that they should stay mer deals for hotels and attractions. We want to per- longer to enjoy more,” he added. Mubarak Al-Shamisi suade travelers that any time is a good time to have a Shamisi presented Abu Dhabi’s tourism destinations we have a family-specific product and are an emirate great time in Abu Dhabi and event organizers are like Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Yas Marina Circuit, the which has openly retained its heritage in which Gulf working with stakeholders to package around our Yas Links golf course, Yas Waterworld and Ferrari World nationals will feel comfortable and which will engage headline events,” he mentioned. In addition, special Abu Dhabi. “We realize we are up against tough compe- expatriates,” he added. activities from a ‘Go Wet This Summer’ event at Al Ain tition with Kuwaitis being a key GCC market on our Abu Dhabi benefits from good air links with Kuwait Sportplex Club, to Summer Zoo Nights at Al Ain Zoo, doorstep with other destinations also pursuing this with 37 flights a week from Kuwait International kids’ summer camps, shooting and squash and volley- business. However, we have the right product, particu- Airport to Abu Dhabi International Airpoirt, 28 of them ball competitions will be held at a variety of venues larly for families. We are an extremely safe destination, being Etihad Airways’ services. Shamisi also promoted throughout the emirate.

New approaches to settle disputes

MADRID: A five-day conference here ference which it can subsequently pass seeks to resolve international disputes by on to its GCC neighbors. resorting to out-of-court settlement or ADR approaches can easily be mediation or arbitration rather than bat- employed in commercial and trade and tling out these disputes in international business disputes by GCC states which courts, said a Kuwaiti participant in the mostly now depend on courtroom set- conference. tlements that take a long time to litigate International disputes, whether and incur sizeable costs, she said. among nations or conglomerates or any The five-day conference, entitled transnational entities, do better to resort “Legal Variables from Internalization to what is known among legal experts as Dream to Globalization Reality”, is organ- Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) ized in cooperation with ESEI methods rather than fighting it out in a International Business School in courtroom, said Fatin Al-Tukhaim, a legal Barcelona, the Union for the expert at Kuwait’s Department of Fatwa Mediterranean (UfM), University of Kent and Shariah, in a statement.. in Brussels, and the Government of These ADR methods, she said, use the Catalonia, Spain. The chief sponsor of the tools of mediation, arbitrations, and set- conference is Kuwait which has sent a 27 tlement conferences to help smooth out member delegation to participate in the disputes, adding that Kuwait will take conference whose functions began yes- away competent expertise from this con- terday. — KUNA KOC frees land for residential blocks

KUWAIT: The state-run Kuwait Oil ment. The fact that the area is adjacent to Company (KOC) has handed over up to a motorway is a positive sign, along with 70 million sq/m of land suitable for resi- its proximity to public utilities and servic- dential purposes to the Municipality, the es, he added. Minister of Communications and The location will respond to 50 per- Municipal Affairs said yesterday. cent of the applications made by locals The land located south of the area of for housing the state offers for no charge, Saad Al-Abdallah on the Sixth Ring Road but requires the efforts of the Public motorway can accommodate 43,000 Authority for Housing Welfare in rehabili- housing units, he said in a press state- tating it for the goal. — KUNA GCC celebrates 33rd anniversary

RIYADH: The Gulf Cooperation Council groundwork which aims to achieve the has made many achievements that noble aims it was formed for. respond to the needs and aspirations of Expressing gratitude for Saudi Arabia’s its people, Kuwaiti Minister of hosting of the GCC HQ, he said Kuwait Information and State Youth Minister supports plans to federalise the bloc, Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al- adding that sub-committees are carrying Humoud Al-Sabah said on the 33rd out “exceptional efforts aimed at making anniversary of its inception. this a success.” The event was attended Speaking to reporters at a ceremony by the GCC Secretary General Abdullatif celebrating the May 25 occasion on Al-Zayani along with the ambassadors of Monday evening, he said that the geopo- the six countries and Saudi officials. litical bloc (Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, In a speech, Al-Zayani had hailed Saudi Arabia and the United Arab recent steps for integration made by the Emirates) has managed - under all cir- six-nation bloc like the common market, cumstances - to carry its responsibilities the electric and water network, the cus- in serving its people. toms’ union and a joint railway. “This is thanks to God and the efforts He said these included “accomplish- of its leaders,” he said, who during their ments on the political, economic and meetings together have formed a solid military scales.” — KUNA WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2014

Obama in new bid to Hamas and Fatah agree on national unity govt define foreign policy

Page 8 Page 9 Ukraine retakes Donetsk airport Fighting rages in eastern city, dozens dead

DONETSK: Ukraine said yesterday it had regained control of peaceful dialogue between Kiev and regional representa- the airport in the eastern city of Donetsk after a day of pun- tives,” the Kremlin said in a statement issued following a ishing air strikes and fierce fighting with pro-Moscow sepa- phone conversation with Italian Prime Minister Matteo ratist gunmen left dozens of people dead. Russian President Renzi. Vladimir Putin immediately called on Ukraine to end its “puni- tive” operation in the rebel-held east and for talks between ‘Visit not Being Considered’ Kiev and the insurgents. The battle for the main transport Poroshenko, a 48-year-old pro-Western chocolate tycoon, hub in Ukraine’s industrial heartland erupted on Monday just had said he was ready to engage with the Russian leadership hours after president-elect Petro Poroshenko vowed to take a and was optimistic a meeting with Putin could be arranged tough stand against the “terrorists”. soon. Yesterday, however, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei “The airport is under our full control. The enemy suffered Lavrov - who had initially said Moscow was open to “prag- heavy losses. We have none,” Interior Minister Arsen Avakov matic dialogue” with the new leader - declared that a visit to said in a statement. He said however that the military was Moscow by Poroshenko was “not being considered”. continuing its operation at the airport and AFP journalists Sunday’s election had been viewed as crucial if Ukraine reported hearing sporadic gunfire and explosions during the was able to turn the page on months of turmoil that followed morning. The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in the February ouster of Kiev’s pro-Kremlin leadership by a pro- Europe also reported being unable to establish contact with EU protest movement. Kiev and the West accuse Russia of a four-member observer team based in the restive city since pulling the strings of the insurgents who took up arms Monday evening. against the central government in the wake of the Kremlin’s seizure of the Black Sea peninsula Crimea in March. Makeshift Blockades The United States and its allies had warned of another Donetsk mayor Oleksandr Lukyanchenko told reporters round of sanctions against Moscow if it meddled in Sunday’s that two civilians and 38 combatants had died. Rebel leaders election, which saw Poroshenko declared the clear winner suggested that the toll among their ranks could be higher. with 54 percent of the vote. In the days before the poll, Russia An AFP correspondent reported seeing body parts and blood also announced it had started withdrawing from Ukraine’s splattered near a bullet-riddled truck on the airport road, border around 40,000 soldiers whose presence had raised where makeshift blockades had been set up with dumper Western suspicions it could be planning to invade. trucks and piles of tyres. Combat jets and helicopter gunships Poroshenko, a political veteran, said Monday the military struck the airport terminal Monday after it was seized by would press on with its offensive against the insurgents who scores of gunmen just a day after Ukraine’s presidential elec- now control about a dozen cities and towns in the east. And tion won by Poroshenko. he insisted there would be “no talks with terrorists” until they The strikes represented the most forceful action by Kiev laid down their arms. The insurgency, which has now cost yet in its battle to crush a bloody rebellion that has raged in around 200 lives, thwarted polling in much of the east and DONETSK, Ukraine: Bodies of pro-Russian gunmen killed in clashes with Ukrainian government forces around the the coal and steel belt since early April and threatened to rebels have defiantly refused to recognise Poroshenko’s elec- airport are piled up at a city morgue yesterday. — AP tear the former Soviet state apart. The military action has tion. But a 1,000-strong team of international monitors led by that both the Ukranian government and regional authorities and rampant corruption. The IMF, which is leading $27-billion also revived tensions between Kiev and Moscow, which had the OSCE concluded that the election “largely upheld demo- had been informed of the situation. Western leaders have international bailout package to avert Ukraine’s bankruptcy, initially said it was ready to work with the new leader of its cratic commitments” and provided Poroshenko leader with praised the outcome of the election and German Chancellor has forecast that the economy will shrink by at least five per- western neighbour. the legitimacy needed to tackle the insurgency. Angela Merkel said it was now time to “continue the path of cent this year. Ukraine is also trying to negotiate a deal to In his first comments on Ukraine since Sunday’s election, The OSCE said yesterday it had lost contact with four internal reconciliation”. prevent Russia from cutting off gas supplies from next week Putin called “for an immediate end to the military’s punitive members of its Special Monitoring Mission when it went out Poroshenko also faces a daunting task to trying to avert if it fails to pay more than $5 billion demanded for debts and operation in southeastern regions and the establishment of “on a routine patrol east of Donetsk” on Monday. It added economic collapse after years of Soviet-era mismanagement prepayments for June deliveries. — AFP INTERNATIONAL WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2014 Sudanese ordered to hang ‘gives birth in jail’

KHARTOUM: A Christian Sudanese woman, sen- see his wife again after she gave birth. Ishag was “adultery”. Under Sudan’s interpretation of sharia, court’s decision as “barbaric,” while the United tenced to hang for apostasy in a case that has “frustrated” when he saw her on Monday, he said. a Muslim woman cannot marry a non-Muslim States said it was “deeply disturbed” and Canada sparked international outcry, has given birth in jail, “We weren’t able to speak. There is a guard sitting man and any such relationship is regarded as said it was “shocked and appalled”. her husband said yesterday. “Until now I did not see there beside us,” said Wani, a Christian who says he adulterous. “I am a Christian and I never commit- The Citizen newspaper, in an earlier editorial, them. They didn’t allow me to go in and see,” Daniel was born in Khartoum. “The mother and the baby ted apostasy,” Ishag calmly told the judge before said members of Ishag’s family filed the court case Wani told AFP. “I’m disappointed really,” he said from seem to be doing okay,” a Western diplomat who is he passed sentence. London-based Amnesty “for other hidden purposes”. Wani declined to a prisons office where he was continuing efforts to familiar with Ishag’s case told AFP. But he said: “It’s a International said Ishag was raised as an comment on what was behind the legal action see his wife and newborn daughter. Meriam Yahia cruel treatment to be in such a situation.” Giving Orthodox Christian, her mother’s religion, against his wife. He said an appeal has already Ibrahim Ishag, 27, is being held at a women’s prison birth in a jail “is certainly not the best place, for because her Muslim father was absent. The been filed. The woman would be allowed to nurse in Khartoum’s twin city of Omdurman. physical and psychological reasons,” the diplomat Western diplomat said of her case: “For the image her baby for two years after the birth, before any Wani said he and his wife have not yet chosen said. of Sudan, it’s certainly no good.” death sentence is carried out, legal experts have a name for their baby. Ishag already has a 20-month “We gave you three days to recant but you insist Britain and Canada last week summoned the said. If she is hanged, Ishag will be the first person old son, who is also incarcerated with her, rights on not returning to Islam. I sentence you to be Sudanese envoys to their countries over Ishag’s executed for apostasy under the 1991 penal code, activists say. A Khartoum-area court sentenced her hanged,” Judge Abbas Mohammed Al-Khalifa said case, which they say conflicts with Sudan’s inter- said Christian Solidarity Worldwide, a British- to death on May 15. Born to a Muslim father, she as he passed the verdict against Ishag, addressing national human rights obligations. United Nations based group working for religious freedom. was convicted under the Islamic sharia law that has her by her father’s Muslim name, Adraf al-Hadi rights experts have called the conviction “outra- Information Minister Ahmed Bilal Osman has said been in force in Sudan since 1983 and outlaws con- Mohammed Abdullah. geous” and said it must be overturned. “Choosing Sudan is not unique in its law against apostasy. “In versions on pain of death. and/or changing one’s religion is not a crime at Saudi Arabia, in all the Muslim countries, it is not Wani said he is normally granted a weekly visit ‘I am a Christian’ all. On the contrary, it is a basic human right,” they allowed at all for a Muslim to change his religion,” to the prison but had sought special permission to Khalifa also sentenced her to 100 lashes for said after the verdict. Britain denounced the he said. — AFP

GAZA CITY: Palestinian protesters chant slogans to speed up the implementation of the national reconciliation and the announcement of the formation of a national unity government during a rally yesterday. — AFP Hamas and Fatah agree on national unity govt Abbas expected to swear in new ministers soon

GAZA: Rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas agreed stay on. They said a formal swearing-in ceremony will be on the makeup of a national unity government yesterday in held later in the week at Abbas’ seat of government in the most significant step yet toward healing their seven- Ramallah. year rift. The two groups said they had decided on a list of Abbas has sought to soothe foreign donor countries upon independent, technocrat ministers who will run the govern- which his government depends for its economic survival that ment pending elections in at least six months - moves they he will remain the main Palestinian decision-maker on diplo- hope will revive institutions paralysed since the parties macy and policy toward Israel. Deep mistrust have scuppered fought a brief civil war in 2007. Officials from the two sides previous deals to end the internal Palestinian rift, with both told a news conference in the Gaza Strip that Palestinian sides struggling to reconcile Hamas’ commitment to fighting President Mahmoud Abbas will make a formal announce- Israel with Abbas’ choice to negotiate with it. ment of the new government later this week after choosing Ismail Haniya, current prime minister of the Hamas govern- a religious affairs minister. ment in Gaza, said at a rally earlier yesterday that Palestinians “The viewpoints of the Hamas and Fatah movements will would now be newly empowered to fight Israel. “Palestinian be presented to President (Abbas) to give his final decision on reconciliation aims to unite the Palestinian people against the the government line-up,” Fatah official Azzam Al-Ahmed said. prime enemy, the Zionist enemy. It aims to pursue the choice The deal cements an initial unity pledge the two parties of resistance and steadfastness,” Haniya told supporters in the announced on April 23, just as US-backed peace talks Abbas southern town of Rafah. Sources close to the talks say recon- was holding with Israel were collapsing. Those negotiations ciling the Hamas-built security services in Gaza with Abbas’ now appear to be totally stalled, yet both Abbas and his Israeli Western-equipped security forces in the West Bank will be counterparts say they seek more talks under the right condi- delayed until after elections. Leaders of the group said their tions. Israel objects to the reconciliation moves and regards most powerful armed wing will remain untouched even after Hamas, which refuses to recognise it or renounce arms, as a the vote. — Reuters terrorist group. The two factions agreed that current Prime Minister Rami Al-Hamdallah, a for- mer university president picked by Abbas, will lead the new cabinet. Sources close to the unity talks said Hamdallah would also assume the sensitive post of interior minister, and that the current ministers of for- eign affairs and finance will WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2014 Obama in new bid to define foreign policy Washington seeks perfect balance

WASHINGTON: He’s been president for five and a half Obama is getting increasingly frustrated with his crit- years, brought troops home from Iraq, is winding down the ics. Privately, he has fumed that there is not appreciation Afghan war, killed Osama bin Laden and crafted a multi- that he has avoided errors like Iraq and publicly accuses his tude of speeches defining his worldview. Yet President foes of being trigger happy. But critics like Bob Corker, the Barack Obama still feels the need to make a new attempt to top Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations committee explain his foreign policy to Americans this week. It’s a warn Obama’s desire to avoid errors means problems like measure of threats to his reputation as a statesman that Syria come back to haunt him. “It’s a sweep-under-the-rug Obama, who rode a willingness to talk to US enemies like foreign policy, and I think that’s exacerbating the potential Iran, avoid foreign quagmires and wage war by drone to for conflict down the road,” Corker told the Times Free Press two presidential terms, is giving the speech at all. of Tennessee. Top aides say the speech at West Point military academy Other critics warn Obama’s problem is not a paucity of today will set out a broad foreign policy framework for a explanation but an unwillingness to wield a big stick. After president who has resisted defining a personal diplomatic all, the president has made many eloquent speeches on doctrine. It will take place as Obama’s strategy of disengag- foreign policy from his Nobel address on the nature of war ing from Middle East wars and pivoting US power to Asia is to a speech on drone policy last year. But at times, his cau- challenged by crises including sectarian mayhem in Syria, a tion has been outpaced by events in places like Syria and revanchist Russia and a territorially belligerent China. Ukraine. Kori Schake, who worked for George W Bush’s Obama’s critics have seized on National Security Council, warned the tumult to argue that the pres- that basing a foreign policy ident is being outmaneuvered by around avoiding error was insuffi- authoritarian leaders like Russia’s cient. “They are wrong that avoid- Vladimir Putin, China’s Xi Jinping ing mistakes is the goal, and they and Syria’s Bashar Al-Assad. He are wrong that they have avoided has also struggled to rebut claims mistakes,” Schake said, arguing his failure to strike Syria over that the administration’s reluc- chemical weapons use last year tance to throw its wholehearted sent a message that the United support behind the Syrian oppo- States would let its “red lines” be sition made things worse. crossed. But Obama supporters see the Republican critique as harking Turning Point back to a day when an American Deputy National Security president could dictate outcomes Adviser Ben Rhodes said Obama by simply talking tough. Since sees America at a turning point. then, US interventions in Iraq and “Our foreign policy is going to Afghanistan have punctured per- look a lot different going forward ceptions of US power and turned than it did in the last decade Americans against foreign wars. Barack Obama when Iraq and Afghanistan really Obama must also navigate a dominated the discussion,” Rhodes said. There was an end- world that includes Russia’s challenge to the post-Cold War of-an-era feel to Obama’s surprise weekend trip to order, a rising China flexing its muscles, developing states Afghanistan, where major combat operations end in seven grabbing a piece of the economic pie and a sectarian tide months. Aides also hinted that Obama would give some swamping borders in the Middle East. indications of the size of the post-2014 training force he is Former State Department official Bruce Jentleson contemplating for Afghanistan in his speech. said Washington must find a balance between too He will explain his goals in the last years of his adminis- much retrenchment - where Obama and libertarian tration and “how our approach in hot spots like Ukraine, conservatives sometimes fall - and the re-assertiveness Iran and Syria fit into that construct,” a senior US official of neoconservatives who have an overly bullish view of said. Obama believes his legacy lies in moving America on US power. “I think it is valid to say that this administra- from the traumatic military and legal wars against terror tion has not made major errors but that is not sufficient sparked by the September 11 attacks in 2001 to a more sus- for sustaining a successful foreign policy over two terms tainable security posture. “What we want to do is step back of a presidency,” he said. Jentleson, now with Duke and put all of these actions into the context of how does University and the Woodrow Wilson International America lead in the world and how do we strike the bal- Center for Scholars, said it was vital for US security and ance between not getting overextended as we were in “the legacy that President Obama wants to leave that Iraq,” Rhodes said. some of these problems get better answers.” — AFP INTERNATIONAL WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2014 EU leaders hunt answers after eurosceptic ‘quake’ Cameron looks to rally support at EU summit

BRUSSELS: European leaders were set to carry out a post-mortem yesterday, with calls for reforms to the bloc following the dramatic breakthrough of nationalist, eurosceptic and anti-immigrant parties in EU elections. Shaken by a thrashing at the hands of the far-right National Front (FN) in the bloc’s second biggest economy, French President Francois Hollande set the tone for the meeting by calling for ABUJA: Muslim women pray at a meeting yesterday calling on the government to changes to a “remote and incomprehensible” EU. rescue the kidnapped girls of the government secondary school in Chibok. — AP The election served up a clear message - vot- ers are fed up with years in the economic dol- drums and the stinging austerity policies Obasanjo holds talks pushed by aloof EU bureaucrats in Brussels who insist that ‘more Europe, not less,’ is the answer. to free schoolgirls Au contraire! Hollande said as he called for EU powers to be reined in after the humiliating LAGOS: Nigeria’s ex-president Olusegun er had been diminished” by President defeat of his Socialist Party in Sunday’s election. Obasanjo has met with people close to Boko Goodluck Jonathan’s decision to bring in “This cannot continue. Europe has to be simple, Haram in an attempt to broker the release of Western military help, including from the clear, to be effective where it is needed and to more than 200 kidnapped schoolgirls, a United States. withdraw from where it is not necessary,” source close to the talks told AFP. The meet- Hollande told the nation in a televised address. ing took place last weekend at Obasanjo’s Envoys Met Boko Haram Basking in her shock victory, FN leader farm in southern Ogun state and included rel- Mustapha Zanna, the lawyer who helped Marine le Pen said the French people “no longer atives of some senior Boko Haram fighters as organise Obasanjo’s 2011 talks with Boko want to be ruled from outside, to have to submit well as intermediaries and the former presi- Haram, said he was at the former president’s to laws they did not vote for or to obey (EU offi- dent, the source said. “The meeting was home on Saturday. But he declined to discuss cials) who are not subject to the legitimacy of whether the Chibok abductions were on the universal suffrage.” focused on how to free the girls through LONDON: Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron visits a construction site in central London yes- agenda. “I was there,” he told AFP, adding that Across the Channel, British Prime Minister negotiation,” said the source who requested terday. Cameron has urged fellow European Union leaders to seize the ‘moment for change’ after Obasanjo was interested in helping orphans David Cameron, with one eye on national elec- anonymity, referring to the girls seized on eurosceptic parties scored spectacular successes in elections across the continent. — AFP April 14 from the remote northeastern town and vulnerable children in Nigeria’s embat- tions next year, was singing the same tune after of Chibok, Borno state. tled northeast and that possible charitable the anti-EU UK Independence Party (UKIP) and workable majority in the European Secondly, the five main parliament groups Reports of the talks emerged as Nigeria’s work was on the agenda. Zanna had repre- topped the polls, having won over many of his Parliament”, Barroso said. “It is extremely impor- put up their own candidates to head the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex sented Yusuf’s family in a wrongful death law- conservative voters. “Leaders should seize the tant that the political forces that led and sup- Commission and have warned they fully expect Badeh, said the girls had been located while suit filed against the government following opportunity (yesterday) to heed the views ported the essential steps in the EU’s joint crisis EU leaders to name one of them to the post. casting doubt on the prospect of rescuing his death in police custody. expressed at the ballot box that the EU needs to response, notably the political forces represent- Parliament is the EU’s only directly elected body, them by force. Obasanjo, who left office in It was not clear if Obasanjo’s weekend change and to show it cannot be business as ed in the European Commission, have overall they argue, and so choosing from them is the 2007, has previously sought to negotiate with meeting had been sanctioned by the govern- usual,” Cameron’s Downing Street office said. won once again,” he said. best way to bolster the bloc’s democratic credi- the insurgents, including in Sept 2011 after ment. Obasanjo, who backed Jonathan’s 2011 The latest parliament projections give the bility, one of the vulnerabilities the anti-EU par- Boko Haram bombed the United Nations presidential campaign, fiercely criticised him Merkel Sees Need for Change conservative European People’s Party (EPP) 213 ties capitalised on so successfully. headquarters in Abuja. Then, he flew to the and his record as president in a letter released In marked contrast to Cameron and Hollande, seats out of 751, with the Socialists on 190 and The question is whether the election out- Islamists’ base in the Borno state capital, to the public last December and the two are German Chancellor Angela Merkel came out of the Liberals 64. The anti-EU camp will likely have come makes EU leaders more or less likely to do Maiduguri, to meet relatives of former Boko widely thought to have fallen out. According the European Parliament elections relatively about 140 seats but analysts question whether it that. Herman Van Rompuy, the head of the Haram leader Mohammed Yusuf, who was to the source, Obasanjo supported a prison- unscathed but she too stressed the need for will be able to operate in a coherent fashion giv- European Council which groups the 28 mem- killed in police custody in 2009. er-for-hostage swap that would see some of change. The results were “quite remarkable and en the wide range of opinions they include. ber state leaders, has made clear that they are The 2011 talks did not help stem the vio- the girls released in exchange for a group of regrettable but now the point is to win those not ready to give up their prerogatives lightly. lence and some at the time doubted if Boko Haram fighters held in Nigerian custody. voters back,” Merkel said, adding that “growth Top EU Appointments The new head of the Commission, due to be Obasanjo was dealing with people who were As a private citizen whose ties to the presi- and jobs (are) the best answer.” The EU’s 500 mil- The 28 EU leaders were to gather in Brussels named in July, will have to command “a majori- legitimately capable of negotiating a cease- dency have been damaged, Obasanjo likely lion people were not interested in the EU’s to discuss the election results and draw conclu- ty in the European Parliament and a large fire. Spokesmen for the former head of state, does not have the authority to negotiate any arcane politicking, Merkel said, they want sions for policy ahead of hectic summer which majority in the Council,” Van Rompuy said who remains an influential figure in Nigerian deal on the government’s behalf. The govern- answers to “the question of how Europe affects will see all the top EU officials replaced, begin- shortly before the election, putting the stress politics, could not be reached to comment ment, which has officially ruled out a prisoner them and their lives.” ning with a new head for the European on the latter requirement. on the latest reported Boko Haram talks. But swap, sent intermediaries to meet Boko However, European Commission head Jose Commission, the EU’s executive arm. This Yesterday’s meeting was not supposed to dis- the source told AFP that Obasanjo had Haram in the northeast to negotiate for the Manuel Barroso - the EU’s top bureaucrat - saw Commission post now becomes even more criti- cuss any names for the Commission post, rather voiced concern about Nigeria’s acceptance of girls’ release. The source identified one of the the outcome differently. Yes, the eurosceptics cal - firstly, in light of the election results, which the policy direction it needs to take, EU officials foreign military personnel to help rescue the envoys as Ahmad Salkida, a journalist with and other dissenters had made their voice heard EU leaders are supposed to weigh when they said. EU leaders will also review the situation in girls. “He said he is worried that Nigeria’s ties to Boko Haram who had been close to but the pro-EU camp of the centre-right, centre- make their choice. Previously, they settled the Ukraine after presidential elections there prestige in Africa as a major continental pow- Yusuf before his death. —AFP left and Liberals would still have “a very solid issue among themselves after hard bargaining. Sunday.— AFP French opposition chief quits

PARIS: The leader of France’s embattled pressured to falsify the bills or risk not get- raise any objection to stepping down,” said centre-right opposition quit yesterday fol- ting paid. While Bygmalion has sought to Jean-Pierre Raffarin, who will share the lowing claims that invoices for former explain the false bills as an attempt to help interim leadership with two other former president Nicolas Sarkozy’s 2012 election Sarkozy, some senior UMP figures suspect premiers, Francois Fillon and Alain Juppe. campaign were fraudulently billed as par- the company of simply seeking cash, with Sarkozy, who denies any wrongdoing ty expenses. Jean-Francois Cope agreed to the connivance of Cope. The saga is the in any of the cases he is involved in, was step down at the request of fellow heavy- latest in a series of scandals linking “very unhappy to see his name dragged weights in the Union for a Popular Sarkozy to alleged irregularities in the into this strange affair,” his close ally and Movement (UMP) following the latest twist funding of his electoral campaigns which former minister Brice Hortefeux said. in an scandal engulfing him and a PR firm threaten to wreck his chances of reclaim- France’s constitutional court rapped owned by two close friends. The 50-year- ing the presidency in 2017. Sarkozy last year for exceeding campaign old leader’s position became untenable spending limits and ordered the party to after Sarkozy’s former deputy campaign ‘Party’s Credibility Damaged’ repay some Ä10 million. It did so quickly director gave an explosive television inter- The most serious of them involves alle- thanks to an energetic collection drive led view on Monday evening. gations that he received undeclared cash by Sarkozy that many pundits saw as a Jerome Lavrilleux tearfully claimed that from former Libyan dictator Muammar reminder of his charisma and strong bills for Sarkozy’s failed 2012 re-election Gaddafi. Sarkozy was cleared last year of appeal to voters on the right of France’s campaign were passed off as invoices for personally accepting envelopes stuffed political spectrum. party meetings in order to skirt round with cash from France’s richest woman, As UMP leader, Cope has never fully France’s strict limits on campaign financ- L’Oreal heiress Liliane Bettencourt, but his emerged from Sarkozy’s shadow and the ing. Lavrilleux claimed that neither campaign treasurer is awaiting trial in that party was badly damaged by the protract- Sarkozy nor Cope were aware of what was case. The drip of corruption allegations ed and bitter leadership battle he fought being done. “I didn’t have the courage to against the UMP has been credited with with Fillon in 2012. Fillon said yesterday say ‘stop, we have gone too far’,” he said. As helping to fuel a surge in support for the the UMP’s “credibility and honour have party leader Cope was responsible for far right National Front (FN), which topped been damaged” after the European elec- authorising the payments made to the polls in Sunday’s European elections tions debacle, in which the party came Bygmalion. with an unprecedented 25 percent share second with 20.8 percent of the vote. According to a lawyer for the company, of the vote. Cope, who had previously Fillon has made no secret of his desire to the amount billed to the UMP that should shunned calls for his ouster, agreed to be a presidential candidate in 2017 even if have been charged to Sarkozy’s campaign relinquish the leadership from June 15 at Sarkozy makes a comeback. Polls suggest amounted to more than Ä10 million ($13.6 what participants described as an Juppe would be the most popular candi- million). The lawyer says the company was “extremely angry” meeting. “He did not date with voters. — AFP Election boss urges end to Malawi vote chaos

BLANTYRE, Malawi: Malawi’s poll watchdog pressed ahead unofficial tally, has opposed a recount. On Saturday Mutharika with a troubled vote recount yesterday, in a bid to show the avoided claiming victory but said the “people have spoken and country can resolve a deep political crisis constitutionally and this was a free and credible election”. Banda’s supporters save its young democracy. Since the chaotic vote a week ago believe the vote was far from fair, and fear the 74-year-old President Joyce Banda has attempted to declared the vote “null brother of late former president Bingu wa Mutharika may be and void” and court orders and injunctions have flown back attempting to steal power. and forth. She has claimed the vote was marred by “serious Peter Mutharika already faces treason charges for irregularities” and called for a new ballot within 90 days, saying attempting to conceal his brother’s death in office two years she would not take part. But it is not clear she has the constitu- ago, as part of an alleged plot to stop Banda - then vice- tional power to make such a move and a court ordered the vote president - from assuming power as directed by the consti- count to continue. tution. When voting was scheduled to begin last Tuesday Electoral commission chair Maxon Mbendera late Monday the opening of some polling stations was delayed by as urged Malawians to stay calm, saying a full audit could take up much as 10 hours because voting materials did not arrive, to 30 days. “Allow me to appeal to the country, it is time to build prompting isolated violence that saw at least one centre this nation,” said Mbendera. “We must find the way forward in touched. this delicate situation.” Mbendera said 95 percent of the results The United Nations, European Union and United States had been recorded and around 100 of the 275 registered com- have called for calm. “We join the African Union and the plaints still had to be addressed. In some places the number of international community in calling for calm as the Malawi votes cast is reportedly greater than the number of voters. Election Commission works to tally the vote and to resolve Mbendera said the results for the disputed centres had been any challenges or complaints,” State Department spokes- isolated and “we are examining them closely to check for possi- woman Marie Harf said in a statement. But while the army ble errors.” Analysts have praised Malawi’s electoral commission was deployed to ensure tensions did not spill over, instances and other institutions for their handling of the crisis, perhaps of violence have been isolated. Whatever the declared result the most serious since Malawi’s independence in 1963. “Despite it is likely that there will be more legal wrangling, according the political twists and turns, the drama, and the general public to Dimpho Motsamai, an analyst at the Pretoria-based uneasiness, I think Malawi has demonstrated, again, that it has Institute of Security Studies. strong, respected and impartial institutions,” said Jeffrey Smith Still Motsamai said the current period in Malawi repre- of the Washington-based Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice sented a “worrisome period of uncertainty.” The election and Human Rights. imbroglio is unlikely to help Malawi’s dire economic prob- lems. After taking office Banda oversaw the devaluation of ‘People Have Spoken’ the kwacha currency by 50 percent, the easing of foreign Opposition leader Peter Mutharika, who on Friday with exchange restrictions, and the raising of fuel prices and cut- about a third of the votes counted led with 42 percent of the ting of subsidies. —AFP WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2014 INTERNATIONAL Thailand troops swoop on fugitive ex-minister Ex-minister denounces coup as disaster

BANGKOK: Thai soldiers burst into a journalists’ club in Bangkok yesterday and detained a former minister in the government deposed by the army last week after he had denounced the coup Malaysian govt releases as a disaster. Former Education Minister Chaturon Chaisang had been on the run after refusing to turn himself in to the military after being summoned in the wake of the May 22 coup. Shortly satellite data on MH370 before the soldiers appeared, Chaturon had told a packed KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia yesterday resources there,” the report said. Malaysian Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand that he expected to be released raw satellite data used to deter- Selamat Umar, whose son Mohamad arrested. “They’re just doing their duty,” a smiling Chaturon said mine that missing Flight MH370 went Khairul Amri was on the ill-fated jetliner, as he was led away. down in the southern Indian Ocean, infor- was also critical of the satellite data, which Other former ministers were detained by the military after the mation demanded by passengers’ relatives is being released almost two months after PURI: Indians walk past a sand sculpture of new Prime Minister Narendra Modi creat- coup although most, including former premier Yingluck Shinawatra, have now been freed, even if their movements are who are frustrated over the failure to find the incident. ed by sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik at Puri beach, some 65 kilometers from any wreckage. The Department of Civil “I am not convinced at all by the data. Bhubaneswar yesterday. — AFP being monitored. Chaturon had told reporters the coup would only exacerbate conflict. “I believe that from now on there will be Aviation (DCA) said it had worked with Why are they releasing it now? Before more and more arrests, society will be in a worse situation. The Inmarsat to provide 47 pages of data com- when we asked for it, they did not want to Modi’s cabinet: New economy will be in a bad situation if we let these coup-makers do munication logs recorded by the British release it. What can we do with it now? “I what they like. It will be a disaster,” he said. “They have a big weak- satellite operator, as well as explanatory think they could have made some changes ness. They have no knowledge or experience to run a country. notes for public consumption. to the data,” Selamat, 60, said. Terence Fan, They don’t have the support of the international community or Analysts said it would take time to draw aviation expert at Singapore Management team running India the Thai people.” any conclusions from the raw, highly tech- University, said the data was a “good He said he had not been in touch with Yingluck, the sister of nical data. The families of the 239 passen- approximation of where the aircraft is” but NEW DELHI: New Indian Prime Minister youngest cabinet minister in 1977 after the end deposed former premier Thaksin Shinawatra. Thailand’s political gers and crew on board the Malaysia “it comes with a small margin of error”. “It Narendra Modi announced his cabinet yester- of Indira Gandhi’s emergency government and upheaval is the latest spasm in a nearly decade-long struggle Airlines plane had called for the informa- will be nice if they can show us the calcula- day, combining several portfolios to cut the has handled the information, broadcasting and between former telecoms mogul turned populist politician tion to be made public after a massive and tions and the satellite position at the differ- number of government positions and giving telecommunications portfolios since. Swaraj Thaksin and the royalist establishment which sees him as a costly search for the flight, which mysteri- ent point of times,” he said. many regional politicians their first national was one of the few BJP leaders to oppose threat. Thaksin, dogged by accusations of corruption, nepotism ously diverted from its Kuala Lumpur- Greg Waldron, Singapore-based manag- experience. The following is a list of the senior Modi’s elevation as the party’s prime ministerial and disrespecting the monarchy, was deposed in a 2006 coup Beijing route 11 weeks ago, found nothing. ing editor with aviation publication group figures in “Team Modi” who face sky-high candidate in September last year and Modi was and has lived abroad since 2008 to avoid a graft conviction. Officials, relying in part on the Inmarsat Flightglobal, said the satellite data was con- expectations after the Hindu nationalist once thought unlikely to give her a senior role. But he remains Thailand’s most influential politician. He or his data, have said they believe the plane end- sistent with what Inmarsat had previously allies have won every election since 2001 with the support of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won the clearest She will have to manage tricky relations with ed up over the southern Indian Ocean revealed. “Basically it shows the timings of mandate in the country for 30 years. China, repair severe damage to US relations poor, rural voters. Asked about Thaksin, Chaturon said he did not know what his role would be. “In my now opinion, Thaksin has where it crashed into the sea, possibly after the handshakes of the plane with the satel- provoked by the arrest of an Indian diplomat in running out of fuel. lite over the Indian Ocean,” he said. “But I Finance, Defense Minister December in New York, and handle a tough contributed to democracy but it might be different if he lessened his role,” he said. He did not elaborate. The numerical data used the Doppler would not dare to guess if they are search- A successful corporate lawyer, Jaitley is the assignment on Pakistan. Modi invited Pakistani effect-the change in frequency of waves ing in the right place. The fact that they are most powerful member of the new govern- Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to his swearing-in, ‘Ready to fight’ from a moving object-to decipher the using this type of data shows how desper- ment after Modi, holding two vital and difficult sending a message he hopes to make progress Boeing 777’s final flight path. Inmarsat’s ate the search for the plane is.” The DCA has portfolios. He served as commerce minister in a in stalled peace talks with the longstanding Chaturon also said he believed the coup had been a conspira- cy between Suthep Thaugsuban, a former deputy premier who interpretation of the data was subsequent- previously stressed that satellite data was previous BJP government which was in power nuclear-armed rival. led six months of protest against Yingluck, the royalist establish- ly verified by the international investigation just one of several elements being exam- 1998-2004. In the last parliament, the 61-year- ment and the judiciary. “A coup was what Suthep and his follow- team, which includes the DCA and the air ined by investigators. old was leader of the opposition in India’s Home Minister ers always wanted,” he said. “This is the work of those who fear safety boards of Britain, China and the Malaysian authorities have been tight- upper house, winning a reputation as a forceful BJP president and the highest-ranking their own people. They don’t believe in elections. They created a United States. But, with no sign of the plane lipped on details, saying they can only speaker and leading critic of the left-leaning member of the party, Singh is a former chief system where they can remove any government they want.” The found since its disappearance on March 8, divulge information once it has been veri- Congress government. A longtime Modi ally, minister of northern Uttar Pradesh state who coup leader, General Prayuth Chan-ocha, said on Monday he relatives and friends are sceptical. “The first fied and when its release will not affect Jaitley provided one of the only items of bad has previously served as a federal agriculture hoped to hold elections soon though he gave no timeframe. He thing we’re going to expect feedback on is investigations into the plane’s disappear- news for the BJP on results day on May 16 minister. Like Modi, 62-year-old Singh rose has said broad political reforms were needed first. Chaturon said does the data look right,” Sarah Bajc, whose ance. Australia has committed up to US$84 when he lost what was supposed to be a safe through the ranks of the RSS, a grassroots right- he believed the military had used violence on the streets as an partner Philip Wood was on the missing jet, million towards the search operation over seat in northwestern Punjab state. The former wing Hindu group closely linked to the BJP. He excuse for the coup. The military said it had to intervene to pre- told CNN. “Is it as complete as we’re being two years. One phase of the search is set to vice president of India’s powerful cricket board was a physics lecturer before becoming a politi- vent more serious bloodshed. “A coup d’etat doesn’t solve the led to believe it is?” the American said. end this week. Ocean Shield, an Australian problems. It will make conflict worse,” he said. describes himself as a “liberal political activist cian. Singh is prized by Modi as a good admin- ship that has been deploying a US Navy He said he was ready to face the consequences of his defi- grounded in law, ethics and humanism”. Jaitley istrator and a key loyalist who will now manage Another flight route? mini-sub to scour the ocean depths, is said yesterday he was aware he was taking over the police and domestic intelligence agencies. ance: “If I’m prosecuted, I’m ready to fight.” On Sunday, Chaturon told Reuters from an undisclosed location that he had tried to Bajc and other relatives said in a May 20 expected to leave the search area on at a “challenging time” due to growth of under His key challenges will be handling continued report to the governments of Malaysia and Wednesday and then return to Perth to 5.0 percent and consumer inflation nearing unrest in the Muslim-majority Himalayan terri- warn colleagues against attending crisis talks on May 22 at which Prayuth seized power. Chaturon said those in detention were not Australia, which is coordinating the search demobilize the submersible. The next double figures. tory of Kashmir, a Maoist insurgency in eastern effort, that they wanted to know if another phase will involve using sophisticated The BJP’s most influential woman, Swaraj is and central India, as well as homegrown being treated badly. “The problem is, we don’t know how long they’ll be detained. What I worry about most is those who will flight path had been possible. “There is no equipment to scan the unmapped ocean known as a strong and often humorous orator Islamist militant networks. Depending on mention on why they are so sure the bed. Commercial negotiations are under- in her native Hindi language. She served as Modi’s ambition, the under-paid, under-staffed fight for democracy,” he said. “It seems General Prayuth may want to hold power for some time,” he said. “He has assigned a lot of Inmarsat data is highly accurate and reli- way to engage contractors to do this work, leader of the opposition in the lower house of and corruption-plagued police force might also soldiers to administer this country, but these are tasks they know able, to the extent that they have thrown all according to Australian officials. — AFP the last parliament. Now 62, she became India’s be a target for reform. — AFP the least.” — Reuters

INTERNATIONAL WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2014 Vietnam, China trade accusations after Vietnamese fishing boat sinks Vietnamese, Chinese boats squared off around rig

