SHAABAN 16, 1439 AH WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 2018

Max 35º 32 Pages Min 23º 150 Fils Established 1961

ISSUE NO: 17521 The First Daily in the Arabian Gulf www.kuwaittimes.net

Ahead of polls, apathy and Chaos and color in May On home turf, everyone Benzema scores twice against 11 disillusionment in Tunisia 11 Day rallies across globe 16 wants a piece of Salah 16 Bayern to send Real into final

10 MPs file no-confidence motion against oil minister Assembly debates premier’s grilling in closed session

KUWAIT: (Left) HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah speaks during a grilling session at the National Assembly yesterday. (Center) MP Abdulwahab Al-Babtain speaks as MP Omar Al-Tabtabaei looks on. (Right) Oil Minister Bakheet Al-Rasheedi speaks during the session. — Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat

By B Izzak Rasheedi, who has been in office for less than five Al-Kandari, Faisal Al-Kandari, Hamdan Al-Azemi, officials on retirement, saying this violated the law. months, was grilled by opposition MPs Omar Al- Babtain, Tabtabaei, Adel Al-Damkhi, Salah Khorshid, Tabtabaei charged that only 42 percent of the new KUWAIT: Ten lawmakers yesterday filed a no-confi- Tabtabaei and Abdulwahab Al-Babtain, who accused Safa Al-Hashem and Khalil Abul. refinery has been completed, although the oil sector dence motion against Oil and Electricity Minister the minister and top oil executives of causing billions of During the lengthy debate, the two MPs blasted the has announced that 80 percent has been completed. He Bakheet Al-Rasheedi following an 11-hour marathon dollars in losses for the oil sector, which provides the minister and the top oil executives of the national oil claimed that a foreign businessman paid bribes to get grilling over allegations of corruption and squandering majority of Kuwait’s revenues. The minister denied the conglomerate Kuwait Petroleum Corp (KPC) and other an oil project which eventually cost public funds close public funds. After the oil minister’s grilling was com- allegations and explained that there were no delays in oil companies. Babtain accused the minister of causing to $500 million. Tabtabaei claimed that CEO of KPC pleted, the Assembly began the debate of the grilling mega oil projects underway and that the alleged losses hundreds of millions of dollars in losses by delaying the Nezar Al-Adsani convinced the prime minister to against HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al- in the oil sector were not based on material evidence. opening of the joint venture refinery in Vietnam, saying establish a new oil company worth $6 billion and a year Mubarak Al-Sabah, and later it was scheduled to Ahead of the no-confidence motion, the Assembly that Kuwait pays annual interest of $52 million for the later called for scrapping it to cut spending. debate a grilling against Minister of Social Affairs and rejected a proposal by 16 MPs to form a committee to delay. In addition, the oil sector has loaded nine oil ves- The minister denied the allegations and in particular Labor Hind Al-Sabaeeh. investigate allegations in the grilling and submit its find- sels worth $900 million for the refinery, which did not denied the bribery case. He also denied that there is The prime minister said he was prepared, although ings to the Assembly after two months. Five MPs later start on time and caused the losses, he said. any plan to scrap the $6-billion company. Rasheedi also “we all know the motives and the aims” of the grilling. submitted the same proposal but said the findings of He also said that the oil sector paid end of service stressed that he has answered 151 questions out of 153 The government immediately demanded the debate to the committee should be submitted in just one month compensation totaling KD 3.4 million to 25 expatriate questions he received from MPs. A number of MPs also be held behind closed doors and speaker Marzouq Al- instead of two. The Assembly was likely to vote on the employees, alleging irregularities. Babtain also accused defended the minister, saying he has been in the post Ghanem ordered spectators to leave the chamber to proposal later. The lawmakers who signed the no-confi- the minister of being responsible for lucrative retire- for only a few months and should have been given more allow lawmakers to debate the government’s request. dence motion are: Al-Humaidi Al-Subaei, Abdulkarim ment packages of millions of dinars given to senior oil time to be evaluated.

News in brief crisis after Duterte said on Sunday that Manila moves he was making permanent the departure ban in place since February, when a mur- Morocco severs ties with Iran dered Filipina maid was found in her to halt Kuwait employer’s freezer. Kuwait’s Deputy RABAT: Morocco has severed diplomatic ties with Foreign Minister Nasser Al-Subaih said Iran over Tehran’s support for the Polisario Front, a labor dispute on Monday the row was “largely a mis- Western Sahara independence movement, the understanding” and “we do not believe Moroccan foreign minister said yesterday. Foreign in escalation”. Minister Nasser Bourita accused Iran and its MANILA: The Philippines yesterday Philippine Foreign Secretary Alan Lebanese ally Hezbollah of training and arming welcomed an olive branch from Kuwait Polisario fighters via the Iranian embassy in Algeria. over their migrant labor row, days after Peter Cayetano welcomed that concil- Bourita said he had just returned from Iran after President Rodrigo Duterte announced a iatory message yesterday. “This ges- informing it of Morocco’s decision to sever relations. permanent ban on Filipino workers ture on the part of Kuwait, a country Rabat’s ambassador has already returned home and going to the state. The dispute, simmer- with which we have a shared history Iran’s charge d’affaires will be expelled with immedi- ing for months, erupted last week when and strong people-to-people ties, will ate effect, he said. — Reuters Kuwait expelled the Philippine ambassa- allow us to move forward,” Cayetano dor over videos of embassy staff helping said in a statement. “We affirm our Filipino workers flee allegedly abusive friendship with the government of bosses in Kuwait. Kuwait and its people. KUWAIT: Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Al-Jarallah meets Philippine Presidential Abe pledges not to move embassy But the Kuwaitis sought to calm the Continued on Page 11 Adviser on OFWs Abdullah Mamao yesterday. — KUNA RAMALLAH: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas yesterday marriages in the United States start his country would not move its Israeli embassy to Facebook to online-and that some 200 million Jerusalem, official media reported, two weeks before Facebook users identify as being single. the United States completes its controversial reloca- Under the new feature, users will be able tion. Meeting in the Palestinian city of Ramallah, Abe launch new to create a separate “dating” profile not told Abbas his country “will not move its embassy to visible to their network of friends, with Jerusalem”, a readout on Palestinian official news potential matches recommended based agency Wafa said. It said the Japanese premier dating service on dating preferences, points in com- reasserted his country’s support for the creation of an SAN JOSE, California: mon, and mutual acquaintances. independent Palestinian state within the framework of Facebook chief Zuckerberg did not specify whether the two-state solution. — AFP Mark Zuckerberg announced yesterday the world’s largest social network will the feature would be free of charge, in soon include a new dating feature - line with Facebook’s core offer - but the while vowing to make privacy protection announcement was enough to send Iran calls Bibi ‘infamous liar’ its top priority in the wake of the shares in the online dating giant Cambridge Analytica scandal. Match.com tumbling by 17 percent. The TEHRAN: Iran yesterday branded Israeli Prime Zuckerberg unveiled the plans as he 33-year-old CEO also said the dating Minister Benjamin Netanyahu an “infamous liar” over addressed Facebook’s annual developers offer was built from the ground-up with his allegations of a secret Iranian nuclear weapons conference in San Jose, California - privacy and safety in mind, as he under- program. Foreign ministry spokesman Bahram emphasizing that the focus would be on scored the firm’s commitment to boost- Ghasemi called the accusations that Tehran lied about helping people find long-term partners. ing privacy protections. its nuclear ambitions “worn-out, useless and shame- “This is going to be for building real, Facebook’s closely-watched develop- ful”. Netanyahu’s comments came from a “broke and long-term relationships, not just hook- er conference comes as the giant faces infamous liar who has had nothing to offer except lies ups,” Zuckerberg said in presenting the intense global scrutiny over the mass SAN JOSE: Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg speaks during the F8 Facebook and deceits,” Ghasemi said in a statement. — AFP new feature, noting that one in three Continued on Page 11 Developers conference yesterday. — AFP 2 Established 1961 Local Wednesday, May 2, 2018 Kuwait shows remarkable engagement with Iraq: Germany

Minister stresses need to support Iraq after defeat of IS

KUWAIT: Kuwait has shown a remarkable “pattern of warfare by the Syrian regime” engagement with Iraq, offering multifaceted which was following a policy that starve peo- assistance and recently hosting a reconstruc- ple, bombarding populated areas with cluster tion conference pledging billions of dollars to bombs and recently the use of chemical the fellow Arab country, in addition to contri- weapons, triggering global outrage. UN butions and commitment to regional stability Security Council failed, due to a Russian veto and security, a German official said. Niels earlier last month, to adopt a draft resolution Annen, Minister of State at the Foreign that would have launched an inquiry into use Ministry, said he believed Kuwait “is really of chemical weapons against civilians in remarkable” in its engagement towards help- Eastern Ghouta, Syria. ing Iraq at political and humanitarian levels. Annen meanwhile said Germany was con- “Kuwait has been the victim of an (Iraqi) tributing to humanitarian efforts to helping aggression and is now providing the platform the Syrian people. “We increased our support for reconstruction and reconciliation” in Iraq, for (the UN refugee agency) UNHCR and Annen said in an interview, referring to the World Food Program (WPF)” to also help the Iraqi 1990-91 invasion and seven-month Palestinian refugees living in Syria. The occupation of the Gulf State. Kuwait hosted German government is also working to help Niels Annen Iraq’s reconstruction conference last maintain stability of neighboring countries to February. Donor countries, non-governmental make sure the conflict in Syria is not affecting organizations (NGOs) and international finan- stability of Lebanon and Jordan, explained the agreement and talking with Iranians cial institutions pledged $30 billion to help Annen. Germany, which accepted many about regional aspects, which include ballis- rebuild the country, specially areas liberated refugees from Syria, has provided a signifi- tic missile tests that are harming regional from so-called Islamic State (IS). cant amount of financial aid and expertise to stability, said Annen. Aside from the conference, Kuwait gov- help host nations - Lebanon, Jordan and ernment and charitable societies have been at Turkey - better deal with growing needs of Two-state solution the forefront in offering humanitarian aid for Syrian refugees, he said. On Palestine, Annen said his government the needy Iraqi people. Annen met yesterday believed in the two-state solution, while the with National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Iran’s nuclear agreement question of occupied Jerusalem should be Al-Ghanem and Deputy Foreign Minister Asked about Iran’s nuclear agreement, the resolved at the end of the negotiations’ Khaled Al-Jarallah to discuss economic coop- German minister said the deal was meeting its process. US President Donald Trump eration. He said his visit to Kuwait, the first in objectives, curbing the Islamic Republic’s announced last year he was recognizing his capacity as minister, also aimed at under- Jerusalem as capital of Israel and ordered the lining “our support” for His Highness the Amir transfer of the American embassy from Tel KUWAIT: Ambassador of South Africa to Kuwait Mzolisa Bona hosted a reception Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s Aviv to the occupied city, triggering outcry recently to celebrate his country’s Freedom Day. Government officials led by mediation efforts to finding a “political solu- around the globe. Minister of Housing, State Minister for Services Dr Jenan Bushehri, diplomats and tion” for the Gulf crisis. Iran deal Annen meanwhile said inter-Palestinian other dignitaries attended the event. — Photos by Joseph Shagra Germany’s relations with Kuwait and the reconciliation was important. “We believe it is Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) as a whole meeting its necessary that there is a government” repre- are important, he noted. “We share the con- senting all Palestinians, he added. The German cern of His Highness the Amir that this (crisis) objectives Minister, on the other hand, said his country’s could affect unity of the GCC,” said Annen. relations with Russia, which he described as On Iraq, Annen said it was important to sup- difficult, were important for peace and stabili- port the Iraqi government following the ty in the region. Annen acknowledged that defeat of IS. nuclear program. International Atomic Russia was an important actor in international The global coalition fighting IS also pursu- Energy Agency’s (IAEA) experts concluded affairs like in the conflict in Syria, where “we ing remaining pockets of the terror organiza- the 2015 nuclear agreement, which took need a new political momentum” but could tion in Iraq and neighboring Syria, which around 13 years to conclude, has been imple- not happen without involvement of Moscow. include many foreign fighters who posed a mented, he said, and this was an important Russia, Turkey and Iran brokered military de- real threat when they return to their countries step towards nuclear free Iran. However, he escalation zones in Syria, seen as a step of origin, including Germany. However, the added, Germany was not in agreement with towards political stability. The three coun- European country is well prepared for them, Iran’s foreign policy. “We believe the deal tries are also the guarantors of the Syrian said Annen. Germany was also helping Iraq should be preserved and protected but at negotiations in Astana, Kazakhstan. Annen by providing expertise in de-mining, for the same time we need to have real tough commented on Afghanistan President Ashraf example, or rehabilitation of infrastructure conversation with Iran about its foreign pol- Ghani’s peace initiative with the Taliban, like sewers. This is in addition to training icy and interference in the affairs of describing it as “realistic.” Ghani offered a operations for the Kurdish Peshmerga forces Lebanon, Yemen, Syria, Iraq and other “courageous initiative,” said Annen, but it in northern Iraq. countries,” he said. Germany is pursuing a needed inclusion of neighboring countries On Syria, Annen expressed concern at the structured dialogue, which means enforcing and regional powers. — KUNA

Official touts Kuwait’s investment friendly environment

KUWAIT: State of Kuwait has a good investment-friendly environment, and Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA) provided laws and legislations that attracted international companies, a senior diplomat said Monday. The Foreign Ministry’s Economy Department is operating within a roadmap alongside government institu- tions to facilitate cooperation with international companies wishing to work in Kuwait, Amal Al-Hamad, Assistant Foreign Minister for Economic Affairs, said. She was speaking to reporters on fringes of a reception held by the Dutch Embassy to mark the King’s birthday. Hamad hoped Dutch companies contribute to develop- ment projects within the 2035 New Kuwait Vision. She said Kuwait’s investment in the Netherlands exceeded KUWAIT: Ambassador of the Netherlands to Kuwait Frans Potuyt is joined by other USD eight billion, mostly in the oil sector. Hamad said eco- dignitaries in cutting the cake during a reception hosted Monday night to mark the nomic, cultural and political relations with Netherlands King’s birthday. — Photos by Joseph Shagra were “deep and historic.” — KUNA

Senior officials, diplomats and other dignitaries attended the ceremony. Established 1961 3 Local Wednesday, May 2, 2018 Crown Prince leaves France, returns home to Kuwait

Amir receives Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad

PARIS: Kuwaiti Ambassador to France Samie Al-Suleiman bids farewell to His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with His Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. — KUNA photos Al-Sabah is seen off upon his departure from France yesterday. Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.

KUWAIT: His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah left France yesterday, returning to Kuwait following a private visit. His Highness the Crown Prince was seen off at the airport by Kuwaiti Ambassador to France Samie Al-Suleiman and embassy staff. In other news, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al- Ahmad Al-Sabah at Bayan palace yesterday. — KUNA

Kuwait seeks economic integration with Saudi

KUWAIT: The President of Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman of the Council of Saudi (KCCI) Ali Al-Ghanem asserted Monday Chambers Ahmad Al-Rajhi addresses on improving trade and investment rela- the Kuwaiti-Saudi economic forum. tions with Saudi Arabia through joint ventures, as part of Kuwait development General Director of Investment plan and economic integration between Promotions authority, Mohammad both countries. Ghanem made his Yaqoub explained the benefits and remarks at the Kuwaiti-Saudi economic advantages for foreign investors present- forum held incorporation with the Saudi ed by Director of Public Relations Chamber, adding the chamber is ready to Partnership Projects Lolwa Al-Saif pro- provide all necessary facilities to over- viding the organizations offers and main come any obstacles. projects in Kuwait alongside the private Chairman of the Council of Saudi sector. Director of Saudi Business Chambers (CSC) Ahmad Al-Rajhi Development, General Investment praised, in a similar statement, Kuwait’s authority Hashem Al-Fozan also briefly “pioneer” leading role in the develop- presented investment opportunities that ment of economic relations. Rajhi hailed aim to attract outside investors, under the efforts between both the two countries in vision of the Kingdom 2030. providing great possibilities for the right In conjunction with Mazin Al- environment for exchanged businesses. Hamdan Director of Environmental and Meanwhile, Kuwait’s General Development exports authority deliv- Secretariat of the Supreme Council for ered details of the organization and Planning and Development representa- services it provides. The Economic tive Hamed Al-Aidan delivered a pres- Forum witnessed participation from entation on the comprehensive devel- governmental agencies from both sides opment plan analyzing Kuwait’s vision of the spectrum along with a delegation for 2035. of 40 members representing private On behalf of Kuwait’s Assistant companies. — KUNA

KUWAIT: President of the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ali Al- Ghanem (right) presents a gift to Chairman of the Council of Saudi Chambers Ahmad Al-Rajhi. — KUNA photos

Kuwait interested in Iraqi election’s success: Ambassador

BAGHDAD: Kuwait’s Ambassador to Iraq Supreme Council Hammam Hamoudi, Salem Al-Zamanan said yesterday that Zamanan stressed Kuwait’s supportive his country is interested on the success role towards Iraq’s security and welfare. of the democratic practice in Iraq, which Iraqis will vote on May 12th to choose will enhance the stability and safety of 329 representatives for parliament. The the fellow Arab country and the region. Independent High Electoral Commotion In a statement on the sideline of his (IHEC) confirmed its readiness to over- meetings with the President of the Iraqi see the elections especially with the Front for National Dialogue Saleh Al- introduction of electronic voting, used Mutlq and the Head of the Islamic for the first time in Iraq. — KUNA 4 Established 1961 Local Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Photo of the Day

KUWAIT: A fish hanging from a tree near a beach in Kuwait. — Photo by Jamie Etheridge Kuwait owns 6% of Islamic banking assets: Central Bank Islamic Financial Services Council’s annual meeting underway

KUWAIT: Kuwait accounts for around six percent of all for “balanced and steady Islamic banking assets in the world, the Central Bank of economic growth” which Kuwait’s (CBK) Executive Director for the Supervision can be achieved through Sector Waleed Al-Awadhi said yesterday. In a speech stringent policies that lead to open the Islamic Financial Services Council’s annual to stability in the financial meeting held in Kuwait, he noted that the Gulf state has sector. The CBK official been instrumental in the rise of the Islamic finance divulged that conventional industry, having launched its first Islamic bank in 1977. He said that Kuwait is working closely with Islamic financial insti- First Islamic Waleed Al-Awadhi tutions around the world in a bid to give bank in this emerging financial banks in the country own system the exposure it Kuwait in 1977 more than 60 percent of needs. On measures total Kuwaiti banking CBK has taken to assets, adding that the bank ensure financial stabil- stays abreast of financial ity, he pointed out that developments in order to the Kuwaiti bank has keep the local financial sys- spearheaded the local banking sector’s efforts to create tem afloat. Dishing out statistics, he revealed that the a financial system that is highly resistant to economic Kuwaiti banking sector’s capital adequacy ratio stands shocks. at 18.45 percent, saying that protecting capital require- Financial stability alone would not suffice, Awadhi ment is among measures CBK has taken to cope with a KUWAIT: The Central Bank of Kuwait’s Executive Director for the Supervision Sector Waleed Al-Awadhi speaks during the explained during the three-day meeting, citing the need capricious financial market. —KUNA Islamic Financial Services Council’s annual meeting yesterday. — Photos by Fouad Al-Shaikh

KFH participates Kuwait committed to completing in AAOIFI Greater Arab Free Trade 16th annual CAIRO: A Kuwaiti official confirmed on Committee on Rules of Origin, at the Arab Monday the country’s commitment to League, also confirms that Kuwait’s com- conference completing the Greater Arab Free Trade mitment to Free Trade rules, and has been Area and fulfilling requirements by Arab supportive of Free Trade in the region to Customs Union Committee. Kuwait is all Arab countries. Hajri indicated that last MANAMA: Kuwait Finance House (KFH) considered one of the leading countries Arab Summit, held in Dhahran, supported participated in the AAOIFI 16th Annual in supporting the Greater Arab Free the agreement on implementing the rules Shariah Conference held recently in the Trade Area, Public Authority for Industry of origin between Arab countries starting Kingdom of Bahrain. Participants at the (PAI) Director for Development and from October 2018. Such rules are con- conference comprised shariah scholars and Industrial Support Abdullah Al-Hajri said sidered one of the main obstacles that senior representatives from central banks, in a statement. stand against the completion of the regulatory authorities, financial institu- Hajri, who is heading the Kuwaiti dele- Greater Arab Free Trade Area, which was tions, accounting and auditing firms, legal gation in meetings of the 28th Technical launched since 1989. —KUNA firms, universities, higher learning institu- tions and media. Abdulhakeem Al-Khayyat, the Managing Director and CEO at KFH-Bahrain said: “Due to the rapid growth of the Islamic financial industry, we have to ensure the banking Views on the Standardization in Islamic body has issued a total of 100 standards in products comply with the provisions of the Finance Industry and its Impact on IF the areas of shariah, accounting, auditing, Islamic Shariah and adhere to professional Qualitative Growth, Standardization of ethics and governance for international standards. We are delighted to sponsor and Shariah Standards for the Islamic financial Islamic finance. It is supported by a number participate at the AAOIFI 16th Annual Industry at the International Level and of institutional members, including central Shariah Conference, one of the most impor- Regulatory and Supervisory Framework banks and regulatory authorities, financial tant conferences that bring together leading Development & Main Challenges for Islamic institutions, accounting and auditing firms, shariah scholars and practitioners of the Finance in New Markets. and legal firms, from over 45 countries. Its Islamic banking industry in the region.” Established in 1991 and based in Bahrain, standards are currently followed by all the CAIRO: Public Authority for Industry (PAI) Director for Development and Industrial Support Amongst the topics being discussed at the AAOIFI is the leading international not-for- leading Islamic financial institutions across Abdullah Al-Hajri speaks during the meetings of the 28th Technical Committee on Rules of conference were the Adoption of the profit organization primarily responsible for the world and have introduced a progressive Origin, at the Arab League. —KUNA International Islamic Industry Technical the development and issuance of standards degree of harmonization of international Standards, Pioneer Bankers’ Evaluation and for the global Islamic finance industry. The Islamic finance practices. Established 1961 5 Local Wednesday, May 2, 2018 KIPCO announces partnership with Women Mentor Forum

Emphasizing KIPCO’s commitment to creating an inclusive work environment

KUWAIT: KIPCO - the Kuwait Projects female representatives at all levels of its in conversation and creating a platform Company (Holding) - has announced a business and across industries. We hope that enables the increase of Kuwaiti partnership with the Women Mentor that initiatives of WMF and other organi- women in executive positions and inspire Forum (WMF), a local non-profit organi- zations can help companies lay down a women entrepreneurs. Women have a role zation committed to female empower- blueprint for gender diversity and creating to play in supporting the growth of the ment in the workplace. In its role as a the ideal corporate work environment for economy and we aim to support these strategic partner, KIPCO will be hosting women in Kuwait.” efforts through development, mentorship WMF’s events throughout 2018 and par- Meanwhile, Besma Al-Qassar, WMF and networking opportunities.” ticipate in discussion panels and Studies conducted in the private workshops. This partnership fur- sector across the world highlight ther emphasizes KIPCO’s commit- the financial gains and other bene- ment to creating an inclusive work fits companies gain when employ- environment. ing more women and empowering Speaking on this occasion, Eman Companies gain them to move up to higher posi- Al-Awadhi, KIPCO Group tions. A 2012 report by the Communications Director, said: when employing Organization for Economic “When it comes to female empow- Cooperation and Development erment, public support does not more women (OECD) found that countries with always translate into action in the more female participation in the workplace. Despite all efforts, workforce were likely to grow Kuwait continues to trail the global faster than others. A survey done averages for female inclusion in by the Harvard Business Review KUWAIT: Besma Al-Qassar (left) and Eman Al-Awadhi. executive positions. Even though found that women in executive women have been part of the workforce Founder and Project Manager, said: “We positions scored higher than their male since the establishment of modern Kuwait, are proud to partner with a leading pri- counterparts when it came to evaluating activities will focus on the important role guest speaker who will be focusing on studies indicate that they hold only 14% vate company such as KIPCO. WMF is characteristics usually associated with of women in the private sector and the gender equality and inclusion. Another of the executive positions more than half a focused on supporting the Kuwaiti econo- men in executive positions. value that they bring to the table. In May, event will be held in November on women century later. KIPCO is proud to have my through gender diversity by engaging Over the course of the year, WMF’s WMF will be hosting an international and entrepreneurship.

KTUF play its role in representing on display will be Trade union, Kuwait’s national interests at its best. Sawaber-like removed before CRIMES The Kuwait Human Rights Society being impounded. also celebrated Labor Day, saying in a The department Co-op arson suspect identified rights society statement that it comes this year “with projects issued citations to positive and deep-rooted changes in the some offices that KUWAIT: Sabah Al-Ahmad detectives are mark Labor Day labor movement in Kuwait, most notably hinder housing concretized vast looking for a citizen who set a box of potato a decision to move the domestic help areas of pavements chips on fire inside the area’s local co-op By Meshaal Al-Enezi department from the interior ministry to and damaged state society for no apparent reason. Co-op offi- the social affairs ministry.” plans: Minister property. Some vio- cials told police that surveillance cameras KUWAIT: Kuwait Trade Union The market witnessed several move- lators do not have recorded a man wearing a red cap who Federation issued a statement yesterday ments monitored by the society - the any licenses, while Jenan Bushehri By A Saleh entered the supermarket, then set the box on the occasion of Labor Day, in which start of Kuwaitization of government others have permis- alight and left. Detectives identified the sus- it said it will continue its efforts to real- jobs, the escalation of the labor situation sions to display pect and he is being sought. ize more achievements for laborers in at a major company that was one of the KUWAIT: Housing Minister and State their vehicles over an area of 12 sq m, but Kuwait, and will hold more activities most important reasons for issuing an Minister for Services Jenan Bushehri said a many of them use public land. domestically and abroad to achieve that amnesty to correct the status of resi- proposal to build housing complexes like Arcades thief arrested goal. “Our goals are to achieve stability dency violators, and the tensions those in Sawaber and rent the apartments Social care center to Kuwaiti newlyweds at a nominal rent for our unions and maintain their unity between Kuwait and the Philippines The number of beneficiaries of the social A citizen who owns a cafe accused a cus- and harmony,” it said, adding that this over the conditions of Filipino workers, adversely affects the efforts of the Public care center at the Ministry of Social Authority for Housing Welfare and keeps it tomer of stealing money from an arcade makes the current executive council of it noted. Affairs during March was nearly 5,000 game by using a copy of the key. The sus- from implementing its plan that aims at persons. Statistics by the ministry said the providing 12,000 units to citizens. pect paid for his drinks and shisha from the total number of those who benefit from stolen money. The cafe owner told police the family nursing department is 1,045 State property that while he was checking the machines, cases - 36 in the children’s home, 11 in the he noticed that the two had money, while a No injuries in shooting Kuwait Municipality Director General girls’ home, 91 in guest homes, 617 in the Ahmad Al-Manfouhi asked emergency and third was completely empty. When he nursery department, 220 in the children asked workers about it, they told him that a road occupancy teams to deal with car follow-up department and 70 cases in the at passports center offices that use state property to display young man comes daily and sits near the care of Kuwaitis abroad department. machine for hours. The citizen checked their vehicles for sale. He asked the Statistics also showed the number of those Hawally department to check violations on security footage and found the customer By Hanan Al-Saadoun tain who told him his father’s pass- in the juvenile care home during March used to open the moneybox under the port was not ready yet, and he the coastal road by such offices, as several was 456 cases, and there were 3,387 eld- warnings have been issued, so that the cars game and stole its contents. Detectives are KUWAIT: Ishbelia passports cen- should return in the afternoon. A erly care cases. investigating. ter witnessed a shooting by a security source said the citizen had patron who had differences with an gone to collect his father’s pass- officer, but no one was hurt. Press port, then began an argument when provide fresh programs aiming at develop- Drug dealer caught reports said police authorities he learned the passport was not API, World Bank ing the human element by means of offering began a search for the citizen who ready. He then fired his weapon health and education services, he said. A female citizen was taken to the Drugs fired three rounds towards a cap- before escaping. ink deal on 2030 The agenda puts into consideration the Control General Department after he was privacies, national capabilities and internal caught in an abnormal condition, and he challenges of all countries, while pointing to confessed to pushing drugs. Police found development their shared responsibilities for achieving hashish and a sensitive scale with her. Police sustainable development, he added. noticed the girl driving aimlessly in Salmiya, agenda The API chief said meanwhile that both so they pulled her over. When they spoke to sides shared the same views on diverse her, she seemed abnormal. Police found the KUWAIT: Kuwait-based Arab Planning issues and subjects, primarily sustainable hashish and scale in her car. At the police Institute (API) yesterday signed a memo of development, during a separate meeting station, she said she uses and trades in understanding (MoU) with the World Bank held on the sidelines of the signing ceremo- drugs, and has special customers. Indian maids’ recruitment on the application of the 2030 Agenda for ny. He pointed to his agency’s eagerness to Sustainable Development for developing the put in place the 2030 Agenda for could start next week Arab region. The World Bank was repre- Sustainable Development, outlined by the Gamblers detained sented by its Vice-President for the Agenda United Nations (UN). The MoU is an KUWAIT: The interior ministry sent a with salaries and number of working Dr Mahmoud Mohieddin, while the API umbrella for unifying efforts and coordinat- Eight Indians were arrested after they were letter to the foreign ministry to inform hours, and guarantees workers’ rights Director-General Bader Malallah represent- ing work between the API and the bank with caught gambling inside Khaitan Park. A it that negotiations between the in case of injury or death. A security ed the institute. Speaking after the signing, a view to addressing relevant issues, espe- guard noticed the eight gambling, so he domestic help department and offi- source said the process to bring in Mohieddin said the MoU involves various cially regarding sustainable development, called police, who arrived and arrested them. cials from the Indian embassy, includ- female domestic helpers from India development cooperation domains, includ- following up on the implementation of goals ing the labor consul, were successful. may start next week after the neces- ing human development, economic growth and measuring indexes, he remarked. The A detailed explanation was given of sary measures are taken by the for- programs and sustainable development. document embraces joint training courses, KD 3,000 a month the domestic help law, which deals eign ministry. — Al-Anbaa Now that the bank attaches much atten- carrying out programs and holding seminars, tion to human development, it is keen to the API chief pointed out. — KUNA Ahmadi prosecution is considering the case of two sheikhs, one of whom made a deal with a Bangladeshi man to dump sewerage and industrial waste in his farm for KD 2 per tank, while the other sheikh kept the matter under the lid, as the farm owner earned KD KUNA chief, US envoy discuss 3,000 a month, according to a security source. An Environment Public Authority (EPA) team received a tip about a farm near media role in enhancing relations Um Al-Haiman station in which sewer waste is dumped, and the owner charges KD 2 for KUWAIT: US Ambassador to Kuwait in supporting international efforts for each tanker. Environment police noticed a Lawrence Silverman praised KUNA the sake of world security and stability. car belonging to a ruling family member services and Kuwait’s media role in The meeting also tackled the outstand- inside the farm, who confessed that he enhancing bilateral relations between ing relations between Kuwait and US knows about the matter but denied any links the two countries and efforts in and ways of promoting them. The meet- to it, adding the farm belongs to another spread of knowledge and awareness ing was attended by KUNA Deputy sheikh and that a Bangladeshi empties sewer among citizens. This came during his Chairman for Administrative and trucks in the farm. Tests proved the material meeting with KUNA Board Chairman Financial Affairs Abdulhameed Malik, is hazardous and may spread diseases and and Director General Sheikh Mubarak KUNA’s Deputy Director General for cancer. It could also affect public health and Al-Duaij Al-Sabah yesterday, dis- the Editorial Sector and Editor-in-Chief may seep into the country’s groundwater. cussing media role in enhancing rela- Saad Al-Ali, KUNA’s Director of EPA Director General Sheikh Abdullah Al- tions and communication between Marketing and Public Relations Essam Humoud referred the two sheikhs and the world countries. Al-Ruwayeh, Sheikh Mubarak’s Office KUWAIT: US Ambassador to Kuwait Lawrence Silverman meets with KUNA Board Bangladeshi man to the prosecution, which is Sheikh Mubarak Al-Duaij stressed Director Nayef Al-Otaibi and US Chairman and Director General Sheikh Mubarak Al-Duaij Al-Sabah. — KUNA investigating the matter. — Translated by KUNA’s commitment to Kuwait’s policy Embassy officials. — KUNA Kuwait Times from Al-Rai InternationalWEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 2018 North, South Korea dismantle speakers

Outrage after a bloody day for Afghan journalists Page 7 Page 9

NEW DELHI: An Indian woman looks out of a window near the shrine of Sufi saint Khwaja Nizamuddin in New Delhi yesterday. — AFP India child brides sold into sex slavery

India court orders special trials for child rape cases

MUMBAI: Girls are being trafficked into domestic servi- ly underway in districts that report high rates of child wrong. “They believe there is no ill in the practice, as it headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra said yesterday that tude or sex slavery after their parents illegally marry marriage, will be shared with various state governments, has been going on for years,” said Nirmal Gorana, con- trial courts must not grant unnecessary adjournments in them off, said officials in the Indian state of Maharashtra said Rahatkar. There vener of the National such sensitive cases. yesterday. Researchers are conducting the state’s first has been a “complete Campaign Committee for It also said state police chiefs should form task forces survey into links between child marriage and slavery, vacuum in the research Eradication of Bonded to investigate child rape cases, which must be heard by according to Vijaya Rahatkar, chairperson of space on trafficking and Labor. “When parents mar- special courts. “Efforts have to be made by high courts to Maharashtra’s women’s commission. The legal age of child marriage,” said India legal age ry their girls young, it is provide child-friendly courts,” the bench said. The direc- marriage in India is 18 for women and 21 for men. Parents Adrian Phillips of the also to ensure they do not tives came amid public outrage in recent weeks over the face a fine of 100,000 rupees ($1,535) and two years in anti-trafficking group of marriage for stake any claim on the par- rape and murder in Jammu that has put an increased prison if they are caught trying to marry off their under- Justice and Care. The ent’s property,” he added. spotlight on other near-daily cases. Activists say the gov- age children. research is expected to women is 18; ernment does not take rape seriously. Accusations have But discrimination against girls remains widespread, provide data that will 21 for men Special trials for rape mounted since new Kashmir deputy chief minister particularly in rural and poor communities where parents expose connections Meanwhile, India’s Kavinder Gupta called the Jammu rape a “small incident” often view daughters as financial burdens and continue between the two Supreme Court yesterday just hours after being sworn in on Monday. to marry them off early. “Many of these marriages do not crimes, said Phillips, called for fast-track investi- Anger has also grown over the case of a six-year-old last, and we have now seen cases where there are direct whose group has part- gations and special courts girl who died in hospital at the weekend, a week after and indirect linkages to trafficking,” Rahatkar said. nered with the women’s to hear child rape cases she was viciously attacked and raped at Cuttack in the Rahatkar said her commission decided to carry out the commission to conduct the survey. amid an upsurge in deadly sex crimes. Authorities have northeastern state of Odisha. India saw similar protests survey after receiving reports of child brides enslaved in The number of girls getting married in India has fallen been facing intense pressure to act since the rape and after the 2012 gang-rape of a student on a bus in New households and sold into brothels. by nearly half in the past decade, the United Nations murder of an eight-year-old Muslim girl by a group of Delhi. She later died in hospital of her injuries. The inci- After one such report, authorities rescued a girl who children’s agency, UNICEF, said in March. But 27 per- Hindus, and other cases. After the rape of the girl in dent triggered weeks of street protests and global con- had been married off and then forced to work without cent of all brides are still below age 18, according to Jammu and Kashmir state made national headlines last demnation. But sexual violence, including against chil- wages on a farm, where she was abused and tied up so UNICEF. Campaigners say it is difficult to convince month, the government changed the law so that child dren, remains unabated. Some 11,000 child rape cases she did not run away. The findings of the survey, current- many people that the tradition of child marriage is rapists can face execution. A Supreme Court bench were reported in 2015. — Agencies

