RAMADAN 29, 1439 AH THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2018

Max 44º 28 Pages Min 32º 150 Fils Established 1961

ISSUE NO: 17558 The First Daily in the Arabian Gulf www.kuwaittimes.net

Woman and child killed, North Korea is no longer a Gulf Cable wins Al-Roudhan's 3 7 injured in Hasawi blaze 6 nuclear threat, Trump says 27 39th Ramadan Futsal Tourney

IMSAK 03:03 FAJR 03:13 DHUHR 11:48 ASR 15:22 MAGHRIB 18:48 ISHA 20:21 Opposition lawmaker Adasani suspends grilling, meets Amir MP Muwaizri proposes amendment to election law

By B Izzak - adding that there are many ways to achieve reforms together have more votes than the remaining three con- before resorting to filing a grilling. stituencies: the Third (96,000), the First (86,000) while KUWAIT: Opposition MP Riyadh Al-Adasani met HH He said an understanding was achieved between the Second has the least number with 62,000. Amir congratulates the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah along with Adasani and Minister Al-Sabeeh over the issues in the Still each of them has an equal number of lawmakers in the National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem grilling in a way to serve public interests. He said that the the Assembly. If approved, a remote possibility, the law citizens and expats yesterday and announced the suspension of a grilling he aim of the grilling will be achieved in the near future. Al- will dramatically boost the number of tribal legislators in was planning to file against the Minister of Social Affairs Ghanem said that the Assembly is scheduled to hold two the National Assembly. They currently occupy about half KUWAIT: His Highness and Labor Hind Al-Sabeeh. Adasani said after the meet- special meetings on June 24 and 25 to be followed by two of the 50 seats. The present election law divides Kuwait the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- ing that the government has decided to take the measures regular meetings on June 26 and 27. into five electoral constituencies, each electing 10 law- Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah required which was supposed to have been filed yester- Meanwhile, opposition MP Shuaib Al-Muwaizri yes- makers. Each voter is allowed to cast only one vote congratulated all citizens day against Minister Al-Sabeeh. terday submitted a draft law stipulating sweeping amend- meaning a voter can elect only one candidate. and expatriates on Eid Al- The lawmaker however said he was still awaiting for ments to the election law by dividing Kuwait into two The law, amended in 2012, has triggered wide scale Fitr, said the Amiri Diwan the implementation of the government’s promises regard- major constituencies each electing 25 MPs. Muwaizri said criticism and street protests. In his draft law, Shuwaibi yesterday. The Diwan, in a ing the issues in the suspended grilling. Adasani thanked that the existing election law does not achieve social jus- proposes to divide the country into two constituencies: statement, also congratu- the Amir and spoke about the external developments tak- tice with regards to the number of voters in each of the the first comprising the governorates of the capital, Jahra lated His Highness the ing place around Ku wait. Speaker Al-Ghanem said that five constituencies. He said that the Fifth Constituency and Farwaniya while the second comprises the gover- Amir, His Highness the the grilling is a constitutional tool and not an aim as such has 155,000 voters and the Fourth has 140,000 - which norates of Ahmadi, Mubarak Al-Kabeer and Hawally. Crown Prince and His Highness the Prime Minister on the advent of the joyous occasion, praying to Allah Almighty to United States, Canada and Mexico have bestow peace and security on the Arab and Muslim US, Mexico and plumbed new lows thanks to a dispute nations. — KUNA over the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), a $1.1 trillion trade Canada to host pact that ties the three countries’ economies together. The North 2026 World Cup Americans pledged their tournament Ramadan Kareem would generate an $11 billion profit, MOSCOW: The 2026 World Cup will which would be a financial shot in the be held in the United States, Mexico and arm for soccer’s world governing body Farewell Ramadan Canada after FIFA’s Congress voted FIFA which has been rocked by a cor- overwhelmingly yesterday to support the ruption and bribery scandal in the last By Teresa Lesher joint bid over Morocco, despite reluc- three years that ensnared top officials. tance in some countries to choose North lthough the hardship of Ramadan is about to end Morocco, which has now failed in five and festivities of Eid are about to begin, there will America while President Donald Trump bids to host the World Cup, said theirs Abe sadness in every devout Muslim’s heart that was in office and souring US relations would make $5 billion. Ramadan has passed. Barely having had their last break- with its neighbors. Trump, who has Although it will be the first World fast at sunset, they will immediately start looking forward called for a wall to be built on the US Cup to be hosted by three nations, the to the next Ramadan and counting the months and weeks southern border with Mexico to stem vast majority of matches will be held in until it comes again. illegal immigration and just days ago the Unites States. As part of the bid, They will begin to greet one another with the phrase attacked Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trump pledged that those travelling to ëAasakom min awadah’ which means, ‘May you repeat it.’ Trudeau on trade issues, praised the out- the United States for the tournament Some people may tilt their head in confusion and wonder come as the result of ‘a great deal of would not be subject to stringent visa MOSCOW: FIFA president Gianni Infantino (right) addresses the United 2026 bid why would anyone look forward to a month of daily 16- hard work’ on his Twitter feed. restrictions. (Canada-Mexico-US) officials, following the announcement of the 2026 World Cup hour fasts in 45 degree temperatures? What is so special Under Trump, relations between the Continued on Page 24 host during the 68th FIFA Congress at the Expocentre yesterday. — AFP about Ramadan? First of all, Ramadan is an opportunity to express your devotion to Allah. Everything on the earth was created for us, according to many verses in the Quran- (2:29). gered a wave of protests over price Many use their time and the earth’s resources to satis- Qatar extends hikes and subsidy cuts this month that fy themselves through acquiring things, entertaining brought down the government. Jordan’s themselves and seeking sensual pleasures. Doing so is not economy has struggled to grow in the necessarily forbidden but it shouldn’t be the goal of ones’ $500 million life. So why were we created? Allah gave us life and He last few years under chronic deficits as hopes that we will voluntarily give it back to him through private foreign capital and aid flows worship and submission to His will. aid package have slipped. Almost everything we do in life has some sort of The Qatari package includes opening return for us, even if it is done purely for Allah’s sake. For 10,000 jobs for Jordanians in the wealthy example, when we give charity, others benefit and we feel to Jordan Gulf state alongside project finance and their happiness too. But fasting in Ramadan is a chance to AMMAN: Qatar has extended a $500 job-generating investments in the king- show our devotion to our Lord, because nobody benefits million aid package to Jordan that dom, the source said. Yesterday’s pledge from the fast. Nobody even knows if you are fasting, so includes investments, project finance and was delivered by Qatar’s Foreign this expression of faith is purely for Allah. job opportunities for Jordanians, an offi- Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Another reason many people are sad to bid Ramadan cial source in Amman said yesterday. Two Abdulrahman Al Thani who met King farewell is because the atmosphere of intensified worship Abdullah in Amman, the source added. and charity will pass, and mundane duties and distrac- days ago, Qatar’s Gulf neighbors Saudi tions will creep back into our lives. We will miss Ramadan Arabia and the United Arab Emirates - The UAE and Saudi Arabia, together with for the brotherhood and sisterhood that is so apparent as with which it is embroiled in a diplomatic Bahrain and Egypt, imposed a boycott on Muslims join together in one great project, which is fast- row - and Kuwait pledged $2.5 billion to Qatar in June 2017, severing diplomatic ing for a month while striving to accomplish the most help Jordan. and transport ties and accusing it of sup- good and expressing our gratitude and reliance through The kingdom’s cash-strapped econo- porting terrorism. Doha denies that and AMMAN: Jordan’s King Abdullah II (right) receives Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and frequent prayer and supplication. Everyone will miss this my has been hit by regional turmoil and says the pressure is aimed at stripping it Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in the capital immense opportunity to draw closer to Allah. IMF-driven austerity measures trig- of its sovereignty. — Reuters Amman. — AFP I will miss Ramadan and all the lessons it teaches me. I have learned so much about myself ñ about how my body can adjust to extreme circumstances, and about how dedicated I can be when I am striving to Muslim-majority population. About 32 accomplish something important. I will miss the feeling Eid exodus: million Indonesians were estimated to be of lightness when my stomach is empty and my head is on the move this week, while some 50 clear ñ when I am naturally drawn to thoughts of God million in Bangladesh were thought to be and His abundant blessings. Asia Muslims heading home. “This year some 11.5 mil- I will miss the joy of breaking fast, and the cama- lion people will leave the capital Dhaka raderie of fellow fasters who gathered for the meal. I will on the move to go back to their villages to celebrate miss the extra attention to the Quran, and joining other Eid,” said Mozammel Hoque Chowdhury, worshippers in the night to pray. The moments of general secretary of the Passengers Ramadan have slipped away quickly, and the opportunity to celebrate Welfare Association. to demonstrate such devotion in solidarity with all Muslims worldwide has passed. Farewell, Ramadan, we JAKARTA: Millions of Asia’s Muslims Afghans, meanwhile, were hoping for will miss you. As we start counting the days until your were on the move yesterday as they a peaceful Eid after the Taliban return, stay in our memories and inspire us to carry on headed for home towns to celebrate with announced their first ceasefire since the with our worship through fasting, reading Quran and relatives the Eid Al-Fitr holiday marking 2001 US invasion. The group agreed to praying late at night. Be with us, Ramadan, throughout the end of the holy fasting month of stop attacking Afghan security forces for the coming year. Ramadan. From Karachi to Kuala Lumpur, the first three days of the holiday, over- highways, airports and train stations were lapping with the government’s week- Courtesy of the TIES Center, whose mission is to jam-packed in an annual exodus that long halt to hostilities against the mili- empower Kuwait’s expats through social and education- made Indonesia’s usually traffic-clogged tants. In the capital Kabul, traffic was al services that promote a positive and productive role worse than usual as families defied the in society, and to facilitate opportunities for intra- and capital Jakarta look like a ghost town. Some 70 percent of its residents- threat of suicide attacks ahead of the interfaith interactions that promote social solidarity. For holiday to stock up on dried fruits, nuts, WEST JAVA: Passengers on their motorcycles board a ferry at the port in Merak yes- more information, please call 25231015/6 or e-mail: about eight million people-headed for sweets and cookies. terday, as Indonesians begin the mass exodus to their respective hometowns ahead [email protected]. other cities and villages across the vast archipelago, home to the world’s biggest Continued on Page 24 of the Eid Al-Fitr festival. — AFP 2 Established 1961 Local Thursday, June 14, 2018

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets meets with His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al- with National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem. with His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Jaber Al-Sabah. — KUNA Al-Sabah.

His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with State Minister for Housing Affairs and State Minister for meets with Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al- meets with Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah Services Affairs Dr Jenan Mohsen Bushehri. Hamad Al-Sabah. Al-Sabah. Amir, Crown Prince meet top state officials KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- received National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al- Meanwhile, His Highness the Crown Prince received and Interior Minister Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah Al- Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received His Highness the Ghanem. His Highness then received His Highness the Ghanem, His Highness the PM Sheikh Jaber Al- Sabah. His Highness the Crown Prince also received Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Mubarak, Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Sheikh State Minister for Housing Affairs and State Minister for Sabah at Seif Palace yesterday. His Highness also Al-Sabah. Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and Deputy Premier Services Affairs Dr Jenan Mohsen Bushehri. — KUNA Gulf Bank, Zajel distribute iftar meals across Kuwait KUWAIT: In line with its corporate social keen to volunteer and help bring joy by responsibility program and community out- assisting to prepare and distribute meals to reach during the holy month of Ramadan, those that are in need. Gulf Bank has collaborated with ‘Zajel’, a local This is one of the numerous events, organization that has been spearheading an activities, and initiatives that the Bank feels initiative during this blessed month, to pro- passionate about, and as such we always vide meals to those less fortunate across vari- encourage our people to see the wider pic- ous locations around Kuwait. A large number ture of our place within the local Kuwaiti of volunteers from Gulf Bank participated in environment.” During Ramadan, Gulf Bank preparing, distributing and delivering meals to has lead a number of initiatives which those in need and thereby contributing the included distributing food boxes to families wider wellbeing of the community. in need, visited a number of hospitals to Gulf Bank Human Resource General celebrate girgian with children, sponsored a Manager Salma Al-Hajjaj said, “We are women’s football tournament, in addition to proud to be part of the wider community, producing a Ramadan TVC, which shows and in this blessed month, we pride our- that however faint, the voice of goodness selves in knowing that our employees are will always remain resilient.

Mexican Ambassador Army releases sends Eid greetings military inmates KUWAIT: Ambassador of Mexico to Kuwait Miguel Angel Isidro has the honor to celebrate Eid to extend his sincere felicita- tion and best wishes to His Highness the Amir of the KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Army Chief of General Staff State of Kuwait, His Highness Lieutenant General Mohammad Al-Khuder has the Crown Prince, His issued a decision to release military personnel held Highness Prime Minister, the for disciplinary charges, the defense ministry Government and the people announced yesterday. The decision was made upon of the State of Kuwait, on the the directions of First Deputy Prime Minister and occasion of the advent of Eid Ambassador of Mexico to Minister of Defense Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Fitr, wishing the friendly Kuwait Miguel Angel Al-Sabah to allow military inmates celebrate Eid Al- people of Kuwait further Isidro prosperity and stability and Fitr holiday with their families, the ministry said in a for the kind and distinguished relations between the two press statement. — KUNA friendly nations to be further enhanced.

clear continuation to the wide variety of initiatives that AUB participates AUB drives annually during the holy month of Ramadan, where the bank ensures that its social and human services in KRCS campaign are delivered across society in Kuwait.” Moreover, through this campaign, AUB aims to encour- KUWAIT: As part of its wide-ranging social responsibili- age its employees to participate in leading social initia- ty program during the holy month of Ramadan, Ahli United tives while embedding the core values of social inclusion Bank (AUB) has distributed food items to families in need, by taking part in similar activities that aim to serve the in cooperation with the Kuwait Red Crescent Society wider public, instill the true meaning of giving as well as (KRCS), under their campaign ‘Saed Tasa’ad’, which trans- activating their social roles. lates to ‘Help to make people happy’. KRCS initially Dashti added, “Our participation in the ‘Help to make launched this campaign, which will continue throughout people happy’ campaign and offering support to those in the holy month of Ramadan, with the cooperation of and need during the holy month of Ramadan, reinforces our coordination with the Kuwaiti private sector. AUB’s partic- core values, ones which provide us with a good opportu- ipation is an extension of the bank’s efforts in supporting nity to fulfill our responsibilities towards others who are and promoting social programs that aim at enhancing liv- in need. Such experiences have proved that the power of ing conditions for families in need and to bring happiness giving is a strong force for good which can provide very upon them during the holy month. positive results in improving individuals’ well-being and A team of volunteers from the bank’s staff including happiness.” Tareq Mahmood, AUB’s Senior Deputy Chief Executive Furthermore, Dashti thanked the Kuwait Red Crescent Officer, took part in the volunteering campaign. Society for its untiring efforts towards launching the ‘Help Commenting on the campaign, Sahar Dashti, AUB’s Deputy to make people happy’ initiative which proved its strength General Manager responsible for the bank’s corporate and ability to reach families that are in need. AUB enjoys a social responsibility program said “Our participation in the strong and successful track record of working with the ‘Help to make people happy’ campaign in collaboration Kuwait Red Crescent Society across a wide range of with the Kuwait Red Crescent Society is considered a social programs. Established 1961 3 Local Thursday, June 14, 2018 Woman, child killed, seven injured in Hasawi blaze String of fires reported around Kuwait

KUWAIT: Firefighters are seen inside a Hasawi building after a deadly fire was extinguished there yesterday. Firefighters tackle a blaze in Abdullah Port. Firefighters battle a fire in Saad Al-Abdullah.

By Hanan Al-Saadoun incident, KFSD warned against turning private resi- Tuesday. No one was hurt. The fire erupted in the by three patrols and was finally stopped when his vehi- dences into storage places. building which is used for workers of a contractor cle broke down. A case was filed. KUWAIT: A woman and a baby girl were killed and Another fire broke out in shacks in Abdullah Port building an ammunition depot in the camp, the army seven others injured yesterday in a huge fire reported used as dormitories for laborers, said security sources, said in a statement. Firefighters from the army, general Resisting arrest in Hasawi yesterday. Security sources said Kuwait Fire noting that the fire spread to rubbish heaps nearby. No fire department and interior ministry rushed to fight Responding to a video circulating on social media Service (KFSD) operations received a report about the casualties were reported. Meanwhile, a fire broke out the blaze and succeeded in putting off the fire in a showing some police patrol officers being assaulted, fire at 9:03 am. Arriving at the scene, firemen from in a house in Saad Al-Abdullah, said security sources, record time. The army said it was investigating the the Interior Ministry’s relations and security media Jleeb, Ardhiya and Shuwaikh industrial area found the noting that firemen from Jahra rushed to the scene and incident. department explained that the video showed officers blaze was on the ground floor of a four-storey building found the fire was in a three-storey house. The blaze controlling an expat who had been resisting arrest and where many pieces of furniture were stored randomly started on the ground floor and spread to a shed in the Breaking the fast strongly denied that the expat assaulted the police. and were the cause behind trapping some tenants. yard that had tires and gas cylinders. The fire was con- A citizen was arrested for breaking the fast in pub- The department explained that a police patrol was dis- Seven injured women were rescued, including two with trolled. A fireman was injured and rushed to Jahra lic, resisting arrest, attempting to run over a police patched to investigate a traffic accident in Shuwaikh serious injuries who where rushed to Ibn Sina Hospital, Hospital for treatment. agent and escaping a checkpoint. Case papers indicate industrial area between a citizen and a tow truck driver while another woman and the baby girl were found Separately, Kuwait Army said firefighters put out a that on approaching a checkpoint, a driver who had who initially refused to leave his truck, before he was dead. Further investigations are still in progress to fire in a workers’ housing building in a camp used for been smoking sped through the checkpoint, trying to arrested. Both parties settled things at the station and determine the cause of the fire. Commenting on the arms and ammunition in Julai’a, southern Kuwait, on run over some police agents. The suspect was chased dropped charges.

their indemnities, along with ‘unconstitu- MP warns over tional multimillion-dinar packages’ to some of them instead of holding them account- able for the funds they had wasted, is an KPC reshuffles attempt to evade the investigation commit- tee formed by the Cabinet. By A Saleh Water desalination plants KUWAIT: MP Omar Al-Tabtabaei warned As part of its efforts to increase water he will not turn a blind eye to leaks from production and strategic reserves, the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) to Minsitry of Electricity and Water (MEW) the press about the likelihood of the largest plans to build more water desalination reshuffle and promotion process in the oil plants, with eight projects to be executed sector before the end of the current board until 2030, including five to be executed by of directors’ tenure in September. “This the ministry and three by the Kuwait poses a clear violation of the incoming Authority for Partnership Projects. CEO’s right to select his executives and According to the plan, these projects tar- staff members with the help of the new get increasing water production by 742 board of directors according to his own million imperial gallons daily. vision on how to execute various projects and diversify profitable investment Housing projects opportunities, instead losing billions The Public Authority for Housing because of the bad investments made by Welfare (PAHW) set four projects to be the current CEO,” Tabtabaei explained, executed as part of its long-term future noting that allowing such reckless prac- plan, said informed sources, noting that tices by the Prime Minister, who is the two of the projects will include 400 sq m head of the Supreme Petroleum Council, units, the third will include 600 sq m units would lead to wide gaps between both while the fourth will include 200 sq m units authorities as well as fierce conflicts with a total of 149,330 units. According to amongst oil sector officials. the plan, PAHW plans to build a residential Tabtabaei stressed referring some sen- project 80 km south of Kuwait City and ior officials to retirement and giving them three more in the northern region.

volunteers, will continue till the end of Food bank Ramadan. Ansari thanked MoI and other major companies and institu- continues to tions for their contributions to the campaign. Ansari urged donors to accept donations donate to the bank so that the “land of the humanitarian leader” can reach out to poor and needy people in By Meshaal Al-Enezi Kuwait and elsewhere in the world. Ansari said donations are accepted KUWAIT: Kuwait Food Bank’s deputy 24/7 through SMS messages to chairman Meshaal Al-Ansari said the 50487 for VIVA lines, 94122 for Zain bank’s suhoor campaign, organized in lines, at the bank’s headquarters in collaboration with the Ministry of Adailiya or through the bank’s web- Interior (MoI), the civil defense and site www.kuwaitfoodbank.org.

Ministry monitors prices during Eid

KUWAIT: Ministry of Commerce and The ministry is keen to prevent the Industry announced yesterday the forma- exploitation of consumers and to ensure tion of three inspecting teams to regulate abiding market regulations and applicable and follow up on goods prices in all mar- laws in force, the statement added. The kets during Eid Al-Fitr. Each team ministry called on consumers to report includes 30 inspectors who cover all gov- any commercial fraud or non-compliance ernorates in the country to ensure avail- with the rules and regulations in force ability of various kinds of goods in all through Hotline 135, stressing the contin- markets and control their prices coincid- uation of the inspection campaigns and ing with the upcoming Eid Al-Fitr, said the reception of complaints and taking Control and Consumer Protection Sector appropriate action in accordance with at the Ministry in a statement. the laws. — KUNA ‘Financial disclosure forms handled properly’

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s anti-corruption financial disclosure forms have not yet authority yesterday warned that failure to been submitted,” its official spokesman Dr submit financial disclosure statements in a Mohammad Buzaber said in a statement. timely manner would be dealt with strictly He revealed that the Kuwaiti anti-corrup- and may result in legal action. “The anti- tion body is following proper procedures corruption authority is aware of informa- to address this issue, pointing out that tion posted on social media revealing that a some financial disclosure statements were procedural error has shown that some released past the deadline.— KUNA 4 Established 1961 Local Thursday, June 14, 2018

Ooredoo concludes eventful month of Ramadan

KUWAIT: Ooredoo management and staff pose for a group photo during the company’s annual ghabqa.

KUWAIT: Ooredoo Kuwait concluded an eventful holy nesses the launch its 4th edition this year. The program, in bin Abdullah Al Thani. Sounds of traditional Kuwait music month of Ramadan with numerous activities that included collaboration with Spread the Passion non-profit organiza- performed by Al-Wadi Folklore Band kicked off the event, charity drives in addition to announcing the launch of 5G tion, aims to enable youth and provide them with the nec- welcoming guests to the beat of folklore songs. The master mobile internet, reiterating its commitment towards its essary set of tools and skills before matching them with of ceremonies who hosted the event, aspiring media figure customers and the Kuwait community as a whole, and its volunteer opportunities around Kuwait. The program Hashem Asad welcomed the guests and presented a fun- leading position in supporting the government’s 2035 attracted more than 300 participants this year, and has filled program of activities with draws on valuable prizes Kuwait Vision. organized more than 120 activities since its inception four and competitions. The leading telecom provider will launch its activities years ago. Ooredoo Kuwait’s Corporate Communications Senior with distributing iftar meals to hundreds of workers from Director Mijbil Alayoub offered a brief on the most impor- its iftar tent, with its prime location on Soor Street oppo- Annual Ghabga tant achievements throughout the year, followed by a site its head office. To better serve a wider range of bene- Underscoring the importance of investing in staff inter- speech by Chairman of Ooredoo Group, Sheikh Abdullah ficiaries, the company will utilize a special truck that will nally, Ooredoo Kuwait held a special ghabga for its staff in bin Mohammed Al Thani, who thanked Ooredoo staff for deliver meals to areas populated by underserved commu- the Courtyard Hotel - Alraya Ballroom, embodying its val- their continuous efforts in embracing digitalization and nities. The meal distribution drive is fully operated by ues of caring, connecting, and challenging. achieving targets of expanding the breadth of offerings for Ooredoo’s volunteer program members, after the great Holding this event comes to underscore the company’s different segments of customers. Ooredoo Kuwait CEO success of the program in the last years. The upper man- commitment to investing in and connecting with its staff, as Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Thani followed with a agement at Ooredoo regularly participate in the activities, the event was attended by hundreds of members of the speech in which he thanked the staff of Ooredoo and CEO of Ooredoo Kuwait Sheikh Mohammed bin in addition to staff from the company’s different depart- Ooredoo Kuwait Family, including the Chairman of FASTtelco, a company owned by Ooredoo, for their one- Abdullah Al Thani delivers a speech during the ghabqa. ments and divisions. Ooredoo Group, Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Thani, family spirit and for aligning their efforts to enrich the The activities are fully operated by members of the the CEO of Ooredoo Group, Sheikh Saud bin Nasser Al experience of customers. award-winning Ooredoo Volunteer Program, which wit- Thani, and CEO of Ooredoo Kuwait Sheikh Mohammed University in the United Kingdom. To further support the Launching the Internet of the Future students, Ooredoo Kuwait will provide SIM cards with Ooredoo Kuwait held a special event to demonstrate roaming services to let them connect with their families the power of its new 5G network which was announced and friends during the trip. earlier. The event was attended by media and social media influencers and was held at the company’s head office in Investing Internally the heart of Kuwait City on Soor Street. Reinforcing the one-family spirit among its staff, During the event, Ooredoo showcased the power of its Ooredoo Kuwait celebrated the Kuwaiti tradition of new 5G network in comparison to the 4G network. The Grasih, a feast that precedes the Holy Month of Ramadan. new network is projected to be released across Kuwait Employees from different departments and sectors gath- during the upcoming year. During the event, Ooredoo ered to exchange greetings on the occasion of the com- demonstrated the network’s ability to operate video mencement of Ramadan, reviving the annual Kuwaiti tradi- games comparing both networks, which require fast data tion. The company’s different floors were adorned in tradi- speed, in addition to a live feed in 4K Full HD of drone tional sadu colors, with decorations reminiscing of quotes footage of the event, and a speed test corner with by some of the prominent TV figures that became synony- devices equipped to utilize the new network capacity. mous with Ramadan traditions in Kuwait, especially during the 70’s and 80’s, Kuwait’s golden era of art and television, Supporting Youth including characters portrayed by prominent actors Continuing its support for youth, Ooredoo announced Abdulhussein Abdulrida and Ali Al-Mufidi in Kuwaiti TV the continuation of its sponsorship of the Proteges youth classic Darb al-Zalaq. development program for the third consecutive year, by The company held an engaging competition between sponsoring the 8th generation of students. The announce- departments, where they were judged for being the best ment was made during a press conference held at and most hospitable hosts. Employees from different Ooredoo’s head office in Kuwait City. It comes to under- departments competed in decorating their floors, present- score Ooredoo’s deep-rooted belief in the mission of this ing tradition Kuwait dishes and desserts. The Customer unique program, which focuses on developing and training Care Department came in first, followed by the Technology Ooredoo staff pose with children. a cohort of 25 students between the ages of 16 - 24. This Department in second place, and the Corporate year’s program is scheduled to include a visit to Swansea Communications Department in third place.

CEO of Ooredoo Group Sheikh Saud bin Nasser Al Thani, CEO of Ooredoo Kuwait Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Thani and Chairman of (From left) Abdulmuhsen Al-Fahad, Nazem Al-Ghabra and Fatima Dashti. Ooredoo’s Ramadan iftar tent. Ooredoo Group Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Thani.

Ooredoo staff visit children in hospitals. Ooredoo staff pose for a group picture. Established 1961 5 Local Thursday, June 14, 2018

Share the gift of togetherness this Eid Al-Fitr with Four Seasons Hotel Local media and influencers embrace the true Ramadan spirit at the ‘Jawaher Tent’

KUWAIT: Marking its first Ramadan season Sintoho restaurant. Celebrate Eid Al-Fitr in zine with our very own Kuwait property fea- this year as one of the featured hotels on style with the delectable Eid Brunch package tured on its Hot List 2018 of best hotels. It is a Conde Nast Traveller Middle East Hot List available upon your stay, as Executive Chef very proud moment for us at Four Seasons 2018 of best hotels, Kuwait City’s new land- Sebastian Spriveri and his talented team pre- Hotel Kuwait at Burj Alshaya and we look for- mark, Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait at Burj pare a feast of flavors, from zingy Asian bites ward to our journey ahead”. Alshaya invites guests to bring along loved to moreish pizzas fresh from wood-fired ovens. “Every experience at the Four Seasons ones this Eid Al-Fitr to enjoy spending time Marking its first Ramadan festivities since Hotel Kuwait at Burj Alshaya is a unique one together, all in the comfort of luxurious opening its doors last year, the Hotel has and we were keen to reflect this in every ele- Arabian Four Seasons hospitality, with the introduced the exquisite ‘Jawaher Tent’, which ment within this year’s Ramadan tent, from the Family Getaway package and Eid Brunch has become the dynamic meeting point for aesthetic that takes inspiration from our package. iftar and ghabqa in the heart of Kuwait City. hotel’s contemporary Arabian design, to the To make the most of the opportunity and to Featuring beautiful design details, an exciting range of dishes carefully curated for our spend more time in each other’s company, menu including live cooking stations, perform- guests. We look forward to the last days of Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait at Burj Alshaya is ances by a band and an exceptional ambiance, Ramadan, and even more so to the three days offering a Family Getaway package, whereby the ‘Jawaher Tent’ is the ideal choice this of Eid Al-Fitr, a chance for our guests to cele- guests will receive 50 and off a second room Ramadan season. The Four Seasons Hotel brate with each other, as well as with our for children aged 18 years and under, or a Kuwait team took the opportunity to host a warm and friendly team here at the Hotel,” complimentary Superior Room when booking ghabga for Kuwait’s local media and influ- Jardin added. a suite, complete with a special room set-up encers, as a means of showing gratitude and In addition to the ‘Jawaher Tent’ this and amenities in the children’s room. thanks for their ongoing support. Ramadan, guests also have the option to dine Gathering around the dining table, the tra- Commenting on the success of its ‘Jawaher at signature Italian restaurant Dai Forni, Al ditional centre of Eid celebrations, promises to Tent’, Didier Jardin said: “The Holy month of Bandar Lounge or Al Soor Lounge. Elements be an exceptional experience this year set Ramadan and the success of our very first restaurants is closed throughout the holy against the backdrop of panoramic views over Ramadan Jawaher Tent, coincides with the month and will welcome guests once again on Kuwait City on the 21st floor of the Hotel prestigious recognition we have received by the first day of the Eid Al-Fitr holiday. Sintoho where East meets West, at Dai Forni and the Conde Nast Traveller Middle East maga- restaurant will be reopened on July 15, 2018.