HANOI: Vietnam and China traded accu- province and overturned in the waters location of the rig. Neither officials from sations yesterday over the sinking of a near China’s Xisha Islands.” Vietnam has COSL nor CNOOC Group, parent of flag- Vietnamese fishing boat not far from said the rig is in its 200-nautical mile ship unit CNOOC Ltd, could be reached where China has parked an oil rig in the exclusive economic zone and on its conti- for comment. Vietnam state television on disputed South China Sea, as tensions nental shelf. China says it is operating Monday said its reporters on a nearby fester between the two countries over within its waters. boat had seen the rig move but it didn’t the giant drilling platform. Hanoi said say how far. In line with previous state- some 40 Chinese fishing boats surround- First drilling round ments, COSL said drilling was on track to ed the Vietnamese craft on Monday Yesterday, the rig’s operator, China be completed by mid-August. The rig is before one of them rammed it and it Oilfield Services Ltd (COSL), said the rig 240 km (150 miles) off Vietnam’s coast sank. had finished its first round of drilling and and 330 km from the southern coast of Vietnamese fishing boats operating moved to another site in the area. In a China’s Hainan island. nearby rescued the 10 fishermen on statement, COSL said exploration would Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen board, the government and the coast- still take place off the Xisha islands, sug- Tan Dung last week said his government guard said. China’s official Xinhua news gesting the platform was not moving far. was considering taking legal action agency, citing a government source, said The rig had “smoothly” completed the against China following the deployment the vessel capsized after “harassing and first phase of its work said COSL, the oil of the rig. That drew an angry response colliding with” a Chinese fishing boat. service arm of state-run China National from China. Earlier this month, mobs China Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Offshore Oil Company (CNOOC) Group, angered over the rig attacked mostly Gang said Vietnam caused the incident which owns the $1 billion platform. Taiwanese factories in Vietnam. Many of with its “insistence on forcefully disrupt- COSL said it had obtained relevant the rioters mistook Taiwanese companies ing China’s normal operations and its geological data from the drilling, but did to be owned by mainland Chinese. At HANOI: Motorists ride past propaganda billboards featuring Vietnam’s determination to defend its coastal waters dangerous actions on the seas. not give details or specify the current least four workers were killed. —Reuters and islands, along a street in downtown Hanoi yesterday. — AFP “We urge the Vietnamese side once again to immediately stop all disruptive and damaging (activites),” he added. Scores of Vietnamese and Chinese ships, China hits activists with common-crime charges including coastguard vessels, have con- BEIJING: In prosecuting the country’s political criminal policies in striving to achieve legal, politi- ingly charged with non-ESS crimes, thereby of China’s labor camps, which were criticized for tinued to square off around the rig and social activists, an image-conscious Beijing is cal and social purposes in unison,” the directive obscuring the political nature of their contested being illegal. The growing use of criminal charges despite a series of collisions this month shifting its tactics. Rather than filing charges of said. acts,” a Dui Hua statement said. Most notably, to conceal the suppression of dissent is “alarm- after the platform was towed to the site. inciting state subversion that amount to political A US-based prison research group, the Dui Beijing authorities have jailed members of the ing,” said Evan Pils, an associate professor of law at Each side has blamed the other over prosecution and drawing international condem- Hua Foundation, said its analysis of official data New Citizens movement on the charge of gather- the Chinese University of Hong Kong. “I am very those incidents. Until Monday, no ship nations, Beijing is increasingly using public disor- showed 830 Chinese people were indicted in ing crowds to disrupt public order, which concerned that the situation is getting worse,” Pils had sunk. The disputed incident took der charges to lock up those it considers as nui- 2013 on charges such as subversion, separatism stemmed mainly from holding rallies in front of a said. The use of the tactic is not entirely new. place around 17 nautical miles from the sances or threats to its rule. “The scheme is crafti- and incitement in China, the smallest number government building and unfurling banners call- Chen Guangcheng, a legal activist who helped Haiyang Shiyou 981 rig, which is drilling er and crueler,” said dissident Hu Jia. He spent since 2007. At the same time, Dui Hua said, the ing for disclosure of government officials’ assets. fellow villagers, was convicted of damaging prop- between the Paracel islands occupied by 31/2 years in prison after a 2008 conviction of number of people indicted with impairing social It was an unstructured movement seeking educa- erty and obstructing traffic in 2006. China and the Vietnamese coast. China inciting state subversion that drew criticism order has been rising, from barely 160,000 in 2005 tional equity and a cleaner government, but the Dissident artist Ai Weiwei was fined in 2012 on calls them the Xisha islands. abroad against Beijing and won him accolades. to more than 355,000 last year. John Kamm, exec- ruling party saw it as a potential challenge to its tax evasion charges. A brother-in-law of China’s “A Vietnamese boat from the central “The government can still lock you up” for utive director of Dui Hua, said the public disorder monopoly on power. Xu Zhiyong, the group’s most prominent political prisoner, Nobel Peace city of Da Nang was deliberately encircled nonpolitical crimes, he said. “But those charges category is broad and includes computer-related founder, was sentenced earlier this year to four laureate Liu Xiaobo, was sentenced last year to 11 by 40 fishing vessels from China before it spare Beijing from international pressure, offenses that are becoming increasingly com- years in prison. years in prison on charges of commercial fraud. was attacked by a Chinese ship,” the head because they attract very little attention.” In June mon. But he added that some of the crimes under Earlier this month, Beijing detained human But the national directive signaled a centralized of Vietnam’s coastguard, Nguyen Quang 2013, a directive by China’s national prosecutor’s the category have been used in political and reli- rights lawyer Pu Zhiqiang on the charge of pick- decision, and the use of public order charges may Dam, told Reuters by telephone. Xinhua office asked local prosecutors to pursue activists gious cases. ing quarrels and provoking troubles after he also have gotten a boost after China closed the said: “Crew aboard the boat were saved harboring political intentions by using charges of “The decrease in indictments (for charges of attended a May 3 commemoration of the 1989 labor camps last year, eliminating a tool that after their ship jostled a fishing boat from disrupting public order rather than subversion. endangering state security) may signal a change crackdown on pro-democracy protests. Pu is best allowed police to detain people for up to four Dongfang City in southern China’s Hainan “You must deftly combine political wisdom with in tactics: Political dissidents appear to be increas- known for his lobbying for the successful closure years without going to court. —AP WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2014 ANALYSIS

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Issues Fierce Ukraine clashes increase risks for Putin

By Timothy Heritage

n army assault on pro-Russian rebels in east Ukraine will not have taken Vladimir Putin by surprise, but the Aferocity of the clashes may have - and could be a game-changer if they spin out of control. In the last two weeks, with Western sanctions starting to bite, the Russian president has softened his tone against the pro-European leadership in Kiev and promised to pull troops back from the frontier with Ukraine. The likelihood of Russian forces pour- ing into east Ukraine to capture mainly Russian-speaking areas has receded, and Putin appears to have settled for the gains he has made so far in the worst East-West standoff since the Cold War. But Putin’s careful planning could quickly unravel under Populist advances to hobble EU integration one circumstance - if a large number of civilians are killed in a single incident, putting public pressure on him to send in the army to protect Russian speakers. The deaths of more By Paul Taylor unleash more public investment in southern countries to boost director of the Centre for European Policy Studies, say the protest than 50 pro-Russian separatists in a Ukrainian army assault growth and combat mass unemployment, in a trade-off for accel- vote was really addressed to national policymakers, more than may not be that moment, but it underlines the dangers tunning gains by anti-EU and populist parties in the erating economic reforms. With anger over recession and youth the EU. “The EU framework has been built laboriously. It is difficult inherent in Putin’s strategy. “Sticking by the sidelines and European Parliament elections will prevent any new treaty joblessness fuelling protest votes in Italy, Greece, Spain and to see it going away, even the euro zone crisis couldn’t do that,” doing nothing will risk a public backlash at home, of leaving Son deeper euro zone integration for the foreseeable future France, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi will press German Gros said. “You would need a very large majority to march back- ethnic Russians in Ukraine to the mercy of the administra- and may tilt Europe’s economic policy mix more towards expan- Chancellor Angela Merkel, the champion of fiscal orthodoxy, to wards, so to speak.” tion in Kiev,” Ukraine analyst Tim Ash said. But, he said, “for- sion. With the 28 European Union leaders meeting in Brussels later relent. Other Brussels insiders say the populists disagree with each mal intervention by Russia will now risk new, more sanctions yesterday to digest the results of a widespread vote against the Merkel acknowledged on Monday that the EU needed to other on many policy areas - from free trade to the euro - and from the West on Russia.” Putin seems, at least for now, to pro-European establishment, the first policy consequences are boost competitiveness and create jobs to reverse the populist may be incoherent and ineffective in parliament, so it might be have rejected the option of sending in the army, but has becoming clear: tide. Whether she will agree to use Germany’s budget surplus to wise to sit tight. On the other hand, Mats Persson, director of opened a Pandora’s Box by whipping up nationalist senti- boost infrastructure investment and spur demand remains to be Britain’s Open Europe think-tank, which advocates far-reaching ment over Ukraine. “If bombing or shelling led to a new situ- No More Treaties seen. Daniela Schwarzer, director of the Europe program at the reform of the EU, said: “It’s clear that the best way to cut off their ation where many citizens were killed, his options could be a The EU will not risk a revision of its governing treaties any time German Marshall Fund in Berlin, said governments in countries oxygen is to show that the EU can reform itself and respond to military strike from the air or an overland invasion,” Dmitry soon that would require ratification by parliaments and referen- where the populists made strong gains will press for changes voters.” Trenin, head of the Carnegie Moscow Center think-tank, said dums in some member states, given the risk of “no” votes. While that they can sell at home. “They will need to show that Europe before the assault. “This is not Putin’s intention, but he could that means British Prime Minister David Cameron is unlikely to can deliver growth and employment,” she said. “The traditional Slimmer EU Agenda not sit astride the border and just watch the Ukrainian mili- achieve his goal of removing the aim of “ever closer union” from German approach of introducing more rules won’t be politically EU leaders will set a slimmed-down agenda for the next tary crushing a town,” he said. the EU treaty, in practice integration is likely to be on hold, if not in acceptable.” European Commission, focused on promoting growth and jobs, reverse, for years to come. “We’re going to see a spread of the building a common energy and climate change policy, extending Protecting Tough-Guy Reputation British disease,” said Fabian Zuleeg, chief executive of the Backward March the bloc’s single market in energy and digital services and com- A former KGB spy with a tough-guy image, Putin would European Policy Centre think-tank in Brussels. “A number of gov- There will be an effort, at least symbolically, to return some EU pleting a free trade deal with the United States. They may also suffer a blow to his standing at home if he were seen as ernments are going to say we cannot move forward at the EU lev- powers over areas that affect citizens’ daily lives to the national mandate a streamlining of the EU executive, empowering an abandoning Russian speakers in Ukraine or did not meet el because whatever we do will not be backed by the public back level, with Britain, the Netherlands and Sweden all demanding inner circle of five vice presidents to filter legislative proposals force with force. It seems inconceivable that he did not see home. “This means stagnation that does not deal with the prob- such a shift. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has joined from the 28 commissioners - one per member state - to stem the the Ukrainian army’s assault coming once Sunday’s election lems we are facing,” Zuleeg said. The risk is that changes which Cameron in arguing that voters want “less Europe” in many areas, torrent of regulation. was over. “I don’t think it came as a surprise,” said political many economists say are needed to strengthen the 18-nation sin- rather than the “more Europe” which has been the default setting The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership may be analyst Boris Makarenko. “It was clear the election campaign gle currency area become politically impossible. It may take of EU integration for decades. the most difficult goal to achieve, since many far right, far left and had served as a restraint on the army’s actions in Ukraine.” another acute crisis before ideas such as a central euro zone budg- Outgoing European Commission President Jose Manuel Greens lawmakers have vowed to block it, and the centre-left What was less expected, and may have caught the et, a parliament for the currency area, more intrusive supervision Barroso, sensing the mood change, launched what he called a Socialists may well split over the issue. French National Front Kremlin off guard, was the intensity of the clashes. Reuters of national budgets and economic policies and a common fiscal “REFIT” exercise last year to identify unnecessary regulation. leader Marine Le Pen, who favours trade protectionism, has iden- correspondents saw dozens of corpses after a battle over backstop for the EU’s fledgling banking union can be put in place, French President Francois Hollande was reluctant at the time but tified stopping the US-EU pact as one of her top priorities. Donetsk airport in east Ukraine, in which Kiev sent in jets if they ever can. International Monetary Fund chief Christine in a television address after the far right National Front topped But Brussels experts believe the deal, intended to boost and helicopters. To a limited extent, the crushing of the Lagarde warned yesterday that progress on completing banking the poll in France, he said the EU should “withdraw from areas growth and job creation by tearing down barriers between the rebellion in east Ukraine would play into Putin’s hands. He reforms to prevent a repeat of the 2007-09 financial crisis was too where it is not needed”. world’s two biggest economic blocs, may well survive if the main seems to have settled for the annexation of Crimea, instabili- slow and being hampered by fierce industry lobbying. The difficulty will be in agreeing which rules to cut. Paris is blocs in parliament make it part of a coalition agreement. “There ty in Ukraine to undermine its rulers and a boost in populari- likely to resist attempts to scrap food, environment or labour is still a chance to get the TTIP through, though it will be more ty at home as ample reward from the crisis. Ukraine has also Dash for Growth? safety standards such as the maximum 48-hour work week which complicated than before,” said Zuleeg, arguing the key driver backed off trying to join NATO, a red line for Putin. The rebels There will be strong pressure to ease budgetary austerity and particularly irk the British. Some in Brussels, such as Daniel Gros, would be EU member governments, led by Germany. — Reuters have become a threat to the status quo, and a potential irri- tant for Putin, because their unpredictable actions increase the risk of events getting out of control. They also ignored a call he made to postpone a referendum on self-rule this month, though it is not clear whether he really meant them Palestinians scoop Israel with ‘wall’ image to act on his words or simply intended his comments to make the West think he was making a compromise. By Selim Saheb Ettaba had hoped his emotional embrace at the Western Catholics. “In the pope’s visit to the Middle East, both hosting sides Wall with two old friends travelling with him - Rabbi Abraham crossed all the boundaries. Both the Palestinians and the Israelis New Standoff Looms n what some are calling a complex game of “papal propaganda Skorka and Islamic studies professor Omar Abboud - would help deviated from the original plan and waged a war of tricks and Putin has yet to comment in public on the election out- poker,” Pope Francis’s prayer at Israel’s West Bank separation mollify both sides. “He managed to be political by being religious - shticks (gimmicks) at the expense of the leader of the Catholics,” come or say how he will react to the surge in violence, but Ibarrier handed a decisive victory to the Palestinians, commen- exclusively religious,” said Pascal Gollnisch, head of the French wrote Eitan Haber in Yediot Aharonot. “Many in the world, not just he was quoted by the Kremlin as telling Italy’s prime minis- tators said. “One image from the pope’s visit has already become Catholic NGO Oeuvre d’Orient. Vatican expert Andrea Tornielli, Catholics, are not pleased with the games that were played using ter that Kiev’s military operation must end immediately. That history,” admitted Israeli daily Yediot Aharonot, saying the picture who writes for La Stampa’s Vatican Insider and who knows the the pope.” response was yet another shift in Putin’s tone after the rela- of the pope’s impromptu stop to rest his hand and forehead on pontiff personally, rebuffed talk of point scoring, saying the pope Writing in the left-leaning Haaretz, columnist Matthew Kalman tive softening of recent days, raising the prospect of a new the wall “immediately became a Palestinian PR achievement.” “was not exploited by either the Israelis or the Palestinians.” said the immediacy of the wall and the message of suffering it standoff with Kiev even before billionaire businessman Petro Hanan Ashrawi, a senior member of the Palestine Liberation Spontaneous by nature, Francis empathised with “the suffering of conveyed clearly gave the Palestinians the upper hand.”Israelis Poroshenko is sworn in as president. It is clear that Russia Organisation (PLO), said “the Palestinians were touched” by his everyone, of all parties” through gestures which showed his take their visitors to Yad Vashem (Holocaust museum) to recall decided before the election that Poroshenko was the “least gesture and the pope was also “clearly moved by the experience”. “capacity to physically convey his support,” he told AFP. Jewish suffering a half century ago, more than one thousand bad” candidate. Putin had unexpectedly described the ballot Francis’s decision to fly directly from Jordan to Bethlehem rather miles away. “But Palestinians take their visitors to the wall, the 30- as likely to be a “step in the right direction” and signalled he than starting his trip in Israel - which ruffled feathers in the Jewish ‘A Royal Flush’ foot-high, ugly, towering proof of Israeli-inflicted suffering, right would work with the next president. But the Ukrainian gov- state - was seen as “active recognition of the state of Palestine,” she But Israeli commentators said both sides had crossed red lines here, right now,” he wrote. “In the complex game of Papal propa- ernment appears to have interpreted Poroshenko’s big elec- said. in the bid to own the visit of the head of the world’s 1.2 billion ganda poker, that’s a Royal Flush for the Palestinians.” — AFP tion win as a mandate for decisive action, and it has tough- When he met children in the Dheishe refugee camp, the 77- ened its stance in negotiations with Russia over its $3.5 bil- year-old was presented with a key, symbolising Palestinians’ lion debt for gas supplies. Country risk analysts IHS said yearning to return, as well as a mocked-up refugee card bearing Poroshenko was “taking a hard line towards the separatist the name of Jesus (PBUH). And during the open-air mass he cele- movements in the east in order to secure his public legitima- brated in Bethlehem, he stood in front of a vast mural of a nativity cy and build on the firm majority he received in the 25 May scene showing the infant Jesus swaddled in a traditional elections”. “Russia does not look like it is inclined to intervene Palestinian keffiyeh scarf. at this point,” it added. But NATO noted that despite signs The decisive morale boost for the Palestinians was not well that some Russian troops are withdrawing from Ukraine’s received in Israel. “Obviously the Palestinians laid well prepared frontier, the bulk of the force remains close to the border. As traps for the pope which were used as part of their instrumentali- long as the troops are there, the threat of armed interven- sation of this visit for propaganda purposes,” foreign ministry tion by Russia will continue to hang over Ukraine, even if it is spokesman Yigal Palmor told AFP. Ever aware of the PR value of not Putin’s first choice of action. — Reuters such an image, Israel quickly moved to counter the blow with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly making a personal request for Francis to visit a national memorial for victims of militant attacks on Mt Herzl. All articles appearing on these pages There, as Francis touched the marble plaques bearing the are the personal opinion of the writ- names of the victims, Netanyahu explained Israel’s rational for the barrier. “We don’t teach our children to plant bombs. We teach ers. Kuwait Times takes no responsibil- them peace. But we have to build a wall against those who teach ity for views expressed therein. Kuwait the other side,” he said, later adding: “After it was set up, the terror Times invites readers to voice their stopped.” opinions. Please send submissions via Politics Through Religion? email to: [email protected] or Religious watcher John Allen, who writes for the Boston Globe, via snail mail to PO Box 1301 Safat, said the stop was undoubtedly “an iconic visual that will resonate Kuwait. The editor reserves the right long after Francis is back in Rome”. The Vatican rushed to limit the fallout, with spokesman Federico Lombardi insisting Francis’s to edit any submission as necessary. unscheduled stop at the graffitied wall was “a personal decision” Pope Francis prays at Israel’s separation barrier on May 25, 2014 after he made an unscheduled stop at the securi- and not a politically-motivated act. Lombardi also said the pope ty wall drawing in the West Bank town of Bethlehem. — AFP NEWS WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2014

NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (right) shakes hand with his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif before the start of their meeting yesterday. — AP Indian PM Modi holds talks with Pakistan rival

NEW DELHI: India’s Prime Minister hopes trade could bring the Pakistani premier hailed yesterday a group now blamed for an assault need to restore confidence in the intended to speed decision-making Narendra Modi called for a clamp- nuclear-armed rivals together. “historic opportunity” for ties and last week on an Indian diplomatic Indian economy,” Jaitley told and slash India’s notorious bureau- down on terror groups while offer- Modi “underlined our concerns called the talks “warm and cordial”. mission in western Afghanistan. reporters. “We have to restore the cracy, blamed in part for an econo- ing closer trade ties yesterday in related to terrorism”, Indian foreign They had an opportunity as newly Afghan President Hamid Karzai, pace of growth, contain inflation my growing at its slowest in a talks with his Pakistani counterpart secretary Sujatha Singh said after elected leaders “of meeting the who also met Modi yesterday, point- and obviously concentrate on fiscal decade. India still has what seems during an action-packed first full the talks. “We want peaceful and hopes and aspirations of our peo- ed the finger at LeT for the attack in consolidation itself.” enviable 4.9-percent growth, but day in office. Modi, sworn in friendly relations with Pakistan. ples, that we will succeed in turning Herat. But a man claiming to be an As defence minister, expected to needs double-digit expansion to Monday after a landslide election However, for such relations to pro- a new page in our relations”, Sharif LeT spokesman denied this in a call be a temporary responsibility, his create enough jobs to employ a bal- victory earlier this month, also ceed, it is important terror and vio- said. to AFP’s office in Kashmir. challenge was underlined by anoth- looning youth population, econo- announced a leaner ministerial lence is brought to an end,” Singh Modi has an image as a hardliner, er accident in which an ageing mists say. team who pledged to work to fire told reporters. “There was discus- even within his own Hindu national- Big Mandate, Smaller Team Russian-made MiG fighter jet In a sign the Modi administration up slowing economic growth to ful- sion on trade and we noted we ist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and The talks came hours after Modi crashed in the northwest, killing the was serious about a campaign fil campaign promises. were fully ready to fully normalise is regarded with deep suspicion by announced his cabinet, with pilot. Armed forces chiefs are des- pledge to curb rampant graft, the Modi’s meeting with his Pakistani trade and economic relations.” many in Pakistan after deadly anti- Sushma Swaraj - the most senior perate for new equipment to cabinet at its first meeting counterpart, Nawaz Sharif, and oth- The two leaders smiled for the Muslim riots erupted in his western woman in the BJP - named foreign upgrade military capabilities with announced a special investigation er South Asian leaders invited to his cameras earlier in the day outside a fiefdom of Gujarat in 2002. It was minister. Lawyer Arun Jaitley procurement delayed under the team to track illicit funds or “black inauguration was a first foreign poli- government building before a 50- the first time an Indian premier had emerged as the most powerful man previous government by corruption money”. The probe, to be headed by cy test for the 63-year-old, who has minute meeting that ran overtime. hosted a Pakistani leader for official after Modi with the key finance and scandals and red tape. a former Supreme Court judge, no prior diplomatic experience. He Sharif arrived Monday in New Delhi talks in Delhi since relations rup- defence portfolios while BJP presi- Modi named a 46-member gov- “indicates the commitment of the stuck broadly to the position of the for the lavish swearing-in of Modi, a tured following the 2008 attacks in dent Rajnath Singh is home affairs ernment including himself - 25 few- new government to pursue the previous government, calling for former tea boy elected leader of the Mumbai that killed 166 people. The minister. “I am conscious of the fact I er than in the outgoing administra- issue of black money in right action against anti-India militant world’s largest democracy with the attacks were blamed on Lashkar-e- am taking over at a challenging tion headed by the left-leaning earnest”, law minister Ravi Shankar groups in Pakistan and expressing strongest mandate in 30 years. The Taiba (LeT), a Pakistani militant time, particularly when there is a Congress party. The smaller team is Prasad told reporters. — AFP Egypt extends voting amid low turnout Continued from Page 1 boycott. The Brotherhood has been decapitated by a police crackdown that has killed more than 1,400 people and left all Interim prime minister Ibrahim Mahlab denied there was of its top leaders in jail or exile. Morsi himself has been a low turnout, saying “participation is good”. But some Cairo detained and put on trial. “This election will not wipe the polling stations were deserted yesterday morning. “I don’t slate clean after 10 months of gross human rights violations,” want to be part of those responsible for all those people who said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui of Amnesty International. died,” Tarek Salim told AFP at a Cairo cafe. Another abstainer, Showing signs of panic, the military-backed government Diaa Hussein, complained there was no real choice. “Sisi had launched a determined effort to get out the vote, declar- didn’t leave a chance for anyone else to win,” he said. ing yesterday a public holiday to give millions of government Gamal Abdel Gawad, an analyst at the American employees time to go cast ballots and extended voting University of Cairo, said the extension was unnecessary and hours by an hour to 10 pm. There are roughly 5.5 million gov- “affects the credibility of the election”. “When the result of an ernment workers in this country of about 90 million people. election is already known, there is very little incentive for vot- The justice ministry said Egyptians who did not vote would ers to come out and vote.” Sisi issued a personal plea for a be fined, and train fares were waived in an effort to boost the large turnout after casting his own ballot on Monday. “The numbers. entire world is watching us, how Egyptians are writing histo- Local media loyal to the government chided the public ry and their future today and tomorrow,” he said. for not turning out in large enough numbers. “By sitting at The rival candidates have portrayed the vote as a choice home, they are wasting what we have accomplished the past between stability and the freedoms promised by the pro- year ... our war on terrorism,” Hayat El-Dardiri on the pro-mili- democracy uprisings in the region. Egypt, the Arab world’s tary Faraeen TV said. “Where are the people?” Mostafa Bakri, a most populous nation, has been rocked by turmoil since the former lawmaker and campaigner for Sisi, warned that unless 2011 uprising which has ravaged the economy and vital big numbers of voters come out, Brotherhood supporters are tourism sector. Sisi’s ouster of Morsi on July 3 triggered the ready to take advantage and go to the streets to protest “It worst peacetime bloodshed in Egypt’s recent history, but the will not work to have a presidential candidate win with fewer ex-army chief has vowed to stamp out the violence. votes than what the ousted Morsi got ... We must surpass this A big security force deployment prevented any major benchmark,” said Bakri on Sada El-Balad TV. polling day incidents. “We need an iron fist to restore the situ- One prominent TV commentator said people who did not ation,” said 63-year-old engineer Kamal Mohamed Aziz, who vote were “traitors, traitors, traitors”. Al-Azhar, a state-run voted for Sisi. But civil servant Karim El-Demerdash said he body that is Egypt’s highest Islamic authority, said failure to gave his vote to Sabbahi to preserve the gains of the 2011 vote was “to disobey the nation”, state TV reported. Pope uprising. “I am sure that the election results are already decid- Tawadros, head of Egypt’s Coptic church, also appeared on ed but this is the last attempt to bring the revolution into state TV to urge voters to head to the polls. power,” he said. Turnout in the 2012 election won by Morsi was 52 percent Sisi has said “true democracy” will take a couple of - a level this vote must exceed for Sisi to enjoy full political decades, and suggested he will not tolerate protests disrupt- legitimacy, said Hassan Nafaa, a professor of political science ing the economy. He has also pledged to eliminate the at Cairo University. Were it to fall short, then he will have Brotherhood, which won every election following Mubarak’s failed “to read the political scene and his miscalculation has overthrow after being banned for decades. “Forgery will nev- to be corrected through reconciliation”, he said. Sisi had er grant legitimacy to a butcher nor will it lessen the determi- called for a turnout of 40 million, or 80 percent of the elec- nation of revolutionaries,” the Brotherhood said as it urged a torate. — Agencies MP: Raise nomination fee to end ‘absurdity’ Continued from Page 1 instead. In a related development, the legal and legislative committee yesterday cleared a draft law for organizing The Islamist lawmaker has not provided a definition for the domestic workers in the country not covered by the labor law term “nudity”, but a few days ago he issued a statement which applies to workers in the private sector. The bill will strongly criticizing women dressed in bikinis at some swim- now go to the concerned panel to study its details before ming pools on beaches and in hotels. The term also includes approving it and sending it to the house for voting. The draft revealing or improper dress. The proposal must be approved law aims at proving a legal cover for maids who often com- by the Assembly and accepted by the government to become plain of mistreatment and non-payment of salary among oth- a law. er complaints. Azemi said the committee also approved another proposal In another development, the legal committee approved a to establish a center for tackling alien negative practices like key amendment to the constitutional court law by allowing other Gulf states. The panel also discussed what he called a people to directly deal with the country’s highest court, recent surge of cases of violence among domestic helpers, whose rulings are final. Under the existing law, people cannot Azemi said, adding that the panel found that the biggest file lawsuits at the constitutional court directly except in mat- problem facing maids in Kuwait is non-payment of salaries. ters relating to election petitions. All cases heard by the court Kuwait is home to around 650,000 domestic helpers, the over- come either from the government, the Assembly or from oth- whelming majority of them are Asian. er courts to interpret controversial laws. Azemi also demanded a clear policy from the government MPs have considered this amendment as a major reform regarding ‘Kuwaitization’ of public posts, or replacing expatri- step to provide people access to the constitutional court. ates in the public sector with Kuwaiti employees. He indicated Liberal MP Rakan Al-Nasef said MPs will try to push the in a statement yesterday that there are 126,000 non-Kuwaitis amendment through the Assembly before the end of the cur- working in the private sector, compared to at least 20,000 rent term, in less than two months. Head of the legal commit- Kuwaitis in the unemployment queue waiting for a govern- tee MP Mubarak Al-Harees said the panel also approved the ment job. Azemi called for a survey to determine jobs occu- establishment of Sabah Al-Ahmad residential city with a pied by expatriates that can be handed to Kuwaiti employees capacity of around 35,000 housing units. WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2014 SPORTS

Rosberg expects his ties Marussia success puts England Wilshere with Hamilton to improve pressure on Sauber ‘fit for World Cup’ ST MARTIN: Formula One leader Nico Rosberg expects his rocky relationship LONDON: Marussia’s stunning Monaco Grand Prix weekend has put LONDON: Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere, who missed the last two months with Mercedes’ team mate and title rival Lewis Hamilton to improve despite pressure on rivals Sauber — but the Swiss team remain confident they of the season after fracturing his foot, says he will be fit to play for England at the rift between them after last weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix. will soon be back in front. Sauber principal Monisha Kaltenborn told the World Cup. Rosberg won the showcase race on Sunday to retake the championship Reuters after the team again failed to score their first point of the sea- The 22-year-old, who has won 15 caps, told Sky Sports that he had been lead from Hamilton, who suggested the German had used underhand tactics son that they had just been unlucky. training for the last six weeks and was over the injury he sustained playing to secure pole position in Saturday qualifying. Visiting the German soccer team “You could see the cars were in the race, the car was showing good for Arsenal against Stoke City on March 1. performance,” she said after Germany’s Adrian Sutil and Mexican at their World Cup preparations in Italy yesterday, Rosberg said such disputes Asked if he was close to peak fitness, he replied: “I am... I have been train- between drivers of the same team were nothing new. Esteban Gutierrez both crashed out. ing for a long time. I am yet to play a game, but I have been train- “In our sport we can only have success as a team,” Rosberg “To lose, or not make use of the chances of actually such sure points told a news conference. “Nothing can happen alone. I make in this way, and through such mistakes, is very unfortunate.” Sutil lost ing for six weeks and I probably need a few games, but I am feel- an effort for teamwork and for the atmosphere in the team. control under braking as he exited the tunnel on lap 24, smashing into ing good. “It is a bit more difficult internally at the moment. But it has the barriers, while Gutierrez was running in the top 10 when he hit the “I am lucky we’ve got quite a few warm-up games. Some happened in the past as well in our sport.” Mercedes bosses guardrail and spun at Rascasse, 18 laps from the end. The Mexican said nations are not playing as many, so hopefully I will be able to have warned both drivers that they must not overstep the afterwards it was “probably the most painful mistake in my career”. With get some minutes under my belt before the big kickoff.” mark in an increasingly intense fight for the Formula One title them out of the way, Marussia’s Jules Bianchi came through from the England, who spent last week training in Portugal, are contin- between the pair, with the team having won every race so far last row of the grid, and despite two stop/go penalties, took two points uing their preparations back at home this week before play- this year.—Reuters - his team’s first in more than four years of trying.—Reuters ing Peru at Wembley on Friday.—Reuters Blue Jays pound Rays

TORONTO: Edwin Encarnacion hit his 13th home run in May and Dioner Navarro and Steve Tolleson added back-to-back shots as the Toronto Blue Jays won their seventh straight game Monday, beating the Tampa Bay Rays 10-5. Melky Cabrera had three hits and three RBIs as the AL East-leading Blue Jays won for the 12th time in 14 games. Toronto has hit at least one home run in nine straight games and leads the majors with 73 this season, including an ML-best 41 in May. David DeJesus, Desmond Jennings and James Loney all hit solo homers for the Rays, whose season-high four-game winning streak was snapped. Drew Hutchison wasn’t at his best, but benefited from strong run support to win his career-best third straight start. Hutchison (4-3) ATLANTA: Jason Heyward No. 22 of the Atlanta Braves is tagged out after over-running allowed five runs and seven hits in five innings, second base by Dustin Pedroia No. 15 of the Boston Red Sox during the 8th inning at matched a season-worst with four walks and Turner Field. —AFP struck out none. ATHLETICS 10, TIGERS 0 Red Sox end losing streak Kyle Blanks homered in his home debut at the Coliseum and Derek Norris capped Oakland’s ATLANTA: David Ortiz homered and drove in They also cut reliever Jose Valverde, who gave five-homer day with a grand slam as the TORONTO: Blue Jays Brett Lawrie, bottom, slides safe into second base past Tampa Bay Rays short- four runs as the Boston Red Sox ended their up Sanchez’s go-ahead hit. Athletics ended a four-game losing streak with a stop Yunel Escobar (top) after Lawrie hit a double during the fifth inning of a baseball game. —AP 10-game losing streak, rallying from a five- Sanchez upped his average against the win over Detroit. run deficit to defeat the Atlanta Braves 8-6 Mets to .324 and has 34 RBIs against New Yoenis Cespedes, Brandon Moss and Josh the Los Angeles Angels. Young (4-2) kept the 26, 2012, against the Indians. Monday. The defending World Series champi- York, his best totals against any NL team. He Donaldson also homered. Tommy Milone (3-3) Angels hitless until Kole Calhoun singled with Viciedo connected in the third inning against ons trailed 6-1 after the fourth inning of the homered off Scott Rice while hitting for Ike allowed four hits in 6 2-3 scoreless innings. He is one out in the sixth. Josh Tomlin (3-2). Jose Quintana (3-4) pitched six interleague matchup, with starter Clay Davis, who was making his return to Citi Field 3-0 with a 1.03 ERA in his past four starts. An inning later, Pujols hit his 506th career effective innings. Scott Downs got four outs for Buchholz walking a career-high eight in only after being traded to the Pirates in mid-April. The A’s got four solo homers against Drew home run, pulling within three of Gary Sheffield his first save. three-plus innings. Valverde (1-1) was booed off the field after Smyly (2-3) to win the first meeting of the sea- for 24th on baseball’s all-time homer list. The But Ortiz tied it by hitting a three-run allowing pinch-hitter Jose Tabata’s tying sin- son against the team that eliminated them in Mariners scored five times in the first two RANGERS 7, TWINS 2 homer off Ervin Santana in the fifth. With Red gle in the eighth. Valverde returned for the Game 5 of the division series the past two post- innings off Tyler Skaggs (4-2). Three of the runs Nick Tepesch won his second consecutive Sox fans at Turner Field chanting “Papi! Papi!” ninth and was even worse. Tony Watson (5-0) seasons. were unearned runs. start, Elvis Andrus and Chris Gimenez each had the World Series MVP then gave Boston the pitched an inning for the win. Mark Melancon two RBIs, and the Texas Rangers beat Minnesota. lead with a bases-loaded sacrifice fly off Ian got his 10th save. ASTROS 9, ROYALS 2 WHITE SOX 6, INDIANS 2 Tepesch (2-0) allowed two runs in 6 2-3 Thomas (1-2) in the seventh. George Springer homered in his fourth Conor Gillaspie hit three doubles while going innings, striking out four to win consecutive Following pregame declarations of confi- MARLINS 3, NATIONALS 2 straight game and went 4 for 4 with three RBIs 4 for 4 and Dayan Viciedo had a three-run homer starts for the first time in his career. Alex Rios dence from manager John Farrell and general Giancarlo Stanton hit his NL-leading 15th and scored five runs in Houston’s victory over as the Chicago White Sox beat Cleveland. added two more hits and now has six straight manager Ben Cherington, the Red Sox came home run and also doubled and singled in his Kansas City. Gillaspie scored twice and drove in a run. He multihit games. Trevor Plouffe homered for the back to end their worst skid since an 11-game latest power performance for Miami at The Astros have won three straight, matching became the first White Sox player with three Twins, who have lost four in a row. Kevin Correia slide in 1994. Nationals Park. Stanton doubled and scored their longest winning streak this season, and doubles in a game since Paul Konerko on May (2-6) took the loss. —AP in the first inning, then launched a long two- snapped a six-game losing streak to the Royals. YANKEES 6, CARDINALS 4 run homer in the third. Stanton is hitting .333 Springer led off the eighth with a home run Brian Roberts hit a tiebreaking single in a (43 for 129) with 14 home runs and 27 RBIs in off Louis Coleman, his fifth homer in four games. MLB results/standings three-run 12th inning after Brett Gardner’s Washington since his career began in 2010. He is the first Houston rookie to homer in four leaping catch at the left-field fence kept New He has homered at Nationals Park more than straight games. Lance Berkman was the last Boston 8, Atlanta 6; Pittsburgh 5, NY Mets 3; Miami 3, Washington 2; Chicago White Sox 6, Cleveland 2; Baltimore 7, York alive in the 11th. Pinch-hitter Alfonso any other visiting player during that time. Astro to homer in four straight games, July 4-8, Milwaukee 6 (10 Innings); Texas 7, Minnesota 2; Oakland 10, Detroit 0; Chicago Cubs 8, San Francisco 4; Seattle 5, LA Soriano and Brendan Ryan each added an RBI The Marlins improved to 7-17 on the road; 2010. Springer also had two doubles and Angels 1; NY Yankees 6, St. Louis 4 (12 Innings); Philadelphia 9, Colorado 0; Toronto 10, Tampa Bay 5; Houston 9, Kansas for the Yankees, who took the opener of a they’re 20-8 at home. Nathan Eovaldi (4-2) became the first Astro to score five runs in a City 2; LA Dodgers 4, Cincinnati 3; Arizona 7, San Diego 5. three-game interleague series for their third pitched 6 1-3 innings, giving up two runs and game since Cody Ransom on Sept. 24, 2007, American League National League straight win. Alfredo Aceves (1-2) worked two three hits. Steve Cishek worked the ninth for against St. Louis. Springer extended his hitting Eastern Division Eastern Division scoreless innings and David Robertson his 11th save. Adam LaRoche homered for the streak to eight games, and is 8 for 16 with 11 W L PCT GB Atlanta 28 22 .560 - earned his 11th save in 12 chances. Nationals, who had won 12 of their last 13 RBIs and 10 runs in the past five games. Toronto 30 22 .577 - Miami 27 25 .519 2 NY Yankees 27 23 .540 2 Jon Jay had an RBI double in the 12th for against Miami at home. Tanner Roark (3-3) Scott Feldman (3-2) held the Royals to two Washington 25 26 .490 3.5 the Cardinals, who lost for the third time in 12 went seven innings. Baltimore 26 23 .531 2.5 Philadelphia 22 26 .458 5 runs and eight hits over six innings. Royals rook- Tampa Bay 23 29 .442 7 games. A standing-room crowd of 47,311, the ie starter Yordano Ventura was led off the field NY Mets 22 28 .440 6 Boston 21 29 .420 8 Central Division third-largest at 9-year-old Busch Stadium, PHILLIES 9, ROCKIES 0 by a trainer in the third inning after experiencing Central Division Milwaukee 30 22 .577 - showed up to see an opponent making only Ryan Howard had five RBIs and Kyle discomfort in his elbow. The hard-throwing Detroit 28 19 .596 - St. Louis 28 23 .549 1.5 its second appearance in St. Louis since losing Kendrick pitched into the seventh inning to Chicago White Sox 26 27 .491 5 right-hander is scheduled for a MRI late yester- Pittsburgh 23 27 .460 6 to the Cardinals in the 1964 World Series. snap his 10-game losing streak for Kansas City 24 26 .480 5.5 day. Ventura (2-5) went 2 2-3 innings, allowing Cincinnati 22 27 .449 6.5 Cardinals pitchers retired 20 of 21 batters Philadelphia. A day after Dodgers right-han- five runs and seven hits and three walks. Minnesota 23 25 .479 5.5 before the 12th, when Randy Choate (0-2) der Josh Beckett threw a no-hitter against the Cleveland 24 28 .462 6.5 Chicago Cubs 19 30 .388 9.5 Western Division faced five batters and four reached safely. Phillies, leadoff man Ben Revere started with Western Division MARINERS 5, ANGELS 1 San Francisco 32 19 .627 - a single for the first of Philadelphia’s 12 hits. Oakland 31 20 .608 - Chris Young pitched shutout ball until Albert LA Dodgers 28 24 .538 4.5 CUBS 8, GIANTS 4 Kendrick (1-5) allowed six hits over 6 2-3 LA Angels 28 22 .560 2.5 Pujols homered in the seventh inning, Robinson Texas 26 25 .510 5 Colorado 27 24 .529 5 Jeff Samardzija struck out a season-high innings to earn his first win since last Aug. 6, a Cano had three hits and two RBIs to raise his Seattle 25 25 .500 5.5 San Diego 23 29 .442 9.5 10 for his first win since last August, snapping span of 16 winless starts. His best perform- average to .332, and the Seattle Mariners beat Houston 20 32 .385 11.5 Arizona 21 32 .396 12 a 16-start winless streak for Chicago. ance in a while came against the top offense Samardzija (1-4) allowed six hits and walked in the majors. The Rockies are first in runs none in seven-plus innings. He also had an (262) and batting average (.291). RBI double during a three-run fourth. Jhoulys Chacin (0-4) gave up four runs and The right-hander entered with six no-deci- seven hits in five-plus innings. He has lost five Al-Zayani: Maserati runs historic lap sions in his first 10 outings this year despite straight decisions dating to last season. leading the majors with a 1.46 ERA. Nate of Indianapolis 500 two-time victory Schierholtz hit his first home run of the sea- ORIOLES 7, BREWERS 6 son, and Darwin Barney drove in two runs to Jonathan Schoop hit two home runs and INDIANAPOLIS: Reminiscent of its renowned remarkable reliability; traits which we still attrib- “Witnessing the vintage Maserati 8CTF run help the Cubs come back from a 3-1 deficit. newly acquired Nick Hundley singled in the win at the very same track, the Maserati 8CTF ute to Maserati to date. with such rich automotive context of the Pablo Sandoval homered and drove in go-ahead run in the 10th inning to lift “Boyle Special” 8CTF (serial number 3032) relived The 8CTF was Maserati’s answer to the domi- Indianapolis 500 during its milestone anniver- three runs for the Giants, who had won four Baltimore to victory in the interleague con- its final victory lap around the Indianapolis nance of other European manufacturers on the sary is remarkable,” says Peter Grady, President in a row. Yusmeiro Petit (3-2) gave up four test. Down 6-4 with two outs in the ninth, the Motor Speedway exactly 75 years later. race circuit of the 30’s era. The fact that only a and CEO of Maserati North America, Inc. At the runs and six hits in five innings while filling in Orioles rallied off Milwaukee closer Francisco On the brink of Maserati’s 100th anniversary, few years later, a triumphant Maserati captured century mark, Maserati is in the strongest posi- for injured starter Matt Cain. Rodriguez. Schoop’s second homer cut it to the 8CTF was honored at the Indy 500 in com- back-to-back victories in ‘The World’s Most tion of its lifetime with two brand new sport- one. After pinch-hitter Delmon Young sin- memoration of its declared win in 1939. Behind Famous Race,’ remains at the heart of Maserati’s sedans, all-time high sales record and an excit- PIRATES 5, METS 3 gled, Nick Markakis hit a game-tying double. the wheel of the vintage automobile was Johnny legend today. ing industrial plan. Gaby Sanchez tagged the Mets again, hit- With two outs in the 10th, J.J. Hardy dou- Rutherford, three-time Indy 500 winner, much ting a tiebreaking single in the ninth inning bled off Rob Wooten (1-2) and scored on like the celebrated Wilbur Shaw that historically and a pinch-hit homer in the eighth that Hundley’s single. Darren O’Day (2-0) pitched a claimed his two-time victory for Maserati in 1939 sparked Pittsburgh’s come-from-behind vic- scoreless inning of relief to get the win. Zach and 1940 respectively. tory. The Mets announced after the game that Britton pitched out of trouble in the 10th, to The legendary Maserati 8CTF was immortal- they had fired hitting coach Dave Hudgens. record his third save in three opportunities.—AP ized by the Historical Vehicle Association (HVA) today as the first foreign manufactured automo- bile to be permanently archived into the United States Library of Congress, a new effort to authenticate historically significant automobiles. Recorded under the US Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Heritage Documentation, the documentation will remain part of the HVA National Historic Vehicle Register and Historic American Engineering Record (HAER). “As we are celebrating our first 100 years, Maserati is proudly charting its course for the next century” states Harald Wester, Chief Executive Officer of Maserati S.p.A. “We are deeply appreciative of this act that demon- strates the long significant bond between Maserati and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, furthering the link between our brand and the United States.” The fateful 8CTF project was conceived by Ernesto Maserati at the beginning of 1938 with the strong support of the Italian industrialist Orsi KUWAIT: The Commercial Bank of Kuwait rewarded clients Abdullatif Ibrahim, family behind it. Characterized by its fixed head Mohammad Al-Qatan and Hussein Ali, who won tickets to attend a quarter finals and 8-cylinder engine, the “Boyle Special” match during the 2014 World Cup in Salvador, Brazil. allowed for powerful, faster acceleration and WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2014 SPORTS

