Dr. Ziad, Abd Al-Rahman and Saleh Al-Alyan Convey Their Deepest Condolences to 9D%C`Gjyú>Yeadq on the Sad Demise Of

Min 27º Max 45º High Tide 03:35 & 14:45 Low Tide SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2015 SHAABAN 5, 1436 AH www.kuwaittimes.net 09:20 & 22:05 Kuwait32 PAGES NO: 16529 150 FILS mourns Al-Khorafi ‘Former parliament speaker dies at 75’ Amir offers condolences

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah yesterday sent a cable of condolences to the family of the former speaker of Kuwait’s National Assembly Jassem Al-Khorafi who passed away on Thursday at the age of 75 and was buried yesterday. His Highness the Amir highlighted achievements of the deceased, saying that Kuwait has lost one of the country’s “dear sons and loyal men.” He emphasized the copious record of great services Al-Khorafi offered to Kuwait through the posts he held. His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al- Jaber Al-Sabah send a similar cable to Al-Khorafi family. Born in 1944, Al- Khorafi came from a locally highly-revered family of businessmen and politicians. He was voted an MP nine times and a National Assembly speaker from 1999 to 2011. He was also appointed as Minister of Finance and Economy from 1985-1990. — KUNA

KUWAIT: The body of the former speaker of Al-Khorafi was born in 1944 in the neigh- long political and business experiences in this the Kuwaiti National Assembly Jassem Al- borhood of Qiblah of Kuwait City and regard. He was voted an MP nine times and a Khorafi was buried yesterday having achieved belonged to a highly-revered family of busi- speaker of the National Assembly from 1999 distinguished efforts that contributed to serv- nessmen and politicians. His father to 2011. Al-Khorafi was appointed Minister of ing the country and its renaissance on the Abdulmohsin was an MP and was responsible Finance and Economy from 1985-1990. economic and parliamentary levels. Al- for forming the Al-Khorafi Group in 1956, one The father of six sons and a daughter was Khorafi, who was a renowned politician and of the largest trading firms in the country. The seen by observers as a component in a bal- businessman, passed away late Thursday at family business developed into the financial, anced equation during his political career. the age of 75. He reportedly suffered a heart telecommunications and industrial sectors, He played a prominent role during political attack while flying home from a private visit and it is now estimated to be worth more challenges that faced the country. He also to Turkey. Government officials, lawmakers than $10 billion. had a key role as an influential contributor in and other prominent figures in Kuwait Jassem Al-Khorafi had a prominent role as a number of Arab, regional and international mourned the passing of the former speaker. a political and economic pundit due to his charities. CONDOLENCES Dr. Ziad, Abd Al-Rahman and Saleh Al-Alyan convey their deepest condolences to 9d%C`gjYÚ>Yeadq on the sad demise of

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May Allah Almighty bestow His mercy on him SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2015 LOCAL Kuwait mourns Al-Khorafi

— Photos by Yasser AL-Zayaat

KUWAIT: Ahmadi Governor Sheikh Fawwaz Al-Khalid “Kuwait has lost a man of the most patriotic and devoted kind. Khorafi family and the entire Kuwaiti people noting that expressed deep condolences to Kuwait’s leadership, govern- He was a sound of wisdom, reason, foresight, and always pri- Khorafi was an iconic Kuwaiti politician who had effectively ment and people on the sad demise of the former speaker of oritized the public’s interests and Kuwait’s greater good,” he contributed to political life in Kuwait during very hard periods. the house, Jassem Al-Khorafi, who passed away here Thursday. said adding that he worked with him as a house speaker dur- “After serving as an MP in nine parliaments, Khorafi lead the Khalid also extended his condolences to the Arab and Muslim ing his previous parliamentary memberships in 2008 and 2009 parliament from 2009 to 2011,” he said adding that Khorafi’s nations and the whole world noting that Khorafi was a role and that he had accompanied him on many visits abroad. “He performance in politics, as well as in the economy, impressed model of patriotism and service to his country, saying “Many was the best ambassador to his country on those visits,” he everybody. people have learned a lot from Khorafi’s wisdom and perform- said. Deputy Speaker of the House Mubarak Al-Khurainej ance in governmental, parliamentary and humanitarian activi- Former MP Essam Al-Dabbous issued a statement express- expressed condolences for Khorafi’s death noting that he him- ties.” ing heartfelt sadness for Khorafi’s demise in which he high- self had lost a ‘big brother’ who spent his life serving Kuwait MP Soud Al-Huraiji extended condolences to the Al-Khorafi lighted how Khorafi had significant influence in Kuwait’s mod- and its people. “Khorafi will always represent a school for all family and to the current speaker, Marzouq Al-Ghanim, noting ern history. “He was a real addition to parliamentary life and of us in terms of his long career, devotedness, ethics, morals, that by Khorafi’s death, Kuwait had lost one of its most loyal by his efficiency and patriotism, he managed to lead the par- respect, modesty, patience and so many things,” he lamented and devoted citizens who spent his life serving Kuwait and its liament through a very sensitive period that proved Kuwait praying to Allah to bestow His mercy on his soul. In addition, people. “His death was a shock to Kuwait,” he underlined not- really enjoys a great deal of democracy and liberty,” he said Khurainej called for naming one of Kuwait’s main streets, ing that Khorafi was a very wise, religious and benevolent adding that Khorafi was a benevolent man, descending from a public facilities, the new MPs building or the National man. family accustomed to and known for its benevolence. Assembly’s main conference hall after Khorafi in appreciation MP Askar Al-Enezi expressed deep sadness for Khorafi’s Former parliamentary elections candidate, Engineer Ahmed for all the services he did to Kuwait and for dedicating his death praying to Almighty Allah to bestow his mercy on him. Al-Hamad also expressed his deepest condolences to the Al- entire life to its causes. SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2015 LOCAL

Information Minister eulogizes ex-Speaker

KUWAIT: Minister of Information and Minister of Assembly speaker, as well as a leading pundit State for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Al- and business figure whose projects extended Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah yesterday wide and large, at home and abroad. expressed “deep sorrow and grief” over the In addition, he had managed through his death of the late renowned politician Jassem Al- lifetime to establish a broad network of social Khorafi. The former Speaker of Kuwait’s relations, on all levels, based on mutual respect National Assembly passed away on Thursday at and confidence, the minister said. Al-Khorafi the age of 75, and was buried yesterday. “The was a witness to several events Kuwait experi- deceased was one of prominent Kuwaiti figures enced since he joined politics in mid-1970s till who loved their country and served it sincerely,” the end, and he always upheld public interest Sheikh Salam said in a press statement, empha- above personal interest, Sheikh Salman said. sizing Al-Khorafi’s “unforgettable” services for Al-Khorafi was born in 1944 in the neighbor- Kuwait. hood of Qiblah of Kuwait City and he belonged History will always remember Al-Khorafi’s to a locally highly-revered family of business- persistent efforts and hard work for his country, men and politicians. His father Abdulmohsin he said, referring to him as a “loss for Kuwait, was an MP and formed Al-Khorafi Group, one of the Arab and Muslim Worlds” and one who had the largest trading firms in the country. He was a “rich and varied national and political experi- voted an MP nine times and a National ence.” Sheikh Salman referred to Al-Khorafi’s Assembly speaker from 1999 to 2011. Al- remarkable economic achievements as MP, a Khorafi was appointed Minister of Finance and Minister of Finance, and later as a National Economy from 1985-1990. — KUNA

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah with former speaker of the Kuwaiti National Assembly Jassem Al-Khorafi in a visit to the United Kingdom. — KUNA photos

From left to right: Parliament Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim, HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, former Parliament Speaker Jassem Al-Khorafi and HH Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah at an event.

Al-Khorafi in a meeting with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Former National Assembly Speaker Jassem Al-Khorafi and the late Amir HH Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed Al- Jaber Al-Sabah at the opening of Khairan Park. LOCAL SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2015 News Kuwait and Bahrain national In brief Guards discuss cooperation