Vatican treasurer Indian groom killed to face trial on at wedding party by historical sexual celebratory gunfire offence charges

MELBOURNE: Vatican Treasurer George Pell NEW DELHI: Indian police yesterday arrested a man accused of must face trial on charges of historical sexual killing a bridegroom when he marked his friend’s wedding with offences, an Australian court ruled yesterday, gunfire, the latest in a grim series of marriage celebrations gone making him the most senior Catholic official to wrong. A video of Sunil Verma, 25, being hit in the chest late be tried on such allegations. He pleaded not Sunday as he performed Hindu wedding rituals has gone viral on guilty. Magistrate Belinda Wallington handed Indian social media. The footage shows a man identified as a friend down her decision that Pell’s case will proceed to of Verma adjusting a pistol when it goes off. trial in a Melbourne court, following a month- The next moment, the groom is seen clutching his chest and long pre-trial hearing. Pell did not comment MELBOURNE: A woman holds up a bible as Vatican finance chief Cardinal George Pell leaves slumping face down. “He has confessed to the shooting but the when he left the court, surrounded by police and court after making an appearance in court in Melbourne. Pell pleaded not guilty yesterday after investigations will continue. We have recovered the murder flanked by his legal team. being ordered to stand trial on multiple historical sexual offence charges in Australia. — AFP weapon,” Ghanshyam Chaurasia, investigating officer in the Pope Francis has said he would not comment Lakhimpur Kheri district of Uttar Pradesh state, told AFP. The on the case involving his economy minister until shooter, who could face a murder charge, was on the run until his it was over. The Vatican said in a statement that it supported him from both here in Australia and charges “are of such a vastly different nature” arrest yesterday in a neighboring town. had “taken note” of the court’s decision and that overseas during this exacting time and is grateful from the rest that he foresaw a separation of tri- Police said two shots were fired from the licensed pistol belong- the leave of absence the pope granted Pell last for their continuing support and prayers,” the als, Pell’s lawyer, Robert Richter, told the court ing to the friend. Although outlawed in India, celebratory gunfire at year so he can defend himself “is still in place”. A statement said. In her ruling, Wallington dis- at the end of the committal hearing. Pell, 76, sat weddings and other social events is common and sometimes deadly. statement issued by Pell’s lawyers and distrib- missed what Pell’s lawyer has called “the worst of quietly behind his lawyer, wearing a black suit A 20-year-old man was killed at his cousin’s wedding on Sunday uted by the Sydney Archdiocese, his last the charges” leveled against his client, but said with a clergyman’s collar, as the magistrate’s after revelers fired live ammunition to celebrate the event in neigh- employer before his Vatican posting in 2014, said allegations of offences at a pool and at a church decision was read out over 90 minutes. During boring Allahabad district. The shooter, a relative of the groom, is Pell had fully cooperated with police investiga- in Victoria state will be heard. the pre-trial hearing, Pell’s defense raised ques- also on the run, police said. And in February, during celebratory tors and “always and steadfastly maintained his Pell was ordered to appear in the Melbourne tions about police procedure, the reliability of gunfire at a wedding in the capital New Delhi, the groom was hit by innocence”. County Court today, when it will be decided witnesses’ memories and their psychological a stray bullet and killed. — AFP “He would like to thank all those who have how and when the case will proceed. Some condition. — Reuters Established 1961 7 International Wednesday, May 2, 2018 Dominican Republic dumps Taiwan to establish relations with China China dangled $3 billion to grab Dominican Republic: Taiwan

TAIPEI: China offered the Dominican Republic a $3.1 bil- reporters. “(Taiwan) strongly condemns China’s objection- lion package of investments and loans to get them to sever able decision to use dollar diplomacy to convert Taiwan’s ties with Taiwan, a Taiwan official said yesterday, after the diplomatic allies. Beijing’s attempts at foreign policy have Caribbean nation switched allegiance to China in a diplo- only served to drive a wedge between the people on both matic blow to the self-ruled island. China said there were sides of the Taiwan Strait, erode mutual trust and further no economic pre-conditions. Taiwan, claimed by China as harm the feelings of the people of Taiwan.” its own, has formal relations now with only 19 countries, A Taiwan Foreign Ministry official, speaking on condi- many of them poor nations in Central America and the tion of anonymity, told Reuters that, according to initial Pacific like Belize and Nauru. China says Taiwan is simply a calculations, China dangled at least a $3.1 billion package wayward province with no right to state-to-state ties. of investments, financial assistance and low-interest loans China and Taiwan have tried to poach each other’s allies for the Dominican Republic, which shares an island with over the years, often Haiti to the west. That included dangling generous $400 million for a new freeway, aid packages in front $1.6 billion for infrastructure of developing projects and $300 million for a nations, though Vatican could new natural gas power plant. “It Taipei struggles to was a cost that Taiwan could compete with an be next on the not match,” the official said. increasingly power- China’s Foreign Ministry said ful China. Panama list to switch the move was a political one ended its long- with no economic pre-condi- standing relationship allegiance tions, but that now they have with Taiwan last established ties, China will year in a major “proactively promote mutually diplomatic victory beneficial cooperation in all for China. The areas”. A person who answered Vatican is possibly next on the list, as the Holy See and the telephone at the Dominican Republic’s Beijing repre- China edge closer to an accord on the appointment of sentative office said it did not know about the situation BEIJING: Dominican Republic Foreign Minister Miguel Vargas (left) and China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi exchange bishops in China. The news on the Dominican Republic and declined further comment. China has stepped up the documents during a signing ceremony where they formally established relations in Beijing yesterday. —AFP switch, announced in both Beijing and Santo Domingo, pressure on Taiwan since the 2016 election of Tsai Ing- drew strong and swift condemnation from Taiwan Foreign wen, from the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Minister Joseph Wu. Party, as president. Beijing fears she will push for Taiwan’s before being forced to Taiwan in 1949 after losing a civil “We’ve always known things were not looking rosy here,” “President Danilo Medina of the Dominican Republic formal independence, but Tsai says she wants to maintain war to the Communists. Taiwan’s presidential office said the official said. has ignored our long-term partnership, the wishes of the the status quo. that despite the severe challenges, the government would The Chinese government’s top diplomat, State people of the Dominican Republic, and the years of devel- The Dominican Republic had been a diplomatic ally of not bow its head in pressure to Beijing, and vowed to do Councilor Wang Yi, lauded the decision as in line with the opment assistance provided by Taiwan, to accept false the Republic of China - Taiwan’s official name - for 77 all it could to protect Taiwan’s interests. The Taiwan official trend of the times and history, in comments to reporters in promises of investment and aid by China,” Wu told years, including when the government ruled all of China said the Dominican Republic move was not unexpected. Beijing at a hastily arranged news conference. —Reuters

Assad’s ally Sayyed plots a comeback in Outrage after a Lebanon’s election bloody day for

NABI AYLA: A friend of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad Afghan journalists who was once one of Lebanon’s most powerful men is try- ing to make a comeback, with the backing of the Iran- KABUL: Condemnation poured in from across the backed Hezbollah movement. Jamil Al-Sayyed rose to world yesterday after 10 journalists were among become Lebanon’s feared intelligence chief during Syria’s dozens killed in attacks in Afghanistan, in what the UN 15-year domination of the country after its 1975-90 civil described as the “deliberate targeting” of the media. war. He quit in 2005, weeks after former Prime Minister A double suicide blast in Kabul left 25 people dead Rafiq Al-Hariri was assassinated, and spent four years in including AFP photographer Shah Marai and eight jail until he was released without charge over his killing. other journalists, while a BBC reporter was killed in a Now 68, the retired general and former spymaster is separate attack in eastern Khost province. running on Sunday in Lebanon’s first parliamentary election The second Kabul bomber disguised himself as a since 2009. Prime Minister Saad Al-Hariri, a Sunni Muslim, journalist and detonated himself among the crowd, is expected to remain in power though he is likely to lose police said, in what Reporters Without Borders said some seats to rivals including candidates allied to Hezbollah. was the most lethal single attack on the media since the But Hariri, who is backed by the West and leads a govern- fall of the Taleban. Journalists from Radio Free Europe ment that includes Hezbollah and nearly all Lebanon’s other and Afghan broadcasters Tolo News and 1TV were main parties, has signaled his concern by indirectly identify- among the others killed. United Nations Secretary- ing Sayyed as “Bashar Al-Assad’s candidate”. General Antonio Guterres said he was “outraged” by The Baalbek-Hermel constituency in eastern Lebanon, the suicide blasts, which were claimed by the Islamic where Sayyed is running as an independent candidate, has State group and left another 49 people wounded. “The become one of the most important battlegrounds in the deliberate targeting of journalists in the attack high- election. Sayyed says Hezbollah’s opponents have chosen it lights once again the risks media professionals face in “as a point of confrontation.” “I am an independent but not BEIRUT: Supporters of the Lebanese Communist Party take part in a march celebrating the International Labor Day carrying out their essential work,” he said. neutral,” Sayyed told Reuters in an interview in his home in the Lebanese capital Beirut yesterday. — AFP In a third strike on a bloody day for Afghanistan, 11 village of Nabi Ayla in the fertile Bekaa Valley. Making children were killed and 16 people wounded, including clear his allegiance is with Hezbollah, he said: “I have firm Criticism of Washington ence, Sayyed inspired fear among opponents of Syrian Romanian and Afghan soldiers, when another suicide political convictions in support of the resistance.” Sayyed criticized US financial support for the Lebanese influence in Lebanon. A career soldier, he was central to attacker exploded his car near a NATO convoy in Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah has said he army, saying it was intended to provoke a confrontation what critics saw as a Syria-controlled security order that southern Kandahar province. US Defense Secretary will go to the district if necessary to support Hezbollah with Hezbollah, which Washington considers a terrorist suppressed voices opposed to Syrian dominance. Jim Mattis said that the weakened militants were tar- and its allies against Hariri’s Future Movement and the organization. But he said the Lebanese army and Hezbollah Sayyed shaped the politics of that era alongside top geting journalists in Afghanistan in order to undermine Lebanese Forces party led by Samir Geagea, a former continue to operate in such a way as to complement each Syrian officials and Lebanese leaders, many of them militia the electoral process ahead of an expected vote in Christian militia leader. Sayyed’s critics say his potential other. Hezbollah remained “a necessity (for the army) all leaders from the 1975-90 conflict. At the time of Rafiq October.”This is the normal stuff by people who cannot comeback and that of his wartime opponents from the the while the West and America do not supply the army Hariri’s killing, Sayyed was head of the General Security win at the ballot box, so they turn to bombs,” he said. anti-Syria camp, such as Geagea, could entrench old divi- with necessary deterrent capabilities”, he said. Directorate intelligence agency. He was the most powerful Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also condemned sions. One of the biggest anti-Syria dissidents of that time, Sayyed’s candidacy in the election has revived memo- of four Lebanese generals detained in 2005 at the request the “senseless and barbaric attack”. “The vibrant Christian politician Michel Aoun, is now president of the ries of a turbulent period which ushered in a sometimes of Detlev Mehlis, the German prosecutor who headed the media landscape that has developed in Afghanistan country of 4 million. But Sayyed said he was unfazed that violent power struggle between allies and opponents of early stages of the UN investigation into the assassination will endure, in large part due to those journalists and Lebanon is mostly run by leaders from the civil war era. “I Damascus. If he makes it into parliament, he could become and implicated Syrian and Lebanese figures. A UN-backed media professionals who tragically died in today’s know their secrets and what they hide - their history - a candidate to one day succeed Nabih Berri as the assem- tribunal ordered their release in 2009 for lack of evidence attack, but whose courageous and steadfast work because I worked as required in the state in security, in bly’s speaker-a post reserved for a Shi’ite in Lebanon’s and has charged five members of Hezbollah over the assas- helped lay the foundation for Afghanistan’s thriving politics,” he said. sectarian power-sharing system. At the peak of his influ- sination. Hezbollah denies any role in the killing. — Reuters and resilient independent media,” he said. The BBC confirmed that its reporter, 29-year-old Ahmad Shah who had worked for the broadcaster for more than a year, was shot by unidentified armed men in Khost and over Trump’s alleged branding of Nigeria and other African that police were investigating the motive. US pledges support nations as “shithole countries” in a January rant over immi- gration. “I’m very careful with what the press says, other than Bloody summer about myself,” Buhari told reporters. “I’m not sure about the The attacks came days after the Taleban began a for Nigeria’s fight validity or whether that allegation against the president was spring offensive, in an apparent rejection of a peace true or not. So the best thing for me is to keep quiet.” talks overture by the Afghan government. Afghanistan against Boko Haram was last year ranked the third most dangerous country Access for US exports in the world for journalists by Reporters Without Trump told Buhari that in return for America’s support, Borders (RSF) and on Monday the watchdog urged WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump pledged US exporters are “owed” more access to Nigerian mar- the international community to guard the media from stronger support for Nigeria’s fight against Boko Haram kets. “We look forward to growing our trade relationship future attacks. “It is high time that the UN send a jihadists Monday, while demanding greater trade access to based on the principal of fairness and reciprocity,” Trump strong signal to the international community and to Africa’s largest economy. After a meeting with Nigerian said. “But we give Nigeria well over $1 billion in aid every local protagonists by appointing a Special President Muhammadu Buhari, the first leader from sub- year, and we have already started talking with the presi- Representative for the protection of journalists,” the Saharan Africa invited by Trump to the White House, dent about taking down the trade barriers very substantial group’s chief Christophe Deloire said. Trump said he was prepared to sell helicopters to the oil- barriers to the United States trading with Nigeria. So we Human Rights Watch also warned that a deliberate rich country in addition to light fighter aircraft already think that we are owed that.” attack on civilians was a “war crime”, adding in a agreed. “These new aircraft will improve Nigeria’s ability Trump also appeared to tie US support for Nigeria and statement yesterday: “Journalists have long paid a to target terrorists and protect civilians,” Trump said during other African countries to their backing for the joint US- high price for covering Afghanistan’s armed conflict.” a joint press conference in the White House’s Rose Garden. Canada-Mexico bid to host the football World Cup in 2026. RSF said that since 2016, it has recorded the killings of Asked when the first deliveries of equipment-including a The North American group faces one rival bid from 34 journalists in Afghanistan. In 2016, seven employees dozen A-29 Super Tucano light fighter aircraft and unspeci- Morocco, with the decision by world football’s governing of popular TV channel Tolo were killed in a Taleban fied helicopters-would take place, Trump replied: “Very body FIFA to come on June 13. “I hope all African countries suicide bombing. And in November last year, broad- soon.” “We’re getting them approved. Part of the problem is and countries throughout the world, that we also will be sup- caster Shamshad TV was stormed by gunmen who you weren’t allowed to buy helicopters in our country and porting you, and that they will likewise support us in our bid killed one person. After that strike, the defiant station now you are; I worked that out,” he added. “We make the along with Canada and Mexico for the 2026 World Cup,” was back on the air within hours, with a newscaster best military equipment in the world. And our friends can Trump said. “We will be watching very closely, and any help with bandaged hands reporting on the attack as its now buy that equipment.” Buhari, visiting the United States they can give us in that bid we would appreciate,” he said. director vowed: “They cannot silence us.” on a mission to drum up more counterterrorism support and During the press conference, Trump also raised the AFP’s Marai joined the agency as a driver in 1996, US business investment, thanked Trump for Washington’s issue of the killings of Christians, in an apparent reference the year the Taleban seized power. He soon began tak- support to help rebuild the country’s northeast, which has to the April 24 attack on a central Nigerian church where ing pictures on the side, covering stories including the been under assault for nine years from Boko Haram. 18 people, including two priests, were murdered.”We are WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump and Nigeria’s US invasion in 2001.In 2002, he became a full-time “The United States of America has been to date the deeply concerned by religious violence in Nigeria, includ- President Muhammadu Buhari take part in a joint press photo stringer, rising through the ranks to become the biggest contributor to the humanitarian response,” said ing the burning of churches and the killing and persecution conference in the Rose Garden of the White House. —AFP bureau’s chief photographer. —Reuters Buhari. And Buhari diplomatically brushed off the controversy of Christians,” he said. —AFP 8 Established 1961 Wednesday, May 2, 2018 International How old is Big Ben? The trivia Meghan Markle must know to become British Would-be citizens must take quiz about life in UK LONDON: US actress Meghan Markle will join Britain’s net immigration to less than 100,000. Underlining the sen- royal family when she marries Prince Harry this month but sitivity of that issue, Amber Rudd quit as Home Secretary before she can become a British citizen, it will help her to (interior minister) on Sunday over an immigration scandal. know how big the Lake District is and the age of “Big Becoming a citizen requires a person to have lived in Ben”. Markle plans to take the nationality of her new hus- Britain for three years, to have good knowledge of English, band after their wedding on May 19 but, like tens of thou- to be of sound mind - and to pass the 50 pound ($69) test. sands of others wanting to However, the addition- become British every year, al requirement of earning she will first have to a combined income of at demonstrate knowledge of least 18,600 pounds some historical facts and should not prove to be obscure trivia that many US actress too burdensome for a Britons are oblivious to. All prince of the realm and would-be citizens must Markle, Prince his new wife. For many pass the “Life in the UK” applicants, though, the test by successfully Harry to wed citizenship test is a major answering 18 out of 24 stumbling block. The questions selected from on May 19 most recent official fig- some 3,000 facts, such as ures showed that 133,490 knowing the height of the tests were taken in 2016 London Eye Ferris wheel with 47,312 failures. and how many lawmakers sit in the Scottish Parliament. “It’s very divorced from what the normal experience is Even many Britons find the questions baffling. In a ran- for people,” Thom Brooks, an academic and vocal critic of dom survey carried out by Reuters, only 23 out of 41 the test, told Reuters. “It’s the British citizenship test that Britons quizzed could correctly answer questions put to very few British citizens can pass.” Brooks, originally from them, and many of those admitted they were guessing. “I the United States, sat the quiz himself in 2009 before did history at school but some of them are just absolutely becoming a UK citizen two years later. “The general view LONDON: Britain’s Prince Harry (right), his US fiancee Meghan Markle, and Britain’s Prince William, Duke stupid,” said chef Tom Poston, 46, after failing a sample is that it’s a money-making ruse by the Home Office,” said of Cambridge, attend a service of commemoration and thanksgiving to mark Anzac Day in Westminster test shown to him by Reuters. “I would have been kicked Brooks, adding that one applicant had failed it more than Abbey in London. —AFP out, amazing,” said Poston, who lives in London. “I think 60 times. “I haven’t really found anyone who found that the she’s (Markle) going to have to do a lot of studying test was particularly beneficial for helping them settle in because I’m shocked.” the country.” means of creating better citizens,” it said. Among the parliament’s clock tower (it came into operation in 1859). Last month, a report by Britain’s House of Lords com- possible questions are who opened Britain’s first Indian Some of those quizzed by Reuters thought Markle might Hurdles to citizenship mittee on citizenship agreed with Brooks and called for a restaurant (Sake Dean Mahomed), the size of the Lake fare better than they had. “I did terribly,” said retired Britain has made the process of becoming a citizen review. “The current test seems to be, and to be regard- District natural park in northern England (885 sq miles engineer David Armstrong, 58. “She’s a bright girl, she more difficult in recent years as it struggles to cut annual ed as, a barrier to acquiring citizenship rather than a or 2,292 km), and the age of the famous “Big Ben” bell in might get half.”— Reuters

News in brief Armenia protest Porn star sues Trump leader warns of NEW YORK: Porn star Stormy Daniels, who claims she had an affair with Donald Trump in ‘political tsunami’ 2006, filed a lawsuit against the US president on Monday for defamation. Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, lodged the complaint with YEREVAN: At least 20,000 supporters of Armenia’s the US District Court for the Southern District of opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan rallied in the centre of New York. In the suit, Clifford said that Trump the Armenian capital yesterday as he warned lawmakers in made “false and defamatory” statements about her parliament of major unrest if they did not elect him prime in an April 18 tweet. Trump’s tweet was in minister. Heeding the 42-year-old’s call to take to the response to the release by Clifford the previous streets, huge crowds gathered in and around the capital’s day of a sketch of a man whom she claimed Republic Square, clutching tricolour flags and watching a warned her in 2011 to “leave Trump alone.” live video stream from the nail-biting special parliamen- Clifford claimed she was threatened in a Las Vegas tary session on a giant screen, an AFP journalist reported. parking lot after agreeing to an interview with “In “There is information that (former presidents) Serzh Touch” magazine about her alleged affair with Sarkisian and Robert Kocharyan-the famous tandem-are planning to take back power,” Pashinyan told lawmakers in Trump. After Clifford released a drawing of the parliament. “I want to warn them-gentlemen, the mistaken man she said threatened her, Trump tweeted: “A interpretation of people’s leniency as a weakness can lead sketch years later about a nonexistent man. —AFP to a genuine political tsunami.” “I call on everyone to take to the streets because once again they want to steal the YEREVAN: Supporters of Armenian protest leader Nikol Pashinyan attend a rally in downtown Yerevan people’s victory,” he added. yesterday. —AFP Swiss Alps storm kills 6 Moscow-allied Armenia has been in the clutches of a severe political crisis for the past few weeks, with GENEVA: A sixth person has died after a group of Sarkisian stepping down last week after a decade in power The outcome of the vote now depends on how individual AFP at the rally. David Babayan, a 25-year-old software 14 skiers were caught up in a storm, police said yes- in the face of major protests in the impoverished South Republican Party MPs will vote,” the source said. specialist, warned that the ruling party’s desire to cling to terday, after the bodies of two climbers were also Caucasus nation. Pashinyan, who is the sole candidate for The source earlier said Pashinyan and the Republican power would backfire. “They will sign their own political found elsewhere in the Swiss Alps. Yesterday morn- the post of prime minister, insists that only he can rid Party had struck a backdoor deal several days ago, with death sentence,” he said. Pashinyan’s protest movement ing, “a sixth person died. The deceased was a 52- Armenia of corruption and poverty and conduct free and the ruling party agreeing to support his bid. But it appears had accused ex-leader Sarkisian of a power grab, saying year-old Bulgarian woman,” police in Valais canton fair parliamentary elections. He however is a handful of that the ruling party backed out at the last minute. In a he had failed to tackle a litany of problems like corruption, said in a statement. Bad weather in the Pigne votes short of a majority and lacks the crucial support of troubling sign, Sarkisian’s party has not publicly poverty and the influence of oligarchs. d’Arolla area of the Swiss Alps on Sunday had Sarkisian’s ruling party to get elected. Speaking to his announced its official stance prior to the vote, with a sen- Many political observers had said in the run-up to the caught the group of skiers by surprise. The group supporters in the early hours of yesterday, Pashinyan said ior lawmaker only saying it will not stand in the way of vote that it was highly likely that the hugely popular had set out from the Dix rest-stop and had intend- that the ruling party planned to derail the vote and urged Pashinyan’s candidacy. Over the past few days Pashinyan protest leader would be elected prime minister, saying ed to make it to Vignettes to sleep, trekking along hundreds of thousands to take to the streets. has secured the backing of two major parties including even the Republican Party appeared to understand that a route called The Serpentine. The manager of a Prosperous Armenia, giving him a total of 47 votes. But he Pashinyan’s victory would calm things. Observers and the rest-stop in the remote mountain region sent out a ‘Republicans cling to power’ was still six votes short of the 53 he needs from the 105- international community have expressed concern that the call for help at dawn on Monday, triggering a A source familiar with the negotiations told AFP that seat legislature, where the Republican Party has a majority. turmoil could destabilize the Moscow-allied nation, which major relief operation that involved seven helicop- the situation was febrile, saying Pashinyan could still be has been locked in a territorial dispute with Azerbaijan for ters, police said. One person, a 59-year-old Italian elected prime minister if several Republican lawmakers ‘Political death sentence’ decades. Russia has urged compromise while the United national who was serving as a guide for the group, defected and voted for him. “The Republican Party leader- “The Republicans won’t be able to thwart the people’s States has called for “a resolution that reflects the interests was found dead on the scene following a fall, ship is clinging to power and opposes Pashinyan’s election. victory,” 59-year-old financier Armen Nikagosyan told of all Armenians”.— AFP police said.—AFP

time. “The big attention will be on London Chicago man exonerated On the backfoot, and the Tories are going to do badly,” said Robert Hayward, a Conservative peer and CHICAGO: A Chicago judge on Monday declared polling expert. “Although essentially peo- innocent a man who spent 22 years in prison for British PM ple are supposed to be voting on local murder, and vacated his conviction, as part of an issues, the reality is that turnout is often official review of past cases possibly tainted by braces for driven by perceptions of national politics.” police misconduct. Anthony Jakes, convicted of mur- Paul Scully, the Conservatives’ vice chair- der when he was 15, was the latest to be exonerated man for London said: “It’s going to be real- in America’s third largest city. Jakes had been sen- election test ly tough. “We are trying to hold on to what tenced to prison for 40 years for a 1991 murder, but we’ve got,” he said. released in 2013 after serving about half of that term. He claimed a now-retired police detective beat LONDON: With Prime Minister Theresa ‘Signal’ to government and coerced him into confessing. A judge on May on the ropes over her Brexit strategy The elections are set to highlight Britain’s Monday officially declared Jakes innocent and and immigration policy, Britain’s main burgeoning divides between urban and rural cleared his name. “I wish my grandmother and my opposition Labor Party hopes to deliver a areas, and eurosceptic and pro-European mother were here to celebrate this with me, because further blow in local elections tomorrow. voters, according to analysts. John Curtice, they were my biggest, biggest supporters,” Jakes Labor is targeting traditional strongholds politics professor at Strathclyde University told reporters outside the courtroom.—AFP for May’s Conservatives such as and one of Britain’s top polling experts, Wandsworth, south London, just days after believes May will make gains outside the the resignation of top ally Amber Rudd as big cities, cementing her party’s move away SALE, England: Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May (center) meets with pupils as Alarm gun fired in Nice interior minister. from the more cosmopolitan conservatism she visits Brooklands Primary School in Sale, near Manchester as part of the “We need a change,” Beverley of predecessor David Cameron. When Conservative Party’s local election campaign. —AFP NICE: People fled bars and restaurants in Nice in Shillingford, a 54-year-old social worker liv- results come out, expect to see Labor panic Monday after a man fired a noisy but harmless ing in a tower block in Wandsworth, told AFP leader Jeremy Corbyn celebrating in kind of low tax levels that our Wandsworth Europeans allowed to vote in local polls- alarm gun into the air in the southern French resort as Labor Party supporters went canvassing London and the prime minister in England’s has,” he told AFP in his office in the bor- but not national elections, nor the EU refer- town, police said. Around a dozen people were door-to-door one evening in April. provincial heartlands, agreed Hayward. ough’s town hall. endum-as well as disaffected Tories. lightly injured, some requiring hospital treatment, as Shillingford accused the borough’s Nonetheless, losing Wandsworth would His plea to voters: “Why change a win- Wandsworth has 230,000 eligible voters people rushed out of bars and cafes fearing an Conservative leaders of “letting this place fall be a stinging and symbolic Conservative ning formula-why risk it?” Labor would and typical turnout of around only a third, attack, emergency services personnel said. France down” and fellow residents in the 16-storey defeat. The borough was former Prime need to pick up 12 council seats to pull off leaving the 26,000 EU citizens on its rolls has been hit by a string of terror attacks in recent building complained about everything from a Minister Margaret Thatcher’s favorite local what their local leader Simon Hogg ready to play a potentially pivotal role. years, raising the levels of security, and concern, in lack of services to a mouse problem. Defeat authority for pioneering free-market poli- describes as “a political earthquake”. “I Despite reassurances of support for EU cit- the country. Last month, an Islamist gunman who in the local council polls would pile further cies and has low local tax rates and a repu- think it would send a signal to the national izens after Brexit from Wandsworth’s Tories, killed four people and injured four others in a shoot- pressure on May, who is struggling to keep tation for sound management. Conservative government,” he said. Hogg believes Brexit few appear poised to vote Conservative. her party united on Brexit and whose leader- ing spree in southwestern France. Nice suffered a voters stayed true even when Labour will prove crucial. “It has severed the tribal “It would be a mismatch between what ship has been on borrowed time ever since terrible attack in 2016 when a Tunisian man swept its three parliamentary seats in the connection between a lot of Conservative they’re doing on the local level and the she lost her party’s parliamentary majority in ploughed a truck through a large crowd gathered 1990s and while similar urban areas have voters and the Tory party,” Hogg said. “I national level,” said Costanza de Toma, 45, a general election last year. for Bastille Day fireworks in the Mediterranean city, shifted leftwards. Ravi Govindia, the think you’ll find lots of Tory councilors are an Italian voting in Wandsworth. The trend Rudd’s departure for misleading parlia- killing 86 people and injuring more than 400. —AFP incumbent leader, said he is “hopeful” of going to lose jobs because of the extreme could be replicated across London, where ment over migrant deportation targets also retaining control. “There is not a single and chaotic hard Brexit that they’re pushing EU nationals comprise around 12 percent deprives May of a key ally at a difficult Labor authority in London that has the through.” The parties are courting of the population. —AFP Established 1961 9 International Wednesday, May 2, 2018 North and S Korea dismantle border speakers, fulfilling ‘summit pledge’

UN chief asked to verify test site shutdown

SEOUL: North and South Korea began dismantling country. Some experts and researchers have speculated loudspeakers that blared propaganda across their heav- the most recent and by far largest - blast in September ily fortified border yesterday, South Korea’s defense had rendered the entire site unusable. But Kim said ministry said, fulfilling a promise made at last week’s there were two additional, larger tunnels that remain “in historic summit. The moves are the first practical, if very good condition”. small, steps toward reconciliation after Friday’s meeting between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and the Border loudspeakers removed North’s Kim Jong Un. Along the border, South Korea started taking down Moon, meanwhile, asked that the United Nations help its loudspeakers yesterday afternoon, a defense official verify North Korea’s planned shutdown of its Punggye- said. Activity at several spots along the border indicat- ri nuclear test site in a phone conversation yesterday ed North Koreans were doing the same, he said. For with UN Secretary- decades, with only a few General Antonio breaks, the two sides Guterres, a statement have pumped out propa- from the presidential ganda from huge banks of Blue House said. Trump likes the speakers as a form of Guterres said the psychological warfare. requests need approval idea of meeting The South broadcast a from the UN Security mixture of news, Korean Council, but he wanted with Kim pop songs and criticism to cooperate to build of the northern regime, peace on the Korean at DMZ while the North blasted peninsula and would the southern government PAJU: South Korean soldiers dismantle loudspeakers that were set up for propaganda broadcasts near the assign a UN official in and praised its own demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas in Paju yesterday. — AFP charge of arms control socialist system. As a sign to cooperate with of goodwill, the South had South Korea, the statement said. stopped its propaganda ahead of the summit, and the thing that I like about it because you’re there, you’re Korea’s presidential Blue House seemed to welcome the Several days before Friday’s summit, the North sur- North followed suit. actually there. Where, if things work out, there’s a great prospect of hosting the meeting in Panmunjom, the bor- prised the world by declaring it would dismantle the test The incremental steps come amid speculation about celebration to be had on the site, not in a third-party der village where the Peace House is located. site to “transparently guarantee” its dramatic commit- where Kim will meet U.S. President Donald Trump, who country,” Trump later told reporters at the White House. “Panmunjom is quite meaningful as a place to erode the ment to stop all nuclear and missile tests. The Punggye- said their planned summit could take place in three or But a senior US official said Singapore was still high divide and establish a new milestone for peace,” a senior ri site, where North Korea has conducted all six of its four weeks. Trump tweeted Monday that meeting Kim at on the list of potential sites. Singapore Prime Minister presidential official told reporters, asking not be identi- nuclear tests, consists of a system of tunnels dug the Peace House in the demilitarized zone, where Moon Lee Hsien Loong said on Saturday Singapore had not fied because of the sensitivity of the matter. “Wouldn’t beneath Mount Mantap in the northeastern part of the met Kim, would be an excellent venue. “There’s some- had any request to host the Kim-Trump meeting. South Panmunjom be the most symbolic place?”— Reuters