Duke defeat Notre Dame Photo of the day

BALTIMORE: Two straight NCAA men’s not won the championship. lacrosse championships. Three in the last Duke, on the other hand, appears to five years. Eight straight trips to the Final be in the midst of a dynasty. “The last Four, half of which ended in an appear- four years they’ve done a terrific job,” ance in the title game. If that’s not a Corrigan said. “Their coach does a great dynasty, what is it? “It’s Duke,” coach John job of nurturing a team and getting Danowski said Monday, shortly after the them to play their best at the end of the Blue Devils claimed another national year. Yeah, they’re very talented, very championship with an 11-9 win over well coached and they’re doing a terrific Notre Dame. job.” Up 5-1 at halftime, Duke got a goal “The kids who come here, we push from Keenan with 17 seconds gone in them from Day One. But they accept that the third quarter. After Perkovic and want to be something that’s greater answered, the Blue Devils scored twice than themselves,” Danowski said. “It’s just within a minute for an 8-2 lead. That’s a mix of tremendous character young when the Irish launched their comeback. men and a place that provides them an “Notre Dame is a great team,” Wolf said. opportunity to grow.” “We knew they were going to make a The top-seeded Blue Devils (17-3) lim- run.” ited the Irish to one goal over the first 35 Perkovic and Ben Pridemore scored to minutes, built a six-goal lead in the third make it 8-4 after three quarters, and two quarter and held on. more goals made it 8-6 with 11 minutes “Our offense didn’t have our best day to go. But the Irish never could overcome today, but we kept working to try to get their horrid start. our shots clicking,” said Jordan Wolf, who “We were so bad in the first half. We had two goals and four assists. had a game’s worth of turnovers,” The sixth-seeded Irish (12-6) closed to Corrigan said. “We felt like we’d be 9-8 with 5 minutes left and had the ball stronger in the last 20 minutes of the with a chance to tie. But after Duke game, but we let it get away from us a lit- goalie Luke Aaron stopped a shot by Jim tle too far.” Marlatt, Kyle Keenan scored on the other Notre Dame goalie Conor Kelly end with 2:39 to go for a two-goal cush- stopped four shots in the first quarter, ion. Sergio Perkovic’s fifth goal of the but Duke’s Christian Walsh scored with game made it 10-9 with 49.6 seconds 8:13 left in the period and teammate remaining. Duke won the ensuing draw, Deemer Class added another with eight however, and Wolf scored into an empty seconds to go. It was the third time this net with 23.6 seconds left to clinch it. season the Irish were held scoreless in Thomas Pages of France performs during the qualifying at the first stop of the Red Bull X-Fighters World Tour at the “They doubled, the goalie was out the first period. In those games, they ral- Monumental Plaza de toros in Mexico City, Mexico.— www.redbull.com and I just ran past it and dunked it,” Wolf lied to beat Ohio State and Maryland. said. Duke earned its first title in 2010 There would not be a repeat perform- with a one-goal win over Notre Dame. ance in this one, although Notre Dame This one, an all-Atlantic Coast sure came close. “We’ve been in that situ- Conference matchup, looked to be a lop- ation before. That’s why we had so much Kings blow away Blackhawks sided rout before the Irish rallied. confidence,” attackman Matt Kavanagh “Just obviously a very, very disap- said. “We were just one play away. We LOS ANGELES: The Los Angeles Kings pointing day,” Notre Dame coach Kevin had the ball down one, do we thought unleashed an early onslaught to blow away the Corrigan said. “Just played 30 minutes of we had an opportunity to tie it. But it just Chicago Blackhawks in a 5-2 win on Monday poor lacrosse to start the game. I really didn’t go our way.” that moved them to within one victory of the don’t know what to attribute it to. But it’s Duke defenseman Casey Carroll end- Stanley Cup Finals. my responsibility; we didn’t come out ed his career with the title that eluded The Kings stormed ahead with three first- prepared to play our best lacrosse.” him as a player seven years ago. The 29- period goals that whipped the home Staples Notre Dame tied a record for fewest year-old was on the 2005 team that lost Center crowd into a frenzy, and held on to grab a first-half goals in the championship in the title game, the 2006 team hit by 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven Western game last set by Cornell in 1988. The false rape allegations and the ‘07 team Conference Finals series. In a match-up between Irish, who came in averaging 12 goals that lost to Hopkins by a goal in the the past two Stanley Cup champions, the Kings have looked the sharper of the teams in the last and 37 shots per game, took only 18 final in Baltimore. After a stint in the three contests and can eliminate the Blackhawks shots. Army, Carroll returned to Duke in 2013 with a Game Five victory when the series shifts Duke’s swarming defense had a lot to for a final year of eligibility as a business back to Chicago today. do with that. Notre Dame has played in school student. He injured his knee in “The last (win) is always the toughest one,” 19 NCAA tournaments and reached the preseason drills, sat out the season and Kings center Anze Kopitar told reporters after Final Four on four occasions but still has returned this year for a final run.—AP finishing with two assists. “We’re going to their building and we’re going to have to bring our best. Hopefully, we can continue (to play well).” Wilson wins NCAA golf title A series victory would serve as sweet revenge for the Kings after they were defeated by the HUTCHINSON: Stanford golfer Cameron 70. After a bogey at 3 and birdie at 5, he Blackhawks in five games at the same stage of Wilson kept his cool after he missed a big parred 10 straight holes. Wilson just missed the playoffs a year ago. putt in the third round of the NCAA tourna- on birdie putts on Nos. 11, 15 and 16, but On Monday, Jake Muzzin, Marian Gaborik and ment. His positive attitude paid off in a big he insisted he never grew frustrated. Dustin Brown all scored in the first period, and way. “I was a little unlucky,” he said, “but Drew Doughty added another in the second to Wilson won the national title when he those are all tough holes so par is a good carry Los Angeles into a 4-0 lead. birdied the third hole of a playoff against score.” Schniederjans pulled even with a The first-period surge was a sequence that LOS ANGELES: Kings defenseman Slava Voynov (left) knocks the puck away from Chicago Georgia Tech’s Ollie Schniederjans, helping birdie on 17. His third round featured six featured three goals in just four shots against Blackhawks right wing Ben Smith during the first period of Game 4 of the Western Conference Stanford to the top score in team qualifying birdies, two bogeys and a double bogey. goaltender Corey Crawford, and it clearly finals of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs. —AP on Monday. “It was a terrible double on 5 and then I knocked the stuffing out of the Blackhawks. effort in the third but that was all they could “There are no excuses. It’s pretty simple.” “I think he was maybe the most over- three-putted 9,” he said. “But I just stayed “We’re just trying to get people in front of manage. Meanwhile, the Kings are firing on all cylin- looked player here,” Cardinal coach Conrad focused on the next hole.” Wilson’s (Crawford),” Los Angeles defenseman Doughty A desperate push for goals in the third led to ders and have undergone a dramatic offensive Ray said. “He’s had a great year. He’s a ball- approach shot from 135 yards on No. 18 said. “If he can see the puck, he is going to make Tanner Pearson scoring an empty-netter in the turnaround. They entered the post-season as the striker, and if you want to find a ball-strik- was short - “The rough grabbed by club,” he the saves.” final minute to punctuate the win for the Kings. lowest-scoring team in the playoffs but have er’s paradise, it’s Prairie Dunes.” said - and he could not convert the par Los Angeles kept Crawford searching for the Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane was again been the most prolific throughout them. Justin Wilson bogeyed the final hole of his opportunity. puck in the first, when he was completely shield- held without a score and he has failed to register Williams added two assists for Los Angeles while round, leading to the playoff with Wilson and Schniederjans returned to ed from Muzzin’s score, and fell victim to active a goal in any of the four games of the series to red-hot Jeff Carter tallied an assist and has 11 Schniederjans. But he managed to focus on No. 18 to start the playoff. Both reached the sticks in front of the net. Crawford finished with date. points in five games. The Kings completed a the bigger picture on the big day. green in two, and Wilson had a birdie putt just 16 saves while Jonathan Quick made 22 in However, the Blackhawks’ problems appear series comeback from 3-0 down in the first “The sun was setting, the fescue looked slide by the hole. the triumph. to be deeper than just Kane’s slump in form and round and 3-2 in the second, but now find them- green everywhere, there’s (American) flags Then on No. 10, it was Schniederjans’ they now face the serious prospect of losing a selves in the unfamiliar position of being firmly everywhere and Ollie is a friend,” Wilson turn to face a birdie putt for the victory. “It KANE UNABLE series after winning their previous six. in control. The winner of the series will face said. “I was just thinking it was all really was just a tough putt to read, especially Chicago fought back with a second-period “You have to make things happen and exe- either the New York Rangers or Montreal cool.” with the shadows,” Schniederjans said. “I hit goal from Brandon Saad and a Bryan Bickell cute,” Chicago captain Jonathan Toews said. Canadiens in the Stanley Cup Finals.—Reuters Wilson’s winning birdie came at the par- it right where I wanted. Just a tough read.” 5 17th. Stanford led team qualifying with a On No. 17, Schniederjans pulled his drive score of 13 under, securing the top seed for into the tall native grass left of the fairway. Tuesday morning’s match-play quarterfi- “An awful lie,” he said. “I basically swung nals. my 8-iron as hard as I could. I was very hap- Quintana wins Alabama and LSU tied for second at 4 py to hit it down the fairway.” Wilson’s third under and were the only other teams to shot, a wedge from about 40 yards short of break par. Wilson began the day in first the steeply elevated green, was key. It took Giro stage place at 6 under. He had a one stroke lead two skips and stopped 7 feet below the over teammate Patrick Rodgers, who was hole. MILAN: Colombian climber Nairo Quintana completed an epic day of looking to break Tiger Woods’ school record “That’s a shot I like,” he said, “a shot I racing on the Giro d’Italia by claiming victory on the 16th stage and the for victories in a season. work on all the time.” And this time, he race leader’s jersey from compatriot Rigoberto Uran yesterday. But Rodgers bogeyed three straight made the putt that secured the title. “I was Quintana’s hopes of competing for the overall title this year suffered a holes, starting at 12. The left-handed a little nervous,” he said, “but more than blow when he tumbled down the standings to 3min 29sec behind Uran Wilson was steady in shooting an even-par anything I was really excited.”—AP after the first two weeks of racing. But on the first of several gruelling days in the mountains in this final week, the Movistar rider hoisted himself back into contention as Uran and, notably Australian Cadel Evans, ultimately failed to follow Quintana’s wheel on a rain-hit descent of the Stelvio climb. Asafa Powell files appeal With three tough climbs on the menu Uran was always at risk of being put under pressure by the more proficient climbers in the pelo- to CAS over doping ban ton. Yet the heavy rain and freezing conditions which prevailed over the first two climbs of the day-the Galvia (16.5 km) and the Stelvio (21.7 km) LAUSANNE: Former 100-meter world Powell’s backdated ban began from the — did little to help the overnight leader’s bid either. record holder Asafa Powell has asked for his date of his sample collection on June 21, Sky rider Dario Cataldo lit the fuse to start hostilities when he 18-month doping ban to be reduced to 2013, meaning he’s eligible to return to attacked from a small chase group on the way to the summit of the three months, arguing that he only com- competition on Dec. 20, about a month Stelvio, whose 2758 metres summit is the highest point of this year’s mitted a minor offense. after he turns 32. race. He came over the summit, the road flanked by walls of snow sever- The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) Like Simpson, Powell put the blame on a al metres deep, with a 20sec lead on two or three stragglers with said in a statement that it has received an newly-hired trainer who provided him and Hesjedal and Quintana among another group that had managed to pull appeal from the Jamaican sprinter, who has Simpson with supplements, including one away from Uran’s main peloton on the way to the summit. been suspended from competition since called “Epiphany D1” which lab tests later Riding conditions worsened on the descent but Quintana, known his doping case was disclosed last July. The showed to contain oxilofrone. more for his skills going up mountains, held his nerve as the chasers 31-year-old Powell and three-time Olympic During hearings earlier this year, Powell kept solo leader Cataldo in their sights and left plenty of nervous medalist Sherone Simpson tested positive testified that he received nine supple- chasers in their wake. for the banned stimulant oxilofrone at ments from Canadian physiotherapist Cataldo began the final, 22 km climb to the finish line with a 1:14 Jamaica’s national trials last June. They Christopher Xuereb, including Epiphany lead on Quintana, Rolland and Hesjedal and a three-minute cushion on were suspended by a Jamaican disciplinary D1. Powell said he started taking the cap- the pink jersey holder. panel last month. sules after he and a friend researched the But the Italian was soon overhauled as Quintana, Rolland and Simpson has also asked for her suspen- supplement for up to six hours online and Hesjedal pressed on together until they steadily dropped back from the sion to be cut to three months. “The ath- found no prohibited substances. But Colombian’s back wheel. letes put forward that the offense commit- Xuereb has said he never gave Powell or Hesjedal came over the finish line 7secs in arrears while Uran trailed ted is minor and request that the suspen- Simpson any performance-enhancing home 4:11 off the pace and Evans crossed nearly 30secs later. Quintana, sions be reduced to 3 months,” CAS said in drugs and only purchased major brand the runner-up at last year’s Tour de France, now leads Uran by 1:41 in a statement Monday. vitamins. Xuereb once worked at the the overall standings although the day’s biggest loser was Evans, who Once the top sprinter on the track, Toronto clinic run by Anthony Galea, a has dropped from second overnight at 1:03 to third overall at 3:21. Powell lowered the world record in the 100 sports physician who pleaded guilty to Today’s 17th stage is a 208 km trek over rolling terrain from Sarnonico to 9.77 in 2005, then 9.74 in 2008 before bringing unapproved and mislabeled ITALY: Movistar’s Nairo Quintana of Colombia pedals on his way to win to Vittorio Veneto.—AFP being eclipsed by Usain Bolt. drugs into the U.S. for house calls.—AP the 16th stage of the Giro d’Italia cycling race. —AP WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2014 SPORTS Racism still tarnishing the game, says Thuram

STOCKHOLM: Soccer has still not dealt been around for a long time, and foot- but that racism was not a problem major part in the French side that won qualify certain people. People want an with racism, according to France’s for- ball hasn’t found the right solution to among fellow players. the 1998 World Cup on home soil. advantage, so they say ‘we will disquali- mer World Cup winner Lilian Thuram rid itself of it.” “Football itself helps to combat Thuram’s only two international fy these people so that I can compete.’” who is also concerned at the rise of “Take the example of Dani Alves,” he racism, as it’s starting point is to create goals in his 142 caps both came in the “I believe that those who are attract- right-wing parties in the European elec- added, referring to a recent incident relationships between players. Because 2-1 semi-final victory against Croatia, ed to parties like the National Front are tions. where Barcelona’s Brazilian full back it’s a game, you quickly forget skin booking his side a spot in the final, very weak people. They are afraid of As France takes stock of the election picked up a banana that was thrown at colour, religion, our origins,” he said. where they beat Brazil 3-0 in Paris. competition from others.” which saw the National Front secure 25 him and took a bite out of it before get- “It’s very difficult to have such opin- Since retiring in 2008 because of a France have been drawn in Group E percent of the vote, Thuram said he was ting on with the game. ions in the dressing room as you’re very heart defect, Thuram has dedicated in Brazil, where they will meet dismayed at the lack of progress in “The whole world thinks that his ges- tightly knit and close to one another, himself to the work of his foundation, Honduras, Switzerland and Ecuador. stamping out racism in the game and ture of eating the banana was very and generally racism occurs when peo- which aims to use education as a tool to After a woeful and bitter 2010 World said the togetherness of 1998 no longer good, but what he did wasn’t the most ple aren’t that close. defeat racism. Cup, Thuram said France had the poten- exists. important-the most important thing is With France’s far-right National Front tial to challenge for the title, providing “Football hasn’t found an answer in that the referees didn’t do anything. SHARED GOAL gaining strength, Thuram said that the the squad was unified. the last 30 years, and that is the respon- “It would have sent a very strong “We play together, we have a shared feeling of togetherness that came with “The French national team is very sibility of those that run the game,” the message if they had condemned it. The goal. Football is important, but I would the 1998 World Cup win had been tem- good, with a lot of good players. I hope 42-year-old former Monaco, Parma, awful thing is that when I was young I like to see the organisations around pered by the consequences of the eco- it’s going to work well. There’s a lot of Juventus and Barcelona defender told saw bananas thrown at black players on football do a lot more.” nomic crisis. “If the financial situation teams at the start with the capacity to Reuters in Stockholm where he was TV, and it’s still going on.” Born in Guadeloupe in 1972, Thuram was better, fewer people would be win the whole thing,” he said. I hope speaking for his Lilian Thuram Capped 142 times for France, Thuram and his family moved to France in 1981, attracted to these parties, but now we they get a good feeling in the group, a Foundation. said that he had experienced fans mak- and having made his international can see why racism exists,” he said. feeling of belonging, so that they can “Racism in football has unfortunately ing monkey noises at him as a player, debut in 1994 he went on to play a “Racism essentially is the power to dis- go a long way.” —Reuters

Good, Sarota and Brillante cut from Australia squad

SYDNEY: Australia coach Ange knee, was not a concern. Postecoglou cut Curtis Good, Josh Brillante Captain Mile Jedinak, who handed the and Adam Sarota from his preliminary armband to Tim Cahill for the South Africa squad for the World Cup yesterday, leaving match as he continued his recovery from a a 27-strong party to depart for Brazil. groin strain, said he was still not training Defender Good suffered a hip flexor with the rest of the squad. injury in Australia’s friendly against Ecuador “It’s progressing really well, I’m happy in March and has not played since, while where it’s at,” he said. “It’s just a matter of midfielder Sarota has been on the come- gradually stepping it up and once we’re in back trail after knee reconstruction. Brazil, hopefully, in the not too distant Postecoglou, who will cut a further four future, join up with the team.” players on June 2 to leave the final 23, said As for other injury concerns, Brillante was considered dispensable Postecoglou said first choice central because of the number of midfielders in defender Matthew Spiranovic (ankle) and the squad. experienced midfielder Mark Bresciano “It wasn’t easy decisions because obvi- (back) could have played against South ously players being so close to getting on Africa but were rested as a precaution. the plane to the World Cup, it was not the That had impacted his line-up for the best news to deliver,” he told a news confer- match against Bafana Bafana, Postecoglou ence. said, and he had not been too concerned “With Curtis, we wanted to give him by a somewhat disjointed performance. every chance ... but we tested him a few “I know where we’re at, I know where days ago and he just couldn’t get up to our progression is and, while you want to where he wanted to be. win every game, from our perspective it’s “Adam’s in his first year after knee recon- about being ready for game one at the struction. He’s worked hard to get back World Cup,” he said. playing regular football and ... it’s probably “As part of that process we’re doing cer- best he gets a good pre-season under his tain things that probably effected last belt. night’s match. I’m not disappointed, the “I rate Josh very highly but with so many intent last night was there and maybe a lit- players in his position, the balance of the tle bit of exuberance and fatigue made squad was such that one of the midfielders things scrappier than we would have liked.” had to miss out.” Australia leave Sydney for Brazil on Postecoglou said no further injury prob- Wednesday and open their campaign ST PETERSBURG: Russia’s national football team’s midfielder Igor Denisov (right) vies with Slovakia national football team midfielder Vladimir lems had emerged from Monday’s 1-1 draw against Chile on June 13 in Cuiaba with Weiss (center) during their friendly match. —AFP against South Africa and right back Ivan matches against the Netherlands and Franjic, who came off after hurting his world champions Spain to follow.—AFP Russia start WCup build-up with victory over Slovakia

MOSCOW: Russia started their preparations for ure under Capello looked bright, while Miroslav vital to get the team fit,” Capello said. “Our train- the World Cup with a workmanlike 1-0 victory Stoch was industrious for the visitors, but nei- ing sessions were very intense last week, so the over Slovakia in St Petersburg on Monday with ther goalkeeper was seriously tested in the first footballers were not in peak condition. substitute Alexander Kerzhakov heading the 45 minutes. The second half had even less “I thought we were well organised in defence only goal of the game eight minutes from time. rhythm to it, as both head coaches made numer- and that is very important. In terms of our Fabio Capello chose a strong starting line-up, ous substitutions. Alexander Kokorin thought he attack, I am sure that we can play better. We with seven almost certain to be in the first 11 for had put Russian in front after latching onto a needed to move it quicker.” Russia’s opening World Cup game against South glorious through ball by Sergei Ignashevich “I am really happy that no one picked up an Korea in Cuiaba on June 17. before lifting the ball over Jan Mucha. injury.” Russia will continue their World Cup The opening 15 minutes set the tempo for However, the Dynamo Moscow forward was preparations with a friendly in Oslo against the game, with the Russians clearly not wanting adjudged to have been marginally offside. With Norway on May 31 and play their final warm-up to risk injury ahead of their first World Cup the match petering out into a draw, substitute game against Morocco at home on June 6, appearance in 12 years, while the Slovaks Kerzhakov headed Russia into the lead when he before departing for Brazil the following day. already had one eye on their summer holidays was left completely unmarked meeting Maxim After Capello’s men open their World Cup Group after missing out on qualification. Kanunnikov’s inviting cross to send a header H campaign against South Korea they meet Alan Dzagoev, who has been a peripheral fig- past the stranded Mucha. “At the moment, it is Belgium and Algeria.—Reuters Nigeria clash faces fixing probe

LONDON: Nigeria’s World Cup warm-up ities and will prepare for the match as nor- hope to stop the illegal activities by issuing friendly against Scotland in London today is mal,” a Scottish FA spokesman said yester- the alert. reported to be the subject of a match-fixing day. The issue of match-fixing is returning to investigation by police. A spokesman for the NCA refused to the spotlight ahead of the World Cup, with The National Crime Agency, which inves- comment, saying: “The NCA will from time pre-tournament warm-up matches said to tigates serious and organised crime, is to time provide operational detail necessary be prime targets for match fixers acting on GENK: Luxembourg’s defender Chris Philipps (center) vies with Belgium’s midfielder reported by the Daily Telegraph to have for public reassurance purposes. behalf of illegal betting syndicates in Asia. Kevin De Bruyne (right) during the friendly football match at the Fenix stadium. —AFP asked FIFA, world football’s governing body, “It does not routinely confirm or deny Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi will use his to issue an alert over attempts to fix the the existence of specific operations or pro- provisional 30-man World Cup squad, game at Fulham’s Craven Cottage. vide ongoing commentary on operational packed with Premier League stars including Lukaku slams hat-trick as The match is scheduled as a home fixture activity.” John Obi Mikel, Victor Moses, Shola Ameobi for Nigeria, who are finalising their prepara- The NCA are said to have told FIFA they and Peter Odemwingie, for the warm-up Belgium beat Luxembourg tions ahead of the World Cup in Brazil which have general information from the Asian against Scotland. Keshi’s team face World starts on June 12. betting markets suggesting a fixing plan is Cup group stage fixtures against Argentina, GENK: Belgium won for the first time in five it looked like being a very tough night for “We are liaising with the relevant author- underway for the Nigeria friendly and they Bosnia and Iran.—AFP matches on Monday with a Romelu Lukaku the visitors, but 10 minutes later they hat-trick securing a 5-1 friendly win over a equalised when Aurelien Joachim, who Luxembourg side ranked 100 places below plays for Dutch side RKC Waalwijk, span off them. Three weeks before their World Cup Thomas Vermaelen and fired in. opener, Belgium showed off the neat pass- It was perhaps the wake-up call a slight- ing that has prompted many to tip them to ly sleepy Belgium required, allowing do well in Brazil and also blooded three Lukaku to score his first international hat- debutants, including 19-year-old trick. He had the doggedness of Marouane Manchester United winger Adnan Januzaj. Fellaini to thank for his opener, a failed However, the defensive lapse that Luxembourg clearance for his second, allowed a Luxembourg equaliser will while he dribbled through the defence for encourage World Cup rivals Algeria, Russia his third. and South Korea that they can upset the Belgium brought on five substitutes at Group H favorites. half-time, giving a debut to Januzaj, who “I’m a bit of a perfectionist, but it was only declared his allegiance to Belgium a the first game in three weeks. I wasn’t so month ago. Lille’s Divock Origi, another happy with organisation in the first half,” uncapped teenager in the squad, replaced said coach Marc Wilmots. Lukaku on the hour mark. “We had a reaction in the second half. Substitute Nacer Chadli scored We were perhaps a bit nonchalant. But we Belgium’s fourth while Kevin De Bruyne still have three weeks to go.” A catalogue of converted a 91st minute penalty. Belgium keeper injuries and the absence of number will fly to Stockholm late yesterday for a one Thibaut Courtois, recovering from training camp ending with a friendly Saturday’s Champions League final, meant against Sweden on Sunday in which a first cap for Sammy Bossut, one of only Wilmots said he would try to simulate more three squad members still playing in of a World Cup feel with fewer substitutes. Belgium. After a few days at the Belgian coast, they Otherwise, Belgium, set to play in their play a warm-up match against Tunisia in first World Cup since 2002, began with a Brussels before boarding their plane to Sao line-up that may well start their tourna- Paolo on June 10 and a match behind ment opener against Algeria on June 17. closed door against the United States two SANTA ANA: Costa Rican national football team players gather during a training session in Santa Ana, 22 Km west of San Jose yesterday before When Lukaku struck in the third minute days later. —Reuters the start of the FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 football tournament. —AFP WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2014 SPORTS Cheers, jeers await FIFA boss Blatter in Brazil

GENEVA: The two sides of being FIFA stage he faces inevitable boos and jeers the multilingual Blatter asked spectators vuvuzelas,” Blatter said the next day. “We richly ironic that he would lead. “The President Sepp Blatter are on display - just as at previous World Cups and the in their Portuguese language, as their went on the field of play and it was a FIFA ship is in troubled waters but this just before the troubled World Cup kicks Confederations Cup held in Brazil last head of state stood beside him. great moment.” ship must be brought back on the right off on June 12. Acclaimed by world soc- June. So, no chance in the 65,000-capacity In 2006, Blatter skipped the on-field track,” he said before the poll. “I am the cer leaders but held in contempt by The fact FIFA pays no tax to Brazil’s Sao Paulo stadium for spectators to trophy presentation to the Italy team in captain of the ship.” many soccer fans. Blatter should arrive public finances from its $4 billion rev- upstage the presidents. “If you know Berlin. “History will say that it was an When the England delegation broke at the Itaquerao stadium in Sao Paulo to enue for broadcasting and commercial that these things could happen, that at error” he acknowledged to Italian media ranks and tried to postpone the vote, watch host Brazil play Croatia confident deals tied to the 2014 World Cup is an the end the two persons who are giving several months later. “I wanted to avoid Blatter marshalled a global spread of that this tournament - his fifth as presi- added provocation. Even if it is a stan- a speech will feel bad, why (do) you put creating an ugly scene because the loyal members to march up and join a dent - won’t be his last leading the dard demand on countries wanting to them in this position?” FIFA secretary Germans had shown they would whistle brutal verbal attack on the founding world’s favorite sport. One day earlier, host a World Cup or Olympic Games. general Jerome Valcke said. at the word FIFA.” soccer association. Blatter can surely the 78-year-old Blatter should ask for, Blatter, who often travels and is feted Still, the protocol plan calls for Blatter Blatter should face no such disre- expect similarly support in less tempes- and get, consent from 209 FIFA member like a head of state, is a useful target for and Rousseff - who faces her own re- spect on June 11 at the FIFA Congress, tuous times in Sao Paulo. federation bosses to seek another four- social activists and for soccer fans famil- election contest within months - to an event which the skilled Swiss admin- Apart from some wealthy member year presidential term. iar with the corruption cases that have jointly present the trophy on July 13 to istrator controls with mastery. nations, few of FIFA’s 209 seem anxious “Yes, I would like to do it,” Blatter said involved some of its senior officials in the winning captain in Rio de Janeiro’s In the depths of public disdain with to change a system and leadership earlier this month about his expected recent years. A change to usual World Maracana stadium. Four years ago, FIFA in June 2011, Blatter was re-elected which has let millions of World Cup dol- candidacy for the secret ballot sched- Cup protocol means that presidents of Blatter and South Africa’s President as the only candidate. He got 186 of 203 lars trickle down to them during Blatter’s uled May 29, 2015. “My mandate is FIFA and the host nation will not make Jacob Zuma both had a hand on the votes cast despite a turbulent few 16-year rule. Though UEFA President almost over but my mission is not fin- speeches in the stadium during the for- gold trophy which they passed to Spain months of bribery scandals and wide- Michel Platini clearly covets the top job, ished.” mal opening ceremony. Not after he and goalkeeper Iker Casillas without any spread doubts about the integrity of FIFA history since 1974 shows that a The endorsement at the state President Dilma Rousseff were public disapproval. awarding the 2018 and 2022 World Cups bedrock of European votes is far from Transamerica Expo Center might be a booed when addressing the crowd That came three hours earlier when to Russia and Qatar, respectively. enough for victory. personal high point of Blatter’s stay in before Brazil’s match which opened the the FIFA leader’s name was announced “We have been hit and I personally Should Blatter continue to enjoy Brazil, a country which loves soccer but Confederations Cup last year in the new as he entered the Soccer City pitch dur- have been slapped. I don’t want that good health, he can look forward to a not the cost levied on taxpayers to stage Brasilia stadium. ing pre-match introductions to the play- ever again,” Blatter said from the con- more agreeable welcome at the 2018 the month-long show. “Friends of Brazilian football, where is ers. gress stage in Zurich, committing FIFA to World Cup opening ceremony. Side by When Blatter appears on a public the respect and the fair play, please?” “I was only aware there were less a reform program which critics saw as side with Vladimir Putin. —AP Japan beats Cyprus 1-0 in World Cup tune-up

SAITAMA: Defender Atsuto Uchida scored late in the first half yesterday as Japan beat Cyprus 1-0 in the team’s final match on home soil before departing for the World Cup. Uchida put Japan ahead in the 43rd minute when he pounced on a rebound off a save by Cyprus goalkeeper Panos Constantinoy and calmly tapped in from close range. “I think the team did OK,” Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni said. “We just finished a physically hard training camp so there was some tiredness, but our decision mak- ing was good.” Uchida had just returned from a thigh injury sustained in January. “I got injured and I wasn’t sure if I would make it back in time,” Uchida said. “But I got picked for the team and was looking to make a contribution today.” Veteran striker Yoshito Okubo, a surprise inclusion in Japan’s World Cup squad, came on just before the hour mark and almost doubled the advantage with a right-foot- ed shot from around 30 yards (meters) that sailed over the crossbar. Cyprus, ranked 130th in FIFA’s world rankings, never seriously threatened Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima. Japan, which is preparing for its fifth consecutive World Cup campaign, faces Ivory Coast, Greece and Colombia in Group C in Brazil. RIO DE JANEIRO: Picture taken by a child during a photographic project organized Shinji Kagawa had another good scoring chance in the by AFP for children of Cidade de Deus shantytown. Children play football in a street second half with a right-footed shot from the edge of the of Cidade de Deus (City of God) favela of Rio de Janeiro. —AFP area that forced Constantinoy to make a diving save. Zaccheroni’s team will leave Japan tomorrow for a train- ing camp in Florida that includes tune-up matches against SAITAMA: Cyprus forward Onisiforos Roushias (left) heads the ball above Japan’s Photographing football Costa Rica and Zambia.—AP midfielder Makoto Hasebe (right) during their international friendly match. —AFP in the City of God RIO DE JANEIRO: Street football is often sessions usually lasted three to four Tottenham hire Pochettino as new manager an integral part of childhood in Brazil, hours, but could sometimes go on all LONDON: Tottenham appointed Mauricio approach to Pochettino after finally ruling out an all thrived under the Argentine’s leadership. the country that gave rise to Pele and so day. “The whole thing wasn’t easy to Pochettino as their new manager on a five-year offer for Carlo Ancelotti, who had been on his “In Mauricio I believe we have a head coach many other legends of the game. organize. We had to pick up the kids contract yesterday. Pochettino was tipped to take wanted list before the Italian’s Champions League who, with his high energy, attacking football, will Christophe Simon, chief photogra- from their homes, bring them home lat- charge at White Hart Lane following the recent triumph with Real Madrid made him an impossi- embrace the style of play we associate with our pher in AFP’s Rio de Janeiro bureau, er, arrive in the same places at the same sacking of Tim Sherwood and the Premier League club,” Levy said. wanted to find a new way to capture that time, and make sure that none of us was club confirmed they have persuaded the former “He has a proven ability to develop each player raw passion in photographs. He came up in the pictures that we took. Argentina defender, who had earned widespread as an individual, whilst building great team spirit with the idea of giving cameras to chil- “I taught the children the basics of my praise during his time as Southampton boss, to and a winning mentality. dren in the City of God favela so they job and established a number of ground quit his post at St Mary’s and move to north “We have a talented squad that Mauricio is could chronicle their love of football in rules: never get people to pose (a chal- London. excited to be coaching next season.” Pochettino, their own way. lenge in a country where people like “The club is delighted to announce the who takes over a Tottenham team that qualified This is Simon’s story of what hap- nothing better), and never use a flash. appointment of Mauricio Pochettino as our new for next season’s Europa League after finishing pened next: “In the favelas of Brazil, kids “The experience was exhilarating and head coach on a five-year contract,” a statement sixth in the English top flight, has brought assis- play football. All the time. Everywhere. the results astonishing. If I had covered on Tottenham’s website announced. tant manager Jesus Perez, first-team coach Miguel With battered footballs, on dusty waste- this topic alone, I would have used my Pochettino, who will work under Spurs director D’Agostino and goalkeeping coach Toni Jimenez lands, kicking them against walls. own rules, my personal viewpoint. But of football Franco Baldini, admitted he was with him to the Lane from Southampton. “In the run-up to the June-July World this time it was the youths who got the delighted to be given the opportunity to manage Another factor in his appointment is that he is a club of Tottenham’s stature. regarded as a prime candidate to coax the best Cup, I was looking for a way to illustrate chance to show their own environment The 42-year-old, Tottenham’s 10th permanent out of fellow Argentine Erik Lamela, Tottenham’s this Brazilian passion for soccer. And and their passion for football. The out- manager in the last 13 years, pledged to stay Mauricio Pochettino £30 million record signing from Roma last year, what could be better than to ask a bunch come, I believe, is more authentic than faithful to the club’s philosophy of attacking play, who endured a dismal first season in England. of these kids to let me see their passion anything I could have done.” while also fulfilling their desire to play in the ble target. Ajax manager Frank de Boer had also Ironically, Pochettino was beaten twice by through their own eyes? Champions League on a regular basis. reportedly been in contention for the job, but Sherwood when Spurs faced Saints in the Premier “Since arriving in Rio in 2010, I’d cov- ‘UNWRITTEN RULES’ “This is a club with tremendous history and Pochettino’s impressive rise to prominence in just League this season, with both fixtures ending 3-2. ered several ‘pacification’ operations by “In the beginning I expected them to prestige and I am honoured to have been given 18 months in charge convinced Levy he was the Southampton had been attempting to con- security forces in the favelas whose aim be showing me new things. But, to my this opportunity to be its Head Coach,” he said. right man to lead Tottenham’s challenge to qualify vince Pochettino to sign a new contract, but his is to improve the image of this city ahead surprise, it was often the other way “There is an abundance of top-class talent at for Europe’s elite club competition. future has been uncertain ever since the depar- of the World Cup, and the Olympics two around. It was me who opened the eyes the club and I am looking forward to starting Having arrived at Southampton in January ture of chairman and close friend Nicola Cortese. years later. “Loaded with my cameras, I of my ‘students.’ work with the squad. “Tottenham Hotspur has a 2013 as a relative unknown, former Espanyol boss His exit could herald a major shake-up at moved around, following the progress of “Favelas have their own, unwritten huge following across the world and I have great Pochettino’s possession-based, attacking game Southampton, with Shaw being chased by the army and police through grubby lit- rules. For example, everybody knows admiration for the passion the fans show for this and focus on home-grown talent has impressed, Chelsea and Manchester United and Lallana high tle alleyways. Every time, I found myself that it’s best to turn a blind eye to what team. as have his on-field results. on Liverpool’s list of targets. surrounded by groups of kids who goes on in your neighbors’ house. It’s the “We are determined to give the supporters the Saints managed their best-ever Premier Sunderland manager Gus Poyet, Neil Lennon, seemed to be fascinated by my work, kind of thing I didn’t know when I got kind of attacking football and success that we are League finish of eighth last season, while young who left Celtic last week, and former Cardiff coach who followed me everywhere and asked here with my novice’s eyes. But I also all looking to achieve.” talents like Luke Shaw, Adam Lallana, Jay Malky Mackay are among the favourites to replace a thousand questions. taught them things, to become aware of Spurs chairman Daniel Levy made his Rodriguez, Sam Gallagher and Calum Chambers Pochettino at St Mary’s.—AFP “I’ve just turned 50, an age when you a reality that had always been right start to want to pass on your skills to before their eyes but that they’d never younger people. And this is how I got the really seen. idea for this project.” “The Cidade de Deus may have been ‘pacified’ but that did not make it a trou- ‘ASTONISHING RESULTS’ ble-free area. More than once we found “I contacted camera maker Nikon and ourselves face to face with drug dealers the company agreed to contribute 10 who were not exactly pleased to see all waterproof Coolpix cameras. In the these cameras. But thanks to Tony’s time- Cidade de Deus, the City of God, one of ly interventions, none of these situations the most infamous Rio favelas, I knew a ever turned bad. certain Tony Barros, who was running a “There was a lot of turnover among photo shop. I had met him through the participants. After some time, our Nadine Gonzalez, a friend who set up a project became well-known in the favela group called Modafusion that runs a and there was an influx of hopefuls. A fashion institute in the favela. handful of the youths stuck with it all the “Tony immediately became my great- way. est ally, and my passport to the neigh- “Of those, I remember Kuhan partic- ACC Level 2 Umpires Course 2014 borhood. He recruited the kids who were ularly well. He was 10 and his parents KUWAIT: Kuwait Cricket added another feather to Kuwait. As most of the non-test playing countries host country Kuwait will be proud to have a to accompany us for three-and-a-half were crack addicts. He was an incredi- their cap by hosting Asian Cricket Council’s (ACC) are playing cricket at an increasingly higher level, Kuwaiti, Tariq Beidas, attending this course and months, and he opened all the doors bly lively and gifted child. Of the 50 pic- Level II umpiring course, a 5 day program with more intense and meaningful competition, would be aiming to be recognized as level II plus got us out of a few hairy situations. tures I selected at the end of the proj- designed by ACC to raise the standard of umpir- proper standards and disciplines have to be umpire. “Almost every weekend between ect, the best ones are, without doubt, ing skills and to provide more exposure to the observed on and off the field and hence, this Kuwait Cricket with open arms to promote February and May 2013 Tony and I went by him.” AFP and Modafusion have aspiring umpires from 7 various non-test playing course will be a ladder for each participants to cricket at all levels also has two lady Level I out with groups of three to 10 children launched a partnership to continue nations of Asian region. The course is being con- enhance their knowledge of the game and to look umpires attending the course. The umpires had between 10 and 15 years old. Each of offering workshops for young people in ducted by senior ACC Umpiring Resource person- forward for an opportunity to officiate matches at been selected on the basis of performance at ele- them got a camera and was tasked with the City of God through the 2016 nel Syed Mehaboob Shah, Bomi Jamula a higher level. mentary courses held earlier. The candidates who shooting pictures about football. The Olympics in Rio.—AFP &Performance Manager Peter Manuel and assist- Apart from Representatives to the likes of show improvement and commitment in this ed Riaz Choudhary, Director Umpiring panel, Afghanistan, Qatar, Oman, UAE, Iran, Saudi Arabia, course will move up to an elevated level later. Quintana wins Russia start Giro stage WCup build-up with victory 17 18over Slovakia WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2014