GCC industrial cooperation committee meets in Doha

MANAMA: Acting Undersecretary of Al-Rifae noted that he has met, during tary facilities and fields of Bahraini National months to consider a number of measures Kuwait National Guard (KNG) Major- his visit, with Bahraini National Guard Guards, praising their distinctive training to enhance GCC joint action. The minister General Hashem Al-Rifae discussed with Commander Lieutenant-General Sheikh levels, good reputation, and outstanding added GCC continued making inroads to Bahrain’s National Guards leadership ways Mohammed bin Isa Al-Khalifa and Director training efficiency in all levels. boost industrial cooperation and achieve of joint cooperation and coordination, as of Staff Major-General Sheikh Abdulaziz bin economic integration. Huge efforts had well as enhancing cooperation levels in Saud Al-Khalifa. He also said that he has GCC industrial cooperation been exerted in the past years to increase trainings, military expertise exchange, conveyed greetings of KNG Chief Sheikh In another development, the 40th meet- contribution of the industrial sector to the and administrative fields for both sides. Salem AlAli Al-Sabah and his Deputy Chief ing of GCC Industrial cooperation commit- Gulf economies and adopt a unified strategy Maj-Gen Al-Rifae said, in a statement to Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- tee kicked off on Thursday with the aim of for industrial development in GCC states, he Ministry’s Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health KUNA, that his two-day visit alongside a Sabah to Bahraini National Guards leader- bolstering GCC joint action. Speaking at the said. The minister explained that those Dr Majda Al-Qattan KNG delegation is part of both sides’ ships, noting that both bureaus are current- event, Qatari Minister of Industry and efforts included the unification of legisla- cooperation protocol in various fields and ly working on boosting cooperation proto- Energy Dr Mohammad bin Saleh Al-Sada, tions and industrial systems. Al-Sada added MoH denies reports joint expertise exchange to boost bilater- col to increase mutual coordination. He said that the meeting will discuss the out- that the GCC countries are seeking to surge on plague outbreak al cooperation. also said that KNG delegation visited mili- come of the meetings held in last couple of industrial exports.— Agencies KUWAIT: Ministry of Health (MoH) has denied what has been posted on social media networks over the past two days that there is a warning by the ministry against plague outbreak and rodents’ infestation in the country. In a state- Crime ment yesterday, Ministry’s Assistant Undersecretary for Kuwait, Peru eye closer Public Health Dr Majda Al-Qattan said that what has been Report circulated is a repetition of reports that had been published on a local newspaper on October, 2012. She added diplomatic cooperation that the ministry is constantly keen on combating rodents Murder suspect and insects by providing best pesticides to control such WASHINGTON: Head of the Kuwait’s ness in establishing cooperation ties An official invitation from Kuwait’s insects, noting this is part of the ministry’s clear and com- Fourth Parliamentary Friendship with other countries around the Parliament Speaker Marzouq Al- prehensive plan. She urged citizens to follow up the min- arrested Committee MP Yousef Al-Zalzalah met world. Ghanim has been handed to the istry’s sources in order to receive true and reliable informa- with President of the Congress of the The meeting also discussed ways Peruvian Congress’ President to visit tion, stressing that the ministry has spared no efforts to KUWAIT: Following the Wafra murder where a Saudi was Republic of Peru Ana Maria Solorzano to open a Kuwaiti embassy in Peru to Kuwait officially and hold a number of provide accurate and true information for citizens. —KUNA killed by a Kuwaiti citizen who fled to KSA, security sources in the Peruvian capital yesterday. enhance and boost Kuwaiti-Peruvian MoU signing sessions between the During the meeting, also attended by ties, the Kuwaiti lawmaker said, noting two sides, said the Kuwaiti lawmaker. noted that Kuwaiti security authorities had contacted their Al-Ghanim condemns Israel’s Saudi counterparts who managed to locate and arrest the committee’s members Dr Abdullah Al- that his committee will continue talks The Kuwaiti parliamentary friendship Teraiji and Saif Al-Azmi, the Kuwaiti alongside First Deputy Prime Minister group arrived in Lima, the Peruvian detention of Palestinian MPs suspect while staying at his brother’s house in Riyadh. The KUWAIT: Kuwait’s National Assembly Speaker Marzouq sources said that the suspect’s two detained brothers had committee discussed ways to and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al- Capital, earlier coming from enhance bilateral cooperation with Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah with Honduran capital, Tegucigalpaon, Al-Ghanim has condemned Israel’s continued detention led the police to the murderer’s whereabouts and that he of Palestinian lawmakers. The international community would be handed over to Kuwait soon. Peru, MP Al-Zalzalah stated to KUNA, Peruvian officials to follow up with after a four-day official visit. Kuwait’s adding that the meeting also dis- this subject. The two sides also Non-Resident and Plenipotentiary must, practically and effectively, stop such flagrant cussed a number of parliamentary addressed supporting Kuwaiti invest- Ambassador to Peru Reem Al-Khaled Israeli violation against 17 Palestinian MPs, 13 of whom Citizen stabbed at party issues, including parliamentary diplo- ment in Peru, MP Al-Zalzalah said, said that the parliamentarian delega- have been imprisoned for over 13 years, Al-Ghanim, also Head of the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union (AIPU), said A party in Al-Shaab turned into a nightmare when macy. MP Al-Zalzalah stressed the adding that Peru has laws that protect tion will meet with a number of coun- in a press statement. The UN Security Council (UNSC) two citizens’ argument developed into a fight with one importance of parliamentary diplo- foreign investments and provide sev- terparts in the Peruvian Congress, as and major countries should take their responsibilities in of them stabbing the other, said security sources not- macy in bringing people closer and eral investment, infrastructure, and well as several officials from the min- pressuring Israel to release Palestinian lawmakers, Al- ing that all partying friends fled the scene, leaving the boosting relations in all fields with commercial projects that Kuwait istries of foreign and educational Ghanim said, adding that Israeli authorities must also victim to head to the hospital alone bleeding. Hospital countries of the world, pointing out could take part in following an affairs, seeking to enhance bilateral respond to repeated and renewed calls by UN bureaus police interrogated the injured man, a case was filed parliamentary diplomacy’s effective- approval by President Solorzano. relations in various fields.— KUNA and human rights organizations such as the Amnesty and further investigations are in progress to arrest the International and Human Rights Watch to release these stabber. prisoners immediately, the Kuwaiti Speaker said. The OIC decries ‘Islamophobia’ AIPU Presidency did not waste an opportunity at any Liposuction surgery case international arena in pointing out this issue and A doctor who had been recently held pending investi- demanding an end for it, Al-Ghanim confirmed. —KUNA gations to the death of a female citizen he had operated on during a liposuction surgery was finally released when he Arab ministers reiterate media role provided medical reports that cleared him from responsi- Kuwait grants award bility for the patient’s death. JEDDAH: There was an intensification Tolerance, combat extremism Terrorism has come to constitute a for Egyptian doctor of Islamophobia and animosity against In another development, Arab challenge to the entire Arab World, GENEVA: The State of Kuwait has granted Sabah Al-Ahmad Muslims in many parts of the world dur- Ministers of Information meeting in Jordan’s Minister of State for Media health boosting award 2015 to Dr Alaa Eddine Mohammad Al- Ashour verdict annulled ing the period from May 2014 to April Cairo on Thursday have emphasized the Affairs Mohammad Al-Momani. Al- Ghamrawi of Egypt in appreciation for his contributions to The court of appeals recently annulled the first 2015, said the Organization of Islamic role of the media for disseminating val- Momani added that the war against ter- establishment of the Egyptian national rheumatic heart diseases program. Kuwaiti Minister of Health Dr Ali Al-Obaidi, instance court verdict sentencing citizen Hussein Cooperation (OIC)’s annual report on ues of tolerance, and countering rorism will be a long one requiring mili- addressing the World Health Organization general assembly Ashour (an MP’s brother) to two years with labor and Islamophobia. The period in question extremism as well as supporting Arab tary, security and intellectual confronta- interests. Addressing the 46th meeting tion, He noted that media is capable of held here, affirmed Kuwait’s support for such distinctive KD 200 bail. The court ordered Ashour’s release and was a hard one, especially on Muslim of the Arab Ministers of Information playing a crucial role to combat terror- efforts noting that health has proven to be “the main pillars slapped him with KD 50,000 fine for instigating sectari- minorities in non-Muslim majority anism. Council, Director General of the UAE’s ism. Meanwhile, Arab League Secretary- for sustainable development.” The Kuwaiti award, which was countries, said the report. What aggra- National Media Council (NMC) Ibrahim General Nabil Al-Araby pointed to the first launched in 2004, depicts the close relationship between vated matters more was the world’s Al-Abed stressed the necessity of con- role of the media for interacting with Kuwait and the international organization, he said. Moreover, MEW investigating fake ad portraiture of ISIL as a legitimate advo- tinuously promoting media discourse, the strategic dimensions of the Arab it reflects Kuwait’s commitment to support the WHO efforts, Ministry of Electricity and Water is currently taking legal cate of Islam and its tenets which of mechanisms and tools amid the current new awakening, that seeks, among oth- abide by its resolutions and recommendations since joining it measures to indentify and prosecute some people behind course was absolutely wrong, said the conditions in the region. er goals, to develop an Arab security in 1960. Winner of the award praised in remarks to KUNA publishing an ad in a local magazine announcing the min- report. The session is themed “media role umbrella. Kuwait’s efforts in support of scientific and applied researches istry’s readiness to connect power to illegal buildings in a It reviewed the roots of the problem for promoting tolerance and combating Part of this is forming an Arab joint as well as enhancing public health. The doctor earned the ‘legal and immediate way.’ of Islamophobia including the freedom extremism.” Kuwait’s Minister of force, and making the necessary award for launching the cardiac program in Al-Mahalla to treat to assault Islam in the west as a form of Information and State Minister for arrangements for relying in the Arab children suffering from rheumatic cardiac diseases. free speech. It said the western media Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Al- capabilities for maintaining Arab securi- Girl abducted during the period in question carried Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah is taking ty, Al-Araby noted in his statement, Kuwaiti play wins gold A citizen reported seeing someone threaten a girl enormous media attacks on matters part. Media is one base of a required delivered on his behalf by Deputy at Free Theater Festival with a knife along Kabed road and force her into his Islamic such as the wearing of the hijab. cultural and knowledge system to Secretary-General Ahmed bin Helli. AMMAN: The Kuwaiti play ‘Hawel Marrah Okhra’ (Try Again) vehicle, said security sources noting that the caller Furthermore, the report noted some spread the culture of tolerance, multi- Saudi Minister of Information Adel bin won the golden award of the 10th Free Theater Festival on described the alleged kidnapper’s vehicle. A case was positive approaches toward culturalism and respect, besides inter- Zaid Altoraifi said that the 46th session Thursday evening. The silver and bronze medals went to filed and further investigations are in progress. Islamophobia in the west by condemn- faith dialogue to combat extremist and is held at the time when the Arab World ‘Harim Adam’ (Adam’s women), of Jordan, and Tunisia’s ing harsh rhetoric from the far right terrorist thoughts, Al-Abed added. He is going through critical conditions that ‘Marra Marra’ (Woman Woman) respectively, the arbitration groups bent on hating Muslims. It also stressed the dire need for “building prompt more integration among the panel announced. Hawwas Mohammad, of Algeria, and Taxi stolen urged international cooperation to curb an Arab cultural and cognitive mentali- media bodies. Altoraifi called for Arab A citizen who owns a roaming taxi company reported Hanaa Sha’sho’, of Tunisia, were selected as the best actor Islamophobia and to stand behind the ty based on tolerance, multiculturalism, joint media efforts to stand the fierce and best actress respectively while Spain’s Federico play that an Asian driver working for him had disappeared with universal principles of peaceful coexis- and coexistence,” calling for fighting attacks targeting Arab and Islamic val- the taxi he drove. A case was filed. — Al-Rai and Al-Anbaa won the special committee prize. Dr Mubarak Al-Mezel, tence and tolerance. terrorism and extremism. ues and constants. — Agencies director of the winning Try Again, dedicated the prize to Kuwaiti leadership, government and people. The play is the fruit of a joint Arab team; it is written by Saleh Al-Ameri, a UAE playwright , and starring Faisal Al-Omeiri and Samah Warzeh, he said in statements to KUNA. Dr Al-Mezel expressed profound joy for the win which came after fierce competition against the prestigious Spanish and Lebanese theaters. Noting that this was a major debut for him at the festival, he expressed hope for taking part in the coming editions and other events including the Coming Gulf theater festival.