President Moon who is much older than News in brief No smokes, him,” he said. Kim also gestured to Moon to step into a lift ahead of him, with Moon later describing him as Japan’s ‘wood alcohol’ many drinks for “well-mannered” and “straightfoward and candid”. TOKYO: Discerning drinkers may soon be able to North’s Kim at At the summit the two men pledged in branch out after Japanese researchers said yesterday a blaze of publicity to pursue denu- they have invented a way of producing an alcoholic clearization and a peace treaty-although drink made from wood. The researchers at Japan’s the summit analysts point out that previous similar Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute say pledges have come to naught and the the bark-based beverages have woody qualities similar North made no explicit commitment to to alcohol which is aged in wood barrels. They hope to SEOUL: North Korean leader and known give up its nuclear weapons. Kim drank have their “wood alcohol” on shelves within three heavy smoker Kim Jong Un refrained heartily at a dinner after the event, the years. The method involves pulverizing wood into a from lighting up during a summit with the reports said Monday. “When South creamy paste and then adding yeast and an enzyme to South’s President Moon Jae-in, but Koreans approached him with a drink, start the fermentation process. By avoiding using heat, enthusiastically accepted every offer of a he stood up from his seat, let them pour researchers say they are able to preserve the specific drink. Kim has often been seen with a for him and drained it all in one shot,” flavor of each tree’s wood. So far, they have produced cigarette dangling from his fingers-riding according to one participant. “He never tipples from cedar, birch and cherry. — AFP a subway train, visiting hospitals or turned it down, whoever came,” even schools, even when inspecting a ballistic though the “munbaeju” liquor was 40 missile. In 2012 he was seen holding a percent alcohol. Dozens detained in Istanbul cigarette while watching a sports event Kim’s passion for basketball-former with his pregnant wife Ri Sol Ju. Chicago Bull Dennis Rodman has visited PANMUNJOM: North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un (left) and South Korea’s ISTANBUL: Istanbul police yesterday detained over But Kim was not seen smoking Pyongyang several times-was confirmed President Moon Jae-in participate in a tree-planting ceremony next to the 50 people and placed a security lockdown on the city throughout Friday’s headline-grabbing when he suggested the two Koreas focus Military Demarcation Line that forms the border between the two Koreas at the as the Turkish metropolis marked a tense May Day. truce village of Panmunjom. — AFP summit, neither indoors nor out, even on it for sports events rather than foot- The annual workers’ holiday has traditionally been a during an extended conversation with ball. “Why don’t we have basketball place for confrontation between protesters and Moon at an outdoor table where an ash- exchanges first instead of Seoul- Kim was described as taking every- sion in advance. A Realmeter opinion police but in recent years the authorities have left tray had been provided for him. Pyongyang football exchange?” Kim one by surprise, including his own sister poll after the meeting showed that 65 nothing to chance by entirely barring access to key “Chairman Kim did not smoke even reportedly told Moon, lamenting the loss and close aide Kim Yo Jong, when he percent of South Koreans believed the protest areas. The central Taksim Square was entirely when there were no prying eyes from of a former North Korean star centre promised to reset Pyongyang time to North is willing to denuclearize, while 28 barricaded off by police, with images taken from the journalists and photographers around described as the world’s tallest player. synchronize it with Seoul. “This is news percent do not. The figures were a com- air showing the usually thronged urban space desert- him,” a Moon aide was quoted by local “When we had Ri Myong Hun, we were to me as well,” the sister told Moon’s top plete reversal from beforehand, when 78 ed apart from officers. Authorities also barred access media as telling journalists. “This was stronger than the South but after his aide Im Jong-seok when he asked percent distrusted the North’s promises to the city’s main shopping street, the pedestrianised probably a gesture of respect towards retirement, we became weak,” Kim said. whether she had been aware of the deci- and 14 percent trusted them. — AFP Istiklal Avenue, which has in the past been the scene of protest marches. Reports said that almost all shops were closed the length of the street and tradesmen would have to wait until the evening for the public to Defectors send be allowed through. — AFP bottles of food, Burundi controversial vote facts to N Korea NAIROBI: Burundi yesterday launched the official campaign for a referendum on constitutional change that could enable President Pierre Nkurunziza to stay GANGHWA: North Korean defectors sent water bottles in power for another 16 years. Twenty-six parties, filled with rice and K-pop-loaded USB sticks floating most of them aligned with the ruling CNDD-FDD towards their homeland yesterday, even as the two party, have been authorized to campaign for the May Koreas removed border loudspeakers following a rare 17 plebiscite in the politically tense central African summit last week. The North’s leader Kim Jong Un and nation. The vote is taking place in tightly-controlled the South’s president Moon Jae-in agreed last week to conditions, and parties which advise electors to “completely cease all hostile acts” along the abstain-rather than cast a Yes or No ballot-risk up to Demilitarized Zone from May 1, including loudspeaker three years’ jail. Burundi’s exiled opposition, gathered broadcasts and leaflet balloon launches. But former in an alliance called CNARED, has called for a boy- North Korean political prisoner Jung Gwang-il and oth- cott of the referendum, which it describes as the er activists tossed bottles into the sea from an island, “death knell” to a 2000 agreement that helped end a hoping the tide will carry them northwards. bloody civil war. Nkurunziza, a 54-year-old former Seoul is playing into Pyongyang’s hands by depriving rebel leader, has ruled the small, densely populated ordinary North Koreans of much-needed information, central African nation since 2005. — AFP Jung said. “What is one thing that Kim Jong Un hates the most?” he asked. “It’s North Koreans becoming aware of the reality.” The defectors have been throwing Brazil tower collapses hundreds of bottles filled with food, cash, medicine and GANGHWA-GUN: Bottles containing rice, money, and USB sticks, are thrown into the sea by North Korean memory sticks into the sea twice a month for more than defector activists on Ganghwa island, west of Seoul yesterday. — AFP SAO PAULO: A 24-storey building in the center of two years. Sao Paulo, Brazil’s biggest city, collapsed yesterday It will take about four to five hours for the bottles to after a blaze that rapidly tore through the structure, reach the closest North Korean shore, said another Jung to include female musicians in revealing outfits. “It the sea, the South’s defense authorities began removing reportedly killing one person. Dozens of homeless defector Park Jung-oh. “We all lived in North Korea for shows what freedom is,” he said. “It’s no problem in loudspeakers along the Demilitarized Zone to implement families were squatting in the building, according to at least 30, 40 years so we know exactly what the peo- South Korea but banned in the North. That’s what we the Panmunjom Declaration agreed at last week’s sum- local media. However, so far only one person was ple there want and need,” Park said. “When they watch want to show.” A survey conducted in 2015 said 81 per- mit. North Korea also began removing its own loud- reported dead, local media reported. The Sao Paulo the content of our USB sticks, they will realize that they cent of North Korean defectors had watched foreign speakers, Seoul’s defense ministry said. The high-deci- fire department said “we are still not confirming the have been tricked by their government,” he added. films on USB sticks before they fled the country. Thae bel loudspeakers have long blared K-pop music and number of victims.” The fire began overnight and There is no definitive way of verifying whether the items Yong Ho, North Korea’s former deputy ambassador to South Korean news towards the North’s border troops, spread rapidly, turning the building into an inferno. have been received, but Jung said the South’s coast- Britain who defected to the South in 2016, once with their use varying depending on the situation. US Dramatic pictures tweeted by the fire service showed guards have told him the bottles are often retrieved by described the USB sticks as an effective tactic for activist Susan Scholte called Seoul’s move a “huge mis- flames shooting up the sides of the whole tower, North Korean fishing boats. spreading information in the isolated country, despite take”. “I think any way that you can get information in which then collapsed. Television footage showed efforts by the Kim regime to block them. should be increased, not diminished,” Scholte said. She damage to an adjacent church. Fifty-seven vehicles K-pop and news Disseminating outside information was a way to edu- added: “Any information that you can get into North and 160 firefighters were deployed to the scene, the The USB sticks contain movies, current affairs pro- cate North Koreans to resist the authorities, he said Korea is a peaceful, non-violent way to bring about department tweeted.— AFP grams, and K-pop music videos-carefully selected by after defecting. As the activists tossed the bottles into awareness and change. — AFP 10 Established 1961 Analysis Wednesday, May 2, 2018

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Mongolians sip ‘oxygen cocktails’ to cope with smog

ed up with the smog in Mongolia’s capital, residents have resorted to sipping “lung” tea and “oxygen Fcocktails” in a desperate bid to protect themselves from pollution, despite health officials saying there is no evidence they work. Ulaanbaatar topped New Delhi and Beijing as the world’s most polluted capital in 2016, UNICEF said in a report warning of a health crisis that has put every child and pregnancy at risk. With residents of so-called ger (slum) districts using coal stoves to cook and heat their homes in the world’s coldest capital, where temperatures can dip as low as -40 Celsius, pollution has skyrocketed. While most of the pollution comes from stoves in the gers, road transport and power plants add to the toxic mix. On Jan 30, air pollution was 133 times higher than the safe limit set by the World Health Organization (WHO). UNICEF reported that cases of respiratory infections Marx at 200: Germany torn over legacy have nearly tripled and pneumonia is now the second leading cause of death for children under five. Worried s Germany prepares to mark Karl 19th century, find resonance today as soci- parents have held protests to press the government to Marx’s 200th birth anniversary, the eties once again see social and political take action. But some businesses are cashing in, even Arevolutionary philosopher’s legacy upheaval. “There is a growing timeliness though a WHO official says there is no evidence that such remains divisive more than a quarter century about Karl Marx - certainly the financial and anti-smog products work. after the fall of the Berlin Wall. With scars from economic crises played a role since 2008 the Cold War still fresh, people from capitalist when renowned contemporary economists ‘Life is air’ former West Germany and the once commu- praised him as a theorist,” said Rainer Auts, Advertisements in Mongolia boast that “drinking just nist East are of two minds about the 19th-cen- director of a company set up to oversee the one oxygen cocktail is equal to a three-hour-walk in a tury philosopher. Some hail Marx as a vision- exhibitions on Marx’s life, works and legacy. lush forest”. At the produce section of the State ary scholar who foretold the ills of the market Department Store, blue cans of oxygen called “Life Is economy, while others revile him for inspiring Capitalizing on Marx Air” are on sale for $2, and promise to turn a glass of Stalinist regimes. But in the former East, where the work of juice into a foamy, sweet “oxygen cocktail” after spraying In the western town of Trier, the icon’s the burly man known for his flowing mane some into a glass through a special straw. Other stores birthplace which is planning 600 events for and beard was once espoused in every and pharmacies have oxygen cocktail machines that his bicentenary, it is not lost on critics that school, some reject any praise for Marx resemble coffee makers and can turn a juice into a frothy the centerpiece of the celebrations is a gar- because of the damage his ideas wrought. drink for $1. gantuan statue offered as a gift from com- “Karl Marx developed the foundation upon Supporters of the Frontline Socialist Party display placards with the images of (from left) Karl Marx, Pregnant women are among the most avid customers munist China. “I never had a need for him,” which all subsequent communist dictator- Friedrich Engels and Vladimir Lenin as they take part in a May Day rally in Colombo yesterday. of the Russian-made product, with some saying they are retiree Helene Schmidt, 76, told AFP, voicing ships have built until today,” Dieter following their doctor’s orders. Batbayar Munguntuul, a her opposition to the statue, which is 5.5 m Dombrovski, president of the Union of the 34-year-old accountant and mother of three, drank oxy- tall and is to be unveiled on Saturday, Marx’s Victim Groups of Communist Tyranny, told gen cocktails when she was pregnant, but she ended up birth anniversary. AFP. “He wrote these works; sure, he did not spending much more money on medicine. “Every winter For many Germans, their feelings are implement them but he developed the we constantly buy medicine,” she told AFP. “It has shaped by where and when they grew up. thought and the communist dictatorships reached a point that it is like just any other grocery prod- “My mother told me once that Karl Marx is a implemented everything that he wrote word uct that you have to buy regularly.” communist and that was that. And now he is for word. Like many other Mongolians, she has chosen to buy standing before us,” said 92-year-old Anne- “According to our penal system today, if an air purifier to make sure her family breathes clean air Lise, somewhat puzzled by the imposing someone were to incite a person to commit at home. Her machine, which filters out toxic fumes, cost statue, which is positioned near a set of murder, and if the other person carries out her $300. The average level of PM2.5 particles - which recently installed special edition traffic lights the murder, then the one who incited is also penetrate deep into the lungs was 75 micrograms per featuring the philosopher. convicted, which is only right,” said cubic metre last year, or three times the exposure recom- As she was growing up in the West, she Dombrovski, who was once jailed by the mended by the WHO for a 24-hour period. Air pollution rarely heard mention of Marx, and it was East German dictatorship. More people were has been linked to asthma, bronchitis, and other long- only this year that she learned anything killed under communist regimes than under term respiratory diseases. about the man, Anne-Lise said, declining to Adolf Hitler, he added. Some Mongolians drinking special teas named give her last name. University student Sandra The giant statue gifted by China has also This picture taken on April 10, 2018 in Trier in southwestern Germany shows the front and the Enkhjin, Ikh Taiga, and Dr Baatar that claim to clean Konrad, 22, however has no doubts as to his become a lightning rod. “In Germany, erect- back side of a zero euro banknote released on the occasion of German philosopher Karl Marx’s lungs. Dr Baatar’s CEO, Baatar Chantsaldulam, said sales lasting importance. Marx “delivered a great ing a statue means conferring an honor to bicentenary. —AFP photos surge by 20 to 30 percent during winter, when pollution manifesto and no one can counter that,” she that individual. The city of Trier is therefore tends to reach its peak. “First it takes all the toxins out of said. “He should not be buried away.” honoring Karl Marx and his works,” said true gospel. That discredited his ideas and thinker should “take his place as one of the the blood, then it turns the toxins in the lung into mucus, While older generations in west Germany Dombrovski, also accusing it, perhaps ironi- philosophy. A new look has not been possible greatest sons of the city.” Leibe also denied and all the plants in tea helps boost the human immune grew up with little knowledge of key Marx cally, of capitalizing on the philosopher to until after reunification,” Auts said, stressing trying to attract Chinese tourists - many of system,” he told AFP. works such as the Communist Manifesto and draw more Chinese tourists. that the commemorations aim neither to “glo- whom come on a pilgrimage to visit Marx’s But Maria Neira, the head of the WHO’s public health Das Kapital, that has changed since reunifi- rify nor vilify” Marx. birthplace. Only one percent of Trier’s five department, said the “real solution” to protect the lungs cation. Over the last decade in particular, ‘Great son of the city’ For Trier mayor Wolfram Leibe, this year million visitors a year are Chinese, he said, and the cardiovascular system was to reduce air pollu- unbridled capitalism and its discontents have Officials in Trier reject the accusations, offers an opportunity to reassess the man adding that the city does not have sufficient tion and avoid exposure to it. “The business community fuelled renewed interest in Marx’s work on arguing that Marx cannot be blamed for and his work. “We now have 30 years of dis- capacity to accommodate more tourists even will offer plenty of those solutions,” Neira said, referring the oppression of the working class and regimes which distorted his theories to their tance from reunification... which gives us the if it wanted to. “Karl Marx formulated impor- to the oxygen cocktails and lung teas. “We don’t have inequality. The theories, developed as the own ends. “The (East German) regime treat- possibility to look at Marx with a critical eye tant ideas, and it is worthwhile to think about any scientific evidence whether they provide any bene- Industrial Revolution gathered pace in the ed Marx as its god, and his words were the without prejudice,” he said, adding that the these ideas. —AFP fit,” she said.

Angry parents ‘Will they send us back?’ Non-profit organizations such as Parents Against At the village, Kiourtidis, who was once an immigrant Smog say the government is not doing enough to reduce Greek-Turkish worker in Germany, swiftly loads a car with bottled water air pollution and argue that ordinary people should not and biscuits with the help of a friend. Rushing out, he have to suffer financially to protect their health. The border again under makes contact with the 11 refugees - six adults and five group organized a sit-in protest earlier this year. “For the children - at a nearby field. “Syria, Syria,” calls out the past 10 years, people have known that air pollution has reached dangerous levels,” Parents Against Smog coordi- refugee pressure man leading the group. Kiourtidis motions them towards nator Tumur Mandakhjargal told AFP. “However, policy- him. The two villagers hand out water as the Syrian chil- makers only address the issue by talking about passing dren reach for the biscuits. Gesturing again, the group PYTHIO, Greece: Their clothes caked with mud, a small leader asks for directions to Thessaloniki, the main city in out clean stoves and clean coal,” Mandakhjargal said. group of refugees from Syria trudge past a Greek farmer The NGO says the government should give some northern Greece. tilling his field on a tractor. He barely pauses to look at While they talk, an unmarked van pulls over and two 200,000 ger residents access to loans so that they install them. In the villages near the Evros River, the natural heating insulation and replace their stoves with cleaner Greek policemen step out. They are armed, yet not in uni- boundary with Turkey in northeastern Greece, such Villagers hand out bottled water and biscuits to a small group heaters. It also complains that a ger relocation plan has form. The Syrians are terrified. They have heard reports of arrivals are now common. In Pythio, retired factory of Syrian refugees after they crossed the Evros River in the vil- been too slow. The government spent $120 million refugees being illegally rounded up and pushed back to worker Yiannis Kiourtidis gets a phone call at the local lage of Pythio on April 28, 2018. -—FP between 2008-2016 to combat pollution, with half of the Turkey, a practice the Greek state has officially denied. funds coming out of its foreign aid revenue. Part of the coffee shop. “Here comes another bunch. They have chil- “Are they going to send us back?” 25-year-old Ayla, who money has gone to distributing low-emission stoves to dren with them,” he shouts to his fellow villagers, who has travelled here from the Euphrates city of Abu Kamal themselves indoors. Shortly after dawn, 27-year-old residents of ger districts. —AFP are playing cards. with her husband and five-year-old daughter, asks fearful- Ahmet from Somalia is walking on a rural road with his Refugees - mainly people fleeing the war in Syria - ly. The policemen assure her that this is not their intention. wife and two other relatives. “We are trying to find the usually arrive in Greece via the Aegean Sea. But Aegean “Allah be praised,” Ayla says. “You have to understand, we police. We’ve been on the road for two days,” he says. island camps are vastly overcrowded, and a months-long have lost our homes, our relatives, everything,” she says, Elias Akidis, head of the police officers’ union of Orestiada, wait is in store for anyone who applies for asylum there. adding that her family paid smugglers $1,000 for each near the Turkish border, says refugees are aware that Since the beginning of the year, the overland route has member to get to Greece. camps on Greek islands are already overflowing with peo- picked up again. Many are Syrian Kurds from Afrin, the ple, and are opting to take the land route accordingly. “In enclave in Syria that fell to Turkish forces in March after a ‘Full to capacity’ addition, crossing the Evros River is easy at this time of month of fighting. From the border area, the refugees are taken to police year,” he says. According to the UN refugee agency UNHCR, some facilities for identification and then forwarded to recep- Another senior officer, speaking on condition of 2,900 people have arrived in Evros so far this month, tion camps in the north. Some privately seek passage to anonymity, says they can barely keep up with arrivals. mostly Syrian and Iraqi families. This is equivalent to half Thessaloniki, or even Athens if they can afford it. The “The reception center is full to capacity... There is a the estimated land arrivals recorded in all of 2017, outpac- camps are already filling up, and the UNHCR this week great increase in flows, but the situation is still under ing arrivals by sea, the agency said. “It’s too early to know called on the government to urgently expand reception control,” he told AFP. Frontex’s Cooper said the agency the causes of the increase... More time is needed to say if capacity to ease the strain. “Hundreds of people are at is ready to divert additional resources to the area if present being held in police detention facilities,” A customer buys “oxygen cocktails” at a store in Ulaanbaatar the flow really is shifting,” says Izabella Cooper, a spokes- requested. “Our operations are flexible and we are ready UNHCR said. on April 17, 2018. — AFP woman for EU border agency Frontex, which has a staff of to increase our presence if necessary,” she told the daily 26 officers in the area. Some refugees actively seek out the police, to get Ethnos on Sunday. —AFP Established 1961 11 News Wednesday, May 2, 2018 Chaos and color in May Day rallies across globe

PARIS: Traditional May Day rallies turned violent in some parts of the world yesterday, as workers gathered to Tense crackdown in Turkey defend labor rights. There was looting in Paris and dozens Key protest areas were closed off in Istanbul, with the of arrests in Turkey, in contrast to Cuba with its colorful annual workers’ holiday often the occasion for confronta- celebrations and new leader. Here is a round-up of some of tion between demonstrators and police in Turkey. the biggest events on the annual workers’ holiday. Protesters who sought to defy the ban in central Taksim Square were taken away by police, supported by helicop- Paris riots, looting ters, armored cars and water canon vehicles. Police said A march against French President Emmanuel Macron’s they arrested 84 people in Istanbul. Thousands of people public sector reforms descended in to riots in central Paris. took part in officially-sanctioned May 1 events in the On the sidelines of the May Day union-led demonstration Istanbul district of Maltepe, and in other cities, at a time for workers’ rights, chaos erupted when a group of pro- when political tensions are running high ahead of snap testers began torching a McDonald’s restaurant and vehi- parliamentary and presidential elections in June. cles at a car dealership. Around 1,200 people in black jackets and face masks shouted slogans such as “Rise up, Show of hope in Cuba Paris” and “Everyone hates the police”. Police, who had In Havana, the first May Day march of the post-Castro warned of the risk of extremist groups using the march to era drew a colorful crowd of close to a million people. spark fresh clashes, used tear gas and water cannon to Cubans carried posters of the Castro brothers and fellow disperse demonstrators. The scenes of looting and revolutionary Che Guevara and unfurled huge copies of destruction overshadowed the May Day march, which the country’s flag, while children dressed as soldiers drew between 20,000 and 55,000 peaceful protesters, bounced on their parents shoulders. The annual Workers’ according to police and union estimates. Day march at the capital’s Revolution Square was the first major appearance for new president Miguel Diaz-Canel, Burning effigy in Philippines who was accompanied by his predecessor Raul Castro. Protestors dressed in black and with the face covered hold a banner and gesture as they take part in a march dur- A giant demon in the role of Philippine President ing the annual May Day workers’ rally in Paris yesterday. — AFP Rodrigo Duterte was burned by protesters near the presi- Flowers and stones dential palace in a lively Labour Day rally. Thousands of Riot police were deployed to control crowds in held under the slogan of “solidarity, diversity and justice”. da Silva, who is serving a 12-year sentence for corruption, workers marched in Manila to voice anger over what they Medillin, Colombia, where protesters threw stones at offi- But in Athens demonstrators carried red carnations in gathered in front of the Federal Police headquarters in said was the president’s failure to scrap short-term cers during clashes. In Berlin, police officers looked on as union marches through the Greek capital. One of the Curitiba where he is being held. Wearing red, the color of employment contracts. Police said some 5,500 people demonstrators dressed in black from the “Revolutionary largest demonstrations of the Greek Communist Labour the Workers’ Party, and holding aloft signs calling for his attended the marches and that the events were “generally 1st of May Demonstration” lit flares. According to unions, Union attracted at least 11,000 people. release, they marked May Day by staging a “Good peaceful”. some 500 events were planned nationwide, with many Supporters of Brazil’s former president Luiz Inacio Lula Morning Lula” event. — AFP

But he was posthumously revered as a catalyst for higher than in Kasserine, which has a population of Ahead of polls, change. Karim, who works nights as a lorry driver to around 90,000. Alleged government neglect has also fund his studies, still clings to the hope generated by made it a breeding ground for extremism, with insur- the dictator’s fall - but his optimism is ridiculed by oth- gents tempting some young men to their mountain disillusionment, er market-goers. “You dream my boy!” says unem- hideouts in the governorate. A Dec 2015 study by the ployed Sami Khadraoui, cutting off the young student Soufan Group think-tank found Tunisia to be the single apathy in Tunisia in full flow. “The candidates, even those from greatest source of foreign fighters in the conflicts in Kasserine, will only serve their own interests. They will Iraq and Syria, dwarfing by a factor of nearly 2.5 those KASSERINE, Tunisia: A student from a working- fill their pockets then leave,” says the 31-year-old. “The coming from Saudi Arabia. class family in central Tunisia, Karim tries to convince first thing the new representatives will do is clean up And frustration over the lack of change has brought himself municipal elections will usher in a new class of the areas right in front of their own homes,” pipes up fresh street clashes. In Jan 2016, five years after the politicians committed to working for local people. “I’m another scornful voice, amid the market bustle in uprising against Ben Ali, social unrest broke out in only 20 and I want to remain hopeful, even if I’m not Ennour, a poor district of Kasserine. Kasserine and spread to the rest of the country. 100 percent sure the future will be better,” he tells AFP Such is the disillusionment here that some even pine Further demonstrations against unemployment and in a market in the city of Kasserine, ahead of Sunday’s for the days of Ben Ali. Seven years after the dictator high prices in January this year resulted in more than poll. In Jan 2011, Kasserine was a hotbed of protest in fell, and in the only country where the so-called Arab 200 people being arrested, according to the interior the popular uprising that forced dictator Zine El Spring has brought a degree of democratic reform, lit- ministry, with this part of central Tunisia again a flash- Abidine Ben Ali from power. tle seems to have changed in this part of the country. point area. “Hope has expired for the majority of peo- The revolution’s cradle was the neighboring town of Unemployment in Kasserine and its wider governorate ple,” says 61-year-old Jamel Ben Mohamed, a trained Sidi Bouzid, where 26-year-old fruit-seller Mohamed of the same name is 26.2 percent, around 50 percent lawyer who has scraped by selling vegetables for the Bouazizi set himself ablaze in Dec 2010 after authori- higher than the national average, according to Tunisian past 25 years. “They have lost all confidence in politi- ties confiscated his stock. Six years older than Karim is NGO the Forum for Economic and Social Rights. cians and are not interested in the municipal elections now, the graduate’s burns were so severe he didn’t sur- The per capita representation of small- and medi- or the legislative and presidential polls” set to take KASSERINE: A man looks at lists of candidates for the upcoming vive beyond an agonizing couple of weeks in hospital. um-sized enterprises in Tunis is more than 15 times place next year, he adds. — AFP municipal elections on April 23, 2018. — AFP

the common interest of both countries. well as auditing those that accessed large amounts of Manila moves In a speech marking Labor Day, Duterte reiterated Facebook to data to make sure access isn’t abused, he said. his long-standing condition that Kuwait implement “Security isn’t a problem than you ever fully solve,” more worker safeguards before the standoff can end. Zuckerberg said, outlining the slew of efforts by to halt Kuwait... “We are pushing for better protection of migrant work- launch new... Facebook to battle election interference, misinforma- tion, spam among other challenges. “This is an arms ers especially those in vulnerable groups such as Continued from Page 1 Continued from Page 1 domestic helpers or household workers in the Middle race; we are going to be working to stay ahead of our adversaries forever.” East,” he said. The president added the protections harvesting of personal data by Cambridge The strength of that friendship will withstand this Facebook separately announced yesterday that its should include guarantees that Filipina maids be Analytica, a British political consultancy that worked misunderstanding,” he added. popular Messenger app would soon be able to translate allowed to keep their phones and passports, which for Donald Trump’s 2016 election campaign. Facebook Cayetano apologized last week for the rescues, but some employers confiscate to keep the workers in line. missives in real time, deploying artificial intelligence to has admitted up to 87 million users may have had their enable text conversations between people using differ- Kuwait called them violations of sovereignty before Duterte also repeated an offer of free transport to data hijacked in the scandal, which saw Zuckerberg expelling the Philippine envoy and recalling its own Filipinos in Kuwait who want to return home, promising ent languages. The feature will launch in the United grilled at length by the US Congress last month. “We States with English and Spanish translations of conver- ambassador from Manila. Before relations plunged, assistance when they get back. “We shall mobilize con- need to make sure that never happens again,” Kuwait and the Philippines had been negotiating a tinuously till everyone who wants (to come back) will sations in the Marketplace section of Facebook, and Zuckerberg told the audience. will be extended to general Messenger use in coming labor deal that could have resulted in the lifting of the come home,” he said. Around 262,000 Filipinos work in In a related move, Facebook yesterday announced ban on Filipinos leaving to work in the state. Kuwait, nearly 60 percent of them domestic workers, weeks, the service said in a blog post. an upcoming feature called “Clear History” that will Facebook joins internet giants Amazon, Microsoft Meanwhile, Kuwaiti Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled according to the Philippine foreign ministry. Duterte allow users to see which apps and websites send the Al-Jarallah yesterday met visiting Presidential Adviser previously said workers returning from Kuwait could and Google in offering artificial-intelligence based network information, delete the data from their account, translation features - most prominently Google’s Pixel on Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) Abdullah find employment as English teachers in China, citing and prevent Facebook from storing it. The social net- ear buds which promise real-time translation across Mamao and his accompanying delegation. During the improved ties with Beijing. The Philippines has sent mil- work has already moved to limit the amount of data it dozens of languages. The slew of announcements at the meeting, they discussed the labor row between the two lions of its people to work abroad, seeking salaries they shares with third-party applications and plans further developer-centric “F8” conference also included the countries. They stressed the depth of friendly relations cannot get in their relatively impoverished nation. The steps to prevent a repeat of the Cambridge Analytica between both sides, pointing to mutual willingness to arrival of a stand-alone Oculus Go headset aimed to money they send back home accounts for about 10 per- debacle, Zuckerberg said. get more people using virtual reality. — AFP promote and develop them, and overcome the crisis for cent of the Philippine economy. — Agencies Facebook is also reviewing applications overall as 12 Established 1961 Sports Wednesday, May 2, 2018 Mayweather legacy faces challenge from Thai fighter ‘dwarf giant’

Menayothin is shorter, leaner and less wealthy than Mayweather

BANGKOK: After a career laden with belts, cash and Floyd”. Nicknames also capture the difference between kudos, boxing great Floyd Mayweather Jr retired unde- the pair. feated over 50 fights-but his flawless record faces an unlikely challenge from an obscure Thai fighter known NUMBERS GAME as the “dwarf giant”. In addition to “Money”, the American fought under At 5ft 2in (1.57m) and weighing just 105lb (47.6kg), the moniker “Pretty Boy” and “The Best Ever”, tags he minimum weight Wanheng Menayothin is shorter, lean- still rolls out on a Twitter profile boasting more than er and significantly less wealthy than Mayweather, who eight million followers. With Wanheng, it’s more com- briefly emerged from retirement last year to fight MMA plicated. star Conor McGregor for a $100 million purse. Fighters in Thailand often compete under the label of If Wanheng triumphs today afternoon he will equal their gym, which is where his second name Mayweather’s feat of winning 50 successive fights. His Menayothin-the name of his Bangkok gym-comes from. WBC minimum weight belt is on the line against His legal name is Chayaphon Moonsri, while his most Panamanian challenger Leroy Estrada. The fight, to be widely used nickname is the “dwarf giant” because of held outside the town hall his small stature and of second-tier Thai city powerful punches. But Nakhon Ratchasima, has the boxer also fights none of the glitz or pay- under the alias “Five- per-view pull of a Star Grilled Chicken” as Mayweather bout in Las I’m not feeling part of sponsorship deal Vegas. with Thai food giant CP But still Wanheng will pressured, you Chicken. Should enter boxing lore with Wanheng win today his victory-and, at 32 years win and you lose name will enter the of age, has time to go one record books, but with better and match the 51 an asterisk of sorts. wins, one draw and no He has fought mostly BANGKOK: File photo taken on January 31, 2018 shows the current World Boxing Council (WBC) mini- losses set by Mexican low-profile Asian chal- flyweight champion, Wanheng Menayothin, punching a bag during a training session in Bangkok. At flyweight Ricardo Lopez. lengers on his home turf 5ft 2in (1.57m) and weighing just 105lb (47.6kg), minimum weight Wanheng Menayothin is shorter, It is not just the box office power that differentiates in Thailand. His rivals have been a mixed bag-one last leaner and significantly less wealthy than boxing great Floyd Mayweather Jr. — AFP Mayweather from the Thai, who turned to the ring at year had 44 losses, while another in 2014 had 24. In the age of 12 as a path out of poverty. While the prel- December he tied Rocky Marciano’s 49-0 tally with a ude to Mayweather fights was defined by hype and win over Japanese contender Tatsuya Fukuhara. this fight will be nothing more than a trivial pursuit challenge to Wanheng, 32. “He’s younger and fresher,” trash-talking, Wanheng has adopted a more karmic Mayweather, meanwhile, had a much tougher ride question,” Anson Wainwright, a boxing correspondent Costa said of Estrada. “He’s hungry for glory, and that approach. “I’m not feeling pressured, you win and you defeating some of the sport’s all-time greats, including for The Ring magazine, told AFP, adding that matching makes a boxer always dangerous.” lose, and that’s the nature of sports,” he said at his gym Manny Pacquiao and Oscar De La Hoya. The welter- the record would nevertheless be a “good achieve- And the Panamanian is in no mood to help Wanheng in Bangkok a few days before defending his title. But weight has 27 KOs to Wanheng’s 17. “With respect to ment.” Carlos Costa, a boxing reporter covering the into the history books, telling AFP “this is my opportu- he said he had trained hard with the aim of “equalling Wanheng he’s never beaten anyone of note. In the west fight, said the 23-year-old Estrada also poses a unique nity to be a champion”. — AFP

Golovkin seeks Athletics Canada record-tying win calls for sport free against Canelo of discrimination fill-in foe

TORONTO: Canada’s athletics federation called on LOS ANGELES: Undefeated Gennady Golovkin Monday for a rigorous review of a new IAAF hyper- defends his three major world middleweight titles androgenism rule. “Athletics Canada has serious con- against fill-in foe Vanes Martirosyan on Saturday with cerns with last week’s announcement from the IAAF boxing history and a possible rematch with Canelo regarding hyperandrogenism testing,” the federation Alvarez on the line. said in a statement. “Triple G” tries to stretch his reign, which began in The new regulations by the International 2010, to 20 fights and equal Bernard Hopkins for the Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) lay down longest title run in middleweight history when he faces a series of criteria for athletes with a Difference of Armenian-born American Martirosyan. Sexual Development (DSD) to be eligible to compete “(It means) a lot. I feel like a star,” Golovkin said internationally in certain events. Monday. “If you check Bernard Hopkins, my record is They could prevent South African double Olympic much bigger, much stronger. This is a good situation for champion Caster Semenya from competing in 800m my career, for my fans.” Golovkin was set for a Las and 1500m races. “In Canada, we encourage the full Vegas pay-per-view showdown on the Mexican Cinco access for all Canadians to participate and compete de Mayo holiday against Alvarez, a rematch of their in athletics, at every level of our sport free of discrim- thrilling draw last September. GLENDALE: (R-L) Vanes Martirosyan and Gennady Golovkin of Kazakhstan pose in the ring during a ination,” the federation said. But the Mexican tested positive for the banned sub- media workout at the Glendale Fighting Club in Glendale, California.— AFP “Athletics Canada believes in the principles of stance clenbuterol and dropped out of the bout four inclusion, respect and health and safety.” The federa- weeks ago. “He was extremely frustrated and disap- tion said it planned to review the eligibility rule in pointed when the positive test was announced,” said record championship middleweight run, saying, “Next turned 32 yesterday ahead of the biggest fight of his detail and hold discussions with government officials Golovkin promoter Tom Loeffler. “He had been training fight I’m looking in the middleweight division. It’s best career after a two-year layoff, having had several bouts and other national sports organisations. for the biggest fight in boxing and it was a big shock- for boxing and for us.” Golovkin, 37-0 with one drawn fall through before getting a break for the biggest fight “We believe this IAAF eligibility ruling requires wave when it came.” and 33 knockouts, surrenders a height and reach of his career. rigorous review,” it said. The new rule goes into effect Alvarez is banned until August but hopes to fight advantage to the light-middleweight contender who is “I took the fight on short notice but we’re ready,” in November unless overturned by the Court of again on September 16, another Mexican holiday, and moving up in class. Martirosyan said. “You could wake me up and I’d be Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Athletics authorities have maybe against Golovkin. Asked about fighting Alvarez “I’m not a big guy. If I’m shorter, don’t care,” ready to fight. I can’t wait. This is what we dream about, struggled to find a solution to the issue that respected next if he retains his titles Saturday, Golovkin said, Golovkin said. “This is boxing. I know my style. I know these big fights.” the rights of Semenya while also providing what they “Maybe. Why not? I want activity.” my fight. I think it’s more stronger. My style is more Golovkin trainer Abel Sanchez said his fighter was in say is a “level playing field”. If not Alvarez, then British southpaw Billy Joe interesting. “He’s a good fighter. I remembr him from the ring only a couple of hours after Alvarez was out, Some female rivals had complained that the 27- Saunders, whose World Boxing Organization mid- 2004 Olympic Games. He has good experience. I confident of another foe and planning for two more year-old’s hyperandrogenism gave her an unfair com- dleweight crown is the only one not held by Golovkin, believe this is a good show for people and a big fight fights this year, Alvarez or not. “Hopefully we fight in petitive advantage. The condition is characterised by and Ukraine’s Sergiy Derevyanchenko, Golovkin’s higher than usual levels of testosterone, a hormone for us.” September and again in December. We want to fight as mandatory next International Boxing Federation chal- that increases muscle mass, strength and haemoglo- much as we can as long as we can,” Sanchez said. “He’s lenger, would be likely next rivals. bin, which affects endurance. ‘THIS IS WHAT WE DREAM ABOUT’ the most entertaining boxer in the sport today. We need To compete internationally, athletes with a But Golovkin, 36, made it clear he wants to break the Martirosyan, 36-3 with one drawn and 21 knockouts, to appreciate him while he’s here.” —AFP Difference of Sexual Development (DSD) must: Be recognised at law either as female or as intersex (or equivalent); Must reduce her blood testosterone level from that I’ll be fine,” joked Williams. Williams said he to below five (5) nmol/L for a continuous period of at Veteran Williams could scarcely believe he had reached the last eight least six months (e.g., by use of hormonal contracep- only a year after he considered calling time on his tives); Thereafter she must maintain her blood testos- career such was his lack of form-the nadir when he terone level below five (5) nmol/L continuously. to bare all if he failed to reach the 2017 world championships. The rule applies to events from 400m to the mile, “Excellent how many more times am I going to get to including 400m, hurdles races, 800m, 1500m, one reaches world final the quarter-finals? Not many,” said Williams. mile races and combined events over the same dis- “I am going to enjoy it more than the others. At my tances . It effectively gives Semenya a choice of tak- age one has to cherish these moments and drive for ing medication to restrict her testosterone or move to LONDON: Veteran two-time world snooker champion getting to the semi-final.” Williams, who won the longer distance events. Mark Williams vowed if he reaches this year’s final to Northern Irish Open and German Masters this season, The IAAF’s previous attempts to regulate the issue appear naked before the world’s media. The 43-year- said there were not many sports where 40-somethings fell foul of a Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling in old-champion in 2000 and 2003 — made the pledge like him and four-time world champion John Higgins 2015 following an appeal on behalf of Indian athlete after seeing off journeyman Englishman Robert Milkins would still be in contention for the title. “Unbelievable Dutee Chand, who had been banned from competing 13-7 in their second round clash. both of us turned pro in 1992 or something like that,” he because of her testosterone levels. Williams will play Ali Carter-conqueror of five-time said. “It is incredible we are still playing at the top level, IAAF President Sebastian Coe has previously said champion ‘Rocket’ Ronnie O’Sullivan in the second well he has always been at that level whilst I have nobody was suggesting Semenya had done anything round-in what is the Welshman’s eighth quarter-final at slumped and come back two or three times. “There are wrong. Athletics South Africa said last week it would the championships at The Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. not too many sports you get to the latter stages of a study the new regulations and compare them with the “I would come in here naked and do the press confer- world championship 25 years on. CAS recommendations to see if they are compatible ence,” said Williams, bidding to reach his first world “I feel I am in the best shape for years, okay maybe I and in line. played better 20 years ago but I am not far away from “We will further seek support from the Minister of championship semi-final since 2011. Williams was in a those performances.” Williams said the fact he and Mark Williams Sport and Recreation, SASCOC, other expert institu- jocular mood remarking he would do his best not to Higgins are the only two to have won the title before tions and relevant organisations or individuals, so that earn a slap from Carter, who was involved in a heated we have a full grasp of this matter and how it should exchange with O’Sullivan during their second round could be decisive now that nerves might start jangling “Eight men left all thinking they have a great chance be properly handled,” it said. —Reuters match. “I might have to walk sideways back to my chair among the likes of Chinese favourite Ding Junhui. “Just to win it. “Only me and John Higgins have won it and a couple of times in case he gives me a dig, but apart three more matches to go for two of us,” he said. that might be the telling thing.” —AFP Established 1961 13 Sports Wednesday, May 2, 2018 Golden Knights edge Sharks as Lightning strike Bruins Fleury posted his 68th career playoff victory