Cheers, jeers await FIFA boss Blatter in Brazil Page 19

PARIS: France’s Kristina Mladenovic serves to China’s Li Na during the first round match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium. — AP Li self-destructs at French Open Wozniacki beaten on court after losing in love PARIS: Former champion Li Na, the second-seeded Chinese match at a major is always tough, the tension is different. You Karlovic wasn’t broken by Dimitrov who won the Bucharest Roland Garros, was beaten 3-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 by unseeded superstar and Australian Open winner, was sensationally never know what will happen.” claycourt title this spring and was a semi-finalist at the Rome Argentine Carlos Berlocq. dumped out of the French Open in the first round yesterday, Mladenovic, who was 36 in the world last August, was in tears Masters having seen off the Croat on the way. The 35-year-old Hewitt unleashed 56 winners but committed 53 unforced beaten by a tearful Kristina Mladenovic. after her victory, her third over a top 10 player. “It’s just incredible,” Karlovic, whose last win in Paris was seven years ago, next faces errors. German 36-year-old Tommy Haas, the 16th seed, failed in Li, the 2011 champion, went down 7-5, 3-6, 6-1 to the 103rd- she said. “I don’t have the words to describe what just happened. Austria’s Andreas Haider-Maurer. his bid to become ranked blonde Frenchwoman-the Roland Garros junior champi- To beat the world number two in the first round at Roland Garros, Spanish fifth seed David Ferrer, last year’s runner-up to Rafael the oldest man since Jimmy Connors in 1991 to reach the sec- on in 2009 — to suffer her first opening round defeat in Paris in it’s incredible.” Nadal, began his 12th Roland Garros by coasting past Igor Sijsling ond round when he was forced to retire with a shoulder injury eight visits. Li’s shock defeat means that both Australian Open champions of the Netherlands, 6-4, 6-3, 6-1. against Jurgen Zopp of Estonia despite leading 5-2. The 2hr 06min loss on a windswept and chilly Suzanne have been knocked out in the first round after Stan Wawrinka’s Ferrer, 32, has reached the quarter-finals or better at his last Romanian fourth seed Simona Halep reached the second Lenglen court saw Li undone by 37 unforced errors. Mladenovic, listless defeat on Monday. nine majors and goes on to play Simone Bolelli of Italy. round with a 6-0, 6-2 win over Russia’s Alisa Kleybanova and next who was Australian Open mixed doubles champion this year Ex-world number one Caroline Wozniacki, the 13th seeded Britain’s Andy Murray, the seventh seeded Wimbledon cham- plays Heather Watson of Britain. with Daniel Nestor, goes on to face Alison Riske of the United Dane, lost 7-6 (7/5), 4-6, 6-2 to Belgium’s Yanina Wickmayer in her pion who made the semi-finals in 2011, saw off Andrey Golubev Svetlana Kuznetsova, the Russian 27th seed and 2009 cham- States. first outing since her romance with superstar golfer Rory McIlroy of Kazakhstan 6-1, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. Murray next faces Australia’s pion, beat Georgia’s Sofia Shapatava 6-3, 6-1 while 43-year-old “It didn’t matter who I was playing today I still would have ended. “I was not prepared for this, it all came as a bit of a shock. I Marinko Matosevic who beat Germany’s Dustin Brown 7-6 (7/5), Kimiko Date Krumm of Japan, a semi-finalist in 1995, lost 6-3, 0-6, lost. The problem was myself. I threw myself away,” said Li. It is a want to thank everyone for their support and sweet messages. I 6-4, 6-7 (1/7), 7-5 to register his first Grand Slam match win in 13 6-2 to Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, the 24th seed. familiar scenario for Li who failed to get beyond the fourth round have to move on from this,” said Wozniacki. attempts. Ana Ivanovic, the 11th seed and 2008 champion, beat French of the six Grand Slams which followed her 2011 Roland Garros Also making an early exit was Bulgarian men’s 11th seed “It was tricky out there, so it wasn’t easy to play great tennis or world number 43 Caroline Garcia 6-1, 6-3 while fellow Serb, sixth- breakthrough. Grigor Dimitrov who lost 6-4, 7-5, 7-6 (7/4) to giant Croat Ivo very exciting tennis,” said Murray. Former world number one seeded Jelena Jankovic, a three-time semi-finalist, saw off “I had no idea in my mind how to play the match. The first Karlovic. Lleyton Hewitt, now at 46 in the world and playing his 14th Canada’s Sharon Fichman 5-7, 6-1, 6-3. — AFP Heat 3-1 up over Pacers

MIAMI: LeBron James produced a blister- George felt the Heat had benefitted from ing 14-point third quarter as the Miami favorable refereeing. Miami were given 34 Heat took a commanding 3-1 lead over the free throws, double Indiana’s total. “I Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference thought we outplayed them. It’s just finals with a 102-90 win. demoralizing when a game is lopsided, I’m The Heat led 49-44 at the half, with sorry to say but that was the case again. Chris Bosh having his best performance How rare is it that we shoot 50 percent, of the postseason with 17 first-half points, turn the ball over 14 times, out-rebound a but the home side ran away with the team and lose? game in the third. “They made 30 free throws and that put Miami burst out with a 7-0 streak to them over the edge. I feel like we are just grab a 12-point lead and LeBron took as aggressive as they are attacking the bas- charge with two spectacular three-pointers ket and making plays at the rim. Maybe this and a ferocious dunk among his 14 points was just home cooking,” he said. in the third. James, who finished with 32 James was having none of it. “We did points, 10 rebounds and five assists, now only have five turnovers and 20 points off has 74 career playoff games with at least 25 their turnovers. That has nothing to do Pts, five rebounds and five assists, passing with the free throw line,” he said. Michael Jordan for the most in NBA history. It was a particularly fired-up perform- The win puts Miami one victory away ance from James but he rejected the idea from a fourth straight appearance in the that ‘trash talk’ in Game Three and further NBA Finals and a shot at a third straight pre-game comments from Indiana’s Lance title. Stephenson had contributed to his aggres- Miami have struggled with slow starts sive mindset. throughout the postseason but they were “I don’t need any motivation. I am moti- determined from the outset, grabbing a vated enough to try and get back to the swift 8-0 advantage with all the points finals,” he said. But George believed his coming from Bosh. team mate’s comments, where he claimed “Coach drew up a play for me and I LeBron had shown ‘weakness’ in their on- pretty much made my mind up that I was court exchanges, had clearly backfired. going to shoot it,” said Bosh. “After that, it’s “Lance is young and that is a learning a funny thing but when my team mates see lesson for him. Sometimes you have got me being aggressive like that and the shots to watch what you say, you are on the big MIAMI: Indiana Pacers guard Lance Stephenson (1) aims for the bas- do go in, they look for me a little bit more stage. Everything we say is going to be ket as Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (3) defends, during the first MIAMI: Indiana Pacers guard George Hill (3) and Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (3), fight and I try to make their job a little easier.” bulletin board material,” he said. Game Five half of Game 4 in the NBA basketball Eastern Conference finals play- over a loose ball during the first half of Game 4 in the NBA basketball Eastern Conference While Miami credited Bosh and James of the best-of-seven series is today in off series. —AP finals playoff series. — AP for a strong performance, Indiana’s Paul Indiana. — Reuters IMF says Spain has ‘turned the corner’ Page 23

Knockoffs a headache Business for IPO-bound Alibaba Page 25 WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2014 Behbehani launches Median CEO pay package crosses $10 million all-new Subaru 2015 Page 22 Page 26

KUWAIT: Shaikha Al Bahar, NBK Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer, Saad Al-Khorayef, Al-Khorayef Group Chairman and Managing Director signed the agreement at NBK’s headquarters in the presence of Osamah Al Abdullatif, Bank Muscat - Kuwait CEO; Pradeep Handa, NBK General Manager, Foreign Corporate, Oil and Trade Finance Group and George Richani, Head of International Banking Group. NBK arranges $56.8 m syndicated facilities for Al Khorayef KOC-Al Khorayef project largest of its kind in Middle East

KUWAIT: National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) and Group extends over several years. NBK was Al-Khorayef Group, a leading Saudi group, also the Lead Arranger and Agent bank for the News signed yesterday a financing agreement to syndicated loan facility for Al-Khorayef Group arrange a $56.8 million syndicated facilities for financing the new Gathering Center 16 in brief with a tenor of five and a half years. The facili- (GC-16) in west Kuwait.” The purpose of this ties will be used by Al Khorayef Group for its agreement is to provide the credit facilities Dubai airport activity ‘up’ DUBAI: Passenger traffic through Dubai’s main airport, one of project with Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) for the required by Al-Khorayef to finance its project the world’s busiest, rose 13.7 percent from a year earlier to supply of the electrical submersible pumping with KOC for the supply, installation, surveil- 6.16 million people in April, the airport operator said yester- systems (ESP), the largest project of its kind in lance and maintenance of the electrical sub- day. During the first four months of 2014, traffic at Dubai the Middle East. NBK is the mandated lead mersible pumping systems (ESP), which is International Airport climbed 11.9 percent to 24.52 million arranger for this agreement while Bank manufactured locally by Al-Khorayef Group passengers. Freight volume handled by the airport rose 3.7 Muscat is acting as a co-lender. Factory in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. percent in April to 207,317 tons; in the first four months, vol- Shaikha Al Bahar, NBK Deputy Group Chief NBK is the largest financial institution in ume grew 4.6 percent to 821,193 tons. However, activity is Executive Officer and Saad Al-Khorayef, Al- Kuwait and has been consistently awarded expected to taper off between May and July, Dubai Airports Khorayef Group Chairman and Managing the highest credit rating of all banks in the said, because of construction work on Dubai International’s Director signed the agreement at NBK’s head- region from Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s, and runways. The airport plans to cut flights by 26 percent for an quarters. Osamah Al Abdullatif, Bank Muscat - Fitch Ratings. NBK also stands out in terms of 80-day period that started on May 1, the operator announced Kuwait CEO, Pradeep Handa, NBK General its local and international network, which earlier. Several airlines have moved flights to Dubai’s new Al Manager, Foreign Corporate, Oil and Trade includes branches, subsidiaries and represen- Maktoum International Airport during the period. Finance Group, George Richani, Head of tative offices in China, Geneva, London, Paris, International Banking Group and other offi- New York, and Singapore alongside its region- S African economy shrinks cials representing NBK, Al Khorayef Group and al presence in Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, JOHANNESBURG: South Africa’s economy shrank in the Bank Muscat were also present at the signing record in financing major development proj- in the market place.” Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Turkey, and first quarter of the year, in the worst performance recorded ceremony. Al Tamimi Company acted as the ects in Kuwait, with special expertise in the oil “NBK has always been at the forefront of the UAE. NBK was founded in 1952 as the first since the global recession five years ago, official data legal advisor on this deal. Commenting on the projects; this mandate is yet another testa- supporting Kuwait’s oil sector,” Al Bahar indigenous bank and the first joint stock com- showed yesterday. Statistics South Africa reported the occasion, Al Bahar said “NBK has a long track ment of NBK’s professionalism and credibility added. “NBK’s relationship with Al Khorayef pany in Kuwait and the Gulf Region. economy contracted by 0.6 percent, a stunning reversal for Africa’s most advanced economy amid a rapid boom else- where in the continent. The worse-than-expected data comes during the first full day on the job for South African Indian finance minister finance minister Nhlanhla Nene. The 55-year-old was sworn in as South Africa’s first black finance minister on Monday. The contraction was blamed on a slump in mining activity due to a platinum strike now in its fifth month and a signifi- cant drop in manufacturing. “This makes for grim reading,” said Razia Khan, Africa’s regional head of research for targets growth revival Standard Chartered Bank. “Mining, hit by protracted indus- trial unrest, fell almost 25 percent on an annualized basis.” “Manufacturing was down 4.4 percent.” As new govt gets to work, a promise to investors Etisalat eyes bond issue DUBAI: Etisalat, the largest listed company in the United NEW DELHI: India’s new finance minister colleague of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, say his party’s decisive win gives him the dent leader who was jailed during a period Arab Emirates by market value, has mandated banks to committed himself to repairing public was formally named to the key finance mandate to advance reforms that stalled of emergency in 1975, will also be handling organize meetings ahead of a potential bond issue, the tele- finances and restoring investor confidence post, a day after the cabinet was inaugurat- under the scandal-ridden government of the important defense portfolio for the com operator said yesterday. Etisalat, which earlier this as a new administration took charge yester- ed following a sweeping election victory his predecessor, Manmohan Singh. transition. month bought a 53 percent stake in Maroc Telecom for 4.14 day promising better days for millions of for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Modi Yesterday, he met his Pakistani counter- billion euros ($5.65 billion) from Paris-listed Vivendi, said the discontented Indians. Arun Jaitley, an campaigned on a promise to cut bureau- part, Nawaz Sharif, whom he had invited Smaller government meetings will be held in the UAE, Asia and Europe from June urbane corporate lawyer and close party cratic sloth and fight corruption. Analysts for his inauguration in an unprecedented Modi, who built his reputation as an 1. The company did not identify the mandated banks, but a gesture that his team said was aimed at economic modernizer by putting his home separate document from lead arrangers showed Etisalat building strong ties with neighbors. The state of Gujarat on a high-growth path, has chose Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, HSBC and Royal Bank BJP has long take tough positions on moved to streamline the cabinet towards a of Scotland to arrange the offering - as sources told Reuters national security, Pakistan in particular. more centralized system of governing. on Monday. The issue could be denominated in euros or dol- However, the BJP did seek to make peace Several government ministries have been lars or both currencies, the document for arranging banks with India’s nuclear-armed rival while in clubbed under one minister, aimed at added. power more than a decade ago, and Modi breaking decision-making bottlenecks is expected to stress the need for a peace- widely blamed for dragging down econom- Brazil jet fleet to double ful region to keep the focus on restoring ic growth. The new administration has 45 RIO DE JANEIRO: The number of private jets operating in economic growth. Growth dropped to a ministers compared with 71 in the outgo- Brazil will nearly double during the World Cup, with more decade-low of below 5 percent under the ing government. than 700 expected to arrive from overseas, the Valor busi- outgoing government. Many supporters see Modi as India’s ness daily said Monday. Leonardo Fiuza, the head of TAM “We have to restore back the pace of answer to the former U.S. President Ronald Business Aviation, told the newspaper Brazil was expecting growth, contain inflation and obviously Reagan or British leader Margaret Thatcher, more business executives, politicians, royalty and wealthy concentrate on fiscal consolidation itself,” committed to shrinking the size of govern- tourists to fly in on private jets than at the 2010 World Cup Jaitley told reporters. Public finances are in ment. One foreign editor has ventured Modi in South Africa. The 700 private jets that descended on dire straits as government spending has could turn out to be “India’s Deng Xiaoping”, South Africa caused chaos during the tournament when outpaced revenues. The new administra- the leader who set China on its path of some of them clogged the tarmac at the main airport in tion will immediately need to take a deci- spectacular economic growth. “I am sure Durban before the semi-final match between Spain and sion on slashing subsidy spending which is the political change itself sends a strong Germany. Their pilots refused to move them, causing hun- dreds of fans to miss the match as commercial flights were threatening a budget blow-out and a sov- signal to the global community and also delayed or forced to turn back. Arun Jaitley ereign ratings downgrade. Jaitley, a stu- domestic investors,” Jaitley said. —Reuters WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2014 BUSINESS Median CEO package crosses $10 million CEO pay package climbs more than 50% NEW YORK: They’re the $10 million dollar one-time boost in pay because boards of Express ranked second with earnings of $21.7 average weekly wages for US workers rose 1.3 pany could have paid out tens of millions of men and women. Propelled by a soaring directors decided to re-negotiate CEO con- million. Like stock compensation, perform- percent in 2013. At that rate an employee dollars if he were to die or become disabled. stock market, the median pay package for a tracts under pressure from shareholders. ance cash bonuses jumped last year as a would have to work 257 years to make what a The board changed his contract following CEO rose above eight figures for the first time Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold CEO result of the surging stock market and higher typical S&P 500 CEO makes in a year. “There’s “say on pay” votes in 2012 and 2013 that last year. The head of a typical large public Richard Adkerson also received a one-time corporate profits. Earnings per share of the this unbalanced approach, where there’s all showed shareholders were unhappy with company earned a record $10.5 million, an payment of $36.7 million to renegotiate his S&P 500 rose 5.3 percent in 2013, according this energy put into how to reward execu- how Nabors paid its executives. increase of 8.8 percent from $9.6 million in contract. His total pay, $55.3 million, made to FactSet. That resulted in an average cash tives, but little energy being put into ensur- There have been other signs of sharehold- 2012, according to an Associated him the third-highest paid CEO last year. bonus of $1.9 million, a jump of 12.9 percent ing the rest of the workforce is engaged, pro- er concern about CEO pay. This month, 75 Press/Equilar pay study. Last year was the The second-highest paid CEO among com- from the prior year. ductive and paid appropriately,” says Richard percent of Chipotle Mexican Grill sharehold- fourth straight that CEO compensation rose ers voted against a proposed pay package for following a decline during the Great co-CEOs Steve Ells and Montgomery Moran. Recession. The median CEO pay package Ells earned $25.1 million in 2013 while Moran climbed more than 50 percent over that earned $24.3 million, a 27 percent rise in stretch. A chief executive now makes about compensation for each. Chipotle spent $49.5 257 times the average worker’s salary, up million on CEO pay last year, the fourth high- sharply from 181 times in 2009. est in the S&P 500. “Companies are now tak- The best paid CEO last year led an oilfield- ing the time to think through their pay prac- services company. The highest paid female tices and are talking more with shareholders,” CEO was Carol Meyrowitz of discount retail says Hewitt of GMI Ratings. “There’s still a giant TJX, owner of TJ Maxx and Marshall’s. long way to go but pay practices are getting And the head of Monster Beverage got a better.” monster of a raise. Over the last several years, To calculate a CEO’s pay package, the AP companies’ boards of directors have tweaked and Equilar looked at salary as well as perks, executive compensation to answer critics’ bonuses and stock and option awards, using calls for CEO pay to be more attuned to per- the regulatory filings that companies file formance. They’ve cut back on stock options each year. Equilar looked at data from 337 and cash bonuses, which were criticized for companies that had filed their proxies by rewarding executives even when a company April 30. It includes CEOs who have been at did poorly. Boards of directors have placed the company for two years. One prominent more emphasis on paying CEOs in stock FRAMINGHAM: TJX CEO Carol Meyrowitz IDAHO: David Zaslav, president and chief exec- NEW YORK: Time Warner President and CEO name not included in the data was Oracle instead of cash and stock options. poses for a photo in Framingham, Mass. utive officer of Discovery Communications Inc, Jeffrey Bewkes attends Time’s 100 Most CEO Larry Ellison, who is typically one of the The change became a boon for CEOs last Meyrowitz was the highest paid female CEO arrives at the Allen & Company Sun Valley Influential People in the World Gala in New best paid CEOs in the country. Oracle files its year because of a surge in stocks that drove of 2013.— AP Conference in Sun Valley, Idaho. —AP York. —AP salary paperwork later in the year, so Ellison the Standard & Poor’s 500 index up 30 per- panies in the S&P 500 was Leslie Moonves of More than two-thirds of CEOs at S&P 500 Clayton, research director at Change to Win was excluded in the 2013 survey data. He was cent. The stock component of pay packages CBS. Moonves’ total compensation rose 9 per- companies received a raise last year, accord- Investment Group, which works with labor awarded $76.9 million in stock options for rose 17 percent to $4.5 million. “Companies cent to $65.6 million in 2013, a year when the ing to the AP/Equilar study, because of the union-affiliated pension funds. Oracle’s fiscal year ending May 2013, accord- have been happy with their CEOs’ perform- company’s stock rose nearly 70 percent. bigger profits and higher stock prices. CEO Investors have become increasingly vocal ing to proxy filings. ance and the stock market has provided a big “CBS’s share appreciation was not only the pay remains a divisive issue in the US Large about executive pay since the recession. This boost,” says Gary Hewitt, director of research highest among major media companies, it investors and boards of directors argue that has led to an increasing number of public Among other findings at GMI Ratings, a corporate governance was near the top of the entire S&P 500,” CBS they need to offer big pay packages to attract spats between boards of directors, who pro- Female CEOs had a median pay package research firm. “But we are still dealing with a said in a statement. “Moonves’ compensation talented men and women who can run multi- pose pay packages, and shareholders, who worth more than their male counterparts, situation where CEO compensation has spun is reflective of his continued strong leader- billion-dollar businesses. “If you have a good own the company. These fights become pub- $11.7 million versus $10.5 million for males. out of control and CEOs are being paid ship.” Media industry CEOs were, once again, CEO at a company, the wealth he might gen- lic during “say on pay” votes, when sharehold- However, there were only 12 female CEOs in extraordinary levels for their work.” paid handsomely. Viacom’s Philippe Dauman erate for shareholders could be in the bil- ers have an opportunity to show they the AP/Equilar study compared with 325 The highest paid CEO was Anthony made $37.2 million while Walt Disney’s lions,” says Dan Mitchell, a senior fellow at the approve or don’t approve of pay packages. male CEOs that were polled. The CEO who Petrello of oilfield-services company Nabors Robert Iger made $34.3 million. Time Warner Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank. “It Votes are non-binding, but companies some- got the biggest bump in compensation from Industries, who made $68.3 million in 2013. CEO Jeffrey Bewkes earned $32.5 million. might be worth paying these guys millions times act when there is clear disapproval 2012 to 2013 was Rodney Sacks, the CEO of Petrello’s pay ballooned as a result of a $60 The industry with the biggest pay bump for doing this type of work.” from shareholders. Monster Beverage. Sacks earned $6.22 million million lump sum that the company paid him was banking. The median pay of a Wall Street CEOs are still getting much bigger raises Petrello was the best-paid CEO largely last year, an increase of 679 percent. to buy out his old contract. Nabors Industries CEO rose by 22 percent last year, on top of a than the average US worker. The 8.8 percent because the board of directors of Nabors Monster’s board of directors awarded Sacks did not respond to calls from The Associated 22 percent increase the year before. increase in total pay that CEOs got last year Industries’ wanted to end his previous con- $5.3 million in stock options to supplement Press seeking comment. Petrello was one of a BlackRock chief Larry Fink made the most, dwarfed the average raise US workers tract. Under that contract, Petrello could have his $550,000 salary and $300,000 cash handful of chief executives who received a $22.9 million. Kenneth Chenault of American received. The Bureau of Labor Statistics said been owed huge cash bonuses, and the com- bonus.— AP Ukraine balks at EU plan Limited room to Irish sweeten to avoid Russian gas cut budget cuts: Finance minister DUBLIN: The Irish government will Ireland has taken almost 30 billion Targets critical not be swayed by political pressure to euros, or close to 20 percent of annual Prime Minister Enda Kenny KIEV: Ukraine said yesterday it was Ukraine and has been keen to help find between Gazprom and its Naftogaz ease back on one last bout of austeri- output, out of the economy since stressed on Sunday any hope of eas- unhappy with the terms of an EU-bro- a compromise that could avert a state energy company be reached by ty, which it needs to implement to hit 2008 - with some of the more painful ing the budget cuts depended on the kered compromise with Russia that repeat of 2006 and 2009 disruptions tomorrow. Russia’s energy minister fiscal targets mandated by Brussels, measures like introducing property strength of the economy and Noonan could save Europe from seeing a large that damaged Russia’s reputation as a warned yesterday that such court its finance minister said. As members and water taxes left for the Fine Gael- said tax, spending and employment chunk of its gas supplies cut as early as reliable supplier and prompted action would be a deal breaker. “It is of the Labor party - the government’s Labor coalition to implement when it data pointed to a brighter fiscal pic- next week. “What we are hearing now Brussels to seek ways to diversify sup- absolutely unacceptable,” Novak told junior coalition partner - called for a came to power three years ago. ture so far this year. However the is you pay and then we talk,” Ukrainian plies. Russian state television. “If that hap- change in economic direction follow- While Noonan’s Fine Gael party head of Ireland’s independent fiscal Finance Minister Oleksandr Shlapak European Energy Commissioner pens, no agreement can be reached.” ing an election drubbing, Michael surprisingly fell to second place in the watchdog, which must endorse the said a day after Europe’s energy com- Guenther Oettinger on Monday report- The argument is complicated by the Noonan said he would have limited local polls, centre-left Labor captured government’s budget forecasts, said missioner reported that there was a ed “relatively good progress” at talks in different rates Moscow and Kiev are leeway to sweeten planned budget just 7 percent of seats compared with there had been little substantial “good chance” a compromise could be Berlin involving Russian Energy using to determine how much money cuts. “We’ll have a better idea as the a record 19 percent at parliamentary change in the outlook since Dublin reached within days. “This does not suit Minister Alexander Novak and his is actually owed. But Ukrainian Prime summer goes by of what the quan- elections three years ago. One of the reaffirmed planned tax increases and us,” Shlapak said. The two neighbors Ukrainian counterpart Yuriy Prodan. Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said this dif- tum of adjustment necessary is,” spending cuts. Noonan’s department launched their third gas war in less Oettinger said a deal under considera- ference was irrelevant because Russia eight Labor party members who sub- Noonan told a news conference. “But mitted a motion of no confidence in confirmed last month that although than a decade after the ouster of a tion would see Ukraine pay Russia’s had broken all conventions by seizing these things are governed by the new Gilmore’s leadership before his resig- the government was able to ease up Kremlin-backed president in February state energy giant Gazprom $2 billion its Black Sea peninsula of Crimea in fiscal rules in Europe so there isn’t on the scale of austerity in its last nation said the government needed a and Ukraine’s decision to seek closer by Thursday out of money it received March. that much domestic discretion budget, the 2 billion euros identified new vision following the end of its economic ties with EU states. from the International Monetary Fund Crimean waters contain largely- regardless of what the political pres- for 2015 was still needed to reduce Russia retaliated by hiking Ukraine’s and other world lenders in the past few untapped natural gas fields that the sures are to vary from the targets.” international bailout last year. “I think the deficit below an EU target of 3 gas price by 81 percent to $485.50 per weeks. Russia would then be ready to local authorities confiscated from Kiev Noonan needs the support of in some circumstances we took deci- percent of gross domestic product 1,000 cubic metres-the highest of any renegotiate the price of future deliver- within days of declaring their alle- Labor to push through one last 2 bil- sions and accepted those decisions next year. of its European clients-and demanding ies. A $500 million payment from giance to Russia. Yatsenyuk put the lion euro ($2.7 billion) austerity budg- because the elephant in the room was Irish Fiscal Council Chairman John a payment by next Monday of $5.17 Ukrainian gas company Naftogaz to value of those fields at $1 billion and et in October. But the party’s leader, the troika (of international lenders),” McHale said any signs of that target billion (3.79 million euros) for debts Gazprom would follow on June 7 to said he expected Russia’s compensa- Deputy Prime Minister Eamon Aodhan ” Riordain told national not being met could see Ireland’s bor- and June deliveries. Ukraine refused to cover a part of the bill for May. tion for them to be a part of the talks. Gilmore, acceded to members’ calls to broadcaster RTE. “...Once the Troika rowing costs rise from the record lows pay anything and branded the price “We want to hear from Russia answers quit on Monday after a hammering at left and the immediacy of the eco- they have fallen to in recent months. increase a form of “economic aggres- Crimea rebate on issues that include the return to local and European elections as voter nomic catastrophe had abated just a “The view of the Fiscal Council is that sion” launched by Russia to regain con- Ukraine has threatened to sue Ukraine of 2.2 billion cubic meters of frustration over six years of relentless little a bit, we had an opportunity to it’s important to stick to that 2 billion trol over its western neighbor. Europe Russia in an arbitration court in gas that Russia stole,” he told a cabinet austerity boiled over at the ballot box. move forward and have a new vision.” adjustment. — Reuters imports 15 percent of its gas through Stockholm should no agreement meeting. —AFP EXCHANGE RATES

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. UAE Exchange Centre WLL Syrian Pound 2.900 Sierra Leone 0.000069 0.000075 Nepalese Rupees 3.880 Singapore Dollar 0.222192 0.228192 South African Rand 0.021406 0.029906 ASIAN COUNTRIES Malaysian Ringgit 87.040 COUNTRY SELL DRAFT SELL CASH Chinese Yuan Renminbi 45.395 Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001868 0.002448 Japanese Yen 2.774 Australian Dollar 268.84 261.84 Thai Bhat 9.680 Taiwan 0.009264 0.009444 Indian Rupees 4.837 Canadian Dollar 262.66 263.66 Turkish Lira 134.045 Thai Baht 0.008358 0.008908 Pakistani Rupees 2.859 Swiss Franc 321.42 319.42 Arab Srilankan Rupees 2.165 Euro 390.18 391.18 Bahraini Dinar 0.743014 0.751014 Nepali Rupees 3.026 US Dollar 281.70 284.70 Bahrain Exchange Company Egyptian Pound 0.036123 0.039223 Singapore Dollar 226.120 Sterling Pound 478.47 481.47 Iranian Riyal 0.000078 0.000079 Hongkong Dollar 36.455 Japanese Yen 2.85 2.87 Iraqi Dinar 0.000181 0.000241 Bangladesh Taka 3.635 Bangladesh Taka 3.631 3.901 CURRENCY BUY SELL Jordanian Dinar 0.394297 0.401797 Philippine Peso 6.474 Indian Rupee 4.800 5.100 Europe Kuwaiti Dinar 1.0000000 1.0000000 Thai Baht 8.704 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.161 2.596 Belgian Franc 0.007343 0.008343 Lebanese Pound 0.000138 0.000238 Irani Riyal transfer 0.271 Nepali Rupee 3.004 3.539 British Pound 0.468171 0.478171 Moroccan Dirhams 0.025331 0.049331 Irani Riyal cash 0.273 Pakistani Rupee 2.861 2.790 Czech Korune 0.006195 0.018195 Nigerian Naira 0.001194 0.001829 GCC COUNTRIES UAE Dirhams 76.76 77.23 Danish Krone 0.047624 0.052624 Omani Riyal 0.727863 0.733543 Saudi Riyal 75.403 Bahraini Dinar 749.77 751.84 Euro 0.379894 0.387894 Qatar Riyal 0.076899 0.078112 Qatari Riyal 77.694 Egyptian Pound 39.57 40.17 Norwegian Krone 0.043379 0.048579 Jordanian Dinar 400.93 406.58 Romanian Leu 0.081528 0.81528 Saudi Riyal 0.074710 0.075410 Omani Riyal 734.540 Syrian Pound 0.001752 0.001972 Bahraini Dinar 751.030 Omani Riyal 732.60 739.90 Slovakia 0.008085 0.018085 Qatari Riyal 77.79 78.34 Swedish Krona 0.038669 0.043669 Tunisian Dinar 0.169250 0.177250 UAE Dirham 77.006 Turkish Lira 0.138778 0.145778 ARAB COUNTRIES Saudi Riyal 75.25 75.65 Swiss Franc 0.308951 0.319151 Turkish Lira 0.138778 0.145778 UAE Dirhams 0.075946 0.077095 Egyptian Pound - Cash 38.560 Yemeni Riyal 0.001274 0.001354 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 39.579 Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Australasia Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.320 Australian Dollar 0.253049 0.264549 Tunisian Dinar 174.640 New Zealand Dollar 0.235348 0.244848 Rate for Transfer Selling Rate America Al Mulla Exchange Jordanian Dinar 399.310 US Dollar 281.500 Canadian Dollar 0.255105 0.263605 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 1.897 Canadian Dollar 259.510 US Dollars 0.278450 0.282800 Syrian Lira 2.015 Sterling Pound 475.750 Currency Transfer Rate (Per 1000) Morocco Dirham 35.243 Euro 391.810 US Dollars Mint 0.278950 0.282800 US Dollar 282.300 Asia EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES Swiss Frank 320.975 Euro 387.000 Bangladesh Taka 0.003333 0.003933 US Dollar Transfer 282.650 Bahrain Dinar 749.235 Pound Sterlng 476.000 Chinese Yuan 0.044033 0.047533 Euro 386.380 UAE Dirhams 76.620 Canadian Dollar 261.900 Hong Kong Dollar 0.034356 0.037106 Sterling Pound 477.250 Qatari Riyals 78.200 Indian Rupee 4.787 Indian Rupee 0.004449 0.004850 Canadian dollar 261.230 Saudi Riyals 75.340 Egyptian Pound 39.465 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000020 0.000026 Turkish lira 135.820 Jordanian Dinar 396.715 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.162 Japanese Yen 0.002687 0.002867 Swiss Franc 316.870 Egyptian Pound 40.115 Bangladesh Taka 3.631 Sri Lankan Rupees 2.154 Kenyan Shilling 0.003291 0.003291 Australian Dollar 261.730 Philippines Peso 6.459 Indian Rupees 4.679 Korean Won 0.000266 0.000281 US Dollar Buying 281.450 Pakistan Rupee 2.854 Pakistani Rupees 2.852 Malaysian Ringgit 0.083804 0.089804 GOLD Bahraini Dinar 750.950 Bangladesh Taka 3.622 Nepalese Rupee 0.003005 0.003175 UAE Dirham 76.800 20 Gram 245.000 Philippines Pesso 6.322 Pakistan Rupee 0.002659 0.002939 Saudi Riyal 75.300 10 Gram 124.000 Cyprus pound 691.420 Philippine Peso 0.006339 0.006619 *Rates are subject to change 5 Gram 64.000 Japanese Yen 3.750 BUSINESS WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2014 IMF: Spain has ‘turned the corner’ Bank reforms slowed by fierce industry pushback

MADRID: The IMF declared yesterday that Spain’s the IMF said. “We expect the recovery to continue Spain posted an unemployment rate of 25.73 they did in the run-up to the financial crisis when economic recovery is here to stay, hailing a return over the medium term.” The Fund said the “collec- percent in the first quarter of 2014, down from a taxpayers had to shore up the sector. “The bad to growth and job-creation despite the nation’s 26- tive efforts” of Spanish society were bearing fruit. record 26.94 percent a year earlier. Many people news is that progress is still too slow, and the finish percent unemployment rate. “Spain has turned the Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s government has have left the workforce, however, either giving up line is still too far off,” Lagarde told a conference on corner,” the International Monetary Fund said in a introduced highly unpopular austere budget poli- looking for a job or leaving the country in search of economic inclusion in London. report on the euro-zone’s fourth-largest economy, cies: cutting spending, raising taxes and curbing work, official data show. “The Spanish people are While the task of reforming banks is complex, which emerged in mid-2013 from five years of stop- pension costs so as to rein in a bulging public still suffering from the legacy of the economic cri- progress is also being held back by “fierce industry sis,” the IMF acknowledged. “Most importantly, 5.9 pushback” and fatigue that is bound to set in at this million people are unemployed, more than half of point in a long race, she said. “A big gap is that the them for more than a year,” it said, adding that this too-big-to-fail problem has not yet been solved,” had crimped incomes and left people and compa- Lagarde said, referring to the belief in markets that nies in heavy debt. governments will still step in to rescue the biggest The Fund pressed Spain to help companies banks to avoid the mayhem seen when Lehman restructure their debts. It also urged the govern- Brothers collapsed in 2008. ment to cut the bureaucratic red tape faced by The IMF estimated that the implicit subsidy or firms. In particular, it called on Madrid to introduce a cheaper funding costs from being too big to fail law removing barriers to competition in profession- amounted to about $70 billion in the United States al services “without further delay”. “Together with and up to $300 billion in the euro-zone. Mark continued wage moderation, this would help Carney, chairman of the Financial Stability Board, a ensure the recovery translates into more jobs, regulatory task force for the Group of 20 economies greater job security for the employed and lower (G20), has said he wants the too-big-to-fail phenom- costs of living,” it said. enon “cracked by Christmas” but faces challenges in The IMF called on Spain to overhaul its 21-per- Europe and Asia. Lagarde also called for regulators cent VAT rate system, so as to gradually withdraw across the world to agree a framework for winding the special, reduced rates that apply to a range of down big banks in trouble. “This is a hole in the items from food to books, hotels and restaurants. financial architecture right now, and it calls for coun- Spain has room to lower its 30-percent corporate tries to put the global good of financial stability tax rate, the IMF said, warning however that the ahead of their parochial concerns,” Lagarde said. rate should not be lowered to 20 percent, which After the bruising experience of the financial cri- would be below the EU average. “There is less room sis, trust among international regulators is still not for significantly cutting top personal income tax high enough as some countries continue to take rates,” the Fund said, however, citing a need to sus- extra initiatives on bank capital to keep local tax- tain revenues. LONDON: Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary fund, addresses the payers off the hook. The FSB is worried that such Inclusive Capitalism Conference at the Mansion House in the City of London yesterday. — AFP measures, like the Federal Reserve’s plans for extra Bank reforms slowed capital requirements on foreign lenders in the start recession. The Fund noted that Spain grew in deficit. In 2012, his conservative Popular Party gov- Progress in completing banking reforms to plug United States, will split capital markets. Lagarde the first three months of this year at a quarterly rate ernment introduced new labor legislation making it gaps highlighted by the 2007-09 financial crisis is said, “We need to be mindful of the risks of frag- of 0.4 percent-the fastest clip since a 2008 property easier for firms to change their employees’ work too slow and is being hampered by fierce industry menting the global financial system and hamper- crash destroyed millions of jobs and flooded the conditions, and cheaper to hire and fire staff. “The lobbying, the International Monetary Fund said yes- ing the flow of credit to finance investment.” “But nation in debt. labor reform and wage moderation are helping terday. IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde complexity is not an excuse for complacency and “Critically, labor market trends are improving,” turn job destruction to job creation,” the IMF said. said banks were holding more capital now than delay,” she said.— Agencies

Italian consumer morale hits four-year high after tax cuts

ROME: Italian consumer confidence hit its since the 1970s, Renzi passed tax cuts that highest level in more than four years in May put an estimated extra 80 euros a month after Prime Minister Matteo Renzi’s govern- into the pockets of 10 million low-income ment approved income-tax cuts for low workers to try to revive economic growth. earners. Consumer spending has long been Italy pulled out of its longest post-war the main weakness of the Italian economy recession in the final quarter of last year as real per capita income in 2013 was at with a timid 0.1 increase in output fuelled nearly the same level as in 1997. The better- by rising exports, but the economy unex- than-expected confidence survey suggests pectedly dipped again in the first three consumption may be about to pick up, pro- months of this year. A “significant” recovery viding a much-needed boost for the euro in consumer sentiment is underway, said zone’s third-biggest economy which is Intesa Sanpaolo analyst Paolo Mameli, and struggling to emerge from recession. the improvement may lead to more spend- Renzi’s Democratic Party vowed to ing “starting today” as many households accelerate reforms, that will include further see the tax-cut bonus in their paychecks. tax cuts for businesses and households, The ISTAT survey of about 2,000 people after winning a landslide victory in was conducted during the first half of this European elections on Sunday. National month and is the first ISTAT has published statistics bureau ISTAT’s headline consumer since the government approved the tax morale index rose to 106.3 in May, data reductions. A sub-index on the economic cli- showed yesterday, from a revised 105.5 in mate rose to 118.1 from 115.3 and one meas- April and the highest reading since January uring personal sentiment increased to 102.0 BRUSSELS: A poster on a van near the European Commission headquarters, asks new European leaders to get the EU out of austerity and invest in 2010. A Reuters survey of 18 analysts had from 100.6. Another sub-index measuring growth & quality jobs, ahead of the informal dinner of EU Heads of State in Brussels yesterday. — AP pointed to a slight decline from April to current sentiment increased to 104.6 from 105.0. “There’s no doubt that the 80-euro 101.6, while confidence in the future fell to (tax) bonus boosted consumer sentiment,” 108.9 from 109.4. ISTAT cautioned that it Britain, Germany retain top said Fedele De Novellis, an analyst at eco- changed survey collection methods in June nomic research institute REF. 2013, which resulted in a marked increase in After more than two years of recession the index level and skews comparisons to spots for foreign investment and with unemployment at its highest level levels reached before the revision.— Reuters France to ‘roll out red carpet’ to British investors