Chairman and Director General of the Authority for Youth and Sports Sheikh Ahmad Al-Mansour Al-Sabah honors the World champion for the disabled in the Kuwaiti trapped in car collision sport of fencing Tareq Al-Qallaf. Kuwaiti wheelchair fencer world-champion honored By Hanan Al-Saadoun his face, causing severe eye burns that Interior employee arrested tal where he was admitted for treatment KUWAIT: The National Library of Kuwait celebrated the blinded him for at least an hour. The According to security sources, a man without any IDs (as his sister worked at launching of a book authored by Tariq Al-Qallaf, the Kuwaiti KUWAIT: A citizen was injured and driver added that the suspects stole KD working for the interior ministry was the hospital). However, detectives man- world-champion wheelchair fencer. Attending the book promotion event at the library was chairman and director another trapped inside his wrecked 918 from him. A case was filed and fur- recently arrested while heavily drunk, aged to locate him and he was placed general of the Authority for Youth and Sports Sheikh vehicle when their vehicles collided ther investigations are in progress. adding that the suspect was pretending under heavy custody till he received Ahmad Al-Mansour Al-Sabah representing the Minister of along the fourth ring road, said security to be a police officer, was carrying a medical treatment pending transfer to Information and State Minister for Youth Affairs Sheikh sources noting that firemen and rescue Robbers steal bike weapon and used it to threaten some- relevant authorities. Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah. In a speech forces rushed to the scene where they A citizen reported that unknown rob- one at an Ahmadi shopping mall. honoring Al-Qallaf’s achievements, Sheikh Ahmad Al- had to cut the wreckage open to release bers stopped his son and stole his new Three arrested for drugs Mansour noted that the wheelchair champion defied all the trapped driver. Both drivers were bike. A case was filed and further inves- Wanted man arrested Three Egyptians were recently arrest- odds and his physical disability to achieve the highest acco- rushed to hospital for treatment. tigations are in progress. A citizen wanted for several cases ed with the possession of two kilograms lades in his favorite sport of fencing. Stressing that Al-Qallaf was recently arrested, said security of crystal meth (ice), said security was a luminous role model for all athletes, disabled or not, Driver ‘pepper sprayed’ KD700,000 debt case sources. The sources added that on sources. Case papers indicate that nar- Sheikh Ahmad Al-Mansour said that Al-Qallaf had been gar- and robbed of KD 918 A citizen who had been wanted for a entering a public hospital for treatment cotics police had been tipped off con- nering top prizes at international championships for wheel- An Asian driver reported that two 21-days imprisonment verdict and for for injuries sustained while riding his cerning the suspects’ activity that led to chair-bound fencers for a period of thirty years. The last men hailed his cab in Salwa and as soon an unaid debt of KD 700,000 was bike, security forces identified him and their ambush and arrest. The suspects medals the fencer acquired were two gold and a bronze at as he stopped to ask where they were recently arrested at a routine check- tried arresting him but he managed to confessed to possessing the drugs to the Reno, Nevada championship recently held in the United heading, the men sprayed something to point. escape. He then went to another hospi- sell them. States, said Sheikh Ahmad Al-Mansour. LOCAL SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2015

Jordan King lauds Kuwait’s support to the Kingdom

DEAD SEA: Jordanian King Abdullah II Some are funded by the Government nature of the region’s changes cannot be Company Mohammad Jafaar; renewable yesterday commended Kuwait’s support and here I have to thank Saudi Arabia, understood through external visions or energy expert Ayah Al-Fawares and CEO to his country over the past years, carry- Kuwait and the UAE for their support in preconceived ideas, El-Sisi said, warning of Gulf Telecom Saud Al-Tawash. ing out several development projects in many of the development projects in that the “period of shifts” can be seized Talking to KUNA on the sidelines of the Kingdom. Addressing the Opening the Kingdom through the GCC fund over by certain parties to impose specific the two-day event, Al-Tawash stressed Session of the World Economic Forum the past few years.” views on the region. the significance of taking part in the on the Middle East and North Africa at a Up to 1, 300 of the world’s leading He revealed that Egypt’s Red Sea Forum to for exchanging expertise in all location in the Dead Sea region, King economists, politicians and academics resort of Sharm El-Sheik will be hosting fields, as well as probing investment Abdullah II spoke about a “10-year eco- in addition to senior officials and heads the next World Economic Forum on the opportunities. Participants will be dis- nomic blueprint, Jordan 2025,” which of state are attending the World Middle East and North Africa, May 2016. cussing topics of political and economic “will enable us to move fast to diversify Economic Forum that meets in the Dead Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas development in the regions especially in resources, develop infrastructure and Sea region for the ninth time, 21-23 May also addressed the gathering, reaffirm- Palestine and Iraq as well as reforms in capitalize on strengths.” 2015. In his address to the Forum, ing commitment to the two-state solu- the Arab World. Other topics will address “This plan will be delivered through Egypt’s President El-Sisi said that the tion to the Middle East conflict, in line the role of economy in the world’s stabil- public and private partnerships and to a Arab region is experiencing radical with UN resolutions. A Kuwaiti delega- ity, economic and judicial reform world- large extent through projects of over changes and serious challenges on all tion is taking part in the Forum, includ- wide and building institutional capabili- $18 billion to be announced today,” he levels, political, economic and security, ing CEO of Alghanim Industries Omar Al- ties of major economic sectors such as added. “Most of these projects are made which urges the international communi- Ghanim; Agility CEO Tarek Al-Sultan; power, tourism, pharmaceutical industry through public and private partnerships. ty to join forces to counter them. The chairman of the Kuwaiti Danish Dairy and IT. —KUNA Jordanian King Abdullah II US to boost GCC’s military defensive and capabilities US Ambassador echoes Obama’s sentiments

KUWAIT: US is committed to security and ter- Iran and particularly nuclear negotiations with Iraqi occupation in 1991. part of this new regime, he said. The Syrian ritorial integrity of GCC countries, and the two the Islamic Republic, thus wanted to speak to “This (Gulf region) is a very important part conflict has entered its fifth year, killing some sides discussed, during a recent summit in them directly. “We believe the concerns of the of the world for the us, politically, economical- 250,000 people and displacing more than 12.5 Camp David how to improve defensive and GCC leaders were substantially addressed in ly. The US has continued strong interest and million people. The leaders also agreed to military capabilities of Arab Gulf countries, US the summit,” he said, describing the discus- continues to help partners in the region to help the Iraqi government confront ISIL and envoy to Kuwait said. US President Barack sions as “good and frank.” Obama made a very deter and confront any external aggression, to its extremist ideology, in addition to helping Foreign Minister Igor Crnadak with the Kuwait Obama, at the May 14 Camp David summit discourage actors who would wish to do harm Baghdad to help all communities in Iraq to be Ambassador to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Nasser Al-Mutairi. with leaders of six Gulf Cooperation Council to our GCC partners,” said Silliman, echoing part of the political spectrum. The Iraqi gov- countries, committed to making sure capabili- Obama sentiments. American and GCC lead- ernment and popular mobilization forces are ties of GCC countries be increased to counter ers, meanwhile, agreed that any final nuclear joining hands to fight ISIL out of the city of Bosnia desires closer “whatever threats the GCC perceived,” agreement regarding Iran should cut off all Ramadi, the capital of Al-Anbar Governorate, a Ambassador Douglas Silliman said. This pathways for Iran to develop nuclear move the US will not oppose as long as the ites with Kuwait: FM includes working on missile defense systems, weapons, which would be good for regional popular mobilization militias work under the SARAJEVO: Bosnia has affirmed desire to elevate to higher early warning system in the GCC, as well as security, added Silliman. government’s command. level diplomatic and economic cooperation with Kuwait creation of Arab rapid response forces for Obama, he said, also acknowledged “there Obama and GCC leaders also called pro- and has hailed aid offered to the European country in vari- counter-terrorism and peacekeeping missions, were continued Iranian interference in the viding humanitarian aid to needy people in ous fields. Foreign Minister Igor Crnadak, speaking during a Silliman said in an interview with KUNA. region. “If Iran can be a partner for peace and Yemen, and supported UN efforts to reach a meeting with the Kuwait Ambassador to Bosnia- These, however, were ideas discussed by prosperity in the region then that is generally negotiated settlement in the country, as well Herzegovina, Nasser Al-Mutairi yesterday, said Sarajevo the American and Gulf leaders, and the details a good thing, but the focus now was prepar- as full implementation of UN resolution 2216. would seek to cement the relationship with Kuwait, prais- would be discussed in coming months, said ing the GCC partners to confront potential Saudi Arabia, acting at behest of legitimate ing its support for the country in the economic and politi- Silliman. The objective is to boost the “ability aggression on their territories, but to prepare leadership in Yemen, had led a coalition of cal arenas as well as at international quarters. He indicated of the GCC countries, individually and collec- them politically and economically” against any Arab and Islamic countries to fight Houthi that his department, in coordination with other authorities, tively, to deal with their own defense” capabili- attempt to destabilize the region, he said. militias with aim of protecting the Yemeni would seek to lure Kuwaiti enterprises. Bosnia’s forecast ties, he said. The US and GCC leaders, he not- Meanwhile, the GCC and US leaders also dis- people and restoring legitimacy. The coalition joining of the European Union will be a guarantee for for- ed, agreed to expand security cooperation, cussed the conflict in Syria and how it was had launched Operation Restoration of Hope US Ambassador to Kuwait eign capitals, he said. Ambassador Al-Mutairi conveyed like military training and exercise, ways to important to solve it peacefully, support mod- now to provide aid, resume the political Douglas A Silliman greetings of the First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign counter terrorism, including the fight against erate opposition and seek a negotiated politi- process and rebuild the country. The US and Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and his ideologies of the Islamic State in Iraq and strong reiteration of commitment over sover- cal transition from current regime of Bashar GCC called for forming a government of congratulations for assuming the European Council’s chair- Levant (ISIL) and Al-Qaeda. eignty, security and territorial integrity of all Al-Assad to a new regime that actually takes national unity in Libya and commitment to manship. He reiterated support for the nation’s integrity Silliman said Obama was aware of the con- GCC countries, just like Washington did in the into account interests of all Syrian people. reaching a two-state solution between the noting the Kuwaiti aid, provided to the people last year, fol- cern in region about the US relationship with Gulf war and liberation of Kuwait from the There was a consensus that Assad cannot be Israelis and Palestinians. — KUNA lowing floods. —KUNA SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2015

How Iraqi friar saved US police arrest suspect in mansion murders ancient manuscripts from Islamic State Page9 Page 7