LOS ANGELES: William Karlsson scored at 8:17 of way to get out in front.” overtime to give the visiting Vegas Golden Knights a 4- The Sharks finally broke through with a power-play 3 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Monday night. goal by Meier at 6:59 of the second period. Vegas The expansion Golden Knights grabbed a two-games- answered with three goals, including two on the power to-one lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference play, over a 4:46 span to take a 3-1 lead after two peri- semifinal series. Game 4 is today night in San Jose. ods. Miller tied it when he tapped in a nice crossing Karlsson took a pass from James Neal, who had just pass through the crease by Neal while cutting toward clanged a shot off the post 30 seconds earlier, and then the left side of the net as Brenden Dillon was serving a fired a wrist shot from the top of the right circle over penalty for holding David Perron. Marchessault gave the stick side of San Jose goalie Martin Jones. Vegas a 2-1 lead with another power play goal less than Marc-Andre Fleury made 39 saves and Colin Miller, four minutes later after Hertl was whistled for roughing Jonathan Marchessault and Reilly Smith each had a Neal. Alex Tuch fired a pass from the right point to a goal for the Golden Knights. Marchessault added two wide-open Marchessault in the left circle, and assists while Karlsson and Smith had one helper apiece. Marchessault one-timed a shot past Jones’ stick side Fleury posted his 68th for his second goal of the career playoff victory, tying playoffs. him with Andy Moog for 10th Smith made it 3-1 just 77 place on the NHL’s all-time seconds later when Karlsson, list. Knights coach Gerard stationed to the right of the Gallant said, “We were dis- I think our net, redirected a pass appointed when they scored through to the crease. Smith with nearly two minutes left game’s in a tapped in the puck for his in the game (to force over- first goal of the playoffs. time). We regrouped in the good place Kane cut the deficit to 3-2 at OT session and said, ‘Let’s go the 7:49 of the third period out there and get this game.” when he rifled a wrist shot Tomas Hertl, Evander over the glove of Fleury from Kane and Timo Meier each scored goals for San Jose. the middle of the right circle. Vegas challenged that Jones finished with 29 saves. Fleury kept the Golden Fleury was interfered with by Logan Couture, who Knights in the game early as San Jose outshot the visi- nudged him on the edge of the blue paint, but the goal tors 27-10 over the first 27 minutes. stood. Sharks coach Peter DeBoer said, “I think our game’s Hertl tied it with 1:57 to go in regulation, firing in a SAN JOSE: Shea Theodore #27 of the Vegas Golden Knights and Barclay Goodrow #23 of the San Jose Sharks go in a good place. It’s just one of those (nights). We’re rebound from the slot during a wild scrum around the for the puck during Game Three of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup doing a lot of good stuff, but through the three games, net. His fourth goal of the playoffs only set the stage for Playoffs at SAP Center on Monday. — AFP we’re chasing the game every night. We’ve got to find a Karlsson’s overtime heroics. — Reuters

for two Premier Mandatory events and two Serena made Grand Slams. But players who hold the protected ranking for any reason, on both the men’s and women’s tours, can’t be to wait over seeded even if their protected ranking merits it. Prize pot of 34m World number one Simona Halep said Wimbledon Williams should have been the top seed in pounds on offer Indian Wells because after she contested seeding her last tournament before stepping away from the game, she was on top of the rank- at Wimbledon ings. Despite her difficult return to action, LONDON: Wimbledon chiefs have admit- Williams is registered on the entry list for ted they will hold an internal debate to the French Open in June, with Wimbledon LONDON: Wimbledon announced a hefty prize-pot clarify if seven-time champion Serena scheduled to get underway one month lat- hike yesterday, along with a new sustainability proj- Williams can be seeded at Wimbledon. er. Serena, whose last Grand Slam appear- ect aimed at ensuring it is not just the grass courts Williams is currently 449th in the WTA ance was her victorious 2017 Australian that remain green at the All England Club. rankings after taking time off to get mar- Open campaign, would have a good case Organisers of the oldest grand slam tournament ried and have her first child last year. to be seeded at both the French Open and revealed a prize fund of 34 million pounds ($46.57 Following the difficult birth of daughter especially Wimbledon, given her remark- million) for the 2018 championships, up 7.6 percent Alexis Olympia, which left the American able record on the All England Club lawns. from last year. She had won the tournament in 2015 and star fearing she might die after developing That figure includes awards of 2.25 million pounds 2016 before missing last year’s edition. blood clots, Serena has played only two each for the men’s and women’s champions - an singles tournaments. However, Victoria Azarenka, a two-time increase on the 2.2 million pounds Roger Federer and The 36-year-old lost to her sister Venus Grand Slam winner, wasn’t seeded when Garbine Muguruza received in 2017. Organisers also in the last 32 at Indian Wells and was beat- she returned to tennis in 2017 after giving en by Naomi Osaka in the first round in birth in 2016. Azarenka was ranked fifth in issued a warning that players who compete while knowingly carrying an injury, and quit mid-match, Miami. However, Miami Open tournament her last tournament prior to her time away Serena Williams director James Blake said recently that the from tennis due to her pregnancy. face being docked all their first-round prize money. 23-time Grand Slam winner had been And, asked yesterday, where they stood The move is aimed at preventing a repeat of the rash “punished” for wanting to start a family. on the issue of giving Serena a seeding, and sympathy for the point being made. to the top 32 in the men’s is there needs to of retirements in early action last year. The WTA provides players returning from Wimbledon officials conceded the question “Our understanding is that if a player is be a reference point,” he added. “In the wake of first-round withdrawals we injury lay-offs or pregnancy with a ‘pro- would be reviewed. “It’s a good detailed outside the top 32 in terms of their ranking, “We know for the top 32 we are adjust- pledged to act on it, and we have done so,” tected ranking’ that can be used to enter question that we will for sure address at then they will not be seeded.” Wimbledon’s ing for the surface based seeding. For the Wimbledon chief executive Richard Lewis told tournaments, but not for seeding at those our meeting,” All England Club chairman seeding guidelines appeared to give lee- ladies we don’t have that issue. “So maybe reporters. “We were very influential in the creation tournaments. Philip Brook told reporters at Wimbledon’s way to allow Serena to be among the 32 those words didn’t refer to the 32 because and adoption of the 50-50 rule and hope the intro- Players can enter eight events using the spring press conference. “It is totally dif- seeds, but Brook said that wasn’t necessar- they didn’t need to. We need to double duction of it will play a significant role in mitigating ranking they had when they left, including ferent from an injury. We have empathy ily the case. “The reason there is reference check that.” — AFP the problems of first-round singles retirements.” Under the new rule, if an injured player withdraws onsite after midday on the Thursday before the Championships they will receive 50 percent of the first-round prize money. The replacement “lucky-los- Cloud hangs over er” will get the other 50 percent. With pound signs dominating the headlines at the history-seeking club in leafy south-west London, tournament organ- isers also underlined their commitment to combating corruption in the sport and rolling out a sustainability Froome at Giro programme.

STRAW BAN JERUSALEM: Chris Froome heads into the Giro d’Italia Central to the “greening” of the championships is a insisting he is focusing on his attempt to make history by ban on plastic straws-some 400,000 were used at holding all three titles from cycling’s Grand Tours at the last year’s tournament-the introduction of electric same time. But the 32-year-old Briton is being weighed vehicles in the courtesy car fleet; additional water-fill down by a cloud looming over his continued participation points around the grounds and the provision of paper in professional cycling races while waiting for a doping bags at Wimbledon’s shops. storm to be resolved. “Sustainability is an important and necessary area Froome tested positive in September last year for ele- of focus, particularly for major events,” Lewis said. vated levels of the asthma medication salbutamol, resulting “We have put in place a sustainability vision which is in an adverse analytical finding. But rather than face a doping suspension, he has been given the opportunity to to sustain the running of the club, and the champi- explain his test result during the Tour of Spain race he onships in a way that minimises the impact on our won. The issue has dragged on, with some prominent voic- environment.” es in cycling-such as world governing body chief David Organisers also reiterated they would be imple- Lappartient-expressing his belief that Froome should have menting rules first announced last November. In addi- been suspended by his British team Sky pending an out- tion to stripping players of their first-round prize Chris Froome come to his case. money if they pull out of a match or perform to what Froome and Sky insist the Kenyan-born athlete has the club deems “below professional standards”, done nothing wrong and simply took more puffs on his out on his own having won four in a row in the 1970s. since 2010, when Froome was still a relative unknown, he Wimbledon will strictly enforce warm-up timing to asthma inhaler than normal on the day he gave the adverse Froome has admitted the whole doping investigation might not face such a welcome at the Tour. speed up the game, but will also extend the time reading. “I certainly haven’t been charged (with) anything has been “hugely frustrating” because it “is now being Froome has endured an at-times fractious relationship allowed between points from 20 to 25 seconds. as of yet and I hope to be fully exonerated of any wrong- played out in the public domain”. Normally with an with French fans as some media have questioned the valid- Wimbledon’s 2018 prize money eclipses the 55 mil- doing because I know I didn’t do anything wrong,” Froome adverse analytical finding, which does not trigger a provi- ity of his most explosive performances at a time when the lion Australian dollars ($41.32 million) paid out at said last week when Sky announced their Giro line-up. sional suspension under International Cycling Union (UCI) sport is still suffering from the fall-out of the systematic January’s first grand slam of the year in Melbourne, Tour de France organisers have insisted they want his rules, a rider would be spared public scrutiny. But that doping of the Lance Armstrong era. but at current exchange rates is just shy of the 39.2 case resolved before he aims for a record-equalling fifth wasn’t the case with Froome as a joint investigation by Froome has previously been grilled over doping and million Euros ($47.18 million) on offer at the French victory in the world’s most prestigious cycle race in July newspapers in Britain and France exposed the news in even the use of a motorised bike, with some fans consider- Open starting later this month. December. Froome’s lawyers are working behind the ing him and his team guilty without trial. In 2015 he but there is currently no end in sight to the scandal. The US Open, the final grand slam of the tennis Should he be found guilty of a doping offence, Froome scenes to fight his case with the UCI but even if he loses, claimed a fan threw urine over him during one Tour stage calendar starting in August, is yet to announce its would likely lose his victory in the Tour of Spain and any he would likely appeal to the Court of Arbitration for while a Sky team-mate said he’d been punched. Many prize money. Wimbledon, the only grand slam event to subsequent results such as a Giro d’Italia success. But Sport. French fans support Froome but his team, and in particular should he win the three-week race around Italy, which That would further delay any final decision on whether team principal Dave Brailsford, are far from popular. As for be played on grass, will take place from July 2-15. This starts on Friday with a time-trial in Jerusalem, he would or not he will serve a ban, meaning he would continue his Giro chances, he arrives in somewhat underwhelming year’s championships mark the 150th anniversary of become the first man since Bernard Hinault 35 years ago to competing for the sport’s biggest prizes. While Giro form, although he insists that he’s “had a different start to the club, 50 years of Open tennis and 125 years of the hold all three Grand Tour titles at the same time and only organisers seem delighted to have the greatest stage racer the season as I’ve obviously been aiming to try and reach women’s singles championships. — Reuters the third ever to do so-with Belgian great Eddy Merckx of this generation gracing their event for the first time my peak quite a bit earlier than usual”.— AFP 14 Established 1961 Sports Wednesday, May 2, 2018 Xander Bogaerts slams Red Sox to win over Royals

Houston snap New York’s nine-game winning streak

BOSTON: Xander Bogaerts hit a grand slam in the over visiting San Diego. The improbable rally off bottom of the third inning as the Boston Red Sox Padres closer Brad Hand (1-3) came with San Diego closed out April with a 10-6 victory over the visiting left-hander Eric Lauer one out away from his first Kansas City Royals on Monday. The Red Sox set a major league win. Instead, San Francisco right-hander team record with 19 wins in April. Boston also tied Pierce Johnson (1-1), who pitched a scoreless top of the major league record set by the 1996 Montreal the ninth, got his first major league victory. Hand hit Expos by hitting its sixth grand slam before May 1. pinch hitter Austin Slater with a pitch to start the ninth. Bogaerts hit his second grand slam of the season and Buster Posey drew a two-out walk, and Evan Longoria, third of his career. He also recorded his fourth three- who earlier committed a key two-base error, got San hit game of the season. Mitch Moreland added a solo Francisco within 5-4 with an RBI single. After Hand home run and bases-loaded walk for the Red Sox, walked Brandon Belt on a full count to load the bases, who scored at least 10 runs Hundley came through with for the fifth time. the game-winner.

ASTROS 2, YANKEES 1 BREWERS 6, REDS 5 Charlie Morton took a Hundley capped a Domingo Santana laced a no-hitter into the sixth two-run double to center inning and fanned 10 hitters three-run rally field in a three-run seventh over 7 2/3 dominant innings inning as Milwaukee won a as host Houston snapped in ninth inning see-saw game at Cincinnati. New York’s nine-game win- Santana hit the first pitch SAN FRANCISCO: Christian Villanueva #22 of the San Diego Padres tags out Alen Hanson #19 of the San ning streak. Morton (4-0) from Reds reliever and for- Francisco Giants attempting to steal third base in the bottom of the fourth inning at AT&T Park on Monday in San lowered his ERA to 1.72 by mer Brewer Jared Hughes, Francisco, California. — AFP allowing only two hits and a who inherited runners on run with two walks. Austin first and second. Brandon Romine’s one-out single in the sixth broke up Morton’s Woodruff (1-0) got the win in relief, striking out two in the Indians took the lead in the bottom of the frame on Kyle Freeland (1-4) allowed three runs in seven innings no-hit bid, and a two-out double off the bat of Gleyber 1 1/3 innings. Hard-throwing Brewers left-hander Josh Ramirez’s double, Allen could not finish the game, while taking the loss. Torres in the eighth ended Morton’s night after 102 Hader finished it off with a flourish, striking out eight in allowing the Rangers a run with two outs and leaving pitches. Carlos Correa (first-inning groundout) and 2 2/3 innings and allowing only a walk to record his in favor of Jeff Beliveau. Beliveau then struck out the MARLINS 8, PHILLIES 4 Yuli Gurriel (fourth-inning double) drove in runs for fourth save. Hader became the first pitcher in major Rangers’ Joey Gallo looking with runners on the cor- Brian Anderson went 3-for-4 with a homer and a the Astros. The Yankees’ run scored in the eighth on league history to strike out eight batters in an outing ners to earn his first save of the season. clutch catch as host Miami defeated Philadelphia. Brett Gardner’s single after Morton had been replaced. of less than three innings. Anderson, a rookie third baseman, played in right field NATIONALS 3, PIRATES 2 for just the third time as a pro. In the seventh inning, DIAMONDBACKS 8, DODGERS 5 RAYS 3, TIGERS 2 Wilmer Difo, Tanner Roark and Trea Turner each after the Phillies loaded the bases with one out while A.J. Pollock hit three home runs, Nick Ahmed added C.J. Cron broke a scoreless deadlock with a two-run had RBI singles for Washington, and Roark gave the trailing 6-4, Anderson charged in and made a diving a homer, and Zack Greinke had his first 10-strikeout homer in the top of the ninth, and visiting Tampa Bay Nationals a strong start in a win over visiting grab. The Phillies did not score in the frame. Reliever game of the season as Arizona held off visiting Los held off Detroit. Cron crushed a 2-0 pitch to the oppo- Pittsburgh. The Nationals, who had lost seven of their Merandy Gonzalez (2-0), another Marlins rookie, Angeles. Pollock hit bases-empty homers in the second site field off Shane Greene (1-2) after the Tigers closer previous 10 games, snapped the Pirates’ five-game earned the win, pitching two scoreless innings. Jorge and fifth innings to help Arizona grab a 5-0 lead. He issued a leadoff walk to Denard Span. Cron’s homer winning streak. Roark (2-2) tossed a solid seven Alfaro and Maikel Franco each hit two-run homers for added a third solo homer in the eighth as the was his seventh this season. Brad Miller added a solo innings, allowing two runs on six hits with four strike- the Phillies. Franco has 12 RBIs in four games against Diamondbacks (20-8) equaled the best start in fran- shot one out later off Greene as the Rays won for the outs and two walks after failing to notch a win in his Miami this year. chise history. They did not lose back-to-back games in ninth time in 10 games. Jacob Faria tossed eight innings last four starts. Ryan Madson threw a scoreless eighth April, a franchise record for any month. Ahmed had to pick up the win. Faria (2-1) gave up just three hits before Brandon Kintzler took care of the ninth and BLUE JAYS 7, TWINS 5 three hits, including a bases-empty homer in the fourth and a walk while striking out six. Jose Alvarado got the earned his first save. Justin Smoak and Russell Martin hit home runs, inning, and Greinke (3-2) gave up two runs on four hits last two outs for his first major league save. and visiting Toronto held on to defeat Minnesota. and one walk in six innings. He had double-digit strike- CUBS 3, ROCKIES 2 Toronto starter Aaron Sanchez (2-2) allowed four outs for the first time since fanning 12 Chicago White INDIANS 7, RANGERS 5 Kris Bryant tripled and scored the go-ahead run in runs, six hits, three walks and had two strikeouts in Sox batters on May 22, 2017. Jose Ramirez had two hits and two RBIs, including the sixth inning as Chicago posted a victory over visit- six innings. Roberto Osuna pitched around a single the game-winning double in the eighth inning, and ing Colorado. Cubs starter Jon Lester gave up two and a double in the ninth to pick up his seventh save GIANTS 6, PADRES 5 closer Cody Allen struggled but got the win as host runs over 5 2/3 innings, but neither run was earned. of the season. Twins starter Lance Lynn (0-3) allowed Pinch hitter Nick Hundley capped a three-run rally Cleveland came from behind to beat Texas. Allen (2-0) Chicago reliever Luke Farrell (1-0) struck out two over six runs, seven hits and five walks while striking out in the bottom of the ninth inning with a two-out, two- entered with one out in the eighth with Cleveland 1 1/3 scoreless innings for his first career victory. Steve four in five innings. Eduardo Escobar homered for run, walk-off single, lifting San Francisco to a victory down 4-3 and got the final two outs of the inning. After Cishek recorded the final two outs for his first save. Minnesota. — Reuters

Rozier fires NBA campaign Celtics as Boston addresses mental down Sixers health, athletes LOS ANGELES: Terry Rozier scored 29 points as Boston outmuscled Philadelphia 117-101 to win the opening game of their Eastern Conference semi-final series on Monday. LOS ANGELES: Toronto Raptors star DeMar DeRozan Rozier was the top scorer in a dazzling Celtics offensive and Cleveland Cavaliers ace Kevin Love are part of a display at the TD Garden, with Al Horford and Jayson new public service campaign launched by the NBA Tatum also making hefty contributions. aimed at encouraging mental wellness for athletes. “We Horford finished with 26 points while Tatum added 28 always preach eating healthy, exercising, being an elite points as Boston surged into a 1-0 lead in the best-of-sev- athlete,” DeRozan told the Toronto Globe and Mail en series with a statement victory. Horford later praised newspaper. But with all that pressure “we don’t really Rozier’s superb contribution. “I’ve always seen that poten- look at the mental-health aspect first and foremost, tial in Terry. I just think he’s taken advantage of the oppor- somebody’s everyday life,” DeRozan said. tunity,” Horford said. “It’s a great experience for him to “You never know where we’ve grown up and where come into a play-off game of this magnitude and have we’ve come from before we made it-that could be such a great game,” Horford added. “I just think defensive- dwelling on us.” The ads began yesterday the same day ly we did a great job tonight, really containing them and the Raptors and Cavaliers start their second round just trying to play with pace at the other end.” The third- Eastern Conference playoff series in Toronto. seeded Sixers had advanced to the semi-finals after a con- It is rare for NBA athletes to speak about their fident demolition of Miami in the opening round. struggles with mental health, but DeRozan and Love are But the Celtics lineup look to be a vastly more chal- trying to change that. DeRozan’s own battle with lenging proposition for the Sixers, who saw Joel Embiid depression and loneliness came to light during the score 31 points while pulling down 13 rebounds. J.J. Redick had 20 points for the Sixers, while point BOSTON: Shane Larkin #8 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket past Dario Saric #9 of the recent NBA all-star game when he wrote a seven-word Philadelphia 76ers during the second half of Game One in Round Two of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at TD tweet, “This depression get the best of me.” guard Ben Simmons had 18 points from 41 minutes on the Garden on Monday in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the 76ers 117-101.—AFP The 28-year-old all-star guard DeRozan grew up in court. Yet it was the shooting prowess of Celtics ace Los Angeles suburb of Compton, the same crime- Rozier that caught the eye as the 24-year-old point guard plagued area that the tennis Williams’ sisters come from. kept Boston firmly on track for a well-earned win. Boston, regime launched last year. “Up early every day. Putting in a “We did have an off night shooting but a lot of that you His openness led to Love speaking and writing about his who advanced to the semi-finals after a grueling seven- lot of work, watching a lot of film. A lot of hard work over can attribute to their good defense and them getting to struggle with dark thoughts. game series win over Milwaukee, have regrouped superbly the summer,” Rozier said. our shooters,” Brown said. When the Raptors played in New York in March, after a slew of injuries which means they are without stars “We got together yesterday and we had a plan. No “We give them credit. I never really felt we were in the NBA commissioner Adam Silver met with DeRozan to Kyrie Irving, Jaylen Brown and Gordon Hayward. matter who it is out there, we’re going to play hard and game. It sure felt like we were playing a good team today. discuss the matter. Besides the TV ads, the league is Rozier’s 29-point haul included 21 points from three- take care of business.” Sixers coach Brett Brown was left “But defensively, offensively, this isn’t who we are. This was coming out this week with a website that will include point range, a 77.8 conversion percentage from outside to reflect on a below-par night for his team while acknowl- a poor game from us. We’re going to have to fix some links to mental health resources for not only young and the arc. Rozier credited his form to a determined training edging the Celtics had simply been better. things.” Game two takes place in Boston tomorrow. — AFP older athletes but the public. DeRozan and Love, who comes from the Los Angeles area, could also contribute by speaking at the Africa in Cape Town. The scandal saw then-captain Steve bitter campaign with CA over a new pay deal for players league’s rookie transition program events. “The best Watson, Bailey to Smith and his deputy David Warner banned for a year, last year, said it welcomed an investigation into CA’s cul- thing I did was come out and say, ‘Hey look, I need some with Bancroft suspended for nine months. Lehmann, who ture and governance. But the players’ union complained it help,’” Love says in one of his ad spots. Said DeRozan, was appointed in 2013, was cleared of wrongdoing by CA was not invited to co-chair the independent review. It also “Never be ashamed of wanting to be a better you, peri- join captains in but resigned as coach in March more than 12 months said it had a number of concerns over the transparency of od.” They are, of course, not the first athletes to talk before his contract was up. CA have also appointed Dr the review process and whether players would be held to openly about mental wellness, but too often the head- Simon Longstaff, executive director of the Sydney-based higher standards than those set out by the International line-grabbing stories in the sports sections these days Australia review Ethics Centre, to lead a separate independent review into Cricket Council. focus on trivial matters like bad calls by officials. Three the governing body. The Ethics Centre led a review into “We are concerned that our players may be subject to months ago, 28-time Olympic medalist Michael Phelps MELBOURNE: Former Test players Shane Watson and the culture at the Australian Olympic Committee last year conditions which could be different from those that apply spoke about his life-long struggle with anxiety and George Bailey will join Australia captains Tim Paine and after multiple allegations of bullying rocked the organisa- to players from other countries against which they play,” depression at a mental health conference in Chicago Rachael Haynes on a panel tasked with drafting a charter tion. “We understand and share the disappointment of ACA president Greg Dyer said in a statement. where he encouraged people to seek help like he did. of behaviour in the wake of the ball-tampering scandal in fans and the broader Australian community about these “Changes to player behaviour, expectations or sanc- NBA Hall of Famer Jerry West wrote a book called South Africa, Cricket Australia said yesterday. events (in South Africa),” CA chairman David Peever said tions must be aligned with those which would be handed ‘West by West: My Charmed, Tormented Life” that was The player review, to be overseen by former test open- in a statement. down to players on both sides of international cricket released seven years ago and dealt with his struggle er Rick McCosker, would also include fast bowler Pat “The board is determined to do all we can to prevent matches.” Australia’s players have long prided themselves with depression and low self-esteem. Like Love, former Cummins and Darren Lehmann’s replacement as coach of such events from ever happening again. “The reviews will on playing aggressive cricket and often spoken of “push- National Hockey League goaltender Corey Hirsch the men’s team, CA said. The team’s culture has been commence immediately, and we fully anticipate being able ing the line” of acceptable behaviour. penned an article for the online magazine “The Players’ under the microscope since batsman Cameron Bancroft to begin implementing findings before the start of the Former players and pundits, however, have criticised Tribune” where he opened up about anxiety, depression was spotted by cameras trying to scuff up the ball with a 2018-19 cricket season.” the team for relentless sledging of opponents and other and suicidal thoughts.—AFP piece of sandpaper during the third test against South The Australian Cricketers’ Association, which fought a boorish conduct on field. — Reuters Established 1961 15 Sports Wednesday, May 2, 2018 Kane keen for strong finish with Spurs ahead of World Cup Watford still in need of a point to secure survival

LONDON: Harry Kane admitted it has taken him time Pochettino. However, the Argentine has no concerns to recover top form after an ankle ligament injury, but over Kane’s mental toughness to lead England in believes he still has time to rediscover his best ahead of Russia. “He scored. He needs to improve his perform- shouldering England’s World Cup hopes. ance still, but 150 games in the Premier League, 105 Kane scored his 38th goal of the season as goals, what we can say more? He is a fantastic striker. Tottenham Hotspur edged closer to a third consecutive “He’s a strong guy, physically and mentally. I am sure he season in the Champions League by opening up a five- is going to perform for us in a very good way and point lead on fifth-placed Chelsea with just three arrive in a good condition for the World Cup.” games of the Premier League season to go thanks to a An 11th defeat in their last 12 away games leaves 2-0 win over Watford at Watford still in need of a Wembley on Monday. point to mathematically But Kane was again far secure survival. But the visi- from his best and believes he tors were left to rue a host of should have scored more in a missed chances after match- laboured Spurs performance ing the under-par hosts for that was characteristic of the I feel good, long spells. dip in form from Mauricio A bright start from Pochettino’s men in recent I feel sharp Watford was undone on 16 weeks. “Obviously, I would minutes when goalkeeper have liked to play better over Orestis Karnezis spilled a the last few games or so but I simple cross from the right think the whole team feel like and Christian Eriksen teed that,” said Kane. up Alli to tap home his fourth “I feel good, I feel sharp, I probably could have goal in five games. scored a couple more out there today. “I’m looking for- Watford had more than enough chances to be at ward to the last three games. Hopefully I can finish least level at the break, but were denied by a return to LONDON: Tottenham Hotspur’s English striker Harry Kane celebrates scoring the team’s second goal strong like I did last year going into a big summer.” form by Hugo Lloris. The French number one had cost during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Watford at Wembley Kane was sidelined for just three weeks after suffer- his side with a series of errors in recent weeks, but Stadium in London, on Monday. — AFP ing ankle ligament damage at Bournemouth last month. Lloris stood up well to save from Andre Grey, But on top of trying to get back into top physical Abdoulaye Doucoure and Jose Holebas. ed Kane turning home Son Heung-min’s initial cross, be without a trophy as Spurs boss after four seasons in shape, he has also had to cope with public ridicule for “For me the most important is to win. Of course, but the England international quickly picked himself up charge. claiming a goal in a 2-1 win at Stoke to aid his chances maybe, it wasn’t a great performance, but Lloris in the to slot home when Kieran Trippier flashed the loose ball And he believes the disappointment from that match of beating Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah to the Golden goal showed fantastic skills and (showed) why he is one back across goal. was still evident in the atmosphere at Wembley and his Boot award for the league’s top scorer. of the best keepers in the world,” added Pochettino. Victory was Spurs’ first in four games in all competi- side’s display. “You felt during the game our fans were “Of course it is a mix about different things. It wasn’t Having escaped unscathed before the break, tions as they bounced back from their FA Cup semi- disappointed because of the defeat against Man Utd. a great period for him the past few weeks, he is human Pochettino’s men doubled their lead within three min- final disappointment at the hands of Manchester United The atmosphere wasn’t great to play tonight, but the like everyone else, and was a little bit affected,” said utes of the second period. An inopportune slip prevent- last weekend. That defeat ensured Pochettino will still most important (thing) is to be in the top four.” — AFP

Red alert in Rome ahead of Salah wins writers’ Liverpool match footballer of the year award ROME: Rome is on red alert with 3,000 police officers deployed to avoid ugly scenes during Roma’s Champions League return leg match against Liverpool LONDON: Mohamed Salah was named as the foot- at the Stadio Olimpico today. ball writers’ footballer of the year yesterday, complet- Liverpool supporter Sean Cox, a 53-year-old ing a personal double after winning the players’ Irishman, remains in critical condition after being award for his incredible goal-scoring feats for attacked close to Anfield by visiting supporters before Liverpool. last week’s semi-final, first leg. Around 5,000 Liverpool The Egypt international narrowly topped the poll fans are expected to attend and authorities fear rival of the 400-strong Football Writers’ Association gangs could clash from Tuesday evening when many (FWA) membership ahead of Manchester City mid- Reds fans begin arriving in the Italian capital. fielder Kevin De Bruyne, the margin understood to be British police are in Rome backing up their Italian less than 20 votes. counterparts with city authorities saying 1,000 officers Tottenham striker Harry Kane was in third place. are being deployed around the Stadio Olimpico in Between them, Salah, signed by the Reds from Roma addition to a further 2,000 throughout the city. last summer, and De Bruyne, who helped City claim Furthermore, there will be a complete alcohol ban, as the Premier League title with five games remaining, well as a huge crackdown on fake tickets. collected more than 90 per cent of the journalists’ Merseyside Police Chief Superintendent Dave votes. Salah, who struggled to make an impact during Charnock urged fans not to travel to Rome without his first spell in England at Chelsea, has scored 43 tickets. “If the details on your ticket and passport do ROME: Liverpool’s striker Mohamed Salah (R) takes part in a training session a day before the Champions goals in 48 appearances in all competitions in his first not match, you will be refused entry to the ground by League semi-final, second-leg football match AS Roma vs Liverpool yesterday at Olympic stadium in season for Liverpool. Italian authorities,” said Charnock. Rome.— AFP He has spearheaded Jurgen Klopp’s team’s push Liverpool fans have been warned to use shuttle bus- towards a potential place in the Champions League es and not to leave the Stadio Olimpico on foot. “Under final-the Reds lead Roma 5-2 ahead of today’s semi- no circumstances should supporters attempt to walk,” Di Francesco both appealed for calm along with club the first leg. final second leg in Italy. the club warned. legends Francesco Totti and Robbie Fowler. Wearing “I hope it’s an enjoyable occasion for those coming The 25-year-old, who was last month crowned the the colours of the Irish flag, Klopp said: “The game on to the stadium tomorrow, that’s what I’m pleading for.” players’ player of the year, becomes the first African ‘STAB CITY’ Tuesday night showed the beauty of the game, and it But the bad blood between Roma and English fans goes winner of the FWA accolade, which has been award- The club have also told fans to respect public monu- showed the most ugly face of parts of the game. back decades. Liverpool’s last visit in 2001 was blight- ed since 1948. “It has been the tightest call since ments in the capital, to avoid street drinking which is “What can I say? Behave? It’s easy to say!” “I’ve ed by missile attacks inside the stadium and stabbings. 1968/69, when there was a dead heat between Tony prohibited, and stay clear of the Ponte Milvio and already said that I stand shoulder-to-shoulder with English fans who visited for the 1984 European Cup Book of Manchester City and Derby’s Dave Mackay,” Ponte Duca d’Aoste, two bridges near the stadium. Sean Cox and his family and I’m against all forms of final-where Liverpool famously beat Roma on penal- said FWA chairman Patrick Barclay.— AFP Fans have also been told to avoid areas of the north violence, like we all are here,” said Di Francesco. ties-dubbed the Italian capital ‘stab city’. of the city on match day, and to expect a long wait “Every set of supporters has some bad apples, who Middlesbrough fans were also the victims of stabbing before being allowed to leave the stadium. Liverpool do things that they shouldn’t. All over the world, unfor- attacks in 2006, while there was trouble the following manager Jurgen Klopp and Roma counterpart Eusebio tunately, there are those who ruin great evenings like year with Manchester United supporters. —AFP EPLTable

LONDON: English Premier League table after Monday’s match (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points):

the Football Writer’s award to the PFA Man City 35 30 3 2 102 2693 - champions McDermott to gong. McDermott, who scored the Man Utd 35 24 5 6 67 27 77 opener in Liverpool’s 1977 European Liverpool 36 20 12 4 80 37 72 Tottenham 35 21 8 6 68 31 71 Cup final win over Borussia Chelsea 35 29 6 9 60 34 66 sell European Moenchengladbach and was pivotal in Arsenal 35 17 6 12 67 48 57 the 1978 and 1981 wins over Bruges Burnley 36 14 12 10 35 32 54 Cup winners and Real Madrid respectively, told ‘The Everton 36 13 9 14 42 54 48 Sun’ he didn’t need the money. It is Leicester 34 11 11 12 49 47 44 hoped the auction-he is selling 43 Newcastle 35 11 8 16 35 44 41 Bournemouth 36 9 11 16 42 60 38 medals pieces of memorabilia-will raise Watford 36 10 8 18 42 62 38 £150,000 ($206,000, 171,000 euros) Brighton 35 8 13 14 32 47 37 less than the club’s reported new pro- Crystal Palace 35 8 11 16 36 54 35 LONDON: Terry McDermott, a key posed weekly salary of £185,000 for West Ham 35 8 11 16 43 67 35 figure in Liverpool’s dominance in the Salah-but wanted to leave his children Huddersfield 35 9 8 18 27 5635 late 1970’s and early 80’s, is to sell his something. “I might get some stick for Swansea 35 8 9 18 27 52 33 Southampton 35 6 14 15 35 54 32 three European Cup winners medals he it in Liverpool-but I don’t really care,” Stoke 36 6 12 18 32 65 30 told The Sun newspaper yesterday. he said. “I don’t need the money. But I West Brom 36 5 13 18 30 54 28 The 66-year-old former England mid- don’t need medals to be proud of what Note: Top four teams qualify for 2018/19 Champions League; fifth fielder will also put up for sale five I’ve done. “I already know-and that will and sixth-placed teams qualify for 2018/19 Europa League; bottom league winners medals and player not go away. three teams relegated to Championship. awards at historic British auction house “I’ve got three kids who are doing Sotheby’s on May 22 just days before very nicely, but I want to give them his old team could be appearing in the something before I die. “They can pay Champions League final. off the mortgage,” added McDermott, Matches on TV McDermott won both the who was capped 25 times. Liverpool Professional Footballer’s Association are in a strong position to reach May 26 (Local Timings) and Football Writer’s Association Champions League final, their first since awards for the 1980 season-present 2007, as they take a 5-2 first leg lead in UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah is the semi-final to Rome for the return AS Roma v Liverpool 21:45 Terry McDermott expected to emulate that later adding clash with AS Roma today. —AFP beIN SPORTS Established 1961 Sport

WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 2018

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Real into Champions League final Benzema scores twice to eliminate Bayern Munich

MADRID: Real Madrid’s Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas (C) prepares to block a shot on goal during the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg football match between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid yesterday. — AFP

MADRID: Real Madrid are within touching distance with Carlo Ancelotti and Bob Paisley the only other Kimmich had given Bayern the lead after 28 minutes but referee Cuneyt Cakir waved away the appeals. of a third consecutive Champions League triumph after managers to have ever won Europe’s premier competi- at the Allianz Arena and here he did it in three, slam- Real were certainly the more relieved to hear the half- Karim Benzema scored twice to eliminate Bayern tion three times. ming home after Sergio Ramos poked Corentin time whistle but they were given a gift shortly after the Munich yesterday and book their place in the final. Liverpool or Roma will certainly offer a stern test in Tolisso’s cross straight to his feet. restart. Tolisso’s backpass was misjudged and underhit Bayern, who trailed 2-1 following last week’s opening Kiev later this month but, having now seen off Bayern, Real were rattled, their fans tetchy, and if Bayern had but Ulreich still had the chance to clear. Instead, the leg in Germany, looked capable of inflicting this sea- the German champions, Paris Saint-Germain, the French held on for longer the pressure might have told. Instead, keeper got his feet in a tangle and ended up in a heap son’s latest European comeback when Joshua Kimmich champions, and Juventus, who sit top of Serie A, the the home side were level by the 11th minute, Benzema on the floor, presenting Benzema with an open net. scored early and James Rodriguez levelled shortly after feeling is that a 13th European success is now Real’s to peeling free of David Alaba at the back post and head- The game looked finished but Bayern came again the hour. But Benzema’s double in between, the first a lose. Zidane sprung a surprise by dropping Casemiro to ing in. Marcelo and Toni Kroos both weaved their way and after 10 minutes of desperate Real defending, it header, the second a simple finish following a dreadful the bench and bringing the more mobile Mateo Kovacic into Bayern’s six-yard box, but failed to pick a final was no surprise when they scored. James chased down error from Bayern goalkeeper Sven Ulreich, proved into midfield while Lucas Vazquez played in the unfa- pass, while at the other end, Vazquez was enduring a his own rebound before beating Keylor Navas at the enough as Real hung on for a 2-2 draw, and a 4-3 win miliar role of right back. It meant no place again in the torrid time at right back. near post. The on-loan Colombian chose not to cele- on aggregate. starting line-up for Gareth Bale, who was named as a After another ball was threaded inside the winger’s brate against his parent club. Benzema’s two goals here were another feather in substitute for the fifth time in six knock-out matches. left shoulder, Robert Lewandowski unleashed and Bayern had 27 minutes to find a third and there the cap for coach Zinedine Zidane, who had decided to Bayern, meanwhile, were without a host of star play- James should have scored but was unable to adjust his were a handful of near misses. Thomas Muller was start the French striker, despite only one goal in his pre- ers, with Javi Martinez, Arturo Vidal, Arjen Robben, body to the follow-up. denied by Navas and Mats Hummels headed agonis- vious 12 games. It was another brave call from Real’s Jerome Boateng, Kingsley Coman and Manuel Neuer A breathless opening 45 minutes ended with Bayern ingly wide in injury time, but Real held on for their coach, who now stands on the brink of history himself, all injured. Martinez was fit enough to make the bench. wanting a penalty as the ball struck Marcelo on the arm fourth final in five years. — AFP

From the modest village of Nagrig in the Nile Delta, Salah On home turf, has catapulted to worldwide fame since his arrival last sum- mer in England from AS Roma in a transfer deal worth €42 million. Awards have since piled up, leading to talk of him everyone wants challenging Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi for the 2018 Ballon d’Or, given to the world’s best player. On April 22, Salah scooped the Professional Footballers’ Association piece of Salah player of the year for the 2017-18 Premier League season. CAIRO: Patriotic statements, flashy commercials and an Yesterday, Salah was named as the Football Writers’ anti-drug campaign: Mohamed Salah’s dazzling displays for Association (FWA) footballer of the year, completing a per- Liverpool have taken the football world by storm, and on his sonal double. home turf in Egypt seemingly everyone wants a piece of him. Salah also became a national hero for his leading role in Salah has shot to stardom thanks to his goal-scoring exploits helping Egypt to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in England and Europe, and senior Egyptian officials in 28 years. The competition kicks off on June 14 in Russia, increasingly refer to the player - although he has carefully and the eyes of all Egyptians are expected to be on him. But steered clear of politics. Last month foreign ministry Boniface remains skeptical of how successful attempts would spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid went so far as to call him “an be to use Salah politically on the international stage. Such icon of Egypt’s soft power”. attempts would be “very exposed” and similar “to the old Abu Zeid made the comment on Twitter after Salah ways of propaganda,” he said. On the other hand, the prodi- scored a brace and set up two more goals as Liverpool beat gy can give a significant boost to Egyptians’ “national self- AS Roma 5-2 in the Champions League semi-final first leg at esteem”, he said. Anfield last week. The second leg takes place tonight in the In Egypt, images of President Sisi abound in public, with Italian capital. The remarkable game prompted President Salah the only other person coming close to having as many Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi to also congratulate the flying forward. appear on advertising billboards, television screens and CAIRO: Picture taken on April 30, 2018 shows a Ramadan lantern bearing the image of Liverpool’s Egyptian midfielder “What he has accomplished calls for pride and affirms online. Pictured alone or alongside his Egyptian or Liverpool Mohamed Salah hanging on sale at a market in the capital Cairo’s central Sayyida Zeinab district. — AFP Egyptians’ capabilities in all fields... Proud of him every teammates, Salah features prominently in adverts for a Egyptian who holds Egypt’s name high,” Sisi tweeted. mobile telecoms company, a brand of soda or a local bank. Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies. The the national team’s main sponsor, Telecom Egypt’s mobile Salah the “Pharaoh” represents an opportunity for the At the same time, he has publicly supported a campaign by greatest such symbol in Egypt remains Umm Kalthoum, the arm WE, which has relied heavily on photos of Salah, who country to improve its image internationally after years of the National Council for Women promoting gender equality, undisputed queen of Arab song, more than four decades has his own contract with global telecom giant Vodafone. On turmoil in the aftermath of the 2011 uprising that toppled and appears in a government video for an anti-drug cam- after her death, he said. But Salah’s overexposure could Sunday, Salah signalled his growing frustration by tweeting longtime ruler Hosni Mubarak. The fact that “an athlete at paign. The “You’re Stronger Than Drugs” campaign has also now be a source of conflict. An image rights contro- “unfortunately the way it is being dealt with is very insulting. that level penetrates the media wall and becomes a face increased the number of calls to the anti-drugs help line, versy over the past few days has seen Salah lash out at I was hoping the interaction would be classier than this”. But known globally inevitably reflects... on his home country,” according to the Ministry of Social Solidarity. Egyptian football authorities, causing an uproar on Twitter a few hours later, after the issue trended on Twitter, he said Pascal Boniface, director of the French Institute for Efforts to turn such a big star into a symbol of soft pow- among his 5.36 million followers. announced it was being resolved, while thanking his fans for International and Strategic Affairs. er are not new, said Gamal Abdel-Gawad, a researcher at The dispute has centered on an advertising campaign by their “unreal” support. — AFP Established 1961

WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 2018 Pakistan opens long-delayed Tijari declares a netBusiness profit of Jazeera Airways adds Tbilisi to 18new airport in Islamabad 19 KD 10.1 million for Q1 2018 21 travelers’ list of summer destinations!

ISTANBUL: Young members of the Revolutionist Workers’ Party DIP demonstrate during a May Day rally yesterday on the Anatolian side of Istanbul in Maltepe. — AFP Gulf Bank records 15% increase in Q1 net profit Bank on the right track in delivering sustainable results: Alghanim

KUWAIT: Gulf Bank K.S.C.P. announced nearly 37 percent of shareholders’ equity, are on the right track in delivering sustain- Recognition its financial results for the first quarter of while total assets stood at KD 5.7 billion. able results.” The Bank was awarded “Best Retail 2018. The Bank recorded a net profit of KD Commenting on the results, Omar Kutayba During the first quarter of 2018, Gulf Bank” and “Best Mobile Banking App” by 10.8 million, an increase of 15 percent over Alghanim, Gulf Bank’s Chairman said, “I am Bank held its Annual General Meeting for International Finance magazine. The Bank the same period in 2017. The Bank generat- pleased to announce that the Bank started the fiscal year 2017. During the meeting, was also recognized by the Arabian Society ed a net interest income of KD 36.8 shareholders approved a cash divi- for Human Resources Management million during the first quarter of dend of 9 fils per share, an increase (ASHRM) for its youth empowerment initia- 2018, 23 percent above the previous of 29 percent compared with 7 fils tives through the AJYAL Development year, and an operating income of KD per share in the previous year. Program, which celebrated the graduation of 48 million, which is a 9 percent its third class earlier this year. The Bank also increase over the same period in Gulf Bank now rated “A” continued a long-standing relationship with 2017. The operating profit before Gulf Bank is now rated “A” by all the Manpower and Government provisions/impairment losses was KD four leading credit international Restructuring Program (MGRP), sponsoring 32.6 million during the first quarter of rating agencies: Moody’s Investors the Program’s Career Fair in early February. 2018, recording growth of 9 percent, Service, S&P Global Ratings, Fitch Omar Kutayba Alghanim Alghanim concluded his remarks by stat- over the same period in 2017. Ratings and now, Capital ing, “I would like to thank everyone that In addition, credit costs (total Intelligence. As part of their 2017 rating agencies across the board for the contributed to these strong results. I’d also provisions and write-offs minus annual credit rating review, Capital first time since 2008. This is a huge mile- like to thank our shareholders and the recoveries) declined 15.2 percent in the the year positively with an increase of 15 Intelligence, the international credit rating stone for the Bank and is an affirmation of Central Bank of Kuwait for their continued first quarter of 2018 compared to the same percent in our first quarter net profit com- agency, upgraded Gulf Bank’s Financial Gulf Bank’s solid capital, sound liquidity support. I especially want to thank our cus- period of 2017. pared to the same period last year. These Strength Rating to “A-” from “BBB+” with position and sustained improvement in tomers for their loyalty and reiterate our Total general provisions on the balance great results highlight the Bank’s progress a “Stable” outlook. “I am very proud that loan asset quality matrices,” commented commitment to place them at the center of sheet stood at KD 219 million, representing quarter after quarter, and confirm that we Gulf Bank has been rated “A” by the top Alghanim. everything we do.”

Australia and Brazil, it said. The Commission, Economy Minister Peter Altmaier said, urging was delighted that Trump had decided to work program has to be balanced and mutual- Business hit by which coordinates trade policy for the 28 more talks with Washington. “We need fewer, extend the temporary exemption, saying hit- ly beneficial,” it said in the statement. EU European Union members, acknowledged not more duties in global trade,” said. ting British imports made no sense. The tariffs, Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom Trump’s decision but said the EU should be France said it agreed there was overcapacity which have increased frictions with US trad- would continue talks with US counterparts, Trump trade permanently exempted from the tariffs since it in the steel and aluminum industries but said the ing partners worldwide and have prompted Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Trade was not the cause of overcapacity in steel and EU was not to blame and should be exempted several challenges before the World Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, the uncertainty: EU aluminum. “The US decision prolongs market permanently from the tariffs so the overcapacity Organization, are aimed at allowing the two Commission said. The Commission has said uncertainty, which is already affecting business issue could be addressed in talks. “We are US metals industries to increase their capacity the EU will set duties on 2.8 billion euros ($3.4 BRUSSELS: The European Commission said decisions,” the Commission said. Trump has ready to work with the USA and other partners utilisation rates above 80 percent for the first billion) of US exports, including peanut butter yesterday that US President Donald Trump’s invoked a 1962 trade law to erect protections to deal with those issues, and to develop fast time in years. and denim jeans, if its metals exports to the decision not to impose steel and aluminum for US steel and aluminum producers on nation- and appropriate solutions,” the French finance European steel association Eurofer said the United States worth 6.4 billion euros are sub- tariffs on the European Union for now pro- al security grounds, amid a worldwide glut of and foreign ministries said. EU business federa- US decision was welcome, albeit temporary, ject to tariffs. longed business uncertainty and the EU both metals that is largely blamed on excess tion BusinessEurope called the extended respite but said it was concerned a surge in imports Economists say the stand-off could tip should get a permanent exemption. production in China. Germany, whose trade sur- positive, but said companies needed pre- already seen in the past few months could towards a trade war if Trump responds with The White House announced on Monday plus has attracted criticism from Trump, said it dictability. Germany’s DIHK Chambers of increase as countries redirected exports to further tariffs, such as on EU cars. Trump has that Trump had extended a temporary reprieve expected a permanent exemption. Commerce and Industry said the delay did offer the open EU market. The European Union had complained about the EU import duty of 10 from the tariffs for the EU, Canada and Mexico “I am firmly convinced that in the interests the opportunity to defuse the trade conflict. consistently shown it was willing to discuss percent on cars, compared with the US rate of until June 1, just hours before they were due to of jobs in Germany, in Europe and in the USA, concerns about the openness of each other’s 2.5 percent. The EU has stressed that for other come into force. He also reached agreements we need a long-term provision and that rais- Frictions markets, but would not negotiate under threat, products, such as trucks, it is the United for permanent exemptions for Argentina, ing tariffs is the wrong way,” German Britain’s trade minister Liam Fox said he the Commission said. “Any future transatlantic States that has a higher tariff. — Reuters 18 Established 1961 Business Wednesday, May 2, 2018 British factory growth sinks to 17-month low in April Data further cuts chance of BoE hike in May

LONDON: British manufacturing growth Markit’s manufacturing survey provides when a recovery in the euro zone boosted cially around producers of consumer goods growth slowed at the fastest pace since slid to a 17-month low in April, sending more evidence that the economy has funda- British manufacturing. who have been hit by the reduced spending 2000 to an annualized rate of 6.3 percent. sterling sinking and further reducing the mentally slowed this year, strengthening the Gauges of new orders and exports power among households caused by last “With real incomes barely rising, such chances of an interest rate hike by the Bank case even more for the MPC to hold back weakened to the lowest levels since mid- year’s rise in inflation. The Bank of England a sharp fall in consumer credit does not of England next week. from raising interest rates later this data yesterday added to signs of a bode well for either the high street or the The pound fell below $1.37 for the first month,” Samuel Tombs, economist lackluster consumer economy, as overall growth outlook,” ING economist time in 3-1/2 months after yesterday’s at consultancy Pantheon Macro Britons borrowed only a net 254 mil- James Smith said. IHS Markit said opti- Markit/CIPS UK Manufacturing Purchasing economics, said. lion pounds ($347 million) in March - mism among manufacturers dipped to a Managers’ Index (PMI) dropped a full point Even before Friday’s weak Sterling far weaker than the Reuters poll fore- five-month low in April as concerns to 53.9 in March, below the average fore- growth figures, BoE Governor cast for growth of 1.45 billion pounds. about Brexit, trade barriers and the over- cast of 54.8 in a Reuters poll of economists. Mark Carney had said economic sinks The year-on-year growth rate in all economic climate remained wide- It is the second disappointing data point in data had been mixed and suggest- unsecured consumer lending tumbled spread. The PMI’s gauge of factory cost the space of a few days after official figures ed the BoE might wait rather than further to 8.6 percent, its slowest since pressures cooled to a nine-month low, on Friday showed Britain’s economy barely raise rates to a new post-financial- November 2015, down from 9.4 per- something that will be noted by BoE grew in the first three months of 2018, with crisis high of 0.75 percent on May cent in February. rate-setters who are keeping an eye on heavy snow only partly to blame. 10. There was nothing in yester- The drop in the annual growth rate inflation pressures ahead of next week’s Separate figures from the BoE showed day’s PMI report to suggest was the sharpest from one month to policy decision. consumers borrowing slowed sharply in British factories - which account for around 2017, while manufacturers took on staff at the next since August 2009. On a three- Separate PMIs for the construction March, in line with earlier data showing a a tenth of overall economic output - will the slowest pace since February last year. month on three-month basis, which gives a industry and the much larger services sec- big fall in retail sales that month. “All in all, regain the vigor they enjoyed in late 2017, IHS Markit said weakness centered espe- clearer idea of the short-term trend, lending tor are due today and tomorrow. — Reuters

Pakistan PM opens long-delayed new airport in Islamabad ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi yesterday inaugurat- ed the long-delayed new airport in the capi- tal, Islamabad, replacing the cramped Benazir Bhutto airport often criticized by travellers. A Pakistan International Airlines pilot waved a green and white Pakistani flag out of his cockpit window after landing the carrier’s first commercial flight at the New SYDNEY: A woman walks in front of Sydney Metro billboard in International Islamabad Airport. Sydney yesterday. — AFP With a sleek glass-front entrance, spa- cious check-in areas and jetway bridges for boarding, the Y-shaped airport promises an ISLAMABAD: Pakistani officials take part in a rehearsal by the airport officials ing sectors of the economy. Its decision to end to the congestion that has frustrated air at the newly built Islamabad International Airport ahead of its official opening Australia keeps stay on hold comes just before the conserva- travel in the past. “This airport rightly tomorrow on the outskirts of Islamabad. — AFP tive government of Prime Minister Malcolm reflects what has happened in Pakistan in Turnbull is due to release its next budget on the last five years,” said Abbasi. rates on hold May 8. The spending plan, which will take the Abbasi’s ruling Pakistan Muslim League- country up to national elections early next Multan, Faisalabad, Quetta and Peshawar definitely seemed impossible,” quipped ahead of year, is tipped to be generous with personal Nawaz (PML-N) party had been eager to were in the final stages. Abbasi, in reference to his government income tax cuts and infrastructure invest- open the new airport before national polls, The new Islamabad airport, which has inheriting the project in 2013. The new air- national budget ment, and keep the nation on track to a return likely in July, as it touts big-ticket infrastruc- the capacity to handle 15 million passengers port is about 15 km (nine miles) from the to a budget surplus in the next few years. ture as sign of economic progress in the annually and space for further expansion, capital. Benazir Bhutto airport was in the In its statement explaining its decision to South Asian nation of 208 million people. was first suggested in the 1980s and has nearby city of Rawalpindi and attached to a SYDNEY: Australia’s central bank kept inter- extend the record breaking run on rates, the Abbasi’s government is spending billions been more than a decade in the making. The military base. International travellers often est rates at a record low yesterday for a 19th board noted that employment was growing of dollars on upgrading Pakistan’s transport delays have become a running joke with complained about chaotic scenes at the air- consecutive meeting, unwilling to make any strongly but wage growth remained low. “The infrastructure and ending energy blackouts, many Pakistanis, who mock the frequent port and in 2014 it was voted the worst in move ahead of the national budget next week. various forward-looking indicators continue with freshly paved motorways as well as announcements that the new airport would the world by the “Guide to Sleeping in The Reserve Bank of Australia has not to point to solid growth in employment in dams and power plants popping up across open soon and subsequent clarifications of Airports” website, prompting widespread adjusted rates since August 2016, following a the period ahead, with a further gradual the country. Abbasi, who has a pilot’s further delays. The airport’s most recent criticism of the airport in Pakistani media. series of cuts from November 2011 that took reduction in the unemployment rate expect- license and is a founder of a Pakistani budg- delay was last month. The new airport is due to start full operation it to 1.50 percent in a bid to boost non-min- ed,” it said. —AFP et airline, said new airports in the cities of “Nothing is impossible but this project tomorrow. — Reuters

role in the workplace is less to do repetitive Inc, she sets out to hire about 8,500 young gives them a better sense of what they might Tomorrow’s jobs require things all the time and more to do the non- people every year for a management training do in the future. At Texas State University in repetitive tasks that bring new kinds of value,” program, an enormous undertaking that has San Marcos, meanwhile, students can take a said Anthony Carnevale, director of the her searching college campuses across the marketable-skills master class series. impressing a lot with quick thinking Georgetown Center on Education and the country. Artim started in the training program One key area hones in on case studies that Workforce in the United States. So while spe- herself, 26 years ago, as did the Enterprise companies are using increasingly to weed out NEW YORK: When Andrew Chamberlain be critical thinkers and fast on their feet. Even cializing in a specialized STEM (science, tech- chief executive, and that is how she gets the prospects. This means being able to answer started in his job four years ago in the those training for a specific field, from plumb- nology, engineering and mathematics) field attention of young adults and their parents hypothetical questions based on a common research group at jobs website ing to aerospace engineering, need to be nim- can seem like an easy path to a lucrative first who scoff at a future of renting cars. scenario the employer faces, and showing Glassdoor.com, he worked in a programming ble enough to constantly learn new technolo- job, employers are telling colleges: You are According to Artim, the biggest deficit in leadership skills in those scenarios. language called Stata. Then it was R. Then gies and apply their skills on the fly. producing engineers, but they do not have the the millennial generation is autonomous deci- The career office at the university also Python. Then PySpark. “My dad was a com- When companies recruit new workers, skills we need. It is “algorithmic thinking” sion-making. They are used to being struc- focuses on interview skills. Today, that means mercial printer and did the same thing for 30 particularly for entry-level jobs, they are not rather than the algorithm itself that is relevant, tured and “syllabused,” she said. teaching kids more than just writing an effec- years. I have to continually stay on stuff,” said necessarily looking for knowledge of certain said Carnevale. To get students ready, some colleges, and tive resume and showing up in smart clothes. Chamberlain, who is now the chief economist software. They are looking for what most con- even high schools, are working on building They have to learn how to perform best on for the site. sider soft skills: problem solving, effective Finding gems critical thinking skills. video and phone interviews, and how to navi- Chamberlain already has one of the jobs of communication and leadership. They also Out in the field, Marie Artim is looking for For three weeks in January at the private gate gamification and artificial intelligence the future - a perpetually changing, shifting want candidates who show a willingness to potential. As vice president of talent acquisi- Westminster Schools in Atlanta, Georgia, stu- bots that many companies are now using in universe of work that requires employees to keep learning new skills. “The human being’s tion for car rental firm Enterprise Holdings dents either get jobs or go on trips, which the recruiting process. — Reuters

EXCHANGE RATES

Euro 371.670 Japanese Yen 3.755 Asia Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. Sterling Pound 426.390 Syrian Pound 1.585 Bangladesh Taka 0.002981 0.003763 Canadian dollar 238.080 Nepalese Rupees 2.833 Chinese Yuan 0.046119 0.049619 ASIAN COUNTRIES Turkish lira 74.520 Malaysian Ringgit 77.815 Hong Kong Dollar 0.036683 0.039433 Japanese Yen 2.806 Swiss Franc 315.860 Chinese Yuan Renminbi 48.070 Indian Rupee 0.003982 0.004709 Indian Rupees 4.630 Australian Dollar 234.090 Thai Bhat 10.535 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000017 0.000023 Pakistani Rupees 2.602 US Dollar Buying 299.500 Turkish Lira 74.665 Japanese Yen 0.002682 0.002862 Srilankan Rupees 1.933 Korean Won 0.000273 0.000288 Nepali Rupees 2.902 GOLD Malaysian Ringgit 0.073167 0.079167 Singapore Dollar 230.250 20 Gram 260.520 BAHRAIN EXCHANGE COMPANY WLL Nepalese Rupee 0.002780 0.003120 Hongkong Dollar 38.311 10 Gram 133.180 Pakistan Rupee 0.001984 0.002754 Bangladesh Taka 3.593 5 Gram 67.430 CURRENCY BUY SELL Philippine Peso 0.005676 0.005976 Philippine Peso 5.793 Europe Singapore Dollar 0.222510 0.232510 Thai Baht 9.679 Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd British Pound 0.411214 0.418714 Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001612 0.002192 Czech Korune 0.006346 0.015646 Taiwan 0.010350 0.010530 GCC COUNTRIES Danish Krone 0.045015 0.050015 Thai Baht 0.009223 0.009773 Saudi Riyal 80.210 Rate for Transfer Selling Rate Euro 0. 360865 0.368365 Qatari Riyal 82.644 US Dollar 301.500 Georgian Lari 0.138050 0.138050 Arab Omani Riyal 781.445 Canadian Dollar 235.790 Hungarian 0.001136 0.001326 Bahraini Dinar 0.793501 0.802001 Bahraini Dinar 798.990 Sterling Pound 416.215 Norwegian Krone 0.033844 0.039044 Egyptian Pound 0.013914 0.019632 UAE Dirham 81.946 Euro 365.370 Romanian Leu 0.064488 0.081338 Iranian Riyal 0.000083 0.000085 Swiss Frank 301.675 Russian ruble 0.004835 0.004835 Iraqi Dinar 0.000203 0.000263 ARAB COUNTRIES Bahrain Dinar 801.800 Slovakia 0.008972 0.018972 Jordanian Dinar 0.420844 0.429844 Egyptian Pound - Cash 0.000 UAE Dirhams 82.490 Swedish Krona 0.030824 0.035824 Kuwaiti Dinar 1.000000 1.000000 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 17.039 Qatari Riyals 83.720 Swiss Franc 0.299378 0.310378 Lebanese Pound 0.000155 0.000255 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.208 Saudi Riyals 81.295 Moroccan Dirhams 0.022592 0.046592 Tunisian Dinar 126.080 Jordanian Dinar 426.525 Australasia Omani Riyal 0.777188 0.782868 Jordanian Dinar 423.910 Egyptian Pound 17.046 Australian Dollar 0.221023 0.233023 Qatar Riyal 0.078566 0.083506 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 2.005 Sri Lankan Rupees 1.912 New Zealand Dollar 0.207975 0.217475 Saudi Riyal 0.079353 0.080653 Syrian Lira 0.000 Indian Rupees 4.542 Syrian Pound 0.001278 0.001498 Morocco Dirham 33.227 Pakistani Rupees 2.608 America Tunisian Dinar 0.119617 0.127617 Bangladesh Taka 3.617 Canadian Dollar 0.230117 0.239117 Turkish Lira 0.069438 0.079738 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES Philippines Pesso 5.833 US Dollars 0.297550 0.301950 UAE Dirhams 0.080703 0.082403 US Dollar Transfer 300.700 Cyprus pound 17.945 US Dollars Mint 0.298050 0.301950 Yemeni Riyal 0.000980 0.001060 Established 1961 19 Business Wednesday, May 2, 2018 Tijari declares a net profit of KD 10.1 million for Q1 2018 Bank witnesses a healthy growth in all key areas of its business

KUWAIT: Commercial Bank of Kuwait 154.5 million. Sheikh Ahmad added that Bank’s by maintaining and improving the quality of its loan portfolio by writing off enhancing the Digital Channels. announced a net profit of KD 10.1 million for the total assets are KD 4,291 million mainly com- assets during 2018 and beyond, in order to irregular loans but taking all the Another strategic vision of the first quarter of 2018, compared to KD 0.8 mil- prising of KD 2,144 million of loan portfolios meet the challenges of volatile economic and necessary steps to protect the bank is “people focused’ approach lion for the same period of 2017. The geopolitical situation in the region. interests of the Bank. The NPL and the bank continues to invest in bank witnessed a healthy growth in all Sheikh Ahmad further added that ratio at 0.71 percent is much this area to build a highly skilled the key areas of its business. Net interest banks’ capital adequacy ratio at the end lower than the industry average. and motivated team to serve our income grew by 8.7 percent, fee income of March 2018 was at 19.2 percent, the customers better. grew by 2.5 percent and the foreign leverage ratio at 11.8 percent, net stable Investing in technology Sheikh Ahmad further com- exchange increased by 209 percent. Net income funding ratio at 113.0 percent and liq- Sheikh Ahmad emphasized mented that the bank will continue Sheikh Ahmad Duaij Al-Sabah, the uidity coverage ratio at 193 percent, that the Bank has focused on its balanced strategy and focus on bank’s Chairman, commented on these grew by comfortably exceeding the regulatory investing in technology and available growth opportunities by positive results that the bank continues requirement set by the Central Bank of human capital to meet the cus- financing the new projects of to capitalize on its core competencies 8.7 percent Kuwait. The bank continues to demon- tomer’s expectation and satisfac- Sheikh Ahmad Duaij national importance with public by focusing on asset quality, operational strate its cost leadership with opera- tion. Our customer centric Al-Sabah and private partnership by efficient efficiency and customer service. The tional efficiency, a competitive advan- approach is improving our market management of risks and associat- operating profit for the Q1 2018 was KD tage for the bank, which continues to share and business return. The Bank is continu- ed returns. Sheikh Ahmad took the opportunity 26.7 million and the bank prudently maintain one of the lowest cost/income ously investing in automation through self-ser- to thank the bank’s shareholders, valued cus- allocated a portion of it to strengthen its ratios among Kuwait banks at 28.9 per- vice (KIOSKs) and virtual banking to digitize tomers, staff and regulatory authorities, empha- pool of available provision. The total provisions and KD 470 million of investment securities. cent for the quarter ended 31 March 2018. He and enhance branch functionality. The Bank is sizing that the Bank’s Management continues to held with the bank against its credit portfolio The bank intends to continue its prudent poli- pointed that the bank’s strong financial indica- promoting digital channels though social media implement all the required policies for safe- as at the end of the 31st March 2018 were KD cy of conservative approach towards growth tors are due to its prudent policy of cleaning its and listening to customer suggestions to keep guarding the interest of all stakeholders’.

Boeing buys aviation parts Maduro raises company KLX for $4.25bn minimum wage again amid hyperinflation CARACAS: Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro announced yesterday he was almost doubling the minimum wage in an effort to tackle the crisis-wracked Latin American coun- try’s runaway inflation. Venezuela’s economic collapse ranks as one of the worst in modern history, with hyperinflation likely to see prices soaring 13,000 percent this year, the International Monetary Fund said last week. The wage increase-the third this year- brings minimum monthly income to 2.55 mil- lion bolivars, or $3.20 on the widely used CARACAS: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro delivers a speech during a press conference black market, when a food voucher is includ- announcing the increase of the minimum wage in Caracas on Monday. — AFP ed. The president also said that from Tuesday, when Venezuela celebrates Workers’ Day, grams (4.4 pounds) of chicken. Despite sitting Maduro said, citing his popular socialist pred- public service employees will receive an addi- on the world’s largest oil reserves, Venezuelans ecessor. Venezuelan economists have attacked tional increase of around $2. are grappling with severe shortages of food Maduro’s constant adjustments, saying they Maduro is controversially seeking another and medicines, largely due to a drastic cut in succeed only in driving up the cost of living six-year term in May 20 elections that regional imports caused by falling oil prices. and are not accompanied by a plan to cut powers have criticized as lacking democratic “In a time of revolution, like never before in inflation or impose fiscal or monetary disci- WASHINGTON: In this file photo, the first Boeing 737 MAX 9 airplane is pictured during its rollout standards, amid a boycott by the main opposi- history, the policy that Commander Hugo pline. About 13 million Venezuelan workers for the media at the Boeing factory in Renton, Washington. — AFP tion coalition. Even with the increases, the min- Chavez always promoted and that I have per- earn the minimum wage, according to the imum wage will buy little more than two kilo- fected, is to take care of the working class,” government. — AFP

NEW YORK: Boeing announced yesterday ices market,” said Stan Deal, chief executive of that it reached an agreement to acquire aero- Boeing Global Services. space parts distributor KLX for $4.25 billion Miami, Florida-based KLX provides aero- as it boosts its aviation services business. space parts and services to commercial, busi- Boeing executives described the move as a ness and defense jet customers worldwide, week, her indignant outburst had been With the country facing its worst economic significant step in bolstering its global servic- shipping a majority of goods within 24 hours of In Venezuela, retweeted 11,000 times, and commented on crisis in decades, the government has accused es segment, which was launched last year and the order, according to a KLX securities filing. more than 1,400 times, with many relating sim- Washington and the opposition of waging an aims to increase annual revenues from $15 bil- KLX reported $1.7 billion in revenues in 2017. ilar stories or empathizing: “Friend, they “economic war” on Venezuela in a bid to over- lion in 2017 to $50 billion in five years. “This Under the all-cash deal, Boeing values Florida- five years of robbed you blind.” “I never thought it would throw Maduro. For Asdrubal Oliveros, an ana- acquisition is the next step in our services based KLX at $63 per share and will assume have such an impact. I wrote it because the lyst with consultancy Ecoanalitica, the constant growth strategy, with a clear opportunity to $1 billion in debt. KLX will divest its energy severance pay check was so ridiculous that it made me laugh, hiking of salaries is “a hopeless cause” in the profitably grow our business and better serve services business, which provides oilfield tools and suddenly you find so many people who face of such inflation without correcting the our customers in a $2.6 trillion, 10-year serv- and services to the oil business. — AFP now buys a coffee feel like you that all your work, your effort is imbalances in the Venezuelan economy, which just disregarded,” she told AFP. is running a fiscal deficit of an estimated 20 CARACAS: When Yolanda Abreu got her check percent of GDP that the government is trying for severance pay after five years working as a ‘Hopeless cause’ to resolve through printing money. “It is particularly important that the cardiologist, she let out a laugh of sheer disbe- On the eve of International Workers Day, A graduate of the Central University of Germany wants European Union has sought talks with the lief: it was barely enough for a cup of coffee. Venezuela’s embattled President Nicolas Venezuela-the country’s best-who went on to United States and will continue to do so.” The Like her, millions of Venezuelans have seen Maduro moved to double the monthly minimum do specialized studies in Madrid, Abreu has White House said on Monday Trump had their salaries decimated by rampant hyperinfla- wage, raising it by 95.4 percent to 2,555,500 borne the brunt of such a policy. permanent US postponed the imposition of steel and alu- tion that is expected to drive prices up by bolivars-or $37 (30 euros), according to the She survives through offering private con- minum tariffs on Canada, the EU and Mexico 13,000 percent this year, IMF figures show. central bank’s official DICOM rate. But access sultations, but still works in public hospitals “to until June 1, and reached agreements for per- Her story hit the headlines after she tweet- tariffs exemption manent exemptions for Argentina, Australia to such a favorable rate is very limited for help train” junior doctors. “You almost have to ed a photo of the check for 156,584.29 boli- and Brazil. Venezuelan citizens and companies, meaning pay to work. It is painful to see them graduate BERLIN: Germany has taken note of US The president of Germany’s DIHK vars, which equates to about $0.20 on the they have to use the black market where the and leave, but I understand. We are not a President Donald Trump’s decision to post- Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Eric black market.“They called me from Caracas same sum is worth just $3.20 — just about bunch of money-grabbing quacks, you just pone the imposition of steel and aluminum Schweitzer, said: “The extended respite offers University Hospital to come and collect my enough for two kilos (4.4 pounds) of chicken. can’t live on these salaries,” she says. tariffs on the European Union and, in princi- the opportunity to defuse the trade conflict. check for benefits accrued over five years of It is the 22nd such readjustment by Maduro, According to a joint university study carried ple, still expects a permanent exemption, “The current situation shows that we need service as a level 2 specialist in cardiology and the self- declared “workers’ president” who out with the Medical Federation, 40 percent of deputy government spokeswoman Martina a fresh start for a comprehensive, transatlantic electrophysiology,” she wrote on Twitter. took office in 2013 following the death of Hugo graduate surgeons have left Venezuela over the Fietz said. trade agreement,” he added in a statement. On And what will it buy, she wondered indig- Chavez. “In times of revolution, as never past decade in an exodus driven by the socioe- “Neither the European Union nor the Monday, German Economy Minister Peter nantly. “A coffee?” If she had received the before, the policy of comandante Hugo Chavez, conomic crisis. United States can have an interest in an esca- Altmaier said he saw little chance of reviving check when she resigned in January 2017, it which I have perfected... is to care for the And a study by the country’s main universi- lation (in tensions) in trade relations,” Fietz the stalled US-European trade deal known as would have been worth $45. working class,” said Maduro, who will seek ties found that in 2017, some 87 percent of the added in a statement. “Rather, both the US the Transatlantic Trade and Investment But her severance pay was decimated by reelection when Venezuela goes to the polls for people were living in poverty, despite govern- and the EU would benefit from further deep- Partnership (TTIP). “A new edition of TTIP is the country’s chronic hyperinflation and the a controversial presidential election on May 20 ment statistics claiming the figure stands at 23 ening trade relations.” not realistic now,” he said. — Reuters accelerated collapse of the bolivar.Within a — which the opposition is boycotting. percent. — AFP

because it comfortably beat market expecta- BP logs soaring tions of $2.2 billion. Chief financial officer Brian Gilvary cautioned that the performance was energized only partly by the oil price Q1 profits recovery. “It’s come through in terms of the reliability that we are seeing in both upstream LONDON: British energy major BP said yester- and downstream and a little bit of benefit from day that first-quarter net profits soared 70 per- the oil price,” Gilvary said in a video message cent on rising crude oil prices and increasing posted on the company’s website. output. Earnings after taxation, or bottom-line “But overall, a strong set of results in terms net profit, jumped to $2.5 billion (2.1 billion of earnings.” Downstream comprises refining, euros) in the three months to the end of March marketing and distribution, while upstream from a year earlier, BP said in a results statement. covers exploration and production. cartel and Russia to reduce a global supply Total production advanced six percent to “The results definitely benefit from a high- glut by trimming production. 3.7 million barrels of oil equivalent per day. BP er oil price that we’ve seen come through,” The recovery has been fuelled also by also paid another $1.6 billion for costs arising Gilvary noted. “But actually, it’s more about geopolitical tensions, US President Donald from the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill catas- the seven projects that we brought on stream Trump’s threat to reimpose sanctions on Iran trophe, including $1.2 billion for the final pay- last year, the six more projects that we will be and production problems in Venezuela, ment relating to the 2012 Department of bringing on stream in the upstream this year, Nigeria and Libya. Justice settlement. the ramp up of those projects and the volumes In late morning deals, BP shares gained 1.0 “We have delivered another strong set of that come with that, and continued underlying percent to 543.40 pence on London’s FTSE results,” said chief executive Bob Dudley. “Our performance improvements in the down- 100 index, which stood 0.3 percent higher at safe and reliable operations and strong finan- stream. “So it’s not just about price, it’s actual- 7,532.06 points. “BP shares are in demand... cial delivery have continued into 2018.” ly about the performance of the kit.” Oil after the company posted a surge in profit Underlying replacement cost profit-which prices have nevertheless shot above $70 a that topped analyst estimates,” noted CMC excludes fluctuations in the value of crude oil barrel from below $30 in early 2016. The turn- Markets analyst David Madden. “Higher out- ALLAHABAD: Indian laborers construct a temporary road on the river bank of Ganga in Allahabad inventories-surged 71 percent to $2.6 billion. around has been helped by an agreement in put and stronger oil prices were behind the yesterday. Countries across the world marked May 1 as International Labor Day. — AFP That set BP shares on an upward trajectory late 2016 between the OPEC oil producers’ strong results,” he added. — AFP 20 Established 1961 Business Wednesday, May 2, 2018 Wall St falls, oil drags on energy stocks