PARIS: Britain and Germany topped an annual when he said that Britain would roll out the red car- was right to pledge to put Britain’s membership to ranking of foreign investment projects in Europe pet to French tax exiles. a referendum. France’s President Francois while France lagged behind though its numbers The UK Independence Party (UKIP) - which Hollande has meanwhile called for the EU to scale were on rise, a study showed yesterday. Retaining wants to pull Britain out of the European Union- back its role, after his party too, took a beating in its top position, Britain saw the number of foreign won last week’s European elections, pushing the polls. His Socialist Party registered a record investment projects in the country rise by 15 per- Cameron’s party into third place. Cameron said low vote of just under 14 percent while the far- cent last year to 799, according to Ernst and Young. the outcome showed voters’ “deep disillusion- right National Front topped the polls with nearly a Meanwhile, Germany, Europe’s biggest economy ment” with the European Union and proved he quarter of the vote. — Agencies and industrial powerhouse, saw an increase of 12 percent to 701 foreign investments. France appeared to have halted some of its decline in recent years although the number of foreign Lloyds Bank launches TSB investments grew more slowly than in Britain or Germany. share sale to create lender With a nine percent increase last year in invest- ments to 514 projects, Economy Minister Arnaud LONDON: Lloyds Banking Group expects to float with the scale and capabilities of an established Montebourg seized on the study as a sign of the about 25 percent of its TSB business on the London player,” Chief Executive Paul Pester said yesterday. government’s success in reviving French firms’ Stock Exchange next month, it said yesterday, kick- However, TSB has only a 4.2 percent share of the competitiveness and improving the country’s ing off a process regulators hope will create a personal current account market and Pester said it attractiveness. In a move to improve competitive- vibrant challenger to Britain’s dominant high-street would take four to five years to reach its target of a ness further, President Francois Hollande aims to lenders. Lloyds was forced by European regulators 6 percent share. Pester said TSB had picked up SINTRA: A handout picture taken shows ECB’s president Mario Draghi delivering a speech phase out 30 billion euros ($41 billion) in payroll to sell the 631 branches which now form TSB as a more customers than it lost since the brand was re- at a conference during the ECB Forum on Central Banking in Sintra. — AFP tax companies pay over the next three years in condition of receiving state aid during the financial introduced to the high street last October. “We are a exchange for commitments to create jobs. Ernst crisis five years ago and it must therefore now sell net gainer from every major bank in the UK at pres- Biggest banks to pay up to and Young said that the total number of foreign the whole of TSB by the end of 2015. ent,” he told reporters. The share sale is expected to investments in Europe rose five percent to a record However, the number of shares being sold in be completed by the end of June, with a prospec- $20m for ECB supervision 3,955 projects, creating 166,300 jobs which was the initial offer is at the bottom end of expectations tus due to be published in just over two weeks’ down from pre-crisis levels of close to 200,000. and banking industry sources said last week they time. TSB is hoping to attract investors looking for While intra-European investment accounted for expect them to be priced at less than TSB’s book exposure to Britain’s economic recovery from a FRANKFURT: The euro-zone’s biggest banks to fall as a result of being supervised and that 54 percent of foreign investment, the United States value of 1.5 billion pounds ($2.5 billion), meaning bank which is untainted by issues of past miscon- could face an annual bill of up to 15 million would more than offset the supervision fees, he was the single biggest foreign investor followed by Lloyds will make a loss on the sale of the 200-year duct. The bank has agreed an indemnity from euros ($20 million) apiece for being supervised argued. Of the overall sum of 260 million euros, Germany and Britain. In one of the latest examples old brand. That reflects a cooling of investor interest Lloyds against historical conduct-related losses by the European Central Bank, the ECB said yes- staff costs would amount to around 60 percent, of US investment in Europe, US conglomerate in UK company flotations in recent weeks following meaning it will not need to pay out for past miscon- terday. The ECB said in a statement that the costs premise-related costs to 10 percent and the General Electric is seeking to buy the energy assets a rush of activity earlier in 2014. Clothing chain Fat duct such as the mis-selling of loan insurance, incurred in its new role as Europe’s common remaining 30 percent would be accounted for by of French group Alstom, once an icon of French Face pulled its planned London listing last week which has cost Lloyds 9.8 billion pounds. banking supervisor-which it begins in other operating expenditures such as travel, con- industry. However, it faces resistance from the while holidays-to-insurance firm Saga priced its IPO November-are expected to amount to 260 mil- sultancy and IT services, the ECB said. The ECB is French government, which prefers a European tie- at the bottom of its original range. Dividend prospects lion euros in 2015. As part of the new Single hiring around 1,000 new staff for its supervisory up between Alstom and German rival Siemens and Lloyds had planned to sell the branches to the TSB’s focus on growth means that it doesn’t Supervisory Mechanism (SSM), the ECB will duties, who will be housed in the central bank’s which has widened its control of foreign takeovers Co-operative Bank but that sale fell through last anticipate paying a dividend to shareholders until directly supervise up to 130 institutions classi- current Eurotower headquarters in Frankfurt, with a decree giving it powers to veto deals. year when a 1.5 billion-pound funding gap at the 2017 at the earliest, Pester said. The bank plans to fied as “significant” with assets in excess of 30 bil- while the rest of the workforce are scheduled to Co-op emerged. It subsequently revived the TSB expand its balance sheet by 40 to 50 percent over lion euros. Around 5,800 smaller and less signifi- move to a brand new skyscraper currently under Red carpet to investors brand, last seen on British high streets in the 1990s, the next five years and is targeting a return on equi- cant banks will remain under the remit of the construction in the east of the city. Meanwhile, French Economy Minister Arnaud with a view to a stockmarket sale. Lawmakers and ty of 10 percent or over. On 31 March 2014 it had national supervisory authorities. While the ECB said that the precise costs can Montebourg said yesterday that France is ready to banking regulators are keen to see new banks 23.3 billion pounds of deposits and 19.7 billion of The 130 biggest banks will foot around 85 per- only be confirmed in 2015, “a preliminary analy- “roll out the red carpet” to British investors if Britain emerge to break the dominance of Britain’s biggest assets. The bank plans to attract retail shareholders cent of the total bill and the other 5,800 the sis has shown that for 2015 the annual fee for a opted to leave the EU after eurosceptic party UKIP five lenders, which control more than three quar- with an offer of one free share for every 20 shares remaining 15 percent, according to the ECB’s esti- directly supervised bank may range from topped the poll in European elections in Britain. “If ters of the personal current account market, and acquired in the initial public offer, up to a maximum mate. “It’s a fair system. The largest banks with the 150,000 euros to 15 million euros.” However, they were to vote to leave the EU, France will roll TSB is seen as a viable challenger. investment of 2,000 pounds, provided they hold higher risk profile will pay the most,” the ECB’s most of the directly supervised banks would pay out the red carpet to British investors who will flee The bank already has 4.5 million customers and them for a year. Pester said he expected between head of budgeting and human resources Steven between 700,000 euros and 2.0 million euros, their country. They will all come to France because 6 percent of bank branches in the UK, making it 15 and 20 percent of the shares will be sold to retail Keuning told a news conference. The fees the ECB calculated. Similarly, around 75 percent companies need Europe,” Montebourg told Britain’s seventh-largest retail bank and giving it a investors, rather than institutions such as pension amounted to a fraction-some 0.001 percent-of of the smaller, indirectly supervised banks may MetroNews freesheet. His remarks were a riposte to headstart over other new entrants. “We have the funds and insurers. JP Morgan and Citigroup are the total assets under supervision, he pointed out. pay between 2,000-7,000 euros per year, while British Prime Minister David Cameron, who mindset and growth potential of a challenger but leading the IPO process. — Reuters Furthermore, the banks eventually stood to bene- the bigger banks in this category could be faced angered France’s Socialist government in 2012 fit because their borrowing costs were expected with a bill of about 200,000 euros. —AFP BUSINESS WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2014 World shares hover near all-time high Market reaction limited to Ukraine air strikes

LONDON: World shares hovered just off an all-time Europe’s main bourses, which saw mostly steady leaving it just below its 2007 record high of 428.63 the bank will cut euro zone interest market move yesterday after a tight few high and the euro was steady yesterday, as the starts, had made gains on Monday following points. rates again next week and dip back into days of trading, thinned out by US and European Central Bank made sure there was little European election results. Asset markets around the world continue to be its unconventional policy cupboard. UK holiday weekends. “The dollar con- doubt in investors minds that global liquidity will Asian trading had been timid too, but another solid supported by record-low interest rates in most of the Draghi said the ECB needed to be “par- tinues to struggle, and you can see that continue. Britain’s FTSE 100 opened up 0.3 percent session for Japan’s Nikkei and shares in China, nudged world’s big economies. ECB chief Mario Draghi on ticularly watchful” for any negative price in the US rate curve and rate differen- as it played catch-up after a holiday. The rest of MSCI’s 45-country all-world index up to 420 points Monday bolstered the already-strong expectation that spiral in the euro zone, and that “more tials which haven’t moved in the dollar’s pre-emptive action may be warranted,” favor,” said Stephen Gallo, European citing broad-based asset purchases as head of FX strategy with BMO in one of the ultimate options. London. He is set speak again later in an ‘arm- chair’ discussion in the final day of the M&A ECB forum underway in Portugal, along Another flurry of merger activity pro- with a handful of the bank’s other poli- vided additional support for European cymakers. The easing expectations kept shares. Intercontinental Hotels Group plenty of downward pressure on euro jumped 5.2 percent, the top performer zone government borrowing costs in on the pan-European FTSEurofirst 300, the region’s buoyant bond markets. buoyed by British media reports of bid Interest rates on benchmark 10-year interest from the United States. German Bunds hovered at 1.358 per- Investors kept a wary eye on Ukraine, cent, while Italian bonds consolidated which launched air strikes and a para- gains they had made on Monday after trooper assault against pro-Russian its government scored a surprisingly rebels who seized an airport on easy win in European Parliament elec- Monday. tions over the anti-establishment 5-Star The escalation in the ongoing crisis Movement of former comic Beppe was tempered by the decisive win for bil- Grillo. lionaire Petro Poroshenko in Ukraine’s In the currency market, the dollar fell weekend presidential election, which 0.2 percent against a basket of curren- many hope will help bring some stability cies, extending weakness since the end to the situation. In commodities trading, of last week after another retreat in US three-month copper on the London bond yields. The euro was at an Metal Exchange edged to its highest in unchanged $1.3645, with the softer dol- nearly three months as markets reopened lar keeping it above its recent three- after a holiday weekend. US crude futures month lows. London-based analysts and were up about 0.1 percent at $104.48 a traders said another big batch of US barrel. Spot gold was a touch lower at numbers were the best bet for a bigger $1,288.65 an ounce. — Reuters

HERAT: Afghan laborers work at an aluminum workshop in Herat yesterday. Some 100 people work in the Herat Aluminum factory with around 70 to 100 tons of aluminum produced each month, with most all of its products used domestically. — AFP Oil hovers around $110 on Libya supply worries

LONDON: Brent crude oil steadied just prices,” said Carsten Fritsch, senior oil and below $110 a barrel yesterday on supply commodities analyst at Commerzbank. worries as the Ukraine government “The risk for prices is to the upside from launched air strikes to try to put down a here,” he added. Heightened political risks separatist revolt and Libya struggled to have helped Brent to gain more than 6 rein in rebels controlling several of the percent since this year’s low of $103.95 in country’s oil ports. Brent was down 50 early April. In Libya, the leader of protest- cents at $109.82 a barrel by 1010 GMT, not ers occupying the country’s oil ports said far below last Thursday’s intraday peak of he did not recognize Prime Minister $111.04, its highest for more than two and Ahmed Maiteeq’s new government and a half months. US light crude oil was down indicated that a previously agreed deal to 30 cents at $104.05. end his blockade could be in jeopardy. Ukrainian forces fought separatists in Oil, particularly Brent, also drew sup- Donetsk for a second day yesterday after port from hopes of demand growth amid inflicting heavy losses on the rebels, with expectations that the European Central the government vowing to press on with a Bank (ECB) is preparing a package of poli- military offensive “until not a single terror- cy options to help to stimulate the euro- ist” is left. Ukraine is a main gas supply zone economy. Progress of talks between route to Europe from Russia and investors Iran and world powers to find a solution to are concerned the conflict could also dis- Tehran’s nuclear program is also being rupt Russian oil supplies to the West. watched by investors. Iran said world pow- Chaos in Libya, meanwhile, has cut the ers were demanding too much in talks country’s oil output to only 160,000 barrels aimed at reaching a deal by July 20 but per day (bpd), compared with 1.4 million maintained that hurdles could be over- bpd before the 2011 uprising against come. Investors also awaited a slew of eco- Muammar Gaddafi. nomic indicators from the United States “The market is worried about what is and Europe to gauge the demand outlook. happening in Ukraine, where the crisis US durable goods orders, consumer confi- appears to escalating, and the muddy sup- dence and the Dallas Fed manufacturing ply picture in Libya is also underpinning index are due today. — Reuters Gold slips ahead of US economic data LONDON: Gold slipped yesterday, as benefit from weakness in the dollar, share markets rose and investors waited which fell 0.2 percent against a basket of for US economic data for directional currencies, and a retreat in US bond cues, while platinum group metals were yields. A weaker dollar makes gold supported as labor strikes dragged on in cheaper for foreign investors, while major producer South Africa. returns from US bonds are closely Developments in Ukraine, where air watched, given that the metal pays no strikes and a paratrooper assault were interest. launched against pro-Russian rebels who Investors were holding off from tak- seized an airport on Monday, had little ing big positions ahead of US data on impact on gold, which is usually bought durable goods orders and consumer con- as an insurance against risk in times of fidence, due to be released later in the global political uncertainty. day. Market players were also eyeing “The geopolitical situation could developments in physical markets which impact prices significantly but we need a have been subdued over the past several big change in Ukraine to make a differ- weeks. ence and at the moment it is boiling qui- China’s gold imports from main con- etly,” Sharps Pixley CEO Ross Norman duit Hong Kong fell to a 14-month low of said. Spot gold fell 0.7 percent to 67.040 tons in April from 85.128 tons in $1,283.61 an ounce by 1015 GMT, after March, as a weaker yuan and local dis- ending flat in the last two weeks. US gold counts curbed demand. China has futures were down 0.6 percent at approached foreign banks and gold pro- $1,284.20 an ounce. Gold has struggled ducers to participate in a global gold to break consistently above the $1,300- exchange in Shanghai, as the world’s top an-ounce level for the past two weeks, producer and importer of the metal indicating a lack of conviction from seeks greater influence over pricing. investors and speculators, analysts said. In No. 2 consumer India, investors are “The problem is that volatility is hoping the new government would relax falling off the cliff, market volumes are rules imposed on gold imports last year, particularly low, physical demand is very a move they believe will spur pent-up slow and you have this odd dichotomy demand. Among other precious metals, where you have got technicals telling platinum was down 0.3 percent at you...the market should be poised for a $1,466.50 an ounce and palladium breakout and yet there is no drive and dropped 0.2 percent to $828 an ounce. desire behind it,” Norman said. Work stoppages continued at Anglo European equities were firmer yester- American Platinum , Impala Platinum day, eroding gold’s appeal as a hedge and Lonmin in the longest strike in South against riskier assets. The metal failed to Africa’s history. —Reuters BUSINESS WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2014 Egypt’s central bank may cut rates to boost economy CAIRO: Egypt’s central bank may cut interest rates at its last three meetings. Egypt’s economy and the at over 13 percent, especially as mass protests in overnight lending rate, two expected a 0.5 percent tomorrow, taking the opportunity two days after pound have been under pressure since autocratic recent years have been prompted partly by a lack of cut and one a 0.25 percent cut. Three economists presidential elections to give a boost to an economy leader Hosni Mubarak was ousted in early 2011, trig- jobs for its youth. Meanwhile core inflation, which expected both rates to stay unchanged. The tumbling damaged by social and political upheaval. Three of gering political turmoil that has driven away many strips out subsidized goods, and urban consumer pound has pressured the central bank to keep inter- six economists in a Reuters survey said they expect- tourists and foreign investors, traditionally major inflation have also remained high, though they est rates high to lure funds out of foreign currencies. ed the bank’s benchmark rates to be cut by either 25 sources of hard currency for the country. slowed in April to 9.1 percent and 8.9 percent, To support the local currency, the bank has also or 50 basis points, while the rest forecast unchanged Egypt expects gross domestic product (GDP) to respectively. Price pressures could increase again, been burning through foreign currency reserves, rates. Former army chief Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi is widely grow only around 2 percent in the fiscal year that especially if subsidies are cut and the central bank now at around $17 billion compared with around expected to become Egypt’s next president after the ends in June, broadly in line with last year’s rate and lets the pound currency weaken further, said $35 billion before the 2011 uprising. It has in recent election that ends yesterday. “The timing (of the cen- less than half as high as rates under Mubarak. Moheb Malak of Prime Holding. He forecast rates weeks allowed the pound to weaken further, narrow- tral bank meeting) is very important (as) it comes Growth in the Arab world’s most populous nation would stay put, though a 0.5 percent cut was possi- ing the gap between the official and black market directly after the elections,” said Ahmad Telfah, chief has remained sluggish despite more than $12 bil- ble within two months. “Further inflationary pres- rates. “A temporary build-up in inflationary pressures economist at Riyad Bank. lion in aid pledged from Saudi Arabia, the United sures could arise if the government presses ahead could be due on the back of renewed (pound) weak- He predicted a cut of 50 basis points (bps) in the Arab Emirates and Kuwait after the army ousted with subsidy reforms and upward adjustments to ening against the dollar,” Malak said. The central bank bank’s 9.25 percent overnight lending rate and a 25 Islamist President Mohamed Mursi last July. The petroleum products prices,” he said. held an exceptional dollar auction this month, bps cut in the 8.25 percent overnight deposit rate. bank has cut rates by a cumulative 150 basis points The government said on Monday it planned to cut pumping $1.1 billion into banks, but a persistent dol- “Growth in the economy is still very low... Annual and since Morsi’s ouster. petroleum product subsidies in the coming fiscal lar shortage keeps the pound much weaker in the core inflation ... declined in the last month. This year, according to a final budget draft. Of the six parallel market than in the official one. The bank’s makes room for the bank to cut the rate on hopes to Inflationary pressures economists polled by Reuters three predicted a rate discount rate and the rate it uses to price one-week stimulate the growth rate and reduce the unemploy- Another big challenge for the country’s new cut. Two forecast a cut of 0.25 percent and one of 0.50 repurchase and deposit operations stand at 8.75 per- ment rate,” Telfah said. The bank has held rates steady president will be an unemployment rate that stands percent in the overnight deposit rate. For the cent. — Reuters Developing countries see swelling middle class: ILO

GENEVA: Workers in developing countries remain through 2017 — but advanced are increasingly moving to better jobs and economies have suffered the biggest rise in joining the middle class, but 839 million jobless numbers. workers still earn less than $2.00 a day, the Developed countries have on average International Labor Organization said. “The seen their unemployment rate stabilize at developing countries are generally in a around 8.5 percent, up from 5.8 percent process of catching up with the advanced before the crisis, while developing coun- economies,” ILO chief Guy Ryder told tries suffered only a brief hike before their reporters in Geneva ahead of the release of jobless rate fell back to around pre-crisis the agency’s annual World of Work Report levels of 5.4 percent, the report said. And yesterday. Between 1980 and 2011, per the crisis has affected working conditions capita income in the developing countries everywhere. “Many developing countries, like Senegal, Vietnam and Tunisia on aver- notably in Latin America and Asia, are mak- age grew 3.3 percent each year, which is far ing efforts to tackle inequalities and faster than the 1.8 percent growth seen in improve job quality as well as social protec- advanced economies, the report said. tion,” lead author of the ILO report Moazam Today, more than four in 10 workers in Mahmood said. “By contrast,” he said, “a the such countries are considered to be in number of advanced economies, notably in the so-called “developing middle class”- Europe, seem to be going in the opposite meaning that they earn more than $4.00 a direction.” day-up from fewer than two in 10 two decades ago, it said. Yet, more than half of Migration patterns shifting all workers in the developing world-some The shift in opportunities is meanwhile 1.5 billion people-are in precarious posi- impacting migration patterns. Some 231.5 tions, without contracts and social protec- million people last year were living in a tions and often wallowing in poverty. country other than the one they were born Around 839 million of them-a full third of in, the report said. While the European all workers in such countries earn less than Union by far remains the favored destina- $2.00 a day. That however is down from tion, with 51 percent of migrants settled more than half of all workers in such coun- there, migrants have since the crisis tries in the early 2000s, the report said. increasingly been moving between devel- oping countries, the ILO said. More and Worker rights, growth more educated young people from crisis- In its analysis of the situation in 140 hit developed countries are also emigrating developing and emerging economies, the to emerging economies, the report found. SRINAGAR: An Indian policeman approaches to beat Kashmiri government employees during a protest in Srinagar, India. Police used force to stop gov- ILO concluded that nations that tackled “Already south-south migration is on the ernment employees during a protest called by the worker’s union demanding regularization of contractual jobs and a hike in salary. — AP working poverty, invested in creating quali- rise while workers are also leaving ty jobs and in getting workers out of pre- advanced economies, particularly some carious employment had weathered the hard-hit European countries, for work global financial crisis far better than those opportunities in developing countries,” Korea demand boosts that did not. “The investment in human Mahmood said. capital is coming through in improved Some 213 million people will enter the growth,” Ryder said, adding: “one needs to labor market over the next five years — 200 depart from any simplistic notion that million of them in emerging and develop- development can be kick-started by reduc- ing countries, the ILO said, voicing opti- British Aveva’s profit ing worker rights.” mism that most of the new jobs created Since the global financial crisis of 2007, will provide a decent living. “For the first the convergence between conditions in the time in history, over the next several years, developed and developing worlds has most new jobs in the developing world are picked up speed. Some 30.6 million more likely to be of sufficient quality to allow Revenue rises 8%; Shares up 14% people have been added to the global workers and their families to live above the ranks of the unemployed since the crisis equivalent of the poverty line in the United LONDON: British software firm Aveva Group (http://link.reuters.com/nug69v) The company’s months to March 14 vs Aveva’s 11 percent),” Toms began, leaving a total of 199.8 million peo- States,” the report said. Despite its opti- reported a rise in full-year profit due to higher full-year adjusted pretax profit rose 11 percent to said in a note, without identifying the competi- ple jobless last year, with the number set to mism, ILO acknowledged that 85 percent of demand for its ship-design software in the Asia- 78.3 million pounds ($132 million). Revenue rose tor. swell to 213 million by 2019. The global the workforce in the developing world will Pacific region, sending its shares up 14 percent to 8 percent to 237.3 million pounds. Analysts on The company’s competitors include Autodesk unemployment rate has stabilized at still be living below the US-equivalent a six-month high. Shares in Aveva, whose soft- average had expected revenue of 238.69 million Inc, SAP AG and Intergraph Corp. Toms said around six percent-a level expected to poverty line in 2018. — AFP ware is used to design ships, power plants, and pounds, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. Aveva would benefit from its presence in differ- oil and gas facilities, were among the biggest The Cambridge-based company’s engineering ent geographies and its strong customer rela- percentage gainers on the London Stock and design systems unit, which creates digital tionships. Aveva also said it signed a five-year Exchange yesterday. “It has been a strong year for models for power plants and ships, reported a 14 software supply agreement with engineering us in Asia Pacific, primarily driven by Korean cus- percent organic growth on a constant-currency and project consultancy firm AMEC. tomers, most of whom are ship builders,” Chief basis, driven by an increase in product offerings. (http://link.reuters.com/dah69v) Analysts believe Executive Richard Longdon said. Adjusted profit margin rose to 33 percent from AMEC is one of Aveva’s largest customers. Aveva Aveva, earlier called CADcentre, is one of the 32.1 percent. Numis Securities analyst David said it would pay a final dividend of 22 pence per pioneers of computer-aided design techniques in Toms said Aveva was maintaining its growth rate share compared with 19.5 pence a year earlier. the UK. The company said it saw modest growth in a market seen as challenging. “We think the The company’s shares were up 10 percent at in Europe and the Americas in the year ended most notable element of these results is that 2375 pence at 1053 GMT. The stock earlier March 31. Aveva is also looking to make an Aveva is outperforming its largest competitor touched 2460 pence, its highest level since acquisition in North America, Longdon said. (which we think grew 6-7 percent in the six November. — Reuters Knockoffs a headache for IPO-bound Alibaba

HONG KONG: At first glance, the Monster Tron T1 Alibaba spends more than $16 million dollars a year report urged Taobao, which has about 800 million headphones sold on Chinese e-commerce giant on anti-counterfeiting efforts. Taobao has 200 staff listings and requires just a Chinese ID card to start RAWALPINDI: A Pakistani laborer pulls his cart loaded with barrels in Rawalpindi yes- Alibaba’s Taobao site are a tempting offer for audio- working on copyright infringement, brand protection selling, to further streamline procedures to reduce terday. Pakistan Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar said that the federal govern- philes looking for state-of-the-art hi-fi equipment. But and quality control. According to the company’s blog, the time needed to take down listings. Counterfeits ment would present its budget for the financial year 2014-15 on June 3. — AFP sellers omit one key detail: Monster Inc never pro- it took down 114 million listings of fake or counterfeit are not limited to Alibaba. EBay said in its latest annu- duced this model. “There should be none in existence products in the first 10 months of 2013, nearly a third al report that it faces lawsuits or the threat of lawsuits but our prototypes,” said Dave Tognotti, general man- more than for all of 2012. from brand owners over alleged listings of counter- Saudi retailer Alhokair ager of the California company best known for its For such efforts, the US Trade Representative feit items. Many hope a US stock listing will give audio-visual cables. He said Monster went so far as to removed Taobao in December 2012 from its Alibaba the resources and motivation to step up announce a launch date but the design proved too Notorious Markets list of counterfeit goods. The enforcement. —AP eyes debut sukuk, loan complex to build to the company’s quality specifica- tions, so it was abandoned. “You can understand our DUBAI: Saudi Arabian retailer Fawaz company’s expansion. surprise when we started to see counterfeit versions Abdulaziz Alhokair Co plans to issue a To cover the time between the loan of this product appearing on websites like debut riyal-denominated sukuk and is and the sukuk being completed, Alibaba.com, Aliexpress.com, 1688.com, and close to signing a 1 billion riyal ($266.6 Alhokair had signed a 315 million riyal Taobao.com,” he said. million) loan, it said yesterday, to help bridging loan with Samba, the state- All four sites are part of Alibaba Group. Tognotti fund expansion. Alhokair, the Saudi ment said. Alhokair operates across 20 said that 99.5 percent of purported Monster products Arabian retailer which franchises brands markets, predominantly in the Middle sold on Alibaba sites are fakes, based on thousands of such as Zara and Marks and Spencer in East and Commonwealth of listings the company’s investigators have examined the kingdom, will begin meeting local Independent States, and has been over the years. Phony headphones and other knock- investors yesterday ahead of a potential expanding both on its own and through offs are a persistent problem for Alibaba that has issuing of the Islamic bond, a bourse fil- acquisitions - including the purchase of grown more urgent since the company started work- ing said. Spanish clothing brand Blanco earlier ing on a blockbuster initial public offering of shares in Samba Financial Group’s investment this year. Alhokair was planning to open the United States. Analysts say the IPO could raise up banking arm will arrange the transac- 404 stores globally in the next financial to $15 billion. Founder and Chairman Jack Ma has tion, although no value or tenor of the year, of which half would be in Saudi called theft of intellectual property a “cancer” on soci- sukuk was given in the statement. The Arabia, a company official told Reuters in ety and Alibaba has stepped up efforts to root out company was also close to signing an March. Saudi Arabia’s retail market is fakes that dent its credibility with consumers, but agreement with a group of banks for a highly regarded by investors and com- there are still complaints. loan worth 1 billion riyals, Alhokair said panies, given its favorable demographics “To ask for $15 billion to move Alibaba forward is in a separate stock market statement. - about 60 percent of the population is going to open the floodgates on counterfeits,” said The loan would be used to repay most of under 30 - and its growing per capita Craig Crosby, publisher of the Counterfeit Report, a its existing loans and also to finance the income. — Reuters HANGZHOU: People walk past a company logo at the headquarters of Alibaba Group in website that flags pirated products sold online. Hangzhou, in eastern China’s Zhejiang province. — AP BUSINESS WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2014

Behbehani launches all-new Subaru 2015 WRX STI and WRX

KUWAIT: Mohammad Saleh & Reza Yousuf Behbehani have unveiled the all- Pure Power in Your Control new Subaru WRX and WRX STI models, both of which embody Subaru’s interpre- The product concept “Pure Power in Your Control” was tation of the “Pure Power in Your Control” established during development of the new WRX series. platform. Starting with the base WRX This concept aims to reach an even higher order of “absolute speed” and “driving excitement” for sports model, Subaru has equipped the WRX sedans, the goal pursued in successive generations of STI with the powerful, motorsport- WRX series. This product concept was embodied to maxi- proven 2.5-liter horizontally opposed mize the potential of the turbo boxer engine and the turbo engine, and the WRX based model pursuit of ultimate control performance, allowing drivers with the 2.0-liter boxer power plant. to steer the vehicle exactly as they imagine. To this end, Both models are equipped with an the body has been made lighter and more rigid, integrat- exclusively tuned suspension for ing extensive chassis reinforcements. enhanced rigidity, multi-mode DCCD (Driver’s Control Center Differential) and more. During their development, Subaru Chassis and Body honed the drivability of the new WRX lineup to perfection, testing it under var- Symmetrical AWD-based chassis and body perform- ious driving conditions in several coun- ance has been thoroughly enhanced to the hilt to tries. To commemorate the occasion, squeeze every last drop of power out of the horizontally Talal Behbehani - the company’s Director opposed turbo engine. This is what makes “Pure Power in Your Control” possible. Subaru engineers also worked on - remarked that “the WRX lineup has seen stiffening both the body and suspension components of increasing demand over the past few the WRX, while optimizing suspension geometry to years, and we expect even more demand improve the vehicle’s response to driver steering input with these all-new models and their and to raise its performance limits while cornering. In technological advancements.” addition, multi-mode Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) and Active Torque Vectoring have been added for even more predictable, more enjoyable driving.

Engine

The new WRX STI comes equipped with a 2.5-liter horizontally opposed turbo engine producing 300bhp at 6,000rpm, which serves as a symbol of Subaru’s high performance and reliability and reflects the mod- el’s racing pedigree. The base WRX model features a new 2.0l boxed engine rated at 268bhp.

Transmission

On the receiving end of the WRX’s powerful engine, the STI employs a reinforced six-speed manual transmission. Coupled with short throw shifting, the combination makes driving a thrill. Meanwhile the based WRX comes equipped with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with an 8-speed automatic transmission or a 6- speed manual gearbox.

Safety

Following Subaru’s safety philosophy of “ALL- AROUND SAFETY”, performance in all safety fields has been enhanced.

Active Safety

With Symmetrical AWD as a base, the body was light- ened, rigidity improved and chassis performance enhanced along with VDC.

Passive Safety

The new WRX lineup employs more high tensile steel plating with strengthened joints for various structures. In addition, collision-absorbing structures for the hood, bulkhead and engine bay have been used to increased pedestrian protection. WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2014 TECHNOLOGY Visa, MasterCard renew push for chip cards

NEW YORK: Visa and MasterCard are renewing a point to other technologies, such as point-to- 2015, when the costs resulting from the theft of push to speed the adoption of microchips into US point encryption, as better long-term solutions. debit and credit card numbers will largely fall to credit and debit cards in the wake of recent high- Ken Stasiak, founder and CEO of SecureState, a the party involved with the least advanced -and profile data breaches, including this week’s reve- Cleveland-based information security firm that most vulnerable- technology. For example, if a lation that hackers stole consumer data from investigates data breaches, says that while chips bank has updated to chip technology, but the eBay’s computer systems. Card processing com- would be a big security improvement, they retailer involved hasn’t, the retailer will be liable panies argue that a move away from the black wouldn’t have stopped the hackers from breach- for the costs. magnetic strips on the backs of credit cards ing Target’s computer systems where they also Stasiak says many of the retailers he works would eliminate a substantial amount of US credit stole the personal information, including names with already have the technology in place. Once card fraud. They say it’s time to offer US con- and addresses, of as many as 70 million people, the banks start issuing chip cards, the retailers will sumers the greater protections microchips pro- putting them at risk of identity theft. activate their new systems, he says. Banks say that Air Arabia extends vide by joining Canada, Mexico and most of “Chip and pin is just another security compo- despite the jump in high-profile data breaches, Western Europe in using cards with the more nent,” Stasiak says. “What matters is how compa- fraud still accounts for a small fraction of total availability of mobile advanced technology. nies like Target use consumer information, how transactions processed, while the cost related to Chips aren’t perfect, says Carolyn Balfany, they protect it.” Banks generally pick up the tab issuing chip cards to all of their customers and MasterCard’s group head for US product delivery, for credit card-related losses, but companies such switching out all of their ATMs is substantial. application to Android but the extra barrier they present is one of the as Visa and MasterCard stand to lose too, if data Banks have urged lawmakers to make retailers reasons criminals often choose to target US- breaches continue to occur with increasing fre- more accountable for their own security in hopes SHARJAH: Air Arabia has extended its mobile said Adel Ali, Chief Executive Officer, Air issued cards, whose magnetic strips are easy to quency. After all, if consumers don’t feel safe of recouping more of the losses from cybercrime. reach with the launch of its smartphone Arabia Group. replicate. “Typically, fraudsters are going to go to using cards, they may choose other ways to pay Richard Hunt, CEO of Consumer Bankers application on Android. The Air Arabia app, The launch of Air Arabia’s smartphone the path of least resistance,” Balfany says. The chip for purchases. “It’s not just about fraud and losses, Association, says that in cases of major fraud, which has been available on AppleiOS since app on Android falls in line with the airline’s technology hasn’t been adopted in the US it’s about the trust involved in electronic pay- banks have generally been able to collect only last year, will now also be available to down- commitment to put digital communications because of costs and disputes over how the net- ments that’s destroyed,” says Ellen Ritchey, Visa’s pennies on the dollar from the retailers involved. load on all android smartphones through channels at the heart of its business model, work would operate. Retailers have long balked at chief enterprise risk officer. Hunt says even if banks put chips in cards, it won’t Google Play. The free to download mobile with new functionality continually added to paying for new cash registers and back office sys- In March, Visa and MasterCard announced do any good if retailers don’t upgrade their sys- application allows passengers to purchase its online and mobile platforms. Last year tems to handle the new cards. plans to bring together banks, credit unions, tems. tickets, review and amend bookings, as well the launch of Air Arabia’s iOSapp led the air- There have been clashes between retailers, retailers, makers of card processing equipment “We have to improve fraud prevention across as select seats using their smartphone. line to become the first UAE carrier to pro- card issuers and processors over which process- and industry trade groups in a group that aims to the board,” he says. “There are people who get up The app also provides customers with vide an app on the platform, which fol- ing networks will get access to the new system strengthen the US payment system for credit and every day across the world with one mission and connectivity to the airline’s website and call lowed the launch of its mobile website, and whether to stick with a signature-based sys- debit cards. The initial focus of the new group will that’s to break credit card technology. But there’s centres, as well as offering an abundance of allowing passengers to access the features tem or move to one that requires a personal iden- be on banks’ adoption of chip cards. That comes no magic pill out there. The solution involves travel information. “Air Arabia has always of www.airarabia.com from any smart- tification number instead. These technical deci- ahead of a liability shift set to occur in October everyone.”— AP used cutting edge technology to provide phone, anywhere in the world. These chan- sions impact how much retailers and customers customers with a hassle-free booking and nels complement Air Arabia’s extensive have to pay - and how much credit card issuers travel experience, and with the extension of range of distribution and payment chan- make - each time a card is used. The disputes our application’s availability on Android, as nels, which includes travel agents, call cen- have now largely been resolved. And the epic well as iPhone, we are opening our mobile ters, sales shops, cash collection points and breach of Target’s computer systems in offering to an even wider customer base,” many others. December, which involved the theft of 40 million debit and credit card numbers, along with smaller breaches at companies such as Neiman Marcus VIVA first to test Voice-Over LTE and Michaels, helped garner support for chip- based cards among retailers who were previously KUWAIT: VIVA, Kuwait’s fastest-growing and offering its customers the latest in the world put off by the costs. most developed telecom operator, of technology. Chip cards are safer, argue supporters, because announced that it is testing voice over Long VIVA recently began upgrading its net- unlike magnetic strip cards that transfer a credit Term Evolution (LTE) technology (VoLTE). The work to offer LTE Advance to all its current card number when they are swiped at a point-of- launch is planned to take place soon once all subscribers. LTE Advance is the next genera- sale terminal, chip cards use a one-time code that tests have been completed successfully. tion of LTE technology that can provide moves between the chip and the retailer’s regis- Through VoLTE, VIVA’s customers will download speeds of up to 1 Gigabits per ter. The result is a transfer of data that is useless to benefit from reduced call set-up times as second. VIVA’s plan to invest further in its anyone except the parties involved. Chip cards, there will be no need to switch between network, services and human capital has say experts, are also nearly impossible to copy. GSM and LTE; more efficient use of frequen- been very evident as it continues to expand For its part, Target is accelerating its $100 million cy therefore freeing spectrum; improved its reach across Kuwait through new branch- plan to roll out chip-based credit card technology indoor coverage; and overall better cus- es and partnerships, offer the latest in prod- in its nearly 1,800 stores. New payment terminals tomer experience. ucts as well as presenting its customers with will appear in stores by September, six months VIVA aims to always provide its cus- award winning services. ahead of schedule. Last month, the retailer tomers with an integrated and complete To find out more about VoLTE, or about announced that it will team up with MasterCard voice and data solution that allows cus- VIVA’s numerous competitions, promotions, to issue branded Target payment cards equipped tomers to enjoy uninterrupted voice call and products and packages visit any of the 53 with chip technology early in 2015. The move will data streaming, and its commitment to VIVA branches. make Target the first major US retailer with its own branded chip-based cards. NEW YORK: In this November 7, 2013 file photo, the logo of Twitter is seen at the New York Even so, the protections chips provide only go Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York. Twitter is seeing strong user growth in the Asia-Pacific so far, according to opponents who note that region, helping the messaging platform compensate for a slowdown in the US and Europe, a chips don’t prevent fraud in online transactions, research report said yesterday. The report by eMarketer forecasts that Twitter’s global user where consumers often enter credit card num- base will increase 24.4 percent in 2014, led by big gains in countries such as Indonesia and bers into online forms. Some opponents also India, and to a lesser extent Argentina, Mexico and Brazil. — AFP EU’s drive to create its Silicon Valley finds doubters Telecoms market reform still in the pipeline