QATIF: Saudi men gather around debris following a blast inside a mosque, in the mainly Shiite Saudi Gulf coastal town of Qatif, 400 kms east of Riyadh yesterday. — AFP Suicide bomber hits Saudi Shiite mosque; 21 die Attack is worst of its kind in many years; IS claims attack

DUBAI: A suicide bomber killed 21 worshippers during Friday the blast,” worshipper Kamal Jaafar Hassan told Reuters by of terrorism and said it was carried out by “agents of sedi- on oil installations or shopping malls. In Beirut, Lebanon’s prayers in a packed Shiite mosque in eastern Saudi Arabia, resi- phone from the scene. It was the first attack targeting minority tion trying to target the kingdom’s national fabric”, accord- Hezbollah, an ally of Saudi Arabia’s regional rival Iran, con- dents and the health minister said, in an attack claimed by the Shiites since November when gunmen opened fire during a ing to a statement carried by state news agency SPA. The demned the attack but said authorities in the kingdom Islamic State militant group. It was one of the deadliest assaults religious celebration in Al-Ahsa, also in the east where most of agency quoted an Interior Ministry spokesman as saying itself bore responsibility. “Hezbollah holds the Saudi author- in recent years in the kingdom, where sectarian tensions have the group live in predominantly Sunni Muslim Saudi Arabia. that the bomber detonated a suicide belt hidden under his ities fully responsible for this ugly crime, for its embrace and been frayed by nearly two months of Saudi-led air strikes on Islamic State said in a statement that one of its suicide bombers clothes inside the mosque. “Security authorities will spare sponsorship for these criminal murderers ... to carry out Shiite Houthi rebels in neighboring Yemen. More than 150 peo- identified as Abu ‘Ammar al-Najdi carried out the attack using no effort in the pursuit of all those involved in this terrorist similar crimes in other Arab and Muslim countries,” the ple were praying when the huge explosion ripped through the an explosives-laden belt that killed or wounded 250 people, crime,” the official said in a statement carried by state news Shiite group said in a statement. The statement appeared to Imam Ali mosque in the village of Al-Qadeeh, witnesses said. A U.S.-based monitoring group SITE said on its Twitter account. A agency SPA. A hospital official told Reuters by telephone echo Iranian accusations that Saudi Arabia sponsors ultra- video posted online showed a hall filled with smoke and dust, photograph posted on social media showed the mutilated that “around 20 people” were killed in the attack and more orthodox Sunni militant groups in the region, an allegation with bloodied people moaning with pain as they lay on the body of a young man, said to be the bomber. than 50 were under treatment at the hospital, some of usually taken to refer to groups such as Islamic State and al floor littered with concrete and glass. More than 90 people them suffering from serious injuries. He said that a number Qaeda. Riyadh denies the allegations. In Yemen, a bomb at were wounded, the Saudi health minister told state television. Sectarian tensions of other people had been treated and sent home. In April, a Houthi mosque in the capital Sanaa yesterday was also “We were doing the first part of the prayers when we heard The Saudi Interior Ministry described the attack as an act Saudi Arabia said it was on high alert for a possible attacks claimed by Islamic State.— Reuters ‘Mideast at risk of partition’ Hezbollah sees no end to Syria war

BEIRUT: Lebanon’s Hezbollah says the Middle Washington, saying it was waiting to see how most hardline and powerful insurgent group in East is at risk of partition and sees no end to the things turned out instead of adopting clear Syria - has been attacking government-held war in Syria, where it is fighting alongside policies. Saudi Arabia has denied accusations of areas, putting the over stretched army under President Bashar Al-Assad against insurgents backing radical Islamists. It says Iran’s efforts to even more pressure. supported by his regional enemies. Sheikh expand its influence are the main source of Qassem said Islamic State’s capture of the Naim Qassem, deputy leader of the Iranian- instability in the Middle East. “The region is ancient city of Palmyra from the army this week backed group, said the insurgents would be today on fire, tense, without any proposed solu- was part of the ebb and flow of the war in which unable to topple the Assad government tions. It seems this will continue for a number of ground lost in one area is made up in another. “It despite their recent gains in battle, including years, and there is also the risk of partition in is normal to lose in some areas and win in oth- An undated handout picture shows Father Jacques Mourad, priest of the Syriac this week’s capture of Palmyra by the Islamic some of its countries,” said Qassem. ers,” he said. “What is happening is attack and Catholic Church in the western Syrian city of Homs, posing for a photo at an State jihadist group. In an interview with retreat which does not change the equation nei- unknown location. Father Mourad was kidnapped along with one of his colleagues, Reuters, Qassem said Assad’s allies - Iran, Russia Iraq holds key ther geographically or politically.” Assad’s losses at his Mar Elian Monastery in the Syrian town of Qaryatayn. — AFP and Hezbollah - would back him “however long “The biggest danger in the plan to partition in Idlib have been at the hands of an alliance of it takes”. There could be no solution to the war the region is for Iraq, because America is pro- Islamists including the Al-Qaeda-linked Nusra Priest kidnapped in Homs without Assad, and it was time for “Arabs and moting this, and it seems there are some ele- Front and the hardline Ahrar al-Sham. They have the world” to realize that, added the white-tur- ments in Iraq that want this, but it has not come together under the banner of the “Fath ROME: A priest of the Syriac Catholic Church Hilal of Homs told l’Oeuvre d’Orient. baned cleric, speaking at Hezbollah offices in matured yet,” he said. Washington says it sup- Army”, or army of Islamic conquest. in the western Syrian city of Homs was kid- According to Father Kamil Semaan, of the Beirut. ports a united Iraq. Destruction would continue Qassem said Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey napped Thursday along with one of his col- Syriac Catholic Patriarchy in Beirut, armed Hezbollah has been a crucial ally to Assad in in Syria because it would not submit, Qassem were training, arming and funding these leagues, the NGO l’Oeuvre d’Orient said yes- men stormed the monastery in the early the four-year-long war, sending its fighters to said. “Solutions for Syria are suspended. There is groups to try and shift the military balance by terday. Father Jacques Mourad was seized afternoon. Others present tried to intervene, help him hold on to territory and power. The no political solution in the foreseeable period, bringing together “takfiri terrorist forces” with with another Christian originating from but the gunmen took Mourad and his col- Lebanese group, a Shiite Islamist party with a and it is left to attrition, to the battlefield, and to US supervision. “This shift in balance is tempo- Aleppo, who was helping the priest. “The league in the priest’s car, Semaan said. powerful armed wing, describes its role as part wait for other developments in the region, par- rary and not fundamental and does not the priest was kidnapped by three masked peo- Several hours before being taken, Mourad of a struggle against jihadists who are a grow- ticularly Iraq,” he said. change the equation in Syria,” he said. Qatar ple in the early afternoon at his Mar Elian had refused to leave the monastery, despite ing threat to the region. The regional instability With the United States leading an air cam- and Turkey deny backing radical jihadist groups Monastery in the town of Qaryatayn, while he the threat of the Islamic State group in the has been fuelled by rivalry between the Shiite paign against Islamic State militants in northern such as Islamic State, while not hiding their sup- was preparing to welcome an expected influx region. “As the priest and pastor, I will never Islamist government of Iran and the conserva- and eastern Syria, Assad had appeared increas- port for the insurgency against Assad. of refugees from Palmyra,” said the NGO, leave this place so long as there are people referring to the central Syrian city which was here, unless they hunt me down,” said the tive Sunni Muslim kingdom of Saudi Arabia, ingly confident at the turn of the year. But since Hezbollah says its offensive with the Syrian recently captured by the Islamic State group. priest. Mourad had been at the monastery one of the main sponsors of the insurgency late March, he has faced significant setbacks. army against insurgents including the Nusra The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights for the last 15 years. He succeeded the Italian against Assad. Wide areas of territory in the northwestern Front in the mountains between Lebanon and confirmed that “two men, at least one of Jesuit Priest Paolo Dall’Oglio as the head of Qassem said Saudi policy was to blame for province of Idlib have been lost to an alliance of Syria was ongoing and partly to protect them a priest,” were kidnapped by armed the Mar Moussa Monastery, which is linked to regional conflicts including the most recent one mainly Islamist insurgent groups believed to be Lebanon, targeted by suicide attacks since men “near Qaryatayn, in the Homs province”. Mar Elian, after Dall’Oglio was kidnapped in in Yemen. He accused Riyadh of “double stan- backed by Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, Syria’s war began in 2011. “Syria’s allies are con- “After the fall of Palmyra, a lot of civilians 2013 from the northern Aleppo province. dards”, backing radical Sunni Islamists, or “tak- which all want to see Assad gone from power. tinuing in supporting Assad’s Syria until the started moving towards Qaryatayn, the small The NGO said that Mourad worked to foster firis”, across the Middle East, while seeking to Other insurgents have made gains in south at end, regardless of how long it takes,” Qassem city 30 km (19 miles) from Homs, and espe- inter-religious dialogue, and worked with suppress them at home. He also blamed the border with Jordan, while Islamic State - the said. — Reuters cially the Mar Elian monastery,” Father Ziad both Christians and Muslims. — AFP INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2015