NEW YORK: US stocks slipped yesterday as the latest percent, at 24,019.87, the S&P 500 was down 5.25 comes out with results after market closes yesterday. in London reacted to data showing that Britain’s manu- batch of earnings from companies such as Pfizer and points, or 0.20 percent, at 2,642.80 and the Nasdaq The US Federal Reserve began its two-day monetary facturing sector dropped to a 17-month low point in Tapestry disappointed investors already concerned Composite was down 1.54 points, or 0.02 percent, at policy meeting yesterday. Although no change in policy April. about rising costs and protectionist policies. A drop in 7,064.73.”You had the tariff news, but that may have rates is expected, investors will watch for clues on The Markit/CIPS UK Manufacturing purchasing oil prices, due to uncertainties around the Iran nuclear already been baked in,” said Scott Brown, chief econo- whether three more rate hikes are due for the rest of managers’ index (PMI) showed a reading of 53.9, down deal, weighed on energy stocks. The S&P energy index mist at Raymond James in St. Petersburg, Florida. 2018. Trading volumes could remain light as most finan- on March’s reading of 54.9. The data weighed on ster- was down 0.9 percent. US equity index futures got a “It causes the same amount of uncertainty, you had cial centers across Europe and Asia were closed on ling, as prospects for a May interest rate hike from the bump overnight after President Donald Trump post- worse-than-expected revenue from Pfizer, and there account of May Day. Declining issues outnumbered Bank of England receded further, analysts said. poned the imposition of steel and aluminum tariffs on might be some caution ahead of Apple results.” advancers for a 1.97-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and for a The pound’s weakness though provided support to Canada, the European Union and Mexico until June 1, Pfizer fell 2.3 percent after the largest US drugmak- 1.92-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq. London’s benchmark FTSE 100 index, owing to the fact and reached agreements for permanent exemptions for er’s quarterly revenue missed estimates. Merck shares The S&P index recorded one new 52-week high and that it includes a number of heavyweight companies Argentina, Australia and Brazil. The decision comes also dipped 0.6 percent despite profit beating esti- 16 new lows, while the Nasdaq recorded 22 new highs earning in dollars. Earlier yesterday, Tokyo’s Nikkei ahead of Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin’s highly mates and the company lifting earnings forecast for the and 44 new lows. closed higher in quiet trade during Japan’s Golden anticipated trip to China later this week to discuss year. Tapestry, formerly Coach, tumbled 12 percent Week holiday period, as investors took to the sidelines trade issues. after it reported a drop in quarterly margins and a LSE jumps ahead of key earnings and economic data in the US. Shares of AK Steel and US Steel were down more steeper-than-expected decline in same-store sales in London’s stock market rose yesterday following Wall Street closed down on Monday, despite a strong than 3 percent. At 10:00 a.m. ET the Dow Jones its Kate Spade business. gains in Tokyo and a slump in the pound, with most start with good earnings from McDonald’s and several Industrial Average was down 143.28 points, or 0.59 Apple, the world’s biggest publicly traded company, world indices shut owing to public holidays. Investors merger announcements. — Reuters

beginning of the year, so a lot of the dollar weakness vey data showed British manufacturing growth slid- UK territories Dollar turns positive has been pretty much wiped out,” said Sireen Harajli, ing to a 17-month low. Markets do not expect a foreign exchange strategist at Mizuho in New York. change in interest rates from the Federal Reserve at The euro, which has been knocked by weaker-than- the conclusion of its meeting today, though analysts ordered to open for 2018 before expected economic data and growing doubts about will be watching for any change in language and any when the European Central Bank will normalize its indications that a June hike is likely. monetary policy, fell 0.45 percent against the green- Investors are also focused on Friday’s employment up about Fed meeting back to $1.2023. report for April for further indications of the strength The dollar also pushed past key levels against the of the US economy and inflation pressures. secretive firms NEW YORK: The US dollar surged into positive Australian dollar, the Swedish crown, Swiss franc and Geopolitical tensions, including around a US-China territory for 2018 yesterday and broke past key the British pound. The US economy has shown signs trade spat, have also subsided in recent weeks to LONDON: Britain’s government agreed yesterday to levels against several currencies as a divergence of strength in 2018 that few other developed support the dollar. order its overseas territories to make secretive company between growth and the interest rate outlook ver- economies can match. “There was some concerns about the potential for ownership information public to try to tackle corruption sus other countries spurred investors to chase the “The key US dollar driver has been the divergence trade wars and the US administration’s hard line on and tax avoidance. currency higher. The dollar, traded against a basket between economic data in the US and the rest of the China. That seems to have eased a little bit and given Overseas territories and crown dependencies have come of major currencies, rose 0.45 percent to 92.250, world, and US data continues to look comparatively markets some sense of comfort,” said Harajli. Traders under increasing pressure to reveal who is behind anony- the highest since Jan. 11 and higher than where it robust,” Morgan Stanley said. said relatively illiquid markets because of holidays mously owned companies, with campaign groups saying started the year. Sterling extended losses yesterday to below the across much of Europe and parts of Asia had exacer- $1.37 line for the first time in 3-1/2 months after sur- bated moves yesterday. — Reuters such secrecy aids money laundering, tax evasion and cor- “We’re pretty much back to where we were at the rupt diversion of public funds from developing economies. Many of these territories, such as the Cayman Islands and the British Virgin Islands, have large financial services sectors fied chaebol families, with multiple family because they levy low taxes and ownership of businesses Nut rage sister members implicated in alleged bad behav- lacks transparency. ior,” Chung Sun-sup of online information Despite repeated calls for more openness, British crown faces fruit juice service chaebol.com told AFP. dependencies and overseas territories are only required to reveal information on the true owners of offshore companies ‘Family misdeeds’ to law enforcement bodies, and then only if asked. Alan questions in In the most infamous incident, the chair- Duncan, a junior foreign office minister, told parliament the man’s elder daughter Cho Hyun-ah made government would support an amendment brought by two S Korea global headlines in 2014 for forcing two Members of Parliament calling for a central register of compa- flight attendants to kneel and beg for for- ny ownership in these territories as lawmakers debated an SEOUL: The stony-faced daughter of a giveness after she was served macadamia amendment on an anti-money laundering law. Korean billionaire, whose older sister was nuts in a bag rather than a bowl. “We have listened to the strength of feeling in his house on brought low by the “nut rage” scandal, She ordered the Seoul-bound flight back this issue and accept that it is without a doubt the majority apologized yesterday as she reported to to the gate so one of them could be ejected view of this house that the overseas territories should have police for questioning over allegations she in an incident quickly dubbed “nut rage”. public registers,” Duncan said. Britain has been making efforts sprayed a business associate in the face Since the accusations against her sister to clamp down on tax evasion and corrupt flows of money with fruit juice. “I’m really sorry for causing emerged, hundreds of Korean Air personnel through its large financial services sector, but has faced resist- concern,” Cho Hyun-min repeatedly told a have joined an online chat room to allege ance from some of its overseas territories because the secrecy crowd of journalists outside the Gangseo Cho family misdeeds against employees and and low taxes are what makes their finance sectors attractive. police station in Seoul, without admitting to domestic staff. Police said last week they Margaret Hodge, the opposition Labor Member of any specific actions. Cho, who police said is were investigating allegations that the sis- Parliament who introduced the amendment, said it will help accused of using violence and obstructing ters’ mother Lee Myung-hee had herself prevent tax evasion and disrupt the activities of criminal gangs business, is the daughter of Hanjin Group abused employees verbally and physically. and militant groups. chairman Cho Yang-ho. Korean Air said the company had no “It will stop them exploiting our secret regime, hiding their Hanjin is among the country’s 15 biggest comment. The family are also accused of toxic wealth and laundering money into the legitimate system, business groups, owner of flag carrier using Korean Air planes to smuggle luxury often for nefarious purposes,” she said. Korean Air, logistics and transport firms, and goods into the country to avoid import “With open registers we will then know who owns with interests in information technology and duties. what and where, and we will be able to see where the hotels. It used to own Hanjin Shipping, once Chairman Cho Yang-ho-who last year money flows, and then we will better equipped to root one of the world’s biggest shipping firms, faced accusations of embezzling company out dirty money and deal with the issues that arise from which was declared bankrupt last year. funds, although prosecutors rejected a that.” Duncan Hames, a director of policy at The younger daughter’s police interro- request for his arrest-last month apologized Transparency International UK, said these territories gation is only the controlling family’s latest for the “immature” behavior of his daugh- have been the “Achilles Heel” of Britain’s defense against brush with the law, with a series of scan- ters, both of whom resigned from their money laundering. dals making them some of the country’s executive posts. “Corrupt individuals everywhere will be deeply concerned most notorious super-wealthy. South The row could yet impact Korean Air that they are about to lose the secrecy afforded by the British Korea’s economy-the world’s 11th-largest- itself, and other conglomerates. Thousands Overseas Territories that has until now given them an easy is dominated by a series of giant business of petitioners went to the presidential Blue route to launder their ill-gotten gains,” he said. — Reuters conglomerates known as chaebols. In the House homepage, urging the government past, the chaebols contributed to the to ban the airline from using “Korean” in its country’s fast economic growth, but as the name and to expel Cho Hyun-min, who was founders’ sons and grandsons took over born in the US and is an American citizen. they expanded into every corner of busi- Under South Korean immigration law, ness, and now stand accused of suffocat- foreigners found to have disturbed social ing smaller companies and hampering order or harmed public safety can be innovation. They have long had murky ties ordered to leave the country. Former law- with political authorities-Samsung scion maker Park Won-suk said the Cho family Lee Jae-yong was jailed last year for his controversies would serve as a “catalyst” role in the corruption scandal that brought for a reform drive. President Moon Jae-in down president Park Geun-hye, although was elected last year partly on promises to most of his convictions were quashed on reform the chaebols-a pledge various politi- appeal. cians have made many times before. Many chaebol families retain only a small There has been little action so far, but ownership stake in their companies, but Chung noted that the justice ministry last maintain control through complex webs of week introduced a bill to grant minority cross-shareholdings between subsidiaries, shareholders a greater voice in appointing and rapid promotions for family members- board members. The move was “apparently LONDON: Britain’s International Trade Secretary Liam Fox some of whose antics have battered the in sync with mounting public demand for leaves after attending the weekly meeting of the cabinet at firms’ images. chaebol reform triggered by the Cho case”, Downing Street in central London yesterday. — AFP “The Cho family is one of the most vili- he said. — AFP

vying for a share of that market is growing faster report monthly sales and instead will just post US April auto than demand, threatening the fat profits automak- sales on a quarterly basis. But industry estimates ers have enjoyed. “That is a very competitive part showed the company posting a monthly decline of the market ... with so many new entries,” Ford’s for April of anywhere up to 8 percent. sales show US sales chief Mark LaNeve said of the SUV Ford said yesterday it will continue to post segment on a conference call with analysts and monthly sales. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV lackluster reporters. (FCA) posted an overall sales increase of 5 per- Last year, US auto sales fell 2 percent after hit- cent in April. But retail sales to consumers were start to spring ting a record high of 17.55 million units in 2016. down 1 percent while lower-margin fleet sales to Sales are expected to fall further in 2018 as higher rental car companies and government agencies DETROIT: Major automakers yesterday posted interest rates push up monthly car payments. Also, were up 5 percent. lower new vehicle sales in April as consumer millions of nearly new vehicles will return to the Sales of the company’s popular Jeep brand hit demand continued to weaken following a lengthy market this year after coming off lease, providing a record for the month. But sales of FCA’s Ram boom for the industry. Auto sales have been on a a lower-cost alternative for consumers. “We pickup truck were down 9 percent in April. FCA bit of a roller coaster ride this year, with a weak believe the industry continues to operate at a said last week when it reported first-quarter performance in February followed by a jump in very healthy level,” Ford’s LaNeve said. “With a results that it had encountered problems ramping sales for some automakers in March. plateauing market, you are going to get some up production of the new RAM 1500 pick-up Ford Motor Co posted a 4.7-percent decline in bumpiness.” truck at its U.S. Sterling Heights plant. Toyota sales, with retail sales to consumers down 2.6 per- Nissan Motor Co Ltd’s sales hit quite a bump, Motor Corp posted a 4.7 percent decline in sales cent. The No 2 US automaker said sales of its plunging 28 percent in April. The Japanese for April, with a 1.5 percent increase in SUV and popular pickup trucks were up 0.9 percent, but automaker’s passenger cars dropped nearly 35 pickup truck sales offset by a 12.7 percent drop in SUV and passenger car sales were down 4.6 per- percent and SUV and truck sales were down 23.1 passenger car sales. Sales of the company’s cent and 15 percent respectively. percent. Even sales of the company’s popular recently revamped flagship Camry sedan were For years, US consumers have been shifting SUV crossover model Rogue were down almost down 5 percent. In late morning trading, Ford away from traditional passenger cars in favor of 15 percent. shares were flat, GM was down 44 cents or 1.2 larger and more comfortable pickup trucks, SUVs No 1 US automaker General Motors Co percent at $36.31 an d FCA was down 0.6 percent and crossovers. But the number of new models announced last month that it would no longer or 13 cents at $21.70. — Reuters Established 1961 21 Business Wednesday, May 2, 2018 Boubyan Bank launches business banking unit to support SMEs Step to encourage young Kuwaiti entrepreneurs: Al-Tuwaijri

KUWAIT: Boubyan Bank announced the launch of He went on to add: “Due to this dilemma, services were designed to be smart banking solu- include the ePay service, which is a payment col- a package of banking solutions for business bank- Boubyan has introduced the solution by establish- tions aiming at understanding the needs of busi- lection service, provided by Boubyan Bank to ing in light of the remarkable growth of SMEs in ing a special business banking unit at the bank nesses and providing a variety of exceptional ben- companies in order to enable them to collect the Kuwait. This step came to encourage more young which shall cater for the business sector and SMEs efits which would make it possible to manage sev- payments by sending an SMS including the invoice Kuwaitis to take up this types of businesses in vari- in particular. This unit is comprised of Kuwaiti eral banking transactions smoothly and easily while number to their clients who can pay online using ous domains. youths who advise entrepreneurs around the enjoying a wide range of smooth banking services their debit cards”. Abdulla Al-Tuwaijri, Boubyan Bank’s Deputy clock.” “The new services keep up with the mod- which are available around the clock. All these benefits are coupled with the newly CEO, stated: “In the past years, we have witnessed ern changes, namely in technology as a customer Boubyan Business Banking services allow busi- designed business credit card, which is especially a remarkable growth in the establishment of small may get all the provided services either by mobile nesses to manage their accounts, submit requests, designed to give cardholders an exceptional range projects at the hands of thousands of Kuwaiti or internet banking in addition to the conventional check their balances, and review accounts’ details of benefits, giving them access to a wide range of youths who are enthusiastic to do private business. banking method such as branches.”, he added. in addition to many other online services such as offers and unique experiences with the leading This necessitated a response from the banking Al-Tuwaijri stressed that Boubyan Bank’s top staff salary transfers, local and international fund Abdulla Al-Tuwaijri Zaid Al-Sadoun international trademarks. Also, the business banking industry including Boubyan Bank to customize management put the youths with private business transfers, ordering chequebooks, audit certificates services include elbooq service which is a mobile solutions that cater for this segment.” as a top priority as a part of the management’s and access to all the details of accounts as well as sale transactions easier, smoother and more secure app-based payment service provided by Boubyan “Boubyan banking solutions for business bank- social commitment towards the Kuwaiti society. printing & downloading account statements, for companies while maintaining all their advan- Bank to its subscribers of all consumer and mer- ing come as a response to meet the demands and deposit service and many other services. tages. Boubyan Bank further extends the payment chant segments in order to process payment trans- needs of the youths, especially that their projects Special solutions The staff salary transfer service, same as many service which is designed for companies and retail- actions and to receive payments by various elbooq have recently faced several challenges since they Speaking about the special banking services, other services, has many benefits and can be ers, allowing them to manage their commercial accounts. A subscriber may use elbooq by Boubyan do not rank under either corporate or retail servic- Zaid Rashid Al-Sadoun, Senior Manager - accessed swiftly and smoothly online. A customer transactions online. Bank and may make transfers between elbooq es banking-wise.”, he added. Business Banking, stated that the business banking may also benefit from POS machines which make Al-Sadoun also stated: “The new solutions account and the bank account linked with it.

KAMCO acts as Joint Lead Manager Jazeera Airways adds and Bookrunner for DAMAC’s Tbilisi to travelers’ list of USD 400mn sukuk issuance KUWAIT: KAMCO Investment Company, a Managers in DAMAC’s latest sukuk trans- summer destinations! leading investment company with one of the action. This transaction was another step largest AUMs in the region, acted as one of towards KAMCO offering both Islamic and the Joint Lead Managers (“JLMs”) and conventional services to its clients in the bookrunners for Dubai real estate develop- region. Islamic sukuk are a key component Khaled Fouad Omar Zaineddine er DAMAC Properties’ (“DAMAC”) USD to corporates and governments funding 400 million 5 year sukuk issuance with a base. We will also continue to provide our developers in the region. With a unique 6.625% yield. trusted clients with various financial solu- understanding and in-depth knowledge of In addition to KAMCO, Barclays, Dubai tions that will strengthen their position industry trends, the investment banking Islamic Bank, Emirates NBD Capital and while improving the local and regional team will continue to be actively involved in HSBC acted as JLMs in the Islamic sukuk economy.” investment banking transaction that add issuance. The transaction was well received Also commenting on the issuance, Mr. value to both KAMCO’s clients and the by international and regional investors with Omar Zaineddine, Senior Vice President capital markets as a whole.” orders reaching USD 850 million. and Head on the Investment Banking of KAMCO Investment Company, incor- Mr. Khaled Fouad, Chief Investment Department at KAMCO, said, “We are porated in the Dubai International Financial Officer at KAMCO, said, “KAMCO is very proud to have played a role in the sukuk Centre and regulated by the Dubai pleased to have been one of the Joint Lead issuance of one of the leading real-estate Financial Services Authority. KUWAIT: Seeking to provide travelers with Head of the Georgian National Tourism a variety of leisure destinations, Jazeera Administration, George Chogovadze said: Airways, Kuwait’s leading low cost airline, ‘We are delighted to welcome Jazeera 1. A FullView display to see great possibilities operating regionally and internationally, is Airways to the Georgian market. The GCC The young The big world awaits you! See your world in proud to announce the launch of its three region is among our top priority markets full with the amazing FullView display that deliv- weekly flights to Tbilisi, capital and largest and it is the fastest growing market for in- generation’s ers an amazing viewing experience. Whether city in Georgia from 13 June 2018. bound tourism. Our team will closely collab- you want to watch movies, play games, read your favorite books or magazines, or check “Following our successful launch to orate with Jazeera Airways on joint market- smartphone is social media, the Y Series’ display will make you Baku last year, we are extending our reach ing campaigns to further promote Georgia enjoy it. Designed with a 18:9 display ratio, it to address a growing travel demand for in Kuwait and the rest of the GCC region. allows you to see 12.5 percent more content popular choices outside of the region. We wish Jazeera Airways the best of luck finally here! while offering you the best gaming, entertain- Tbilisi is a fascinating city with wonderful and look forward to a fruitful partnership! ment and multi-tasking experience. architecture and provides a really diverse Jazeera have appointed Voyager as their KUWAIT: As the first generation to come of age in and unique cultural experience, which trav- general sales agent in Georgia as their the era of the smartphone, the Generation Z 2. A great camera to shoot awesome pictures elers from Kuwait will enjoy. Additionally, partner to promote and sell flights through embraces technology and communicates digitally. Rock your Instagram with amazing selfies and the new route will open connections from the Georgian travel trade. The smartphone has become an extension of young pictures! The Y Series offers advanced camera Y7, Y6 and Y9 smartphones offer cool, fun fea- Tbilisi to Kuwait and onwards to Egypt, Mariam Kvrivishvili, General Director of consumers’ hands as they rely on it to do their daily features for you to capture breathtaking pictures. tures that include group music, karaoke mode, Saudi Arabia, Dubai and India,” said CEO Voyager commented, ‘It is an honor and tasks. They spend over 4 hours online shopping, The Y9 Series is packed with 4 cameras, 2 at the dual Bluetooth, Face Unlock, Game Suite, smart of Jazeera Airways, Rohit Ramachandran. privilege to represent Jazeera Airways on reading, browsing social media pages, and 98 per- front and 2 at the back to capture amazing shots. split-screen, eye comfort, three-finger screen- shot, navigation dock, and mini screen view. Ideal for all travelers looking to explore Georgian market. They have built a great cent of them say they own a smartphone. The Y7 Series offers a rear dual camera and a short breaks, Jazeera Airways will provide a reputation as a low cost champion in The smartphone is by far the most impor- selfie toning flash to capture amazing selfies: even with zero makeup on, you will naturally glow in 4. Amazing battery for loads of fun frequency of three weekly flights scheduled Kuwait and the Gulf region, hence I believe tant device in young people’s lives; this is for departure at 14:50 pm and arrival at this truly is an important step for the devel- the pictures! And because pictures don’t have to Gone are the days when your battery dies on why they are very demanding when it comes be boring, you can use the AR lens features to be you! The Y Series smartphones offers you long 18:20 pm in Shota Rustaveli Tbilisi opment of Georgia’s tourism sector, as well to choosing a device that caters to their International Airport and departure at 19:10 as the promotion of the country’s travel creative and add a hint of fun to your snaps! battery life to support your activities, even if lifestyle. Taking to heart young consumers’ they’re power-draining. The Y9 offers a 4000 pm with arrival in Kuwait at 20:45 pm. potential across Jazeera Airways’ network. needs, Huawei designed the new Y Series, a mAh while the Y5, Y6 and Y7 are packed with a Visa procedures - Visa free policy for I strongly believe that the partnership 3. Cool technology to make your life easy new affordable series of smartphones packed If you’re a tech whiz, the Y Series has got you 3000 mAh battery. You can play intensive nationals and residents of GCC countries. between Voyager and Jazeera Airways will with advanced technology and amazing cam- covered! The Series smartphones come with the games, watch movies, and listen to your music Furthermore, valid visas from Shengen develop dynamically and further support era features that will be the ideal companion Android 8.0-based EMUI 8.0 that supports tracks knowing that your smartphone packs a states, United States of America, United the achievement of mutually beneficial for today’s tech-savvy generation. Here are 4 great technology features to offer you a seam- smart power management solution to save bat- Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan and goals set forth by both countries.’ top things to know about this Series. less experience and make your life easier. The tery and deliver an outstanding performance. South Korea are also granted visa free entry Jazeera Airways will soon be opening into Georgia. For travelers who aren’t in the their new terminal in May at Kuwait above category, an e-visa online service is International Airport, brining an enhanced available at www.evisa.gov.ge with a fee. passenger experience to its customers. Located between Europe and Asia, Jazeera Airways currently operates a Australia’s Tbilisi is an industrial and multicultural city fleet of 9 Airbus A320 aircraft. Passengers that features many art galleries and can enjoy a baggage allowance of 30kg for biggest company renowned artists tourist attractions, includ- Economy class and 50kg per Business class ing the Memorial history of Georgia, passenger. To book the flights to Tbilisi or Dancing fountains, Tbilisi Opera and ballet learn more about Jazeera Airways services, CBA slammed theatre, Freedom Monument, Jumah offers, promotions and destinations, cus- Mosque, Tbilisi Great Synagogue, Rustaveli tomers can visit the airline’s website at for ‘complacent Avenue, Narikala Fortress and the jazeeraairways.com, use the Jazeera app, or Mtatsminda Pantheon. contact their travel agent. culture’ SYDNEY: Australia’s biggest company, the Commonwealth Bank, has a complacent cul- meeting by a quarter percentage point to a target ture and ineffective board, the country’s finan- Fed likely to keep range of between 1.50 percent and 1.75 percent. It cial services regulator said yesterday in a currently forecasts another two rate rises this year, scathing assessment after a series of scandals. rates steady; although an increasing number of policymakers The banking giant has been embroiled in see three as possible. The Fed’s next policy meet- claims it broke anti-money laundering and ing after this week is scheduled for June 12-13. counter-terrorism financing laws and is also SYDNEY: Signage for Australia’s biggest company, the Commonwealth Bank, is seen investors bet Investors overwhelmingly see a rate hike then. The facing court over alleged rigging of the on a building in Sydney yesterday. The Commonwealth Bank has a complacent cul- pace of rate increases has picked up since the benchmark interest rate, which is used to set ture and ineffective board, the country’s financial services regulator said yesterday in on June hike central bank began its tightening cycle in the price of domestic financial products. a scathing assessment after a series of scandals. — AFP December 2015. It raised rates once in 2016, but The Australian Prudential Regulation WASHINGTON: The US Federal Reserve is set lifted borrowing costs three times last year amid a Authority (APRA) launched an inquiry into da of every single board meeting in this coun- bank’s top executives. “And over the next to hold interest rates steady this week but will strengthening economy. the lender last year to examine its governance, try, regardless of whether you’re a bank or week I am going to have responses from all of likely further encourage expectations that it will Unemployment is at a 17-year low of 4.1 per- culture and accountability. Its overarching not,” he said. Morrison said it showed the those 500 leaders coming back to me, and a lift borrowing costs in June on the back of rising cent and the Trump administration’s tax cuts and conclusion was that “CBA’s continued financial bank had “a complacent culture, dismissive of discussion across all of the top leadership inflation and low unemployment. Investors have fiscal stimulus are expected to further juice the success dulled the senses of the institution”, regulators, an ineffective board that lacked groups in the Commonwealth Bank talking all but priced out the chance of a rate hike at the economy. Ahead of this week’s meeting, Powell particularly over the management of non- zeal and failed to provide oversight, a lack of about how things are going to be different,” end of the Fed’s two-day policy meeting today, has stuck to flagging a middle-of-the-road financial risks. “These risks were neither accountability and ownership of key risks by he said. The bank was taken to the Federal particularly given its adherence in recent years approach on rate increases in the face of data clearly understood nor owned, the frame- senior executives”. CBA said it had given an Court last August for “serious and systemic to only raising rates at meetings that are fol- showing the robust economy had not yet trig- works for managing them were cumbersome “enforceable undertaking” to APRA to non-compliance” of anti-money laundering lowed by press conferences. gered a jump in inflation. Data on Monday, how- and incomplete, and senior leadership was address all recommendations made in the laws more than 53,000 times, with financial The central bank is due to announce its deci- ever, showed that price gains are now near the slow to recognize, and address, emerging report. They include a more rigorous level of intelligence watchdog AUSTRAC filing 100 sion at 2 pm EDT (1800 GMT) today. Fed Fed’s 2 percent target. threats to CBA’s reputation,” its report said. governance, improving accountability, and a other claims in December. Chairman Jerome Powell is not scheduled to hold a The Fed’s preferred measure of inflation While emphasizing CBA had a sound cultural change “that moves the dial from CBA in March said it plans to enter medi- press conference.“Fed speakers have done little to soared 1.9 percent in the 12 months through financial position, Treasurer Scott Morrison reactive and complacent to empowered, chal- ation in the case. Alongside Australia’s three push back against this expectation ... we expect no March, the biggest increase since February said the APRA report was damning. “The lenging and striving for best practice”. other major lenders-National Australia Bank, fireworks,” JPMorgan economist Michael Feroli 2017, after increasing 1.6 percent in the year report, I think, is required reading not only for CBA’s new chief executive Matt Comyn Westpac and ANZ-CBA is also under scrutiny said in a note to clients. The Fed raised its bench- through February, the US Commerce every financial institution in this country, but, said the report was “confronting” and that he in a royal commission looking into misconduct mark overnight lending rate at its March 20-21 Department reported. — Reuters frankly, it should be the next item on the agen- had printed 500 copies and sent them to the in the finance industry. — AFP 22 Established 1961 What’s On Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Mais Alghanim announces weekly raffle for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2018

ais Alghanim To Go recently announced its lat- scription. The last draw will also include a grand prize throughout the Mais Alghanim To Go outlets across with the announcement of new To Go menu with a spe- est promotion for the summer season with of coupons worth KD 300/- with the TV and the Kuwait. Once the winner is announced, they must bring cial variety of new delicious dishes and distinctive cui- M“Wanna Watch the World Cup” for customers receiver. Please note that this offer is only valid at Mais the original bill with the original coupon in order to sine. In addition to this, there are newly added dishes to enjoy watching the World Cup this year with a bun- Alghanim To Go. redeem his gift. The customers can get the participation that are inserted carefully to meet the customer’s differ- dle of special prizes. Also, they announced the first win- The conditions for participation in the weekly draw coupon for pick up order as well as delivery orders. ent tastes. For more information or orders, call the hot- ner Winson Paul, who won the first raffle draw prize on are as follows. For every KD 15 spent at any branch of The offer is valid from 18th April until 12th June 2018 line or order through Talabat & Carriage Apps. Orders Wednesday 25th April 2018. The promotion prizes the Mais Alghanim To Go, the customer is entitled to a and the last draw will be on Wednesday 13th June 2018 can be delivered to any destination inside Kuwait or include eight Wansa 65” TV 4K UHD. In addition, the coupon. This coupon needs to be filled in completely in at Mais Alghanim To Go located in Creative Design picked up at Mais Alghanim To Go branches in Bneid Al winner gets a beIN receiver with 2018 World Cup sub- order and dropped in any of the raffle boxes available mall, Shuwaikh. This promotion comes in collaboration Qar, Salmiya, Shuwaikh, Fintas, Hawally, and Ardiya.

Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel celebrates five years of success

ince the day it opened its doors on May 7th, 2013, Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa has consis- Stently raised the level of luxury hospitality, creat- ing memorable experiences through unmatched unique services. This year, the hotel proudly celebrates five years of great achievements, outstanding hospitality and a milestone of awards for excellence. To honor this occasion, the luxurious landmark offers for the first time a special 50% discount on room will also host 5 consecutive days of raffle draws. pride in the loyalty we receive from our guests that 3rd consecutive year, Hotel & Spa of the Year 2018 by bookings received on Monday May 7th for a stay Starting on May 6th to May 10th, diners to the popular keep Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa as a main Travel & Hospitality Awards, Leading Luxury Beach between May 7th and September 30th, 2018 excluding restaurant have the chance to win complimentary lunch key player in the local hospitality scene. For the coming Resort in 2017 by World Luxury Hotel Awards for the public holidays. This special stay entitles guests an or dinner for two persons. years, we look forward to keep designing experiences 2nd consecutive year and a series of World Luxury Spa additional 50% discount on lunch and dinner buffet in General Manager Savino Leone said: “Ever since the that go beyond our guests’ expectations to make them & Restaurant Awards. The coveted awards prove the the all-day dining restaurant Garden Cafe. opening of this unique resort in Kuwait, our aim was to feel extra special during their time with us”. hotel’s strong regional and international appeal, With dining excellence playing such a key role in the create memorable experiences and offer our Jumeirah’s The luxurious property scooped a variety of presti- becoming a destination for all guests from business and resort, Garden Cafe, known for its beautiful outdoor promise of “Stay Different TM which is the inspiration gious awards throughout the years. Most recently, corporate to family and leisure holidaymakers for the terrace, live cooking stations and international buffet, behind our culture and our innovative thinking. We take Leading Business Hotel by World Travel Awards for the next five years and beyond.