BRUSSELS: Europe needs to sort out its frag- boom in start-ups, including the ubiquitous study by SEP of European start-ups that have mented telecoms market and regulatory imbal- “Angry Birds” game created by Rovio. Complying received more than $1 million in funding noted ances if it is to spur a new generation of technol- with 28 different regulatory regimes - one for that many of them tended to transfer their head- ogy start-ups and create its own version of each EU country - imposes hefty fixed costs on quarters from Europe to the United States, hard- America’s Silicon Valley. The European Union has start-ups which may eat up a significant part of ly a positive sign. Market fragmentation is not HANNOVER: In this April 17, 2007 file photo, exhibitors of the Google company work set aside 80 billion euros ($109 billion) to fund their budgets, a study by the Conference Board only a problem in terms of the costs associated on laptop computers in front of an illuminated sign of the Google logo at the indus- cutting edge research and innovation over the business research association has found. Despite with additional red tape, but also because it trial fair. Google says it’s still figuring out how to comply with the European Court of next six years, underscoring its ambition in these the obstacles, Kroes is determined national bar- makes access to finance much harder. Start-ups Justice’s May 13, 2014, ruling, which says the company must respond to complaints fields. And last week it launched the Startup riers can be broken down and that jobs and complain that support schemes are complicated about private information that turns up in searches. — AP Europe Partnership (SEP), a platform designed to investment will rapidly be created by harmoniz- and have onerous reporting requirements, match hot start-ups with funding from bigger ing rules across the continent. thereby limiting their ability to expand. companies, including telecoms giants such as To that effect she has put forward a legislative Indeed, the lack of adequate financing was Europe’s move to rein in Orange and Telefonica. package for an overhaul of the European tele- cited as the top obstacle to innovation for busi- For Neelie Kroes, Europe’s commissioner for coms sector which was passed by the European nesses in a survey for the EU executive released Google would stall in US telecoms and digital affairs, it is an essential step Parliament in April and is now waiting for on Tuesday. What is more, providers of early to boost competition and ensure Europe is not approval from member states. Key provisions “seed” capital often urge European entrepre- left behind in the global tech race. “If Europe included in the package are making the sale of neurs to move to the United States where access MOUNTAIN VIEW: Europe’s moves to rein in There will be serious technological chal- wants to challenge Silicon Valley as a place that mobile licences more uniform across Europe, to further funding is easier and the returns Google — including a court ruling this month lenges, said U.S. privacy attorney David generates digital business, our start-ups need to phasing out mobile phone roaming fees by greater, making a successful “exit” from the origi- ordering the search giant to give people a say Keating in Atlanta. “It seems aspirational, not a learn how to ‘scale’,” Kroes said as she launched 2016, and barring telecoms operators from pri- nal investment more likely. “There are not the in what pops up when someone searches reality, to comply with such a standard,” he the SEP website. “They need to get better at oritizing some internet traffic over others. The number of exits you see in the United States,” their name - may be seen in Brussels as strik- said. “The reengineering necessary to imple- growing: breaking through national and lan- European Commission estimates the app econo- said Boris Veldhuijzen van Zanten, founder of ing a blow for the little guy. ment the right to be forgotten is significant.” guage barriers so they mature into global cham- my in Europe alone could add an extra 1 million The Next Web, an online technology publication, But across the Atlantic, the idea that users Google may partially automate the pions that last.” But Europe faces huge chal- jobs and contribute 63 billion euros to the conti- referring to every investor’s desire to make a should be able to edit Google search results in process, as it does with copyright-infringe- lenges to emulate the success of Silicon Valley, a nent’s economy by 2018, up from the 17.5 billion return on the initial investment. “Why would you the name of privacy is being slammed as ment complaints, but ultimately a human will region south of San Francisco set up in the 1960s euros in 2013.And yet, challenges remain. A invest if there are no exits?”— Reuters weird and difficult to enforce at best and a have to decide when results should be sani- that has produced some of the most iconic firms crackdown on free speech at worst. tized. Johannes Caspar, who as Hamburg’s of the past four decades, including Apple, Cisco “Americans will find their searches bowdler- Commissioner for Data Protection acts as and Google. ‘Home-made’ electricity ized by prissy European sensibilities,” said Germany’s lead regulator of Google on priva- Among these are the EU’s fragmented tele- Stewart Baker, former assistant secretary for cy issues, confirmed the company is already coms sector, with competing providers in almost policy at the US Department of Homeland working on an “online tool” to help people file every country, and a technology infrastructure creating buzz in Germany Security. complaints. that is far from integrated. What’s more, the reg- “We’ll be the big losers. The big winners Because the court’s ruling applies only ulatory landscape varies from state to state and BERLIN: Klaus Meier lists three reasons for gen- years ago Meier fitted his four-star hotel, the 45- will be French ministers who want the right to within Europe, it will mean some fragmenta- the rollout of new technology such as 4G has erating his own electricity in his family hotel in room Park Hotel Post, set in a 19th century have their last mistress forgotten.” Mountain tion of search results. That is, Europeans and been slow, several tech entrepreneurs attending Germany’s southern city of Freiburg “cost sav- building, with a gas-fuelled power-and-heat View, California -based Google says it’s still fig- Americans will see slightly different versions the SEP launch noted. “The United States and ings, energy efficiency, climate protection”. Like cogeneration unit. It cost him nearly 50,000 uring out how to comply with the European of the Internet. A worst-case scenario would South Korea in terms of data usage are far, far a growing number of German small businesses, euros ($68,000), but Meier said “the investment Court of Justice’s May 13 ruling, which says be if Google decides it must err on the side of ahead of Europe, due to our technological infra- home-owners, schools, hospitals and industrial paid for itself even faster than I had expected”. the company must respond to complaints caution and removes links liberally in order to structure and also the non-existence of the sin- plants, Meier has opted for energy self-sufficien- about private information that turns up in avoid lawsuits, critics of the ruling said. gle market in telecoms,” said Kaya Taner, chief cy. Of the about 600 terawatt hours Germany BIG BUSINESS searches. Google must then decide whether Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, who has executive of Applift, a marketing platform for consumes each year, 50 TWh are self-produced- It’s a trend adopted long ago by German big the public’s right to be able to find the infor- been an outspoken critic of the ruling, sum- mobile games. about eight percent of the total-in a trend that business, who value both the self-sufficiency mation outweighs an individual’s right to con- marized it for The Associated Press as a “tech- has seen solar panels installed on home roofs and the lower cost. “If the power we produce trol it - with preference given to the individual. nologically incompetent violation of human MORE CHALLENGES and gas plants set up in factories. In industry, ourselves in Ludwigshafen was taxed, it would The judgment applies to all search engines rights.” He said it amounts to censorship, and Another area of concern is the EU’s strict data the share is around 20 percent, according to cost half a million euros,” said Kurt Bock, head of operating within the European Union. But in he predicted it will ultimately be scrapped. protection laws, which are set to be beefed up business and energy consumers groups. Their chemical giant BASF, which runs three gas pow- practice that means Google, given that 90 per- “The danger is that search engines now are even further. Because they are implemented by main goal: cost savings. er plants on its site in southwestern Germany. cent of all online searches there use Google’s faced with an uncertain legal future which separate national authorities and personal data Home-made power in Germany, which has The automaker Daimler has invested over 40 search engine. may require them to censor all kinds of things is often defined differently across countries, among Europe’s highest electricity bills, is not million euros in a new gas turbine for its plant in “The ruling has significant implications for when someone thinks it is ‘irrelevant’,” Wales small businesses may struggle to comply with taxed unlike conventional electricity where one Sindelfingen, its largest production site. The how we handle takedown requests,” Google said. In the wake of the decision, some multiple regimes. As Mark Silverstein, head of third of the customer’s bill goes into the public investment will allow it to increase its power spokesman Al Verney said. “This is logistically Europeans are already asking to clean up their product, tech, intellectual property and policy at coffers. output there by 44 percent. complicated, not least because of the many online history, though there may not yet have music streaming service Spotify, said: “consisten- And neither are the do-it-yourselfers subject “This reduces our dependence on external languages involved and the need for careful been a “flood” of hundreds of requests, includ- cy in regulation makes life a lot easier.” to the duties used to subsidize the country’s suppliers and allows us to increase security of review. As soon as we have thought through ing some from pedophiles and politicians, as That is a common complaint from some EU wider “energy transition” away from fossil fuels supply and predictability of our costs,” plant exactly how this will work, which may take was reported in the British press shortly after leaders too, including Jyrki Katainen, the prime and nuclear power and toward clean energy. Ten manager Willi Reiss said last year. —AFP several weeks, we will let our users know.” the ruling was handed down. —AP minister of Finland, a country that has enjoyed a WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2014 HEALTH & SCIENCE Stressful relationships may raise risk of death

NEW YORK: Worries, conflicts and demands in rela- adults in their 30s, 40s and 50s when the study ticipants had frequent arguments with their partner Health. Holt-Lunstad, a psychology researcher at tionships with friends, family and neighbors may began and tracked their health from 2000 to the end or children, 2 percent with other relatives and 1 per- Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, was not contribute to an earlier death suggests a new of 2011. cent with friends or neighbors. People who always involved in the study. Danish study. “Conflicts, especially, were associated or often experienced worries or demands because “There are a couple of other studies that have with higher mortality risk regardless of whom was Social isolation of their partners had double the risk of dying com- shown that negativity in relationships actually is the source of the conflict,” the authors write. “Worries The researchers measured stressful social rela- pared to those who seldom had those experiences. associated with greater risk of mortality, and this and demands were only associated with mortality tions by comparing answers to questions about who Participants who always or often experienced wor- study looks specifically across different types of rela- risk if they were related to partner or children.” Men - including partners, children, relatives, friends and ries and demands from their children had about a 50 tionships as well and also looks at the gender effect and people without jobs seemed to be the most vul- neighbors - caused worry and conflicts in the partici- percent increase in risk of death. which adds to our understanding,” she said. Hold- nerable, Rikke Lund, a public health researcher at pants’ lives. They also looked at answers to questions Frequent conflicts also were linked to an Lunstad explained that just like exercise and eating a the University of Copenhagen, and her colleagues about emotional support and symptoms of depres- increased risk of dying. Participants who always or healthy diet is good for health, fostering the positive found. sion. During the study period, 4 percent of the often experienced conflicts with their partners or aspects of a relationship can be protective. The health-protecting effects of support from a women and 6 percent of the men died. Almost half friends had more than double the risk of dying, and “But not all relationships are equal - we need to social network and close connections with family the deaths were from cancer; other causes included if they argued with neighbors, the risk more than be careful about the negative aspects as well,” she and friends are widely recognized, Lund’s team cardiovascular disease, liver disease, accidents and tripled. Having conflicts or worries and demands, said. Holt-Lunstad doesn’t want people to get the writes in the Journal of Epidemiology and suicide. About one in every 10 participants said that and not being part of the labor force was linked to a impression from this study that ending all imper- Community Health. “Less is known about the health their partner or children were always or often a risk of death about 4.5 times that of a person with- fect relationships is the right thing to do. “We consequences of stressful aspects of social relations, source of demands and worries. Six percent said out those problems. know that social isolation is bad for us as well,” she such as conflicts, worries and demands,” they write. they always or often experienced conflicts with oth- “I think it really adds to our broader understand- said. “They’re probably both bad and that’s why it To examine the influence of relationship stress on all er members of their families and 2 percent reported ing of the influence of relationships, not only on our might be important to foster the positive aspects causes of death, the researchers looked at data from always or often having conflicts with friends. overall health, but on our longevity - how long we rather than just focusing on cutting people out of a long-term study in Denmark. They included 9,870 The researchers also found that 6 percent of par- actually live,” Julianne Holt-Lunstad told Reuters your life.” — Reuters First lady set to respond to school meal critics

WASHINGTON: First lady Michelle said the event is an attempt to point Aderholt, R-Ala, who wrote the bill, Obama is answering Republicans in out the successes of some schools said he was responding to requests Congress who want to roll back that have implemented the stan- from school food directors. The stan- healthier school meal standards, dards, which were set by the Obama dards championed by the first lady holding an event at the White House administration and Congress over have been phased in over the past to highlight the success of the health the past several years. School nutri- two school years, with more changes guidelines. The yesterday event is an tion officials from across the country coming in 2014. The rules set fat, unusual move for the first lady, who will speak about how well the stan- calorie, sugar and sodium limits on has largely stayed away from policy dards are working in their schools. foods in the lunch line and beyond. fights since she lobbied for congres- “She wants to have a conversation While many schools have had suc- sional passage of a child nutrition about what is really happening out in cess putting the rules in place, others law in 2010. Sam Kass, director of Mrs the country,” as opposed to have said they are too restrictive and Obama’s Let’s Move initiative to com- Washington, Kass said. “These stan- costly. Schools pushing for changes bat childhood obesity, said a dards are working.” say limits on sodium and require- Republican bill that would allow An agriculture spending bill ments for more whole grains are par- schools to opt out of the standards is approved by a House subcommittee ticularly challenging, while some “a real assault” on administration last week would allow schools to school officials say kids are throwing efforts to make foods healthier for waive the standards if they have a away fruits and vegetables that are kids. net loss on school food programs for required. The Agriculture Department, Kass, who is a White House chef, a six-month period. Rep Robert which administers the rules, has NEW YORK: In this April 18, 2014 photo, people take part in a Bokwa fitness class at the Healthy Living Center tweaked them along the way to try to located in a Hannaford supermarket in Albany. — AP photos help schools that have concerns. The department scrapped limits on the amount of proteins and grains that New York supermarket kids could eat after students com- plained they were hungry. Last week, USDA announced it would allow some combines gym with groceries schools to delay serving whole grain pastas just hours after the House sub- NEW YORK: When Ann Lawson strolls into committee approved the opt-out lan- her neighborhood grocery store, she really guage. gets a workout. That’s because her School groups have been split. Hannaford supermarket has a small gym The School Nutrition Association, located just past the pharmacy counter. It which represents school nutrition has treadmills, stationary bicycles, various directors and companies that sell other cardio machines, even a state-of- food to schools, has lobbied for the-art Zumba room with a shiny wooden changes to the standards, saying floor. And best of all - it’s free. “It’s about some are too restrictive. The national me getting healthy and losing some of this PTA is pushing lawmakers to keep excess weight,” Lawson said. “And I like the the standards intact. “At a time when idea of being able to work out and shop in families are working hard to live one trip.” healthy lives, school meals should be Maine-based Hannaford insists the NEW YORK: First lady Michelle Obama and Dr Jill Biden, stand with children 5,600-square-foot health facility that of fallen service members who traveled to Washington to participate in the supporting families’ efforts, not work- ing against them,” PTA President Otha opened in October is not part of some Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) 20th Annual Good Grief shrewd marketing campaign. The Albany Camp as they wait for President Barack Obama to speak at Arlington Thornton wrote to members of Congress. — AP store is the only one in the 184-store chain National Cemetery in Arlington, Va, in honor of Memorial Day. — AP with such a gym, and there are no plans for more. The idea grew out of a meeting last summer between Hannaford, the NEW YORK: A sign for the Healthy Living Center hangs in front of the Mexican man, once world’s local YMCA and the health care provider Hannaford supermarket in Albany. Capital District Physicians’ Health Plan. All said their goal was to come up with some- heaviest, dies at 48 thing to improve the area’s health while also being convenient, accessible and free. The store had the extra space after a MEXICO: A Mexican man once listed as the world’s heaviest recent remodeling, and the Healthy Living human being died Monday at the age of 48. Manuel Uribe had Center was born with a goal to target obe- slimmed down to about 867 pounds (394 kilograms), well sity and diabetes. “It’s been a natural part- below his then-record peak weight of 1,230 pounds (560 kilo- nership,” said Nancy Gildersleeve, director grams), which was certified in 2006 as a Guinness World of healthy living for the Capital District Record. Uribe’s death was confirmed by an official of the YMCA. “This was perfect for our communi- health department of Nuevo Leon state, where the city of ty. We have got to partner to prevent Monterrey is located. Uribe had been confined to his bed in these chronic diseases.” The center has a Monterrey for years, unable to walk on his own. The official, personal trainer provided by the YMCA, a who was not authorized to be quoted by name, said Uribe health care associate from CDPHP to had been taken to the hospital on May 2 because of an abnor- answer questions and enroll new cus- mal heartbeat. He had to be taken to the hospital with a crane tomers, and a Hannaford-registered dieti- by emergency and civil defense workers. tian to offer advice on healthy eating. Doctors have not yet certified the cause of death. In addi- tion to the cardiac condition, Uribe was also believed to have ‘Exercise fool’ suffered from liver problems. Uribe married Claudia Solis in “This is really a first step for people 2008, and the wedding was one of the few times he left his that have never felt that connection and NEW YORK: Carolyn Law of Albany works out at the Healthy Living Center home in recent years. Uribe was a chubby kid, weighing more support,” said Gildersleeve, who notes located in a Hannaford supermarket in Albany. than 250 pounds (115 kilograms) as an adolescent. Starting in MEXICO: In this June 9, 2008 file photo, Manuel that the YMCA has no other such part- Farrell, an admitted “exercise fool” who first visit and are given fobs to swipe 1992, he said, his weight began ballooning further. Since the “Meme” Uribe, 42, shows how he exercises from his nership in the country. “This has become has dropped 86 pounds in the last year, when they stop by. So far, just over 1,100 summer of 2002, Uribe had been bedridden, relying on his bed during an interview in Monterrey. — AP a community center. People meet folks said gym goers don’t have to shop in the people have signed up, and the exercise mother and friends to feed and clean him. — AP just like them.” Store manager Dave store - they just fill out paperwork on the classes are packed. —AP Five dead as Sierra Leone Prescription, synthetic drug records first Ebola outbreak ABID: Five people have died in Sierra plies. The West African outbreak spread from abuse worry EU watchdog Leone’s first confirmed outbreak of Ebola a remote corner of Guinea to the capital, virus, the World Health Organization (WHO) Conakry, and into Liberia, causing panic LISBON: While heroin use in Europe is declining, stances emerging, with 81 previously unknown The agency quoted a recent analysis of raw said on Monday, signaling a new expansion across a region struggling with weak health- ever more people are getting their fix from pre- psychoactive substances signalled in 2013 to bring sewage in 42 cities in 21 European countries, which of the disease which regional officials said care systems and porous borders. scription drugs, including some used to treat hero- the total to 350. These seek to replace drugs that calculated that 832 kilograms (1,800 pounds) of had been brought under control. Ebola, a A total of 258 clinical cases have been in addiction, a report said yesterday. It also warned are strictly controlled under national or interna- cocaine were consumed daily in Europe’s cities-led haemorrhagic fever with a fatality rate of up recorded in Guinea since the outbreak was of a flood of new, synthetic drugs, and of estab- tional laws. Unregulated, they are marketed as by Amsterdam, Antwerp, London and Zurich. to 90 percent, is believed to have killed first identified as Ebola, including 174 deaths lished ones like ecstasy and cannabis becoming “legal highs” or disguised as herbal incense, bath Dutch cities also led in the use of ecstasy as well as some 185 people in neighboring Guinea - 95 confirmed, 57 probable and 57 suspect- more potent. “The drug phenomenon is dynamic salts, jewellery cleaner or even plant food. The cannabis, in which they were closely followed by and Liberia since March in the first deadly ed - according to the WHO. No new cases of and continues to evolve, leaving us no room for report warned that ecstasy and cannabis appeared Paris, Athens and Barcelona. appearance of the disease in West Africa. Ebola have been detected since April 26 in complacency as new threats emerge,” Wolfgang to be getting stronger, their active ingredients One in four 15- to 16-year-olds are estimated to Previously, several suspected cases of Conakry, where an outbreak could pose the Goetz, director of the European Monitoring Centre boosted in the lab. “I am deeply concerned that the have used an illicit drug, mainly marijuana, said the Ebola were recorded in Sierra Leone early on biggest threat of an epidemic due to the for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), wrote in drugs consumed in Europe today may be even EMCDDA report. Cannabis accounted for about 80 in the West African outbreak, but they later city’s role as an international travel hub. an introduction to the latest European Drug more damaging to users’ health than in the past,” percent of the one million drug seizures each year, tested negative for the disease. In a state- However Guinean health officials Report. said European Commissioner for Home Affairs followed by cocaine and crack with nine percent, ment posted on its website, the WHO said announced two new confirmed cases on It highlighted abuse of synthetic opioids-the Cecilia Malmstroem. heroin with four percent, amphetamines with the outbreak in Sierra Leone was located in Friday in an area previously untouched by class of drugs to which heroin belongs-including three percent, ecstasy two percent, and metham- an area along the country’s border with the virus. The disease is thought to have methadone and buprenorphine that are used in Pot still popular phetamine and LSD with one percent each. Guinea’s GuÈckÈdou prefecture, where some killed 11 people in Liberia. Ebola is endemic substitution treatment. Like heroin, they are addic- More than 80 million Europeans, about a quar- Cannabis was also the drug most frequently cit- of the earliest cases of the disease were to Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, tive but safer, partly because as they are taken by ter of the adult population, are estimated to have ed in 2012 as the reason for seeking drug treatment recorded. Uganda and South Sudan, and scientists ini- mouth rather than injected. “In 2012, 17 countries used illicit drugs at some point in their lives. Most for the first time. While opioid use is on the decline- “Preliminary information received from tially believed that Central Africa’s Zaire reported that over 10 percent of first-time opioid (73.6 million) used cannabis — 18.1 million in the from 59,000 new clients in 2007 to 31,000 in 2012, the field indicates that one laboratory-con- strain of the disease was responsible for the clients entering specialist treatment were misusing last year measured. Marijuana and hashish are con- there are still about 1.3 million “problem” users in firmed case and five community deaths infections in Guinea and Liberia. However opioids other than heroin,” said the report. In some sumed at a rate of about 2,000 tonnes per year. Europe, said the report. Heroin was the major cause have been reported from Koindu chiefdom,” researchers later published a study saying countries, these drugs now represent the most Cocaine was in second place with 14.1 million peo- of the 6,100 overdose deaths recorded in Europe in it said. The WHO said it was deploying six the West African outbreak was caused by a common form of opioid abuse-like in Finland ple having used it (3.1 million in the last year meas- 2012 — down from 6,500 in 2011 and 7,100 in experts to the area along with essential sup- new strain of Ebola. — Reuters where buprenorphine is most popular. ured), followed by amphetamines with 11.4 million 2009. Estonia, Norway, Ireland, Sweden and Finland The report warned of a “plethora” of new sub- users ever (1.5 million in the last year). have the highest overdose rates. — AFP

WHAT’S ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2014

French School fair ‘a tremendous success’

tremendous success! Indeed, the yearly A special thank you goes out to all our spon- our fair. fair organized by the French School of sors and partners (Total - Al Babtain group, Lastly, the administration of the French School AKuwait was a tremendous success! Games, L’espace international, Knorr, OMO, Images, of Kuwait expresses its gratitude towards all the shows and entertainment for all ages! Parents, Kuwait Times) and many other sponsors for their families for their undying confidence in this students and educational corps were able to loyal and unconditional support as well as their establishment. share and enjoy this red-letter event! generosity which contributed to the eminence of

Greetings Bhavanites resolute in fighting killer tobacco

Happy birthday Murufat! May God continue to guide and bless you and crown all your efforts with success. Greetings from Aunty Chika & fami- ly, friends and well-wishers.

he Central Board of Secondary Education strongly The competitions were held at various venues under Deepu George Simon of class 5 emerged as the winner advised all the CBSE affiliated schools to create the guidance of the heads of the English, Science, Art and of the Short Story Writing Competition. The first runner up Tawareness in eradicating the menace of tobacco Social Science departments. More than 200 students of the Short Story Completion was bagged by Tiasha usage amongst the teenagers by conducting competitions actively took part in the competitions. All the competitions Majumdar of class 5. such as Poster Designing, Cartoon Making, Essay Writing, were adjudged by the senior staff members of Bhavans Kshitij Divakar of grade 12, Susan Ann Roy of grade 11 Short Story Writing and Quiz. IES carried out the instruc- Kuwait as per the instructions of Central Board of and Amrita Pai of grade 9 were declared as the joint win- tions of the CBSE and on May 16. Secondary Education, New Delhi. ners of the Quiz Competition. These contests were organized in the school to gener- ate awareness among adults and students about the harm- Results Principal Speaks ful effects of tobacco that kills more than 5 million people a Maya Jaypal and Nandakrishnan Mukundan of class 7 T.Premkumar, the principal of Indian Educational School year and the best ones were sent to the board. bagged the first and second prizes respectively in the praised the efforts of the organizers, and congratulated the Happy 12th birthday to our dearest son Syed The competitions and awareness program have been Cartoon Making Competition. Aarathi Anil Kumar and winners on their success. Upon asked, he said that Bhavans Danial on May 29, 2014. Best wishes from organized under the aegis and the recommendation of the Aditya Jayapal of grade 10 won the first and second places believes in imparting values through education. He said mom, dad, sisters Yasmin Syed and Aisha Syed. CBSE which plays an active role in sensitizing the youth to respectively in the Poster Designing Competition. that Bhavan has always endeavored to help the students We wish you all the happiness and success in the many social evils that prevail in India and elsewhere in Megha Varnika and Varshini Murali were adjudged as become law-abiding, dignified global citizens with vision your life. its noble attempt to guard them from the dangers of the first and second prize winners of the Essay Writing and mission. He added that this is evident from the success tobacco, alcohol and substance abuse. Competition. of Bhavans institutions in India and abroad.

Announcements

South Africa Embassy he Consular Section of the Embassy of the Republic of South Africa will be closed on TThursday, May 29, 2014. It will resume its nor- mal working hours on Sunday, June 1, 2014. Working hours for the Embassy: Sunday to Thursday - 8:00 to 16:00 and consular hours - 8:30 to 12:30. For emergencies, please contact: 94924895.

Ladies Night: Potluck Get ready for Ramadan and stock up on new recipes to add to your table at iftar time. Ladies, you are invited to prepare your favorite dish. Don’t forget to print and display your recipe on Wednesday, June 4 and 18 at 6:30 pm (ladies only) at Ties Center.

First Aid Basics Join paramedic and first aid instructor Mahmoud Salahat for information on how to deal with emer- gencies, such as car accidents. He will teach you how to administer first aid in cases of bleeding, burns, and choking. Thursday, June 5 at 7pm. India’s Department for Minorities’ Kerala Coordinator and Indian Islahi Movement General Secretary Hussain Madavoor delivers the keynote speech on ‘Holy Quran is the Solution’, during the second seminar on the subject organized by Indian Islahi Center at Indian Model School, Salmiya. WHAT’S ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2014 Khalifa School distributes ASDAN certificates

Khalifa School for children with special needs organized a ceremony to distribute ASDAN certificates to 221 students, at schoolcampus in Salmiya recently. — Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat TV PROGRAMS WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2014

01:30 Emmerdale 03:00 How The West Was Won-PG 20:00 Duck Dynasty 02:25 Coronation Street 05:30 From The Earth To The Moon- 20:30 Duck Dynasty 02:55 You’re Wearing That?!? FAM 21:00 Pawn Stars 03:25 Agatha Christie’s Poirot 07:00 Double Trouble-FAM 21:30 Storage Wars 00:45 Crime Scene Wild 05:15 60 Minute Makeover 00:30 Naked And Marooned: Ed 08:55 From The Earth To The Moon- 22:00 Swamp People 01:35 Untamed & Uncut 06:10 The Jonathan Ross Show Bares All FAM 23:00 Mountain Men 02:25 Leopard Fight Club 07:05 You’re Wearing That?!? 01:20 Get Out Alive With Bear 10:35 Hearts Of The West-PG 03:15 Animal Clinic 07:30 Agatha Christie’s Poirot 04:05 Bizarre Animal ER Grylls 12:15 Some Came Running-PG 02:10 Manhunt 09:20 60 Minute Makeover 14:30 The Rounders-PG 04:30 Bizarre Animal ER 10:15 Murdoch Mysteries 04:55 Animal Cops South Africa 03:00 You Have Been Warned 16:00 Speedway-FAM 03:50 Border Security 11:10 Emmerdale 17:50 The Glass Slipper-FAM 00:10 Hoarding: Buried Alive 05:45 Saving A Species 12:00 Coronation Street 06:35 Steve Irwin’s Wildlife Warriors 04:15 Baggage Battles 20:15 Marlowe-PG 01:00 Secret Eaters 04:40 Money Barn 12:30 The Jonathan Ross Show 07:00 Animal Airport 22:00 Sweet Bird Of Youth 01:50 42 Stone Mum ‚Äì One Year 05:05 How It’s Made 13:25 60 Minute Makeover 07:25 Animal Battlegrounds Later 05:30 How Stuff’s Made 14:20 You’re Wearing That?!? 07:50 Animal Battlegrounds 02:40 Sister Wives 06:00 Manhunt 14:45 Murdoch Mysteries 08:15 Untamed China With Nigel 03:30 I Didn’t Know I Was Pregnant 07:00 You Have Been Warned 15:35 Dirk Gently Marven 03:55 Long Island Medium 07:50 Manhunt 16:30 Vera 04:20 Say Yes To The Dress 09:10 Crocodile Hunter 00:00 Storage Wars 08:40 Fast N’ Loud 18:20 Murdoch Mysteries 04:45 Say Yes To The Dress 10:05 Leopard Fight Club 09:30 Border Security 00:30 Pawn Stars 19:10 Coronation Street 05:10 Toddlers & Tiaras 11:00 Animal Precinct 09:55 Baggage Battles 01:00 Storage Wars Texas 19:35 Dirk Gently 06:00 Oprah: Behind The Scenes 11:55 Animal Airport 10:20 Money Barn 01:30 Storage Wars Texas 20:30 Vera 07:00 What Not To Wear 12:20 Steve Irwin’s Wildlife Warriors 10:45 How It’s Made 02:00 Duck Dynasty 22:20 Coronation Street 07:50 Oprah’s Next Chapter 12:50 The Wild Life Of Tim Faulkner 11:10 How Stuff’s Made 02:30 Duck Dynasty 22:50 Emmerdale 08:40 Oprah’s Next Chapter 13:15 The Wild Life Of Tim Faulkner 11:35 Naked And Marooned: Ed 03:00 Storage Wars 23:45 Murdoch Mysteries 09:30 Toddlers & Tiaras 13:45 The Jeff Corwin Experience Bares All 03:30 Storage Wars 10:20 Say Yes To The Dress 14:40 Leopard Fight Club 12:25 Get Out Alive With Bear 04:00 Pawn Stars 10:45 Say Yes To The Dress 15:30 Treehouse Masters Grylls 04:30 Pawn Stars 11:10 Cake Boss 16:30 Untamed China With Nigel 13:15 Manhunt 05:00 Ancient Aliens 11:35 Jon & Kate Plus 8 Marven 14:05 Border Security 06:00 Storage Wars Texas 12:00 Little People, Big World 17:25 Steve Irwin’s Wildlife Warriors 14:30 Baggage Battles 00:00 Chasing UFOs 06:30 Counting Cars 14:55 Money Barn 12:25 Oprah: Behind The Scenes 17:50 Steve Irwin’s Wildlife Warriors 01:00 Science of Stupid 07:00 Storage Wars Texas 15:20 Finding Bigfoot 13:15 Say Yes To The Dress ‚Äì 18:20 Preposterous Pets 01:30 Science of Stupid 07:30 Storage Wars Texas 16:10 Fast N’ Loud Bridesmaids 19:15 Natural World 02:00 Human Ape 08:00 American Restoration 17:00 Flying Wild Alaska 13:40 Say Yes To The Dress ‚Äì 20:10 Wildest Indochina 03:00 Nat Geo’s Top 10 Photos 08:30 Cajun Pawn Stars 17:50 Wheeler Dealers: Trading Up Bridesmaids 21:05 The Real Lion Queen 04:00 Mega Breakdown 09:00 Storage Wars Texas 18:40 You Have Been Warned 14:05 Something Borrowed, 22:00 Natural World 05:00 Engineering Connections 09:30 Counting Cars 19:30 Manhunt Something New 22:55 Wildest Indochina 06:00 Air Crash Investigation 10:00 Pawn Stars 20:20 How It’s Made 14:30 Something Borrowed, 23:50 Animal Cops South Africa 07:00 Lords of War 10:30 Pawn Stars 20:45 How Stuff’s Made Something New 07:30 Mystery Files 11:00 Storage Wars 21:10 Baggage Battles 14:55 Extreme Couponing 08:00 Chasing UFOs 11:30 Storage Wars 21:35 Money Barn 15:20 Cake Boss 09:00 Science of Stupid 12:00 Storage Wars Texas 22:00 Treehouse Masters 15:45 What Not To Wear 09:30 Science of Stupid 12:30 Storage Wars Texas 22:50 Mind Control Freaks 16:35 Toddlers & Tiaras 23:15 Mind Control Freaks 10:00 Human Ape 13:00 Ancient Aliens 00:20 Doctors 17:25 Say Yes To The Dress 23:40 Mythbusters 11:00 Into The Crystal Cave 14:00 Duck Dynasty 00:50 Hunderby 17:50 Say Yes To The Dress 12:00 Mega Breakdown 14:30 Duck Dynasty 01:15 Last Of The Summer Wine 18:15 Jon & Kate Plus 8 13:00 Engineering Connections 15:00 Storage Wars Texas 01:45 Scott & Bailey 18:40 Little People, Big World 14:00 Air Crash Investigation 15:30 Storage Wars Texas 19:10 Oprah: Behind The Scenes 02:30 The Job Lot 15:00 Lords of War 16:00 Storage Wars Texas 20:05 Extreme Couponing 02:55 Mistresses 15:30 Mystery Files 16:30 Storage Wars Texas 00:00 Chelsea Lately 20:30 Cake Boss 03:45 Last Of The Summer Wine 16:00 Chasing UFOs 17:00 Pawn Stars 00:30 The Spin Crowd 21:00 My Crazy Obsession 04:15 The Weakest Link 17:00 Science of Stupid 17:30 Pawn Stars 00:55 The Spin Crowd 21:55 Bizarre ER 05:00 Jackanory Junior 17:30 Science of Stupid 18:00 Storage Wars 01:25 Style Star PREMIUM RUSH ON OSN MOVIES HD ACTION 22:20 Bizarre ER 05:15 Little Human Planet 18:00 Mysteries Of The Moose 18:30 Storage Wars 01:50 Style Star 22:50 Long Island Medium 05:20 The Green Balloon Club 19:00 Situation Critical 19:00 Storage Wars Texas 02:20 E! Investigates 23:15 Sister Wives 05:45 Nina And The Neurons: In 20:00 The Indestructibles 18:00 Premium Rush-PG15 21:45 Rainbow Valley Heroes 19:30 Storage Wars Texas 03:15 Extreme Close-Up 23:40 Sister Wives The Lab 20:30 The Indestructibles 20:00 Seconds Apart-PG15 23:30 Angel’s Friends 03:40 Extreme Close-Up 22:00 The Veteran-18 06:00 Balamory 04:10 E!ES 21:00 Naked Science 06:20 Jackanory Junior 05:05 E!ES 22:00 Megastructures 06:35 Little Human Planet 06:00 THS 23:00 80s Greatest 00:30 The Daily Show With Jon 06:40 The Green Balloon Club 07:50 Style Star Stewart 07:05 Nina And The Neurons: In 08:20 Fashion Police 01:30 Sean Saves The World 00:00 The Do-Deca Pentathlon- 00:00 Fright Night 2: New Blood The Lab 08:45 Eric And Jessie: Game On 02:00 Web Therapy PG15 02:00 The Double 07:20 The Weakest Link 09:15 Opening Act 03:00 The Simpsons 02:00 Revenge Of The Nerds-18 04:00 3 Times A Charm 08:05 The Job Lot 10:15 Married To Jonas 03:30 Raising Hope 04:00 From Prada To Nada-PG15 06:00 Cirque Du Soleil: Worlds 00:20 Night Stalkers Away 08:30 Gavin & Stacey 10:40 Chasing The Saturdays 04:00 Seinfeld 06:00 Surf’s Up-PG 01:10 Monster Fish 08:00 Dark Shadows-PG15 08:00 Steel Magnolias 09:00 Eastenders 11:10 The Drama Queen 02:00 Ultimate Animal Countdown 04:30 The Tonight Show Starring 10:00 Three Men And A Little Lady- 10:00 Zambezia 09:30 Doctors 12:05 Fashion Police 02:50 Caught In The Act Jimmy Fallon PG 11:30 Lincoln 10:00 The Weakest Link 12:35 The Fabulist 03:45 Croc Ganglands 05:30 My Boys 12:00 From Prada To Nada-PG15 14:00 Hitchcock 10:50 The Mystery Of Edwin Drood 13:05 Extreme Close-Up 04:40 Prehistoric Predators 06:30 Friends 14:00 Toys-PG 16:00 Steel Magnolias 13:35 E!ES 05:35 Ultimate Animal Countdown 07:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 11:45 The Job Lot 16:00 Three Men And A Little Lady- 18:00 Gambit 14:30 Style Star 06:30 Caught In The Act 08:00 Seinfeld 12:10 Last Of The Summer Wine PG 20:00 This Is 40 15:00 Keeping Up With The 07:25 Croc Ganglands 08:30 My Boys 12:40 Gavin & Stacey 18:00 The Giant Mechanical Man- 22:15 Django Unchained Kardashians 08:20 Africa’s Blood River 09:00 The Simpsons 13:10 Eastenders PG15 16:00 Keeping Up With The 09:15 Animals Gone Wild 09:30 About A Boy 13:40 Doctors 20:00 The Impostors-PG15 Kardashians 10:10 World’s Weirdest: Funny 10:30 Friends 14:10 The Weakest Link 22:00 Pineapple Express-18 17:00 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills Farms 11:00 The Tonight Show Starring 15:00 The Mystery Of Edwin Drood 17:30 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 11:05 Mudcats Jimmy Fallon 00:00 Super Rugby 15:55 The Job Lot 18:00 E! News 12:00 When Sharks Attack 12:30 Seinfeld 02:00 HSBC Sevens World Series OSN hosts Meet & 16:20 Lark Rise To Candleford 19:00 Fashion Police 12:55 Animal Fight Club 13:30 Friends 05:00 PGA Tour Highlights 17:15 Eastenders 19:30 The Fabulist 13:50 Caught In The Act 14:00 Raising Hope 06:00 PGA European Tour Greet with 17:45 Doctors 20:00 Giuliana & Bill 14:30 About A Boy Highlights 14:45 Man-Eater of The Congo 01:15 Salmon Fishing In The Yemen 18:15 The Weakest Link 21:00 The Drama Queen 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon 07:00 Amlin Challenge 15:40 Leopard Queen 03:00 Les Miserables 19:00 Twenty Twelve 22:00 Eric And Jessie: Game On Stewart 09:00 Futbol Mundial Spider-Man in Kuwait 16:35 Animals Gone Wild 05:45 The Music Never Stopped 19:30 The Job Lot 22:30 E! News 17:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 09:30 NRL Premiership 17:30 Bear Nomad 07:30 Hide Away 20:00 Mistresses 23:30 Chelsea Lately 18:25 Mudcats 18:00 The Simpsons 11:30 NRL Full Time SN, the region’s leading pay-TV network and 09:00 Salmon Fishing In The Yemen 20:50 Alan Carr: Chatty Man 19:20 Animal Fight Club 18:30 Back In The Game 12:00 Live Rugby League the flagbearer for children’s entertainment 10:45 Les Miserables 20:10 Caught In The Act 19:00 The Mindy Project 14:30 Futbol Mundial in the Middle East and North Africa, is pro- 21:40 The Cafe 13:30 Carnage O 21:00 Man-Eater of The Congo 19:30 Modern Family 15:00 PGA Tour Highlights viding fans of Spider-Man in Kuwait the opportuni- 22:10 The Children 15:00 The Good Doctor 21:50 Leopard Queen 20:00 The Tonight Show Starring 16:00 PGA European Tour ty to meet and greet with their favourite superhero. 23:00 The Weakest Link 17:00 Beastly 22:40 Animals Gone Wild Jimmy Fallon Highlights To be held at Dome 1 of The Avenues on May 29 23:45 Eastenders 18:45 Mud 00:35 The Jonathan Ross Show 23:30 Bear Nomad 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon 17:00 Golfing World and 30, 2014, the event will provide children with 21:00 Lawless Stewart 18:00 Super Rugby the chance to enjoy Spider-Man in action. They can 23:00 The Place Beyond The Pines 22:00 Sean Saves The World 20:00 European tour weekly pose for photographs, in addition to collecting 22:30 Getting On 20:30 Inside The PGA Tour ‘Spidey’ masks, to enact their own version of his 23:30 Late Night With Seth Meyers 21:00 Trans World Sport daring escapades. 22:00 Rugby League OSN brings world-class family entertainment across the Middle East and North Africa. Most 01:00 7 Days In Havana-18 recently, the network hosted a region-wide tour of 00:00 The Glades 05:15 Strictly Sinatra-PG15 01:00 NRL Full Time Marvel’s Spider-Man, Iron Man, and The Hulk. 01:00 24: Live Another Day 07:15 Tricks Of A Woman-PG15 01:30 IndyCar Series 02:00 Justified 09:00 The Lady-PG15 06:00 IndyCar Highlights 03:00 Nip/Tuck 11:15 Wind Chill-PG15 07:00 Golfing World 06:00 The Glades 13:00 Encounter With Danger- 08:00 IndyCar Series 12:00 Emmerdale PG15 12:30 Super Rugby 12:30 Coronation Street 15:00 Centre Place-PG15 14:30 Super Rugby 13:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 17:00 Wind Chill-PG15 16:30 NRL Full Time 15:00 The Glades 18:45 The Best Man-PG15 17:00 Rugby League State of Origin 16:00 Emmerdale 21:00 All Things To All Men-PG15 19:30 ICC Cricket 360 16:30 Coronation Street 22:45 The Game-18 20:00 AFL Highlights 17:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 21:00 Golfing World 19:00 Once Upon A Time 22:00 European Tour Weekly 20:00 Unforgettable 22:30 Inside the PGA Tour 21:00 Chicago Fire 23:00 Trans World Sport 22:00 Bates Motel 01:00 Sacrifice-18 23:00 Nip/Tuck 03:00 Olympus Has Fallen-PG15 05:00 Pop Star-PG15 07:00 Love And Honor-PG15 09:00 Mirror Mirror-PG15 00:00 Badges Of Fury 11:00 Olympus Has Fallen-PG15 02:00 ICC Cricket 360 02:00 Stone’s War: War Of The Dead 13:00 Beverly Hills Chihuahua 3: 02:30 IPL Highlights 04:00 The Howling: Reborn Viva LA Fiesta!-PG 03:30 IPL Highlights 06:00 Walking Tall 15:00 Ice Age: Continental Drift-PG 04:30 IPL Highlights Indian Bollywood actors Vidya Balan and Siddharth Roy 08:00 Armageddon 17:00 Mirror Mirror-PG15 05:30 IPL Highlights Kapur attend a special screening of the Hindi film 10:30 40 Days And Nights 19:00 The Expendables 2-PG15 06:30 ICC Cricket 360 “Filmistaan” in Mumbai. — AFP 12:00 Badges Of Fury 21:00 The Frozen Ground-PG15 07:00 IPL Highlights 14:00 Premium Rush 08:00 IPL Highlights 16:00 40 Days And Nights 09:00 ICC Cricket 360 18:00 Disturbia 09:30 IPL Highlights Bryan Singer back for 20:00 Premium Rush 10:30 IPL Highlights 22:00 Seconds Apart 01:00 Marco Macaco 11:30 IPL Highlights X-Men: Apocalypse 02:45 Marvel’s The Invincible Iron 12:30 IPL Highlights Man 13:30 ICC Cricket 360 ryan Singer will direct ‘X-Men: Apocalypse’. The filmmak- 04:30 A Cat In Paris 14:00 IPL Highlights er is returning to helm the next chapter of the mutant 06:00 MIA And The Migoo 15:00 IPL Highlights superhero movie, despite being hit with two sexual 08:00 Angel’s Friends 16:00 IPL Highlights B 00:00 Stone’s War: War Of The abuse lawsuits in recent months. Asked whether Singer would 10:00 Ploddy Police Car 17:00 ICC Cricket 360 Dead-18 be back, producer Simon Kinberg told the Daily Beast: “That’s 11:30 A Cat In Paris 17:30 Live IPL 02:00 The Howling: Reborn-PG15 the plan.” The follow-up film to current blockbuster ‘X-Men: 13:00 Marvel’s The Invincible Iron 21:00 ICC Cricket 360 04:00 Walking Tall-PG15 21:30 IPL Highlights Days of Future Past’ - which has made $302 million at the glob- Man 06:00 Armageddon-PG15 22:30 IPL al box-office - is set to focus primarily on the younger genera- 14:30 Rainbow Valley Heroes 08:30 40 Days And Nights-PG15 tion of superheroes, including Jennifer Lawrence’s Mystique 16:15 Wizards And Giants 10:00 Badges Of Fury-PG15 and James McAvoy’s Professor X, but will also feature the older 18:00 Iron Man & Hulk: Heroes 12:00 Premium Rush-PG15 characters like Sir Ian McKellen’s Magneto. Kinberg said: “It will United 14:00 40 Days And Nights-PG15 focus primarily on the ‘First Class’ cast, but it will certainly have 20:00 Scooby-Doo! Mask Of The 16:00 Disturbia-PG15 some of the original cast involved, too.”— Bang Showbiz DISTURBIA ON OSN MOVIES ACTION Blue Falcon 00:30 The Comedians-PG Classifieds

WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2014

Kuwait CHANGE OF NAME KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY I, Raji Cyril, Passport No: K2835299, hereby change (22/05/2014 TO 28/05/2014) my name to RAJI RAPHAEL. (C 4731) 25-5-2014 SHARQIA-1 MALEFICENT (DIG) 9:45 PM ELISA KHATAFHA JAMEEL (DIG) (Kuwaiti Film) 9:45 PM GODZILLA (DIG) 1:45 PM GODZILLA (DIG) 12:15 AM ELISA KHATAFHA JAMEEL (DIG) (Kuwaiti Film) 12:30 AM I, George David Joseph, X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST (DIG) 4:15 PM NO SUN+TUE+WED son of Mr. George David THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2 (DIG) 6:45 PM FANAR-3 holder of Indian Passport GODZILLA (DIG) 9:30 PM CHEF (DIG) 1:15 PM AVENUES-3 No. J 1331685, presently MALEFICENT (DIG) 9:30 PM CHEF (DIG) 3:45 PM JIRAN AL SAAD (DIG) 2:00 PM residing at flat #36, bldg. GODZILLA (DIG) 12:05 AM THE LAST DAYS ON MARS (DIG) 6:00 PM JIRAN AL SAAD (DIG) 4:15 PM #15169, street #6, block #4, CHEF (DIG) 8:15 PM JIRAN AL SAAD (DIG) 6:30 PM Jaleeb Al Shuwaikh, Kuwait SHARQIA-2 ELISA KHATAFHA JAMEEL (DIG) 10:30 PM JIRAN AL SAAD (DIG) 8:45 PM do hereby change my X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST (DIG) 1:00 PM THE LAST DAYS ON MARS (DIG) 1:15 AM JIRAN AL SAAD (DIG) 11:00 PM name as Joseph George LEGENDS OF OZ: DOROTHY’S RETURN 1:30 PM JIRAN AL SAAD (DIG) 1:15 AM LEGENDS OF OZ: DOROTHY’S RETURN) 3:30 PM FANAR-4 NO SUN+TUE+WED with immediate effect. LEGENDS OF OZ: DOROTHY’S RETURN (DIG) 5:30 PM LEGENDS OF OZ: DOROTHY’S RETURN 1:30 PM (C 4726) X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST (DIG) 7:30 PM LEGENDS OF OZ: DOROTHY’S RETURN 3:30 PM 360º- 1 21-5-2014 X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST (DIG-3D) 10:00 PM LEGENDS OF OZ: DOROTHY’S RETURN 5:30 PM GODZILLA (DIG-3D) 1:00 PM X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST (DIG) 12:30 AM X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST (DIG-3D) 7:30 PM GODZILLA (DIG) 3:30 PM FOR SALE X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST (DIG) 10:00 PM GODZILLA (DIG-3D) 6:00 PM SHARQIA-3 X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST (DIG) 12:30 AM GODZILLA (DIG) 8:30 PM JIRAN AL SAAD (DIG) 1:30 PM MALEFICENT (DIG) 8:30 PM Toyota Yaris - 2011, white JIRAN AL SAAD (DIG) 3:45 PM FANAR-5 GODZILLA (DIG) 11:00 PM color, excellent condition, CHEF (DIG) 6:00 PM X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST (DIG) 12:45 PM MALEFICENT (DIG) 10:45 PM KD 2,200. Tel: 50994848. JIRAN AL SAAD (DIG) 8:15 PM MANAM (DIG) (Telugu) 3:30 PM (C 4729) JIRAN AL SAAD (DIG) 10:30 PM FRI+SAT+MON 360º- 2 CHEF (DIG) 12:45 AM ELISA KHATAFHA JAMEEL (DIG 3:30 PM CHEF (DIG) 1:45 PM Mitsubishi Lancer 2011 - NO FRI+SAT+MON CHEF (DIG) 4:30 PM GLX - maroon color, sun- MUHALAB-1 MANAM (DIG) (Telugu) 6:30 PM CHEF (DIG) 7:00 PM roof, spoiler + wheel cap, JIRAN AL SAAD (DIG) 1:00 PM ELISA KHATAFHA JAMEEL (DIG) 6:30 PM CHEF (DIG) 9:30 PM km 64,000, KD 1,950. Tel: LEGENDS OF OZ: DOROTHY’S RETURN 3:15 PM MANAM (DIG) (Telugu) 9:30 PM CHEF (DIG) 12:05 AM 66729295. (C 4730) LEGENDS OF OZ: DOROTHY’S RETURN 5:15 PM ELISA KHATAFHA JAMEEL (DIG) 9:30 PM 25-5-2014 JIRAN AL SAAD (DIG) 7:15 PM ELISA KHATAFHA JAMEEL (DIG) 12:45 AM 360º- 3 JIRAN AL SAAD (DIG) 9:30 PM THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2 (DIG) 12:30 PM JIRAN AL SAAD (DIG) 11:45 PM MARINA-1 THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2 (DIG) 3:30 PM CHEF (DIG) 12:45 PM THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2 (DIG-3D) 6:15 PM MUHALAB-2 JIRAN AL SAAD (DIG) 3:00 PM THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2 (DIG) 9:00 PM CHEF (DIG) 1:30 PM CHEF (DIG) 5:15 PM THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2 (DIG) 11:45 PM MANAM (DIG) (Telugu) 4:00 PM JIRAN AL SAAD (DIG) 7:30 PM 112 THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2 (DIG) 4:00 PM JIRAN AL SAAD (DIG) 9:45 PM AL-KOUT.1 NO FRI+MON CHEF (DIG) 12:05 AM GODZILLA (DIG) 1:00 PM MANAM (DIG) (Telugu) 7:00 PM LEGENDS OF OZ: DOROTHY’S RETURN (DIG) 1:30 PM NO THU MARINA-2 LEGENDS OF OZ: DOROTHY’S RETURN (DIG) 3:30 PM THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2 (DIG) 7:00 PM X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST (DIG) 1:30 PM LEGENDS OF OZ: DOROTHY’S RETURN (DIG) 5:30 PM CHEF (DIG) 10:00 PM THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2 (DIG) 4:00 PM GODZILLA (DIG) 7:30 PM No: 16179 NO WED X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST (DIG) 6:45 PM GODZILLA (DIG) 10:00 PM MALEFICENT (DIG) 10:00 PM X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST (DIG) 9:15 PM MALEFICENT (DIG) 10:00 PM CHEF (DIG) 12:15 AM X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST (DIG) 12:05 AM GODZILLA (DIG) 12:30 AM NO SUN+TUE+WED MUHALAB-3 AL-KOUT.2 LEGENDS OF OZ: DOROTHY’S RETURN (DIG-3D) 2:45 PM MARINA-3 SALEM ABO OKHTO (DIG) (Arabic) 12:30 PM GODZILLA (DIG-3D) 2:45 PM LEGENDS OF OZ: DOROTHY’S RETURN 1:45 PM JIRAN AL SAAD (DIG) 2:30 PM X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST (DIG-3D) 5:15 PM LEGENDS OF OZ: DOROTHY’S RETURN 3:45 PM JIRAN AL SAAD (DIG) 4:45 PM GODZILLA (DIG) 7:45 PM LEGENDS OF OZ: DOROTHY’S RETURN 5:45 PM ELISA KHATAFHA JAMEEL (DIG) (Kuwaiti Film) 7:00 PM X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST (DIG) 10:15 PM GODZILLA (DIG) 7:45 PM JIRAN AL SAAD (DIG) 9:45 PM X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST (DIG) 12:45 AM GODZILLA (DIG) 10:15 PM JIRAN AL SAAD (DIG) 12:05 AM MALEFICENT (DIG-3D) 10:15 PM FANAR-1 GODZILLA (DIG) 12:45 AM AL-KOUT.3 GODZILLA (DIG) 1:00 PM X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST (DIG) 12:45 PM JIRAN AL SAAD (DIG) 3:30 PM AVENUES-1 X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST (DIG) 3:15 PM JIRAN AL SAAD (DIG) 5:45 PM THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2 (DIG) 12:45 PM THE LAST DAYS ON MARS (DIG) 5:45 PM JIRAN AL SAAD (DIG) 8:00 PM THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2 (DIG) 3:45 PM X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST (DIG) 7:45 PM JIRAN AL SAAD (DIG) 10:15 PM THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2 (DIG) 6:45 PM X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST (DIG) 10:15 PM JIRAN AL SAAD (DIG) 12:30 AM THE QUIET ONES (DIG) 9:45 PM X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST (DIG) 12:45 AM THE QUIET ONES (DIG) 12:05 AM NO SUN+TUE+WED FANAR-2 THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2 (DIG) 1:45 PM AVENUES-2 Seats-140 AL-KOUT.4 THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2 (DIG) 4:30 PM ELISA KHATAFHA JAMEEL (DIG) (Kuwaiti Film) 1:00 PM CHEF (DIG) 2:00 PM 24835616/7 ,24833199 GODZILLA (DIG) 7:15 PM ELISA KHATAFHA JAMEEL (DIG) (Kuwaiti Film) 4:00 PM CHEF (DIG) 4:30 PM GODZILLA (DIG) 9:45 PM ELISA KHATAFHA JAMEEL (DIG) (Kuwaiti Film) 6:45 PM THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2 (DIG) 6:45 PM

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

Arrival Flights on Wednesday 28/5/2014 MSC 4401 HRG 14:20 Departure Flights on Wednesday 28/5/2014 UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 Airlines Flt Route Time SVA 500 Jeddah 14:30 Airlines Flt Route Time CLX 792 Hanoi 14:30 QTR 1084 Doha 00:05 IRC 526 Mashhad 14:30 AIC 982 Ahmedabad/Hyderabad/Chennai 00:05 IYE 827 Mukalla/Sanaa 14:30 JZR 239 Amman 00:20 KNE 472 Jeddah 14:40 SYR 342 Damascus 00:15 QTR 1079 Doha 14:55 JZR 267 Beirut 00:25 KAC 788 Jeddah 15:00 JAI 573 Mumbai 00:20 MSR 576 Sharm el-Sheikh 15:00 JZR 539 Cairo 00:30 ABY 127 Sharjah 15:35 UAL 981 IAD 00:25 GFA 222 Bahrain 15:05 DLH 637 Dammam 00:35 KNE 462 Madinah 15:45 JZR 502 Luxor 01:30 KAC 673 Dubai 15:05 PGT 858 Istanbul 01:25 KAC 672 Dubai 15:45 DLH 637 Frankfurt 01:35 MSC 4402 HRG 15:15 THY 764 Istanbul 01:40 JZR 175 Dubai 15:50 THY 773 Istanbul 02:20 IRC 527 Mashhad 15:30 RJA 642 Amman 01:45 RJA 640 Amman 15:55 ETH 621 Addis Ababa 02:45 KAC 617 Doha 15:30 ETH 620 Addis Ababa 01:45 KNE 460 Riyadh 15:55 PGT 859 Istanbul 02:55 KNE 473 Jeddah 15:35 GFA 211 Bahrain 01:55 FDB 051 Dubai 15:55 MSC 404 Asyut 03:30 SVA 503 Madinah/Jeddah 15:45 UAE 853 Dubai 02:25 QTR 1072 Doha 16:15 FDB 5068 Dubai 03:45 KAC 773 Riyadh 15:50 ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 02:30 JZR 787 Riyadh 16:15 MSR 613 Cairo 04:15 ABY 128 Sharjah 16:15 MSC 403 Asyut 02:30 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 16:45 ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:20 KAC 513 Tehran 16:20 JAI 576 Kochi/Abu Dhabi 02:35 KAC 562 Amman 16:50 OMA 644 Muscat 04:20 KNE 463 Madinah 16:30 FDB 5067 Dubai 03:05 UAE 857 Dubai 16:55 QTR 1077 Doha 04:25 FDB 051 Dubai 16:35 MSR 612 Cairo 03:15 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15 QTR 1085 Doha 05:20 KNE 481 Taif 16:40 RJA 641 Amman 16:55 OMA 643 Muscat 03:20 JZR 357 Mashhad 17:30 UAE 854 Dubai 05:30 JZR 266 Beirut 17:05 QTR 1076 Doha 03:25 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 JZR 560 Sohag 05:35 THY 770 Istanbul 04:35 THY 765 Istanbul 06:00 QTR 1073 Doha 17:20 JZR 177 Dubai 17:45 JZR 538 Cairo 17:40 DHX 170 Bahrain 05:10 JAI 575 Abu Dhabi/Kochi 06:30 JZR 777 Jeddah 17:50 ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 17:45 KAC 412 Manila/Bangkok 06:15 RJA 643 Amman 06:35 JZR 483 Istanbul 17:55 UAE 858 Dubai 18:15 BAW 157 London 06:35 THY 771 Istanbul 06:50 KAC 542 Cairo 18:15 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15 FDB 053 Dubai 07:00 RBG 553 Alexandria 18:20 GFA 212 Bahrain 07:00 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 KAC 382 Delhi 07:30 QTR 1080 Doha 18:25 KAC 545 Alexandria 07:20 JZR 156 Dubai 18:20 KAC 204 Lahore 07:35 KAC 786 Jeddah 18:30 FDB 054 Dubai 07:50 JZR 554 Alexandria 18:30 KAC 288 Dhaka 07:45 FDB 063 Dubai 18:30 BAW 156 London 08:25 JZR 238 Amman 18:45 KAC 302 Mumbai 07:50 KAC 166 Paris/Rome 18:40 QTR 1087 Doha 08:55 JZR 134 Bahrain 18:50 KAC 206 Islamabad 07:50 ABY 129 Sharjah 19:00 KAC 117 New York 09:05 RBG 554 Alexandria 19:00 QTR 1086 Doha 07:55 KAC 618 Doha 19:00 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:30 FDB 064 Dubai 19:10 KAC 364 Colombo 08:00 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:05 KAC 787 Jeddah 09:35 QTR 1081 Doha 19:25 KAC 352 Kochi 08:05 KAC 774 Riyadh 19:15 UAE 856 Dubai 09:50 ABY 120 Sharjah 19:40 KAC 344 Chennai 08:20 KAC 674 Dubai 19:25 JZR 482 Istanbul 09:55 GFA 218 Bahrain 19:50 UAE 855 Dubai 08:25 MSR 606 Luxor 19:30 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:15 MSR 619 Alexandria 20:30 ABY 125 Sharjah 08:50 FDB 5056 Dubai 10:15 JAI 572 Mumbai 19:35 KAC 283 Dhaka 20:30 IRM 1186 Tehran 09:10 IRM 1187 Tehran 10:20 KAC 102 New York/London 19:35 JAI 571 Mumbai 20:35 IRA 665 Shiraz 09:25 IRA 664 Shiraz 10:25 OMA 647 Muscat 19:55 FDB 5062 Dubai 20:50 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 09:30 JZR 174 Dubai 10:55 FDB 5061 Dubai 20:05 KAC 361 Colombo 20:50 FDB 5055 Dubai 09:35 QTR 1071 Doha 11:00 KAC 331 Trivandrum 20:50 MEA 402 Beirut 20:15 QTR 1070 Doha 10:00 KAC 671 Dubai 11:20 OMA 648 Muscat 20:55 DLH 636 Frankfurt 20:15 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 KAC 561 Amman 11:25 DLH 636 Dammam 21:00 MEA 404 Beirut 10:55 ETD 919 Abu Dhabi 20:25 KAC 541 Cairo 11:30 KAC 351 Kochi 21:05 IAW 157 Baghdad/Al Najaf 11:00 KAC 514 Tehran 20:50 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:35 MEA 403 Beirut 21:15 MRJ 4815 Mashhad 11:30 ALK 229 Colombo 21:10 JZR 356 Mashhad 11:40 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 IRM 1188 Mashhad 11:50 UAE 859 Dubai 21:15 MEA 405 Beirut 11:55 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:15 JZR 561 Sohag 12:00 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:30 IAW 158 Al Najaf/Baghdad 12:00 ALK 230 Colombo 22:20 SYR 341 Damascus 12:05 QTR 1074 Doha 21:30 KAC 175 Frankfurt/Geneva 12:10 ETD 920 Sharjah 22:25 FDB 057 Dubai 12:40 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:45 JZR 776 Jeddah 12:15 UAE 860 Dubai 22:25 UAE 871 Dubai 12:45 JZR 135 Bahrain 21:45 KAC 103 London 12:30 KAC 381 Delhi 22:30 MSR 610 Cairo 13:00 KNE 480 Taif 22:00 MRJ 4814 Mashhad 12:35 QTR 1075 Doha 22:40 THY 766 Istanbul 13:10 AIC 975 Chennai/Goa 22:25 JZR 786 Riyadh 12:50 KAC 301 Mumbai 22:40 CLX 792 Luxembourg 13:15 JZR 157 Dubai 22:55 KAC 785 Jeddah 13:00 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:45 IYE 826 Sanaa/Mukalla 13:30 BBC 043 Dhaka 23:10 JZR 176 Dubai 13:10 KNE 461 Riyadh 22:50 QTR 1078 Doha 13:45 FDB 059 Dubai 23:15 IRM 1189 Mashhad 13:15 KAC 205 Islamabad 23:35 MSR 575 Sharm el-Sheikh 14:15 JAI 574 Mumbai 23:20 FDB 058 Dubai 13:20 JZR 528 Asyut 23:50 KAC 546 Alexandria 14:15 KLM 411 Amsterdam/Dammam 23:40 MSR 611 Cairo 14:00 KAC 415 Kuala Lumpur/Jakarta 23:50 GFA 221 Bahrain 14:20 THY 772 Istanbul 23:45 THY 767 Istanbul 14:10 FDB 060 Dubai 23:55 DIAL161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION stars34 WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2014

CROSSWORD 561 STAR TRACK

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

Circumstances may seem to irritate you today. This is all of short duration and You are positive and you are able to get right to the point of problems today. the best action is no action just now. You must practice patience during this You have plenty of enthusiasm and warm up to things and people quickly. There is an inner time of misunderstanding. If you take a particular situation too seriously, you could miss a self-confidence that burns with its own light today. Ideas and interaction with authority fig- lighter and more imaginative approach to a solution. Open up your mind to new ideas and ures may be in the forecast this afternoon. Working with, rather than against, the flow fill your life with the possibilities of new opportunities. This afternoon you have an opportu- should be easy to do-all day. You may have trouble understanding those who seem emo- nity to attend an unusual presentation that could be quite educational. You might want to tional or sentimental, however, and may not be able to show much patience. Balance your plan on joining a group to learn computer programming or unmanned plane piloting or lack of intuitiveness with logic and common sense and you will have quite a successful day. some other special interest that captivates you. Because you direct your energy in ways There may be some changes that will have you examining your responsibilities but you can that increase your effectiveness, you gain confidence. easily dispense with the superficial.

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

There could be some work issues that bring challenges and seemingly Your fuel tank of energy may be full and you should be judicious in its use. unsolvable situations your way today. Ambition is a powerful motivation and can lead you Try to engage in projects that need to be finished before starting another into conflict if you let it get out of control. Properly channeled, it results in great achieve- one-this will surely lead to success. This is a time where your work may come under scrutiny ments and recognition. Take a deep breath and step back a bit to see the big picture and from people in authority. This is an excellent time to solicit the help of others if you need it. you will find what is needed to conduct the events. There are new breakthroughs and you Your spiritual life follows you wherever you go and today, in the workplace, you may be discover new solutions to old problems. Patience pays off-you may find yourself able to put asked about your spiritual beliefs. Do not try to match someone else’s faith, very simply your own ideas into practice. You are particularly gregarious and your social life should express your own background and then walk away. It is always a good idea not to discuss blossom. Avoid extravagance and self-indulgence that also accompanies this time period. religion or politics in the workplace-even if you work for a politician or religious group. This evening is a good time for surrounding yourself with friends. Learning and communicating scratch an intuitive itch.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21)

Your knack for making friends is increased and people love to be around you. Habits are in a cycle of change; variety satisfies a deep inner need. Being on You may have a few really close friends that will be happy to comfort or sup- the go and keeping a finger to the winds of change make you feel in touch. port you in whatever you need. There are a huge number of people that enjoy your leader- Learning new tricks of the trade and new discoveries may be where your energies are ship qualities and tenacity with whatever problem solving or adventure in which you are focused. You have an interest in hypothetical ideas and you have the ability to communi- ACROSS DOWN currently involved. This may mean that you teach and guide whether you or a teacher, psy- cate your ideas to others. There is an urgent need to be in the know-so to speak. There is a 1. An American doctorate usually based on at 1. A city in Tuscany. chiatrist or leader in some political action. What you say makes a difference and today, you feeling that you are successful in your plans. There are many personal pleasures awaiting least 3 years graduate study and a disserta- 2. German chemist who was co-discoverer have a lot to say. You can make a difference in your city or country because people respect you today. You are more careful now than in the past regarding the ways in which you tion. with Lise Meitner of nuclear fission (1879- you. Now would be a good time to review what you have accomplished in the past and spend your money. There is good news tonight in new ways to add to your financial stabili- 4. Chop cut from a hog. 1968). create some goals for the future. Happy birthday! ty. Perhaps some help through a friend or relative-opportunities are available. 12. Experiencing or showing sorrow or 3. A unit of elastance equal to the reciprocal unhappiness. of a farad. 15. A plant hormone promoting elongation 4. 100 pfennigs equal 1 Deutsche Mark. Capricorn (December 22-January 19) of stems and roots. 5. Consisting of or made of wood of the oak Cancer (June 21-July 22) 16. A Scandinavian language (closely related tree. You are charming, kind and popular but you will enjoy any quiet time you can to Icelandic) that is spoken on the Faroe 6. A rare heavy polyvalent metallic element Sometimes your desire for knowledge moves in so many different directions get today. Money matters could be a hot discussion in the workplace-how to Islands. that resembles manganese chemically and is that you lose focus and become scattered. Think about creating a new habit to help you make it, how to keep it, etc. Accountability from others cannot be obtained through a third 17. A constellation in the southern hemi- used in some alloys. insert a balance and focus into your life. You like to work with words and ideas and have a degree. Clear decisions affecting others will need to be made. Your directional abilities are in sphere near Telescopium and Norma. 7. A village of huts for native Africans in natural appreciation for anything that is literary or artistic. You are hungry for work today. high focus today and may be what see you through any difficulties. If you give your best 18. Sharp piercing cry. southern Africa. Although work flows along quite well, you tend to create more or take on more than your effort now, considerable success will follow and you may unconsciously help a close friend 19. (Welsh myth) The other world. 8. Conduct or direct the steering of a ship or share of work. This could turn you into a workaholic if you are not careful. Focus on the cre- through your efforts. You may find yourself enjoying the afternoon while visiting with rela- 20. Tag the base runner to get him out. plane. ative things that will serve your purpose the most. Your sense of discernment, when it tives. You appreciate the beauty in your life-a sunset, an unusual bird, etc. A new science dis- comes to matters of literary and intellectual taste, is very refined. You may decide to create covery has your attention this evening. 21. (Irish) Mother of the ancient Irish gods. 9. Dyed with henna. some poetry or prose; practice a little. 22. A colorless odorless gaseous element 10. United States assassin of President John F. that give a red glow in a vacuum tube. Kennedy (1939-1963). 23. A former copper coin of Pakistan. 11. A writing implement with a point from Aquarius (January 20- February 18) 25. Any of several aromatic herbs having edi- which ink flows. Leo (July 23-August 22) ble seeds and leaves and stems. 12. The capital and largest city of Yemen. Perhaps you will be coordinating some event or organizing and administer- You and a co-worker may have an ongoing competition this month about 27. First in order of importance. 13. An Arabic speaking person who lives in ing people today. Your mind is quick and you are able to easily guide others. using a new word each day. You enjoy nothing more than a good conversation and may be 29. Informal terms for a mother. Arabia or North Africa. You know that your best work is accomplished when the people you depend on are of a very proficient at speaking and communicating. Business contacts, contracts, proposals or 31. The branch of computer science that deal 14. A Chadic language spoken south of Lake positive attitude. Today is a team effort day and the end of any project begun now can be sales can be very profitable at this time. A born coach or teacher, you may find yourself with writing computer programs that can Chad. most positive. You enjoy keeping up on the news and events around you-you feel in touch. doing just that with a group of young people this afternoon. Your own growth and success solve problems creatively. 24. Be going to. Your inner resources and emotions are accented. You may enjoy a group gathering with may be linked to questions of security-home and family. You put a very high value on the friends that work in a volunteer atmosphere. A gathering of young people this afternoon 32. (Greek mythology) A princess of Colchis 26. (Akkadian) God of wisdom. written word and may have many beloved books you reread from time to time. Reading may give you opportunities for long discussions and fun times. This could mean a church who aided Jason in taking the Golden Fleece 28. The state prevailing during the absence could be one of the ways you escape the noises of a busy world. This evening may be a group or team in some type of sports. Relax to music tonight. from her father. of war. good time to firm up your relationships. 35. The part of the nervous system of verte- 30. An accessory or adjoining anatomical brates that controls involuntary actions of parts or appendages (especially of the the smooth muscles and heart and glands. embryo). 39. Muslim name for God. 33. Of or relating to or near the nares. Virgo (August 23-September 22) Pisces (February 19-March 20) 41. The act of catching an object with the 34. The cardinal number that is the sum of hands. four and one. Now is a good time to read books on organizing and to decide just how You are in a great mood today and can appreciate your own better qualities. extensive you want to get with the project. You work today on becoming You may see value in or feel love for an older person or someone in authority. 43. A recurring sleep state during which rap- 36. A region of Malaysia in northeastern more organized and a little accent here and there will also create pleasant surroundings in id eye movements do not occur and dream- Borneo. You may find yourself teaching, taking a class or attending a lecture. You have a lot of ener- your workplace. Thinking about yesterday and planning for tomorrow seem to have you gy and may come across to others as assertive and dominant. Laugh a little from time to ing does not occur. 37. A city in southwestern Poland on the spinning your wheels when it comes to trying to get things accomplished. Lectures, group 45. A cigar made with light-colored tobacco. Oder. time and you will find that the work this day will move along quite nicely. This evening you discussions or work sessions with one or more people will prove successful now. Mental will do well in activities that include children, young people, your home and surroundings. 46. Cubes of meat marinated and cooked on 38. A former agency (from 1946 to 1974) that stimulation is good and you should make every effort to cooperate and compromise with You could feel real support and harmony for and from those around you. Your neighbor- a skewer usually with vegetables. was responsible for research into atomic others. Take your loved ones to a movie or treat them to a dinner out this evening. Your hood will offer you more opportunities for fun and profit from a new hobby you have 47. South American wood sorrel cultivated energy and its peacetime uses in the United support system is strengthening-negative thoughts dissolve quickly this day. recently decided to begin. Perhaps you are into making jewelry. for its edible tubers. States. 49. Neckwear consisting of a long narrow 40. Club consisting of a heavy stick (often piece of material worn (mostly by men) bamboo) bound with iron. under a collar and tied in knot at the front. 42. A member of the Algonquian people for- Word Search Yesterday Solution 50. A set of questions or exercises evaluating merly of the Pamlico river valley in North skill or knowledge. Carolina. 51. A member of the Dravidian people living 44. Powerful mackerel shark of the Atlantic in southeastern India. and Pacific. 53. Tropical woody herb with showy yellow 48. Term used in some classifications as near- flowers and flat pods. ly equivalent to the order Coraciiformes. 56. Small genus of succulent annual herbs 52. A Loloish language. found on sandy shores of North America and 54. A silvery ductile metallic element found Europe. primarily in bauxite. 58. Muslims collectively and their civilization. 55. A white secretion of the sebaceous 60. An organization of countries formed in glands of the foreskin. 1961 to agree on a common policy for the 57. A radioactive element of the actinide sale of petroleum. series. 63. A unit of magnetic flux equal to 59. Beads threaded on a string. 100,000,000 maxwells. 61. A metabolic acid found in yeast and liver 65. Type genus of the Alcidae comprising cells. solely the razorbill. 62. Mild yellow Dutch cheese made in balls. 69. A city in Veneto. 64. The Jewish rite of circumcision performed 72. (legend) Chalice used by Christ at the last on a male child on the eighth day of his life. supper. 66. The state of needing something that is 74. A river in north central Switzerland that absent or unavailable. runs northeast into the Rhine. 67. A small restaurant where drinks and 75. A loose sleeveless outer garment made snacks are sold. from aba cloth. 68. Type genus of the family Arcidae. 76. An Old World reptile family of Sauria. 70. British informal term. 78. A fluorocarbon with chlorine. 71. Title for a civil or military leader (especial- 79. Thigh of a hog (usually smoked). ly in Turkey). 80. A metal helmet worn by common sol- 73. A serve that strikes the net before falling diers in the 16th century. into the receiver's court. 81. Large brownish-green New Zealand par- 77. The blood group whose red cells carry rot. both the A and B antigens. Yesterday’s Solution

Daily SuDoku Yesterday’s Solution WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2014 information

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

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

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

Nuzha 22526804 Afghanistan 0093 Iran 0098 Albania 00355 Iraq 00964 Industrial Shuwaikh 24814764 Algeria 00213 Ireland 00353 Qadsiya 22515088 Andorra 00376 Italy 0039 Angola 00244 Ivory Coast 00225 Dasmah 22532265 Anguilla 001264 Jamaica 001876 Antiga 001268 Japan 0081 Bneid Al-Gar 22531908 Argentina 0054 Jordan 00962 Shaab 22518752 Armenia 00374 Kazakhstan 007 Australia 0061 Kenya 00254 Qibla 22459381 Austria 0043 Kiribati 00686 Bahamas 001242 Kuwait 00965 Ayoun Al-Qibla 22451082 Bahrain 00973 Kyrgyzstan 00996 Mirqab 22456536 Bangladesh 00880 Laos 00856 Barbados 001246 Latvia 00371 Sharq 22465401 Belarus 00375 Lebanon 00961 Belgium 0032 Liberia 00231 Salmiya 25746401 Belize 00501 Libya 00218 Jabriya 25316254 Benin 00229 Lithuania 00370 Bermuda 001441 Luxembourg 00352 Maidan Hawally 25623444 Bhutan 00975 Macau 00853 Bolivia 00591 Macedonia 00389 Bayan 25388462 Bosnia 00387 Madagascar 00261 Mishref 25381200 Botswana 00267 Majorca 0034 Brazil 0055 Malawi 00265 W Hawally 22630786 Brunei 00673 Malaysia 0060 Bulgaria 00359 Maldives 00960 Sabah 24810221 Burkina 00226 Mali 00223 Jahra 24770319 Burundi 00257 Malta 00356 Cambodia 00855 Marshall Islands 00692 New Jahra 24575755 Cameroon 00237 Martinique 00596 Canada 001 Mauritania 00222 West Jahra 24772608 Cape Verde 00238 Mauritius 00230 South Jahra 24775066 Cayman Islands 001345 Mayotte 00269 Central African 00236 Mexico 0052 North Jahra 24775992 Chad 00235 Micronesia 00691 Chile 0056 Moldova 00373 North Jleeb 24311795 China 0086 Monaco 00377 Ardhiya 24884079 Colombia 0057 Mongolia 00976 Comoros 00269 Montserrat 001664 Firdous 24892674 Congo 00242 Morocco 00212 Cook Islands 00682 Mozambique 00258 Omariya 24719048 Costa Rica 00506 Myanmar (Burma) 0095 N Khaitan 24710044 Croatia 00385 Namibia 00264 Cuba 0053 Nepal 00977 Fintas 23900322 Cyprus 00357 Netherlands (Holland) Cyprus (Northern) 0090392 0031 Czech Republic 00420 Netherlands Antilles 00599 Denmark 0045 New Caledonia 00687 Diego Garcia 00246 New Zealand 0064 PRIVATE CLINICS Djibouti 00253 Nicaragua 00505 Dominica 001767 Nigar 00227 Dominican Republic 001809 Nigeria 00234 Ecuador 00593 Niue 00683 Egypt 0020 Norfolk Island 00672 El Salvador 00503 Northern Ireland (UK) Plastic Surgeons Paediatricians Ophthalmologists Endocrinologist England (UK) 0044 0044 Dr. Abidallah Al-Mansoor 25622444 Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalaf 22547272 Dr. Khaled Hamadi 25665898 Equatorial Guinea 00240 North Korea 00850 Dr. Abd Al-Naser Al-Othman 25339330 Dr. Samy Al-Rabeea 25752222 Dr. Abdal-Redha Lari 22617700 Dr. Abd Al-Aziz Al-Rashed 25340300 Eritrea 00291 Norway 0047 Dr. Masoma Habeeb 25321171 Dr. Abdel Quttainah 25625030/60 Dr. Zahra Qabazard 25710444 Dr. Ahmad Al-Ansari 25658888 Estonia 00372 Oman 00968 Dr. Mubarak Al-Ajmy 25739999 Ethiopia 00251 Pakistan 0092 Family Doctor Dr. Sohail Qamar 22621099 Dr. Mohsen Abel 25757700 Dr. Kamal Al-Shomr 25329924 Falkland Islands 00500 Palau 00680 Dr Divya Damodar 23729596/23729581 Dr. Snaa Maaroof 25713514 Faroe Islands 00298 Panama 00507 Dr Adnan Hasan Alwayl 25732223 Physiotherapists & VD Psychiatrists Dr. Pradip Gujare 23713100 Dr. Abdallah Al-Baghly 25732223 Fiji 00679 Papua New Guinea 00675 Dr. Zacharias Mathew 24334282 Dr. Deyaa Shehab 25722291 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Dr. Esam Al-Ansari 22635047 Finland 00358 Paraguay 00595 Dr. Ahmed Fouad Mouner 24555050 Ext 510 Dr Eisa M. Al-Balhan 22613623/0 Dermatology Dr. Musaed Faraj Khamees 22666288 France 0033 Peru 0051 French Guiana 00594 Philippines 0063 Dr. Abdallah Al-Ali 25644660 Gynaecologists & Obstetricians Dr. Mohammed Salam Rheumatologists: French Polynesia 00689 Poland 0048 Dr. Abd Al-Hameed Al-Taweel 25646478 DrAdrian arbe 23729596/23729581 Bern University 23845955 Gabon 00241 Portugal 00351 Dr. Sanad Al-Fathalah 25311996 Dentists Dr. Verginia s.Marin 2572-6666 ext 8321 Dr. Adel Al-Awadi 25330060 Gambia 00220 Puerto Rico 001787 Dr. Mohammad Al-Daaory 25731988 Dr. Fozeya Ali Al-Qatan 22655539 Dr Anil Thomas 3729596/3729581 Georgia 00995 Qatar 00974 Dr. Ismail Al-Fodary 22620166 Dr. Khaled Al-Jarallah 25722290 Dr. Majeda Khalefa Aliytami 25343406 Dr. Shamah Al-Matar 22641071/2 Germany 0049 Romania 0040 Dr. Mahmoud Al-Booz 25651426 Ghana 00233 Russian Federation 007 Dr. Ahmad Al-Khooly 25739272 Dr. Anesah Al-Rasheed 22562226 Internist, Chest & Heart General Practitioners Gibraltar 00350 Rwanda 00250 Dr. Salem soso 22618787 Dr. Abidallah Al-Amer 22561444 Dr. Mohamme Y Majidi 24555050 Ext 123 DR.Mohammes Akkad 24555050 Ext 210 Greece 0030 Saint Helena 00290 Dr. Faysal Al-Fozan 22619557 General Surgeons Dr. Yousef Al-Omar 24719312 Dr. Mohammad Zubaid Greenland 00299 Saint Kitts 001869 Dr. Abdallateef Al-Katrash 22525888 Dr. Tarek Al-Mikhazeem 23926920 Dr. Amer Zawaz Al-Amer 22610044 MB, ChB, FRCPC, PACC Grenada 001473 Saint Lucia 001758 Dr. Abidallah Al-Duweisan 25653755 Dr. Kathem Maarafi 25730465 Dr. Mohammad Yousef Basher 25327148 Assistant Professor Of Medicine Guadeloupe 00590 Saint Pierre 00508 Dr. Bader Al-Ansari 25620111 Guam 001671 Saint Vincent 001784 Dr. Abdallah Ahmad Eyadah 25655528 Internists, Chest & Heart Head, Division of Cardiology Dr. Nabeel Al-Ayoobi 24577781 Neurologists Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital 25339667 Guatemala 00502 Samoa US 00684 Dr. Adnan Ebil 22639939 Guinea 00224 Samoa West 00685 Dr. Dina Abidallah Al-Refae 25333501 Dr. Sohal Najem Al-Shemeri 25633324 Consultant Cardiologist Dr. Mousa Khadada 22666300 Guyana 00592 San Marino 00378 Urologists Dr. Jasem Mola Hassan 25345875 Dr. Latefa Al-Duweisan 25728004 Dr. Farida Al-Habib 2611555-2622555 Haiti 00509 Sao Tone 00239 Dr. Ali Naser Al-Serfy 22641534 Gastrologists MD, PH.D, FACC Holland (Netherlands) 0031 Saudi Arabia 00966 Dr. Fawzi Taher Abul 22639955 Dr. Nadem Al-Ghabra 25355515 Dr. Sami Aman 22636464 Inaya German Medical Center Honduras 00504 Scotland (UK) 0044 Dr. Khaleel Abidallah Al-Awadi 22616660 Dr. Mobarak Aldoub 24726446 Dr. Mohammad Al-Shamaly 25322030 Te: 2575077 Hong Kong 00852 Senegal 00221 Dr. Adel Al-Hunayan FRCS (C) 25313120 Dr Nasser Behbehani 25654300/3 Dr. Foad Abidallah Al-Ali 22633135 Fax: 25723123 Hungary 0036 Seychelles 00284 Dr. Leons Joseph 66703427 Ibiza (Spain) 0034 Sierra Leone 00232 Soor Center Iceland 00354 Singapore 0065 Psychologists [email protected] Tel: 2290-1677 Kaizen center Noor Clinic William Schuilenberg, RPC 2290-1677 India 0091 Slovakia 00421 /Psychotherapists www.soorcenter.com Zaina Al Zabin, M.Sc. 2290-1677 Fax: 2290 1688 25716707 23845955 Indian Ocean 00873 Slovenia 00386 Indonesia 0062 Solomon Islands 00677 lifestyle WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2014 GOSSIP I put heart and soul Elba directs into album short film for new song dris Elba has directed a new short film for a self and showing off his skills in a game of football lash has put his “heart and soul” into his new track produced by Dutch DJ R3hab. The actor as the girls watch one. Idris said: “I like the whole record. The rock legend is working on his Ichose to work on the promo for the song ‘70s era, the haircuts and the style, and I chose a ‘Unstoppable’, featuring Eva Simons, which character that is stereotypically a nerd, isn’t sporty third solo album, the follow-up to his 2012 S will be included on the Pepsi Max ‘Beats of looking ... but [it] turns out that he really is good at record ‘Apocalyptic Love’, and claims it has been a the Beautiful Game’ album to celebrate [football], and he is unstoppable when he starts to “blast” laying down the tracks in the studio. He the World Cup this year, because he let himself go.” Talking about the track, R3hab told told Metal Hammer magazine: “Everyone has been loved the idea of being unstop- BANG Showbiz: “For me, when we were making on top of their game for this thing - it’s just been pable. Idris, who has also this song, we wanted to really look at the message awesome.”I don’t like to pat myself on the back too achieved success as a DJ, said: and it was to do with winning and emotions and much but I’m pretty proud of it!” The record is set “When I first heard the song I being unstoppable. “You can be unstoppable in to be more stripped back than his previous offer- really loved the idea of being sports, in school, in business or even in a relation- ings but the 48-year-old guitarist is keeping tight- unstoppable ... it’s self belief, ship. It can mean so much. We kept working on the lipped about the musical direction he’s gone in on its someone that just says, idea and wanted it to relate to everybody. It took a the album. He explained: “”There’s no sentence or ‘Guess what? I can do fair amount of time but it was important.” R3hab, phrase that encompasses the body of work that is anything I want to do’.” who has also remixed songs or the likes of this record - any kind of pitch like that is limiting. The six-minute video is Rihanna, Rita Ora and Calvin Harris, claims he feels “The last record we did completely live in the stu- set in the 1970s and fea- unstoppable when he’s on stage and performing dio and that’s how we put it out. “This time around tures a group of teenagers at festivals. He said: “When I’m performing [I feel on a school bus, outlining unstoppable]. I’ve come a long way from playing things are a bit more produced. I’ve gone in and ‘the nerd’, ‘the lads’ and the festivals for free drinks. Now I’m playing in New overdubbed guitars and that has made everything popular girls, who are all in York, Las Vegas, it’s absolutely insane and hard to a bit more lush.” He added: “I’ve put my heart and different social circles. The realize sometimes. I also have Creamfields [festival] soul into it and if people think it’s a good record promo tackles bullying and coming up. “I get a lot of feedback from the artists then that’s just something they have to figure out eventually shows the school when I remix their tracks. I’ve also remixed for