Christians and Muslims: From competition to collaboration

Dear Muslim brothers and sisters, A spirit of competition has too often from competition and confrontation to an marked past relations between Christians effective cooperation for the common n his Providence, God the Almighty has and Muslims, the negative consequences of good. This particularly assist those most in granted you the opportunity to observe which are evident: jealousy, recriminations need, and allows us to offer a credible wit- Children share the joy of Eid Ianew the fasting of Ramadan and to and tensions. In some cases, these have led ness to the Almighty’s love for the whole of celebrate Eid Al-Fitr. to violent confrontations, especially where humanity. The Pontifical Council for Interreligious religions has been instrumentalized, above We all have the right and the duty to By Ben Garcia variety of dishes, play games and enjoy Dialogue appreciates the importance of all due to self-interest and political witness to the All-Powerful One we wor- the company of one another. But chil- this month and the great effort by the motives. ship, and to share our beliefs with others, uwait Times celebrates Ramadan dren are more excited to get new toys Muslims throughout the world to fast, pray Such interreligious competition wounds while respecting their religion and religious in Kuwait with 30 days of the and clothes. This is a tradition not only and share the Almighty’s gifts with the the image of religions and their followers, sentiments. KIcons of Ramadan. We highlight in Middle Eastern countries, but in the poor. and it fosters the view that religions are So that we may further peaceful and fra- our favorite activities, events, symbols rest of the world too. In Kuwait, during Mindful of the gifts prompted by not sources of peace, but of tension and ternal relations, let us work together and and foods that are popular during this Eid, parents buy something for their Ramadan, we join you in thanking the violence. honor each another. In this way we will holy month, along with Kuwait’s kids to enjoy the spirit of the festival Merciful God for his benevolence and gen- To prevent and overcome these negative give glory to the Almighty and promote Ramadan culture, history and traditions. marking the end of a month of fasting. erosity, and we extend to you our heartfelt consequences, it is important that we harmony in society, which is becoming Ramadan brings families and com- All supermarkets and department stores best wishes. Christians and Muslims recall the religious increasingly multi-ethnic, multi-religious munities together, which usually fosters have huge sales and promotions, The thoughts we would like to share and moral values that we share, while and multi-cultural. a strong sense of belonging and con- because the best way to share your love with you on this occasion, dear Muslim acknowledging our differences. By recog- We conclude by renewing our best nection. Families come together in this on Eid is with presents for your loved brothers and sisters, concern a vital aspect nizing what we hold in common and by wishes for a fruitful fast and a joyful Eid, holy month to experience the best of ones. of relations between Christmas and showing respect for our legitimate differ- and assure you of our solidarity in prayer. friendship and togetherness, which is Email us at [email protected] Muslims: the need to move from competi- ences, we can more firmly establish a solid — Message from the Vatican for the something they look forward to that with your favorite symbols of Ramadan tion to collaboration. foundation for peaceful relations, moving holy month of Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr cuts across cultures. They gather over a and Ramadan photos.

KUWAIT: Qatar Airways recently hosted a ghabqa for the media on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan.— Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat InternationalTHURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2018 Militants lay siege to once US Dems fighting for future in tough statehouse races Page 8 sleepy villages Page 8

US President Donald Trump steps off of Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews after returning from a summit in Singapore with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un yesterday at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. — AFP Trump: Summit ended North Korea threat ‘Pyongyang-bound’ president says world dodged ‘nuclear catastrophe’

SEOUL: US President Donald Trump arrived home yesterday, a “verifiable” and “irreversible” way. The North’s official ‘War games’ Japan’s Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera pointedly said the insisting his historic summit with Kim Jong Un had ended KCNA news agency described the summit as an “epoch- Pyongyang has reason to feel confident after the meet- drills played a “vital role in East Asia’s security”. North Korea’s nuclear threat and the world could sleep safer. making meeting” that would help foster “a radical switchover ing, where the leader of the world’s most powerful democ- “There is no longer a Nuclear Threat from North Korea,” in the most hostile (North Korea)-US relations”. It said the racy shook hands with the third generation of a dynastic Smiles and handshakes Trump tweeted as Air Force One returned from Singapore. two men “gladly accepted” mutual invitations to visit each dictatorship, standing as equals in front of their nations’ Only a few months ago, Kim and Trump were swapping North Korean state TV, for its part, hailed Kim for “opening a other’s countries. KCNA also asserted Trump had “expressed flags. The spectacle was a major coup for an isolated and personal insults such as “dotard” and “little rocket man” and new chapter” in relations with the US. Official media reported his intention” to lift sanctions against the North - something heavily sanctioned regime that has long craved international the North conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test, that Trump had accepted an invitation during Tuesday’s sum- the US president had told a blockbuster press conference legitimacy. “Kim Jong Un got what he wanted at the as well as firing missiles over Japan. Trump vowed to rain down mit to visit the North. would happen “when we are sure that the nukes are no longer Singapore Summit: the international prestige and respect of “fire and fury” on Pyongyang if it threatened the US but Critics have said the unprecedented encounter was more a factor”. “The sanctions right now remain,” he added. With a one-on-one meeting with the American president, the instead in Singapore it was compliments that flowed, as the style than substance, producing a document short on details the headline: “Meeting of the century opens new history in legitimacy of North Korean flags hanging next to American president described Kim as “talented” and said they had forged about the key issue of Pyongyang’s atomic weapons. But in DPRK-US relations”, the North’s ruling Workers Party official flags in the background,” said Paul Haenle, director of the a “special bond”. After a day filled with smiles and handshakes characteristically bullish tweets, Trump said everyone “can daily Rodong Sinmun splashed no fewer than 33 pictures Carnegie-Tsinghua Center. In his post-summit press confer- watched around the world, the US “committed to provide now feel much safer than the day I took office” and people across four of its usual six pages. ence, Trump made the surprise announcement that the US security guarantees” to North Korea. The Kremlin welcomed could “sleep well tonight!” The first-ever meeting between One showed a smiling Kim shaking hands with Trump’s would halt joint military exercises with its security ally Seoul the summit as the start of direct dialogue and said such meet- sitting leaders of the two Cold War foes meant “the World hawkish National Security Advisor John Bolton, who has - something long sought by Pyongyang, which claims the ings “help reduce tensions on the peninsula”. Victor Cha, a for- has taken a big step back from potential Nuclear catastro- previously advocated military action against the North, drills are a rehearsal for invasion. The US stations 28,500 mer US pointman on North Korea, said in an opinion piece in phe!” he said in an earlier message. “No more rocket launch- which in turn has referred to him as “human scum”. In troops in security ally South Korea to protect it from its the New York Times: “Despite its many flaws, the Singapore es, nuclear testing or research! The hostages are back home Pyongyang, commuters crowded round the spread of images neighbor, which invaded in 1950 to try to reunify the penin- summit represents the start of a diplomatic process that takes with their families. Thank you to Chairman Kim, our day - the first they had seen of the summit, for most of them. sula by force. “We will be stopping the war games which will us away from the brink of war.” But critics charged the summit together was historic!” U Sung Tak, 79, said the future was looking “bright” save us a tremendous amount of money,” Trump told legitimized Kim, whose regime has been accused of multiple In their joint statement Kim agreed to the “complete denu- because Kim was “leading the world’s political trend on the reporters, adding that “at some point” he wanted to with- human rights abuses, and said the summit was more about clearization of the Korean Peninsula” - a stock phrase Korean peninsula, steering the wheel of history”. draw US troops from the South. headlines than substantive progress. “It was a great photo-op. favoured by Pyongyang that stopped short of longstanding Ordinary North Koreans consistently voice unequivocal Both Seoul and US military commanders in the South indi- But the substance needs to be followed up,” said Akira US demands for North Korea to give up its atomic arsenal in support for the leadership when speaking to foreign media. cated they had no idea the announcement was coming. Kawasaki, from the ICAN anti-nuclear group. — AFP

Reuters Foundation. “It is sad to say that it is Lebanese pounds a month. “It feels like noth- Poverty forces only going to get worse,” said Benedict ing is enough. Everything we have goes into Nixon, spokesman for the Council. “As long as paying for rent,” she said. Iraq, is one of the most powerful figures in the households are not generating income, rates More than three quarters of the refugees in Sadr and Amiri country. Iraq, a key ally of the United States and Syrian refugee of child labour will continue to increase.” Lebanon are living below the poverty line and major oil producer, has 150,000 heavily armed The United Nations and aid agencies struggling to survive on less than $4 per day, mostly Shiite paramilitary fighters operating kids into work warned last month that a “critical gap” in according to UNICEF, and less than half the set to lead talks alongside state forces - some of them more loyal funding for Syrian refugees and host commu- Syrian children in the country attend school. to their commanders and Iran than to the Iraqi TRIPOLI: When 13-year-old Mounir fled Syria nities could lead to cuts in vital services. Mounir knows his life is not like most 13-year- on new govt state. Both Sadr and Iran seem to be taking a for Lebanon with his family after surviving a Globally, conflict and climate-induced disaster olds’. “A kid should be living a life of dignity pragmatic approach as Iran seeks to maintain its rocket strike that nearly killed them, he thought have driven more children into working in and respect with no humiliation,” he said. BAGHDAD: Iraqi nationalist cleric Moqtada Al- deep influence in its most important Arab ally at he would be safe. In fact, he had swapped one agriculture, which accounts for 71 percent of Clutching his hands, he recalled the times Sadr and Iranian-backed militia chief Hadi Al- a time when its wider Middle East interests are form of danger for another - sexual harassment all child labor according to the UN Food and when men on the street would approach him Amiri were set to lead talks yesterday to form a under threat. government in Baghdad after announcing an and verbal abuse. With his father unable to Agriculture Organization (FAO). “Households for sex. “They tried to do bad things. I would Not only has US President Donald Trump alliance of their political blocs. Sadr and Amiri’s pulled out of a global nuclear deal with Tehran work for health reasons, Mounir had to earn in Syrian refugee camps in Lebanon, for not accept,” he said, as he stared down at the groupings won first and second place respec- money for his family selling sweets in the city and then embraced North Korea, increasing example, are prone to resort to child labour to ground. “This has happened more than once tively in May’s election, which has been beset by Iran’s isolation; Tehran’s allies in Yemen are also of Tripoli - a job that kept him out on the ensure the survival of their family,” the FAO to me on the street. They were all men. Of allegations of fraud and raised fears of blood- facing a major offensive from a Saudi-led coali- streets until 11pm, making about 12,000 said in a statement released on Tuesday to course I was scared of this. They would ask shed among Shiite paramilitary groups. They tion that could mark a turning point in the war. Lebanese pounds ($8) a day. “It was very hos- mark World Day Against Child Labour. me to come with them and I would tell them I announced the alliance in the Shiite holy city of Sadr, who led violent campaigns against the US tile - people used to call me the ‘Syrian dog’ didn’t want to go.” Najaf, an apparent attempt to project unity occupation that ended in 2011, has emerged as a and other things,” Mounir - not his real name - ‘Breaking point’ Even at 13, he said he was often the oldest among leaders of the Muslim sect that has domi- nationalist opponent of powerful Shiite parties told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. “I would Tanya Chapuisat, spokeswoman for the UN on the streets, where children as young as five nated since the fall of Saddam Hussein. allied with neighboring Iran, and as a champion get really hurt, sometimes I would just sit and children’s agency UNICEF, said Syrian fami- worked alongside him. Last month he found A week ago, am explosion killed at least 18 of the poor. cry. It was humiliating.” lies in Lebanon often had no choice but to work closer to home at a barber shop, where people and wounded more than 90 in Sadr’s Tehran has skillfully manipulated Iraqi poli- Aid groups say more and more Syrian chil- send their children to work. “Families are at he earns 30,000 Lebanese pounds a week Baghdad stronghold of Sadr City district, in tics in the past, and the cleric has to tread care- dren like Mounir are having to work as pover- their breaking point when it comes to debt, sweeping and helping the owner - though he what the interior ministry called “a terrorist fully. But Sadr, who derives much of his legitima- ty intensifies among the about 1 million and so to be able to get their basic needs they still works 10-hour days. His favorite subject aggression on civilians”. State television report- cy from his revered father, Grand Ayatollah refugees living in Lebanon - roughly a quarter are sending kids to work,” she said. Mounir’s at school before Syria’s seven-year war cut ed yesterday that the Supreme Judicial Council Muhammad Sadiq Sadr, assassinated in 1999 by of the country’s population. The proportion of mother Hasnaa says she feels intense guilt but his education short was maths, and he dreams had issued arrest warrants for 20 people in con- Saddam’s agents, is a formidable and unpre- Syrian child refugees working in Lebanon has has no choice but to send Mounir and his 17- of going back to learn how to read and write. nection with the blast. The Sadr-Amiri pact dictable operator. He also has street power, with risen to 7 percent from 4 percent in late 2016, year-old brother out to work rather, depriving “I want to become a mechanic. I like fixing could ease fears of violence, which some have a track record of mobilizing tens of thousands of according to research by the Danish Refugee them of an education. The rent alone on the things like motors,” he said with a big, dim- said could even spiral into intra-Shi’ite civil war. supporters to protest against opponents and Amiri, widely described as Tehran’s man in Council (DRC) released early to the Thomson small garage where the family lives is 280,000 pled smile. — Reuters government policies. — Reuters Established 1961 7 International Thursday, June 14, 2018 In Mosul, women desperate for news of the ‘disappeared’

Some fear their men have fallen victim to cruel double jeopardy

MOSUL: Every Friday since Mosul was prised from the used with other prisoners as human shields”, she said. Islamic State group’s clutches last July, women gather in Soldiers then arrested him “because he didn’t have the Iraqi city’s Al-Minassa Square, desperate to learn identity papers and had grown a thick beard during the fate of husbands and sons. Dressed in black, with his detention by IS”, said the mother of six, fighting children in tow and brandishing photos, some fear their back tears. men have fallen victim to a cruel double jeopardy. They When outgoing prime minister Haider Al-Abadi vis- had been imprisoned by or forced to work for IS, only ited Mosul in March, the women tried to approach him for Iraqi forces to suspect them of collaborating volun- and ask about their men, but bodyguards pushed them tarily with the militants - and lock them up. That is what back. Security officials told AFP the families of all those some mothers and wives fear, faced with official silence. arrested in Mosul have been informed. But Shaima said “Instead of being free today and compensated, she has had no official word and resorted to other they are being kept behind bars,” said 80-year-old channels. She had “received information... he is Umm Abdullah, tormented by her son’s disappearance. detained” at Baghdad’s Al-Muthana airport, along with She fears her child will be suspected terrorists. falsely accused, 12 months Abu Luay, a 56-year-old since Iraqi forces expelled IS. unemployed man, spends his When the militants seized time looking for his two sons, Mosul in 2014 after a light- snatched from their home by ning offensive, men working Women resemble IS fighters on Oct 4, 2016. in the security forces or in Mothers of the The sons, Luay and Qusay, other state jobs who did not have never reappeared. After run away were left with ‘Plaza de Mayo’ several months of investigat- nowhere to hide. Seen as ing, “we’re sure they’re representatives of an “apos- detained by security forces, tate” state, many of them but we don’t know why”, Abu were forced to publicly Luay said. MOSUL: Iraqis hold up portraits of missing relatives who were held captive by Islamic State group fight- repent and swear allegiance to IS. The women of Al- ers during a demonstration in the eastern part of this northern city on April 13, 2018. —AFP Minassa resemble the Mothers of the ‘Plaza de Mayo’ Thrown In ‘Abyss’ who relentlessly pursued justice for sons who van- Not all those who had been held by IS survived the ished under Argentina’s 1976 to 1983 junta. brutality of its rule. “Many of the disappeared were soldiers, civil servants, journalists and activists from text of terrorism sufficient to officially pronounce executed by IS and their bodies thrown in the ‘Khafsa’,” Mosul and the surrounding area. their death”. ‘Sure they are detained’ said human rights activist Sami Faisal, referring to an A separate list of missing Yazidis comprises 3,111 Mosul’s mayor, Zoheir Al-Araji, said the justice Standing on the steps of the square, 38-year-old area that translates from Arabic as the “abyss”. The site, names, although the number fluctuates as members of ministry registers complaints by relatives of the dis- housewife Shaima believes she knows what happened a sinkhole that folklore says was left by a meteor, could the minority re-emerge alive after having years appeared. The cases go “to the government and to her policeman husband. Shaima, 38, said militants be one of the biggest mass graves in Iraq, as it was an enslaved by IS. Deciding when a person can be security authorities to investigate their fate”, he said. raided the family home and abducted her husband on IS execution ground. Collating testimony from families, declared dead is an issue which the authorities are “But so far without results.” Bereft of her two sons, Nov 25, 2016, a fate that befell many of his colleagues. Faisal said he has compiled 1,820 names of men and tackling. The Iraqi judiciary has ruled “two years with- Umm Luay tries to take some solace from photos and When Iraqi troops battled to retake the city, “he was women who have disappeared. Many on the list were out news of a person who has disappeared in a con- memories. —AFP

risks inflaming relations between the he has been cast as a reformer, few For Abiy, big country’s many ethnic groups. “There is expected him to move so fast. political expectation on the part of the public for very quick change,” said Awol 1991 redux reforms carry Allo, an Ethiopian commentator who Abiy last week reversed decades of teaches law in Britain. “My worry is that policy, announcing key state-run indus- Erdogan, rivals big risks he’s moving too fast in a country with- tries - among them Ethiopian Airlines out the institutional safeguards to and Ethio Telecom, the country’s only woo Turkey’s ADDIS ABABA: Ethiopia’s new prime implement these policies.” Observers internet and telephone provider - would minister Abiy Ahmed has announced a say that the EPRDF, in unchecked con- be opened up to foreign and private flurry of reforms to reshape the nation trol of Ethiopia since 1991, was forced to investors. In a still more surprising key Kurdish vote but implementing them will be harder, shift course by anti-government move, Abiy declared Ethiopia would DIYARBAKIR, Turkey: Turkey’s Kurds are set to analysts say. Last week alone, Abiy protests, led by the country’s two respect a 2002 United Nations commis- play a critical role in determining the outcome of shook up the security services, ended a largest ethnicities, that started in late sion ruling that demarcated the coun- elections this month, with their votes coveted not nationwide state of emergency and 2015 and left hundreds dead. The unrest try’s border with Eritrea, setting the just by the main pro-Kurdish party but also announced plans to liberalize the econ- prompted a 10-month state of emer- stage to end years of hostility between Abiy Ahmed President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his chief omy and resolve a two-decade-old gency, declared in Oct 2016. the two countries. rival. Diyarbakir, the largest Kurdish-majority city conflict with Eritrea. Yet those moves The upheaval was seen as one reason The prime minister then removed in Turkey, has turned into an electoral battle- represent dramatic shifts in the power behind the February resignation of Abiy’s Ethiopia’s intelligence and military chiefs Ethiopia researcher Rene Lefort com- ground, even though the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ balance within Africa’s second-most predecessor, Hailemariam Desalegn, and along with the national security advisor, pared Abiy’s reforms to 1991, when the Democratic Party (HDP) and its jailed presidential populous country. It remains unclear the immediate imposition of a second the latest in a host of older government EPRDF, then a rebel army, stormed the candidate Selahattin Demirtas are sure to leave how deep Abiy’s support runs within emergency declaration that parliament officials Abiy has shown the door to since capital Addis Ababa and removed the rivals trailing. Over the last week both Erdogan the ruling Ethiopian People’s repealed last week. Elevated by the rul- taking over. “These people have been in Derg military junta from power. “I and his main challenger, Muharrem Ince of the Revolutionary Democratic Front ing party to the prime minister’s office in the system for far too long and are by and expected some changes, but only step- Republican People’s Party (CHP), have made trips (EPRDF) for carrying them out. April, Abiy is the first leader from the large blamed by the public for the prob- by-step. But so fast, and so deep, that’s to Diyarbakir to sway the votes of a potentially And if the reforms are bungled, he largest ethnicity, the Oromo. Even though lems,” Awol said. Longtime independent astonishing,” he said.—ÅFP skeptical electorate. Kurds make up at least one fifth of Turkey’s 80 million population, by far its largest ethnic minority. The Diyarbakir region is a stronghold of the HDP, Macedonian future,” Macedonia’s govern- which in Nov 2015 parliamentary elections won Skepticism in ment said. There was also reluctance in the over 71 percent of the vote there and Erdogan’s capital Skopje. “We went too far, we Justice and Development Party (AKP) just 22 per- Greece, allowed too much,” said Suzana cent. Every Kurdish vote will count in the June 24 Turundzieva, a 46-year-old retail worker. snap parliamentary and presidential polls. But not Greece has long objected to its north- all Kurds vote automatically for the HDP. Macedonia ern neighbor being called Macedonia For the AKP to win an absolute majority in the because it has its own northern province next parliament will depend largely on whether the against name deal of the same name, which in ancient times HDP breaks through the 10 percent overall thresh- was the cradle of Alexander the Great’s old needed for seats. Although in the presidential ATHENS: Greeks and Macedonians empire, a point of pride to Greeks today. race Demirtas will be the favored candidate of most expressed skepticism yesterday over a Ending the 27-year dispute would pave Kurds, their votes will be crucial in helping Ince if proposed compromise deal to end a near- the way for Macedonia’s bids to join the he succeeds in forcing Erdogan into a run-off. The ly three-decade name row between their European Union and NATO, which - if election is taking place against the background of countries which had blocked Skopje’s bid successful - officials say would help sta- ongoing troubles in the Kurdish-dominated south- to join the EU and NATO. The leaders of bilize the region. The breakthrough was east, where the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party the neighboring countries hailed a “his- quickly welcomed by the United Nations, (PKK) has waged an insurgency since 1984 that has toric” agreement on Tuesday to rename NATO and the EU, with European claimed tens of thousands of lives. And Demirtas, by the tiny Balkan nation the Republic of Council president Donald Tusk tweeting: far the HDP’s most charismatic figure, is having to run his campaign from behind bars after being jailed North Macedonia after months of inten- “Thanks to you the impossible is becom- in November 2016 on charges of links to the PKK. sive talks. However there was some back- ing possible.” lash to the new name in both nations. THESSALONIKI, Greece: Dancers wearing traditional costumes perform in front of the statue of Alexander III of Macedon, commonly known as Alexander the Great, on Tuesday. —AFP ‘At the expense of Kurds’ Greece’s main opposition branded the ‘A trick’ Analysts say that the AKP faces an even greater deal a “national retreat”, while However both governments face sig- struggle than usual to win Kurdish votes after ally- Macedonia’s nationalist President Gjorge nificant hurdles at home over the deal, in Greece in the coming days. Even years and I guess that nothing better ing itself with the right-wing Nationalist Movement Ivanov stormed out of a meeting with the with the countries’ main opposition par- Greeks who admit the row had gone on could have been done at this point,” said Party (MHP) which is despised by many Kurds. prime minister and foreign minister in ties refusing to support it. Street protests too long say the compromise was painful technician Christos Nikolopoulos. “All “The AKP chose the MHP at the expense of the protest. “President Ivanov interrupted the have also been held in Greece and and could still leave their country empty- this is a trick for the Balkans to become a Kurds,” said Mehmet Vural, president of the Dicle meeting and left refusing to talk about the Macedonia against any compromise, and handed. “I agree with a heavy heart... protectorate of NATO,” chafed Vassilis, a Social Research Centre. “This has irritated the benefits of this historic agreement on the additional demonstrations are expected because they had left the issue for 26 20-year-old waiter. —AFP Kurds in general, not just the HDP supporters but also those who vote AKP,” he added. Many Kurds were also dismayed by Ankara’s bit- “The dialogue in Thailand - and around the world - is Soapy massage ter opposition to the Sept 2017 independence refer- In Thai tourist focused on women and girls, because the general percep- Thailand is a source, transit, and destination country endum in Iraqi Kurdistan, as well as the Turkish mili- tion is that boys are big and strong, and that they can take for children trafficked for sexual exploitation. Thailand tary operation in the Afrin region of Syria earlier this care of themselves,” said Russell, pointing out the deals has more than 123,530 sex workers, according to a year to dislodge a Kurdish militia. At his rally in spots, hidden world being done. The boys, aged from 14 to 24, walk in pairs for 2014 UNAIDS report. Of these, at least 40 percent are Diyarbakir on June 3, Erdogan told voters the area greater safety, making eye contact with the men, who then under 18, and a significant number are boys, according was enjoying “peace like never in the last 40 years” of male sex slavery communicate their choices to the man with the mobile to rights groups. Children are trafficked into Thailand and launched a lacerating attack on the HDP, saying phone. Once the deal is done, the boys move to a side alley from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. Victims “we (the AKP) build but they destroy”. to wait for their clients. from Bangladesh, Pakistan, North Korea and China also Winning votes in Diyarbakir is even tougher for the CHIANG MAI, Thailand: Young boys walk in pairs late in If no one passes muster, the men head to one of dozens transit through Thailand en route to the United States, CHP, which in the Nov 2015 parliamentary polls took a the evening at Chiang Mai’s popular Tha Phae Gate, saun- of bars and karaoke lounges that offer boys for sex. The western Europe and Russia, activists say. mere two percent of the vote in the area. The party, tering past tourists taking photos of the fort as locals hawk rates range from 2,000 baht ($62) for an hour to 5,000 “We are aware that there are boys also in the sex which was set up by modern Turkey’s founder Mustafa souvenirs. No one would connect the boys to the older, baht for longer, in a back room or in the client’s hotel, trade,” said Krittat Uamson, deputy director of the Kemal Ataturk, has historically shown little enthusiasm white men - and a pair of Chinese 40-somethings - seated Russell said. “Why does this not shock and enrage people justice ministry’s human trafficking division in for the Kurdish cause. But Ince, who held a rally in the under a tree, or to the young man with the mobile phone as much as it does when it’s girls?” said Russell, whose Bangkok. “But the majority of sex workers is girls and city on June 11 in Station Square, the identical spot to leaning on a parked motorbike. But for Alezandra Russell, drop-in center is for boys in Chiang Mai’s sex industry. women, so our main focus is women.” Globally, as Erdogan, has made a clear effort to forge a rap- founder of non-profit Urban Light, this scene - which “They are no less vulnerable and abused than girls who are many as 2 million children are sexually exploited prochement. One of the first acts of his campaign was unfolds every evening in one of the country’s most popular trafficked into sex work. Yet it is much more hidden, so annually, according to the United Nations children’s to visit Demirtas in jail, a move that was roundly con- tourist stops - sums up everything that is wrong with there’s much less sympathy, and far fewer resources for agency UNICEF. A significant number are boys, cam- demned by Erdogan.—ÅFP Thailand’s approach to trafficking and slavery. boys,” she said. paigners say. —AFP 8 Established 1961 International Thursday, June 14, 2018 US Democrats fighting for their future in tough statehouse races Problem especially daunting in battleground states

TAMPA/NEW YORK: Democrats are making an all- tees expect to spend tens of millions of dollars trying outcome of presidential elections. Ohio, for example, on top of flipping the seven out push to retake control of state legislatures across to win back legislative seats and governorships. Reuters analyzed 2016 election results from Republican districts Clinton won in 2016, Democrats the United States this fall. But in the states most cru- The effort, the party says, has importance beyond more than 1,500 legislative districts in the states to would need to convert at least 10 additional House cial to the party’s future, they face grim odds, a redistricting. States enact voting laws that can dis- identify districts where voters backed Democrat seats in districts that went for Trump in the last elec- Reuters analysis of election data has found. In many courage turnout, and they have played a key role in Hillary Clinton over Trump in the presidential con- tion. Despite their public optimism, Democrats states, Democrats’ only hope lies in flipping numerous promoting or resisting policies set by Republican test but also have Republican state representatives. acknowledge the tough road ahead. “The path to a districts that two years ago voted for Republicans in President Donald Trump on issues such as abortion, Both parties see such districts as having the poten- majority has to run through seats that Secretary both the presidential and state legislative elections. gay rights and healthcare. tial to be flipped based on Clinton did not win, that is the reality,” said Jessica The problem is especially daunting for Democrats “When we win back state recent elections in Post, executive director of the Democratic Legislative in battleground states where congressional district legislatures, we can resist Virginia and elsewhere, Campaign Committee, the party’s national statehouse lines favoring Republicans were drawn after the 2010 Trump’s agenda and enact and are focusing consider- coordinator. census, Reuters’ analysis found. Those lines will be America’s agenda,” says able attention on them. Factors beyond presidential performance may give redrawn after the next census in 2020, and in most Democratic US Senator The planets In most of the states, Democrats more hope, she noted, such as past elec- states the party in power will control how districts are Cory Booker of New however, even if every one tion patterns and voter enthusiasm. Even if reshaped. Jersey, a rising star in his would have to of the Clinton-supporting Democrats cannot flip key legislatures this year, Post “When a single party has control of the process, party, in a video promoting align perfectly districts elected a said the party aims to make significant gains for a the maps are less fair,” said Michael Li, senior counsel its efforts. Democratic state lawmaker better shot at clinching majorities in 2020 before at the non-partisan Brennan Center for Justice and in November, the legisla- redistricting. Democratic leaders also say a wave is author of a report examining how the party in power A numbers game ture would still have a possible given the party’s recent special election wins draws electoral maps to its partisan advantage, a con- To assess the Republican majority. Of the in Trump territory and unexpectedly big gains last fall tentious practice called gerrymandering. Large swing Democrats’ chances, states reviewed, only in Virginia, which unlike most places holds its state- states, he notes, “are the ones where it is easiest to Reuters examined election data from 10 states where Minnesota has enough Clinton-won Republican dis- house elections in odd-numbered years. In that elec- engineer an outsized advantage.” Republicans control legislatures considered key in tricts to flip a legislative chamber if they all went for tion, Democrats nearly erased a 2-to-1 Republican Currently, Republicans hold two-thirds of state leg- redistricting: Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Democrats in November. Pennsylvania would fall one legislative majority. islative chambers and governorships. They completely North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia short. “The planets would have to align perfectly” for But Virginia also demonstrated the party’s hurdles. control many crucial states, including Florida, Michigan and Wisconsin. Republican-engineered boundaries in Democrats to retake control of the Pennsylvania Of the 15 seats flipped in the state, only one was in a and Ohio. This year, Democrats have announced a some of those states are responsible for much of the House of Representatives, said Nathan Davidson, district that went for Trump. Democrats “are irra- campaign to “flip everything,” citing the importance of party’s numerical advantage in the US House of executive director of the chamber’s Democratic cam- tionally exuberant in their hopes this cycle,” said Matt retaking state legislatures in advance of redistricting. Representatives, according to the Brennan Center. paign committee. Walter, president of the Republican State Leadership Democratic Party groups and aligned political commit- Many of the states also are pivotal in determining the Elsewhere, the outlook is even more challenging. In Committee.