Yemen struggles with medicine and food shortages

LONDON: A trickle of aid, medicine and commer- and are dependent on international aid, which is cial food cargoes is reaching Yemen yet the scarce,” Shaher said. process remains slow as more ships await clearance to discharge at ports and logistical chains Disruptions buckle due to fuel shortages and war. Before Saudi Arabia and its Sunni Muslim allies have Saudi Arabia launched air strikes in Yemen in carried out almost two months of air raids on March, the Arabian Peninsula’s poorest country Houthi fighters it says are armed by Shiite power imported more than 90 percent of its food - most Iran. Tehran, which dismisses the allegation, has of it by sea. It faces increasing problems as many sent a ship to Yemen which is says is carrying shipping companies have pulled out and those thousands of tons of aid. Commodities trade still willing to bring cargoes endure a long wait for sources say the delays caused by coalition inspec- clearance from Saudi-led warships trying to pre- tions were adding to challenges of importing vent arms supplies reaching Iran-allied Houthi goods into the conflict zone. “You don’t have any fighters. clarity on the situation and there are so many hic- In recent days over 130,000 tonnes of wheat cups, which means more disruptions to come,” has reached Yemen in commercial ships as well as one trade said. other supplies including sugar and fuel, partly Eight ships were waiting in open waters out- helped by a five-day truce which expired last side the Yemeni Red Sea ports of Hodaida and Sunday. But aid groups say it is not enough, warn- Salif, including vessels carrying wheat, corn, sug- ing of growing hunger and a worsening humani- ar and fuel, Reuters ship tracking data showed tarian crisis. “12 million people out of the total yesterday. Several ships had been able to dis- population of 26 million need food assistance OBOCK: In this Tuesday, May 19, 2015 photo, Ibrahim Mohamed, 80, and the oldest refugee at the charge in recent days although for some had now and this number will continue to increase,” center, who is both blind and deaf, adjusts his hat, at an orphanage that has been turned into a cen- waited weeks. The Lycavitos, carrying 31,000 said Jonathan Cunliffe, Yemen-based country ter for Yemeni refugees, in Obock, northern Djibouti. — AP tons of wheat, arrived outside Hodaida on May 2 director with non-profit aid group International and only berthed on May 18. It plans to sail from Medical Corps. “There is no doubt food stocks drawn down. The country needs over 100,000 Yemen. We cannot do it,” Cunliffe said. Tawfiq the port on May 23. “The situation keeps chang- have been run down. In Aden there is virtually tons of grain every month, as well as other basics Shaher, a public sector worker and Sanaa resi- ing on a daily basis. So, for ships trying to enter nothing left. Wheat prices have quadrupled such as vegetable oil, pulses and meat. “The dent, said while there was more availability of Yemeni ports, it is still hard to give any timescale across the country. There is no purchasing power.” absolute bottom line is all the aid agencies in the flour and wheat in recent days, local prices had over the whole process or procedure,” the ship It was not clear how much of Yemen’s strategic world working at maximum capacity cannot spiked. “People can’t afford it and people dis- owner’s agent Helikon Shipping Enterprises Ltd stocks of wheat and other commodities had been replace completely the commercial sector inside placed from their homes, don’t have any means to said. — Reuters

How Iraqi friar saved ancient Christian manuscripts from IS

PARIS: Bullets whistled overhead, a black loaded a large part of the manuscripts in a Islamic State flag flapping in the distance, truck and drove them to Arbil, in Kurdistan, but all Friar Najeeb Michaeel could think of which is 70 kilometers away,” he said. And as he fled the jihadists was how to save when the jihadists descended on Qaraqosh hundreds of ancient Iraqi manuscripts in on August 7, forcing the last Dominican fri- his possession. “You are going to get us ars to flee, he stashed the remaining manu- killed with your archives,” Michaeel’s assis- scripts in boxes in his car. tant Watheq Qassab grumbled as he strug- “We were engulfed in the massive exo- gled to carry six boxes of the documents dus of Christians and Yazidis who were flee- dated between the 13th and 19th century ing to Arbil”, the Kurdish capital, said across the border from Iraq into Kurdistan Michaeel. “We could see the black flag of in August last year. The Roman Catholic Daesh (IS) from a distance. We were pro- Dominican Order arrived in Iraq in the 13th tected by armed peshmerga (Kurdish fight- century, and set up a permanent church in ers) but they wouldn’t let our car cross the the second city of Mosul in 1750. Michaeel border. “So I started to take the boxes of first smuggled his precious library out of manuscripts out of the car and hand them Mosul to Qaraqosh-Iraq’s largest Christian to passers by,” he said. Watheq Qassab, an town-during an Islamist insurgency in 2008 Iraqi working for the Dominican order, which saw thousands of Christians flee the helped him. “Bullets were whistling above city. our heads and I thought we were going to die,” he said. “Children were crying, women too. I was carrying six boxes, it was heavy, I couldn’t run.” Luckily, a car was waiting for them on the Kurdish side of the border, and all the boxes arrived safe and sound and are now hidden in Arbil. Michaeel’s collection includes historical and philosophical texts, documents on both Christian and Muslim spirituality, music and literature written in BAGHDAD: UN officials visit a camp, set up for displaced civilians from Ramadi and around the area, in the town of Amiriyat al-Fallujah, west of Aramaic, Syriac, Arabic and Armenian. They Baghdad, Iraq, yesterday. The United Nations World Food Program said it is rushing food assistance into Anbar to help tens of thousands of resi- bear testament to the long Christian tradi- dents who have fled Ramadi after it was taken by the Islamic State militant group. — AP tion in former Mesopotamia seen as the cradle of Western civilization-which survived even as most of the region between Islamic State cements grip the Tigris and Euphrates rivers converted to Islam in the 7th century. Tens of thousands of Christians have been forced to flee what on the Iraqi-Syrian border Pope Francis called the “intolerable brutality” being inflicted on them and other minorities in Iraq and Syria by IS group mili- Jihadists now control roughly half of Syria tants. DAMASCUS: The Islamic State group consolidated its regime hands. Syria’s opposition government in exile the Iraqi city of Ramadi, their most significant victory ‘Bridge between civilizations’ PARIS: Iraqi friar Najeeb Michaeel, of the control of the Iraq-Syria border yesterday after captur- said the regime controlled “less than a quarter” of the since last summer’s lightning advance across swathes Historian Francoise Briquel-Chatonnet, a Roman Catholic Dominican Order, poses yes- ing an Iraqi provincial capital and a famed Syrian her- country. IS’s jihadist rival, Al-Qaeda affiliate Al-Nusra of northern Iraq. Officials said IS also seized Iraqi posi- researcher at the French National Centre for terday in Paris. — AFP itage site in an offensive that has forced a review of US Front, has also been on the offensive as part of a rebel tions east of Ramadi on Thursday, but added that gov- Scientific Research, said there were about strategy. The jihadists, who now control roughly half of alliance that has stormed through nearly all of the ernment forces were preparing a counteroffensive to 50 manuscripts written in the ancient Syria, reinforced their self-declared transfrontier northwestern province of Idlib. retake the city “in the coming days”. Last year, the friar again felt the tide Christian language of Syriac, dated “before “caliphate” by seizing Syria’s Al-Tanaf crossing on the Iraqi forces cleared a ground route to the country’s turning as the Islamic State group seized the arrival of Islam in the same region.” Damascus-Baghdad highway late Thursday. Ramadi exodus largest oil refinery at Baiji, under siege by IS for town after town, destroying priceless arte- “Most are conserved in the British Library in It was the last regime-held border crossing with Yesterday, the alliance overran a hospital in Jisr Al- months, the US military said yesterday. Obama facts and documents in museums and London. The oldest dates back to 411.” Iraq. Except for a short section of frontier in the north Shughur where at least 150 regime forces and dozens blamed the fall of Ramadi on a lack of training and libraries in their rampage across Iraq and Michaeel’s collection is not that old, but under Kurdish control, all the rest are now held by IS. of civilians were trapped for nearly a month, the reinforcements for its garrison, saying Iraqi security Syria. As IS on Thursday seized the ancient “they are a sort of bridge between civiliza- The jihadist surge, which has also seen it take Anbar Observatory said. Dozens managed to escape but forces in “Sunni parts of the country” needed speedier city of Palmyra in Syria, raising fears of fur- tions, they bear witness to the past and say capital Ramadi and the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra despite a pledge from President Bashar al-Assad to support. “I don’t think we’re losing,” he told news mag- ther destruction, Michaeel told AFP in Paris a lot about the present,” said the friar, in the past week, comes despite eight months of US- rescue them, others were killed, it said. The azine The Atlantic. One of Iraq’s leading Sunni Arab how he became obsessed with saving the adding he sees them as his “children.” led air strikes. It has sparked an exodus of tens of thou- Observatory also reported eight women and three politicians, Deputy Prime Minister Saleh Mutlaq, called remnants of Iraq’s 2,000-year-old Christian In Qaraqosh, Michaeel and his staff have sands of civilians in both countries and raised fears IS young girls killed when regime forces dropped two for a change of US strategy. Recruiting Sunni tribes is heritage. “It was imperative that these man- been working for years to collect and digi- will repeat at Palmyra the destruction it has already barrel bombs on their village in the northern province “important but not enough,” he said, adding that in uscripts, conserved in the Dominican tize the ancient manuscripts, photograph- wreaked at ancient sites in Iraq’s Nimrud and Mosul. of Aleppo. Palmyra’s takeover came days after IS seized any case it was “too late”. — AFP library in Mosul and then in Qaraqosh, ing them and storing them on a hard drive. The United Nations said yesterday at least 55,000 peo- escape the systematic destruction of the “Since 1990 we have digitized 8,000 manu- ple had fled Ramadi alone since mid-May. non-Muslim cultural heritage,” Michaeel scripts from the region. Half of the originals President Barack Obama has played down the IS told AFP. no longer exist as they have been destroyed advance as a tactical “setback” and denied the US-led Rohingya parents anxious by the Islamic State,” he said. Copies of sev- coalition was “losing” to IS. But French President ‘I thought we were going to die’ en of these documents are currently being Francois Hollande said the world must act to stop the for news of missing kids So, when IS seized Iraq’s second city of displayed at the National Archives in Paris at extremists. UNESCO chief Irina Bokova called the 1st Mosul in June, a short distance from an exhibition entitled: “Mesopotamia, a and 2nd Century ruins “the birthplace of human civi- Qaraqosh, Michaeel again took action. “We crossroads of cultures.”— AFP SITTWE: A generation of young Rohingya state, where communal bloodshed and waves of lization”, adding: “It belongs to the whole of humanity Muslims are disappearing on boats to escape per- arson attacks swept tens of thousands from their and I think everyone today should be worried about secution and despair in Myanmar, leaving frantic homes three years ago. The displaced now live in what is happening.” In Palmyra, at a strategic cross- parents behind clutching on to little more than camps in scrubland currently baking under a trop- Al Shabaab fighters roads between Damascus and the Iraqi border to the photographs and fading hope that their children ical sun and soon to bear the brunt of another east, IS executed at least 17 suspected loyalists of the are safe. Fragments of news of the boat people cri- monsoon season. The Rohingya are not recog- Damascus government Thursday, the Syrian sis gripping Southeast Asia has filtered into Ohn nized in Myanmar where they are largely viewed attack Kenya village Observatory for Human Rights said. Daw Gyi displacement camp on the fringes of the as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, denied citi- Rakhine state capital Sittwe in western Myanmar, zenship status by the government, and face a raft NAIROBI: Militants from Somalia-based Al said yesterday its fighters were still in the vil- Priest kidnapped stirring panic among families from the stateless of restrictions on their movement and family size. Shabaab attacked a village in northeast lage and had repulsed Kenyan security per- IS proclaimed Palmyra’s capture online and posted Rohingya minority. Tun Hla Shwe’s 19-year-old Kenya but were beaten back by security sonnel. “We fully control Yumbis village. video and footage of its fighters in the city’s air base, daughter and her two small children have been Faces of the missing forces, the Interior Ministry said yesterday. It Kenyan forces tried to attack the village but but not of the UNESCO world heritage site’s colonnad- missing on the seas for more than two months. As AFP spoke to relatives of migrants in a said the militants entered the village of we drove them back,” Sheikh Abdiasis Abu ed streets, elaborately decorated tombs and temples. “We heard about the stranded boats. Some makeshift bamboo camp teashop, a queue of Yumbis, 70 km north of the town of Garissa, Musab, Al Shabaab’s military operations Syria’s antiquities director Mamoun Abdulkarim urged people said the crew throw people into the sea if anguished families formed saying that had no late on Thursday. “Security forces swiftly spokesman said. A senior government official the world to “mobilize” to save the treasures. Also on they die. They do it if children die. When I heard idea what fate had befallen loved ones swept mobilized and engaged the militants in a reiterated that Al Shabaab fighters had left Thursday, a Syrian priest and his colleague were kid- about it, I thought that my two grandchildren may into a vast and lucrative people-smuggling gunbattle. No casualties were reported,” a the village. “We have dispatched a team of napped from a monastery between Homs and die,” he told AFP of the infants, aged two and four. chain stretching across Southeast Asia. Many ministry statement said. security officers on the ground tracking down Palmyra, the French NGO L’Oeuvre d’Orient said. “They cannot even stand it if they don’t have a were clutching precious photographs of the snack every five minutes. It has been more than missing, protected in plastic wrapping. In one Al Shabaab, which has carried out fre- the attackers ... The area is calm and peaceful “ Father Jacques Mourad was preparing aid for an influx two months. If they don’t eat anything they will picture two teenage boys in matching green quent attacks in Kenya in recent years to try a senior Garrissa county government official, of refugees from Palmyra and was known to help both die,” he said, breaking into sobs. Tens of thousands football strips posed solemnly in front of their to force Nairobi to pull its troops out of who did not wish to be named, told Reuters Christians and Muslims. IS now controls “more than have taken to the sea in recent years from bamboo hut. Another showed a young woman Somalia, attacked a university in the same by phone. 95,000 square kilometers in Syria, which is 50 percent Myanmar and Bangladesh, risking everything with dressed for a special occasion in her finest area last month and killed 148 people. A Attacks by the militants have hit Kenya’s of the country’s territory,” the Observatory said. Fabrice Balanche, a French expert on Syria, said “IS people smugglers for the chance of a better future sequined outfit. All of the dozen or so family police source in the area who did not wish to tourism industry, a top foreign exchange in Malaysia and beyond. It is the largest regional members and friends of migrants who be named said the militants roamed Yumbis earner, as worried tourists cancel bookings. Al now dominates central Syria, a crossroads of primary importance” that could allow it to advance towards exodus since Vietnamese fled in droves following approached AFP were worried about missing for an hour in two trucks bearing Kenyan reg- Shabaab, which has links to Al-Qaeda, has fre- the end of the Vietnam war. young people, aged between 17 and their early the capital and third city Homs. Matthew Henman, istration plates. They hoisted their black flag quently carried out attacks in Somalia and But unwanted at home, they often encounter 20s, a sign that a whole generation are fleeing. head of IHS Jane’s Terrorism and Insurgency Centre, on a mosque where they held prayers, before neighboring countries as it seeks to impose exploitation abroad, a trail of misery facilitated by Many were just children when unrest in Rakhine said the jihadist advance “reinforces IS’s position as the heading towards the nearby village of its strict interpretation of Islamic law and a web of traffickers. Many are Rohingya in in 2012 forced them from their homes in and single opposition group that controls the most territo- Damajale. overthrow the Somali government, which is Buddhist-majority Myanmar fleeing discrimina- around Sittwe and into the sprawling camps A combined force of police and the army backed by Western donors and African peace- ry in Syria”. According to the Observatory, IS gains tion, poverty and the threat of violence in Rakhine that now house some 140,000 people. —AFP drove them off, the source said. Al Shabaab keepers. —Reuters mean a mere 22 percent of Syria’s territory is still in INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2015