Slash for themselves.” Slash’s new album will be released nerd throwing away his Tiesto and now he’s remixing my records, which is later this year. glasses, standing up for him- pretty cool.” Pinto has ‘obscene’ Amanda Holden: number of shoes Bieber Simon Cowell reida Pinto has an “obscene” num- flirts with model ber of shoes. The ‘Slumdog will get married FMillionaire’ beauty admits to an on Instagram obsession with footwear and has so many different pairs she can’t count them all. She told Harper’s Bazaar Arabia: ustin Bieber has been flirting with “They’re my biggest obsession but I model Yovanna Ventura on Instagram. don’t even know how many I have. “It’s a JThe 20-year-old star is rumored to be bit obscene for me, but I’m sure there dating the 18-year-old beauty and despite are people that have way more.”It’s really her referring to him as her “amigo”, which weird though, because my love for shoes means friend in Spanish, he appears to isn’t because I want to wear them all. I have been flirting with her on the picture mean, there are only so many days in the sharing site. Yovanna posted an image of year, so it’s impossible to wear all of herself trying on a figure hugging black them, but I have them because they’re dress for her high school prom and Justin so beautiful, like works of art, and I love later copied the image onto his own on-again-off-again girlfriend Selena looking at them.” The Indian starlet and account adding the caption: “I see you in Gomez earlier this year - didn’t accompa- model was plucked from obscurity to that Dolce Dress. Glad u had fun. :) (sic).” ny Yovanna to her senior high school win a lead role in Danny Boyle’s When the ‘Boyfriend’ hitmakers’ rumored prom in Miami, the pair were reportedly ‘Slumdog Millionaire’, which went on to love interest spotted her picture on his seen “acting like a couple” after attend- win eight Oscars, although she says she account she decided to return the compli- ing the boxer Floyd Mayweather’s fight doesn’t always feel pretty. She said: “I ment by posting a shot of him in a smart in Las Vegas earlier this month. The was at an event with [model] Karlie Kloss tailored suit at the Cannes film festival in brunette model posted a picture of her- last year and it was horrible standing France last week stating that he was her self and her rumored love interest on next to her. She’s a beautiful lady and I crush of the day. She wrote: “#mcm [man Instagram following the event with the felt like a little ant.” Freida also says she crush Monday] looking great in that suit caption: “#lp #mayweather w’ mi amigo felt like a star for the first time when she (sic).” Although Justin - who split from his @justinbieber (sic).” was dressed for the premiere of her you’ve kinda made it.” Alongside Freida, most famous film by Chanel. She added: another notable collector of shoes is “It was amazing that the brand believed Imelda Marcos, the former Philippine in me, and I felt very, very lucky. If you first lady, who at one point had a collec- wear Chanel to a premiere, you feel like tion numbering 3,000 pairs. Aguilera staying healthy during pregnancy hristina Aguilera is sticking to a healthy diet during her second manda Holden thinks Simon Cowell will marry Cpregnancy. ‘The Voice’ USA coach Lauren Silverman and have more children. The reportedly gained 40 pounds while Areality TV mogul welcomed his first son, Eric, expecting her child Max - her six-year-old with the socialite in February and his ‘Britain’s Got son with ex-husband Jordan Bratman - Talent’ co-judge is sure he will want to expand his fam- and is determined not to put on as much ily further. She told Hello! magazine: “I do [think they weight carrying this baby, her first baby will get married]. And I think they’ll have more chil- with her fiancé Matthew Rutler. A source dren too, because he loves it. “Simon definitely should told Life and Style Weekly magazine: “She ask Lauren to marry him. He shouldn’t let her get away. is making much better choices and is Lauren’s such a good influence on him.” Amanda also adamant about staying healthy. She’s thinks the notoriously picky TV star has found some- telling everyone how vibrant and con- one who will stand up to him in Lauren, and that she is nected to her body she feels.” Christina someone who is unlikely to let him win all their argu- had shed a lot of weight before getting ments. She added: “He’s met his match in Lauren, 100 pregnant and has so far been able to car- per cent.” Lauren has previously said she and Simon temper ry on with her healthy eating regime rel- are in no rush to tie the knot and are simply enjoying atively easily. Her man Matthew has also parenthood. The 37-year-old - who was recently grant- been doting on his pop star partner and ed a divorce from millionaire ex-husband Andrew getting her whatever she needs. The Silverman, the father of her eight-year-old son Adam - insider added: “He’s doting on her night said: “Of course we will get married eventually, but not and day and never leaves her side. He yet.” Meanwhile, she thinks Eric looks more like his talks to the baby through her stomach - famous father than her, and isn’t surprised by how well it’s so cute.” One food Christina, 33, has Simon has taken to being a father. She said: “I think developed an appetite for is blackened he’s absolutely adorable! He does look a lot like his barbecued meats, a common craving dad. He looks nothing like me. “I’m not surprised; I among expectant ladies. A source previ- knew he would be an amazing father. He’s an amazing ously said: “The other day, she went nuts guy with a good heart. Sometimes when you get in a for a plate of blackened BBQ. She laughs situation, you rise to the occasion and he really has. about it, but she was also relieved when Simon’s an amazing dad. It’s so cute when I see them she found out this craving isn’t all that together. I just love it.” strange.” George Clooney to marry at Downton Abbey? eorge Clooney may wed at the ding performed there.”And he was told is close to London and also to Dubai and Lebanon. The castle is cur- country house where ‘Downton they would be most happy to accom- Heathrow airport, meaning George’s rently inhabited by the 8th Lord and GAbbey’ is filmed. The ‘Oceans modate them.” Highclere is thought to family from America can easily fly, as Lady Carnarvon and their family and ohnny Depp has been warned about Amber Heard’s temper. The Eleven’ star whisked his fiancée Amal be a good venue for the wedding as it can Amal’s extended family who live in allows weddings, with prices to hire 28-year-old actress - who is engaged to the heartthrob movie star - Alamuddin away for a romantic break parts of the castle starting at $23,000 Jhas revealed her closest pals often alert her paramours about her in the English countryside this week, for a day. The source added: “George fiery side, claiming she can become extremely rowdy when angered. She which took in Highclere Castle near loves the idea of marrying at the cas- said: “Whenever my old friends meet someone I’m involved with roman- London - where the period drama is tle, because it’s a glamorous place he tically, they immediately warn them, ‘She may look refined, but when filmed - and she was so taken by it, could secure... Amal’s Middle Eastern she’s angry, she can go trailer park really fast.’ “ ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ they made enquiries as to whether it relatives would most certainly enjoy star Johnny, 50, is thought to have popped the question to Amber over could be used for their wedding. A the exhibition, and the tour would Christmas last year and confirmed their engagement in April, but the source told MailOnline.com: “George make for a most memorable wed- blonde beauty admits her newfound celebrity hasn’t had much effect on became close friends with Hugh ding.” Other venues the couple are her standing in Hollywood. Speaking in the new issue of W magazine, Bonneville, who plays Lord Robert said to be considering for the wed- she said: “I haven’t noticed any change in my career. And, for better or Crawley, when they did ‘The ding are George’s home in Lake Como, worse, I’ve always had a love life that seemed particularly salacious to Monuments Men’ together last year.” Italy, and Cabo San Lucas in Mexico, Heard has ‘trailer park’ some people. Before it was also seen as unconventional.” Meanwhile, the And they really hit it off. He contacted but it is thought Amal wants to be ‘Paranoia’ actress has defended her past romance with photographer Hugh and asked him to arrange a pri- near where she grew up in the UK. Tasya van Ree, insisting she is not “ashamed” of their four-year relation- vate tour of the castle. Amal was Another source said: “Amal grew up in ship. Amber explained: “I didn’t want to look like I was hiding anything. blown away. “When he saw his bride- London, and attended school in I’m not, and wasn’t ever, ashamed. I don’t imagine myself, my work, or to-be’s reaction to the spectacular Buckinghamshire. “And she went to my life, fitting into any kind of standardized path. In fact, the idea of Victorian castle, set on 1,000 acres of University at Oxford. She currently there even being a standard freaks me out a lot.” parkland, he began making some dis- works in London so she has many crete inquires about having their wed- close British friends.” lifestyle WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2014 GOSSIP Snoop Dogg’s Monaco man ban noop Dogg insisted that only girls were entourage had to stand outside his roped off allowed into his VIP area as he partied in area. “Women were flocking to his table and SMonaco over the weekend. The rapper were all over him to get his attention, he was was in the principality for the Grand Prix - which totally mobbed. As soon as he arrived it was as took place on Sunday and after enjoying the if the whole club migrated towards his end of Formula 1 race he partied at the Infiniti Podium the party. There was a queue six deep of Lounge at the Grimaldi Forum in Monte Carlo. women trying to get in his VIP room and there Snoop arrived at the party at around 2am were quite a few boyfriends who weren’t happy pulling up with his entourage outside in a con- that their girlfriends had gone into his section.” voy of four blacked out cars. As he entered the Snoop, 42, was enjoying partying with the bevy exclusive event and was led up the stairs to his of beauties so much that he didn’t want to private VIP section, Snoop announced his man leave when the bash - which was held on a ban which even included guys from his own penthouse terrace overlooking the race track - entourage and male waiters. An onlooker at had to end. The source added: “The women at the party said: “Snoop was very strict about his the party were absolutely stunning and Snoop no-men policy, even male members of his own didn’t want to leave at the end of the event.” Duff and Comrie Tom Ford putting son first felt unworthy after leaving Gucci he 52-year-old designer part- still going on.” Tom - who raises a ed ways with the luxury son, Alexander John Buckley Ford, Tbrand in April 2004 following with his husband Richard Buckley- a clash regarding the artistic con- is gearing up to receive the Council trol of the Gucci Group and says of American Fashion Designers’ the move was initially a huge blow biggest honour, the Geoffrey for him. In an interview with Beene Lifetime Achievement Award at the CFDA Awards on June 2. He admits the recognition has made him reflect on his career landmarks as well as everything he’s achieved in his personal life. The designer explained: “It was ten years in April since I left Gucci, five years today since I quit drinking, and this award has made me think the last ten years have actually been quite amazing, even if they didn’t seem so because I was busy putting out fires and I never stopped and said, ‘OK, I really did a lot of things, I made a movie, I built a business, had a child, stopped drinking...’ “While he was initially offended because he felt the prize insinuated he had peaked, Tom is now excited about collecting the trophy at the New York City cere- mony next month. He said: “At first I didn’t like it, but actually what it caused me to do was look back on my work, not only in my mind but Lambert buys literally, and I have to say that was cathartic, and a pleasant surprise. Style.com, he said: “After leaving “I actually liked some things and ilary Duff and Mike their two-year-old is keeping Underwood a motorbike Gucci Group, there was a dramatic felt proud of them, and that ulti- Comrie are trying to co- them on their toes. She sense of loss and of not being wor- mately made me feel more com- Hparent “peacefully.” The explained: “Luca’s two, so he has thy, so rebuilding my life profes- fortable with myself. And here I iranda Lambert bought Carrie for your sacrifices. 26-year-old actress, who recently a strong personality. He’s spirit- sionally and personally was an am, maybe a little bit more relaxed Underwood a motorbike. The #MemorialDayWeekend.” Carrie will have hinted she is trying to work ed. That’s a good word for him. enormous struggle. I’ve probably and a little less desperate to country singers recently collabo- plenty of space to ride her new bike, as things out with her husband “He’s talking a lot and trying to M not cut myself any slack. And that’s achieve more.” rated on a duet of ‘Something Bad’ on the she and husband Mike Fisher bought 400 after they announced their sepa- put words together, which is a Billboard Music Awards, and as a thank acres of land near to Nashville, Tennessee, ration in January, insists they are big deal. But sometimes he does you Miranda bought the ‘Two Black in 2011, on which they have built their putting their two-year-old son test me. I have a toddler bed on Cadillacs’ a new bike. Next to her on a pic- dream home. The blonde beauty - who Luca’s needs first. Talking to Us order, but he’s already jumping ture of her new hefty black two-wheeler, was catapulted to the spotlight after win- Weekly magazine, she said: out of his crib! I hear a thud and Carrie wrote on Twitter: “Well, it’s not ning ‘American Idol’ in 2005 - has also Schwimmer helps “We’re really good friends and I’m like, OK, he tossed himself every day @mirandalambert buys you a been working on her fifth album, and has spend a lot of time together. out. He’s so funny. I say, ‘What are motorcycle! Next stop, motorcycle driving been writing her own tracks for it. She We’re just trying to figure out you doing?’ And he’s trying not lessons!!! #RansTheBest (sic)” The singer recently said: “I’ve been writing quite a bit, police solve stabbing what makes us happy, but we to smile because he knows it’s also sent a message for Memorial Day in it’s exciting! It definitely has a different have Luca as our priority. We’re kind of naughty. “He opened his the US today, which celebrates those who sound. There are some thematic things avid Schwimmer helped police going to do it in the most peace- own door recently - I couldn’t have given their lives in the armed forces. that are quite different. I love strong officers solve a stabbing. The for- ful way.” Meanwhile, Hilary says believe it.” She added: “A GIANT thank you to our women. So I want things that I can get on Dmer ‘Friends’ star aided officials Armed Forces this weekend and every day stage and just feel empowered.” in investigating a dramatic robbery gone wrong that took place next door to his $4 million home in New York’s East Village on Monday morning by Syringe used by Geldof allowing them to review footage cap- tured by his security cameras. The cam- found in drawer Kings of Leon eras caught the end of an altercation between David’s 26-year-old male neighbor, a transgender prostitute the won’t be ageing rockers man had solicited and robber Robert Rainey, 21, who allegedly broke into the man’s home and attempted to steal his laptop. According to the New York Daily News, the 26-year-old man was having sex with the prostitute in his bathroom - which adjoins David’s apartment - when he heard an intruder in his house. The affray spilled outside when the man in cahoots with the robber and pepper- chased the thief with a box cutter, but sprayed her client before running away. Rainey managed to wrestle it away from Officers noticed David, 47, had cameras him and slashed the man across the outside his home and the actor - face. An onlooker said: “It started inside famous for playing Ross Gellar - was and spilled out into the street. There happy to accommodate them by allow- was blood everywhere.” Another eyewit- ing them to view the footage to build a ness heard the victim shout, “He sliced case against Rainey. The thief was me up!” reports the New York Post detained and charged with robbery, newspaper. In a bizarre twist, it’s assault and criminal possession of claimed the prostitute may have been stolen property. Gillan to star In A syringe used by Peaches Geldof to inject heroin before she Valley Of Violence died was found in a drawer at her home. The needle was Adiscovered by police who searched the late socialite’s aren Gillan has been cast ‘In A house in Wrotham, Kent, where she was found dead seven weeks ings of Leon want to quit before Discussing his top priority for the future, Valley Of Violence’. The 26-year- ago and it was reportedly moved because it was too “harrowing” they get too old. The ‘Use Nathan enthused: “Sleeping.” However, old actress - who is known for for the family to see. A source told The Sun newspaper: “The nee- Somebody’ rockers have no inten- they have some big hurdles to cross before K dle is believed to have been moved from the bed where her body K her role as Amy Pond in the British sci- tion of still making music when they’re they can relax since main songwriter Caleb fi series ‘Doctor Who’ - will reportedly was found and put in a drawer.”This was not a cover-up. It was grey and wrinkly and intend to put the is constantly seeking to compete with the star opposite Ethan Hawke, John apparently done because it was such a harrowing thing to see rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle firmly behind them so success of other bands, as well as their own Travolta and Taissa Farmiga in the and there were young children in the house.” When police first they can reap its rewards. Quizzed triumphs. During an interview on UK sta- western. Gillan and Farmiga play sis- arrived at the property there was no sign of drugs or drug para- whether they’d like to have the same tion BBC Radio 1, he added: “I don’t think ters who run a hotel in a small town in phernalia but officers insist Peaches’ husband Thomas Cohen, 23, longevity as The Rolling Stones, lead singer we’ve written our masterpiece yet. I still the 1890s and they’re caught in is “not in any way under suspicion.” The source also said analysis Caleb Followill laughed: “I hope not! strive for something that we haven’t Hawkeís mission to seek vengeance of a laptop Peaches, 25, was using at the time of her death sug- Maybe if you’re playing a gig here and achieved yet. Every time I see a band come gests she passed away at about 11am on April 7 at the home the for his murdered best friend. The her head for the role. Talking about there, but I don’t see us going on a big tour out and release and album I think, ‘Man, I couple shared with their two sons Astala, two, and Phaedra, one. forthcoming film which will be direct- the character, she previously said: ‘She at that age.” Nathan Followill quipped: “We should have done that.’ “You always want An inquest found that heroin was “likely” to have played a role in ed by ‘The House Of The Devilí helmer is the female villain of the film. She would be very lucky to last that long. That your next album to be better than your the blonde beauty’s death - the same drug that killed Peaches’ Ti West and will see Gillian reunite teams up with Lee Pace who is the would be awesome if we could. We would last. It sucks when your last record was the mother Paula Yates in 2000 - and a full inquest is due to take with Blumouse Productions, the com- male villain. She is very sadistic and much rather be on a yacht somewhere!” biggest one you’ve done, it makes it place in July. Meanwhile, Peaches’ father, Bob Geldof, performed pany behind horror ‘Oculus’, where evil, but I like to think for a very valid The band, who were forced to take a year tougher. We’re very competitive, not only his first gig at the weekend since his daughter’s death with his she landed a starring role as Kaylie reason.’ She is also slated to play the out in 2011 due to exhaustion, are hoping with ourselves, but with other bands. We’re band, The Boomtown Rats. The grieving singer made no mention Russell. Gillan will hit the big screen lead role in the upcoming U.S. come- for an early retirement and a relaxing like, ‘Loved your record, now we’re going to of his daughter during their set at Volkfest in Plymouth but fans later this year in ‘Guardians of the dy series ‘Selfie’, which is loosely based lifestyle after the excess of their youth. try and beat that.’ claim he put on a “remarkable show”. — Bang Showbiz Galaxy’ as Nebula, after she shaved on ‘My Fair Lady’. lifestyle WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2014

Features Queen to release new tracks with Mercury ueen are to release new tracks featuring Freddie and all of us playing, and they’re quite beautiful, so peo- it’s quite emotional. It’s the big, big ballad and the big, Mercury’s vocals by the end of the year, the ple will be hearing this work towards the end of the big kind of epic sound. “It wouldn’t have been if we had- QBritish rock group’s guitarist Brian May said. The year,” the 66-year-old said. “We’re going to put out an n’t done this restoration job on it because you have to songs, dating back to the 1980s, will be released on a album which probably is called ‘Queen Forever’, and it’s start from scratch really, because we only had scraps. compilation album, May told BBC radio. Lead singer a compilation, but it will have this new material on “But knowing how it would’ve happened if we’d fin- Mercury died of AIDS-related pneumonia in 1991. Four which nobody in the world has ever heard. And I think ished it then, I can sit there and make it happen, with years later, Queen released “Made In Heaven”, their final people will really enjoy it.” modern technology.” May is also working up some studio album with the iconic frontman, painstakingly In their current form, the songs do not have the rough tracks that Mercury recorded with Michael constructing some fresh songs from lines of vocals he bombastic Queen sound, but May and drummer Roger Jackson in 1983. — AFP left behind. Taylor-bassist John Deacon retired in 1997 — are giving But May said more tapes in the vault had come to them the band’s trademark anthem touch. “Most of it light. “We found a few more tracks with Freddie singing comes from the eighties when we were in full flight, so

How do you spell ‘winner’ at the National Spelling Bee?

o one knows who will win the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Maryland this Nweek, but if past performance is anything to go by, odds are an Indian American youngster Australian actor Hugh Jackman appears on stage during an event before the Japanese Australian actor Hugh Jackman signs autographs for Japanese fans during an event. — AP premiere of his latest movie ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’ in Tokyo yesterday. The film will will walk away with the trophy. Children of Indian be shown all over Japan from May 30. — AFP origin have had a stunning run in the nationally televised contest, nailing words such as “guerdon,” “stromuhr” and “guetapens” to win 10 times in the last 15 years. Last year’s winner, New York mid- Days Of Future Past was a ‘final goodbye’ for original actors dle-schooler Arvind Mahankali, was the sixth -Men Days Of Future Past’ was a “final goodbye” the original actors. unique take on the comic book characters the film acted as Indian American in a row to take the title and a for the original actors. Screenwriter Simon But to be totally candid, that’s the way I approached X- a conclusion to their story. He added: “There’s some part of $30,000 scholarship. Indian Americans swept the ‘XKinberg insists the latest installment of the Marvel Men: The Last Stand. If you talked to me in 2006 and said, our brains that hopes we will see them again, but we want- top three spots in 2013, the same as the year adventure, which stars Sir Patrick Stewart as the older ‘Do you think we’ll ever see Patrick Stewart as Professor ed to tell a story that felt like it was a conclusion to their before. Charles Xavier who he first played in the original ‘X-Men’ Xavier again? Do you think we’ll see Ian and Halle and Ellen stories.”— Bang Showbiz Of the 281 whizzes, ages 8 to 15, who will gath- trilogy, Sir Ian McKellen as the villain Magneto and Shawn Page and Shawn Ashmore back on screen together?’ I most er today and tomorrow at a hotel in Oxon Hill, Ashmore as Iceman, was the final wave to these actors por- likely would have said no, and certainly in the case of trayals of the iconic characters. Talking to The Hollywood Patrick Stewart I would have said no way.” Although in Maryland, almost a quarter have names pointing Reporter, he said: “We approached it as a final goodbye for some ways he’ll miss McKellen, Ashmore and Stewart’s to South Asian origins. Indian Americans make up only about 1 percent of the US population, but will punch well above their weight at the National Spelling Bee. Their rise as the rock stars of the all- Brown won’t discuss American spelling contest comes from a simple formula: minor league systems, a family focus on education, and hard work, Bee watchers say. “I Watson’s graduation guard don’t think there’s any secret or anything innate in Brown University spokesman graphs showed the same woman with- Indian kids winning spelling bees. I don’t think says he is unable to answer ques- out a cap and gown, with a holstered there’s a spelling gene,” said Nupur Lala, who start- Ations about why Emma Watson weapon and a badge. Providence Police ed the South Asian streak in 1999 and inspired a had an undercover armed guard with Chief Steven Pare says the woman is generation of spellers by starring in the Oscar- her during graduation ceremonies. The not a Providence officer. When asked if nominated documentary “Spellbound.” 24-year-old British actress best known she was a campus police officer and for her role as Hermione Granger in the why the guard was necessary, Brown The non-profit North South Foundation is one Singer Pharrell Williams performs on stage during a private concert for the exhibi- breeding ground for winners. Thousands of young “Harry Potter” movies graduated from spokesman Mark Nickel said yesterday tion ‘GIRL’ at the Perrotin Gallery in Paris, Monday. — AP the Ivy League university in Providence he was unable to help. — AP spellers compete in foundation contests, started on Sunday. by Illinois engineer Ratnam Chitturi in 1989, hop- She was photographed sitting and ing to advance to US championships. All of the walking next to a woman who was National Spelling Bee champions since 2008 are wearing a cap and gown. Other photo- North South Foundation veterans, Chitturi said. “It’s a platform. Early on, we try to encourage par- ents and say, ‘Start early. Start in first grade.’ Then Emma Watson slowly move up the ladder - the ladder of excel- walks between lence,” said Chitturi. The foundation has similar buildings following contests in essay writing, mathematics, geography commencement and other fields. A week before the spelling bee, services. another North South Foundation product, Akhil Rekulapelli, of Ashburn, Virginia, won the $50,000 top prize at the National Geographic Bee. Singer Pharrell Williams, second from right, poses with fans prior to his performance Bee feeder on stage. Another feeder is the for-profit South Asian Spelling Bee, which draws about 1,500 contest- ants in a dozen US cities and has a national title. Williams will only work Founder Rahul Walia said some parents believed his contest was tougher than the National Spelling Bee. “Spelling is that game - or sport - that they with ‘masters’ of fashion encourage their children to be in,” he said. harrell Williams will only work with the He told WWD.com: “I work with all the mas- The winning streak also is seen as a result of the “masters” of fashion and beauty. The 41- ters because it allows me a crash-course into close-knit Indian American families’ emphasis on Pyear-old star is launching a unisex fra- not only who they are as people, but into their academic performance and success in the United grance named ‘Girl’ with Comme the business art from, and their craft. So that’s pretty cool.” States. A Pew Research Center analysis shows that so he can learn new skills from them. He said: Pharrell’s fragrance features notes of white almost 40 percent of Indian Americans over 25 “When I do a collaboration with brands, I do pepper, iris, styrax and violet scent for have advanced degrees, four times the overall US them with notable masters, so that I can expe- ‘Wonderwood’ that made him want to work level. Their median household income is about rience the true purpose of collaboration, which with them. He added: “I was enamored by is to learn. So I only work with masters.” The [Comme’s] ability to deliver wood to the mass- $88,000 a year, almost $40,000 above the US aver- ‘Marilyn Monroe’ hitmaker recently launched a es in the way that they have.”— Bang Showbiz age, the Pew data said. For Indian Americans, “edu- range of sportswear with Adidas, as well as his cation is a way to salvation,” Chitturi said. He and I Am Other collection at Uniqlo, and has now Lala, the 1999 champion, said it was not all about hinted he’s likely to pursue more collabora- memorizing words but recognizing patterns and tions in the future. word origins, and knowing other languages. Lala, now 29 and entering medical school, said that National Spelling Bee contestants should just enjoy the experience of being there. “You’re only up against the next word. That’s all you have to focus on. That’s it,” she said.-Reuters

THE one junior is born! HE ONE, the leading home fashion brand in the princes and princesses aged 3 to 16. ty standards you have come to expect from the one, it will Middle East, recently launched an exciting new chil- THE one junior features elegantly sophisticated mini last your little one throughout their growing years. So Tdren’s furniture concept. Aptly named the one junior, dining tables and chairs, shrunken sofas and armchairs, in come and ‘play house’ at the one junior, now showing at it is big on super cool, small-scale versions of adult furni- addition to fun bedding, rugs, toys, wallpapers, art and the one marina mall theatre, Kuwait city. ture and accessories, perfectly proportioned for little lighting. With each piece made to the same exacting quali- lifestyle WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2014

Music & Movies

Taylor Swift cancels Thai gig after coup

ountry-pop star Taylor Swift has cancelled an upcoming The 24-year-old pop diva is due to tour the region as part constitution. Swift has other concerts in Shanghai, Tokyo, sold-out concert in politically turbulent Thailand, the of her “Red Tour” in the coming weeks. Thailand’s powerful Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore in May and Csinger confirmed yesterday, after the army took control military ousted the civilian government of former premier June. — AFP of the country and imposed a curfew and martial law. Swift Yingluck Shinawatra Thursday following months of street was due to play at the Impact Arena on the outskirts of the protests. The kingdom has been repeatedly rocked by rival capital Bangkok on June 9, but organizers announced it had demonstrations from enemies of Yingluck’s divisive brother been cancelled “due to recent events in Thailand”, according to Thaksin, who was ousted in a 2006 coup, as well as his “Red File photo shows Taylor Swift arrives at a post on the Thai Ticket Major website. “I’m sending my love Shirt” supporters. the 49th annual Academy of Country to the fans in Thailand. I’m so sad about the concert being Thailand’s junta has curbed civil liberties and restricted the Music Awards at the MGM Grand canceled,” Swift said in a post on Twitter. media, imposed a nightly curfew and abrogated most of the Garden Arena in Las Vegas. — AP Christopher Lee releases metal album, aged 92

orror film legend Christopher Lee, who turned 92 yesterday, is celebrating the milestone by releasing Ha heavy rock mini-album entitled “Metal Knight”. The Dracula actor is a long-time devotee of heavy metal-a genre partly inspired by the sort of horror films he starred in-and has already several album releases under his belt. “I associate heavy metal with fantasy because of the tremen- dous power that the music delivers,” explained Lee, who possesses a booming, classically-trained bass voice. Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi presented the “Lord of the Rings” star with the Spirit of Metal prize at the Golden Gods Awards in 2010 for his services to metal music. In December, the “Star Wars” actor became the old- est ever performer to place in the US Billboard singles chart with his record “Jingle Hell”. “Metal Knight”, to be released on Monday, features four tracks and three alternative edits. This file picture Two songs are from the “Man of La Mancha” musical: “I, Don taken on May 15, Quixote” and “The Impossible Dream”. 2014 shows British The others are “The Toreador March” from Georges music legend Paul McCartney gets Bizet’s opera “Carmen”, in its original French, and “My Way”, McCartney upon popularized by Frank Sinatra. “As far as I am concerned, his arrival at the Don Quixote is the most metal fictional character that I Haneda airport in back to health, know,” said Lee. “Single handed, he is trying to change the A picture dated December 16, 2011 shows British actor Christopher Lee smiling during a Tokyo.—AFP world, regardless of any personal consequences. It is a ceremony where he was presented with the Insignia of Commandeur de L’Ordre des Arts wonderful character to sing”. — AFP et Lettres honoring his contribution to the fields of art and literature at the residence of leaves Japan the French ambassador to Britain in London. — AFP usic legend Paul McCartney has recovered from a virus that forced the cancellation of his Asian tour Mand has left Japan, the concert organizer said yes- terday. McCartney “has recovered well enough to travel on Russia bans historically false film an airplane,” said an official from Kyodo Tokyo, the organiz- ‘ ’ er of the Japanese leg of the “Out There” global tour. “According to the information that we have, he left Japan yesterday” for an undisclosed destination, he said. The for- on Stalin deportations of Chechens mer Beatle arrived in Japan on May 15 and was due to play four sold-out dates in Tokyo and Osaka. But the 71-year-old pop veteran cancelled all his gigs as ussia has refused to permit the release of a film about well as the South Korean leg of the tour, saying he had the mass deportations of entire ethnic groups on been taken sick with an undisclosed virus. The called-off RStalin’s orders during World War II, calling it anti- concerts included one at Tokyo’s Nippon Budokan Hall that Russian and a falsification of history. The historical drama would have marked his first return to the venue since shot in Chechnya details how the Soviets forcibly deported appearing there with The Beatles in 1966. The cancella- the whole Chechen nation and the related Ingush group-half tions generated an outpouring of good wishes from fans a million people-from their homeland in the North Caucasus of the Liverpool-born musician-one of two living members to Central Asia in the winter of 1944, accusing them of lack- of The Beatles. — AFP ing loyalty to the state. A culture ministry official condemned the film as a “histor- ical falsification” in a letter shown to AFP by the film’s scriptwriter and producer, Ruslan Kokanayev. “We consider the film will promote ethnic hatred,” wrote Vyacheslav Telnov, director of the ministry’s cinema department, in the letter in response to a request for a release certificate. Titled “Ordered to Forget”, the film was intended to mark the 70th anniver- sary of the deportations this year. The culture ministry, which licenses cinema releases, sin- gled out a massacre depicted in the film in which 700 people were burnt to death in the Chechen mountain village of Khaibakh in 1944. The ministry said it had searched three Russian state archives including the files of the NKVD security The history graduate from Chechen State University in A handout undated forces that carried out the deportations and Stalin’s personal Grozny also denied that the film could incite ethnic hatred of still photo provided files. “As a result of the investigation, no documents were dis- Russians. “The film can’t be anti-Russian because it doesn’t by Ruslan covered proving the fact of the mass burning of residents,” say one nation killed another nation,” he said. “Some Russians Kokanayev shows a the ministry said. behaved well towards those deported.” scene from ‘Ordered “This allows us to conclude that claims of this ‘event’ are a Russia under President Vladimir Putin has increasingly tak- to Forget’. — AFP historical falsification.” An advisor to Culture Minister Vladimir en on the mantle of the Soviet Union and prides itself on its Medinsky, Larisa Khon, told the Kommersant daily the min- victories while downplaying the millions of deaths under istry had not taken a final decision on the film and would car- Stalin’s forced industrialization, collectivization and prison ry out a further expert assessment. The ministry did not camps. Putin has voiced opposition to debate on history and respond to a request for comment from AFP. is overseeing the creation of a single history textbook series to be used by all schools. ‘A generally accepted fact’ The film is a “full-length feature film, the first Chechen But Alexander Cherkasov of rights group Memorial told film,” said Kokanayev. Unusually for a movie maker, the 52- AFP the Khaibakh massacre “is considered a generally accept- year-old works as the head of a municipal district in ed fact.” “On February 23 (1944), snow fell in the mountains Chechnya. The film was financed by “private investors in US actor Tom Cruise poses during the photocall of the film ‘Edge of Tomorrow’ yesterday and it was difficult to move the people out on foot. They Grozny and Moscow,” he said. “We didn’t have any financing in central Rome. — AFP brought out the men, but set fire to those who could not from the (state) budget.” It stars several acclaimed actors walk,” Cherkasov said. “It is only possible to argue about the including Roza Khairullina, who last year won best actress at numbers of the dead.” The ministry “apparently acted on the Russia’s prestigious Golden Mask theatre awards. The film’s principle: let’s not get ourselves into trouble,” Cherkasov said. makers have submitted it to a number of film festivals both in Cruise pushes ‘Edge of The film’s makers were taken aback by the decision. “I did- Russia and abroad, including the Moscow International Film n’t expect it because we were sure we’d get a distribution Festival and the Venice Film Festival. — AFP licence, because these facts are known,” Kokanayev said by Tomorrow’ to its limits telephone from the Chechen capital Grozny. “I intend to con- test this ban,” Kokanayev said. “We will go to court and show hree premieres, in three cities, on only ing impossible, really seemed like it would be a that we are in the right.” one day. Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt are great way to finish,” Liman says. Cruise and Tpushing their own limits to promote their Blunt joke about who will have more stamina latest movie “Edge of Tomorrow.” The tour starts staying awake on the day. “Because I have a today with an early London premiere, moving baby, I’m not sleeping as much anyway,” Blunt African-American cowboy on to Paris and ending in New York. Film stars says. are used to jetting around to launch their proj- “You’ll be like unconscious. But I’ll be there,” ects but not usually on the same day. Blunt, the Cruise counters. Cruise and Blunt were talking crooner Herb Jeffries dies 31-year-old actress known from “The Devil on the rooftop of a London hotel, overlooking Wears Prada,” says it is typical of her co-star. the opening location of the movie, where the erb Jeffries, the first African-American musical revue “Jump for Joy” alongside “When I heard about the premiere idea of main character is flown in to Trafalgar Square. It singing cowboy to appear in movies in Dorothy Dandridge in Los Angeles. His popu- three in one day I just said ‘that’s Tom’s idea,’” was the first time a helicopter has ever landed Hthe 1930s, died of heart failure Sunday lar solo hits “When the Swallows Come Back she says. “Edge of Tomorrow” is a combination in between the famous fountains, next to morning at a Los Angeles hospital. He was to Capistrano” and “Basin Street Blues” were of action, science-fiction, a war movie and a Nelson’s Column - something Cruise still gets 100. His death was confirmed by Raymond released after he’d served in World War II. love story, directed by Doug Liman. Cruise, 51, excited talking about. Despite shooting around Strait, who worked with Jeffries on his not- Jeffries appeared in nine films and on televi- plays military PR man Major William Cage, a the clock, the stars took time out when Blunt yet-published autobiography titled “Color of sion shows like “Hawaii Five-O” and has a star quick-talking coward who is forced to fight for invited Cruise to a trendy London sex club to Love.” Jeffries, who was born Umberto on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He was humanity against an alien invasion. Blunt is the celebrate Matt Damon’s birthday - a story she Valentino in Detroit in 1913 and was of inducted into the Western Performers Hall of poster girl for the army, a highly-trained warrior revealed on Jimmy Kimmel’s US chat show. Sicilian, Irish and Ethiopian decent, appeared Fame in 2004. and the only person who can help him when Cruise laughs off the fact that she has now told as a horse-riding good guy with a thick mus- Strait said Jeffries recently had several sur- he starts living the same day over and over everyone. “He thought it was going to be a tache in a number of ‘30s westerns including geries that “just wore him out.” He added that again, never reaching the tomorrow of the title. more civilized night,” Blunt says. “But it was fun.” “Harlem Rides the Range” and “Harlem on the Jeffries “believed in one world and one peo- Shot in the UK at Warner Brothers ‘Edge of Tomorrow’ is in UK cinemas on Friday Prairie,” a musical that featured an all-black ple and was one of the most generous people Leavesden Studios, director Doug Liman says and opens in the US on June 6. — AP cast that included actor Spencer Williams. I’ve ever met. He was always funding some- three premieres in twenty-four hours is nothing Jeffries was known for his luscious bari- thing or doing something for kids.” Jeffries is In this Friday, Sept 24, 2004 photo, Herb Jeffries, a singing compared to what they achieved on set. “‘Edge tone. In the 1940s, he performed as a mem- survived by his fifth wife, Savannah; three cowboy hero of the silver screen, right, is congratulated by of Tomorrow’ was an impossible movie to make ber of the Duke Ellington Orchestra and daughters; and two sons. — AP jazz great Gerald Wilson following dedication ceremonies - harder than anything I’ve ever done before. released his signature tune “Flamingo.” In for Jeffries’ star on the Walk of Fame in the Hollywood sec- So, having a premiere day that starts off sound- 1941, he appeared in Ellington’s all-black tion of Los Angeles, on his 93rd birthday. — AP Taylor Swift cancels Thai gig after coup

WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2014 39

Candidates for a ‘Miss World Cup’ election pose for photographers at the fun park in Rust Germany, yesterday. The election will take place on May 29. — AP Top 10 chocolate destinations

he world has been enamored by chocolate since Museum and the Chocolate Spa. embraced chocolate as a part of their culture and it around 1100 BC, when it was first cultivated by seems visitors to the city can’t walk down the street Tthe Mesoamericans. Here are the top 10 travel 7- New York, New York without being offered chocolate in some form, destinations for chocoholics- there are no better As with most things in New York City, the choco- whether it is hot chocolate, chocolate pastry or places on earth to sample some of the best chocolate latiers here have come from all corners of the globe, chocolate candy. While there are major chocolate in the world: and have brought with them their recipes for scrump- producers based here, a lot of Oaxaca’s chocolate is tious chocolate treats. Besides all of the fantastic made with old family recipes the old-fashioned way, 10- Cologne, Germany chocolate shops in the city, visitors can take a choco- ground either by hand or with electric grinders and The chocolate capital of Germany, Cologne is the late tour with either the New Cuisine Chocolate Tour mixed by hand. home of the Stollwerck chocolate company, which in or the Luxury Chocolate Tour, where you can learn its prime was the second largest supplier of chocolate about the history of the shops you visit and sample 3. Barcelona, Spain to the United States. For the 150th anniversary of the some of their chocolates. The Spanish were the first Europeans to experi- company a museum exhibit was created to celebrate ence chocolate that was brought back from the New their history. Since then, the exhibit has grown into an 6. Villajoyosa, Spain World, and Barcelona has been a center for chocolate entire museum. The Imhoff Stollwerck museum also Often called “Chocolate City,” Villajoyosa’s choco- lovers ever since. Among its chocolate-covered known locally as the chocolate museum celebrates late history began in the 18thcentury when it began achievements, the city can boast that the first choco- the history of chocolate around the world, and has importing cocoa beans from Venezuela and Ecuador. late making machine was built there in 1780. Today interactive exhibits, samples and a giant chocolate Today chocolate production is still booming as the Barcelona celebrates its rich chocolate heritage with a fountain. town is home to Spain’s oldest gourmet chocolate museum dedicated to chocolate, the Museo de La producer, Valor, which was founded in 1881. Xocolata, which features everything from chocolate 9- Tain L’Hermitage, France Villajoyosa also boasts an excellent chocolate muse- sculptures to hot chocolate. A small town in the heart of grape country and um that not only showcases the history of Villajoyosa’s only a short drive from Lyon, Tain L’Hermitage is the chocolate production but also how local favorites are 2. Zurich, Switzerland home of the world-renowned chocolate producer, made. Switzerland consumes more chocolate per person adise, boasting 12 chocolate factories, 16 chocolate Valrhona. A great stop is the Valrhona Ecole du Grand that any other country, and with world-renowned In this picture made avail- museums and more than 2,100 chocolate shops. able yesterday, Katja Chocolat, a school that teaches professional chefs, 5. San Francisco, California companies like Cailler-Nestle, Toblerone, Lindt, Brussels, however, stands above the rest. The city is chocolatiers and caterers. They even host a three-day The Bay Area is home to one of the oldest choco- Treuscher and Sprungli calling it home it’s no wonder. Schumann carries a large home to two of the biggest chocolate companies in chocolate football in a course that teaches amateurs how to make decadent late manufacturers in the United States, making it a Zurich is the heart of chocolate production in the the world, Godiva and Leonidas, as well as many deserts. destination for many chocolate lovers. As in New York, country and Lindt, Treuscher and Sprungli all have chocolate shop in Hornow, smaller chocolate boutiques. While all kinds of choco- Germany, Monday. The pro- chocolate tours are a great way to take in San factories and stores in the city. For a truly unique late treats can be found in Brussels, pralines are king. 8- Hershey, Pennsylvania Francisco’s best chocolate shops. You can also step experience, the Swiss Travel System, along with duction of chocolate foot- In fact, they were first created there by Jean Neuhaus balls, players and trophies Dubbed “the Sweetest Place on Earth,” the town back in history wandering through Ghirardelli Square, Cailler-Nestle, offers an excursion on “The Swiss in 1912. If you visit Brussels, make sure you go to the (originally called Derry Church) was renamed Hershey which was originally built as an expansion of the old Chocolate Train.” The train departs from Montreux and runs at full speed prior to Musee du Cocao et du Chocolate where you can learn the upcoming soccer World in 1906 due to the popularity of Hershey chocolates. Ghirardelli chocolate factory. makes a stop in Gruyeres (where Gruyere cheese is how chocolate is made. — www.toptenz.net The town is home to both The Hershey Company and made) before finally arriving in Broc where guests get Cup in Brazil. — AP the H. B. Reese Candy Company. “Chocolatetown, 4. Oaxaca, Mexico a tour of the Cailler-Nestle factory. USA” has branded itself as an American chocolate cen- The ancient Mesoamericans were the world’s first ter and some popular chocolatey attractions include chocolatiers and Mexico has continued to produce 1. Brussels, Belgium Hershey’s Chocolate World, The Hershey Story chocolate ever since. Today in Oaxaca, residents have The entire country of Belgium is a chocoholic’s par-

Models present dresses designed by designer Offenborn in the national colors of Brazil and Germany ahead of the FIFA Football World Cup 2014 in Luebeck, Germany. — AFP