more than 30 people have died in machete Mozambique and knife attacks since October, including 10 who were beheaded. Locals and authori- ties call the assailants Al-Shabaab, although militants lay the group has no known link to the notori- Top Nicaragua ous Somali Islamists of that name, nor has it siege to once issued any claim of responsibility or civic group demands. According to academic researchers, the group wants to impose sleepy villages sharia law in the province. calls strike It is believed the organization staged its MACOMIA, Mozambique: Until last week, first attack on a police station and military Mozambique’s northern district of Macomia outpost in the town of Mocimboa da Praia. was a remote and peaceful place, surrounded Two officers died and 14 attackers were killed. by dense tropical forests. Today, that tranquil- In the following weeks, at least 300 Muslims, ity has been brutally shattered and replaced including Tanzanians, were arrested, several by fear and suspicion. Macomia has become mosques shuttered - and suspicion began to the latest target of a shadowy force that has fall on the region like a leaden lid. “It’s our chil- terrorized the country’s far north since last dren who are carrying out these attacks,” said October, claiming more than 30 lives. In the a shop security guard in the area. “They sold coastal village of Naunde, seven people were their houses and market stalls to move to the hacked to death and 164 houses were set bush and start to kill innocent people. alight. Two days later, extremists attacked Someone promised them money.” Namaluco, 20 km away, killing five. Peasant farmers around Macomia district MACOMIA, Mozambique: Residents walk with their goods past a market on June 11, SAN JOSE: Costa Ricans demonstrate on Tuesday in “We do not sleep. We stay up at night to and its main town, which goes by the same 2018. —AFP solidarity with the students arrested and killed in defend ourselves,” said a villager, a home- name, have now begun to arm themselves with recent protests against President Daniel Ortega. —AFP made bow-and-arrow in hand. “If I hit an improvised weapons, including bows and attacker with this arrow, he’ll die immediately arrows. Local authorities teach them to be vigi- Suspicions jihadists, they say. Police in Cabo Delgado - the arrows are tipped with snake venom,” lant, “to sharpen their surveillance”, said Rabuna. Rumours of collaboration and summary declined to comment on alleged mass MANAGUA: Nicaragua’s top civic alliance called he said, asking not to be named. The people “We are defenseless, we need weapons to justice abound, say local people. Some resi- arrests. “We believe that many innocent Tuesday for a nationwide 24-hour strike to protest of Macomia are now living lives tainted by defend ourselves,” he added. The army has been dents told AFP that villagers across the dis- people were killed and buried in mass “extreme conditions” under President Daniel Ortega, fear. “It’s hectic here. We don’t know what to deployed in force in an effort to smother the trict have inexplicably disappeared since the graves,” said another local man. “The mili- who has yet to decide on reviving talks over the crisis do,” said Hassam Rabuna, a local leader of group’s ability to act. Soldiers armed with beginning of the security operation or tary is angry with the attacks and all people that has left at least 148 dead. The day-long strike is set ruling party Frelimo. assault rifles are guarding Macomia’s only bank, described instances of arbitrary detention. suspected of collaborating with the attackers to begin today at noon (1800 GMT) “in solidarity with Macomia is located in the predominantly its single fuel station and guest house, and the Among those detained were relatives of by giving them food and information are the victims” of the two months of unrest, which has seen Muslim province of Cabo Delgado, where town’s electricity substation. young people alleged to have joined the detained and often disappear.” brutal clashes between anti-government activists and security forces loyal to Ortega. “This is a national and peaceful civil strike that covers construction because the property values the entire country and all economic activities, except those Can ‘land banks’ in those neighborhoods are too low.” related to the preservation of life and the coverage of It took a trip to New York state for basic services for the population,” announced the National Bey to find a potential solution to the Alliance for Justice and Democracy, a key player in the help rebuild problem blighting his city - land banks, now stalled crisis talks. The coalition also demanded an which have the power to search out “immediate” decision from Ortega on the prospect of post-industrial vacant properties and work to return reviving negotiations mediated by Nicaragua’s influential them to the market. “I was in Syracuse Catholic bishops. and realizing that the vacant lots looked The country has not heard from its leftist leader since US cities? well taken care of - planted, with cut last week, when he met with top clergy members, who pre- grass and nicely maintained,” he said. sented him with a plan to expedite the poll and institute WASHINGTON: When Jamil Bey wanted “And I was told, ‘We have a land bank’.” electoral and constitutional reforms - key activist demands. to move back to the Pittsburgh neighbor- Many former industrial cities, partic- “Dialogue is the way to review the political system of hood where he had grown up, he found ularly in the northeastern United States, Nicaragua from its root to achieve an authentic democracy the perfect house to buy. There was just have lost a quarter of their population and justice,” the civic alliance said. The announcement one problem - a fall in property values on or more since the 1950s, according to comes after the country underwent a sharp escalation in that street had left the owners trapped in census data. Pittsburgh, once one of the violence in recent days, as police and pro-government negative equity. Unable to agree on a largest and most prosperous cities in paramilitaries attacked activists wielding slingshots and price that would allow the sellers to pay the country, has been among the hard- homemade mortars in an attempt to trample the uprising off their mortgage, Bey realized he would est hit. Some neighborhoods there have against Ortega. The din of rifle blasts and mortar explosions not be able to buy a house in his old suffered population declines of 80 per- echoed overnight and into the morning throughout the neighborhood - and that the owners cent and more, said Bey, setting up a DEPEW, New York: Workers prepare to put together a single-family modular home in in Feb streets of Managua, even after government security forces would be stuck with a property they did cycle of decline that has blighted entire 2017. Acquired at tax foreclosure auction, the original home was demolished to make way forcefully cleared the barricades. not want. communities. for new construction by the county land bank. —Reuters Across the United States, former man- Economic upheaval ufacturing centers like Pittsburgh have Recycling land Activists have erected the blockades on more than two experienced overwhelming population Bey is now vice chairman of the ket or giving it over as a public space. States since the 1980s, but interest has thirds of the country’s roads in a bid to fend off anti-riot declines in recent decades, pushing down Pittsburgh Land Bank, which is set to Houses that have sat for long enough to spiked since the economic downturn of forces and pressure Ortega into dialogue. But the makeshift property prices and leaving homes empty start operating this summer, aiming to become blighted are often saddled with 2008-09, according to law professor Frank roadblocks also have wreaked economic havoc: even in the and neglected. “For folks who have a con- take on the growing numbers of aban- significant tax arrears, reducing their S Alexander. That created a wave of fore- unlikely scenario that the government “accepts an early nection to those neighborhoods because doned properties in the city. He describes appeal to investors. closures in which “abandonment was negotiated exit” by the end of July, the Nicaraguan they grew up there, there’s not a whole its remit as “recycling land” - working Many land banks are able to short-cir- occurring, particularly at the low end of the Foundation for Economic and Social Development lot of quality properties to choose from,” through entanglements of ownership, cuit this process, clearing arrears before property spectrum,” said Alexander, a (FUNIDES) estimates the country would post losses of Bey told the Thomson Reuters addressing tax issues and fixing up or addressing regulatory violations to make leading authority on land banking who said $404 million and bleed 20,000 jobs. —AFP Foundation. “Even if you’re looking for tearing down structures with a view to the property appealing to new buyers. the sector had seen “tremendous growth” property to invest in, you can’t fund new getting vacant property back on the mar- Land banks have existed in the United as a result. —Reuters

send messages to fellow tribes downstream, vowing to fight the wall to defend tribal culture. Cut off from land Native people globally have been blocked American Indians tribal chief Jose Sierra told the Thomson Rene Lopez, a member of the Ysleta Traditional The Tohono O’odham people in southern from sacred grounds, burial places and Reuters Foundation. “They go to the river and Council, said if the chief asked tribal members Arizona live on a reservation that straddles ancestral migration routes by borders and talk to the river, and the river sends it down,” to knock down the wall, “we’ll do it. That’s how the border and would be cut in two. “It would walls, said Christopher McLeod, director of fear US-Mexico said Sierra, a barrel-chested man with long, deeply it means to us.” be just devastating,” said Verlon Jose, vice the California-based Sacred Land Film greying hair and thick turquoise bracelets at his For while Trump and his supporters say a chairman of the Tohono O’odham, told the Project who has documented sacred sites. A border wall will wrists. “They put messages in the river that security wall is necessary to stop drug smug- Foundation. “Walls are not the answer to the study by US geographer Reece Jones from come to us through the water.” gling and illegal immigrants from Mexico, Indian issues that we face ... Walls have never the University of Hawaii found that in 1990 But now tribal leaders fear a proposed bor- leaders say otherwise. “Back off, Trump. Let us solved problems, whether that’s in terms of there were 15 border walls in the world - but destroy culture der wall as envisioned by US President Donald be,” said Sierra, whose ancestors settled in immigration, in terms of militarization.” now there are almost 70. “When people are Trump will sever access to the river, spoiling Texas in 1682 after being forced out of New Border security could be boosted with more cut off from their land, from their sacred EL PASO, Texas: To the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo traditions and ruining ancient culture. The Mexico during violent conflicts with Spanish hi-tech tower systems that provide long- lands and their ceremonies, then the culture Indians, the water of the Rio Grande that Ysleta and more than two dozen American settlers. But experts say the likelihood of stop- range surveillance, tracking and detection dies. Their spiritual vitality is weakened,” divides the United States and Mexico sanctifies Indian tribes - designated by US law as sover- ping the wall with claims of Indian sovereignty and by immigration reform allowing more McLeod told the Foundation. “A border and a religious rites and purifies their hunts. Indian eign nations governing themselves - live along or freedom of religion is unlikely, even though migrants to work temporarily in the United wall are not just symbols. They’re very physi- communities living miles away use the river to the 3,060 km border with Mexico, with some for some its impact could be dramatic. States without having to sneak in, Jose said. cal insults.” —Reuters

10 Established 1961

Thursday, June 14, 2018 Analysis

Established 1961 The First Daily in The Arabian Gulf THE LEADING INDEPENDENT DAILY IN THE ARABIAN GULF ESTABLISHED 1961

Founder and Publisher YOUSUF S. AL-ALYAN Editor-in-Chief ABD AL-RAHMAN AL-ALYAN EDITORIAL : 24833199-24833358-24833432 ADVERTISING : 24835616/7 FAX : 24835620/1 CIRCULATION : 24833199 Extn. 163 ACCOUNTS : 24835619 COMMERCIAL : 24835618 P.O.Box 1301 Safat,13014 Kuwait. E MAIL :[email protected] Website: www.kuwaittimes.net

US shale firms miss out on $70 oil after hedging at $55 any top US shale oil producers are missing out on the rally in oil prices to more than $70 a Mbarrel - because they sold their oil through futures contracts at about $55 last year when that looked like a good deal. Now, it looks cheap. Those hedged bets will hold down revenues and further frus- trate Wall Street investors, who have been disappointed by slow returns from the booming Permian Basin in west Texas. The top 25 shale producers will forego about $1.7 billion in combined revenues in the second quarter with oil prices at about $70, according to Denver-based consultancy PetroNerds. Many of those Korean-Americans hopeful and wary of Trump-Kim summit producers used hedges that guaranteed them between $55 and $58 a barrel. orean-Americans in the Los Angeles area, which has Some west Texas producers face a second profit- the largest number of Koreans outside Asia, appeared limiting dynamic: They are forced to cut prices because cautiously optimistic on Tuesday following the historic the region’s production is overwhelming its pipeline K summit between President Donald Trump and North Korean network, raising transportation costs. West Texas oil leader Kim Jong Un. “It was a good meeting,” said Yuri Kim currently trades at a discount of $9 to US benchmark as she stood outside the South Korean consulate in futures, a spread that hit $12 earlier in the month. Some Koreatown, holding her two-year-old son in her arms. “It’s firms earlier protected themselves from the widening just the beginning I hope.” Kim, who immigrated to the gap with hedges against the discount. United States four years ago, said she was hopeful the But those that didn’t - and also hedged against unprecedented summit between the two leaders will lead to future prices at, for instance, at $55 - have been forced the denuclearization of North Korea. to sell barrels at prices in the low-to-mid $40s. “I don’t know much about him but he doesn’t commit to Occidental Petroleum Corp, the biggest oil producer in big corporations because he’s rich, he doesn’t have a political the Permian, hedged using west Texas crude futures background, he doesn’t need to persuade his party,” she said, priced at about $59 a barrel, according to first-quarter referring to Trump. As to Kim Jong Un, she believes that since regulatory filings. The company did not hedge against his meeting with his South Korean counterpart “he’s trustable the Midland differential. Occidential, which produces and consistent.”Kwang Yoon, a 59-year-old engineer, said the about 226,000 barrels per day (bpd) from the Permian, summit marked a “first step” toward a lasting peace. “I’m declined to comment on its hedging strategy. It could excited but you can’t solve everything in one time,” he said. offset softer drilling revenues with better results from “If you don’t (talk), you get into many misunderstandings.” its pipeline unit, which benefits from the rising trans- The encounter between Trump and Kim Jong Un led to a joint portation costs. statement in which both countries pledged to pursue the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Trump also said the Lost upside US would halt military exercises with Seoul-something long Many firms sold their future output at prices in the sought by Pyongyang, which claims the drills are a rehearsal $50s last year, hoping to take advantage of short-term for invasion. rallies to lock in guaranteed income to cover drilling Commuters read the latest edition of the Rodong Sinmun newspaper showing images of North Korean leader Kim and production costs. Those costs can be $30 a barrel ‘I used to hope’ Jong Un meeting with US President Donald Trump during their summit in Singapore, at a news stand on a subway or less in west Texas, allowing the firms a healthy profit Sean, who was born in North Korea, said he has lived platform of the Pyongyang metro yesterday. — AFP even as they protected themselves against future price through many failed attempts at peace on the Korean slumps. But the cost of that protection is to forego the Peninsula and was hopeful this latest bid would be successful. leader refused to sign and divided the peninsula along the were separated. “So many people have had the same experi- potential upside of higher prices. “I used to hope,” said the 90-year-old, who refused to give Demilitarized Zone. The conflict has also divided many fami- ence,” he sighed. “I feel terrible about North Korea,” he The second problem, with pipeline capacity, stems his last name for fear of the regime in Pyongyang. He said he lies that have never been re-united. “It’s very painful to have added. “They have no freedom, they cannot even talk to each from surprisingly quick production growth that has was pinning his hopes on the youthful age of the North to live like that,” Yoon said. other. They cannot trust each other. “I don’t know how they Korean leader, who is in his mid-thirties and seems ready “to pushed pipeline capacity to the limit several months “I hope both Koreas can eventually live together. “It’s one can change their policies, educate people.” Roy Lee, 18, who change his position.” For Jeffrey Wang, who works as a cook before producers expected, said Michael Tran, global nation with the same language, the same culture, the same was born in the US to Korean immigrants who own a restau- at a restaurant in Koreatown, Monday’s summit was a wel- energy strategist at RBC Capital Markets. Producers in people.” Born in 1928 in what is now North Korea, Sean fled rant, said he felt little concerned by the summit though he come development though he remains skeptical about the to the South in 1947 with his parents at the age of 18 and set- cared about the safety of his extended family in South Korea. west Texas, the nation’s largest oilfield, are now pump- final outcome. “I don’t trust Kim Jong Un, we don’t trust ing more than 3.3 million bpd, compared with 2.4 million tled in the United States in 1978. He said his older sister “Uniting Korea would be a good thing but I don’t really trust North Korean people,” he said. “We are at war.” stayed behind in North Korea. Kim Jong Un because he never talked about uniting Korea bpd a year ago. With storage brimming and pipelines North and South Korea remain technically at war after the full, producers have had to offer steep discounts to “She is probably dead,” he said, matter-of-factly, adding before Trump,” he said. “And I feel that after Trump backs off, 1950-53 conflict ended in an armistice that Seoul’s then that there was no way to communicate with her since they it will be the same thing again.” — AFP compensate for rising transport costs. The large gap between the US futures price and Permian Basin oil is called the Midland differential - named for the town at Spy chief or diplomat? the center of the west Texas oilfield boom. Ex-spy or genteel Kim Yong Chol, 72, is a four-star general, vice chairman of Until recently, firms had not hedged the discount the Central Committee of the ruling Workers’ Party, and direc- because the price of Midland oil and US futures have tor of the United Front Department, which is charge of inter- historically tracked closely together. The market for diplomat? N Korea’s Korean ties. He visited Trump in Washington in late May, and such hedging is also less active, compared with futures has met Pompeo four times, twice in Pyongyang, once in New hedging. But at the end of the first quarter, 14 shale choices for nuclear York and then during the summit. companies had hedged against 100 million barrels of “Kim should be the most likely partner of Pompeo, having 2019’s production in West Texas, compared with just 40 worked with him before and knowing well about what Kim million barrels at the end of the fourth quarter, accord- talks with Pompeo Jong Un wants,” said Cheong Seong-chang, a North Korea leadership expert at the Sejong Institute south of Seoul. Kim ing to a Reuters analysis of US regulatory filings. “It’s wo of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s closest Yong Chol has spent nearly 30 years in the intelligence com- really becoming a more widely used phenomenon,” said aides - a former military intelligence chief and the munity, including a stint as chief of the Reconnaissance Ben Montalbano, PetroNerds co-founder, who said country’s foreign minister - are being talked of as Midland hedging volume has increased tenfold in the T General Bureau, North Korea’s main spy agency. The United the most likely candidates to negotiate with US Secretary States and South Korea blacklisted him for supporting the last two years. Coming into this year, Cimarex Energy of State Mike Pompeo on denuclearization. Whether Kim North’s weapons programs in 2010 and 2016, respectively. Co had hedged about 905,000 barrels of 2019 west will plump for his hardline former spy chief Kim Yong Chol Seoul accused him of masterminding deadly attacks on a Texas production at a 47-cent discount to US bench- or genteel career diplomat, Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho, South Korean navy ship and an island in 2010. He was also mark futures. That means if US oil futures trade at $70 could provide a clue on what approach Pyongyang will linked by US intelligence to a devastating cyber attack on a barrel, Cimarex would sell oil at $69.53 - as opposed take at the talks, political analysts and experts on North Sony Pictures in 2014. North Korea denied any involvement in to companies that didn’t hedge, and are exposed to the Korea said. Kim Jong Un vowed in a joint statement at any of the incidents. A hawkish army commander, he has steered entire Midland discount, now at $9. In the first quarter, Tuesday’s historic summit in Singapore with US President a series of inter-Korean military talks since the late 1980s. He Cimarex increased its hedge against the differential to Donald Trump to work for denuclearization, and Trump was “best at pressing and humiliating” his opponents during 3.1 million barrels, according to the firm’s filings. About promised security guarantees for North Korea in negotiations, according to a retired South Korean diplomat who half of that, however, was hedged at a less favorable exchange. met him. In 2014, he “stormed out of the room” during military discount of $4.83 per barrel - effectively selling oil at They offered few details, and agreed to hold talks “at talks when the South demanded an apology for the 2010 $65 if futures are at $70. Cimarex produced about the earliest possible date” to implement the outcomes of attacks, said former South Korean military officials involved in the summit with Pompeo leading the US side. But the 50,000 bpd in the Permian in the first quarter. The the meeting. “He’s known as a hard-liner, as much as Pompeo in statement did not specify his North Korean counterpart by company did respond to a request for comment. Washington, but both people are realists who can make a com- name, saying it would be a “relevant, high-level” official. promise if necessary,” Cheong said. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo disembarks from Pipeline problems That would restrict the possible candidates to a handful of his plane as he arrives at Osan Air Base in With major pipelines not expected to come online men trusted by Kim within North Korea’s highly opaque Westernized, professional Pyeongtaek yesterday. — AFP until next year and production increasing, analysts leadership circle. Both Kim Yong Chol and Ri accompanied In contrast, Ri Yong Ho is seen as a genteel, soft-spoken expect the Midland differential to remain high. Kim Jong Un to Singapore for the summit and were seated career diplomat who is polite and humorous but can also be six-party talks. “The summit’s joint statement simply heralded Occidental, in a recent presentation, said it expects this with him at the table during talks that included the two tough with sharp debating skills. He called Trump “President the start of working-level negotiations, where all key, complex gap to hit $20 a barrel by the third quarter. “For the delegations. Evil” at the UN General Assembly last year, but such rhetoric issues will be discussed, including the timeline of the North’s first time in three years, we have not had a pipeline to Kim Yong Chol’s centre-stage presence before and is usually out of character for him, according to former coun- dismantlement, its verification and corresponding US action.” come on to alleviate the bottleneck,” said Tran. Some during the recent thaw between the two Koreas and terparts and colleagues. A fluent English speaker, the 62-year- Another potential negotiator is Ri Su Yong, a former for- firms, including Apache Corp and Pioneer Natural Pyongyang and Washington indicate he is one of the most old Ri has held a number of high-level posts dealing with the eign minister who is currently responsible for international Resources, said they don’t have to worry about the dif- powerful, closest aides of the young leader. But he has West, including as envoy to the now defunct six-party talks affairs at the party. While serving as ambassador to ferential because they have reserved enough space on chiefly dealt with inter-Korean relations, rather than aimed at dismantling Pyongyang’s nuclear programs. Switzerland, the 78-year-old Ri oversaw the young Kim’s pipelines to transport their oil. Apache said it has start- nuclear issues, which have mostly been handled by the for- Following a rare party congress in 2016, Ri was appointed European education, which helped him earn the trust of the eign ministry. ed to hedge its Midland exposure for 2019. Pioneer foreign minister and promoted to the party’s politburo, the leader, but he is seen as a long shot compared to the other “The absence of the North Korean name in the joint does not have any such positions, said Rich Dealt, CFO. opaque, all-powerful party organ where top state affairs are two. A senior South Korean official, who spoke on condition of statement, despite the role that Kim Yong Chol has played “Pioneer has firm transportation in place over the next decided. It was the first time in two decades that a career anonymity, said the candidate chosen could be a factor in the so far, could mean Kim Jong Un is agonizing over whether few years to move nearly all of its Permian Basin oil diplomat was named to the politburo, Cheong said. “It would approach to the negotiations, but not in North Korea’s posi- he should now charge diplomats to do the job,” said Shin be reasonable for the foreign ministry that has professional tion. “Whoever sits at the negotiating table, any solid, specific production to the Gulf Coast for export or sale to Beom-chul, a senior fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy refineries,” Dealt said. — Reuters expertise and experiences to take over nuclear talks,” said decision on denuclearization would be made by Kim Jong Un Studies in Seoul. Chun Yung-woo, a former South Korean representative to the himself,” he said. — Reuters Established 1961

THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2018 Business

World stocks capped by trade Honda Alghanim displays youth cars London hopes for bright 12war concerns, central banks 14 CRV and CIVIC at the Scientific Center 15 tech future despite Brexit

NARATHIWAT: Thai women look for shoes at a shop ahead of Eid Al-Fitr celebration on the last week of the holy month of Ramadan in the southern province of Narathiwat. —AFP Iran supply gap to dominate OPEC Trump accuses OPEC of driving up oil prices

PARIS: An oil production shortfall in Iran and echoing statements from oil producers as well as ana- per day) lower than it is today.” It added: “To make up Trump accuses OPEC Venezuela may force OPEC and Russia to decide later lyst comment in recent weeks, said there may be a for the losses, we estimate that Middle East OPEC US President Donald Trump yesterday accused the this month to open their taps, the International Energy change to the so-called Vienna agreement. countries could increase production in fairly short Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries of driv- Agency said yesterday. Even if the supply gap, trig- OPEC flows were already higher in May, led by order by about 1.1 mb/d and there could be more out- ing up oil prices, in a fresh swipe at the cartel’s agree- gered by the return of US sanctions on Iran and a major Saudi Arabia, the IEA said, adding that the oil kingpin put from Russia on top of the increase already built ment to cap production. “Oil prices are too high, OPEC political crisis in Venezuela, is plugged, the oil market was still in compliance with the Vienna deal caps. into our 2019 non-OPEC supply numbers.” is at it again. Not good!” he wrote on Twitter. Oil prices will likely remain vulnerable to disruption next year, the Citing “people briefed on the discussions”, Bloomberg The IEA nonetheless warned that whatever the peaked in late May, hitting the $80 per barrel ceiling on IEA warned. yesterday said Saudi Arabia has floated several oil outcome of the summit, “the market will be finely bal- the Brent futures contract and $72.24 on the West US President Donald Trump in May announced he output hike plans to fellow cartel members. On the anced next year, and vulnerable to prices rising higher Texas Intermediate. Traders are holding their breath for would pull out of a landmark 2015 nuclear agreement sidelines of the opening match of the World Cup in the event of further disruption”. It added: “We sup- the June 22 meeting of oil ministers from OPEC member with Iran that had eased sanctions on the oil giant. Friday, President Vladimir Putin and Saudi Crown port all efforts to minimize supply disruptions that, as states in Vienna. In April Saudi Energy Minister Khaled Pumped further by global trade war fears, oil prices Prince Mohammad bin Salman will meet to discuss oil history shows us, are not in the interests of either pro- al-Faleh said the global market has the capacity to have since surged to multi-year highs, only to then fall policy, Bloomberg added. ducers or consumers.” absorb higher oil prices-a remark that drew a swift back again somewhat, the IEA said. The IEA meanwhile revised upwards its estimate reaction Trump. “With record amounts of Oil all over Prices peaked in late May, scraping the $80 per bar- Lessons from history for 2018 non-OPEC growth to 2 mb/d, and to 1.7 the place, including the fully loaded ships at sea, Oil rel level on the Brent futures contract and $72.24 on the However, as previous OPEC meetings have shown, it mb/d in 2019. “The United States shows by far the prices are artificially Very High! No good and will not West Texas Intermediate. Barely recovered from the is impossible to accurately predict the outcome of the biggest gain (about 75 percent of the total across be accepted!” Trump tweeted on April 20. roller coaster ride of recent weeks, traders are holding high stakes negotiations, with oil giants appearing to 2018 and 2019), but recently this expansion has not OPEC producers and non-OPEC countries struck a their breath for the June 22 meeting of oil ministers play on rumors to move the markets. Sounding a cau- been without stress,” the report said, referring to a deal in 2016 to trim production by 1.8 million barrels from OPEC member states in Vienna. OPEC and Russia tious note, the IEA said in its report: “We have looked gap in recent weeks between the US and European oil per day to reduce a global glut of oil. The deal, which is decided together in 2016 to cut their supply in order to at a scenario, not a forecast, showing that by the end futures contracts. The IEA report comes a day after due to run out at the end of 2018, has succeeded in push prices up following a crash in prices induced by a of next year output from these two countries OPEC warned of “considerable uncertainty as to boosting oil prices above $70 a barrel from below $30 global crude production glut. But the Paris-based IEA, (Venezuela and Iran) could be 1.5 mb/d (million barrels world oil demand”. a barrel in early 2016. —AFP

Family Business Council - Gulf GBK extends best welcomes a new wishes for Eid Al Fitr KUWAIT: As per the approved guide- chairman lines set by the Kuwait Banking Association (KBA), all Gulf Bank branch- KUWAIT: The Family Business Council - Gulf (FBCG), the es and its head office will be closed on leading membership organization for GCC family busi- both Sunday and Monday, 17 and 18 nesses, has announced the appointment of Omar K June, and will resume its regular working Alghanim as its new Chairman of the Board of Directors. hours on Tuesday, 19 June 2018. Omar K Alghanim will succeed HE Abdulaziz Abdullah Al New Chairman of FBCG, Omar Alghanim speaking to the Omar K Alghanim alongside Abdulaziz Al Ghurair. Assistant General Manager for External Ahmed Al Ameer Ghurair, the founder of the organization who served as audience. Communications at Gulf Bank Mr Ahmed Chairman of the board since April 2013. HE Al Ghurair will Al Ameer, said: “Our customers will continue to be served round- continue to sit on the board to support the organization the-clock through its dedicated Customer Contact Center, which is and provide advisory support on the strategic direction. has been part of the executive committee of the board over the past 5 years and we’ll be building on these suc- reachable by dialing 1805805. On behalf of the bank, I would like Commenting on the announcement HE Abdulaziz since the organization’s establishment in 2013. cesses as we move ahead. But family businesses represent to express my appreciation and gratitude to our Customer Contact Abdullah Al Ghurair said: “We are proud of the Family Omar K Alghanim, Chairman-elect of FBCG Board of a significant part of the GCC economy and if our work has Center team who spare no effort to ensure our customers are well Business Council - Gulf’s accomplishments over the last Directors, said: “I am honored to have been selected by taught us anything, it’s that there are real challenges. To served and their queries are immediately answered” five years. With the support of the Board of Directors and the FBCG Board of Directors to serve as Chairman, and succeed in our mandate, we will maintain a sharp focus on Moreover, Gulf Bank’s Interactive Teller Machines (ITMs) will FBCG founding members, we have built an organization to work alongside these talented and visionary industry continuity, collaboration, knowledge sharing and fostering be available during the Eid holidays from 10am till 3:30pm in capable of effectively addressing the challenges of GCC leaders. His Excellency Abdulaziz Abdullah Al Ghurair strategic relationships among our members.” FBCG cham- Jabriya, Adan, Fahaheel (Al Ghanim Electronics), and AlSalam family businesses.” has left behind a strong and long-lasting legacy, for pions the prosperity and governance of GCC family busi- (South Surra). Clients can also place any query using the newly HE Al Ghurair added: “With a clear vision in place, an which we are all grateful. His dedication and leadership nesses and their future generations to continue to serve launched WhatsApp service on 65805805 or access the Bank’s exciting future lies ahead for the organization. We wel- has played an instrumental role in successfully launching the GCC economy and society. Key activities of the coun- online portal, (www.e-gulfbank.com) to find out more about the come our new Chairman to continue this journey, and we a productive platform for GCC family businesses. cil are community building to facilitate productive latest products and services; or download the Mobile Banking wish him all the best in shaping the future of FBCG.” Omar Moving forward, I know we can continue to count on his exchange between family businesses, next generation edu- App’s (App store/Android) to monitor accounts and conduct self- K Alghanim, CEO of Alghanim Industries and Chairman of guidance and support.” cation and development, and family business research and service banking transactions, or view its social media channels. Gulf Bank, has served as a board member of FBCG, and Omar K Alghanim added: “We’ve accomplished a lot publication. 12 Established 1961

Thursday, June 14, 2018 Business

NBK Economic Update Consumer spending softens in May but remains strong

KUWAIT: NBK’s consumer spending index is a subdued. The durables index, however, maintained a monthly indicator developed by the Economic good pace of growth relative to last year, settling at Research Department to track domestic private a strong 8.9% y/y in May. consumption expenditure behavior. This is the first Similarly, consumption of services and non- broad monthly consumer spending index in Kuwait. durables slipped in May, by 0.2% m/m and 3.9% The May index is the first to be publicly released, m/m, respectively. The declines were also impacted following several months of testing. by the start of the holy month (mid-May), as well as Seasonal factors weighed on consumer spend- the end of the academic year. The services sector ing in May, with softer numbers observed across continued to register strong growth compared to the board. However, conditions remained strong 2017, with its index up 10.6% y/y in May, while the compared to 2017, with NBK’s consumer spending non-durables index eased to 0.3% y/y, its slowest index rising 7.5% year-on-year (y/y), supported pace since December. Consumer spending is pro- by firmer oil prices, improving consumer confi- jected to remain healthy through 2018. However, dence, and steady employment. Momentum is uncertainty over the future income and employment expected to remain robust throughout 2018. prospects of expats - following higher expected Spending on durables retreated by 4.2% service and utility fees, as well as the state’s efforts month-on-month (m/m), pulled down by softer to reduce expat employment - may weigh down on auto sales and furniture purchases ahead of the consumer spending. Meanwhile, spending by summer season. The slowdown also coincided with Kuwaiti nationals is expected to remain strong, the first two weeks of the holy month of Ramadan, thanks to low inflation, healthy employment, and during which the consumption of durables is usually higher public spending.