Former Boko Haram captives still held by Nigeria military

YOLA: The accusations against a woman who was rescued from Boko beatings - as well as suspicions that some cooperated with their captors the militants as suicide bombers, sending them into crowded markets and Haram abductors came from fellow former captives during a group coun- and may still support them. bus stations. seling session. Why had she received preferential treatment and better food In counseling sessions at the Malkohi Camp outside the northeastern while they were held? Wasn’t she married to a fighter from the Islamic city of Yola, witnesses described some women accusing another one of hav- Traumatized people extremist group? As scores of young Nigerian women and children are res- ing ties to their former Boko Haram captors. Relations between soldiers The president of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Peter cued from the clutches of Boko Haram, they face suspicions that they may guarding the camp and some of the rescued women had been tense after a Maurer, expressed alarm Thursday at the scale of the humanitarian needs still be in contact with their former captors. These fears apparently have led fracas witnessed May 17 by a reporter in which a soldier falsely claimed that and “the horrific mental and physical scars” that the violence by Boko Haram to an entire group of 275 women and girls rescued from the extremists last one of the women tried to grab his gun and told him she was a Boko Haram has left on the people of northeast Nigeria. “Whole communities have fled month being forced to remain in custody - held this time by the Nigerian member. their villages and endured unimaginable suffering. Traumatized people, military. ‘Entirely military affair’ without homes, belongings, income and education for their children - what The Defense Ministry spokesman, Maj Gen Chris Olukolade, claimed On Tuesday, soldiers took the group of more than 200 children - almost does the future hold for them?” Maurer said, adding that the needs were far Thursday that they were moved to get “proper medical attention and psy- all younger than 5 - and 67 girls and women from the camp, the National beyond the capacity of his Geneva-based organization and demand serious cho-social therapy” under a program organized by the national security Emergency Management Agency has confirmed. Agency spokesman Sani international attention. Boko Haram abducted nearly 300 schoolgirls from adviser. Olukolade was quoted by PR Nigeria, an agency that puts out Datti said he had no other information because it was an “entirely military the northeastern town of Chibok in April 2014. Dozens escaped, but 219 Nigerian government news. One of the trauma counselors who had been affair.” The group was put on a military plane and flown to an unknown des- remain missing. The plight of the schoolgirls, who have become known as working with the women said the group had nearly completed their thera- tination, possibly the capital of Abuja, a camp official and a military intelli- “the Chibok girls,” sparked international outrage. py and camp officials had been preparing to reunite some with their fami- gence officer told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because A counselor who worked with the rescued group at Malkohi said they told lies, before the military took them. they were not authorized to talk to the media about the issue. him that Christians among the captives had been forced by Boko Haram to Their move from the camp only became known after an AP story about convert to Islam, and some were forced to marry fighters. At least 18 are preg- Series of defeats the heroism of one teenager, Binta Ibrahim, prompted two readers to send nant. One 22-year-old told him she was paid a dowry of 500 naira - the equiv- After creating havoc in northeastern Nigeria for years, Boko Haram mili- $500 to her. An AP reporter who went to the camp to find out how to get alent of $2.30 - to marry an insurgent. Others said they were treated like tants have suffered a series of defeats this year from an offensive by better- the money to her discovered the group was no longer there. It is not known “slaves,” forced to do domestic work and whipped if they disobeyed. One equipped Nigerian troops bolstered by forces from neighboring Chad, how many girls, women and children have been kidnapped by Boko Haram showed the counselor her back, covered with scars. But the counselor said Niger and Cameroon. As the militants retreat, the many captives they seized over the years. Many have escaped and Nigerian troops reported freeing the only person who had openly supported Boko Haram was a 4-year-old boy are being rescued, but that doesn’t mean their ordeal is over. Many remain some 700 last month since the multinational offensive chased the militants whose mother and father belonged to the group. He said he feared for the traumatized by their harsh captivity - including rape, sexual slavery and from towns in the northeast. Some of the girls and women were used by boy’s life and had had officials remove him from the camp. — AP