Ameen Jamal Al Dosari in the presence Grand Hyper’s of eminent cultural and community leaders in Kuwait. 50th showroom Thousands of customers turned up enthusiastically for the inaugural cere- mony braving the dusty weather con- The Knowledge opens in the GCC ditions making the event a success. The main highpoint of the new branch is the Food Court as there are no restaurants Club 2018 n the midst of a splendid display of or eateries in the close vicinity. The Indo-Arab cultural festivity, the Indian and Chinese cuisines served at I50th branch of Grand Hypermarket the Food Court are sure to be a deli- igor Events - in co-operation with Al Gas was officially inaugurated on Friday, cious relief to the many hundreds of events- presents LifeHack Bootcamp, a 2-day 27th April, at Souq Al Kabir in Kuwait employees working in the area. VWorkshop with the founders behind Lifehack City. Offering a cultural feast to the The retail chain has been catering to Bootcamp, the top ranked productivity and lifestyle guests were exclusive performances of both citizens and expatriates with a Design Company, Demir Bentley and Carey Bentley. Punjabi dance, traditional drums from wide range of products that are much This powerful, solution-based workshop is designed Kerala, and items from other Indian sought-after for their high quality and to destroy the hundreds of distractions that are bog- states including Bengal. competitive pricing. Grand ging all business professionals down and keeping them The much-awaited 50th branch of Hypermarket achieves this by sourcing from highest performance, learn super-hacks to master Grand Hyper in the GCC was inaugu- the items directly from the source, focus and spend more time on top priorities, so can rated by Sheikh Dawood Salman Al bypassing middlemen, thus transferring measurably increase your impact, build discipline and Sabah. This also happens to be the the price benefits to the end consumer. customers a wide range of world- apart from the others. The success of motivation throughout the course of the workshop, so group’s 13th outlet in Kuwait. Grand In addition to the competitive pricing, class products and brands. Enabling this strategy of putting the consumer that this new knowledge starts to become habitual. Hyper and Regency Group’s Dubai innumerable prizes are also awaiting the everyday customer access high first has been proven by the chain’s Lifehack Bootcamp is a top ranked productivity Managing Director conducted the first customers throughout the year. quality products for affordable rates continuous expansion in various program led by head coach Demir Bentley. Lifehack official sales transaction with Dr Anwar Grand Hypermarket provides its is what sets Grand Hypermarket parts of the GCC. Bootcamp is an innovator in the online productivity space, breaking numerous industry records for client engagement and results. Their focus is converting knowledge into ACTION and leaving each partici- is famous for its quirky and unique pant with an insight, tool, or technology that changes Rocket World items, yet of functional value for every- their life. day use. It is worth mentioning that Demir Bentley and Carey introduces Rocket World products are sure to Bentley the founders behind Lifehack Bootcamp, the stand out of the crowd, thanks to their top ranked productivity and lifestyle Design Company unique gifts in functionality and unique look and feel for high performing professionals who want to bring providing exiting and vibrant experi- sanity back in their work environment. Their work has ences, ranging from purses and hair been featured in Forbes, Bloomberg, WSJ, HuffPo, and its first store brushes, to home and kitchen-wares. on podcasts like Forbes 30 under 30, Amy Porterfield’s Today, everyone who walks into Online Marketing Made Easy, The ONE Thing, and Rocket World’s realm can say goodbye Don’t Keep Your Day Job. ocket World, a new concept to standard earphones, mugs, mirrors, They’re Influencive Top 25 Influencers and members specializing in unique and fun notepads, pens, watches, travel pillows of the elite Forbes Coaches Council. They adapt the no Rgifting ideas, opened its first and others practical items. excuses coaching style and passion for creating huge store in Kuwait located at Shuwaikh in Mohit Sawhney, Rocket World’s transformation in each of their clients. Carey and Demir Al Sager Complex, across from Mayar Brand Manager, stated: “We are also known for leading by example and constantly Complex. The opening night gathered proud to be launching a new concept pushing the boundaries of lifestyle design, traveling a vibrant crowd who came to discover in Kuwait that was especially created around the world and experimenting with different and experience the wide range of to fill a need among all generations ways of living. exclusive products while enjoying the who are interested in unique gifting ty while keeping it affordable for friend such as hotdog shaped staplers, This 2-Day workshop is specially tailored for upbeat music and fun atmosphere. options that express a different spirit everyone.” burger shaped lip balms, watermelon/ Forward-thinking leaders, managers, and self-starters Created to fit a need in Kuwait, with the special experiences they From trendy gifts, funky accessories orange shaped juice containers, or who are ready to commit to change, and driven ambi- Rocket World offers a variety of gifting bring. At Rocket World, we make sure to cool toys, Rocket World offers a even a bicycle shaped pizza cutter. tious people who want to get further, faster. The ideas that suit teens, young adults and to mirror our tag line “Discover the large spectrum of ideas that promise Located in Shuwaikh in Al Sager LifeHack Bootcamp will take place on the 8-9th May, anyone who is young at heart and Difference” in every corner of the great experiences. Customers who Complex, across from Mayar Complex, 2018 from 9am to 3pm at Burgan Meeting Room, Hilton seeks to add the right amount of cute store, starting from staff wearing look for cool and quirky trinkets and Rocket World is the ideal destination Resort Mangaf as part of the Knowledge Club 2018. The quirks in their life. These products are astronauts uniforms, outstanding dis- gifts will have their fill of Rocket for everyone who is looking to own or Knowledge Club(tm) 2018 series is organized by Vigor brought exclusively to Kuwait with the plays behind the counter sales and World’s fantastic lines including the gift funky and cool life stuff without Events and Co-Organized by ALGAS Events Company. sole objective of providing customers special floor tiles, making it a fun famous kikkerland home and kitchen compromising on functionality and Members of the Knowledge Club(tm) this year include with unique gifting options that they place to shop with a twisted experi- accessories, travel and desk functional affordability. Welcomed by the staff Warba Bank as Gold Member, Kuwait Oil Company as currently don’t have in the market, ence. Lastly, we promise to bring the gadgets. Rocket World’s unconvention- dressed like astronauts, people will Corporate Member, media support from the which include selective brands such as best in class of gifting ideas that are al gifts include a wide variety of gadg- surely “Discover the Difference” as International Advertising Association Kuwait (IAA). Pylones, a French gift shop chain that unique in their design and functionali- ets you can present to your food lover soon as they step in the store. Established 1961 23 Health Wednesday, May 2, 2018 Dr Helen Azaryan speaks on new developments in plastic surgery ‘99 percent of the patients are demanding a more natural look’ By Nawara Fattahova

KUWAIT: Medicine is improving and new techniques are coming to the market. Esthetic medicine is one of the most developing, both surgical and non-surgical. Dr Helen Azaryan, Dermatologist, Venereologist, and Cosmetologist at the Ansari Clinic in Salmiya has invent- ed a new technology, the ‘Hap treatment’ (Hyaluronic Acid and PRP ‘plasma therapy’). “By mixing these two materials, I got amazing results. We are using the PRP for a long time, and in this treat- ment we take the blood from the patient, and we separate the white cells from the rest of the cells, activating it, and then injecting it to the skin (PRP). Then the Hyaluronic Acid is known as a filler,” she said during a media round- table held recently. Our skin from the inside consists of three main ingre- dients: “Collagen, elastin, and Hyaluronic. So if we are just injecting the hyaluronic acid for volume, it is not enough for the other ingredients - the collagen and elastin. During the aging process, bones desorption and KUWAIT: Dr Helen Azaryan speaks to the media at the the loss of fats from the face causes sagging skin, and we Ansari Clinic in Salmiya. —Photos by Joseph Shagra notice orbital space under the eyes is bigger and the chin as well as bones start getting smaller,” she added. problems, where it is most common. “When just using the “To replace this, we can just provide volume with Hyaluronic Acid filler in this area, after some time the color Hyaluronic Acid replacement. But with activated plasma changes to blue, so we have to remove the filler and inject it therapy we can stimulate all the cells, which we need to again, as the Hyaluronic Acid collects water. I avoided this activate. And when we mix them together they work problem by producing the PRP in solid form to work as a using the Botox for over 15 years. The trend and demand of and skin after it was originally used as medical treat- better, and stimulate each other better. Hyaluronic filler. I mixed a little of the Hyaluronic Acid with the PRP in patients changed compared to 10 years ago. Today about ment,” stressed Azaryan. Dr Azaryan decided to do stimulates the fiberglass which is the mother cell in the one injection. Here the PRP will first give volume, then it 99 percent of the patients are demanding a more natural researches on the Procerus muscle. “This muscle is not skin and at the same time the PRP stimulates the fiber- will go deeper and increase the collagen and elastin, and at look, so it’s not ideal to have a completely frozen look and attaching to other muscles. I checked the activity of glass and this activation is doubled. This is based on the same time the Hyaluronic Acid will provide volume. So removing all wrinkles, but there should be some natural this muscle with Mayography to show the activity of the researches I did two years ago in Armenia,” the result will be better and for a longer period without moving of the face muscles. So instead of getting the Botox this muscle on 25 patients. So I compared the results explained Azaryan. causing the blue color,” highlighted Azaryan. done every 6 months, we can apply it every 4 months, thus between the groups of patients from those who applied The result of this treatment differs depending on the use less quantity, so we don’t get the angry or freeze look. the antidote and those who didn’t and I didn’t get any Better construction of the skin purpose and dosage. “If it’s only used for rejuvenating The beauty becomes harmonic,” she further said. allergy reaction. The reaction to the antidote differs In this study, she applied the Hyaluronic Acid and the then the sessions should be repeated. But if we used it as “People have different structure and anatomy of their from one patient to another, some get the result after PRP alone and then the combination of both mixed a filler then it can stay for over two years, as the face, they can’t all look the same. We apply the Botox two days while others after a week, but it’s not three together on 57 women. “This evidence-based study was Hyaluronic Acid stays long in the eye area. With this to both the lower and upper parts of the face, to get months. This is something new. Botox is a great thing applied by the skin ultrasound, which is not very popular treatment, we can rejuvenate even other areas of the the right balance, so muscles in both areas work in the but it should be in an experienced hand,” she also said. yet. And before these 57 cases I also applied it on 20 body such as decollete, hands, skin after surgeries, hair same way. Until now there is no antidote for Botox Nose thread is another new practice used by Dr cases by biopsy on smaller areas near the ears. These and many others,” she pointed out. here, but it’s already available in Armenia, Georgia, Azaryan. “I used the nose thread that is used for nose studies showed better construction of the skin when Russia, and some other countries. I also did study on lifting to eliminate and lift the line of the forehead, as this using the mix for all the layers of the skin. The skin ultra- Undesired filler this using neuro-stimulator, which stimulates the nerves is a danger zone for filler. This is a fast solution giving sound machine shows the inner layers of the skin and the The second treatment is about removing or eliminating used as intramuscular injection. So I thought why not lifting effect for long time. This is safer than filler, as the effect of the treatment,” she noted. the wrong Botox application. “Removing the undesired using it to treat the areas that are paralyzed by the wrong injecting of filler into the nose may cause necro- She decided to apply this treatment especially for eye filler has treatment, thus for Botox it is not available yet. I’m Botox. This is the same as using mesotherapy for hair sis,” she concluded. 24 Established 1961

Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Strategic Partner

Abdul Kareem Al Enezy, Abd Al-Rahman Al-Alyan and Hamad Mattar Asaad Bu Nashi Abd Al-Rahman Al-Alyan honoring Kareem Shawqi (Symphony Style Hotel)

Abd Al-Rahman Al-Alyan honoring Sawzan Shaaban

(IK(S9HOTHU(S(S`HUNP]LZ[OLJLY[PÄJH[L[V[OL Group photo Adnan Saad with Anfal Group youngest participant

:LSÄL^P[O(IK(S9HOTHU(S(S`HU (IK(S9HOTHU(S(S`HU[HRLZHZLSÄL

Hosted by Sponsored by Organized by Established 1961 25

Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Son twins winners

Abd Al-Rahman Al-Alyan honoring Zain Abd Al-Rahman Al-Alyan honoring Svitlana Arndt

Adnan Saad, Lisa Thapsem, Abd Al-Rahman Al-Alyan and Sherif Ismael Kaye Saad, Adnan Saad, Palestinian Ambassador and his wife

Abd Al-Rahman Al-Alyan (center) and Adnan Saad (left) explain a drawing to Egyptian Ambassador Tareq Al-Qoni

Hosted by S pon sored by O rganiz e d by 26 Established 1961

Stars Wednesday, May 2, 2018

CROSSWORD 1898 STAR TRACK

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

If choices can be put off, you should and wait until a better time opens for You shine brightly in business as some of the research and production you making decisions. You receive an invitation to join someone after work; have created is a large success. The time to enjoy the results of your hard work has arrived think about this one very carefully. Everywhere you look you seem to encounter block- and you should take pride and joy in every moment. Your career is at the top and brings ages or cut-offs. You aren’t comfortable in your own skin and there seems to be no escap- great satisfaction to you personally. There could be someone near who’s a bit envious, but ing it; let meditation take you to a more peaceful place. Music is an important part of your this is temporary as the person loves and cares for you. Teamwork is appealing when you life, especially now when you need it so much. You detest need and as a result you work accept a project that takes lots of effort and skill. Someone challenges you in a good- very hard to accumulate financial wealth and real estate. You may find yourself in a library natured way but there could be a seed of truth here; a new way to do something could be or book store in search of good fiction. You could have a problem keeping your cool this discovered. Your drive and determination take you a long way toward completion of pay- evening when confronted with the truth. ing off a loan or reaching salary or savings goals.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Scorpio (October 23-November 21) You could be down and upset about something you regret; regrets are the It’s best that you keep your thoughts and suggestions to yourself as you very best way to learn. Hold off on making choices or decisions where your personal life is could experience problems getting others to understand. Working with groups is not concerned. Maintaining your focus upon home or office improvements helps lift your spir- advisable today but could open up for you tomorrow. Make a point to get your affairs in its and you feel productive. You receive an invitation to a uniquely themed party; someone order during this phase; the energy of getting business taken care of is strongly present. you like is a huge help with your costume. A community issue needs your help in cutting You make a decision regarding a serious situation. Peace of mind is bestowed when you through the red tape and getting directly to the problem; something related to natural come to a correct conclusion; living life in a new way is empowering. Your way of thinking beauty is indicated here. You’re able to sneak away early today for a secret meeting about is required for finishing a certain project. Even though you feel like being alone, joining in a surprise party for a loved one. Thoughts clear as you wind down with a great meal and the fun should be a mood lifter; go in and try! Now is the time for material acquisitions . . . movie with someone you love and enjoy. Prosperity is coming to you through hard work.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Gemini (May 21-June 20) Surprising progress at work encourages you to aim higher; a period of Depression seems to be a thing of the past; you re surrounded by peaceful, gains and abundance is prominent. You may be doing more on your own to positive vibrations even when perhaps you don’t want to be. Relax and let reach your personal and professional goals. Don’t forget your friends on the way to suc- ACROSS 3. The fleshy part of the human body that these good times just be and don t worry about tomorrow. Your path is set and the way cess; you’re loved more than you know. Home and work demand your attention more now 1. (Scotland) A small loaf or roll of soft you sit on. you live and learn is pretty much established; this is a time of feeling secure and cared for. than ever before; a period of rapid change has arrived and brings an energy of movement bread. 4. A metallic element having four allotropic Music is important as you work and discover ways to increase your income and acquiring that could take you to places you hadn’t planned on. Love and affection keep you ground- 4. A long narrow opening. forms. some important items. You feel certain you have enough in place regarding planning for ed and feeling secure with your life and those sharing it. Spending time with a new friend 12. An insecticide that is also toxic to ani- 5. West Indian tree having racemes of fra- your future needs. Your ability to make things happen and see them through is strong. helps you understand something confusing; new connections and directions take you in mals and humans. grant white flowers and yielding a Things seem to magically fall into place as you start a new adventure. Happy times ahead interesting directions that help you grow. 15. A river in north central Switzerland that durable timber and resinous juice. with those who just happen to think like you do. runs northeast into the Rhine. 6. A heavy brittle metallic element of the 16. Annual grown especially for its fragrant platinum group. 7. An elongated leather strip (or or strip of Capricorn (December 22-January 19) golden nocturnal flowers. Cancer (June 21-July 22) 17. An associate degree in applied science. similar material) for binding things You’re sensitive to the feelings of those you spend time with today; a friend 18. (informal) Exceptionally good. together or holding something in posi- Awareness of possessions and what these are worth is top of mind for you tion. needs your strong energy. The group looks to you for leadership when a new 19. Type genus of the Rutaceae. now. You have entered a phase of material gains, investments and earnings; situation arises. You could experience a confrontation from someone who regularly dis- 20. Tropical starchy tuberous root. 8. The immaterial part of a person. things unseen are also affected by this energy. A sense of being in a good, secure place is 9. Not provided with a special tip. agrees with you and your methods. Any blockages you experience today are of very short 21. (usually followed by `to') Naturally dis- the hallmark of this period of time; sometimes life just seems to flow more smoothly and duration. As you speak, several people cut you off and make it impossible for you to finish; posed toward. 10. Showing or feeling mirth or pleasure or feels easier to navigate, here s one of those times. There could be dancing with someone happiness. these people don’t mean to do this, they re just thoughtless and rude. Fight the pessimism 25. An implement used to propel or steer a you share strong, sexy chemistry. Your focus is one of productive activity; this includes you feel creeping up; you know you can fight it and win! A sense of balance and peace boat. 11. (Akkadian) God of wisdom. progress made on any level of your life such as material, mental or emotional expansion. 12. Panel forming the lower part of an inte- characterizes your day; you smile as you feel grateful for your blessings. An opportunity to 27. An anxiety disorder associated with Memories linger around your childhood experiences with those you grew up with; an assist with a surprise comes tonight. serious traumatic events and charac- rior wall when it is finished differently intense sense of sadness could accompany this tender time. terized by such symptoms as guilt from the rest. about surviving or reliving the trauma 13. An informal term for a father. in dreams or numbness and lack of 14. A male monarch or emperor (especially Aquarius (January 20- February 18) involvement with reality or recurrent of Russia prior to 1917). Leo (July 23-August 22) 22. Render verbally, "recite a poem". Working smarter not harder is strongly indicated. Your goal is to expedite thoughts and images. Someone dislikes what you have to say regarding their personal choices. 23. A polyvalent metallic element that and simplify. Traditional ways seem complicated when the team looks at new ways to 29. The basic unit of money in Spain. You’re considered to be negative and old-school; stand your ground but resembles chromium and tungsten in reach goals. Insisting on change could disrupt the old guard; this could cause serious dis- 33. Unpleasantly stern. with an open mind. Strong emotional energy is available but manageable if you concen- its properties. agreements. Your one of a kind way is encouraged by open minded people. Your patient 37. A gliding joint between the distal ends trate; you figure out the best way in the end. The foundation of your life is secure and 24. The residue that remains when some- observance unravels a problematic situation. Normalcy and security provide comfort and of the tibia and fibula and the proximal comfortable in the form of home and hearth, domestic bliss this is the prize jewel in your thing is burned. encouragement regarding your home life. A discussion with a colleague or friend uncovers end of the talus. intimate, personal life. You stumble upon a happy musical surprise in an unexpected place. 26. The region of the body of a vertebrate facts that make sense; your logic kicks in. You feel badly for someone who has fallen on 38. Hinge joint in the human leg connecting You acquire belongings such as furnishings, appliances, clothing and perhaps even a vehi- between the thorax and the pelvis. hard times. The stars are aligned to create an energy of being ready and contemplating! the tibia and fibula with the femur and cle. Abundance is available in many areas of your life now; remember where you came 28. A light touch or stroke. Rest well and have sweet dreams. protected in front by the patella. from and be generous with those who have much less than you. 40. Cook and make edible by putting in a 30. (Sumerian) Legendary friend of hot oven. Gilgamish. 31. A vehicle resembling a bicycle but hav- 41. Having or showing or requiring special Virgo (August 23-September 22) Pisces (February 19-March 20) skill. ing skis instead of wheels. 44. (Babylonian) God of storms and wind. 32. A nucleic acid consisting of large mole- cules shaped like a double helix. Words are your friends as your mind is quick and alert; if you are an attor- Friends ask for your assistance in a major project that could require weeks 45. Someone who is morally reprehensible. to complete. The realm of dreams and cosmic laws will continue to be an 46. Resembling or characteristic of a 34. Of or related to genetically distin- ney you have a better than average day in court! You relay your opinions from your spe- guished groups of people. cific view point in an understandable manner. The vibrations indicate that you should stay interest you can’t resist; there are reasons for every occurrence, no matter how baffling. prophet or prophecy. Put your designs on paper before you forget them; you’ll have clear visions of something 49. An artificial language that is a revision 35. God of war. away from shopping or making choices involving colors or designs; this is temporary, be 36. A respondent who avoids giving a patient. You enjoy a sense of being cared for and secure on an intimate level. Material that could help many. You’re determined to add a splash to your decor; you look in very and simplification of Esperanto. different places and find just the thing! You may have the urge to examine your thoughts 50. A silvery soft waxy metallic element of clear direct answer. gains are strongly present and you feel thankful to be free from want. You no longer 39. (used of count nouns) Every one con- choose to use old methods you feel could be improved upon; if someone complains ignore and motives; trust your heart and intuition, you are loved. You truly enjoy seeing a former the alkali metal group. coworker or perhaps this indicates a former student. No matter, you re held in high esteem 53. Egyptian statesman who became pres- sidered individually. them. Someone could try to put pressure on you to do something you really don’t want to 42. Angular distance above the horizon do; remember saying no is always an option. and affection by most people you have worked with in any way. ident in 1981 after Sadat was assassi- (especially of a celestial object). nated (born in 1929). 43. A Nilotic language. 57. The syllable naming the fourth (sub- 47. A white metallic element that burns dominant) note of the diatonic scale in with a brilliant light. Wordsearch Puzzle Yesterday’s Solution solmization. 48. A selective-serotonin reuptake 58. Designating a solution containing 1 inhibitor commonly prescribed as an mole of solute per 1000 grams of sol- antidepressant (trade name Prozac). vent. 51. A windlass rotated in a horizontal 59. Cubes of meat marinated and cooked plane. on a skewer usually with vegetables. 52. An independent ruler or chieftain 60. English illustrator of several of Dickens' (especially in Africa or Arabia). novels (1815-1882). 54. A Loloish language. 62. The Creator. 55. Put in the mind of someone. 69. An island of central Hawaii. 56. A loose sleeveless outer garment made 72. Open-heart surgery in which the rib from aba cloth. cage is opened and a section of a 61. Large strong hand (as of a fighter). blood vessel is grafted from the aorta 63. A rapid series of short loud sounds (as to the coronary artery to bypass the might be heard with a stethoscope in blocked section of the coronary artery some types of respiratory disorders). and improve the blood supply to the 64. A blue dye obtained from plants or heart. made synthetically. 73. American prizefighter who won the 65. Affected manners intended to impress world heavyweight championship others. three times (born in 1942). 66. The habitation of wild animals. 74. A person with the same name as 67. Very dark black. another. 68. Largest known toad species. 77. An informal debt instrument. 70. A syndrome that occurs in many 78. A logarithmic unit of sound intensity women from 2 to 14 days before the equal to 10 decibels. onset of menstruation. 79. Administer or bestow, as in small por- 71. (informal) Informed about the latest tions. trends. 80. A nucleic acid that transmits genetic 75. The branch of computer science that information from DNA to the cyto- deal with writing computer programs plasm. that can solve problems creatively. 76. The branch of engineering science that DOWN studies the uses of electricity and the 1. A small cake leavened with yeast. equipment for power generation and 2. An association of people to promote the distribution and the control of welfare of senior citizens. machines and communication.

Yesterday’s Solution

Daily SuDoku Yesterday’s Solution ClassifiedsWednesday, May 2, 2018

Sabah Hospital 24812000 Amiri Hospital 22450005

DAAYY: 7XHVGDD\\  99DDOLG )URP  30 77RR  $0 Maternity Hospital 24843100 Expected WeWeather for the Next 24 Hours Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital 25312700 Chest Hospital 24849400 %< 1,*+7 3DUUWWO\ FORXG\ WR FORXG\ ZLWK OLJKW WR PRGHUDWH IIUUHVKHQLQJ  DW WLPHHV VRXWK HDVWHUO\ ZLQG WR QRUUWWK ZHVWHUO\ ZLQG ZLWWKK VSHHG  RI    NPK ZLWK D FKDQFH IIRRU UDLQ WKDW PLJKW  EH WKXQGHUU\\ DW WLPHV Farwaniya Hospital 24892010

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STTAAATTION 0$;5(& 0,1(;3 6)& &+$57   87& Physiotherapy Hospital 24874330/9 .8::$$,7 &,7<  ƒ&  ƒ& .8::$$,7 $,5325577  ƒ&  ƒ& $%'$//<<  ƒ&  ƒ& Kaizen center 25716707 %8%<<$$$11  ƒ&  ƒ& Rawda 22517733 -$+55$$  ƒ&  ƒ& Adaliya 22517144 ))$$,/$.$ ,6/$$11'  ƒ&  ƒ& Khaldiya 24848075 6$/0,<<$$+  ƒ&  ƒ& Kaifan 24849807 $+0$',  ƒ&  ƒ& Shamiya 24848913 18::$$,6,%  ƒ&  ƒ& Shuwaikh 24814507 ::$$)5$  ƒ&  ƒ& 6$/0<  ƒ&  ƒ& Abdullah Salem 22549134 Nuzha 22526804 4 DAAYYS FORECAST Temperatures Industrial Shuwaikh 24814764 DAAYY DAATTE WEAATTHER Wind Direction Wind Speed MAX. MIN. Qadsiya 22515088 &ORXG\WRSDUWO\ FORXG\ ZLWK DFKDQFH IIRRUUD LQ ::HHGQHVGD\  WWKKDWPLJKWEHWKXXQQGHUU\\ DW WLPHV  ƒ&  ƒ&95%6(      NPK Dasmah 22532265 &ORXG\WRSDUUWWO\ FORXG\  FDXVLQJ ULVLQJ GXVW  RYHU 7KXXUUVGD\  RSHQ DUHDV ZLWK D FKDQFH IIRRUUDLQ WKDW PLJKKWW EH  ƒ& ƒ& 6(95%      NPK Automated enquiry 5HODWLYHO\KRW DQG &ORXGVZ LOO LQFUHDVH Bneid Al-Gar 22531908 )ULGD\  JUDGXDOO\  ƒ&  ƒ& 95%6(      NPK about the Civil ID card is 6DWWXXUGDD\\  +RWDDQQG3DDUUWO\  FORXG\  ƒ&  ƒ& 95%6:      NPK Shaab 22518752 Qibla 22459381 7202552:35$<$<(5 7,0(6 RECORDED YESTERDAAYY AATT KUWWAAITT AIRPORT 1889988 Fajr  MAX. Temp.  °C Ayoun Al-Qibla 22451082 Sunrise  MIN. Temp.  °C Mirqab 22456536 Zuhr  MAX. RH  % For labor-related inquiries and complaints: % Asr  MIN. RH  Sharq 22465401 Sunset  MAX. Wind 1:  km/h Call MSAL hotline 128 Isha  TOTTAALL RAINFFAALLL IN 24 HR.  mm Salmiya 25746401

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

Arrival Flights on Wednesday 2/5/2018 KAC 672 Dubai 13:55 Departure Flights on Wednesday 2/5/2018 JZR 176 Dubai 13:10 Airlines Flt Route Time KAC 618 Doha 14:10 Airlines Flt Route Time THY 767 Istanbul 13:40 MSC 405 Sohag 00:05 QTR 1078 Doha 14:10 ICV 675 Hong Kong 00:05 JZR 776 Jeddah 13:40 JZR 513 Sharm el-Sheikh 00:10 KNE 231 Riyadh 14:10 AIC 988 Hyderabad/Chennai 00:05 JZR 144 Doha 13:55 THY 772 Istanbul 00:15 GFA 221 Bahrain 14:15 BBC 044 Dhaka 00:10 MSR 611 Cairo 14:00 KAC 102 London 00:50 SVA 500 Jeddah 14:15 JAI 573 Mumbai 00:30 UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 DLH 625 Dammam 00:50 KAC 364 Colombo 14:20 FDB 073 Dubai 00:30 CLX 792 Hanoi 14:30 JZR 539 Cairo 01:00 FDB 059 Dubai 14:20 MSC 406 Sohag 01:05 KNE 382 Taif 15:00 PGT 858 Istanbul 01:15 KAC 512 Mashhad 14:25 THY 773 Istanbul 01:45 GFA 222 Bahrain 15:00 JZR 267 Beirut 01:25 KAC 286 Dhaka 14:25 JZR 528 Asyut 01:45 KAC 539 Sharm el-Sheikh 15:00 QTR 8511 Doha 01:30 JZR 789 Riyadh 14:45 KAC 417 Manila 01:45 KAC 673 Dubai 15:00 MSR 618 Alexandria 01:35 KAC 788 Jeddah 14:50 DLH 625 Frankfurt 01:50 FDB 060 Dubai 15:05 UAE 853 Dubai 01:40 KNE 683 Madinah 14:55 KAC 363 Colombo 01:50 QTR 1079 Doha 15:15 KLM 446 Bahrain 01:45 KAC 304 Mumbai 15:05 KAC 285 Dhaka 01:50 SVA 501 Jeddah 15:45 KKK 1268 Istanbul 02:00 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 15:05 JZR 502 Luxor 01:55 JZR 188 Dubai 15:45 GFA 211 Bahrain 02:15 KAC 412 Bangkok 15:10 KAC 677 Dubai 02:00 KNE 684 Madinah 15:50 ETH 620 Addis Ababa 02:15 KNE 529 Jeddah 15:10 PGT 859 Istanbul 02:25 KAC 283 Dhaka 15:50 QTR 1086 Doha 02:30 KAC 562 Amman 15:20 MSR 619 Alexandria 02:35 KAC 775 Riyadh 15:55 KAC 414 Bangkok 02:40 OMA 645 Muscat 15:20 QTR 8512 Doha 02:45 KNE 530 Jeddah 16:00 KAC 418 Manila 03:05 KAC 502 Beirut 15:35 THY 765 Istanbul 02:50 JZR 606 Kochi 16:00 OMA 643 Muscat 03:05 ABY 127 Sharjah 15:35 KKK 1269 Istanbul 02:55 KAC 785 Jeddah 16:00 ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 03:05 UAE 857 Dubai 15:45 ETH 621 Addis Ababa 03:05 KAC 743 Dammam 16:05 RJA 648 Amman 03:05 SVA 504 Madinah 15:55 KLM 446 Amsterdam 03:10 KAC 563 Amman 16:10 RBG 215 Sohag 03:05 SAW 705 Damascus 16:00 JZR 142 Doha 03:20 ABY 128 Sharjah 16:15 KAC 382 Delhi 03:10 MSR 575 Sharm el-Sheikh 16:10 UAE 854 Dubai 03:30 KAC 619 Doha 16:15 MSR 612 Cairo 03:15 JZR 534 Cairo 16:10 RBG 216 Sohag 03:45 ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 16:20 QTR 1076 Doha 03:30 QTR 1072 Doha 16:15 ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:05 OMA 646 Muscat 16:20 KAC 796 Madinah 03:45 KAC 118 New York 16:20 OMA 644 Muscat 04:05 KAC 615 Bahrain 16:40 JAI 572 Mumbai 04:00 FDB 051 Dubai 16:20 QTR 1087 Doha 04:15 SVA 505 Madinah 16:55 KAC 544 Cairo 04:25 KAC 542 Cairo 17:00 MSR 613 Cairo 04:15 MSR 576 Sharm el-Sheikh 16:55 KAC 784 Jeddah 04:30 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15 JAI 571 Mumbai 05:05 SAW 706 Damascus 17:00 JZR 609 Hyderabad 04:30 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 QTR 1077 Doha 05:15 KAC 503 Beirut 17:15 KAC 284 Dhaka 04:50 JZR 145 Doha 17:35 KAC 303 Mumbai 05:35 FDB 052 Dubai 17:20 PAL 668 Manila 05:00 JZR 177 Dubai 17:40 KAC 103 London 05:45 QTR 1073 Doha 17:25 FDB 069 Dubai 05:05 WAN 436 Al Najaf 17:40 FDB 070 Dubai 06:00 KAC 361 Colombo 17:35 DHX 170 Bahrain 05:10 WAN 976 Baku 17:40 JZR 786 Riyadh 06:05 UAE 858 Dubai 17:40 THY 770 Istanbul 05:15 QTR 1080 Doha 18:10 THY 771 Istanbul 06:30 KAC 381 Delhi 17:45 KAC 344 Chennai 05:30 JZR 483 Istanbul 18:20 GFA 212 Bahrain 06:50 KAC 331 Trivandrum 17:55 KAC 332 Trivandrum 05:40 WAN 874 Istanbul 18:25 RJA 649 Amman 07:00 KAC 343 Chennai 18:00 JZR 561 Sohag 05:55 MSR 620 Cairo 18:30 JZR 902 Baku 07:15 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15 RJA 640 Amman 19:00 BAW 157 London 06:10 JZR 356 Mashhad 07:15 JZR 184 Dubai 18:20 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:05 WAN 338 Alexandria 06:25 JZR 164 Dubai 07:15 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 UAE 875 Dubai 19:05 KAC 206 Islamabad 06:40 FDB 063 Dubai 19:10 KAC 167 Paris 07:20 JZR 608 Hyderabad 18:25 KAC 678 Dubai 06:45 KAC 744 Dammam 19:10 PAL 669 Manila 07:40 JZR 266 Beirut 18:30 KAC 302 Mumbai 07:00 JZR 777 Jeddah 19:10 KAC 171 Frankfurt 07:50 JZR 240 Amman 18:30 JZR 143 Doha 07:00 ABY 123 Sharjah 19:20 JZR 778 Jeddah 08:00 JZR 538 Cairo 18:35 WAN 342 Sohag 07:30 KAC 156 Istanbul 19:35 KAC 501 Beirut 08:00 WAN 135 Doha 18:40 JZR 503 Luxor 07:50 KAC 776 Riyadh 19:35 BAW 156 London 08:20 QTR 1081 Doha 19:20 FDB 053 Dubai 07:50 KAC 674 Dubai 19:40 KAC 165 Rome 08:25 WAN 117 Bahrain 19:30 KAC 384 Delhi 08:05 FDB 057 Dubai 19:50 FDB 054 Dubai 08:35 MSR 621 Cairo 19:30 KAC 358 Kochi 08:05 KAC 104 London 20:00 KAC 511 Mashhad 08:45 GFA 218 Bahrain 19:50 JZR 529 Asyut 08:10 KAC 616 Bahrain 20:00 KAC 787 Jeddah 09:05 FDB 064 Dubai 19:50 UAE 855 Dubai 08:25 DLH 624 Frankfurt 20:05 KAC 117 New York 09:05 RJA 641 Amman 20:00 IRC 6552 ABD 08:50 OMA 647 Muscat 20:05 KAC 671 Dubai 09:15 ABY 124 Sharjah 20:00 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 08:55 KNE 381 Taif 20:10 KAC 521 Al Najaf 09:30 JZR 552 Alexandria 20:05 ABY 125 Sharjah 09:00 JZR 189 Dubai 20:15 IRC 6553 ABD 09:40 FDB 058 Dubai 20:30 IRA 665 Shiraz 09:25 MEA 402 Beirut 20:15 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:40 UAE 876 Dubai 20:35 QTR 1070 Doha 09:30 KAC 620 Doha 20:15 KAC 561 Amman 09:40 DLH 624 Dammam 20:50 FDB 055 Dubai 09:40 KAC 166 Rome 20:25 KAC 773 Riyadh 09:45 KAC 357 Kochi 21:00 IRM 1188 Mashhad 09:55 QTR 1088 Doha 20:40 JZR 535 Cairo 09:45 KNE 232 Riyadh 21:00 AXB 889 Mangalore/Bahrain 10:20 KAC 172 Frankfurt 20:45 UAE 856 Dubai 09:50 KAC 353 Bengaluru 21:00 JZR 787 Riyadh 10:30 KLM 445 Amsterdam 21:00 JZR 482 Istanbul 09:55 OMA 648 Muscat 21:05 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 KAC 540 Sharm el-Sheikh 21:00 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:00 MEA 403 Beirut 21:15 MEA 404 Beirut 10:55 UAE 859 Dubai 21:15 JZR 124 Bahrain 10:00 KAC 543 Cairo 21:20 SYR 341 Latakia 11:00 ALK 229 Colombo 21:15 KAC 541 Cairo 10:00 KAC 301 Mumbai 21:35 QTR 1074 Doha 11:00 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:15 KAC 101 London 10:00 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 JZR 165 Dubai 11:45 KAC 168 Paris 21:20 KAC 617 Doha 10:10 QTR 1089 Doha 21:50 KIS 6032 Mashhad 12:00 KAC 564 Amman 21:50 IRA 664 Shiraz 10:25 KAC 205 Islamabad 21:55 IAW 157 Al Najaf 12:00 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:50 KAC 155 Istanbul 10:25 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:05 WAN 134 Doha 12:20 QTR 1082 Doha 22:05 QTR 1071 Doha 10:40 KLM 445 Bahrain 22:10 RBG 553 Alexandria 12:30 ETD 309 Abu Dhabi 22:10 FDB 056 Dubai 10:40 ALK 230 Colombo 22:20 THY 766 Istanbul 12:45 KAC 786 Jeddah 22:15 SGL 4101 IQA 11:00 KAC 783 Jeddah 22:25 UAE 871 Dubai 12:45 AIC 975 Chennai/Goa 22:25 IRM 1189 Mashhad 11:10 KAC 383 Delhi 22:25 CLX 792 Luxembourg 12:45 SVA 514 Riyadh 22:30 AXB 890 Mangalore 11:20 UAE 860 Dubai 22:35 WAN 542 KTM 12:50 WAN 136 Doha 22:30 JZR 788 Riyadh 11:20 JZR 604 Ahmedabad 22:40 JZR 903 Baku 12:55 WAN 118 Bahrain 22:40 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:35 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:50 JZR 125 Bahrain 12:55 SVA 502 Jeddah 22:45 MEA 405 Beirut 11:55 ETD 310 Abu Dhabi 23:00 KAC 522 Al Najaf 13:00 JZR 185 Dubai 22:50 SYR 342 Latakia 12:00 KAC 411 Bangkok 23:15 MSR 610 Cairo 13:00 JAI 574 Mumbai 23:00 QTR 1075 Doha 12:10 QTR 1083 Doha 23:20 JZR 357 Mashhad 13:05 THY 764 Istanbul 23:15 IAW 158 Al Najaf 13:00 SVA 515 Riyadh 23:30 KAC 774 Riyadh 13:30 FDB 072 Dubai 23:35 KIS 6033 Mashhad 13:00 WAN 337 Alexandria 23:40 JZR 779 Jeddah 13:45 JZR 241 Amman 23:40 RBG 554 Alexandria 13:10 JZR 560 Sohag 23:45 28 Established 1961