World stocks Italy, trade worries bite into capped by trade German growth forecast war concerns, BERLIN: The DIW economic institute has would help countries facing an economic slashed its growth forecast for Germany due to shock and smooth out divergences among central banks an unexpectedly weak start to 2018 and risks members’ economies. But German Chancellor from abroad including concerns about Italy’s Angela Merkel has been reluctant to commit LONDON: World stocks hovered near one-month new government and the escalating trade con- to anything that could see the transfer of tax- highs yesterday as an expected US interest rate rise flict with the United States. Italy’s coalition payer funds to other countries, including in the and risks of a fresh outbreak of trade tensions government comprises anti-establishment par- form of a deposit insurance scheme for banks. between China and the United States overshadowed ties with a brief to shake up EU institutions a generally benign political and economic backdrop. while US President Donald Trump has threat- Wait-and-see approach Wall Street appeared set for a modestly firmer open, ened allies with hefty tariffs on car imports in The Economy Ministry said in its monthly potentially building on the previous session’s gains, addition to unilaterally imposed metal duties. report yesterday that Germany’s economic which were fuelled by buoyant mergers and acquisi- The Berlin-based DIW think-tank said it upswing was losing some momentum, with the tions activity among media and telecoms firms. cut its gross domestic product growth fore- growth outlook clouded by the festering trade European shares rose too as global company cast for Europe’s largest economy by 0.5 per- dispute and risks linked to Italy’s new coalition earnings have been revised up, according to centage points to 1.9 percent this year, and by government. “This is expressing itself in the Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. However, assets such as index of auto stocks lagged, however, with gains raise rates this year and next and how much 0.2 percentage points to 1.7 percent in 2019. real economy through a wait-and-see Chinese stocks, European autos and the Mexican of 0.2 percent. beyond the levels it considers as neutral to the “Uncertainty arises mainly from growing con- approach, especially when it comes to invest- peso are under pressure from the risk of protec- Milligan downplayed the impact of US trade economy, or what they call the longer-run rates,” cerns about some European countries, mainly ments,” the ministry added. tionist measures from the United States which is measures on global commerce but noted “the said Shuji Shirota, head of macro economic strate- Italy, and the possibility of an escalating trade The economic upswing is nevertheless set to preparing to unveil more tariffs on $50 billion direction of travel is not positive, which is why gy group at HSBC Securities in Tokyo. conflict between the United States and the continue because private consumption remains worth of Chinese goods. equities are not making as much progress and As the Fed meeting approached, the dollar And the US Federal Reserve, the European investor sentiment is not more positive.” Investors traded flat against a basket of currencies giving up rest of the world,” DIW said. bullish and exports are still robust due to Central Bank and the Bank of Japan all hold policy see trade wars as the biggest market risk, a closely some earlier gains but stayed near three-week The uncertain business outlook is causing Germany’s highly diversified portfolio of manu- meetings this week, with the Fed expected to watched survey from Bank of America Merrill highs versus the yen. It firmed sharply against companies worldwide to scale back invest- facturing products and export markets, the min- announce its second rate rise of 2018. Equity mar- Lynch (BAML) showed. It showed investors bullish some emerging currencies-the Turkish lira fell one ments and this is putting the brakes on istry added. Economy Minister Peter Altmaier kets are “marking time and finding it difficult to on equities but still holding high levels of cash in percent towards recent record lows. The euro German export growth, DIW added. “The sit- said on Tuesday the government was sticking to make upward progress despite reasonably good portfolios-a clear sign of wariness. In a reminder eased off last week’s three-week high of $1.1840 uation in Italy is causing the fear of a resur- its most recent growth forecasts of 2.3 percent economic data”, said Andrew Milligan, head of of the danger of trade disputes, shares in Chinese but remained underpinned by expectations the gence of the euro zone debt crisis,” DIW head for this year and 2.1 percent for 2019 despite global strategy at Aberdeen Standard Investments. telecommunications giant ZTE Corp fell as much as ECB will mention plans to wind up its stimulus and Marcel Fratzscher said. “It’s a wake-up call for increased trade tensions that surfaced at the “We are entering three days of important cen- 41.5 percent, wiping $3 billion off its market value, even hint at the timing of its first interest rate rise politicians in Europe, especially for the Group of Seven summit at weekend in Canada. tral bank decisions. Markets have pretty much as it resumed trade after agreeing to pay up to $1.4 when it meets today. German government, to finally lean into the If the trade conflict between the United States priced what (the banks) will do and it is clear we billion in penalties to the US government. However, Italian bond yields fell further with reform debate for a more crisis-prone Europe. and other countries intensifies, it could nega- are in a monetary policy tightening cycle.” These Its Shenzhen shares fell by their 10 percent lim- two-year yields down 14 bps to below 1 percent “The proposals and options are on the table, tively impact the global economy and there are issues eroded slim gains made around Tuesday’s it, dragging down mainland Chinese shares around after EU affairs minister Paolo Savona, consid- now it’s time for action. European nations have indications this is already happening, the head summit between US President Donald Trump and 1 percent. The Mexican and Canadian currencies, ered a eurosceptic, said the euro was “indispens- to put up a united front, also against Trump of the World Trade Organization said in an inter- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The meeting remained under pressure from trade war fears, the able”. Such comments have soothed worries and his protectionism,” Fratzscher said. view. Asked if there was a risk for the global has soothed some geo-political fears, as a joint former hitting 16-month lows against the US dollar. about Italy’s euro membership, but analysts say France and Germany, the euro zone’s two economy, WTO Director-General Roberto statement pledged to work toward the “denu- the government’s high-spending plans could biggest economies, want to agree a roadmap Azevedo told German business daily clearization” of the Korean Peninsula. Policy shifts boost yields again once the relief rally ebbs. “In for European Union reforms by June 19 in Handelsblatt: “Absolutely. If the trade dispute MSCI’s all-country share index was flat, Investors see central bank policy mistakes as the longer term, they need to do something dif- order to present later to EU leaders at the escalates, there’s the risk of a global downturn recovering slightly from deeper losses caused by the second-biggest risk for markets, the BAML ferent to bring the deficit under control, not just a half percent fall in non-Japan Asian equities. poll showed. Projections from the Fed’s March pay lip service towards the euro,” Commerzbank June 27-28 summit. French President and we’re already seeing signs that this down- European stocks too were 0.3 percent higher meeting suggest a benchmark rate of 2.1 percent at strategist Christoph Rieger said. Britain’s pound Emmanuel Macron wants a fund set up that ward process has already started.” — AFP after a weak start, led by a 1.4 percent rise in the end of 2018. That implies a total of three rate rises and bond yields slipped as data showing sub- tech index and an 80 percent leap in Dutch fin- this year. But some reckon four increases are pos- dued inflation checked expectations for an inter- tech firm Adyen on its first day of trading. An sible. “The focus is on how many times the Fed will est rate rise this year. — Reuters

zone-funded bailout programme which expires Greece says decisions on new on Aug. 20. Officials are considering several options to reduce debt servicing costs for Athens, including an extension of maturities and bond issue after Eurogroup grace periods of up to 15 years on some 130 bil- BRUSSELS: The Greek Government could dis- Minister of Economy and Development, Alexis lion euros of loans issued to Greece under the cuss the timing of a possible new bond issue after Charitsis, told a news conference yesterday in second bailout. They are also considering a buy- next week’s meeting of euro zone finance minis- Brussels. Asked whether Greece could issue new out of expensive loans worth more than 20 billion ters which is expected to decide on debt relief bonds before the end of its bailout programme, euros from the International Monetary Fund and measures for Athens, the economy minister said. he said: “Any other discussions happen after the euro zone central banks due over the next Heavily indebted Greece, shut out of bond mar- 21st”. The Eurogroup of euro zone finance minis- decade. They would be replaced with cheaper kets in 2010, has gone to the markets twice over ters will discuss possible new debt relief meas- loans from the European Stability Mechanism, the last 12 months in a bid to build a cash buffer ures for Greece the meeting in Luxembourg. EU the euro zone bailout fund. In exchange for that could reassure investors after its third officials have repeatedly said next week’s meet- accepting strict oversight of the implementation bailout programme ends in August. ing will be crucial to seal Greece’s financial of structural reforms, including on tax and pen- “All our efforts are focused on the Eurogroup future, as decisions will need to be made on the sions, Greece could also get next week new loans of the 21st (of June) where we expect to have an use of about 40 billion euros ($47 billion) that of about 11 billion euros, a senior Eurogroup offi- agreement on debt relief,” Greece’s Alternate are still unspent under the 86-billion-euro euro cial said yesterday. — Reuters LONDON: Chief executive of Pimlico Plumbers, Charlie Mullins speaks to the media outside the Supreme Court. — AFP EXCHANGE RATES UK top court makes landmark DOLLARCO EXCHANGE CO. LTD BAHRAIN EXCHANGE COMPANY WLL ruling on ‘gig economy’ plumber Rate for Transfer Selling Rate CURRENCY BUYSELL Indonesian Rupiah 0.000017 0.000023 US Dollar 302.590 Europe Japanese Yen 0.002654 0.002834 Canadian Dollar 233.615 British Pound 0.397409 0.411309 Korean Won 0.000269 0.000284 LONDON: Britain’s Supreme Court yesterday The case follows a similar ruling in Czech Korune 0.005808 0.015108 Malaysian Ringgit 0.072255 0.078255 ruled that a plumber employed in the so- November, when an employment tribunal said Sterling Pound 406.055 Danish Krone 0.043634 0.048634 Nepalese Rupee 0.002657 0.002997 called gig economy had “worker” status in a that drivers for US ride-hailing company Uber Euro 358.270 Euro 0. 347959 0.361659 Pakistan Rupee 0.001951 0.002721 landmark case that could have major implica- were workers, not self-employed. Uber is Swiss Frank 300.630 Georgian Lari 0.122260 0.122260 Philippine Peso 0.005590 0.005890 Hungarian 0.001019 0.001209 Singapore Dollar 0.221200 0.231200 tions for the booming sector. The country’s appealing the ruling, with the case now likely to Bahrain Dinar 804.700 UAE Dirhams 82.785 Norwegian Krone 0.033542 0.038742 Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001607 0.002187 highest court decided unanimously that Gary go to the Court of Appeal. Smith argues that he Romanian Leu 0.059267 0.076117 Taiwan 0.010012 0.010192 Qatari Riyals 84.020 Smith was a “worker” for Pimlico Plumbers for was unfairly dismissed after trying to reduce his Russian ruble 0.004790 0.004790 Thai Baht 0.009132 0.009682 Saudi Riyals 81.585 nearly six years from 2005, even though his hours following a 2011 heart attack, but Pimlico Slovakia 0.009037 0.019037 Jordanian Dinar 428.065 Swedish Krona 0.030951 0.035951 Arab contract described him as a “self-employed Plumbers responded that he was self-employed, Egyptian Pound 16.968 Swiss Franc 0.299991 0.310991 Bahraini Dinar 0.796958 0.805458 operative”. therefore had no right to make a claim. Sri Lankan Rupees 1.902 Egyptian Pound 0.014301 0.020019 “Although the contract did provide him A lower court earlier ruled that Smith was Indian Rupees 4.488 Australasia Iranian Riyal 0.000084 0.000085 with elements of operational and financial a worker because he was required to use the Australian Dollar 0.220849 0.232849 Iraqi Dinar 0.000196 0.000256 Pakistani Rupees 2.526 New Zealand Dollar 0.205857 0.215357 Jordanian Dinar 0.422825 0.431825 independence, Mr Smith’s services to the firm’s van and was obliged to do a minimum Bangladesh Taka 3.622 Kuwaiti Dinar 1.000000 1.000000 company’s customers were marketed through number of hours a week, a decision upheld by Philippines Pesso 5.750 America Lebanese Pound 0.000150 0.000250 the company,” said judge Nicholas Wilson, in the Supreme Court. Pimlico Plumbers chief Cyprus pound 18.005 Canadian Dollar 0.226961 0.2365961 Moroccan Dirhams 0.020511 0.044511 rejecting the appeal by Pimlico Plumbers. The executive Charlie Mullins called the decision Japanese Yen 3.740 US Dollars 0.298950 0.303350 Omani Riyal 0.780825 0.786505 US Dollars Mint 0.299450 0.303350 Qatar Riyal 0.078950 0.083890 ruling allows Smith to pursue a claim of unfair “terrible”. “They had an opportunity to recti- Syrian Pound 1.590 Saudi Riyal 0.079727 0.081027 dismissal after he suffered a heart attack, and fy our out-of-date employment rights and Nepalese Rupees 2.808 Asia Syrian Pound 0.001284 0.001504 opens up the whole gig economy to claims by they bottled it,” he said outside court. “The Malaysian Ringgit 76.740 Bangladesh Taka 0.003142 0.003943 Tunisian Dinar 0.113337 0.121337 those on flexible contracts that they should case is not over. I will be talking to my Chinese Yuan Renminbi 47.720 Chinese Yuan 0.045890 0.049390 Turkish Lira 0.060834 0.071134 Thai Bhat 10.420 Hong Kong Dollar 0.036522 0.039272 UAE Dirhams 0.081084 0.082784 also receive benefits afforded to those with lawyers about where we go from here. It was Indian Rupee 0.003958 0.004730 Yemeni Riyal 0.000985 0.001065 worker status, including annual leave. a terrible decision.” — AFP Turkish Lira 67.210 Established 1961 13 Business Thursday, June 14, 2018

KAMCO Oil Market Report Oil prices remain range bound with all eyes on OPEC meeting

KUWAIT: Oil prices remained elevated above there were internal adjustments in demand fig- the USD 70/b mark but receded from multi- ures by individual countries with upward revi- year high levels on speculations that Saudi sions in the OECD region by around 0.02 Arabia and Russia may raise output by as much mb/d offset by downward revisions of an as 1 mb/d to fill the output gap created by a equivalent quantity in the non-OECD region. decline in oil production in Venezuela and the The upward revision in the OECD came proposed sanctions on Iran. However, although after better-than-expected demand data from the production rate did witness a surge by the the US led by new ethane capacity additions aforementioned producers, the increase was during Q1-18 that led to higher petrochemical not large enough as was being speculated by feedstock demand, especially light distillates. the market resulting in a pause in oil price This resulted in an overall increase in OECD decline. Americas demand by 0.07 mb/d during the According to Bloomberg data, Saudi Arabia quarter. Oil demand data for the US continues raised oil production rate by 110 tb/d during to show positive trend. Almost all the indicators May-18 while a Russian news agency reported for the month of March-18 recorded positive that the country’s production had hit 11.1 mb/d growth including a higher industrial production in early June-18. OPEC’s monthly report also index that resulted in higher diesel demand, pointed to a largely flat production during positive trucking activities, positive housing start index as well as rising jet fuel demand. May-18 with an increase in production by production increased by 31 tb/d to a weekly supply forecast to 2 mb/d and expect a Q1-18 oil demand in the region remained Saudi Arabia, Algeria and Iraq offset by declin- Vehicle sales were the only indicator that record of 10.8 mb/d during the week ended 1- growth of 1.7 mb/d next year with 75% upbeat backed by continuing strong industrial showed a declining trend with a fall of 12% for ing production by Nigeria, Venezuela and Jun-18. Furthermore, according to data from growth coming due to higher US production. activity in Germany, France, the UK, Turkey the month of March-18, although gasoline Libya. The much touted drop in Iranian oil pro- Baker Hughes, oil rig count in the US increased IEA said that oil demand in 2018 was charac- and Spain. demand remained positive. Preliminary data for duction was not visible during the month as the for the third consecutive week adding one rig terized by strong growth in 1H-18, partly due In the non-OECD group, there was an April-18 and May-18 also showed continued country’s production increased marginally dur- and taking the count to 862 oil rigs, the highest to colder weather conditions in the Northern upward revision to demand data for Other rise in oil demand in the US. ing the month. level since March-15. US drillers have added oil Hemisphere that would be partly offset by an Asia and China for Q1-18 and Q2-18 that was On the other hand, Mexico and Canada The oil market also saw a decline in volatili- rigs in nine out of the past ten weeks with the expected slowdown during 2H-18. offset by downward revisions in Latin America recorded a softer demand trend based on the ty in the past week with all eyes now on the most recent increase coming despite an oil The increase in US crude was also reflected and the Middle East. China continued to show latest available data, that offset the overall OPEC meeting to be held next week. Analysts price decline of 8% from the recent peak. in the capital expenditure figures forecasted by strong demand trends in April-18, while reduc- OECD Americas oil demand numbers. In would be looking on whether the group Rystad Energy in its latest report. According to tion in subsidy and substitution programs in OECD Europe, data for April-18 showed posi- decides to raise production before the official Oil Prices the report, non-OPEC capex (including explo- the Middle East affected demand for oil in the tive momentum after a marginal decline in deadline which ends in 2018, although there Spot Brent crude closed above USD 80/b ration) increased by 6% in 2017 after declining region. March-18. Oil requirements showed solid has been no indication from any of the pro- on two trading sessions last month but failed by more than a quarter in the previous two World oil demand growth estimates for growth in the European Big 4 countries based ducers in this regard. In addition, there should to sustain the momentum. Prices declined by years. For 2018, capex is expected to reach 2017 was kept unchanged at 1.65 mb/d and is on preliminary data for April-18, with UK also be cues on the future course of the agree- almost 8% from the recent peaks on specula- USD 290 Bn, a y-o-y increase of USD 14 Bn or estimated to have averaged at 97.2 mb/d. being the only country to show a decline. ment beyond the current pact when the coun- tions of oversupply in the oil market, given 5%. Investments in North American tight oil, Demand expectations for 2018 was also kept Overall, Q1-18 oil demand in the region tries decide to gradually lift production rates speculations that Saudi Arabia and Russia may primarily in US is expected to see the unchanged from previous month and is expect- remained upbeat backed by continuing strong or whether the agreement would take a com- decide to raise production. A number of recent strongest growth of 17% in 2018 and is esti- ed to grow at the same pace as in 2017 by 1.65 industrial activity in Germany, France, the UK, pletely new form. reports have highlighted the pressure on mated to reach USD 110 Bn. mb/d to average at 98.85 mb/d. Nevertheless, Turkey and Spain. The start of June-18 also witnessed several OPEC+ producers to raise output coming March-18 recorded positive growth includ- developments on the international geopolitical from the US and Russia followed by denials ing a higher industrial production index that front. The G7 meet saw participating countries from members from within the OPEC, although resulted in higher diesel demand, positive disagreeing on trade that could affect eco- no official comment has been made on the trucking activities, positive housing start index nomic activity and oil demand. However, these subject by relevant producers. Average OPEC as well as rising jet fuel demand. Vehicle sales concerns were brushed off after the successful crude prices during May-18 increased by were the only indicator that showed a declining meeting between the US President and his 8.3%, the biggest monthly increase since trend with a fall of 12% for the month of North Korean counterpart, sending positive November-17. The increase in Kuwait crude March-18, although gasoline demand remained signals across markets. In addition, interest was in line with OPEC crude increase at 8.3% positive. Preliminary data for April-18 and rate decisions by the US Fed and the ECB this while Brent crude price increased at a slightly May-18 also showed continued rise in oil week would be keenly looked at by oil watch- lower pace of 7.3%. demand in the US. ers as a change in strategy by the ECB and Meanwhile, the EIA, in its latest Short Term On the other hand, Mexico and Canada rising rates in the US have long term implica- Energy Outlook, raised US crude output fore- recorded a softer demand trend based on the tions for currency including the USD in addi- cast for the current year from 10.72 mb/d to latest available data, that offset the overall tion to oil prices. 10.79 mb/d, in line with the level seen recently, OECD Americas oil demand numbers. In Meanwhile, supply side concerns continued with higher price forecast for WTI and Brent OECD Europe, data for April-18 showed posi- to haunt the oil market as US EIA reported a at USD 64.53/b and USD 71.06/b, respective- tive momentum after a marginal decline in surprise weekly climb in domestic oil invento- ly. IEA also released its first demand outlook March-18. Oil requirements showed solid ries, including the most recent API report that for 2019 and expects a growth of 1.4 mb/d, growth in the European Big 4 countries based pointed to an inventory increase of 830 tb/d. backed by economic growth and stable oil on preliminary data for April-18, with UK being According to EIA report, domestic US crude prices. The agency raised their non-OPEC the only country to show a decline. Overall,

- who has already launched a new venture - has which was trading 0.4 percent higher. WPP is earned around 200 million pounds ($268 million) Investors challenge WPP denied any wrongdoing. Quarta said at the the world’s largest ad group, employing more in the last five years alone, and in 2016, a third of beginning of the group’s annual meeting that the than 200,000 staff in agencies including JWT, WPP’s investors refused to back his 70 million process the board followed in response to the Ogilvy and Finsbury to serve clients such as pound pay package. Sorrell’s last award scheme over Sorrell’s departure allegation against Sorrell was robust from a gov- Ford, Vodafone and P&G. In a trading update could potentially pay out 20 million pounds, but it ernance and legal perspective. published to coincide with the annual meeting, is expected to come in well below that due to the LONDON: The world’s biggest advertising agency day, while almost 17 percent of shareholder He said share awards due in future to Sorrell WPP reported four-month net sales which were recent underperformance of the group. WPP faced a shareholder revolt over its handling votes declined to support the re-election of pre-dated the current board’s involvement and marginally up, an improvement on the 0.1 percent Quarta has said the two chief operating offi- of the departure of former CEO Martin Sorrell Roberto Quarta as chairman. Sorrell was allowed that he accepted that some investors found the fall in net sales in the first quarter. The group has cers running the company, Mark Read and after large votes against the chairman and the to leave with share awards worth millions of situation unsatisfactory. “I know that questions been hit by the might of Google and Facebook in Andrew Scott, are reviewing the strategy, company remuneration report. The most famous pounds intact and without a non-compete remain, but there is simply nothing further we online advertising, the advance of consultants like sparking speculation that the group could sell advertising executive in the world, Sorrell quit the clause, rekindling arguments that have dogged can legally disclose,” Quarta said. Quarta told Accenture in the sector and by pressures on big assets such as its market research arm. His marketing giant he built from scratch following an previous annual meetings - that WPP paid investors that the hunt for a new chief executive ad spenders such as P&G and Unilever which departure has led to speculation that WPP allegation of personal misconduct in April. Sorrell too much and did not prepare for his was well advanced and moving ahead rapidly. have all hit the bottom line. could even be broken up but the three execu- Nearly 30 percent of WPP shareholders departure. Neither Sorrell nor the company have Shares in WPP traded up 0.7 percent at 1142 It is not the first time investors have expressed tives running the business have said that does failed to back its executive pay proposal yester- revealed the nature of the complaint, but Sorrell GMT, slightly ahead of Britain’s bluechip index opposition to WPP’s pay proposals. Sorrell has not make sense. — AFP 14 Established 1961

Thursday, June 14, 2018 Business Honda Alghanim displays youth cars CRV and CIVIC at the Scientific Center Renowned for their high-value and dependability

KUWAIT: As part of its commitment to further improve its outreach to the youth and offer them the best-in- class cars that meet their lifestyles and fulfill their aspi- rations, Honda Alghanim collaborated with the Scientific Center during Kuwait’s premiere of “Solo: A Star Wars Story”, displaying two of its cars, Honda CRV and Honda Civic, at the IMAX theater entrance. Renowned for their high-value and dependability that earned them Kuwaiti customers’ trust, the Honda CRV and Civic were put on show during the event. The Honda CRV is widely acknowledged as one of the best SUVs combining sheer elegance, state-of-the-art speci- fications, and powerful performance, thereby becoming a practical and smart choice for youths looking to invest on their vehicles. As for the Honda Civic, the car has acquired in Kuwait a long-standing trust built over the years turning it to the first vehicle that comes across customers’ mind, especially the next generation, when searching for a modern car offering an exciting drive, elevated features, and advanced safety levels. company offers all latest specifications and modern which took place at Kuwait’s largest IMAX screen, including signed light sabers from the actors who played Honda Alghanim’s participation in the movie’s pre- technologies that promise to meet their expectations located at The Scientific Center. With 300-square- Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, and Darth Maul. miere stems from the company’s continuous interest in and confer the uniqueness and innovation that charac- meter screen, the country’s only IMAX laser projection Alghanim Motors, the exclusive distributor of Honda reaching all different categories of youths, learning terize their generation. system, and a 12 channel sound system, fans experi- automobiles, motorcycles, power products, and marine about their various interests and lifestyles, and thus pre- Acclaimed by youths looking for thrill, excitement, enced “Solo” unlike anywhere else in Kuwait. products in Kuwait, is committed to providing cus- senting them with cars that meet their tastes ranging and action movies, the “Solo: A Star Wars Story” pre- The premiere was attended by movie fans and Star tomers with flexible payment solutions and efficient and from sedans to four-wheel drives. Furthermore, the miere gathered fans of all ages of the Star Wars series, Wars fans alike, and included a limited collection display cost-effective services.

Commenting on the successful closure of the transaction, tion and growth prospects. KIB successfully Sheikh Mohammed Jarrah Al-Sabah, Chairman of KIB, said: Due to strong market “The strong participation by various banks in this syndicat- appetite, the facility was ed facility is a testament of our solid position, reaffirming significantly oversubscribed closes a US$ 250m KIB’s reputation and trust within the international financial but we decided to cap it at arena. We are proud of the confidence that is placed in our US$ 250 Million. This new ability and expertise to tap the capital markets with com- facility will support KIB’s Syndicated Murabaha petitive deals. The resources garnered through the deal are strategic objectives to in line with the Bank’s strategy to diversify its funding strengthen and confirm our Financing Facility sources required for pursuing our asset growth plans.” position as a leading Islamic On this occasion, Mohamed El Saka, Deputy Chief bank in Kuwait. We would KUWAIT: KIB has successfully closed a US$ 250 million 3- Executive Officer & Acting Chief Executive Officer of like to thank all banks who year Syndicated Murabaha Financing Facility with a con- KIB said: “The competitive terms of this financing is a participated in this deal for sortium of international and local banks, which was over- clear indication of the high confidence and strong repu- their trust and continued subscribed. Standard Chartered Bank was the sole tation KIB enjoys in the banking industry across the support and look forward Sheikh Mohammed Coordinating Bank, while First Abu Dhabi Bank acted as the region. The success of this syndication is a definite to further strengthening our Jarrah Al-Sabah Investment Agent Bank for the facility. endorsement of KIB’s strong track record, financial posi- relationship.” KFH continues to serve customers through airport branch KUWAIT: Kuwait Finance House (KFH) announced that it is ready to fulfill its commitments towards its customers VIVA strikes deal during the holiday. The bank will continue to offer a plethora of services for its customers in Kuwait and over- seas through its website that offers over 150 eservices, in with OSN to addition to the alternative channels, XTM and the 24/7 branch at the Kuwait International Airport. provide WAVO XTM service allows customers to conduct their trans- seamless experience.Upon their release, the HUAWEI Mate actions and perform many banking services in minutes in a Huawei’s AI chipsets 10 Series smartphones were hailed as the first smartphones very modern way using advanced tools through visual and KUWAIT: VIVA Kuwait, Kuwait’s fastest-growing and with an AI chip. The AI Kirin 970 powering the smartphones audio communication options; conference call with KFH most developed telecom operator, has signed a part- helped learn users’ behaviors, capture gallery-like photo- staff who are always available and ready to answer all cus- nership agreement with OSN - the MENA region’s for a faster graphs and intelligently manage battery consumption. tomers’ questions. This service is available 24/7 at leading entertainment network - to provide its cus- Avenues mall and Al Fayhaa Branch. tomers with access to WAVO, the video streaming smartphone experience An intelligent phone that offers you entertainment platform, powered by OSN. Under the a seamless multi-tasking experience KUWAIT: For 30 years, Huawei embraced innovation to deal, VIVA Kuwait customers are eligible for a one- We live in the age of multi-tasking, and as digital natives, build a digital world with a connected population. Believing month free trial to WAVO when they sign up by texting we’re all wired to multi-task. In just one day, we can switch in the power of research and development, the company the word ‘WAVO’ to 55664 and follow the instructions to social apps around 21 times a day and to email around 74 invested its R&D capabilities to drive innovations and pave on their phone. After the one-month free trial has times. Sporting the Kirin 970, the most powerful chip ever the way for an intelligent future. expired customers will automatically remain subscribed made by Huawei, the Huawei Mate 10 Series delivers incred- Huawei marked the beginning of a new era of smartphone to WAVO for KD3 a month unless they opt out. ibly fast and brings amazing features to the business table. development when it introduced Mate 10 Pro that brought Available on mobile devices and tablets It’s the multi-tasking partner that brings you an unparalleled to the future to life with the first ever truly intelligent device. (iOS/Android), Samsung and LG Smart TVs, PCs and experience. laptops through the WAVO app, website - wavo.com, Powered by an AI processor, the Mate 10 Series smart- phones, launched in 2017, are a testament to the company’s and Chromecast, WAVO combines a unique blend of Higher Benchmark for smartphone photography groundbreaking innovations. Featuring Kirin 970, the smart- live and On Demand TV, including English and Arabic The AI-powered Kirin 970 raises the bar of smartphone phone offers an unparalleled performance, taking the “Born family and kids shows, hit TV series, blockbuster photography from the stage of “visible” and “clear” to “intel- Fast, Stay Fast” to a new dimension. This intelligent smart- movies and sports, which can be viewed anytime, any- ligent.” With AI, the chipset enables smartphones to sense phone also optimizes its own performance by predicting its where, with no annual contract. the real world and identify the surrounding environment, most efficient mode to deliver the ultimate power and speed. Abdulrazzaq Bader Al-Essa, Corporate human faces and objects. The Kirin 970 brings users a new Communications Director of VIVA Kuwait, said: “Our dual camera experience by adopting the latest dual camera In-house chipsets for a smoother user experience partnership with OSN is part of our continued focus technology, with upgraded visual features. and commitment of providing relevance and value to A smartphone’s chipset is the “core” or engine that keeps Moreover, the Call Center will be ready to receive calls it running efficiently and safely over its lifetime, and offers a our customers. Augmented by our customers’ trust in Huawei Mate Series empowers you from clients throughout the day, and will work relentlessly better Android experience for users. Aiming at offering users us, VIVA in cooperation with OSN strives to create HUAWEI Mate Series’ ability to understand behaviors to overcome any problems that might face clients in a smoother and faster smartphone experience, Huawei lever- innovative solutions that address the needs of cus- empowers it to operate at peak performance levels. By Kuwait and overseas. In addition, KFH continues to offer aged its R&D capabilities to design its own chipsets; doing tomers.” knowing how apps are used, when they’re used and what the its IVR service on 1803333 that is available throughout the so gives the company full control of both the hardware and Francesco Perta, VP Telecom Partnerships, OSN, system needs to do to run them at efficiency, Huawei day. Clients can call to make account transactions, ask for the software in its smartphones. Huawei’s pursuit of perfec- said: “Our partnership with VIVA Kuwait for WAVO is reduced abnormal app launch rates by 80 percent. Not only financial transaction, pay bills, purchase cards to recharge tion is also reflected in its uncompromising insistence on testament to both companies’ shared values of provid- does Huawei Mate 10 Series ensure your new phone is cell phone, and other services. product innovation. The Kirin970 chipset, powering the ing customers with great entertainment and unbeatable unparalleled in terms of speed at day one; it also ensures Further, clients can take advantage of KFH’s ATM HUAWEI Mate 10 Series is an engine that still purrs like new value. Subscribing to WAVO is just a text message smooth performance over the lifespan of your device. Finally, machines (Shamel) that are available at most of the even 18 months after purchase. away and we are confident that once customers join to prove that its AI processor is capable of performing branches in vital locations. KFH offers Mobi Baitok vehi- they will be hooked on WAVO’s mix of live and On machine learning tasks, Huawei transformed a Porsche cles that serve as mobile branches that allow people to AI-powered chipsets that learn users’ behaviors Demand TV, un-missable movies, series and sporting Panamera into a driverless vehicle that understands its sur- deposit and withdraw cash in addition to other banking Unlike any other smartphones, the HUAWEI Mate 10 action which can be enjoyed across multiple devices roundings. Huawei has used technology already available in transactions. KFH has additional technical privileges, such series is intelligent as it comes with the world’s first artificial anytime, anywhere.” its smartphones to demonstrate its superior functionality and as allowing customers to conduct several banking transac- intelligence processor to offer us a faster, stronger and Since its launch WAVO has gone from strength to ability to stand up to even the most advanced technologies. tions through smart phones on kfhonline application. strength, boosting world-class content from OSN’s exclusive partnerships with major entertainment studios like HBO, Disney, Nickelodeon, DreamWorks, NBC conveniently provide services to its Universal and Paramount. With WAVO customers can Burgan Bank clients during public holidays. In addi- access hit Western series such as Game of Thrones and tion, the Avenues branch will also be Westworld and un-missable Arabic series featuring top open to customers on Sunday and Arabic stars from across the region. working hours Monday 17-18 June 2018 from 10:00 WAVO also offers 26 live TV channels and the abil- am to 1:00 pm and from 5:00 pm to ity to watch shows On Demand. Also the home of during holidays 8:00 pm. The contact center will also ASLI, the region’s first licensing ecosystem for con- be at customers’ service over the tent creators to produce and broadcast their original clock at 1804080, as well as many work, WAVO offers more than 40 hours of Arabic and KUWAIT: Burgan Bank yesterday alternative channels to ensure cus- English short-form content, made in the Middle East. announced that its airport branch will tomers enjoy services throughout the With such a vast array of exclusive content available continue its operations during the holiday period. On this occasion, for customers to browse and enjoy at their conven- upcoming Eid Al Fitr holiday. The Burgan Bank extends its best wishes ience, WAVO offers great entertainment and unbeat- branch will be open from 8:00 am to and greetings to the public on the able value. 10:30 pm, in its continuous efforts to coming of Eid Al Fitr. Established 1961 15 Technology Thursday, June 14, 2018 Cloud play on the horizon in changing video game world