Israel settlement expansion blocking peace deal: Abbas

SOUTHERN SHUNEH: Palestinian President has voiced support in recent years for a Mahmoud Abbas yesterday said Israel is Palestinian state - but seems very far from blocking peace by continuing to expand the Palestinians’ terms. During his cam- settlements on occupied territory, but reaf- paign he said he did not expect a firmed his support for a two-state solution Palestinian state to soon arise, but later based on the pre-1967 border. “What pre- slightly back tracked. vents the achievement of this desire is Speaking at the same conference on Israel’s continuation of its occupation and the shores of the Dead Sea, former Israeli settlement activity and imposing realities President Shimon Peres said most Israelis on the ground,” said Abbas, speaking at a nonetheless supported the principle of a regional World Economic Forum conference Palestinian state. Asked about the possi- in Jordan. Abbas did not refer to the bility that the world community would changed circumstances created by the for- ratchet up the pressure on Israel, he insist- mation of a new hard-line Israeli govern- ed that more negotiations - despite ment this month; key members of which decades of failure - were the answer. “I’m oppose land concessions to the convinced that there will be no better Palestinians. A US-led negotiation effort alternative (to) the two-state solution,” broke down about a year ago, and current said Peres, who is also a former prime prospects for resuming them are slim. minister. “I believe it is possible. I believe it Israelis re-elected the hard-line is needed. I believe that peace negotia- Benjamin Netanyahu two months ago in tions can be resumed and the sooner the part because they reject the Palestinians better.” Many moderate Israelis are con- terms, which include not just a near-total cerned that the default outcome is a sin- pullout from the West Bank and a division gle state in which Jews will not be the of some sort in Jerusalem - but also majority - and which, if Jews continue to BAGHDAD: Iraqi families, who fled the city of Ramadi after it was seized by Islamic State (IS) group militants, wait to cross Bzeibez bridge, on the because the regional chaos has them in a dominate it, would cease to be considered southwestern frontier of Baghdad yesterday. — AFP cautious frame of mind. The prime minister a democracy.— AP Police swoop on IS expands its ‘state’ Erdogan enemies Capture of Ramadi, Palmyra overshadows Mosul BEIRUT: Almost a year after Islamic State’s shock cap- offices, utilities, hospitals, taxation and a judiciary sys- Homs, the cradle of the revolt against Assad in Syria’s Businessmen among 66 targeted ture of Mosul, Iraq’s second city, the black flags of the tem that follows sharia law. centre, and to the south. jihadis have been raised over Ramadi, the capital of Its resources are vast, including oilfields, refineries The fall of Ramadi is potentially devastating to the ISTANBUL: Turkish police launched an provincial police chief were among those Anbar province to the west of Baghdad, seat of Iraq’s and agricultural land. It operates more like a regular Iraqi government. It is the capital of the vast Anbar operation yesterday to detain dozens of so far held, the Dogan news agency increasingly theoretical central government. Nobody army with a recruiting network, training camps and a province, which stretches to Iraq’s western border people including businessmen seen as reported. “I am detained. Probably talks of Mosul or recapturing it from Islamic State. It is propaganda machine. In videos released by IS, its with Jordan and Syria. This was the launchpad of the supporters of US-based Muslim cleric because we spoke and told the truth. It’s a forgotten city. Now it is all about the fall of Ramadi, fighters and leader Abu Baqr Al-Baghdadi confidently Sunni jihadi insurgency against the American occupa- Fethullah Gulen, President Tayyip not a problem,” said a message on a widely the neighboring ancient Syrian city of Palmyra in cen- predict “the liberation of Anbar is the start of the liber- tion after the US-led invasion of 2003. Islamic State Erdogan’s ally-turned-foe, a provincial followed Twitter account bearing the tral Syria and beyond - the Libyan city of Sirte, home- ation of Baghdad and Kerbala from the rawafed” - a now controls most of it and can threaten the western governor’s office said. Moves against what name and picture of Ercan Tastekin, for- town of former leader Muammar Gaddafi. derogatory term Sunni jihadis use to describe Shi’ites approaches to Baghdad, or even strike south into the Erdogan calls a parallel structure or terror- mer police chief in the eastern province of To the eyes of many in the region, the real strate- they condemn as infidels and idolaters. The jihadis, Shiite heartland - as its propaganda videos threaten. ist group within the state had until now Bingol. Thousands of police officers, gic loss behind the IS seizure of two Sunni cities in who intersperse these propaganda films with shots of The Shiite-dominated government in Baghdad last focused on suspected Gulen sympathizers judges and prosecutors were removed Iraq and Syria in a week is the evaporation of any their training, along with religious slogans, look year appointed Haidar Al-Abadi as prime minister to in the police, judiciary, media and a bank from their posts or transferred to other Sunni alternative to the jihadis. Although many lead- young, fit, well-armed and clad in crisp new military replace Nuri Al-Maliki, whose policies were seen as founded by his followers. Erdogan, seek- duties after a graft scandal broke around ers dismissed IS as vainglorious when it declared its uniforms - not the picture offered by their opponents. authoritarian and sectarian by Iraq’s alienated Sunni ing overwhelming support for the AK members of Erdogan’s inner circle in cross-border caliphate in eastern Syria and western minority and Kurds, who run their own self-governing Party he founded at June elections which December, 2013. The court cases they Iraq last summer, in its cohesion and purpose it is now Devastating defeat region in northern Iraq. he hopes will pave the way for broader instigated have also been dismissed, rais- seen by some - particularly Iraq’s minority Sunnis - as The Iraqi army crumbled in Ramadi in much the Backed by the United States and by Iran, Abadi presidential powers, accuses Gulen of ing questions about independence of the more of a state than the Iraqi government it is fight- same way as it evaporated last summer when IS has tried to be more inclusive, but the collapse of the among other things engineering a graft judiciary in a political landscape dominat- ing. “Simply put, the Islamic State is, or is on the verge seized Mosul and overran swathes of north and cen- Iraqi army leaves him reliant for ground troops on scandal to discredit and unseat him. ed by Erdogan. of becoming, what it claims to be: a state,” wrote tral Iraq. Iraq’s security forces were not “driven from” Shiite militia, trained and influenced by Iran, which Gulen, a close ally when the AK Party Erdogan’s opponents say the crack- David Kilcullen who was a key player in the US 2007- Ramadi, Gen Martin Dempsey, chairman of the US were a primary cause of the alienation of these first took power, denies the charges. down on dissent is not limited to mem- 08 Iraq troop ‘surge’ and a close observer of the rise of joint chiefs of staff said acidly in Brussels, they “drove minorities in the first place. Meanwhile, the govern- Yesterday’s police operation focused on bers of Gulen’s Hizmet (Service) network. Islamic State. out of Ramadi”. Just as important, the fall of this ment has failed to deliver on promised arms and the central city of Konya but included 19 Erdogan has also stepped up criticism of He argues that unless Washington and its allies strategic city comes only weeks after IS itself was training for Sunni tribal militia that drove IS’s prede- provinces. It targeted 66 people, including leading media group Dogan and in a tel- urgently change their counter-terrorism strategy the pushed out of Tikrit further north, exciting premature cessors from al-Qaeda out of Anbar in 2006-09. This businessmen and former police officers, evision interview late on Thursday lam- threat will only get worse. A coalition including the speculation that the jihadis might be on the run. The fits the IS narrative, that the fall of Ramadi shows that the Konya governor’s office said. It said in basted its writers as “charlatans with United States has been engaged in air strikes against group’s capture of Ramadi happened in tandem with a Shiite majority government will never provide the a statement that the investigation related salaries”, holding up examples of Hurriyet Islamic State last summer, yet the group’s advance has its seizure of Palmyra, with its two millennia-old arms that those Sunni tribes in Anbar would need if to allegations including membership of newspaper front pages attacking him. A continued. “ISIS fights like a state... It fields more than Roman columns and priceless antiquities. they were to oppose the jihadis, and therefore there is what it termed the “Fethullahist Terror prosecutor has filed a criminal compliant 25,000 fighters, including a hard core of ex-Baathist IS needed no more than a few hundred fighters to no alternative to IS. Group” and violating the secrecy of an against Hurriyet editors over a headline professionals and Qaeda veterans. It has a hierarchical take Palmyra, highlighting the acute manpower investigation, without giving details. The he said suggested Erdogan could share unit organization and rank structure, populated by shortage faced by Bashar Al-Assad’s government, Too late for Sahwat raids were triggered by the arrest of a the same fate as ousted Egyptian presi- former regular officers of Saddam Hussein’s military,” now into its fifth year of a civil war that has claimed As in Syria, furthermore, the striking battlefield Konya-based lawyer and his secretary as dent Mohamed Morsi, for whom an added Kilcullen in the Australian Quarterly Essay. more than 220,000 lives and displaced around half of successes of the jihadis are a powerful recruiting ser- they sought to leave Turkey earlier this Egyptian court has sought the death The Islamic State already has the foundations of a Syria’s population. Palmyra, or Tadmur in Arabic, is a geant for disaffected Sunni youth. Hassan Hassan, a month, it said. penalty. Hurriyet has rejected the allega- state. It controls territory that includes major cities world heritage site the jihadis might now destroy, as Middle East analyst and author of a book on IS, says Twenty people including a former tions. — Reuters and coversa third each of Iraq and Syria; it has its own they did the ancient Assyrian city of Nimrud this year. the real significance of Ramadi is that its Sunni tribes military and security force, a self-proclaimed adminis- It has great strategic and symbolic value for IS, with had been resisting the self-declared caliphate ever tration that runs daily life - schools, government nearby gas fields, and roads to the capital Damascus, since Mosul fell and even long before.—Reuters Despite Obama endorsement, US concerns grow over Iraqi PM Surging IS militants pose challenge for Abadi WASHINGTON: The Obama administration is pub- Arabs away from Islamic State, a challenge he has now is the idea of positioning US special forces or licly voicing confidence in Iraq’s prime minister in the struggled to meet despite vows of a more inclusive military advisers closer to the fighting, which would fight against surging Islamic State militants, but pri- governance. He must also show the ability to control put them at risk but provide more effective forward vately some US officials question whether he is too powerful Shiite militias tainted by earlier abuses that spotters for targeting US air strikes. A senior US State weak to bridge the sectarian divide. Washington is have stoked Sunni anger toward his government. Department official said no such recommendation still betting on Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi, who “Abadi may be more vulnerable than ever,” one had yet been made by the Pentagon. stands at the center of President Barack Obama’s US official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. strategy to roll back the latest conquests of Islamic “And if he’s on the hot seat, we’re being tested too.” Feted in Washington State while keeping the United States from being Islamic State, meanwhile, appears to have the The mood in Washington has been tempered pulled deeper into a conflict US combat troops left in momentum, with the Sunni radicals on Thursday since a White House visit last month when Abadi was 2011. But even if Abadi’s forces manage to retake the seizing the central Syrian city of Palmyra, one of the hailed by Obama as a “strong partner” who would provincial capital of Ramadi after its capture last most important cultural centers of the ancient world, create the multi-sectarian Iraqi government needed weekend by Islamic State, his reliance on Iran-backed and overrunning Iraqi government defenses east of to beat back the Islamic State onslaught. US officials Shiite militias could strengthen his political rivals in Ramadi. The US response has been limited, including have made clear that Washington is not ready to Baghdad and signify US acquiescence to greater air strikes, stepped-up weapons deliveries and a seek a replacement for Abadi, who took over from a Iranian influence in Iraq. push for expanded training and equipping of moder- polarizing figure, Nuri Al-Maliki, as prime minister in That underscores how few options Washington ate Sunnis, aimed at building up Iraqi forces to retake late 2014 with strong backing from Washington. has to beat back Islamic State without overhauling a Ramadi. Obama, in an interview with The Atlantic maga- ISTANBUL: A giant election banner with a portrait of Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet policy that relies heavily on air strikes or committing But just as notable is what Washington has not zine published on Thursday, described Abadi as “sin- Davutoglu hangs on the Valens Aqueduct in Istanbul yesterday. Turkey’s ruling large forces of American ground troops, which done and may not be prepared to do. There has been cere and committed to an inclusive Iraqi state” and Justice and Development Party (AKP) has outraged archeologists by nailing a giant Obama has ruled out. As the jihadists shore up their no announcement, for instance, of increasing troop pledged to provide his government with “all assis- election banner into an over one-and-a-half-millenium-old aqueduct in Istanbul positions, Abadi, a moderate Shiite leader, faces an levels beyond the 3,000 deployed to Iraq in train- tance that they need.” But he added, “We can’t do it which is one of the city’s most famous landmarks. — AFP important test over whether he can draw Sunni and-assist roles in recent months. Also on hold for for them.” —Reuters SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2015 INTERNATIONAL