Wednesday, May 2, 2018 Lifestyle Gossip

oyzone have confirmed their plans said: “We did two huge [comeback] to release one final album dedi- tours in 2008 and 2009, and we did four Bcated to late bandmate Stephen nights in each venue. “We then came Gately. The Irish band - comprised of back with the Greatest Hits album in Ronan Keating, Keith Duffy, Mikey 2009, and in the October we were in the Graham and Shane Lynch - have middle of recording the Brother album announced they will go their separate when we lost Stephen. “He died in 2009 ways after their upcoming 25th anniver- and we were back on the road in 2011, sary tour and album, a tribute to two years later - which was way too Stephen - who tragically died suddenly soon. Way too soon. “Emotionally and in 2009 of a congenital heart defect. psychologically... I’ll be very honest, Confirming the devastating news to myself and Shane were drinking too their fans on Twitter, they wrote: “The much, trying to numb the pain, onstage news is out and yes it’s true. Our new and offstage. “It just didn’t work, and it album will be the last for Boyzone. wasn’t enjoyable. We didn’t want to be We’ve had 25 amazing years and we together. That’s when we took a sabbat- promise you that this will be our biggest ical.” And the Irish hunk revealed the and best year yet. Watch this space... ‘No Matter What’ hitmakers return five #BZ25 (sic)” The ‘No Matter What’ hit- years ago wasn’t the “success” they makers recently found an old recording hoped for, which was why they can- of an unreleased song by Stephen and celled a string of their concerts. He have added their own vocals to include continued: “Then in 2013 and 2014 we the tune on the album, which is also set decided to try and tour again but by to feature Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith. that stage the success wasn’t as good, Keith previously admitted he struggled though we probably pretended it was. to cope when the band returned to We actually did one night in each venue, touring after Stephen’s shock death. He as opposed to four in 2009.”

oldark’ star Eleanor Tomlinson’s debut album ‘Tales From Home’ will be released on May 8. The 25-year- ‘Pold actress - who has made her name as Demelza Poldark in the BBC One period drama - has recorded a num- ber of folk inspired covers for the record. Eleanor has worked with the show’s soundtrack composer Anne Dudley on the album, which includes fresh interpretations of tracks like Simon & Garfunkel’s ‘Homeword Bound’, and ‘Hushabye Mountain’ from ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’. Dudley - who was awarded the Outstanding Contribution to British Music award at the 2017 Ivor Novello Awards - was responsible for pro- duction, having worked with the likes of Sir Elton John, Tina Janelle Monae Turner and Robbie Williams in the past. ‘The Fully Monty’ composer Dudley has previously recorded with the likes of Sir Elton John, Tina Turner and Robbie Williams, and Eleanor inspired by Prince has heaped praise on her work. She said previously: “I’m incredibly excited to announce the release of my debut album on new record Tales From Home. To have the opportunity to perform some of my favorite songs with Anne Dudley’s brilliant new arrange- anelle Monae was inspired by Prince on her new record ‘Dirty ments has been wonderful, not to mention working alongside Computer’. The 32-year-old singer released her third studio album my brother Ross. “I would like to thank the ‘Poldark’ fans who last week, and she has now revealed that she was heavily influenced inspired me to make this album. Without their support, this J would not have been possible.” Fans first got a taste of her by the late ‘Purple Rain’ hitmaker - who passed away in 2016 at the age of 57 - despite being “scared” of him as a child because of how he talent when she sang in the show, and Dudley previously “expressed himself”. She said: “There’s only one Prince and there will hailed her skills as a singer. She said: “She’s one of these peo- never be another. I had the opportunity to be inspired by Prince like the ple who when she sings it’s so natural. Her parents are both rest of the world growing up. In fact, I used to be terrified of Prince. I very good singers so she has it in her genes.” could not watch his videos. I had a dream that he chased me in a purple suit. “It was something about watching this black man, I’d never seen a black man express himself like that, and it scared me. You know I don’t know if it was because maybe I hadn’t been comfortable with tapping into my fearlessness...it’s just like you got the sense that he was free Lily Allen felt ‘isolated’ right? And I don’t know if I was ready to tap into my free ass nature, but I think what I love most is that I got the opportunity to get to know the man who everybody looked at as this mysterious, other-worldly being. touring Sheezus You know I did get the opportunity to perform onstage with him.” Janelle - who recently came out as pansexual - gave Prince a copy of Florence + the Machine her debut album ‘The ArchAndroid’ in 2010, and believes that the ‘Little ily Allen refused to carry on promoting her Red Corvette’ singer was the “one person” who understood the music last record ‘Sheezus’ because she fell out of join Instagram to she was making. Speaking to Apple Music’s Beats 1 Radio, she said: “In Llove with it. The 32-year-old singer has fact, I gave him the first copy of my first album. I gave it to him at Paisley admitted she felt “isolated” when her record label announce new single Park, and I got a chance to see that he was such a philanthropic person. made her perform by herself in places like “Like he gave, and he didn’t want people to know what he gave. And he’s Wisconsin in the US, where she felt she didn’t lorence + the Machine have joined Instagram to given a lot to me. Any way that I can honor him, and just remind this really have any fans, in support of her 2014 effort. announce their next single. The ‘Dog Days Are generation of how much he paved the way for artists like myself. I mean, Appearing on the latest episode of George Ezra’s Over’ hitmakers - fronted by Florence Welch - ‘George Ezra & Friends’ podcast, Lily confessed: F there were times that when I ever felt confused on what direction I setup an account on the social media app on Monday “I said to the record label, ‘I am not doing any should take, or if my ideas were too big for the music industry ... I knew to officially launch their new song ‘Hunger’, which will more promoting. I don’t care about this album that was the one person who understood where I was trying to go.” be released on Thursday. Alongside the artwork, pho- anymore.’ “I just did not want to be doing it. “I tographed by Vincent Haycock, the band wrote: even felt really isolated in the shows with the audi- “HUNGER Single out May 3 Video directed by ence as well, as the band I had I did not like. “I did @a.g.rojas Photos by @vincenthaycock (sic)” ‘Hunger’ not like the people. They were not listening to me follows their Record Store Day release ‘Sky Full of when I said I wanted things to change. “It was like, Song’. Prior to that, Florence and co haven’t released ‘I don’t want to be in Wisconsin on my own, play- new material since their 2015 LP ‘How Big, How Blue, ing music that I am not really into with these peo- ple that don’t really care about me and I don’t care How Beautiful’. Mark Ronson is said to have been about. “What the am I doing here?’” Lily previ- recruited by the group to help launch their comeback. ously admitted she felt as though she lost her way The ‘Uptown Funk’ producer - who worked his magic on the record. The record was met with an under- on Lady Gaga’s LP ‘Joanne’ two years ago - has whelmed response from fans and critics and she reportedly been working closely with the band and was accused of cultural appropriation for using Jamie XX on the record, which is due this summer. An primarily black backing dancers in her video for insider revealed previously: “Flo and Mark really lead single ‘Hard Out Here’ - which she defended gelled in the studio and wanted to work together as being a statement about the sexual objectifica- more. Mark has a proven track record for creating hits tion of women in the music business. In hindsight, so Flo is really excited.” And that’s not all the flamboy- Lily realized she didn’t like the music she was ant frontwoman has in store for fans, as late last year making at the time and admitted she got things she confirmed she will release her first collection of wrong. She said: “I think I had an identity crisis. I lyrics and poetry. The ‘Dog Days Are Over’ singer has didn’t like the clothes I was wearing, the songs penned the tome ‘Useless Magic’ with her own origi- that made it as singles ... like everything!” Now nal artwork accompanying her words. Florence wrote: Lily is gearing up for the release of her new “Extremely honored to announce that I will be releas- record ‘No Shame’ - which is released on June 8 - ing my first book of collected lyrics and poetry with and she has taken as much control of the creative Penguin Books next year x x (sic)” The collection will direction of the tracks as she could. She said: hit shelves on July 5, with Penguin imprint Fig Tree “There are a lot of things I don’t have control over. publishing the book. The ‘You’ve Got The Love’ hit- “With this record, I got so upset with all of those makers are set to support The Rolling Stones at things I didn’t have control over, especially as a London Stadium on May 25. woman, you’re kind of sent out to.” Cabello added to Capital d Sheeran has a song on Big Narstie’s LP ‘BDL Bipolar’. The ‘Supermarket Flowers’ singer - who is godfather to the London star’s Echild - features on the track ‘Hello Hi 2’ on the grime star’s forthcoming debut album. There is also another collaboration with Craig David, ‘Sunshine’, Summertime Ball 2018 bill which follows their 2016 hit ‘When the Bassline Drops’ and ‘Game of Thrones’ star Raleigh Ritchie features on ‘Control’. The 32-year-old rapper - whose real name is Tyrone Lindo - says the record is a mix of energetic tracks and amila Cabello has been added Rudimental, Charlie Puth and Jax the next level with the hottest hit ones that aim to encourage “change”. He explained: “There are parts of it to the Capital Summertime Ball Jones are set to perform at the sum- music stars flying in from around the that are going to make you want to dance around your house and be really Cwith Vodafone 2018 line-up. mer concert. Speaking to Roman world to perform live at the Capital excited. “And there are parts that’ll make you want to think about stuff, while The former Fifth Harmony star - who Kemp about his unforgettable per- Summertime Ball with Vodafone. sitting around in your boxers and eating baked beans. “It’s basically about has had a string of hits from her self- formance at the event last year on “We’re so excited that Shawn Mendes, how things change. Like those people who put down their grime swagger and titled debut solo album, including Capital Breakfast on Monday morning Rudimental, Jess Glynne, Charlie Puth wanted to get into R&B or funky house, or fall back into swing. Grime is now ‘Havana’ and ‘Never Be The Same’ - , ‘In My Blood’ hitmaker Shawn said: and Jax Jones will be partying with a very talkable subject. The whole situation is just... woah!” Meanwhile, the joins ‘Symphony’ hitmakers Clean “There’s a photo of me walking off the more than 80,000 Capital listeners, ‘BDL Anthem’ rapper has admitted he would “cry” if he got the chance to Bandit, DJ Jonas Blue, ‘Envy Us’ rap- stage and I look back at that photo and we can’t wait for Roman to reveal work with Liam Gallagher after he released the Oasis covers mixtape ‘What’s per Stefflon Don and ‘Bestie’ hitmaker and it’s just like, moments like that and who will be joining them tomorrow!” The Story? Brixton Glory Pt II’ in 2014. Speaking exclusively to BANG Yungen in the second announcement when you watch videos back of that, Last year saw the likes of Bruno Mars, Showbiz about the possibility of teaming up with Britpop group’s former for the music extravaganza at it’s very hard to believe that it’s you!” Little Mix, Shawn Mendes, Stormzy, frontman for a track on his second solo album - the follow-up to 2017’s ‘As London’s Wembley Stadium on June 9. Ashley Tabor OBE, Founder & Liam Payne and Dua Lipa entertain You Were’ - Narstie said: “That could be on the cards you know, I would cry On Monday it was confirmed that Executive President of Global, com- 80,000 fans. Tickets go on sale on if that happened.” ‘BDL Bipolar’ is released on July 6. Shawn Mendes, Jess Glynne, mented: “This year we are taking it to Thursday from 8am. Established 1961 29

Wednesday, May 2, 2018 Lifestyle Gossip Cena handed lead role McQuarrie open to directing in The Janson Directive Man of Steel sequel hristopher McQuarrie will hap- already held discussions about poten- pily direct the ‘Man of Steel’ tial plotlines for the ‘Man of Steel’ Csequel - if Henry Cavill asks sequel. The hunky actor - who has him to. The 49-year-old filmmaker has reprised the role for ‘Batman v recently worked with Henry, 34, on Superman: Dawn of Justice’ and ‘Mission: Impossible - Fallout’, and ‘Justice League’ since starring in ‘Man he’s revealed he’d be keen to reunite of Steel’ - shared: “I’m having a lot of with the star for the sequel to 2013’s conversations, behind-the-scenes, ‘Man of Steel’. Asked whether he’d be with certain people and we will hope- interested in directing a superhero fully be having conversations with movie, Christopher replied: “I feel like other people who are also behind- if the story was right and the charac- the-scenes to make things start hap- ter was right - I love working with pening. “It is very much in my desire Henry, Henry’s great.” Subsequently, to do a ‘Man of Steel 2’, a direct Christopher was asked about the sequel to ‘Man of Steel’, and there is a prospect of directing the next whole bunch of Superman story that I Superman movie. Speaking to want to tell. “There is a whole style of CinePOP, he replied: “If Henry asked Superman’s character that I’m very me to, sure, why not?” Meanwhile, keen to tell and I’m looking forward to Henry revealed in April that he’s the opportunity.” Gibson to direct Destroyer el Gibson is in talks to helm Heavens: The Epic Story of the USS war thriller ‘Destroyer’. The Laffey and World War II’s Greatest M62-year-old actor is Kamikaze Attack’ by John Wukovits. believed to be heading behind the The movie - which is set to start film- ohn Cena has been cast in ‘The ‘Bourne’ movies. “The cool news is camera for a directing credit on the ing in the fall - will tackle the Battle Janson Directive’. The 41-year- this: I’ve found my star, and the star World War II movie, according to of Okinawa in the Pacific Theater old star is set to play the lead role of ‘The Janson Directive’ is going to during World War II, taking on a dif- J in the new movie, which is being be John Cena. I’ve known John for ferent angle of the same fight which executive produced by fellow years, he’s so excited to play the role was detailed in ‘Hacksaw Ridge’. In wrestler-turned-actor Dwayne ‘The and I’m excited for him.” Dwayne and the book, Wukovits writes of the Rock’ Johnson through Seven Bucks John have taken similar career paths, heroic story of how the crewmen of Productions, with Dwayne announc- moving from the wrestling industry the Laffey defended their ship from ing the news on his Instagram into Hollywood. And Dwayne, 45 - an astounding 22 kamikaze attacks on account. He explained: “I’ve got some who has become one of the industry’s April 16, 1945. Gibson’s longterm girl- great news. There’s been a project most bankable stars over recent friend Rosalind Ross is said to have that I’ve been working on for years years - has also delivered a tongue- penned the script for the wartime now - myself and our production in-cheek warning to his one-time feature. The directing credit comes as company, Seven Bucks Productions - wrestling rival. He captioned his Gibson is also being eyed for an act- we’ve partnered with Universal Instagram post: “Congrats man and ing role in ‘The Six Billion Dollar Studios to make a movie called ‘The I’m excited to go on this journey with Man’, where he would star opposite Janson Directive’. “‘The Janson you. Thank you for your commitment Mark Wahlberg. Warner Bros.’ big Directive’ is a novel written by to the role and remember, as your screen adaptation of the 1970s tele- Robert Ludlum. Robert is, of course, producer if you screw up, I’m coming vision series is due to begin shooting one of the greatest crime writers of to set and droppin’ the People’s in the summer, and as of the time of all time. He wrote Jason Bourne, the Elbow on ya. And you know first- The Hollywood Reporter. The project writing, it is unknown what role character made famous by that hand- hand how devastating my elbow would mark Gibson’s second war film Gibson is in talks for. Wahlberg is some man Matt Damon in the drops can be (sic)”. directing role in a row, after having starring as Steve Austin, a downed previously worked on ‘Hacksaw pilot who is saved by an operation Ridge’ - which starred Andrew that makes him part machine. Garfield - in 2016, which served as According to The Hollywood his directorial comeback. ‘Destroyer’ Reporter, Wahlberg is keen to get is a naval war movie from Hollywood Gibson on board after the pair Gang Productions, and is based on worked together on the Paramount the non-fiction book ‘Hell From the comedy ‘Daddy’s Home 2’ in 2017, Kevin Feige says interest in Avengers: Infinity War sequel is ‘out of proportion’ for The Killer reboot upita Nyong’o has been cho- remake. ‘The Killer’ has had its script sen by John Woo to star in a rewritten by Eran Creevy, with Brian Lreboot of his 1989 classic ‘The Helgeland producing alongside Mark Killer’. The original Hong Kong crime Gordon and Lori Tilkin. Lori is also thriller starred Chow Yun-fat as the executive producing with Matt assassin, but in a twist on the origi- Jackson, Luc Etienne, and Terence nal, Woo wants to remake the movie Chang. Lupita had her breakthrough with a woman in the lead role. ‘Black in 2013’s ‘12 Years A Slave’, for which Panther’ star Lupita, 35, is now in she won the Oscar for Best negotiations to board the project, Supporting Actress. She most according to Deadline.com, with recently starred as Special Forces Universal Pictures putting the film on warrior Nakia Marvel movie ‘Black fast track. Woo will return to the Panther’. Lupita said of the role: director’s chair. The original Hong “[She] is a war dog, which means Kong crime thriller followed an that she is an undercover spy for assassin who has lost all hope after Wakanda. She goes out into the accidentally blinding a singer. He world to places like Korea. “She has Nyong’o accepts one last hit in the hope of a special relationship with T’Challa using his earnings to help her, only to and what I love about that relation- be double-crossed by his boss. The ship is that it’s not your average, you film is hailed as a classic for its use of know, sweetheart story [with a] balletic, stylised stuntwork which damsel in distress. They have a histo- Woo hopes to recreate in the ry but she is a reliable ear for him.”

sa Butterfield admits his latest movie role alongside Simon Pegg Aand Nick Frost is “bizarre”. The 21-year-old actor teamed up with the acclaimed duo to star in the new come- Theron says too much dy movie ‘Slaughterhouse Rulez’, and attention had been given Asa has revealed he relished the experi- ence. He shared: “That’s gonna be an to her appearance in Tully interesting one. I did that last year, and evin Feige admits the interest One’ and ‘Part Two’. Although it will it’s a comedy/horror, as Simon Pegg harlize Theron thinks too much focus has been put on her weight does so well. I loved working with the surrounding the title of the be quite evident that the films obvi- gain for ‘Tully’. The Academy Award-winning star gained 50 two of them, as well as with the great K‘Avengers: Infinity War’ ously connect, as all our films do, pounds for her starring role in the new drama movie, in which her cast. “It’s set in an English private sequel has been “blown out of pro- but this in particular connects very C character is pregnant with her third child, but Charlize believes that the school, and I play one of the students portion”. The 44-year-old directly. And then we changed the there, who’s incredibly sarcastic and dry President of Marvel Studios has ‘Part One’ and ‘Part Two’, we said issue has been overblown. She explained: “Women gain that amount, if and funny, which was a lot of fun to play admitted he doesn’t know when the let’s just keep this ‘Infinity War’ and not more, every time they get pregnant. So it’s not that big of a deal. “I with. I enjoyed inhabiting that character, name of the much-anticipated we’ll talk about the next movie lat- was playing this woman and I wanted to get closer to her. I don’t think who’s very witty. It’s very bizarre. I’m superhero movie will be released - er.” Marvel had hoped to ensure when an actress does that we have to get so focused on it.” ‘Tully’ has excited to see it.” Despite his youth, Asa but he conceded that too much that fans’ attention centered on been described by some critics as ‘Mary Poppins’ for millennials. And has already starred in a host of success- attention has been paid to the issue. ‘Avengers: Infinity War’, which is Charlize, 42 - who has two adopted children, a boy and a girl - has been ful films, including ‘The Boy in the He shared: “When we announce the why the studio has delayed naming intrigued by how women who don’t have children have reacted to the Striped Pyjamas’ and ‘Journey’s End’. title I am not sure, but as I’ve prob- the follow up movie. But he’s admit- Jason Reitman-directed film. In the film, Charlize’s character forms a And the London-born actor has ably said to you, it’s gotten com- ted that it’s been a tough situation strong bond with Tully, the woman she’s employed to take care of her revealed the different factors he consid- pletely blown out of proportion. “It to balance. Kevin told Collider: “We children. She told Time Out London magazine: “It’s been really interest- ers before he accepts a role in a movie. will just be a name and the reason to had done things in the past that had ing to see young women who don’t have kids being incredibly moved by Asked what he’s now looking for in a hold it back was to keep the atten- taken attention off of whatever the this story. Because there’s something of a Tully experience too. film project, Asa told Collider: “It’s a combination. You want to find a character you tion on ‘Infinity War’. That backfired film at hand is because we talked “Younger women see this movie through the eyes of Tully: What will my can relate to, or you think will be exciting or memorable. “You also want to be a little bit because now everyone about this. “For instance, ‘Infinity life be like? Who will I marry? Am I going to be happy? “Everybody invested in the story and all of the characters, and tell a story that’s original or thinks what’s the name of the next War’ announcing before ‘Ultron’ can relate to that time where they have to say goodbye to a piece of exciting or funny. There are a lot of factors when I’m looking at a project, like one gonna be? But it was really just came out, and it worked out, it was themselves to make room for the next chapter. That’s ultimately what who’s involved, as far as the director and the cast members.” to keep the focus [on ‘Infinity War’]. fine, but it felt like let’s keep the Marlo’s story is about.” — Bang Showbiz “We did not want to call it ‘Part attention on the film at hand.” 30 Established 1961 Wednesday, May 2, 2018 Lifestyle Features

VODAVODA WATER EXCLUSIVELY DISTRIBUTED IN GCC A donation of $50,000 to UNICEF in the name of Kuwait

contract for the distribution of Vodavoda water was called in Serbia, and the delegation toured the plant and adding that relations go back more than 50 years. signed with its exclusive distributor in GCC coun- saw how the water is filled as well as its source. Vodavoda Abdulsamad said Kuwait Karo Company is considered a Atries Karo Kuwait Company in the presence of the water is considered the world’s purest and has been bridge to strengthen Kuwait-Serbia relations. Director Serbian Municipality Minister, Belgrade Governor, Kuwaiti underground for thousands of years. It is brought up to General of Karo Company - the sole Vodavoda distributor Ambassador to Serbia Yousuf Abdulsamad and Qatar’s the surface from a depth of 605 m and filled directly by - Abdulaziz Abdeen said a donation of $50,000 to Ambassador to Serbia Sheikh Mubarak Al-Thani. adding or removing elements. It is purified through the UNICEF in the name of Kuwait comes as a contribution Vodavoda water has become popular in Kuwait and calcareous layers underground. with Vodavoda Serbia to build children care centers in demand is on the increase in other GCC countries. Kuwaiti Ambassador Abdulsamad emphasized the Serbia and the rest of the world. A visit was organized to the “house of water”, as it is importance of cooperation between Kuwait and Serbia,

Home Centre’s New Ramadan Catalogue Screaming fans is About Cherishing Valuable Moments flood Hollywood as NSYNC gets Walk ‘Catalogue Highlights Design Trends, Iftar Recipes and Styling Tips’ of Fame honor

n keeping with the spirit of contemplation and housands of fans shut down Hollywood’s Walk of togetherness that symbolizes the Holy Month of Fame Monday as 1990s boy band NSYNC were IRamadan, Home Centre, the region’s leading home Trecognized for a glittering chart run that cata- retailer, is set to launch its Ramadan catalogue pulted Justin Timberlake to pop superstardom. The themed Valuable Moments. Featuring over 400 new heartthrob was joined by bandmates Lance Bass, JC lines, the 60-page catalogue will highlight elegant Chasez, Joey Fatone and Chris Kirkpatrick to receive and affordable furniture pieces, decorative acces- their star on the iconic thoroughfare, watched by talk sories, festive lighting options and essential table- show hosts Ellen DeGeneres and Carson Daly. “For all ware and kitchenware for today’s stylish and distinc- of you who came from far and wide to be here to tive homes. share this moment with us, thank you so much-this From spending some quiet time with family and really means the world to all of us,” Timberlake, an friends to entertaining guests at home or exchanging accomplished singer and actor yelled out at the gifts with loved ones, the Holy Month is about mak- screaming crowd. ing memories and Home Centre’s diverse range of NSYNC sold more than 70 million records — 30 products and styling tips promises to enhance and million in the US-with a dozen singles making the Top make these special moments even more precious. 40, adult contemporary, dance, Latin, country or R&B A distinct focus this year is on the Suzani collec- charts. The group are also among the most successful tion, a grand and luxurious line that features mirror-, live acts in pop, with the first 52 dates of the “No silver- and champagne-finishes, with exquisite Strings Attached” world tour selling out in record time. embroidered patterns. The catalogue also includes a The band’s first single, “I Want You Back” (1996), separate ‘cook’ section for the very first time, to became the longest Top 10 entry for a new group, highlight its sought-after kitchenware and tableware while the self-titled debut album, released in 1997, sold ranges. This section also contains some delicious more than 10 million copies. The next two records, regional Ramadan recipes for readers to try out at “No Strings Attached” and “Celebrity,” topped the home during their Ramadan get-togethers. US charts in 2000 and 2001, while other memorable This year’s much-anticipated catalogue showcases singles include “Bye Bye Bye,” “Girlfriend” and “It’s bedroom furniture lines and accessories along with Gonna Be Me.” —AFP tips on how to remain well-rested throughout the Holy Month. As per the catalogue’s suggestion, Home Centre’s products also make the perfect gifts. Customers can purchase Ramadan gift cards in-store to present to friends and family. Throughout the Holy Month of Ramadan, Home Centre is encouraging customers to share their #ValuableMoments on Instagram, for a chance to win exciting prizes. In line with its commitment to providing exceptional value, Home Centre offers a warranty of up to five years on furniture and up to one year on home accessories. The Ramadan collection is available across all Home Centre stores. Singers Chris Kirkpatrick, Lance Bass, JC Chasez, Joey Fatone and Justin Timberlake of NSYNC are honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood, California. — AFP Established 1961 31 Lifestyle Features Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Chilean music group ‘Rough Bunnies’ - a K-Pop band which pays tribute to South Korean band B.A.P. rehearses in Santiago. — AFP photos In Chile, teens are in love with South Korea’s K-Pop

cross Chile, parks and cultural centers have songs and that’s why I wanted to come and see him.” come alive with the catchy melodies of K-pop Last year, when another hugely popular boy band called as teens embrace this wildly popular South BTS came to Chile, 12,000 tickets were sold within just Korean mix of upbeat electronic music and two hours. Ahigh-voltage choreography. As embassies around the world stage early competition rounds ahead of the 2018 Gangnam Style Fernanda of Chilean music group ‘Rough Bunnies,’ poses K-Pop World Festival, thousands of teenagers have been K-pop mania really took off in Chile in 2012 following for a picture. out practicing their moves, with the local winners invited the explosive success of “Gangnam Style,” a wacky hit to join the final in South Korea. “We get together to which transformed the rapper/singer Psy into an interna- rehearse several days a week,” says Alicia, 17. “All we tional sensation. Taking the country by storm, the genre want to do is dance.” inspired the creation of local bands such as “Rough

All we want to do is dance Chilean K-Pop fans watch the performance. And they have been well received, with their songs played on local radio stations and success both on YouTube and on social networks. But the real K-pop still A massive teen following Bunnies,” which emerged in 2014 after K-pop boy band dominates the airwaves, luring young fans with its elec- When Kim Hyun-joong, former lead singer of K-pop BAP (Best Absolute Perfect) canceled a concert there. tronic rhythms, meticulously choreographed dance rou- boy band SS510, announced a February concert in “We started out calling ourselves BTP (the Spanish tines and immaculately coiffed singers decked out in Santiago, the tickets were quickly snapped up by some acronym for Babes: Perfect Tribute) but we weren’t com- extravagant outfits.—AFP 3,000 delirious young fans. “I have waited six years for pletely convinced and it sounded a bit ridiculous,” band Kim Hyun-joong to come to Chile,” 16-year-old Cristal leader Tamara said. “We started to look for a new name Mar’a Paz of Chilean music group ‘Rough Bunnies,’ poses Escobar said, who traveled 550 kilometers to get to the and came up with ‘Rough Bunnies’ as it sounded better in for a picture. concert. “I really like how he sings, how he dances, his English than in Spanish.” At New York’s Met, an opera even babies can go gaga for ew York parents, ever vigilant for new ways to the baby’s quest for flight ultimately leads to separation. amuse their offspring, are picking up babies and “It’s not a patronizing kiddies show, it’s a genuine, beau- flocking to the Metropolitan Opera this week tiful piece of quite challenging music,” explains director for a very special US performance. “BambinO”- Phelim McDermott. Jokes aside about the Met’s quest to aN 40-minute opera composed specifically for infants-has lower the average age of its audience, each performance crossed the Atlantic for a booked-out, six-day run after seeks to win over babies and caregivers to an art form winning over audiences in Britain and Paris. Well-dressed often castigated as elitist and out of touch. “We thought and well-groomed six- to 18-month-old New Yorkers what a magical thing to bring true opera to little people,” assemble in a small auditorium at the Met, either cradled on says composer Lliam Paterson, believing even very young parents’ knees or crawling and toddling among a sea of children respond to musical patterns, rhythm and text. soft blue cushions. Toddlers get bored Initially commissioned by Scottish Opera and performed in Scotland and Manchester, Paterson said coming to New The character Pulcino, played by Timothy Connor, performs for children and their parents York, arguably one of the world’s greatest opera venues, during the presentation of BambinO. was a “amazing.” Charlotte Hoather, who plays the charac- ter Uccellina, says reactions are different every time, and vary from country to country. If French children were very calm, Americans were more forthright. “We had confident babies today. Very brave,” she says. “I was just having fun because she was clearly over- joyed the whole time. I couldn’t stop smiling,” says nurse Jessie Thisell, whose daughter Bonnie wandered around transfixed. “She wouldn’t have enjoyed it if she had to sit still.” In a world of opera obsessed with widening outreach, BambinO makes no secret of its determination to win over new audiences. “We’ve had people who love rock music and punk rock Mothers and Babies can make as much noise as they want, the audi- people and they were like ‘I might go to something at my children listen during ence is told. Adults, on the other hand, are told to pipe local theater’ and that’s really cool,” says Hoather. The per- the presentation of down. Then the music starts. Sung in Italian and baby formers say meltdowns are surprisingly few, and usually BambinO. sounds, it’s performed by a cellist, a percussionist and two food or tiredness-related. “It’s an experiment. We’ll see singers, who roam among the children, introducing them to what happens,” said Peter Gelb, general manager of the furry toy birds and a golden egg. Almost any baby contem- Met, asked whether it could become regular repertoire. plating a meltdown stopped crying, variously grinning, baf- “We need to reintroduce the arts to the school system fled and engaged by the colorfully-costumed singers. and we might as well start earlier than that, at the begin- Sloane Campbell, 12 months, already goes to a music ning,” he said. But McDermott has words of advice for par- class once a week and her mom Kate Mangiameli is a Met ents trying to push the envelope and bring children older singer herself, but Monday marked her first live perform- than 18 months. “We genuinely created an opera for babies. ance. “Hearing that kind of singing from someone other Toddlers get bored.”— AFP than me is probably pretty great for her,” says Mangiameli. The plot, secondary to the music as in most operas, tells the story of a bird, a baby bird and their relationship before Charlotte Hoather, playing Uccellina, and Timothy Connor, playing Pulcino, perform during the presentation of BambinO at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York. — AFP photos

The character Uccellina, played by Charlotte Hoather, performs for children and their parents during the presentation of Laura Sergeant plays the cello during the presentation of Percussionist Stuart Semple performs during the presen- BambinO. BambinO. tation of BambinO. Established 1961

Lifestyle WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 2018

A mammoth skeleton on a lifting platform is seen behind water fountains in Cathedral Square in Strasbourg, eastern France, as part of the ‘Industrie Magnifique’ festival. Several art pieces will be shown in different squares of the city from May 3 to May 13. — AFP

Neon nostalgia in Hong Kong as lights go out

eon sign maker Wu Chi-kai is one of the last remaining craftsmen of his kind in Hong Kong, a city where darkness Nnever really falls thanks to the 24-hour glow of myriads of lights. During his 30 years in the business, neon came to define the urban landscape, huge flashing signs protruding hori- zontally from the sides of buildings, advertising everything from restaurants to mahjong parlors.

The painful experiences are the memorable ones These pictures show neon works by Hong Kong sign maker Wu Chi-kai in Hong Kong. — AFP photos “The painful experiences are the memorable ones,” he adds philosophically. Wu’s father used But with the growing popularity of brighter to scale Hong Kong’s characteristic bamboo LED lights, seen as easier to maintain and more scaffolding while installing neon signs across the environmentally friendly, and government city. Believing the installation work too danger- orders to remove some vintage signs deemed ous for his son, he instead encouraged Wu to dangerous, the demand for specialists like Wu learn to make the signs as a teenager. has dimmed. Despite a waning client-base, 50- Wu became one of only around 30 masters year-old Wu continues in the trade, working of the craft in Hong Kong, even in neon’s hey- with glass tubes dusted inside with fluorescent day. Although demand is now significantly low- powder and containing various gases including er than at neon’s peak in the 1980s, Wu says neon or argon, as well as mercury, to create there has been revived interest and nostalgia different colors. for its gentler glow, immortalized in the atmos- He bends them into shape over a powerful pheric movies of award-winning Hong Kong gas burner at a scorching 1,000 degrees Celsius. director Wong Kar-wai. Some of Wu’s clients “Being able to twist straight glass materials into are now requesting pieces for indoor decora- the shape I want, and later to make it glow-it’s tion. “I’ve been working with neon lights all my quite fun,” he said, though it is not without risks. life. I can’t think of anything else I’d be better Wu works without a safety visor and has been suited for,” he says. — AFP scalded and cut by glass that sometimes cracks Wu Chi-kai demonstrates how to make a neon sign. and explodes. Neon sign maker Wu Chi-kai looks at one of his works.

Winning wildlife photo ‘likely’ stuffed animal

he winner of a prestigious wildlife photography ed photograph is a taxidermy specimen,” the museum ly resembled the winning entry. competition last year was disqualified on Friday said in a statement. “After a thorough investigation, The museum said in a statement that the experts Tafter organizers said it was “highly likely” the the Museum concluded that the available evidence had “concluded there are elements of the animal’s anteater depicted was a stuffed specimen usually on points to this allegation being true,” it said, adding posture, morphology, raised tufts of fur and patterns display at a national park visitor center. An image that competition rules state that “entries must not on the neck and head that are too similar for the showing the animal eating from an ant hill in Brazil’s deceive the viewer or attempt to misrepresent the images to show two different animals”. The museum Emas National Park had won an award at the Wildlife reality of nature”. The museum said it had been in said Cabral had cooperated with the investigation and Photographer of the Year contest in London’s Natural contacted by “anonymous sources” in March ques- strongly denies the image he took was of a stuffed History Museum. The striking image called “The tioning the authenticity of the image and had asked animal. — AFP Night Raider” was taken by Marcio Cabral and won animal and taxidermy specialists to investigate the the “Animals in their Environment” category. claims. The evidence included photos of a stuffed “Evidence was presented to the Museum by third anteater on display at a visitor centre in the park parties that it is highly likely the animal in the award- where the image of the anteater was taken that close-