Microsoft has a powerful platform for hosting computing in the cloud

LOS ANGELES: Console makers long at the center of play,” Xbox team leader Phil Spencer said at an E3 the video game universe are adapting to an exploding briefing. The Redmond, Washington-based technology constellation of ways to play, with the cloud looming veteran has also invested heavily in machine learning, on the horizon. Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony naming its Cortana digital assistant after an artificial remained stars, with rival Xbox, PlayStation, and intelligence character in blockbuster Xbox video Switch gaming hardware respectively, at the game “Halo.” Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) show floor that Spencer also said that Microsoft is working on a opened in Los Angeles on Tuesday. cloud service for streaming console-quality games to But the premier industry gathering was very much internet-linked devices. “If you agree that the eventual focused on games themselves, and the idea they can future of games consumption is through cloud gaming be played as a service hosted in the internet cloud services, then those companies with a strong position using an array of devices from smartphones to per- in cloud are likely to be best placed to benefit from sonal computers. The annual E3 event “occurs against the transition,” Harding-Rolls said. “In this context, a backdrop of disruption in Microsoft’s cloud division the console market,” accord- gives the company a natural ing to IHS Markit games advantage when trying to technology research director build a profitable business.” Piers Harding-Rolls. Video game Sony and Microsoft have “As the market becomes world shifts to each put out word they are more digitally enabled and working on next-generation service based, console com- Microsoft’s consoles, but planned capa- panies and publishers are bilities have yet to be starting to map out their strengths revealed. PlayStation 4 has longer-term strategies dominated the current con- including the building out of sole generation, briskly out- subscription cloud gaming selling Xbox One. But if the LOS ANGELES: Game enthusiasts and industry personnel gather outside of the Microsoft Theater for the services,” Harding-Rolls said. Companies interested in video game world shifts to Microsoft’s strengths, its ‘XBox’ experience during the Electronic Entertainment Expo E3. —AFP cloud gaming see it as a way to reach broader audi- new competition in play could become cloud and AI ences, adding to console businesses instead of taking titans such as Amazon, Google, Tencent, and Alibaba, away from them, according to the analyst. “I see con- according to Harding-Rolls. Console makers have been taking lessons from or Android-powered mobile devices when it is soles being around for the foreseeable future,” mobile games, building online communities of players released later this year. Another sign of console-quali- Harding-Rolls said. Learning from mobile who provide feedback; stream play; subscribe to serv- ty play making its way to mobile devices came in the The video game industry is seeing its biggest ices, and spend money on digital content such as form of telecom giant AT&T showing off ultra high- Shifting terrain investment ever, with the three big consoles “very dance moves or funky clothing for characters. “Mobile speed 5G wireless data capabilities on the E3 show But the competitive landscape will tilt away from healthy,” according to Electronic Software Association has been a fantastic growth point for the industry,” floor. Super-fast internet service is seen as key to rich, console-market leading PlayStation to terrain more chief executive Michael Gallagher. The ESA trade Gallagher said. Console video game titan Bethesda is seamless game play. “Exponential increases in com- favorable to Xbox, he reasoned. Microsoft has built a group organizes E3, with 60,000 industry insiders unabashedly bridging the divide between console and puting power, storage and speed will lead to the powerful platform for hosting computing in the inter- and gamers from some 100 countries expected to mobile play with versions of blockbusters “Fallout” streaming of realistic, systemic, densely populated and net cloud, making such service a thriving part of its attend the three-day gathering. Video game industry and Elder Scrolls” for play on smartphones or tablets. persistent game worlds to any screen,” said Yves business. “We commit and harness the full breadth of revenue worldwide tallied about $116 billion last year, “I can’t wait to play it,” Gallagher said of “Elder Guillemot, chief executive of French video game pow- our resources at Microsoft to deliver on the future of according to the ESA. Scrolls: Blades” that will be available free for iPhones erhouse Ubisoft. —AFP

London hopes for bright tech future Dixons Carphone despite Brexit suffers cyber attack LONDON: London has a bright tech future post-Brexit working closely with other European capitals but the government should open up more to immigration, on customer data London Mayor Sadiq Khan said. Launching London LONDON: British mobile phone and electrical Tech Week, dubbed Europe’s largest festival of tech- retailer Dixons Carphone has become the victim of nology and innovation by its organisers, Khan said in an a major cyber attack for the second time in three interview that London must “collaborate” with other years after discovering unauthorized access to its European hubs regardless of Britain’s future exit from payment card data. Shares in Dixons Carphone, the European Union. which issued a profit warning last month, fell as Almost three weeks after French President much as 6.4 percent yesterday, taking year-on-year Emmanuel Macron hosted talks with 60 tech leaders losses to 37 percent. “We have taken action to during a Paris sector fair, including Facebook CEO close off this access and have no evidence it is con- Mark Zuckerberg, London Tech Week is delivering tinuing. We have no evidence to date of any fraudu- more than 200 demonstrations spread out across the lent use of the data as result of these incidents,” the capital and bringing together 50,000 participants. company said. “One of the things about London’s future is that we It said an investigation, which started last week, have to work closely with our partners across Europe,” indicated there was an attempt, going back to July Khan told AFP on the sidelines of this week’s event. “I last year, to compromise data on 5.9 million credit love Paris, I love Berlin, love Barcelona, love Frankfurt, cards in one of the processing systems of Currys other cities across Europe... We shouldn’t see each oth- PC World and Dixons Travel stores. It said 5.8 mil- er as competitors, always competing. Of course some- LONDON: London Mayor Sadiq Khan (C) attends the launch event of London Tech Week, at the Francis Crick Institute. —AFP lion of these cards had chip and pin protection and times we do compete but also we should be collaborat- the data accessed contained neither pin codes, card ing, working closer together,” the mayor added. verification values nor any authentication data that and £2.3 billion ($3.1 billion, 2.6 billion euros) of invest- of $6.0 billion and almost double the UK amount in would enable cardholder identification or purchas- London ‘open to talent’ es to be made. He said London would remain a welcoming destina- ment into the UK technological economy from the pri- 2016. “London has always been a place open to talent. vate sector. For one thousand years, even before the European However, it said 105,000 non-EU issued pay- tion despite Brexit, in order to continue a long tradition ment cards which do not have chip and pin protec- of attracting talent. “London’s openness will always be “The measures we are announcing... will allow inno- Union,” Khan said. “That’s not going to change. You can vative British start-ups to invest in their future, and in come here to study, to be a tourist, to work, to invest.” tion had been compromised. Dixons Carphone said one of our strengths, our diversity and so if you live in it had immediately notified the relevant card com- France or live in Germany or live in Poland or live in the UK, by hiring more skilled people, expanding their Khan, who backed Britain remaining in the EU in the business and exporting their expertise across the 2016 referendum, is hopeful that the country can ride panies so that they could protect customers. It said Italy or live in Spain, or around the world, and you want it had found no evidence of any fraud on these to fulfill your potential we’ll still going to be a welcom- world,” Prime Minister Theresa May said in a statement. potential Brexit storms. A post-Brexit transition period The government also plans to create a so-called Start- to allow companies and people to adapt has been cards as a result of this incident. ing place,” he said. The group said it had also found that 1.2 million In a note of caution, however, Khan called for Up Visa for entrepreneurs. “This will replace a visa agreed with the EU in principle until 2020 and Khan route which was exclusively for graduates, opening it up said it could extend even further. “The good news is records containing non-financial personal data, changes to Britain’s visa rules. “The visa route for non- such as names, addresses or email addresses, had EU is very clunky.... But also we’ve got to make it easier to talented business founders,” the statement added. that the transition period is quite a long way off... According to May’s Conservative government, We’re not going to fall off a cliff edge in March 2019, it been accessed. It said there was no evidence of for talented people from the EU to come to London.” fraud here either. Dixons Carphone informed As part of London Tech Week, the government on British tech businesses last year attracted $7.8 billion will go on to at least December 2020 and maybe compared with France and Germany’s combined total longer,” he said. —AFP Britain’s data protection regulator the Information Wednesday announced the creation of 1,600 new jobs Commissioner’s Office (ICO), as well as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the police. The ICO said it was liaising with the National found that the top 10 account holders held 5.96 percent of Cyber Security Centre, the FCA and other agencies the bitcoins. Experts cautioned that the statistics should be Bitcoin ‘whales’ pulling to determine the impact on customers. The group’s taken with a pinch of salt, however, as several individuals Carphone Warehouse division suffered a data could be behind a single account and one person could breach in 2015 and in February this year was fined cryptocurrency strings hold several accounts. a record matching 400,000 pounds ($533,240) by the ICO. It paid 320,000 pounds as there was a 20 LONDON: Bitcoin, the star of the cryptocurrency world, is ‘Whales’ with power? percent reduction for early payment. It said since widely seen as a freewheeling tool as open as the internet In a 24-hour period between Monday and Tuesday, the the 2015 attack it had worked extensively with itself. But analysts have cast doubt on the veracity of that 100 biggest bitcoin transactions out of 200,000 accounted cyber security experts to upgrade its security sys- perception, highlighting that the bulk of bitcoin is in fact for 24 percent of the money volumes-an unimaginable level tems. In 2016 the ICO fined broadband provider heavily concentrated in the hands of a powerful few. Some of concentration compared to other markets. “In the cur- TalkTalk 400,000 pounds for security failings that 1,000 bitcoin holders-out of a total 11 million-hold some rency market for example it’s such a huge market with so allowed hackers to launch a cyber-attack in 2015. 35.4 percent of currency, according to BitInfoCharts. many transactions in a day that a pure actor can’t have any These bitcoin “whales”-a word popularly used for big influence on a market,” Craig Erlam, an analyst for Oanda, a ‘Disappointed and sorry’ money players in financial markets-”literally control the currency trading platform, told AFP. He admitted that a coordinated sale of bitcoin by the “We are extremely disappointed and sorry for currency”, said Bob McDowall, an expert in cryptocurren- Big bitcoin players, by contrast, can hold a lot of sway biggest accounts could cause the value of the currency to any upset this may cause,” Dixons Carphone CEO cies. They can “dictate monetary policy, which is normally over the market. To try and prevent excessive falls in the plunge but said that the risk was theoretical and that major Alex Baldock said. “The protection of our data has the function of a central bank or a government”, he said. value of the currency, observers believe that the “whales” historical investors in the currency have a strong sense of to be at the heart of our business, and we’ve fallen Unlike central bank-issued denominations, virtual curren- may be checking with each other first before putting in community. Since the end of 2017, the concentration of bit- short here.” Baldock joined Dixons Carphone in cies are produced, or “mined,” by banks of computers major orders, leading to suspicions of fraud in this unregu- coins has decreased, according to a study by Chainalysis, a April and last month the group warned on profits solving complex algorithms and freely traded online. lated market. US authorities in May opened a criminal think tank. and said it would have to close shops, wiping more The other key difference with typical currencies is that investigation into possible market manipulation of bitcoin Several long-term investors have sold their bitcoins and than 500 million pounds off its stock market value. the number of bitcoin in existence can never exceed 21 mil- and other cryptocurrencies, suspecting traders of “spoof- a new type of player has entered the scene-speculators, Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said the lion. There are currently some 17 million bitcoins in circula- ing”-putting in false orders and quickly withdrawing them who tend to hold fewer bitcoins but carry out more trans- cyber attack could undermine consumer confidence tion. Bitcoin’s surge in value from a few cents to a peak in to move the currency. But Aaron Brown, former director of actions. “The supply of bitcoin available for trading has in the retailer. —Reuters December 2017 of $19,500 turned some of its first AQR Capital Management, who runs a bitcoin fund, said increased by 57 percent since December 2017,” the investors into billionaires. The BitInfoCharts study also the role of “whales” is being exaggerated. Chainalysis study found. —AFP 16 Established 1961 Health Thursday, June 14, 2018 Bend it like Modi: Indian PM trots and treads in fitness video Experts warn Indians against exercising outdoors in New Delhi

NEW DELHI: Narendra Modi, whose supporters a large tree, balancing on its edges before walking over boast of his physical prowess and indifference to pebbles, wood and water, as he pumps a wooden staff sleep, has shared the secrets to his morning fitness from side to side. The teetotal vegetarian then stands regimen in a video where the Indian premier thrusts a before a Buddha statue in his garden, breathing staff, walks backwards and flexes over a boulder. through one nostril. Later he sits on a rock, sharply tak- Modi spruiked the “refreshing and rejuvenating” ben- ing quick breaths in a meditative pose. efits of his exercise workout in a video posted online The sexagenarian premier claims he operates on lit- yesterday that also included a meditative stroll over a tle sleep and his devotees have bragged on his impres- special path “inspired” by nature. It follows a trend of sive physique, including most notably a rumoured 56- homemade motivational fitness videos from prominent inch chest. A passionate yoga enthusiast, Modi has also Indians, including adored cricket captain Virat Kohli, touted the benefits of the ancient Indian practice via a trying to tackle obesity and poor health in the country cartoon avatar of himself performing sun salutations of 1.25 billion. and downward dogs. Government ministers were quick In the latest addition Modi, 67, implores Indians to to heap praise on Modi for his “unparallelled energy follow his example in a two minute clip shot in the lush levels”. But others were less impressed. garden of his New Delhi residence. “Apart from yoga, I “Majority of middle-class citizens live amidst #stink walk on a track inspired by the Panchtatvas or five ele- from open defecation by #slumdwellers & smoke from ments of nature-Prithvi (earth), Jal (water), Agni (fire), waste burning & fuelwood,” posted one Twitter user, Vayu (air), Aakash (sky),” Modi says in the video Naresh Minocha. Despite the tranquility depicted in viewed nearly 200,000 times within hours of being Modi’s backyard, experts often warn Indians against posted. “This is extremely refreshing and rejuvenating. I exercising outdoors in New Delhi and other major also practise breathing exercises.” cities due to terrible air quality. Levels of harmful air- In one clip Modi, clad in a black tracksuit, walks borne pollutants in the capital reached 14 times the NEW DELHI: This screenshot taken from a video posted on India Prime Minister twitter handle, backwards over a treaded lawn with his hands clasped World Health Organization safe level on Wednesday, shows Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi performing Yoga following a fitness challenge in in a prayer pose, before stretching over a large boulder. according to the US Embassy website, as Modi’s video New Delhi. —AFP He then proceeds to a specially-designed path around went viral. —AFP

scraper in true Spider-Man style. A local television station lance,” he said at the end of a three-day assessment Raccoon conquers provided a livestream of the anxiety-producing journey of WHO chief says visit. “One case in an urban setting can set off an out- the animal, which apparently had been scared by construc- break,” he warned. tion workers at the building’s base. Hollywood director James His comments come after the WHO and NGOs since skyscraper; Americans Gunn offered to donate $1,000 to charity to anyone who Ebola outbreak in May 21 began helping DRC immunize front-line work- saved the raccoon. “I can’t handle this,” Gunn, the director of ers with a vaccine that has shown to be highly effective breathe easier the two “Guardians of the Galaxy” movies, tweeted. “Poor DR Congo ‘not over’ in trials, though it still awaits regulatory approval. The dude.” (The “Guardians” movies, incidentally, feature a WHO chief said more than 2,000 people had been vac- brash, devil-may-care character known as Rocket Raccoon.) KINSHASA: WHO chief Tedros Adhanom on Tuesday cinated in the Ebola-hit Equateur province in the WASHINGTON: America breathed a sigh of relief yesterday The Minnesota raccoon paused at several points on nar- sprawling country’s north west. In Mbandaka, a city of after a scruffy brown raccoon was captured following a per- row window ledges during its climb, even taking naps before called for tighter monitoring as he wrapped up a visit to ilous climb up a 23-storey building in the northern state of continuing onward. Well after midnight-when most Ebola-hit DR Congo, saying the outbreak was far from 1.2 million people, “there have been no new cases since Minnesota. Thousands of Twitter users followed the Americans had gone to sleep-the raccoon reached the roof over despite the number of cases stabilizing in recent May 12,” he said, adding that there were no new cases escapades of the raccoon on Tuesday as it slowly inched up and was captured in a trap set up by wildlife control officials. weeks. The outbreak-the ninth in the Democratic since May 13 at Bikoro-about 100 kilometers away- the side of the UBS Plaza building in St. Paul, Minnesota. Building managers tweeted a picture of the raccoon in a Republic of Congo since 1976 — was declared on May where the outbreak was first detected. On Thursday the Minnesota Public Radio reporters and occupants of the cage Wednesday morning. “After a delicious meal of soft cat 8 and has claimed 27 lives. “On the basis of statistics, WHO gave a total of 59 confirmed, probable and sus- building posted pictures and updates on the animal-dubbed food, #mprraccoon has been caught and will be picked up we can say that the situation has stabilized but the war pected Ebola cases, of which 27 people had died with the #MPRraccoon-as it scaled the rough surface of the sky- by Wildlife Management. Goodbye friend!” it said. —AFP is not over, we must reinforce vigilance and surveil- one new case confirmed on June 6. —AFP Established 1961 17 What’s On Thursday, June 14, 2018 Escape for a memorable Eid-Al-Fitr at Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel and Spa

njoy a memorable staycation in the luxurious sur- roundings of Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel and ESpa this Eid-Al-Fitr. Kuwait’s idyllic resort strives to exceed guests’ expectations at every moment and is offering an extensive range of activities to ensure the entire family members capitalize on a unique holiday experience. Garden Cafe is the place to be for a stunning Eid celebration. The family-friendly restaurant will host a special brunch on all three days of Eid featuring irre- sistible treats and special creations for mini guests including cotton candy, chocolate favorites and more. Take a moment to think of yourself and visit the Hotel’s award-winning Talise Spa, with a diverse menu of treatments, using the latest products from the world’s most respected high-end health and wellness brands. There’s no need to feel guilty as the children are well entertained. Sinbad’s Kids Club offers the Essam El-Hadary, goalkeeper and captain of the Egyptian National Football perfect escape where they can interact with others in team (left) and Hector Raul Cuper, the Argentinian coach of the National a range of fun games and activities, both indoor and Egyptian football team. outdoor, while those aged 7 to 14 can revel in their own specially tailored the Scene Teens Club, featuring a special gaming zone or relax in the private movie Alternatively, maximize the quality time altogether all the action from the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia in strive to create unique experiences for all our guests. theater. The resort offers additional activities such as and hit the resort’s unique private beach for some non- Garden Cafe Tent and Arabesque Cafe with special We look forward to making this Eid particularly memo- kids’ yoga and pool Zumba, board games, tug-of-war, motorized water sports action such as kayaking, diving, football-themed promotions. rable for all our guests,” said General Manager, Savino flag race, kite flying, volleyball, basketball, tennis, nail snorkeling and sunset cruises for all family members. “Eid-Al-Fitr is a special time for families to gather, Leone. He added: “We also have the addition of being spa, arts and crafts with many more games planned for Sponsored by VISA, the Worldwide Partner of FIFA get away from everything, relax and have fun. As lead- able to screen live all the football action to our guests every day fun! World Cup TM, the idyllic resort will also be screening ers of luxury hospitality, we recognize that and we and our venues will surely be popular.”

New Nestle Fitness recipe further supports women’s nutritional needs Sheikh Mubarak A M Al-Sabah, AHC Chairman with Monjed Salha, the General Manager of ibis Kuwait Salmiya. estle Middle East is raising Whole Grain adding artificial sweeteners, all while maintain- Breakfast Cereals Business in the Middle East. content to over 50 percent while adding ing great taste and fortification with iron, calci- The move is in line with Nestle commitments Nnutritious oats and more B-vitamins to um and folate, among other micronutrients for a to society to “Help reduce the risk of under- its popular Nestle FITNESS Cereal, to support nutritious start to the day. nutrition through micronutrient fortification,” ibis Kuwait Salmiya hosts women’s specific nutritional needs and help “This nutrition revolution started with our further “Reduce salt, sugar, and saturated fats in them to #keepgoing. kids’ cereal recipes launched in 2012 and con- our products,” and “Increase vegetables, fibre- The new recipe also involves a further 9 per- tinues with perpetual efforts to further reduce rich grains, pulses, nuts and seeds in our prod- Ramadan ghabqa event cent reduction in sugar, coming three years after sugar in all our products and address evolving ucts.” The new products are available in the launch of another reformulation that already nutritional recommendations and consumer Chocolate, Honey and Almond, Fruits, or ction Real Estate Company Salmiya hotel, the first international reduced sugar by up to 30 percent without tastes,” said Olivier Degiorgis, Head of Nestle Original Cereal variants. (AREC) and Action Hotels economy hotel in Kuwait which opened ACompany (AHC) hosted Ghabqa in March 2008. Ibis Hotel Salmiya rep- gathering at the Olivo Restaurant - ibis resents a whole new chapter in the hos- Kuwait Salmiya hotel, under the patron- pitality industry in Kuwait with the intro- Paintball ready age of Sheikh Mubarak A M Al-Sabah. duction of the business class hotel in the The memorable evening during the holy market adding great value and innova- month of Ramadan, was graced by the tion within the industry and economy in for adventure presence of Sheikh Mubarak A M Al- general. Sabah. The event was attended by the Sheikh Mubarak A M Al-Sabah, Senior Management of AREC & AHC thanked the invitees for their attendance lovers in Eid represented by Rawaf Ibrahim Bourisli- and wished all a blessed Ramadan, and the General Manager as well as all sub- also recognized the contribution of great sidiaries companies. people behind the success of many aintball Company, which specializes in The Management Team of Ibis Hotel enterprises. peaceful war games, announced that it welcomed the esteemed guests to the Monjed Salha, the General Manager Phas completed the development and venue, where the head chef and his team of ibis Kuwait Salmiya, remarked that modernization of its facilities, including provi- had prepared an assortment of tradition- “the hotel have always delivered excep- sion of a new tools and equipment for the first al Ramadan favorites, with a flair of spe- tional service to all guests in the past time in Kuwait. Ahmad Sinjab, the marketing cialty cuisine and in-house secret decade and will continue to be one of and sales manager of the company, said in a recipes. The event also marked the 10th the most preferred hotel in the city, press statement that the company’s modern- anniversary celebration of ibis Kuwait offering great hospitality.” ization and development included gun games and toys that are modern, exciting, environ- mentally friendly and harmless. The company also aims to provide new and renewable serv- ices to meet the needs of people seeking inter- control them easily. In addition to the multi- opposing team and win. This is where partici- esting and exciting peaceful games. He added plicity of air weapons to suit all age groups pants come together as a team whose mem- that the ‘Paintball’ are games that combine from the age of 7 years and above, referring bers agree on a plan to beat the opposing excitement and the art of shooting and hunting to the allocation of playgrounds for families to team.” He invited adventure enthusiasts to the by special military game weapons that launch exercise family members in this kind of com- competition in the company’s stadiums along- colored balls. petitive games. Also, he added that the com- side the Kuwait Towers. Sinjab added that the stadiums were pany is ready to receive enthusiasts and lovers Sinjab says that Paintball, the leader compa- equipped with standards that match the style of adventures during the days of Eid Al-Fitr ny in competitive and unique games in Kuwait, of global paintball stadiums. New castles were and battle and competitive rounds in the sta- has proved to be an ideal place for individuals installed around all sides of the stadiums to diums with modern equipment, which allow and groups to discover their own skills and protect the player, also increasing the number players to discover their talents and their own ability to plan, compete and face many chal- of referees to referee the matches between abilities and strive to win over competitors on lenges to win the game in a lively and stimulat- the competitors. Also, we provided trainers to the battlefield. ing environment that makes competition inter- Rawaf Ibrahim Bourisli, AREC General Manager cut the cake with AREC train customers on playing skills and competi- Sinjab said that “what is impressive in such esting. Painball Company has confirmed its management team and Monjed Salha, General Manager of ibis Kuwait tion. As well as the addition of new air tools games is that they need intellectual skills readiness to receive an increasing numbers of Salmiya. with higher features and better in terms of through which players can plan and use their adventure seekers through games that people speed and accuracy so that the player can skills in dribbling and trick to defeat the of all pages can share with each other. Al-Sayer celebrate Graduation girgian at Kuwait palliative care

l-Sayer celebrated special occasion of girgian with children and their fami- Alies at Kuwait Palliative Care in an atmosphere filled with happiness. Al-Sayer and FirstStep volunteers visited Kuwait Palliative Care Centre, with an aim to share the joy and blessings of Ramadan with the patients who suffer from chronic and non- curable diseases. The event delighted the Corporate Excellence “During the holy “In line with the Kuwaiti heritage, Al- children and their families by distributing month of Ramadan we are encouraging the Sayer is keen to organize CSR initiatives to girgian gifts and engaged them by organiz- spirit of social giving by sharing time and support the various sectors of the society to ing many fun activities including games, live attention to the well-deserved to create set a good example by promoting social performance, traditional dancing, face paint- positivity among the children, parents and welfare through educational, cultural, social ing and henna sessions. According to Eng elderly citizens who are in their critical peri- and health initiatives to enhance the bonding Congratulations Tamer Nassr Tamer on your success. I’m proud of your Nehad Ali, Deputy Group Manager od of life time.” between individuals and society” added Ali. achievement. Good luck. 18 Established 1961 Stars Thursday, June 14, 2018

CROSSWORD 1935 STAR TRACK

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

Even though you may be feeling fiercely independent today you may You may find that you are entering a phase where your needs and focus want to remember to keep an open mind and be receptive to the input of others. Take seem to change. You find yourself in a very loving mood. This may be nothing more than a step back and go with the flow when it comes to sharing your opinion today. This a newfound love for life. You may also find yourself taking a close relationship to a new will help in avoiding confrontation. Today you may have a deep craving to love and be level. You have a deep desire to express yourself to others. You desire to let those near loved. Leave your door and heart open for what this day may bring your way in that to you know who you are and how you feel about them. You find yourself very creative. area. Be bold, don’t be afraid to stand out today. Wear that bright shirt hanging in your This creativity may involve new ways to express yourself or you may find that you find closet and face this day with a “look at me attitude”. Some days it is better to let our great peace when sitting down and writing or picking up a paint brush. Enjoy this appearance speak rather than our words. Aries, face this day with a smile on your face. phase, Libra, and use your talents to the fullest.

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

Today may be one of those days you feel as if your spinning your wheels. You may feel as if you are in constant motion and emotionally stressed but no closer to your What a great day to be alive! You are just that. Full of life and energy. You may find oth- goal than when you started. This may affect your attitude to the point others will ers are drawn to you today. You may feel much support for your ideas. Today may be steer clear. This may be a wise decision on their part. You have a short fuse and full of spontaneity. Scorpio, you are on fire and all who are around you are drawn to could fly off the handle quickly. You may desire and escape from the stress life this. You may feel led to take someone under your wing in the workplace. This day throws your way today. If out and about is where you find yourself let your intellect brings a new outlook on life to you. The answers to many questions that have been rather than emotions control you. wandering around in the back of your mind may suddenly have answers.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Today your focus seems drawn to your desire for love. You are in a You may be feeling a desire to be needed. A need to be loved and to love very creative mood and this is a great time to express that. Whether in return. Someone may turn to you today with problem and trust you wood working or maybe even slinging some paint on a canvas, the brighter the bet- with very private information about their life. You will be able to get the root of this ACROSS 6. The fifth of the seven canonical hours. ter. A splash of color is just what you need to light up your world. This is a fun and problem and help them resolve the issue. Experience and wisdom help you to guide this 1. Informal terms for clothing. 7. Be or do something to a greater degree. exciting time for you. Your mind is clear, and this is a great time to make plans for friend in the direction they need to go. You may learn to appreciate the hardships you 5. Someone who expresses contempt or 8. The 17th letter of the Greek alphabet. your future. This a great time to keep the lines of communication open with those have experienced in your life and find that it is because of this you are able to guide this indignation by uttering a snorting sound. 9. Have a tendency or disposition to do or closest to you. Gemini you may find what you have been searching for has been friend so quickly through theirs. You long to be appreciated and admired. You find your 12. The quantity contained in a keg. be something. right in front of you all along. needs may be filled by helping others. 15. An organization of countries formed in 10. Upright in position or posture. 1961 to agree on a common policy for the 11. Having any of numerous bright or strong sale of petroleum. colors reminiscent of the color of blood or 16. Small tree or shrub of New Zealand hav- cherries or tomatoes or rubies. Capricorn (December 22-January 19) ing a profusion of axillary clusters of hon- 12. A family of Sino-Tibetan languages spo- Cancer (June 21-July 22) ey-scented paper-white flowers and whose ken in southeastern Asia. bark is used for cordage. 13. United States anatomist who identified Love and expressing all the deep emotions you have for others becomes 17. 100 avos equal 1 pataca. four pituitary hormones and discovered very important to you. You may be feeling a need to be needed. Never doubt that you are. You may find yourself in deep appreciation of everyone and every- 18. Amphetamine used in the form of a crys- vitamin E (1882-1971). Let no one dull your shine today. You are on fire. Today finds you flirty, flashy, thing around you. You are able to find beauty in every situation and in everything that talline hydrochloride. 14. (Jewish folklore) An artificially created and confident. Others are drawn to you. You may be yearning to develop a close surrounds you. This is time in your life filled with love and others are drawn to your 19. Uttered in a monotonous cadence or relationship with someone special. Not only do your desire to provide this emo- human being that is given life by supernatu- loving ways and kind heart. Be careful today as all around you becomes so appealing. rhythm as in chanting. tional support for someone but also may be feeling a deep need for love and sup- ral means. You may want steer clear of the mall to resist the urge to bring all that catches your 20. A metric unit of volume or capacity port from them in return. This will fulfill the sense of loneliness you have been 22. Electronic warfare undertaken to insure eye home with you, Cancer. A shopping spree could not only find you loving all you equal to 10 liters. feeling deep down. effective friendly use of the electromagnetic see but also wanting to bring home everything you see! 21. Covered with or as if with a glossy and spectrum in spite of the enemy's use of usually brightly colored coating. electronic warfare. 23. The district occupied entirely by the city 24. Antipsychotic drug (trade name Moban) Aquarius (January 20- February 18) of Washington. used in the treatment of schizophrenia. Leo (July 23-August 22) 25. A permanent council of the United 26. Soft decayed area in a tooth. Nations. 28. A public promotion of some product or Today finds you open to the feelings and opinions of others. You may be more willing than usual to hear others out who have a total different approach to life. It 27. Chinese Taoist sect claiming to follow service. Feeding off of emotions of those close to you, rather than your own may hinder your seems you are the center of attention in the work place, a light in a dimly lit room. Your the teaching of Lao-tzu but also incorporat- 30. Put into a rage. creativity. Avoid confrontation and pursue that which sets your soul on fire. Your ambition is noticed and your ability to act fast and handle problems may be what oth- ing pantheism and sorcery. 31. United States anarchist (born in Italy) creativity, love, and simply expressing your true self may draw others closer to you. ers admire most about you. You are calm, cool, and collected, and with an abundance 29. (Judaism) A Jewish festival (traditionally who with Bartolomeo Vanzetti was convict- You may appear to others as a ray of sunshine. Aquarius you are unique and shine of common sense you seem to handle any situation you find yourself in. You feel a 8 days) celebrating the exodus of the ed of murder and in spite of world-wide today to the point you may feel much admiration for who you are. You are confident need to be respected and with the current path you are on there will never be a short- Israelites from Egypt. protest was executed (1891-1927). and truly happy. 32. A radioactive element of the actinide 33. Being one hundred more than three hun- age of respect aimed your way. series. dred. 34. A logarithmic unit of sound intensity. 36. Trade name for an oral contraceptive 35. Take away the weapons from. containing norethindrone and mestranol. Virgo (August 23-September 22) 39. (Greek mythology) Greek god of war. 37. The blood group whose red cells carry Pisces (February 19-March 20) 43. Government agency created in 1974 to both the A and B antigens. Just because it is easy doesn’t it make it right in your eyes. You may find license and regulate nuclear power plants. 38. A strategically located monarchy on the 45. The capital of Bahrain. Today may be a great day to mend fences and break barriers. Seeing things more yourself in a situation and asked to do something that would be benefi- southern and eastern coasts of the Arabian cial to you in your workplace, but it goes against your beliefs. You may find this to be 47. Tropical American insectivorous bird Peninsula. clearly and realizing you are more sensitive today could bring great opportunity to having a long sharp bill and iridescent green work through some issues with someone close to you. Make the call, send the flowers, a difficult decision but will decide to follow your heart. Doing what is right in your 40. The seventh month of the Moslem cal- eyes is always the best route to take. In the long run you will benefit from doing what or bronze plumage. endar. mend the fence, you have nothing to lose. You have a chance to gain peace in your world and taking the first step is always the hardest. Today finds you strong and long- is right as karma is bound to rear its head. You are in touch with your inner sense of 49. A feeling of strong eagerness (usually in 41. (computer science) A system of world- ing to correct all the wrongs in your world. The end result may leave you feeling loved values. This is a great time to sit back and really focus on what means the most to favor of a person or cause). wide electronic communication in which a 51. A sharp hand gesture (resembling a and admired. These are two feeling you tend to feel a frequent desire for. Virgo, it is up you. Pisces, take some time to feed your close relationships and sit back and enjoy computer user can compose a message at to you to make today a day of peace! watching them grow. blow). one terminal that is generated at the recipi- 52. Highly excited. ent's terminal when he logs in. 53. Realistic Norwegian author who wrote 42. Dark somewhat brownish black n 1. plays on social and political themes (1828- 44. A rare silvery (usually trivalent) metallic Wordsearch Puzzle Yesterday’s Solution 1906). element. 56. A light strong brittle gray toxic bivalent 46. An associate degree in nursing. metallic element. 48. A lizard of the family Agamidae. 57. A city in southern Turkey on the Seyhan 50. A Russian river. River. 54. A soft silvery metallic element of the 62. The capital and chief port and largest alkali earth group. city of Senegal. 55. An aggressive remark directed at a per- 64. A city in northwestern Mexico near the son like a missile and intended to have a California border. telling effect. 67. A gradual decline (in size or strength or 58. Leave a camp. power or number). 71. A port city in southwestern Iran. 59. A genus of orb-weaving spiders includ- 72. Tropical American trees with palmately ing common garden spiders and barn spi- compound leaves and showy bell-shaped ders. flowers. 60. An esoteric or occult matter that is tra- 75. The cry made by sheep. ditionally secret. 76. Mythical bird of prey having enormous 61. Marked by strict and particular and size and strength. complete accordance with fact. 77. A recognition of meritorious service. 63. Cubes of meat marinated and cooked on 79. A run that is the result of the batter's a skewer usually with vegetables. performance. 65. Very dark black. 80. (prefix) Opposite or opposing or neu- 66. (computer science) A graphic symbol tralizing. (usually a simple picture) that denotes a 81. A river in northeastern Brazil that flows program or a command or a data file or a generally northward to the Atlantic Ocean. concept in a graphical user interface. 82. Of a dull grayish brown to brownish 68. A United Nations agency created to gray color. assist developing nations by loans guaran- teed by member governments. DOWN 69. (Babylonian) God of wisdom and agri- 1. A (usually) large and scholarly book. culture and patron of scribes and schools. 2. Affording unobstructed entrance and exit. 70. A quantity that is added. 3. Footwear usually with wooden soles. 73. A period marked by distinctive character 4. (slang) A batch of things that go together. or reckoned from a fixed point or event. 5. The second great battle of the American 74. Being one more than two. Civil War (1862). 78. A form of address for a man.

Yesterday’s Solution

Daily SuDoku Yesterday’s Solution Established 1961 Lifestyle THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2018

Pakistani residents shop at a market during holy month of Ramadan in Lahore. Muslims around the world are preparing to celebrate the Eid Al-Fitr holiday, which marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. — AFP Grande’s engagement ring from Preach! Indonesia’s got Ramadan talent Davidson cost almost $100,000 t’s a make or break moment for away from the clutches of drinking, Indonesian high schooler Puteri Ara drugs-and radicalism. “Through this and her hijab-clad friends as they program we’re hoping they’ll develop a riana Grande’s “big” engagement ring wearing the sparkler since her appearance at what it costs to do something right.” I rap about religious tolerance to a positive spirit and values,” Setiawan from Pete Davidson came with an extra iHeartRadio’s Wango Tango concert on June 2 in And he definitely didn’t “skimp out” on the cheering TV studio audience. Can they said of the participants. “And we’re sure big price tag. According to TMZ, Los Angeles. Davidson was behind-the-scenes pop star’s impressive new bling. The “No Tears A beat a rival boy band singing about that when they return to their respec- Grande’s ring was custom-made by Manhattan- at the event supporting his now fiancÈe as news Left to Cry” singer, 24, and the 24-year-old god’s glory or the all-girl group calling tive hometowns they’ll become preach- based jeweler Greg Yuna and it cost Davidson of their relationship began to surface - and he Saturday Night Live star surprised just about on viewers to idolise the Prophet ers at school, their neighborhood or at $93,000 thanks to its size and VVS1 clarity. The raved about her “lit” set. According to this everyone with their engagement news Monday, Muhammad (PBUH) instead of Korean least at home.” jeweler seemingly confirmed that he crafted the Twitter bio, Yuna, who also goes by Mr Flawless, as Davidson popped the question after only a pop stars? It’s all up to the judges on ring by posting the news on his Instagram story “runs” Manhattan’s Diamond District. His clients few weeks of dating. The couple - who began Ramadan reality television-a ratings ‘Troubling preachers’ yesterday. include rapper 50 Cent and NFL star Victor dating shortly after Grande’s breakup from rap- bonanza watched by millions across Indonesia’s reputation for religious The pear-shaped diamond is surrounded by Cruz. “I don’t like gaudy,” the jeweler said in a per Mac Miller in May - have been using social the world’s most populous Muslim- tolerance was once again tested last halo of smaller diamonds and is set on a diamond 2015 interview with the New York Post, adding, media to express their affection for one another. majority nation during the month-long month by a series of church bombings platinum band. Grande appears to have been “I don’t skimp out. I handpick the stones. I know Davidson also confirmed that he had split from fasting celebration. “Muslims who are that killed a dozen Christian parish- his longtime girlfriend Cazzie David in mid-May. fasting have to be ready to stand with ioners during Sunday services. The “It’s a recent engagement,” a source close those who don’t fast,” belts out 16- country has long struggled with Islamist to the couple told PEOPLE. “They’re just two year-old Ara. militancy, including the 2002 Bali people who found love quickly and make each “This is my country. It’s built upon bombings that killed over 200 people- other happy all the time. They both started different religions but we’re united in mostly foreign tourists-in its worst-ever talking about it this past weekend. It’s nothing peace.” Part talent show and part ser- terror attack. But the church killings by they’ve been hiding.” The couple is currently mon, the show Syiar Anak Negeri (The two suicide bomber families reignited celebrating their whirlwind engagement in Country’s Children Preach) is one of a fears about Indonesia’s lurch toward Disneyland, and we wouldn’t be surprised if string of similar programs played during religious conservatism, which has hand- Grande has a little extra security to protect her Ramadan that feature kids as young as ed hardline groups unprecedented new bling. — people.com three competing for TV stardom. They political power. compete for prizes including tickets to Spotting this shift, TV producers Islam’s holiest city Makkah, cash of up have tapped a growing demand for reli- to 100 million Rupiah (about $7,200) gion-inspired shows and marketed and university scholarships. Ara’s band them to huge audiences during has worked tirelessly on a set that Ramadan, pushing once-dominant soap meshes rap with beatbox and nasheed- operas and prank TV shows to the This combination of pictures vocal music sung a cappella or backed sidelines. But the renewed focus on reli- shows Singer Ariana Grande by percussion instruments. gion has also opened the door to fire- and Pete Davidson. — AFP A celebrity-studded panel of judges, brand clerics who have taken to the air- which also includes members of the waves to preach intolerance toward religious affairs ministry and women, minority groups and non- Indonesia’s top Muslim cleric body, Muslims.—AFP decides who goes on to the next round. The show featuring Ara’s group was the Demi Moore replaces Sharon brainchild of producer Ferdi Setiawan, Stone in Corporate Animals who wanted to help keep young people

emi Moore has joined the cast of ously admitted to harboring insecurities ‘Corporate Animals’. The 55-year-old about her talent. She shared: “I was too Dactress will star alongside the likes of afraid. I thought that if an acting teacher had Jessica Williams and Ed Helms in the said to me, ‘You know what, you’re not upcoming comedy film, which is being good,’ I would not have gone any further. It directed by Patrick Brice. Demi will play the was easier for me to justify going to an audi- role of Lucy, the CEO of America’s leading tion and getting rejected, maybe because supplier of edible cutlery, according to they wanted somebody blonde, maybe Deadline. In the movie, Lucy asks her staff because I wasn’t experienced enough. “I to attend a corporate team-building caving could live with that more easily.” However, weekend in New Mexico, where they find Demi revealed that the 1990 drama movie themselves in the midst of a disaster when ‘Ghost’ proved to be a turning point in her they’re trapped underground. The group career. She said: “It wasn’t until [director] face the arduous task of keeping themselves Jerry Zucker gave me the chance in ‘Ghost’, alive while also dealing with sexual tension by believing in me and thinking I had it in and even cannibalism. me, that I broke through my own limitations Originally, the role was going to be and started to access what I had deep down played by Sharon Stone, but she was forced and had covered up. “Not that I don’t need to withdraw from the project due to sched- reassurance and don’t want people to give uling reasons. Despite being one of the me that pat on the back. —Bang Showbiz This photograph shows high school teens performing live on the television show Demi Moore world’s best known actresses, Demi has nev- ‘Syiar Anak Negeri’ in Jakarta. — AFP er taken any formal classes and she previ- 20 Established 1961 Thursday, June 14, 2018 Lifestyle Features The ‘Black Panther’ actor who is an undocumented ‘Dreamer’

n the hit sitcom “The Good Place,” Bambadjan Bamba was 21 by then-too old to share the new rights Black cloud OBamba plays an eternal being in the afterlife. In they had won. Bamba says friends and colleagues have been incredibly reality, the Ivorian actor is living in limbo in the supportive since he “came out,” and his fears that it would United States as an undocumented immigrant. The 36- ‘A lot of fear’ nix his career turned out to be unfounded. He told the LA year-old Bamba, who most recently appeared in “Black Despite his undocumented status, the aspiring star Times his biggest worry was being hauled off set by immi- Panther,” is one of 700,000 “Dreamers”-immigrants began picking up acting jobs and has appeared in more gration officials during a shoot. He works a lot in Canada or brought illegally to America as children who were protect- than two dozen television shows such as “Law and elsewhere abroad but always worries about getting back ed by the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Order,” “ER” and “Grey’s Anatomy.” In 2016, he into the United States. The Republican-led Congress failed Arrivals (DACA) program. secured a recurring part as a human rights activist and earlier this year to pass immigration reform proposals, “For a while, I wanted to share my story but I was par- secret celestial torturer in NBC sitcom “The Good including one championed by Trump that would have alyzed in fear,” he said in an interview with AFP as he Place,” and has since appeared in small roles in two com- resolved the legal status of 1.8 million migrants. picked up a human rights award in Los Angeles from the ic book blockbusters-”Black Panther” and “Suicide Lawmakers are working on a new solution that would American Civil Liberties Union. “I just didn’t want to ruffle Squad.” Like thousands in his situation, Bamba felt like include measures to boost border security and reform legal any feathers. I didn’t want to put my career on the line, and his world had collapsed when President Donald Trump immigration but, for the time being, the uncertainty is a even my family on the line.” Bamba’s family fled political canceled the DACA program last year, leaving Dreamers black cloud hanging over the Dreamers. “I’m still being instability in the west African state of Ivory Coast in 1993 vulnerable to deportation at any moment. This photograph shows high school teens performing live on vocal but, to my surprise-I guess this was a little naive of and he arrived in the US when he was 10. Bamba then The court system has ordered that the scheme contin- the television show ‘Syiar Anak Negeri’ in Jakarta. — AFP me-I thought we would have a solution by now. I thought spent his teenage years between New York’s South Bronx ue, but the uncertainty surrounding their status remains. we would have a Dream Act passed by now,” said Bamba. and Richmond, Virginia. The young French speaker learned “It has really been volatile. There’s so much uncertainty in with the Los Angeles Times in November of last year. “I thought, with the government shutdowns and all those English quickly and got into New York’s Conservatory for our communities. There’s a lot of fear and we don’t know “I have a wife and a daughter. She’s one-and-a-half things that happened, that we would have something on the Dramatic Arts, driving taxis to pay the fees. what’s going to happen next,” he told AFP. “Most of us years old. Back in November, that really spurred my deci- table. So the fact that we don’t have anything helps me It was during the college applications process, when have families, degrees, have careers, have made our lives sion,” Bamba told AFP. “I looked at her and I wanted her to know that the fight continues and that I have to continue to Bamba was thinking about financial aid, that his parents here, and we really don’t know what’s going to happen know her father stood for something and stood for her, do my part.”— AFP revealed they had no legal status in the United States. month to month.” Bamba had told very few people of his especially right now when families are being torn apart at They were eventually granted political asylum, but citizenship status but decided to speak out in an interview the border.” Canoeing in the wilderness of Minnesota’s Boundary Waters

wners of the bistros and terrace cafes Living with a monster: Othat are integral to the Paris way of life want the “je ne sais quoi” of their establishments to be recognized as both of Tourism at a global value and endangered. They have launched a campaign to be named by the United Nations’ cultural agency as an Guatemala volcano “Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.” UNESCO has given that status to traditions as varied as a Mongolian A view of the volcanoes, Fuego, left, Acatenango, center, and Agua, right, from a point on camel-coaxing ritual, Iranian sailboat building the climb to the Pacaya Volcano in San Francisco de Sales, Guatemala. — AP photos and the sung prayers of indigenous Peruvians. Every paddle stroke sprinkled water drops, ourists reached out to feel the heat Each day, Quezada gets reports from resi- reflecting the setting sun like sparklers across from the still-smoldering lava, dents who have hiked up the mountain the black, glacier-carved lake. Ttossed sticks to see them burst into earlier in the day about where it is safe to Just a few hours earlier, I had been portag- flames or watched a guide toast marsh- take tour groups. Going to the summit and ing on an ankle-deep muddy trail with that 55- mallows on hot rocks as they hiked on peering into the crater is no longer pound (25-kilo) canoe balanced over my head, Guatemala’s Pacaya volcano, which days allowed. “If there is a change in the vol- shielding me from a chilly downpour. That con- earlier had spewed lava. From the peak of cano, a change in its activity, we return trast is the essence of the wilderness experi- Pacaya they had a clear view of the near- immediately,” he said. Tourists come to ence in Minnesota’s Boundary Waters. The by Volcano of Fire, which erupted June 3, Pacaya for the altitude, cool weather, physical effort required to explore its off-the- grid remoteness - including carrying a canoe emitting a fast-moving avalanche of stunning views and singular experience of Photo shows a visitor to Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness getting ready to put the solo on slippery, rocky trails - makes every super-heated muck that killed at least 110 seeing the force of nature. 16.5-foot canoe back in the water after carrying it overhead across a portage to Parent Lake. people and left about 200 missing. “We The altitude - the volcanos are the worry evaporate like steam off woolen socks don’t worry about the lava, we worry only geographic features rising off the strung over a campfire. about the crater” from which explosive steamy plains - is one reason why many Into the wilderness nine people or four canoes maximum. You must eruptions come, said Sazo. people live in villages like San Francisco My first canoeing and camping four-day pick up the permit at the designated US. de Sales. It is perfect for growing coffee, trip in the Boundary Waters came as I was Forest Service station or outfitter, first but after a plant disease wiped out cof- interviewing for jobs after finishing my Ph.D. I watching a wilderness instruction video that fee trees, people recently began planting don’t believe that I ever looked at any object includes how to chase away black bears by avocados. “Coffee is no longer profitable with as much loathing as I did the payphone banging pots. (I’ve seen moose in the wilder- after we got coffee rust,” said farmer outside the outfitters’ office when we got back ness, but bears only en route from the car.) Roberto Mijango. “We’re only getting to civilization. Topographic maps are essential to navigate. paid $18 for a 100-pound (46-kilogram) Sure, bathing with soap and shampoo would They indicate the otherwise unmarked sack of coffee berries. The fertilizer costs be nice - but couldn’t we just turn the canoe portages and the more than 2,000 primitive more than that.” around for a few more disconnected days? I lakeshore campsites, which provide a clearing But the 3- and 4-year-old avocado have since returned for half a dozen trips, for tents, a fire grate and, hidden away, a trees won’t bear enough fruit to support either in late May or mid-to-late September, latrine. the farmers for another few years. So enjoying everything from sunbathing on the You can’t reserve them, but once you reach without the tourism income, the villages rocks to paddling through snow flurries, often one, nobody else can stay there other than you A local guide sits on a rock as he observes around Pacaya would be impoverished. on the same trip. and your group. Aside from the glimpse of a tourists in the vicinity of solidified lava Samuel Dandoy, a tourist from a town in My favorite route is the demanding loop yellow or red canoe in the distance, a quick flow, on the summit of the Pacaya Volcano. Belgium near the French border, stood from Sawbill Lake up several creeks and bogs hello at a portage, or a plume of campfire near the top of Pacaya on Friday looking to vast, islet-studded Cherokee Lake, and back smoke in the evening, it’s hard to notice any Residents who depend on Pacaya for at the lava flow. “I really came for the vol- down the Temperance River. The 23-mile (37- human presence. their livelihood have learned to respect canos in Guatemala,” said Dandoy. “I feel kilometer) route crosses 12 lakes, which means and read the volcano, like park mainte- amazed. It’s really impressive.” Dandoy 14 portages with sturdy Duluth packs (nearly People’s choice nance worker Juan Francisco Alfaro, who and his traveling companion, Camille square in shape, designed to fit in the bottom Yet people have shaped this area’s history, lives in the nearby hamlet of Patrocinio. Bourbeau of Montreal, lived through the of a canoe) and 16.5-foot (5-meter) canoes on from the Native Americans and fur traders who “We are always alert. You don’t wait, you ash that fell on Antigua from the Volcano forest trails connecting lakes and bypassing first carved out its portages hundreds of years go” if there is an explosive eruption, of Fire. The two joined relief efforts, mak- rapids. ago to the legislators who designated its feder- Alfaro said. Many carefully watch the col- ing sandwiches and distributing them to The longest portage on this route is 240 al wilderness status. Earlier this spring, mining or of the plumes coming from the crater: victims and rescuers. “I couldn’t just sit rods, or about three-quarters of a mile (1.2 leases nearby were renewed, stirring heated White is OK, but black means danger. there, I had to do something” said kilometers) at one rod per canoe length. Try controversy. That fragility makes the Boundary “We have a lot of respect for it,” Alfaro Bourbeau. “I volunteered a bit. I made hiking that carrying a pack bulging with food Waters’ soothing moments all the more pre- said. “One sees what happened to San sandwiches for them. I went to give the for eight people for a long weekend. I’d rather cious, like watching the moon rise from a rocky Miguel Los Lotes,” which was destroyed supplies that were donated, so I felt I carry the canoe, even though that requires outcrop amid the throbbing of the loons’ by the Volcano of Fire eruption. tried to help.” — AP Photo shows lily pads on the glossy surface of some fancy limbo dancing under branches. haunting call - and that of paddle-sore mus- Jose Quezada, who has guided tours Lake One in Minnesota’s Boundary Waters cles. The grub of summer sausage, Hamburger for 18 years, estimates half the people in Canoe Area Wilderness. Prep time Helper and gorp isn’t gourmet, and sleeping San Francisco de Sales earn a living from Sawbill is also one of the most popular of bags don’t come with thread counts. But to volcano tourism. “Over time, we have the Boundary Waters’ dozens of entry points, really get away might just be the ultimate learned to live with the volcano,” he said. And once your only concerns become basic so reserve a permit in advance if you’re travel- splurge. — AP “You don’t fool around with the volcano.” - keeping chipmunks away from the breakfast ing overnight from May through September. oatmeal or securing tarps against the wind Only a few are granted per day, to groups of whooshing through the woods - you have nothing to do but soak in the beauty.

Boldly north Covering over one million acres along the Minnesota-Canada border, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness protects more than a thousand lakes, rocky islets, and tower- ing evergreen forests that are usually ice-free from May into October. There are plenty of walleyes, pikes and loons along its 1,200 miles (1,930 kilometers) of lily pad-lined canoe trails - but no electrici- ty, no motors (except on a few big entry lakes), and no cell phone or Wi-Fi signals in the vast majority of the wilderness. If you want those, or a shower, bed and restaurant meals, there are plenty of nearby spartan-to-five-star lake- side cabins and lodges. Deep inside the wilder- ness, the luxury is the silence, quieting every- thing to the same stillness of the glossy lake surfaces that mirror the bursts of stars or the spindly pine trees. Even planes cannot fly Tourists ride horses to the summit of the Pacaya volcano in San Francisco de Sales, below 4,000 feet (1,219 meters) here. Photo shows canoeists paddling in the misty solitude of the pine forest-fringed lakes in Guatemala. Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Established 1961 21 Lifestyle Features Thursday, June 14, 2018

Gutted by Grenfell

A young boxer wraps his hands during a training session. orced to move out of Grenfell Tower after a fire, boxing gym devastating fire a year ago on Thursday, the Ffamous Dale Youth boxing club has become an unlikely sanctuary for those affected. The club, which has produced two world champions in George Groves and James DeGale, is operating temporarily out of a multi-storey car park in west London near the site of the blaze. “Everyone has a close attachment to the Tower,” Joe Sweeney, a comes off the ropes trainer at the club for the past three years, told AFP on a recent visit to the gym’s new spartan and sombre surroundings. The fire spread quickly through the 24-storey apartment block in the early hours of June 14 last year, killing 71 people. The state-of-the-art gym, which has also produced more than 100 national champions, was on the first floor of the tower. “People lost their lives and homes. The gym being destroyed is an afterthought and of secondary importance,” Sweeney, 34, said, as around 30 enthusiastic boys sparred and gave punchbags- some as heavy as 200 pounds (91 kilos) — a pounding.

Lots of the boys are still here have to move on”. “People have moved past blam- at Dale Youth for 15 years, said more local boys from before and ing each other and the community has been were coming to the gym following the fire. strengthened so much and now we are all in unison McGuinness commands respect in the gym as he working to realize and helping each other to get through it.” Asked if sweeps round the room, cajoling gently, encourag- joining the gym was a way of honoring Yahya’s ing and sparring with the kids in the ring. Young boxer Sulayman looks on during a training session at the Box their dreams memory, Jodie answered simply: “Yes, it is. He lost a close acquaintance in 65-year-old Clever Sports club. “Because this gym is linked to him as he would Tony Disson, whose three sons won medals and walk past it every day to school. “I will always championships for the club. “He was a big part of have a sense of him when I am here.” our club,” McGuinness said. “He would love to Sweeney said that the boys aged eight and have seen the new club we have, that is for sure,” upwards who come to the club, many of whom ‘Removes that anger’ he said wistfully. The gym is due to move into knew people who died in the fire, were “affected” On the night that Grenfell Tower went up in new premises on June 24. “We are going to push but not as traumatized as might be expected. “Kids flames, club trainer Moutaz Chellat looked on on, we have another home,” Sweeney said. “We are pretty resilient and get over things quickly helplessly as five of his family-his uncle and aunt can go there and keep helping the community whereas adults hang on to stuff and such events and three of their children-died. “I lived downstairs and building champions. “Lots of the boys are still are something we don’t handle very well,” from the tower, I could see it from my window and here from before and working to realize their Sweeney said. Fifteen-year-old Jodie lost a close ran out,” the 40-year-old, who has been a youth dreams.”— AFP friend in the fire, Yahya Hashim. The two used to worker for nearly two decades, told AFP. “It wasn’t do homework together. a good feeling, panicking and all that.” Chellat said Jodie joined the club a month after the fire training the young at the gym helped him emotion- claimed the life of 13-year-old Yahya, his two ally. “It removes that anger and angry feeling brothers and his parents. “It was a shock,” he told towards certain things,” he said. AFP. The fire “is in the back of our minds but we Head coach Gary McGuinness, who has worked Boxing coach Moutaz Chellat (left) spars with a young boxer during a training session at the Box Clever Sports club. Head junior coach Gary McGuiness looks on at the Box Clever Sports club.

Young boxers train at the Box Clever Sports club. Boxing coach Moutaz Chellat (40) looks on during a training session.

Dr Nour Al-Tijali launches the first skin and hair care event in Kuwait ‘Nour with Nour’ he specialized and first skin and hair care Venereologist Dr Dalia Sadeq and Obesity and Dr Nour Al-Tijali expressed her delight for event “Nour with Nour” was kicked off in Bariatric surgeon Dr Dana Al-Reyahi. Besides, organizing this vital event for the first time in TSheikha Salwa Al-Sabah Hall in Salmiya. the launch event was attended by media dele- Kuwait and said, “Through this exhibition, we The event was organized by Dr Nour Reza Al- gates and figures, bloggers in addition to beau- are working hard to achieve the goals and Tijali, a renowned Dermatologist and ty lovers and professionals. aspirations of international medical events, and Venereologist at Adan Hospital, and hair trans- This event aims at raising awareness on var- to attract specialized companies in the field of plant surgeon at New York Hospital. The event ious medical topics, mainly the causes of skin hair and skincare to the local market that is accommodates leading international companies diseases, solutions and the different medical considered the region’s hub for healthcare and in the field of skin and haircare medical treat- treatments for each case by conducting a beauty. This event brings together leading ments, as well as famous dermatologists in series of seminars, lectures and workshops that international and local companies that show- Kuwait and abroad, including Dermatologist Dr are held by doctors and experts in dermatol- case new inventions in this field to satisfy cus- Fahd Al-Halabi, Dermatologist and ogy and hair transplant in Kuwait. tomers’ needs and meet their expectations”. 22 Established 1961

Thursday, June 14, 2018 Lifestyle Features

Michelle Chau sitting in a common area where she rents a small living space in a co- Jezz Ng siting at her desk where she rents a small living space in a co-sharing building Finance worker Adrian Law eats a delivered meal while sharing building in the Mong Kok district of Hong Kong. — AFP photos in the Mong Kok district. watching television in his studio apartment. Tight squeeze for Hong Kong’s young professionals

s housing prices spiral in Hong Kong, young to developing the city’s cherished country parks. professionals are living in ever-shrinking Designers are also putting forward their own new con- spaces, with box-like “nano-flats” and co- cepts, including converting concrete pipes into living shares touted as fashionable solutions. Blocks spaces and transforming shipping containers into homes. of sleek miniature apartments packed with Sharing space A general view from the studio apartment of finance modA cons are springing up around the densely packed worker Adrian Law. city, pitched as an attractive and more affordable lifestyle Many poorer Hong Kong residents resort to renting choice, but still at an eye-watering cost. Finance worker dingy “subdivided” flats apartments carved up into multi- Adrian Law, 25, paid more than HK$6 million ($765,000) ple living spaces. But even for those on a good salary, a two years ago for his tiny studio apartment in a new decent home is often unaffordable. Jezz Ng, 29, earns a development in the gentrified Sai Ying Pun neighborhood. monthly wage of HK$32,000 as a teacher and has chosen The slim glass building squeezes four apartments onto to live in a new co-share housing set-up, rather than each floor and includes “nano-flats”, a new term for homes shelling out for her own rent. At weekends she goes home of under 215 square feet (20 square meters). to her parents. Ng shares a unit with seven other women Law’s studio is a fraction bigger at 292 square feet, where she has her own small room, which can fit a single with a price per square foot of nearly HK$20,000. He has bed and a desk. adapted to the limited space by buying transformable fur- Housed in a revitalized residential building in the work- niture-his bed folds away against the wall to reveal a desk Finance worker Adrian Law is seen shutting the blinds in ing class neighborhood of Yau Ma Tei, privately owned tucked underneath-and he keeps most of his belongings at his studio apartment. Bibliotheque offers 166 bed spaces across 15 units, with his parents’ home. But with a fingerprint-activated door monthly rents ranging from HK$3,500 to HK$6,200. All lock, washing machine, TV, fridge and even curtains, Law failing to control the red-hot property market. More than tenants have access to communal facilities, from shower says the flat came with everything he needed. “Property 60 percent of new flats under 430 sq ft are taken up by areas and a kitchen to activity rooms and study rooms. developers are marketing the concept to buyers that they investment buyers, according to government figures. “When I started to look for places to rent, my maximum only need a place to sleep and can do anything else out- With the ability to buy a flat increasingly out of reach budget was $8,000 including utilities, but a simple, decent side,” he told AFP, admitting he eats mostly take-away for the majority of Hong Kong’s 7.4 million residents, studio room could easily go over this price,” Ng told AFP. food as the kitchen is too small for cooking. developers are creating smaller spaces to reach a wider She now pays $5,600 per month, which she says Law’s parents helped him put down a 30 percent market. Under Hong Kong law there is no limit to how allows her to support her parents financially and pay her deposit when he bought the apartment and he sees it as an small a flat can be. Ryan Ip, senior researcher at public sister’s tuition fees for a master’s degree-a common investment. He pays HK$24,000 per month for the mort- policy think tank Our Hong Kong Foundation, describes it practice for young adults who are working. Ng adds she gage, around 40 percent of his salary. “One can only get as an “unhealthy” trend with developers putting profit feels less cramped than when she lived at home. Founder into a winning position by owning a place,” he said. “If above quality of life. “If you count the per-square-foot of the co-share, Keith Wong, says it is designed for you’re renting, you are spending all your money without price for smaller-size flats, it is even higher than larger young professionals who need time to “accumulate gaining anything at the end.” flats,” said Ip, who believes mental and physical health will wealth” by limiting their outgoings. For now it is an ideal suffer if properties continue to shrink. solution, says Ng. “I want to strive for an apartment, but Health threat Rental prices have also rocketed and the wait for gov- at the moment, there’s no way for me to achieve that Hong Kong’s real estate is the most expensive in the ernment-subsidized public housing can be five years. Ip goal,” she explained. “Even though I have a stable job world, with median house prices at 19.4 times median says expanding land supply by any means, including recla- and the salary goes up steadily, it will never catch up incomes-the worst ratio globally according to the Annual mation from the sea, is the only way to solve the affordable with the increase in property prices.”— AFP Demographia International Housing Affordability Survey housing shortage. But other local land research groups A general view of a co-sharing building where residents 2018. Property prices have been fuelled by an influx of argue Hong Kong should develop under-utilized brown- can rent a small living space in the Mong Kok district of money from wealthy mainland Chinese investors and field sites and idle government land first. The government Hong Kong. developers, and the city government stands accused of is considering a host of options, from new artificial islands

Michelle Chau sits on her bed where she rents a small living space in a co- Jezz Ng sits on her bed where she rents a small living space in a co-sharing Finance worker Adrian Law eats a delivered meal while watching television in his sharing building in the Mong Kok district of Hong Kong. building in the Mong Kok district. studio apartment. Storage for the urban kitchen

or city dwellers, adaptability comes in handy in the under cabinetry by affixing a sturdy, strong magnetic strip. and increase airflow to keep fruits and vegetables from kitchen. Urban kitchens are typically tiny, presenting Yamazaki Home’s under-cabinet white metal storage spoiling too quickly in the fridge. Fstorage challenges. And for food storage, there’s also shelf is a handy place for resealable bags or tea towels. Glasslock’s Slimline low-profile lidded set is made of the frequent problem of unwelcome houseguests, like mice Rolling chef’s tables or carts with wooden tops provide tempered microwave-safe glass. And the Pyrex sets can go or bugs. Luckily, there’s a lot of great gear to keep perish- more surface and storage in tiny kitchens with limited straight from fridge to oven. Identify all the containers ables and pantry goods organized and protected, much of counter space. The cart’s shelves and baskets can house using erasable food storage labels. Target has a set of sleek it pretty stylish too. Alex Weibel, senior food editor at hand mixers or other small appliances. Don’t forget about stainless steel canisters for cereals, pasta or baking essen- Rachael Ray Every Day magazine, spends a lot of time the inside of cabinet doors. A short curtain rod attached to tials. A steel rack stowed in a cabinet will hold pot lids, pie cooking and developing recipes in her tiny Brooklyn, New the inside of a cabinet can hold small tools on ring clips; pans, and baking and roasting sheets more efficiently than York, kitchen. When her cookbooks began to buckle her put a peel ‘n’ stick cork panel behind it for a message stacking. There’s also a collection of glass storage cylinders cabinetry, she realized it was time to triage the collection. board. A larger rod under the sink can stow spray bottles, with decorative stained wood tops. Pest removal and pre- “I moved my aspirational cookbooks to shelves outside the paper towels and trash bag rolls. vention services may be provided by landlords, or you can kitchen,” she says. try some non-chemical methods, like those Katie Voytasek, And then she used the same approach with everything Freezer and dishwasher safe of LA Best Pest Control, posts on http://www.forrent.com. else. “Anything not vital to daily activity doesn’t belong on Lowe’s spokesman Matt Michaels has a pro tip for As soon as you bring food home, for instance, transfer it kitchen shelves,” she says. “I disguise visible pantry stor- keeping the fridge functioning well: “Clean door seals reg- Photo provided by Rubbermaid shows Rubbermaid’s out of its paper, cardboard or Styrofoam packaging and age in attractive vessels, like vintage Pyrex containers ularly with soap and water.” He says dirt and grime can FreshWorks food storage system, which have vented lids into pest-proof receptacles. Cleaning is key to keeping a which are easily stackable. And I live by the ‘first in, first prevent a tight seal, so the fridge doesn’t stay cold. “Test and crisper trays that keep foods like fruits and vegeta- small urban kitchen prep-ready and pest-free. Attend to out’ mantra I learned in culinary school, strategically posi- your seals by sliding a piece of paper in the closed fridge bles fresher longer. — AP photos dishes and counters right away. That includes the dish- tioning perishables in the front so they get used first.” door; if it falls out, it’s time to replace them.” For counter- washer. If it’s got dirty dishes in it for too long, roaches and Weibel went to Home Depot for a large wire shelf to mount tops or cabinets, consider a system of matching containers Vents allow for microwaving, and the pieces not only stack ants will find their way in. — AP on an empty wall, and stows her hundreds of spice contain- that stack and stow seamlessly together. Rubbermaid’s but are freezer and dishwasher safe. There’s also a system ers on it. “Now my spices are easily accessible, and look Brilliance storage set, made of BPA-proof plastic, is leak- for produce, called FreshWorks. Its containers have trays in charming,” she says. You can also mount metal-lidded jars proof, air-tight and stain-resistant, with sturdy latches. the bottom and a vent on the lid that keep moisture away ClassifiedsThursday, June 14, 2018

Sabah Hospital 24812000 Amiri Hospital 22450005 Maternity Hospital 24843100 Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital 25312700 Chest Hospital 24849400 Farwaniya Hospital 24892010 Adan Hospital 23940620 Ibn Sina Hospital 24840300 Al-Razi Hospital 24846000 Physiotherapy Hospital 24874330/9

Kaizen center 25716707 Rawda 22517733 Adaliya 22517144 Khaldiya 24848075 CHANGE OF NAME ACCOMODATION JOB VACANCIES Kaifan 24849807 I, Amrinder Pal Singh, Sharing accommodation Shamiya 24848913 S/o Bhupinder Singh, available one full room A well reputed and logistic company holder of Indian Passport need one decent bachelor Shuwaikh 24814507 No: J2268928 & Civil ID or couple sharing with requires the following personnel: Abdullah Salem 22549134 No: 285081606515, here- Goan Indian family without Airlines by change my name to children 2 bathroom 2 bed- room flat central A/C 1 floor 1. Garage Supervisor Nuzha 22526804 Amrinder Pal Singh American Airlines 22087425 Dadyal for all future pur- near KFC in Khaitan. Please Industrial Shuwaikh 24814764 22087426 2. Hydraulic mechanic - cranes and pose. contact 50985850 / Kuwait Airways 171 66724593. (C 5402) Qadsiya 22515088 (C 5400) Jazeera Airways 177 forklift-heavy lifts 13-6-2018 Jet Airways 22924455 3. Diesel Mechanic Dasmah 22532265 I, Inacinha Fernandes FlyDubai 22414400 Qatar Airways 22423888 Bneid Al-Gar 22531908 Barreto, daughter of 4. Electrician Domestic Angelo Fernandes, hold- KLM 22425747 Royal Jordanian 22418064/5/6 Shaab 22518752 er of Indian Passport No: 112 British Airways 22425635 All candidates must have a good experience and hold M4642005 & Civil ID No: Air France 22430224 Qibla 22459381 25801200404, hereby degree/certificates in mechanical engineering from a Emirates 22921555 well reputed institutes and experience. Ayoun Al-Qibla 22451082 change my name to Air India 22438184 Inacinha Fernandes Automated enquiry Sri Lanka Airlines 22424444 Send your C.V to email address: Mirqab 22456536 hereafter in all my deal- about the Civil ID Egypt Air a22421578 ings and documents. Swiss Air 22421516 [email protected] Sharq 22465401 (C 5401) Saudia 22426306 card is 1889988 Middle East Airlines 22423073 Contact : 00965 97507969 Edward Fernandes Salmiya 25746401 13-6-2018

Directorate General of Civil Aviation Home Page (www.kuwait-airport.com.kw) DIAL161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION

Arrival Flights on Thursday 14/6/2018 KAC 774 Riyadh 13:30 THY 764 Istanbul 23:15 QTR 1075 Doha 12:10 Airlines Flt Route Time KAC 792 Madinah 13:40 WAN 136 Doha 23:15 JZR 176 Dubai 13:10 MSC 405 Sohag 00:05 JZR 779 Jeddah 13:45 MSR 2614 Cairo 23:30 SAW 708 KAC 13:30 THY 772 Istanbul 00:15 KAC 672 Dubai 13:55 FDB 072 Dubai 23:35 MSC 412 Asyut 13:30 SAI 441 Lahore 00:15 IAW 157A Al Najaf 13:55 JZR 241 Amman 23:40 THY 767 Istanbul 13:40 DLH 625 Dammam 00:50 QTR 1078 Doha 14:10 JZR 144 Doha 13:55 KAC 504 Beirut 00:50 KNE 231 Riyadh 14:10 Departure Flights on Thursday 14/6/2018 JZR 124 Bahrain 14:00 KAC 102 London 00:50 KAC 618 Doha 14:10 Airlines Flt Route Time MSR 611 Cairo 14:00 JZR 539 Cairo 01:00 GFA 221 Bahrain 14:15 AIC 976 Goa/Chennai 00:05 JZR 552 Alexandria 14:05 PGT 858 Istanbul 01:15 SVA 500 Jeddah 14:15 JAI 573 Mumbai 00:30 AXB 394 Kozhikode 14:10 RJA 642 Amman 01:35 FDB 059 Dubai 14:20 FDB 073 Dubai 00:30 UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 UAE 853 Dubai 01:40 KAC 516 Tehran 14:20 JZR 528 Asyut 01:05 IAW 158A Al Najaf 14:55 KLM 446 Bahrain 01:45 AZQ 4565 Dammam 14:30 MSC 406 Sohag 01:05 KAC 661 Abu Dhabi 15:00 KKK 1268 Istanbul 02:00 KAC 798 Taif 14:40 SAI 442 Lahore 01:15 KAC 691 Muscat 15:00 AXB 395 Kozhikode 02:00 FDB 8065 Dubai 14:40 KAC 417 Manila 01:45 KNE 382 Taif 15:00 GFA 211 Bahrain 02:15 JZR 789 Riyadh 14:45 THY 773 Istanbul 01:45 GFA 222 Bahrain 15:00 QTR 1086 Doha 02:30 KAC 788 Jeddah 14:50 DLH 625 Frankfurt 01:50 FDB 060 Dubai 15:05 JZR 553 Alexandria 02:50 KAC 304 Mumbai 15:05 JZR 502 Luxor 01:55 QTR 1079 Doha 15:15 JZR 267 Beirut 02:55 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 15:05 KAC 677 Dubai 02:00 FDB 8066 Dubai 15:40 JZR 607 Kochi 02:55 KAC 412 Bangkok 15:10 PGT 859 Istanbul 02:45 JZR 188 Dubai 15:45 MSC 403 Asyut 03:05 KNE 529 Jeddah 15:10 THY 765 Istanbul 02:50 SVA 501 Jeddah 15:45 RBG 215 Sohag 03:05 KAC 562 Amman 15:20 AXB 396 Kozhikode 02:55 KAC 283 Dhaka 15:50 ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 03:05 OMA 645 Muscat 15:20 KKK 1269 Istanbul 02:55 KAC 775 Riyadh 15:55 MSR 606 Luxor 03:05 KAC 502 Beirut 15:35 KLM 446 Amsterdam 03:10 KNE 530 Jeddah 16:00 OMA 643 Muscat 03:05 ABY 127 Sharjah 15:35 UAE 854 Dubai 03:30 KAC 785 Jeddah 16:00 KAC 418 Manila 03:05 UAE 857 Dubai 15:45 JZR 142 Doha 03:45 KAC 743 Dammam 16:05 KAC 382 Delhi 03:10 SAW 705 Damascus 16:00 RBG 216 Sohag 03:45 KAC 563 Amman 16:10 MSR 612 Cairo 03:15 JZR 535 Cairo 16:10 OMA 644 Muscat 04:05 ABY 128 Sharjah 16:15 QTR 1076 Doha 03:30 QTR 1072 Doha 16:15 MSR 607 Luxor 04:05 KAC 619 Doha 16:15 LMU 510 Cairo 04:00 KAC 118 New York 16:20 ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:05 ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 16:20 JAI 572 Mumbai 04:00 FDB 051 Dubai 16:20 MSC 404 Asyut 04:05 OMA 646 Muscat 16:20 KAC 544 Cairo 04:25 FEG 241 Alexandria 16:45 QTR 1087 Doha 04:15 AZQ 4566 Baku 16:30 KAC 784 Jeddah 04:30 JZR 125 Bahrain 16:55 MSR 613 Cairo 04:15 KAC 615 Bahrain 16:40 JZR 609 Hyderabad 04:30 KAC 542 Cairo 17:00 LMU 511 Cairo 05:00 SAW 706 Damascus 17:00 KAC 284 Dhaka 04:50 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15 JAI 571 Mumbai 05:05 KAC 675 Dubai 17:00 PAL 668 Manila 05:00 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 QTR 1077 Doha 05:15 KAC 503 Beirut 17:15 FDB 069 Dubai 05:05 JZR 777 Jeddah 17:35 KAC 303 Mumbai 05:35 FDB 052 Dubai 17:20 FDB 070 Dubai 06:00 QTR 1073 Doha 17:25 DHX 170 Bahrain 05:10 JZR 145 Doha 17:35 UAE 858 Dubai 17:40 THY 770 Istanbul 05:15 JZR 177 Dubai 17:40 JZR 750 Madinah 06:15 THY 771 Istanbul 06:30 FEG 242 Alexandria 17:45 KAC 344 Chennai 05:30 QTR 1080 Doha 18:10 KAC 381 Delhi 17:45 KAC 332 Trivandrum 05:40 JZR 483 Istanbul 18:20 GFA 212 Bahrain 06:50 RJA 643 Amman 07:00 KAC 331 Trivandrum 17:55 JZR 561 Sohag 05:55 WAN 874 Istanbul 18:25 KAC 343 Chennai 18:00 KAC 362 Colombo 06:00 WAN 966 Tbilisi 18:30 JZR 164 Dubai 07:15 JZR 356 Mashhad 07:15 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15 BAW 157 London 06:10 MSR 620 Cairo 18:30 JZR 184 Dubai 18:20 WAN 338 Alexandria 06:25 RJA 640 Amman 19:00 KAC 167 Paris 07:20 KAC 413 Bangkok 07:30 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 QTR 8511 Doha 06:35 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:05 PAL 669 Manila 07:40 JZR 608 Hyderabad 18:25 KAC 206 Islamabad 06:40 UAE 875 Dubai 19:05 JZR 238 Amman 07:50 JZR 512 Sharm el-Sheikh 18:30 KAC 678 Dubai 06:45 KAC 744 Dammam 19:10 JZR 778 Jeddah 08:00 JZR 240 Amman 18:30 KAC 302 Mumbai 07:00 FDB 063 Dubai 19:10 KAC 501 Beirut 08:00 JZR 538 Cairo 18:35 JZR 605 Ahmedabad 07:05 ABY 123 Sharjah 19:20 QTR 8512 Doha 08:05 WAN 135 Doha 18:40 JZR 143 Doha 07:20 KAC 662 Abu Dhabi 19:25 BAW 156 London 08:20 JZR 266 Beirut 19:15 JZR 529 Asyut 07:30 NIA 161 Cairo 19:30 FDB 054 Dubai 08:35 QTR 1081 Doha 19:20 KAC 354 Bengaluru 07:45 KAC 776 Riyadh 19:35 KAC 791 Madinah 09:00 WAN 135 Doha 19:25 FDB 053 Dubai 07:50 KAC 156 Istanbul 19:35 KAC 613 Bahrain 09:00 MSR 621 Cairo 19:30 JZR 503 Luxor 07:50 RBG 555 Alexandria 19:40 KAC 117 New York 09:05 GFA 218 Bahrain 19:50 KAC 384 Delhi 08:05 FDB 057 Dubai 19:50 KAC 787 Jeddah 09:05 FDB 064 Dubai 19:50 KAC 358 Kochi 08:05 KAC 616 Bahrain 20:00 KAC 671 Dubai 09:15 RJA 641 Amman 20:00 UAE 855 Dubai 08:25 DLH 624 Frankfurt 20:05 WAN 133 Doha 09:30 ABY 124 Sharjah 20:00 WAN 352 Luxor 08:30 OMA 647 Muscat 20:05 IRA 672 Ahwaz 09:35 RBG 556 Alexandria 20:20 IRA 673 Ahwaz 08:35 KNE 381 Taif 20:10 KAC 561 Amman 09:40 NIA 162 Cairo 20:30 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 08:55 KAC 620 Doha 20:15 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:40 FDB 058 Dubai 20:30 ABY 125 Sharjah 09:00 MEA 402 Beirut 20:15 KAC 773 Riyadh 09:45 UAE 876 Dubai 20:35 IRA 667 Esfahan 09:05 JZR 189 Dubai 20:15 JZR 534 Cairo 09:45 DLH 624 Dammam 20:50 QTR 1070 Doha 09:30 KAC 692 Muscat 20:25 UAE 856 Dubai 09:50 KNE 232 Riyadh 21:00 FDB 055 Dubai 09:40 QTR 1088 Doha 20:40 JZR 482 Istanbul 09:55 KAC 353 Bengaluru 21:00 IAW 157 Al Najaf 10:00 JZR 553 Alexandria 20:50 KAC 101 London 10:00 KAC 357 Kochi 21:00 SYR 341 Damascus 10:00 KLM 445 Amsterdam 21:00 KAC 515 Tehran 10:00 OMA 648 Muscat 21:05 SVA 512 Riyadh 10:00 UAE 859 Dubai 21:15 KAC 541 Cairo 10:00 MEA 403 Beirut 21:15 JZR 751 Madinah 10:30 ALK 229 Colombo 21:15 KAC 1543 Cairo 21:20 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:00 JZR 550 Alexandria 21:30 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:15 KAC 797 Taif 10:05 MEA 404 Beirut 10:55 KAC 168 Paris 21:20 KAC 301 Mumbai 21:35 IRA 668 Mashhad 10:05 QTR 1089 Doha 21:50 QTR 1074 Doha 11:00 KAC 676 Dubai 21:35 KAC 617 Doha 10:10 WAN 114 Bahrain 11:10 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:50 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 WAN 873 Istanbul 10:15 KAC 203 Lahore 22:00 JZR 165 Dubai 11:45 KAC 564 Amman 21:50 KAC 155 Istanbul 10:25 KAC 614 Bahrain 12:20 QTR 1082 Doha 22:05 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:05 QTR 1071 Doha 10:40 KLM 445 Bahrain 22:10 MSC 411 Asyut 12:30 ETD 309 Abu Dhabi 22:10 FDB 056 Dubai 10:40 ALK 230 Colombo 22:20 SAW 701 Damascus 12:30 WAN 416 Beirut 22:15 SGL 4101 IQA 11:00 KAC 783 Jeddah 22:25 THY 766 Istanbul 12:45 KAC 786 Jeddah 22:15 SVA 513 Riyadh 11:00 KAC 383 Delhi 22:25 UAE 871 Dubai 12:45 DLH 8456 Frankfurt 22:25 SYR 342 Damascus 11:00 UAE 860 Dubai 22:35 WAN 542 KTM 12:50 AIC 981 Chennai/Ahmedabad 22:25 IAW 158 Al Najaf 11:00 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:50 MSR 610 Cairo 13:00 BBC 043 Dhaka 22:30 JZR 788 Riyadh 11:20 ETD 310 Abu Dhabi 23:00 JZR 239 Amman 13:00 WAN 118 Bahrain 22:40 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:35 QTR 1083 Doha 23:20 JZR 357 Mashhad 13:05 JZR 185 Dubai 22:50 MEA 405 Beirut 11:55 WAN 337 Alexandria 23:40 AXB 393 Kozhikode 13:10 TRQ 230 KRT 23:00 JZR 776 Jeddah 12:05 JZR 560 Sohag 23:45 WAN 134 Doha 13:20 JAI 574 Mumbai 23:00 WAN 975 Baku 12:10 TRQ 231 KRT 23:55 Established 1961 24 News Thursday, June 14, 2018

In this handout file photo, a fighter jet of the UAE armed forces takes off from an air force base before raids against Shiite Houthi rebels in Yemen as part of the Saudi-led coalition’s Operation Decisive Storm. Yemeni forces backed by Saudi Arabia and the UAE massed around the key port city of Hodeida yesterday in a bid to seize it from Iran-backed. — AFP Arab states launch attack on Yemen’s rebel-held port city

ADEN: A Saudi-led alliance of Arab states launched an agencies still there, said 30 air strikes hit the city within Arab states say they will try to keep the port running and Red Sea coast fighters and a battalion led by a nephew of attack on Yemen’s main port city yesterday, the largest half an hour. can ease the crisis once they seize it by lifting import late ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh. battle of the war, aiming to bring the ruling Houthi move- “Some civilians are entrapped, others forced from restrictions they have imposed. Houthi leader Mohammed Ali Al-Houthi, who has ment to its knees at the risk of worsening the world’s their homes. We thought it could not get any worse, but Western countries have quietly backed the Arab states threatened attacks on tankers, warned the alliance not to biggest humanitarian crisis. Arab warplanes and warships unfortunately we were wrong,” said CARE’s acting coun- diplomatically, while mostly avoiding direct public attack and said on Twitter his forces had struck a coali- pounded Houthi fortifications to support ground opera- try director, Jolien Veldwijk. Saudi-owned Al Arabiya TV involvement in the conflict. A major battle could test that tion barge. There was no immediate confirmation from tions by foreign and Yemeni troops massed south of the quoted witnesses describing “concentrated and intense” support, especially if many civilians are killed or supplies the coalition. The Sunni Muslim Arab states see the port of Hodeidah in operation “Golden Victory”. bombing near the port itself. “Under international human- disrupted. The United States, Britain and France all sell Houthi rise as expansionism by their Shiite foe Iran. They Ground battles raged near Hodeidah airport and Al- itarian law, parties to the conflict have to do everything billions of dollars of weapons a year to the Arab coun- aim to restore President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, driv- Durayhmi, a rural area 10 km south of the city, media possible to protect civilians and ensure they have access tries. Aid agencies urged President Emmanuel Macron to en into exile in 2014. The Houthis, from a Shiite minority controlled by the Arab states and their Yemeni allies to the assistance they need to survive,” said Lise Grande, cancel a planned Paris conference on Yemen co-chaired that ruled a thousand-year kingdom in Yemen until 1962, reported. The assault marks the first time the Arab states UN humanitarian coordinator for Yemen. with Saudi Arabia. The operation began after a three-day say they took power through a popular revolt and are have tried to capture such a heavily-defended major city deadline set by the United Arab Emirates for the Houthis now defending Yemen from invasion. since joining the war three years ago against the Iran- Calls for restraint to quit the port. Yemen has been in crisis since 2011 mass protests that aligned Houthis, who control the capital Sanaa and most The UN special envoy to Yemen, Martin Griffiths, said “The liberation of the port is the start of the fall of the ended Saleh’s 33-year rule. Hadi came to power in a of the populated areas. the world body was talking to both sides to try to avert a Houthi militia and will secure marine shipping in the Bab Saudi-brokered transition, but the Houthis drove him out. The port is the main route for food to reach most battle. “We call on them to exercise restraint & engage al-Mandab strait and cut off the hands of Iran, which has For a time Saleh joined forces with the Houthis, but they Yemenis, 8.4 million of whom are already on the verge of with political efforts to spare Hodeida a military con- long drowned Yemen in weapons that shed precious turned on each other last year and Saleh was killed. Parts famine. The Houthis deployed military vehicles and troops frontation,” he tweeted. UN refugee chief Filippo Grandi Yemeni blood,” Yemen’s Arab-backed government-in- of Yemen are also held by Al-Qaeda and Islamic State in the city centre and near the port, as warplanes struck said there was a danger Yemenis might flee across the sea exile said in a statement. A Yemeni anti-Houthi military militants. Yemen lies beside the southern mouth of the the coast to the south, a resident speaking on condition of to Somalia or Djibouti. Port workers told Reuters five official said the alliance had brought to bear a 21,000- Red Sea, one of the world’s most important trade routes, anonymity told Reuters. People fled by routes to the ships were docked at Hodeidah port unloading goods, but strong force. It includes Emirati and Sudanese troops as which oil tankers use to reach Europe from the Middle north and west. CARE International, one of the few aid no new entry permits would be issued yesterday. The well as Yemenis, drawn from southern separatists, local East through the Suez Canal. — Reuters

does not see a huge annual mass migration. But Delhi Eid exodus: Asia bank clerk Shakir Khan is among those who will be headed home for the holiday. “We live in a very fast- paced world and Eid is always special as it gives you a Muslims on the... chance to reconnect with your family and friends,” the Saudi women rev up 29-year-old said. Continued from Page 1 Eid, which is expected to begin from today, comes at motorbikes; end to the end of Ramadan, when Muslims abstain for a month Pakistanis were also complaining of congestion as from activities including eating, drinking, smoking and authorities said they expect road traffic to more than sex during daylight hours. Safety will be a big factor in driving ban nears double ahead of the holiday. some countries. Some 276 Bangladeshis died in road The country’s railways have announced special “Eid accidents during Eid last year, while the number in RIYADH: Even a year ago, it would have been hard to trains” with extra carriages and discounts to tackle the Indonesia was an eye-watering 740 people. The imagine-Saudi women clad in skinny jeans and Harley- rush. In Malaysia, traffic slowed to a crawl on major Southeast Asian nation’s often dangerous roads were Davidson T-shirts, revving motorbikes at a Riyadh sports roads out of Kuala Lumpur, with traffic expected to soar clogged with thrifty travelers who packed whole families circuit. But ahead of the historic lifting of a decades-long by some 70 percent over the usual volume. India, which onto one motorcycle-plus luggage-for grueling trips that ban on female drivers on June 24, women gather weekly at the privately owned Bikers Skills Institute, to learn how has a 180 million-strong Muslim minority population, can last upwards of 15 hours. — AFP RIYADH: Saudi-born Jordanian Leen Teenawi prepares for to ride bikes. “Biking has been a passion ever since I was a training session at the Bikers Skills Institute, a motorcy- a kid,” said 31-year-old Noura, who declined to give her real name as she weighs public reactions in the ultra-con- cle driving school, on the outskirts of Riyadh. — AFP venues for the tournament will be in the United States servative Islamic kingdom. authority to make decisions on their behalf. “Expect more with Mexico and Canada having three venues each. Overturning the world’s only ban on female drivers, US, Mexico and accidents” because of women is a common refrain in an long a symbol of repression against women, is the most The US previously hosted the World Cup in 1994 avalanche of sexist comments on Twitter. The government striking reform yet launched by powerful Crown Prince while Mexico staged it in 1970 and 1986. Canada has has preemptively addressed concerns of abuse by out- Canada to host... Mohammed Bin Salman. But it has been overshadowed by never staged a men’s World Cup but it did hold the lawing sexual harassment with a prison term of up to five a wave of arrests of female activists including veteran Continued from Page 1 women’s tournament in 2015. A US bid lost out in the years and a maximum penalty of 300,000 riyals. vote eight years ago for the 2022 World Cup, which campaigners who long resisted the ban. None of the women at the floodlit motoring circuit wanted to talk Even if Trump were to be elected for a second four- was handed to Qatar, and US Soccer Federation presi- ‘Climate of fear’ about the crackdown, a deeply sensitive issue, focusing year term in 2020 he would not be president when the dent Carlos Cordiero said it had been a long road to The most immediate practical worry for female instead on securing a basic freedom long denied to them. World Cup kicks off in 2026. get the tournament back to the country. ‘It was over- motorists is the dress code. Inside the private institute, the “I grew up watching my family riding bikes,” Noura Trump had earlier warned that countries voting whelmingly emotional for everyone, not just for myself. bikers wear skinny jeans, with abrasion-proof knee pads said as she mounted a Yamaha Virago. “Now I hope... to A lot of very hard work and effort has gone into this wrapped outside-but that is still unthinkable in public. against the North American bid would suffer conse- have enough skills to ride on the street.” Next to her, Body-shrouding abaya robes-mandatory public wear for quences. The president has regularly assailed world campaign... You know, we ran and lost eight years ago. revving a Suzuki, sat Leen Tinawi, a 19-year-old Saudi- women-are impractical while riding as their flowing hems leaders like Germany’s Angela Merkel and France’s We appreciated that as much as you can do, you are born Jordanian. For both women, biking is not just an could get caught up in the wheels. Many women also Emmanuel Macron for ‘ripping’ America off over trade. not guaranteed victory,’ he said. adrenalin-fuelled passion, but also a form of empower- complain that female instructors are in short supply and On Twitter Trudeau said: ‘Good news this morning: The The Moroccan bid had expected a closer result and ment. “I can summarize the whole experience of riding a that classes are expensive. But topping all concerns is the 2026 FIFA World Cup is coming to Canada, the US and some of their backers felt they had been let down by bike in one word-freedom,” Tinawi said. Mexico. Congratulations to everyone who worked hard potential allies. ‘Of course, it’s really sad because we crackdown on women activists-while the kingdom trum- pets women’s rights. on this bid - it’s going to be a great tournament!’ The were counting on our friends, the countries that are ‘It’s your turn to ride’ Saudi Arabia this month said it detained 17 people for United States, Canada and Mexico were expected to close to us, that are long-time friends. And today they Both bikers follow their Ukrainian instructor, 39-year- “undermining” the kingdom’s security. State-backed qualify automatically for the tournament as has been betrayed us,’ Moroccan Olympic champion runner old Elena Bukaryeva, who rides a Harley-Davidson. Most media published pictures of veteran driving activists, the Hicham El Guerrouj, who was active with the bid team, days the circuit is the domain of drag racers and bike the tradition for all World Cup host nations. word “traitor” stamped across them in red. “It’s a com- enthusiasts - all men. But since offering courses to women After the bid some observers expressed hope that told Reuters. plete contradiction for the government to proclaim it is in in February on the basics of bike riding, four female enthu- the ‘NAFTA World Cup’ would rebuild cooperation The last time FIFA voted on World Cup hosting favor of new freedoms for women and then target and siasts have enrolled, most of them Saudis, Bukaryeva said. between the three countries. Trump will be gone from rights was in 2010, the decision then resting with the detain women for demanding those freedoms,” Samah “They always wanted to learn how to ride a motorcycle. office when the tournament does take place. ‘See? old executive committee which chose Russia to host the Hadid, Amnesty International’s Middle East director of And now they are saying ‘it’s my time’,” Bukaryeva said. Always better when we work together,’ Roberta 2018 finals and Qatar for 2022. Several members of that campaigns said. The arrests have unleashed a torrent of She echoed a catchphrase printed on the institute’s Jacobson, ambassador to Mexico until May, wrote on committee were later banned from the sport after they global criticism-including from vocal supporters of Prince promotional material: “It’s your turn to ride.” Asked why her Twitter feed. The North American bid collected 134 were caught up in the corruption scandal that engulfed Mohammed’s reform drive, such as Bernard Haykel, a pro- more women had not enrolled for the course, which costs votes to the 65 for Morocco. One Congress member world football’s governing body in 2015. Under FIFA’s fessor at Princeton University. 1,500 riyals ($400, 340 euros), Bukaryeva said: “Maybe voted for ‘neither bid.’ Mexican President Enrique Pena new system for choosing the host, all eligible football Calling the crackdown “a mistake”, he has urged the their families stop them.” Tinawi echoed the sentiment, federations who attend Congress were given a vote. government to “apply due process and the rule of law” Nieto tweeted ‘We did it!’ saying she faced strong reservations from her family. “My in handling jailed activists’ cases. Observers say the The 2026 finals will be the first expanded tournament The result has been a jet-setting campaign from both parents said: ‘You on a bike? You are a girl. It’s danger- arrests seem calculated by the crown prince to placate featuring 48 teams, up from the current 32-team event bids, whose team members have travelled the globe in ous’,” she said. In Saudi Arabia, taking the wheel has long clerics incensed by the modernization drive and to send which begins in Russia today. Both bids were given a an attempt to win over the worldwide electorate. been a man’s prerogative. For decades, hardliners cited a clear signal that the pace of reform will be driven by last chance to make their case with 15 minute presenta- Cordeiro has said his bid would generate $14 billion in austere interpretations of Islam as they sought to justify him alone, not the activists. Back at the institute, as the tions in front of the Congress at the Moscow revenue and make an $11 billion profit for FIFA. The bid the ban, with many asserting that allowing them to drive floodlights dimmed and the women bikers donned their Expocentre. Of the 80 games, 60 will be held in the also expects record ticket and hospitality revenue. The would promote promiscuity. abayas to leave, the crackdown was not a topic of dis- United States with 10 each in Canada and Mexico. The result is a boost for FIFA president Gianni Infantino Many women fear they are still easy prey for conser- cussion. “A climate of fear is now evident in Saudi final will be played at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, who, while he maintained neutrality during the cam- vatives in a nation where male “guardians”-their fathers, Arabia,” Hadid said. — AFP home to the National Football League’s New York paign, was known to be keen to see the first expanded husbands or other relatives-can exercise arbitrary Giants and New York Jets. Ten of the eventual 16 chosen Word Cup being held in North America. — Reuters Established 1961 25 Sports Thursday, June 14, 2018

World Cup fever builds as fans, teams pour into Russia Local fans gather, waving flags and good-naturedly chanting ‘Russia, Russia’

KAZAN: World Cup fever is finally taking hold in Russia, moon following his selection to the Socceroos’ squad. where wild enthusiasm in provincial centres such as chilly “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Go, Go, Go,” screamed sections of Kazan is filtering through to Moscow ahead of today’s the crowd, many waving yellow and green Australia flags opening match in the capital. handed out by organisers. Defender Josh Risdon appre- While curious locals have clamoured to see the likes of ciated the backing ahead of Australia’s Group C cam- Lionel Messi and Neymar, it has proved a slow build-up to paign against Euro 2016 finalists France at the Kazan the June 14-July 15 showpiece, which is being held in Arena on Saturday. “It was good to see all the fans from Russia for the first time. Kazan come out and support us, we didn’t really expect The tournament opener featuring Russia and Saudi it,” said the player, who postponed his honeymoon fol- Arabia at the imposing lowing his selection to the 80,000-capacity Luzhniki Socceroos’ squad. stadium has so far failed to capture the imagination of Slow build-up BRAZIL PULLING Muscovites, although they POWER have warmly welcomed foreign to the June In the Black Sea resort city fans. Groups of South of Sochi about 5,000 people American supporters with 14 to July 15 turned out to watch the drums and whistles took to the Brazilian squad train, chanting streets around Red Square this showpiece the name of Paris Saint- week, posing for pictures with Germain star Neymar. Croatia shoppers. In response, a small had barely touched down in knot of local fans gathered, Russia before they launched a waving flags and good- charm offensive that won over naturedly chanting “Russia, Russia”. supporters at Roshchino outside Saint Petersburg. Hours But it has been outside the capital where enthusiasm for after arriving they staged a training session where free the beautiful game has really taken hold. Australia were footballs, scarves and flags were launched into the stands. pleasantly surprised Monday when a crowd of 3,200 Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric also exchanged turned up to see Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk put the passes with delighted youngsters. Socceroos through their paces in Kazan, a two-hour flight The build up has not been without controversy, with east of Moscow. Egypt’s Mohamed Salah attracting critical headlines in SARANSK: People attend the opening ceremony of the FIFA Fan Fest in Saransk on Tuesday, ahead of the Russia 2018 A public holiday gave fans the opportunity to show Britain after posing for a photograph with Chechen World Cup.— AFP their support at Australia’s state-of-the-art training com- strongman Ramzan Kadyrov. Reports said Kadyrov, who plex in the capital of the semi-autonomous Republic of with Moscow’s support rules Chechnya with an iron fist, larger of the 11 host cities such as St Petersburg, it is sure week that he wanted the event, which has cost Russia $13 Tatarstan. “It was good to see all the fans from Kazan personally picked up the Liverpool, striker at his team to intensify as an estimated one million fans from 32 par- billion to host, to be “an unforgettable experience” for all come out and support us, we didn’t really expect it,” said hotel in Grozny and drove him to training in front of 8,000 ticipating nations pour into the country. involved. “We want this event to be a celebration, filled Australia defender Josh Risdon, who postponed his honey- cheering fans. While the atmosphere remains muted in the President Vladimir Putin said in a televised address last with passion and emotions,” he said. —AFP

with teammate and defender Trent Sainsbury on Tuesday Former A-League gave a glimpse into Nabbout’s terrier-like qualities. Although he acknowledges the superior “calibre” of France’s big name players, Nabbout is confident in his outcast Andrew style of play. He believes counter-attacking opportunities Italian city are likely to pop up during the opening game, giving the Nabbout ready for Socceroos the chance to punish ‘Les Bleus’. “We’re aware of the big name players, the calibre they gets football have,” he said of Didier Deschamps’ side. “We’ve got a World Cup debut structure and a strategy that we’re going to go into the hooligans cleaning KAZAN: A one-time A-League reject who sought refuge game with, and if we execute that to the best of our ability in Malaysia’s top flight, Australia’s Andrew Nabbout is then we can cause them some problems.” to end violence poised to cap a remarkable career revival with a World LONDON: Amid concerns over violence at the World Cup debut against France on Saturday. ‘WE’RE READY FOR FRANCE’ KAZAN: Australia’s forward Andrew Nabbout gives a Cup in Russia, one Italian city claims to have found And if the rookie Australia striker get the nod from With only four caps to his name, Nabbout has little to press conference room in Kazan yesterday, on the eve the answer to football hooliganism - make rowdy fans coach Bert van Marwijk, he has pledged to make it count. shout about. But the trials endured earlier in his career of the start of the Russia 2018 World Cup football tour- swap brass knuckles for brooms. For more than two “If I do get the honour to lead the line, you know what give him the bearing of a far more experienced player. It nament. — AFP decades, supporters of Genoa’s two rival teams - you’re going to get out of me,” Nabbout said yesterday at has been a long, arduous trip for Nabbout, who rejected overtures from Lebanon early in his career as he was Sampdoria and Genoa - have joined forces to clean the Socceroos training camp in Kazan. their stadium in a scheme city officials credit with determined to wear Australia’s green and gold. On the eve of his maiden World Cup, Nabbout could not “I’m going to work hard up there and do exactly what helping to end years of violence. He moved to Malaysian side Negeri Sembilan in be more confident. I’ve been doing the last few games.” The 25-year-old front “(The) heated confrontations we had for a period December 2015 after being released by Melbourne “It gives me huge boost, obviously, looking back at man from Japan’s Urawa Diamonds scored his maiden goal of time ... abated significantly,” Stefano Anzalone, Victory, shrugging off the setback to become the team’s where I came from to where I am now,” he said. “It gives for Australia in a recent 4-0 friendly win over the Czech councillor for sport in the city, told the Thomson top scorer. He returned to the A-League for two seasons me a lot of confidence coming into this game. “We’ve got a Republic. He now has a golden chance to stake his claim Reuters Foundation. After street violence led to with Newcastle Jets, capping his departure with the job to do against France. They’re a big side, but we’re for the sole striker’s spot in van Marwijk’s preferred 4-2- dozens of injuries and arrests in Genoa, in the early award for the league’s best goal of the year. A move to ready for that test. 3-1 formation during this World Cup campaign. 1990s authorities offered hard-core fans known as Urawa Red Diamonds earlier this year was a step up that “It’s a World Cup experience, after all. I’m going to go Talisman Tim Cahill, 38, is set to start on the bench “ultras” the chance to launch a company to tackle the brought Nabbout to van Marwijk’ attention and he out with a smile on my face, taking into account exactly alongside Lucerne striker Tomi Juric, who has struggled problem. Genova Insieme, a social enterprise, was debuted for Australia in a 4-1 loss to Norway last March. where I’ve been and try to put in a solid shift.” — AFP with injury niggles in recent weeks. A training-ground spat officially launched in 1992, tasked with employing rival hooligans to clean the Luigi Ferraris stadium where both Genoa and Sampdoria play. Social enterprises iting the country and performing at the are businesses with a mission to benefit society or the Robbie Williams opening ceremony was an honour. US- environment. born Browder was once a major investor in In Italy the number of social cooperatives, a type of Russia. He has led a campaign to expose social enterprise that get tax cuts in return for provid- selling his soul for corruption and punish officials he blames ing social services, rose 43 percent to more than for the 2009 death of Sergei Magnitsky, a 16,000 between 2011 and 2015, according to the World Cup gig lawyer he employed, in a Moscow prison. national statistics bureau ISTAT. The US Treasury Department subse- Toiling shoulder by shoulder helped to ease ten- quently imposed its own sanctions under a sions and gave disadvantaged youths a fresh start, MOSCOW: A long-time Kremlin critic 2012 law known as the Magnitsky Act. said Roberto Scotto, the 58-year-old Genoa fan who lambasted Robbie Williams for deciding to Last year a Russian court sentenced has run the company since 1994. “Problems arise sing at the World Cup opening ceremony Browder to nine years in prison in absentia when young people hang out with little to do. Those in Moscow today, while a campaign group for deliberate bankruptcy and tax evasion. who have a job and something to lose don’t get into offered to brief the British pop star on Browder, who heads investment fund trouble,” said Scotto. “None of those who worked Russia’s human rights record. Hermitage Capital Management, has dis- with us has since had any stadium-related issue.” British businessman Bill Browder, who missed the allegations. Scotto said the model could help other countries accuses President Vladimir Putin of con- Human Rights Watch said it had called tackle football hooliganism, which is a concern for the ducting a personal vendetta against him, on world leaders to stay away from the organisers of the World Cup that kicks off on June 14. took to Twitter to question why Williams event, pointing to Russia’s rights record Some media have predicted a possible repeat of the was performing while Russia was under and its role in the Syrian war. “We certainly brawls between Russian and English fans at the 2016 western sanctions. “There’s lots of ways see the way the Russian government and European championship in France although Russia has to make money @robbiewilliams, but sell- President Putin is using the World Cup and vowed to crack down on crowd unrest. yesterday, ing your soul to a dictator shouldn’t be one in particular the opening ceremony as a British authorities said they blocked more than 1,200 of them. Shame on you,” Browder wrote. way of legitimising his power and his people with a history of football-related disorders Russia is keen to use the soccer tourna- authority,” the group’s director for Europe from travelling to the World Cup. Europe’s football ment to signal that despite the sanctions, and Central Asia, Hugh Williamson, said. governing body, UEFA, has said it welcomed initiatives imposed over its 2014 annexation of Crimea “We’d be happy to brief (Williams) on the “in the framework of peer control” that contributed to and role in a rebellion in eastern Ukraine, it human rights situation in Russia ... so that he’s a friendly atmosphere in and around stadiums. Scotto, remains a top player on the global stage. well informed when he gets there. He could however, said policing remains the strongest deterrent The singer’s PR team declined comment. also make a positive contribution if he speaks MANCHESTER: England’s Robbie Williams (R) and team celebrate after winning a against violence at large events like the World Cup, However, Williams, who has previously out during his visit,” he added. The tourna- England V Soccer Aid World XI charity football match for Soccer Aid for Unicef at Old where visiting fans are loosely organised and have no sung at private parties organised by ment kicks off on Thursday with a match Trafford in Manchester, northwest England on June 10, 2018. — AFP ties to the local community. —Reuters wealthy Russians, told Reuters he liked vis- between Russia and Saudi Arabia. — Reuters 26 Established 1961 Sports Thursday, June 14, 2018

World Cup 2026 to crown decades of growth in North America US regarded as final frontier for world’s most popular sport

LOS ANGELES: The decision to award the 2026 World tially a hand-to-mouth grassroots operation to a well- Cup to North America yesterday follows an explosion in funded, well-run professional organization.” football’s popularity across the region which can be traced directly to the 1994 finals staged in the United States. CHANGING DEMOGRAPHICS For decades, the United States was regarded as the At grassroots level, football in the United States is final frontier for the world’s most popular sport, with the thriving, with more than 24.4 million Americans playing the beautiful game unable to encroach on territory dominated sport at some level, second only to China, according to by baseball, basketball and FIFA figures. There is also evi- American football. dence that football is changing A promising flirtation with the the demographics of armchair sport in the 1970s-when stars 7% of Americans sports fans in the US. like Pele, Franz Beckenbauer and A Gallup survey published Johan Cruyff lit up the North named football in January found that 7% of American Soccer League-flamed Americans named football as out when the league was wound as their their favourite sport, a signifi- up in 1984. “Soccer: sport of the cant three-point jump from future-and it always will be,” ran favourite sport four years earlier. While the the old joke beloved of American NFL (37%), basketball (11%) football-sceptics. and baseball (9%) remain Yet the dynamic began to ahead of it, soccer is rapidly shift, however, when the USA creeping up on the rails. was handed the 1994 World Cup. A total of 3,587,538 Crucially soccer is capturing the key demographic of spectators thronged stadia across the United States for younger fans. While only 1% of American sports fans older the country, generating an average attendance of 68,991 than 55 named soccer as their favourite sport, that number fans per game, a record which exists to this day. jumps to 11% in the 18-34 age group, tying basketball and More significantly, as a condition of the USA being comfortably ahead of baseball (6%). awarded the tournament, a professional domestic compe- The increases in participation and popularity are mir- tition was re-established, Major League Soccer. That rored by the steady growth of football on US television league launched in 1996 with 10 teams. It has since networks. The English Premier League has broadcast expanded to 23 teams across the US and Canada, with live games on the main NBC network for several years, three more due to join by 2020, eventually expanding to while the Bundesliga, La Liga, Ligue 1 and the MOSCOW: FIFA president Gianni Infantino (R) poses with the United 2026 bid (Canada-Mexico-US) officials Carlos 28 clubs. In 2017, MLS drew average crowds of 22,113, Champions League are also readily available on various Cordeiro (3rd R), president of the United States Football Association, president of the Mexican Football Association Decio making it the seventh best attended top-flight competition cable networks. de Maria Serrano (3rd L), Steve Reed (2nd R), president of the Canadian Soccer Association, following the announcement in the world, ahead of leagues in France, the Netherlands Coverage of soccer in US media outlets has also of the 2026 World Cup host during the 68th FIFA Congress at the Expocentre in Moscow yesterday. —AFP and Argentina. “The development of the national team and expanded, with the New York Times in 2016 creating a the creation of Major League Soccer wouldn’t have hap- position for a chief soccer correspondent based in the bulk of the games. Sixty of 80 matches in the 48-team Garber said the 2026 tournament in North America pened without the World Cup,” Los Angeles lawyer Alan London, an appointment described by the paper as a tournament will be held in the United States, with the US would “set an entirely new bar for World Cups.” “We Rothenberg told the Los Angeles Times in a 2014 inter- “huge move.” While the 2026 World Cup will be hosted by hosting every game from the quarter-finals onwards. In have the facilities, we have the market, we have the sup- view. “The whole sport got elevated from what was essen- Canada, the United States and Mexico, the US will stage an interview with AFP last year, MLS commissioner Don port,” he said. — AFP

than that of Saudi Arabia, who Russia will face Russia to win today evening. The blue-eyed feline is usually part of a team of dozens of cats that guard Saint more concerned about Salah’s fitness, Petersburg’s Hermitage museum from rodents, but with the Liverpool forward in a race first match, says has taken on a new role for the football event. WCup group against time to be ready for their “Achilles is already used to the public and Group A opener against Uruguay in clairvoyant cat shouldn’t be too stressed,” said vet Anna stage: Five Yekaterinburg on Friday. Kondratyeva, who manages the animals. The cat The 25-year-old is recovering follows in the tentacle-prints of Paul the Octopus highlights from the shoulder injury suffered in a MOSCOW: Russia’s football team has failed to who became a star in 2010 after predicting win- challenge with Sergio Ramos in the chalk up a single victory in eight months but things ners for that year’s World Cup by choosing one out Champions League final against Real could be about to improve — according to a sup- of two boxes containing food. Others have made a SOCHI: The World Cup group stage Madrid, when he was forced off the posedly clairvoyant cat who predicted a win for play to be the next Paul-including Swiss guinea pig pray for the national team to give a worthy per- will see 48 games crammed into two pitch in tears. the side in the first World Cup match. Madame Shiva in 2014 and British Piranha Pele-but formance. The hosts, who take on Saudi Arabia in weeks. AFP Sport picks out the Egypt are pinning their hopes on Achilles, a deaf white cat who is the official ani- none quite had the mollusc’s foresight. today’s curtainraiser, need all the moral support moments to look out for in Russia: Salah after his prolific season in mal soothsayer for the tournament, yesterday Earlier in the day the head of the Russian they can get as they come into the event without a England, as the Pharaohs prepare for chose a bowl of food bearing the host’s flag rather Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill said he would win in seven games. — AFP OPENING MATCH their first appearance at the World How can anyone miss the opening Cup since 1990. game at the World Cup? It sets the tone for a month-long festival of ENGLAND V BELGIUM football, even if in this case it brings The very last group game will be Song mocking together the two lowest-ranked played in the exclave of Kaliningrad teams in the competition. on June 28, and it will be worth the Russian World Cup Hosts Russia will walk out onto wait, as these sides are expected to the pitch at the 80,000-capacity be competing for top spot in Group team goes viral, Luzhniki Stadium ranked a lowly G. The Belgians are ranked third in 70th in the world, three spots below the world, and Roberto Martinez’s Group A rivals Saudi Arabia, and squad contains some of the best upsetting some without a victory in eight months. players in the Premier League, so However, Russia has spent more there will be no surprises for Gareth MOSCOW: A Russian comic’s song which mocks than $13 billion on preparations for Southgate’s England. the country’s World Cup team and questions the the big event, and President Vladimir The English have a talented young financial sense of hosting the event has gone viral Putin will be eager for the hosts to squad, and for once expectations at on the eve of the tournament, angering some fans get off to the best possible start. home are not over the top. It will be and politicians. In contrast, a defeat against min- fascinating to see how they fare Written and performed by Semyon Slepakov, nows Saudi Arabia would heighten “Ole Ole Ole” imagines Ramzan Kadyrov, the the prospect of Russia becoming just against Belgium’s golden generation, Kremlin-backed head of Chechnya, as the Russian the second host nation to be elimi- led by Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne football team’s new but unsuccessful manager. It nated in the group stage, after South and Romelu Lukaku. has been viewed more than 5 million times on Africa eight years ago. VAR YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=i63jWjoAWHE. PORTUGAL V SPAIN Will the introduction of Video Performed with just his own acoustic guitar The standout fixture in the first Assistant Referees cause World Cup accompaniment, Slepakov’s song has touched a round is this Iberian derby in Sochi, chaos, or will it prove to be a wel- nerve in Russia whose government hopes hosting as Spain look to make an early state- come addition to the competition? the World Cup will give it a boost on the world Semyon Slepakov ment of intent when they take on VAR has been used to varying stage even though its team is ranked by FIFA as Cristiano Ronaldo and the reigning degrees of success in Serie A and the the weakest in the tournament. European champions in Group B. German Bundesliga, while FIFA used though “things are not that great in the king- end Pele may be born somewhere in Siberia who Tapping into the views of many Russians who It is the fourth meeting of the the system at the Confederations dom.” Thirty-two teams will compete in the June can one day help Russia win the World Cup. regard their players as underperforming and countries at a major tournament in Cup in Russia last year and are confi- 14 to July 15 tournament, hosted in Russia for the Many viewers said they found the song hilari- overpaid, it predicts Russia will lose their first the past 14 years, with the last com- dent it will help officials on the field. first time in World Cup history, at an official cost ous, but not everyone saw the funny side. “Yet match 2-0. ing at Euro 2012, when Spain won on FIFA director of referees Massimo of 683 billion roubles ($11 billion). more vulgarity,” wrote one viewer who called Russia, who have not won since October last penalties in the semi-finals en route Busacca admits the system has been himself Jora Sukhov on YouTube. “It would not year when they were helped to victory by two to winning the title. Extra spice has rushed in for the tournament, but ‘OFFENSIVE’ be so funny if it was not so sad,” wrote another, own goals by South Korea, are due to play Saudi been added to Friday’s game after said: “We are ready, we know we In an unusual public move, Slepakov mocks Vladislav Efremenko. Arabia on Thursday in the competition’s opening Tuesday’s announcement that Julen must be ready as there can be no Chechen leader Kadyrov, who describes himself Jambulat Umarov, a minister in Kadyrov’s gov- match in front of President Vladimir Putin. Lopetegui will leave the Spain job at experiments here.” as Putin’s loyal footsoldier and has been accused ernment, told a Moscow radio station he thought “Our team is, let’s be frank, shit,” sings the end of the World Cup to become Controversial incidents will be by Western rights activists of human rights abus- Slepakov should apologise to the Russian soccer Slepakov. He describes an imaginary scene in the Ronaldo’s coach at Real Madrid. replayed on big screens inside es, allegations he denies. team and Kadyrov. pre-match locker room grounds so fans can see why deci- Putin in the song brings in Kadyrov to try to Kadyrov himself, in a riposte on social media, where Russia’s players are smoking a hookah SALAH RETURN? improve the Russian soccer team. The tongue- invited Slepakov to travel to Chechnya and co- sions were reached. And, curiously, pipe, watching YouTube videos, and texting girls Mohamed Salah has been in the in-cheek lyrics imagine Kadyrov threatening the write a new song with him. “Only one thing (in VAR officials in the Moscow control they met in a nightclub the day before, a jokey headlines in the past few days thanks players with his pistol, cutting off their thumbs the song) is offensive,” wrote Kadyrov. “In his room will watch games in full kit. reference to real-life off-pitch scandals. to the photograph of him posing with so they are not distracted by their smart phones, song, the team headed by me lost. That is not on. “VAR officials sweat with the Slepakov, a well known TV producer, also Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov and suggesting they shoot themselves when Now, before the World Cup, they (our foot- stress-believe me,” said Pierluigi sings of how the strain of hosting the competition at the Egyptian team’s base in they lose. The track ends on a high note, sug- ballers) need our support. I have not lost hope in Collina, chairman of FIFA’s referees has sucked up all of Russia’s resources even Grozny. However, Egyptians will be committee. — AFP gesting a Russian version of Brazilian soccer leg- their victory.” — Reuters Established 1961 27

Sports Thursday, June 14, 2018 Gulf Cable wins Al-Roudhan's 39th Ramadan Futsal Tournament

KUWAIT: The Gulf Cable & Electrical Industries (Gulf Cable) team yesterday won the 39th Al-Roudhan Futsal Tourney while the late sheikh Ahmed Al-Yousif team won the juniors' title. The tourney was concluded under the auspices of HH the Amir and with the presence of HH's representative, the deputy Amiri Diwan Affairs Minister Sheikh Mohammed Al-Abdullah. The conclusion ceremony was also attended by the speaker of the house Marzouq Al-Ghanim, the Information Minister Mohammed Al-Jebri, MOCI, Khalid Al-Roudhan, the Cabinet Secretary General Abdullatif Al- Roudhan, HH the CP advisor, Nasser Al-Roudhan, Zain's CEO Bader Al-Kharafi and the Information Ministry's Undersecretary, Tareq Al-Merzam. The final match between Gulf Cable and Boubyan Bank ended with a 1-1 draw and reached penalty shootouts where the Gulf Cable goalkeeper, Hani Heeda excelled and managed to win the title for his team. On the other hand, Sheikh Ahmed Al-Yousif's juniors team won the final match and the 8th tourney title after beating Al-Kuwait team 2-1 in the penalty shootout. On his part, the head of the organizing committee, Abdullah Al-Roudhan stressed HH the Amir's patronage was the main element behind its continuity and success. Al-Roudhan also thanked all the sponsors. Speaking on the occasion, the championship's supreme organizing committee's assistant secretary general Nasser Al-Khater expressed his happiness for the partnership with Al-Roudhan as well as his hopes for this partnership to continue. Established 1961 Sport

THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2018

World Cup fever builds as Russia to win first match, All hands on deck to support 25fans, teams pour into Russia 26 says clairvoyant cat 27 Messi, say Argentina team-mates

KRASNODAR: File photo taken on June 7, 2018 (L-R) Spain’s coach Julen Lopetegui, president of the Spanish football federation (RFEF) Luis Rubiales and Spain’s captain and defender Sergio Ramos disembark from an airplane at Krasnodar airport as Spain’s national football team arrives for the Russia 2018 World Cup. Lopetegui was sacked as Spain boss yesterday. — AFP Lopetegui sacked on eve of WCup Names former Madrid captain Hierro as coach for the tournament

KRASNODAR: Spain dramatically sacked Barcelona factions in the Spain squad. For the coach Julen Lopetegui yesterday and appoint- first time since 2006, there are more players ed federation sporting director Fernando from Madrid in a Spanish squad for a major ings in the series. The Swiss was playing Croatian lucky loser Viktor Galovic 3-6, Hierro — just two days before the team’s tournament, with a six-strong Real contingent his first match in nearly three months after 6-4, 6-1. Indian Prajnesh Gunneswaran, opening game at the World Cup. and just Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba and Sergio Federer battles skipping the spring clay court season for a ranked a career-best 169, achieved a win In a surprise announcement on Tuesday, Busquets from Barca, as well as Barcelona leg- second year in succession in order to fully in his first ATP main draw appearance, Real Madrid appointed Lopetegui as Zinedine end Andres Iniesta, who ended his 16-year to victory on concentrate on his grass preparation. He is beating Canadian sixth seed Denis Zidane’s successor to take over after the tour- career at the Camp Nou last month. aiming to claim a record ninth Wimbledon Shapovalov 7-6 (8/6), 2-6, 6-3 for the first nament in Russia, sparking outrage at the fed- However, according to reports in the title next month at the All England Club. upset of the week. eration and among Spanish fans at the timing Spanish media, the players tried to intervene Stuttgart return Federer finished off Zverev, whom he Frenchman Benoit Paire hammered 14 of the announcement. at the last minute to prevent Rubiales sacking beat a year ago in the Wimbledon third aces in his defeat of American Taylor Fritz At a severely delayed press conference at Lopetegui. Spain’s World Cup base in Krasnodar, Spanish STUTTGART: Roger Federer was made round, on his first match point, a passing 6-7 (4/7), 6-3, 6-2. Paire will next face “I have spoken with the players and what I winner. The top seed improved to 18-2 on Czech third seed Tomas Berdych. Canada’s football federation (RFEF) chief Luis Rubiales can guarantee is that the players will do to battle after a losing first set as the Swiss expressed dismay at the timing of events that star made his long-awaited return to tennis the season as he began the pursuit of his seventh seed Milos Raonic, his ranking everything in their power, along with the new 98th career trophy. down to 35th, marked his comeback from threaten to derail Spain’s World Cup chances. technical team to take the team as far as pos- yesterday with a 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 defeat of “The national team is the team for all Mischa Zverev at the Stuttgart Cup. In first round play, German Maximillian injury after last playing in Madrid nearly sible,” said Rubiales. Merterer lined up as the first opponent for six weeks ago, by seeing off Bosnian Mirza Spaniards and there are some decisions we feel Spain and Real Madrid captain Sergio The world number two shook off the obliged to take to protect some values,” said fourth seed Nick Kyrgios with a defeat of Basic 7-6 (10/8), 6-2. — AFP Ramos appealed for unity between the fans rust against his German opponent after a Rubiales. “Negotiating is legitimate but it took and players. “We are the national team. We poor start, breaking twice in the second place without the RFEF being informed until and third sets to earn victory in 93 min- represent a badge, colours, a fanbase, a five minutes before a press statement was utes. The 20-time Grand Slam winner, who country. The responsibility and commitment released. There has to be a message for all exited in his opening match at the grass are with and for you. Yesterday, today and workers in the federation that there is a right court season curtain-raiser a year ago to tomorrow, together,” tweeted Ramos. way to do things.” friend Tommy Haas, can displace Rafael La Roja were among the favourites to lift Spain later named former Madrid captain Nadal from the world’s top ranking spot if the trophy this summer but the astonishing Hierro as the coach for the tournament in he reaches Sunday’s final. developments of the past two days could Russia.“Fernando Hierro will assume coaching The 36-year-old finished to the cheers have a devastating effect on their chances. responsibilities at the World Cup in Russia,” of a sold-out centre court on a chilly day. Lopetegui had a short playing career at the Spanish football federation announced. “I’m happy to have won a match after los- both Madrid and Barcelona as a reserve The 50-year-old Hierro’s only real coaching ing my last two (Indian Wells, Miami in experience came when he was in charge of goalkeeper. March),” Federer said. “This is a new second division Spanish outfit Oviedo for one However, his coaching career had been far start. I’m glad to have been able to win season. from distinguished before being handed the again, overcoming some difficult moments Lopetegui had signed a contract extension role as Spain coach after a last-16 exit at after being a set down. Mischa’s level until 2020 just last month and never tasted Euro 2016 brought Vicente del Bosque’s dropped in the last two sets and that gave defeat in his 20 games in charge as Spain boss. eight-year reign to an end. me a chance to win. Spain are due to face European champions After short spells at Rayo Vallecano and “It feels a lot like home here, since it’s Portugal in Sochi on Friday before taking on with Madrid’s youth team Real Madrid only two hours of driving from Basel. It’s a Iran and Morocco in Group B. Castilla, Lopetegui enjoyed a successful time great place, but I’m hoping for some sun with Spain’s under-19s and under-21s. this week.” Federer lost the first set to PLAYERS SUPPORT STUTTGART: Swiss Roger Federer reacts after his victory over German He then spent 18 months in charge of Zverev, older brother of world number There were fears Lopetegui’s appointment Mischa Zverev at the ATP Mercedes Cup tennis tournament in Stuttgart, Porto but was sacked after exiting the three Alexander Zverev, but quickly recov- by the European champions could open up old southwestern Germany, yesterday. — AFP Champions League at the group stage in his ered to post his sixth win in as many meet- divisions between the Real Madrid and second season. —AFP