Relatives in child-bride murder ‘accept’ withdrawal of charges

KANO: The brother of the Nigerian man Four people, including her husband, died ever we are needed by the prosecution,” he “could help ease the suffering Wasila’s act” had allegedly killed by his 14-year-old wife told AFP within hours of eating the food. The charges explained in a phone interview. caused. yesterday that he accepted the decision to drop were dropped on Wednesday, with sources Mainly Muslim northern Nigeria is poorer It was not clear which groups or individuals murder charges against the girl after being telling AFP that the than the mostly Christian south. pressured Kano officials to withdraw the case. offered financial compensation. Kano government faced intense pressure to Many in the Sani’s home village of Unguwar Prosectors told AFP that the Emir of Kano, “We were approached by the government withdraw the case that incensed rights activists Yansoro rejected notions that Mohammed Sanusi II, who is Nigeria’s second two months ago on the issue of withdrawing the given the age of the accused. “Our prayer before Tasu’i was the victim of a forced marriage, most powerful Islamic cleric, had offered to shel- case against Wasila (Tasi’u) and taking compen- the court was for Wasila to face justice for what noting that 14 is an appropriate marrying age in ter Tasi’u following her release. sation for the dead victims,” said Musa Sani, she did,” Sani further said. the area. Sani’s relatives had dismissed calls for The emir is also known as Sanusi Lamido whose brother Umar had been married to Tasi’u But the financial pressures that came with a Tasu’i to be shown leniency on grounds that it Sanusi, a Western-educated former central bank when he died in April last year, aged 35. prolonged trial, including transport to the court would set a dangerous precedent for other girls governor whom many people saw as a progres- Prosecutors in the northern state of Kano in a nearby town, had become overwhelming. who might become unhappy in their marriage. sive leader when he served as the country’s top charged Tasi’u with Sani’s murder, claiming that “We are a poor people with small means... We But Musa Sani said that his family and other banker. But there was no indication that the she had laced his food with rat poison after have to periodically abandon our trade and pay victims relatives reasoned that the compensa- emir directly influenced the prosecutors’ deci- regretting her decision to marry. to transport ourselves to court or to Kano when- tion being offered by the Kano government sion. — AFP Colombia air strike kills 18 FARC rebels

BOGOTA: A Colombian air strike killed 18 unit of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of FARC guerrillas Thursday, the deadliest Colombia (FARC) that it blames for an attack since President Juan Manuel attack in November on Gorgona island Santos lifted a suspension of air strikes that killed one of its lieutenants, the against the group last month, an official source said. The region was the scene of said. The air strike raises doubts over a guerilla ambush over a month ago that peace talks that resumed the same day killed 11 soldiers. Santos replaced his between the Revolutionary Armed Forces defense minister Juan Carlos Pinzon of Colombia (FARC) and Santos’ govern- Tuesday, a man some analysts said ment. The stop-start negotiations are clashed with the president’s goal of ham- aimed at ending the country’s decades- mering out a peace deal with the FARC by long civil conflict that has killed more 2018.The current ambassador to the than 200,000 people. “It is the first major United States, Luis Carlos Villegas, was blow against FARC since President Santos named as Pinzon’s replacement. ordered the resumption of air strikes against the guerrillas on April 15,” the Future of talks Defense Ministry official said about the Eleven days of talks in Havana, Cuba strike, speaking on condition of anonymi- are slated to discuss compensation for vic- ty. tims of the conflict, but the air strike raises “The offensive continues until peace is questions about the future of peace talks achieved hopefully as soon as possible!” and increased violence. “This is a signal said a tweet from Santos’ account after problem... at a time when more progress the attack. Talks that first began in 2012 is expected in de-escalation,” said have been continually derailed by attacks Christian Voelkel, a conflict resolution from both sides, including the capture of expert at the International Crisis Group. a government general. Late last year, the But Voelkel said he thought it was unlikely FARC declared a one-sided ceasefire to the rebels would suspend their unilateral WASHINGTON: This combination of undated photos provided by the Washington, D.C., police shows Daron Dylon Wint. Authorities have arrest- boost the chances of the negotiations, ceasefire that was declared in December. ed Wint, an ex-convict who was accused in the killings of a wealthy Washington family and their housekeeper. — AP but Santos ordered a resumption of mili- “The political costs would be too high and tary strikes following a rebel attack last no party has an interest in jeopardizing month. Santos has declined to declare a the process,” he said. The negotiations bilateral ceasefire until there is a final with the country’s largest rebel group Police arrest suspect peace agreement, though he had sus- have reached deals on political participa- pended air raids after rebel attacks tion, illegal drugs and disarmament ceased. among other issues. The FARC was found- The attack Thursday involved both mil- ed in 1964 and has about 8,000 fighters. in mansion murders itary and police and took place in Guapi Officials said the FARC recently met with in the Cauca region of western Colombia, the National Liberation Army, a smaller a FARC stronghold and an area popular rebel group with about 2,500 fighters, as with drug cartels. The army targeted a part of peace talks in Cuba. — AFP Ex-con worked for the wealthy family

WASHINGTON: About a week after the bodies money might have been connected to the that woman, according to the records. of a wealthy DC family and their housekeeper Savopoulos family. Fernandez said he did not “The defendant advised he was good with a were discovered after a fire in their mansion, an know whether any weapons were found as the knife and could kill them easily and was not ex-convict who once worked for the business- group was taken into custody. Police said afraid of the police,” a detective wrote. Also in man and is suspected in the killings has been Thursday that they haven’t ruled out the possi- 2010, Wint was arrested carrying a 2-foot-long arrested. Daron Dylon Wint, 34, was arrested bility that other people were involved in the machete and a BB pistol outside the American about 11 pm Thursday by a fugitive task force slayings, but no other suspects have been identi- Iron Works headquarters, but weapons charges and is charged with first-degree murder while fied. Wint had worked for Savopoulos’ company, were dropped after he pleaded guilty to pos- armed, DC police and the US Marshals Service American Iron Works, in the past, police said. sessing an open container of alcohol. Attorney said. He is expected to appear in DC Superior Savopoulos was the CEO of American Iron Robin Ficker said Wint didn’t seem violent when Court yesterday afternoon. Works, a construction-materials supplier based he defended him in earlier cases. “My impression Police have not detailed why Wint - who in Hyattsville, Maryland, that has been involved of him - I remember him rather well - is that he moved to the US from Guyana in 2000, joined in major projects in downtown Washington. wouldn’t hurt a fly. He’s a very nice person,” the Marines and later worked as a certified Ficker said. welder before racking up a criminal record - Text messages A housekeeper who worked for the would want to kill 46-year-old Savvas The Savopouloses lived in a $4.5 million Savopoulos family for 20 years, Nelitza Gutierrez, Savopoulos; his 47-year-old wife, Amy; their son, home in Woodley Park, where mansions are pro- told the AP that she believes the family and Philip; and housekeeper Veralicia Figueroa. Three tected by fences and security systems and local Figueroa were held captive for nearly a day of the four victims had been stabbed or bludg- and federal law enforcement officers are a con- before they were killed, citing an unusual voice eoned before the fire. Wint showed little emo- stant presence, in part because Vice President mail from Savopoulos and a text message sent tion when he was captured, Robert Fernandez, Joe Biden’s official residence is nearby. Text mes- from the phone of his wife, telling her not to commander of the US Marshal Service’s Capital sages and voicemails from the Savopouloses to come to the house. Gutierrez said she and DUBLIN: Members of the public vote at a polling station in Drumcondra, north Area Regional Fugitive Task Force told The their confused and frightened household staff Savopoulos spent May 13 cleaning up a martial Dublin yesterday. Ireland took to the polls today to vote on whether same-sex mar- Associated Press yesterday. “He was stoic,” suggest something was amiss hours before the arts studio he was opening in northern Virginia riage should be legal, in a referendum that has exposed sharp divisions between Fernandez said. Investigators had tracked Wint bodies were found. Their Porsche turned up in before his wife called around 5:30 p.m. She could communities in this traditionally Catholic nation. — AFP to the Brooklyn area of New York City, where suburban Maryland hours after the slayings. It hear his half of the conversation. He later said his they barely missed him Wednesday night, too had been set on fire. DNA analysis at a wife told him to come home to watch their son Fernandez said. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms lab because she was going out, Gutierrez said. Catholic leaders fume “We believe he saw himself on the news and linked Wint to the crime, a law enforcement offi- Later that night, sounding flustered, he left just took off,” Fernandez said. Investigators then cial involved in the investigation told The Gutierrez a voice mail saying Figueroa would tracked Wint to a Howard Johnson Express Inn in Associated Press on condition of anonymity for stay with his sick wife overnight, that she as Ireland votes on gay College Park, Maryland, on Thursday night, he lack of authorization to discuss the investigation shouldn’t come the next day, and that said. A team realized Wint was probably in one publicly. Figueroa’s phone was dead.”It doesn’t make DUBLIN: Ireland’s voters were deciding yester- east Dublin, declaring it the most important of two vehicles in the motel parking lot: A car or During the family’s final hours, someone any sense. How come you don’t have another day whether to legalize gay marriage in this vote of his life. He took heart from early signs of a moving truck. The vehicles left together and called Domino’s from their house and ordered phone - iPhones are all over,” Gutierrez said. once-staunchly Catholic land in what the gov- a strong turnout, since involvement by young, the team followed as they took a U-turn and a pizza. The Washington Post reported that the “He was kind of building stories.” The next ernment’s equality minister called “a referen- first-time voters is considered key for the gay strange route - seeming to be lost or trying to DNA was found on a pizza crust. At a Domino’s morning, Gutierrez received a text message dum like no other.” Opinion polls throughout rights measure to pass. “There’s been queues shake those who followed, Fernandez said. about 2 miles away, a worker told the AP that a from Amy Savopoulos that read, in part, “I am the two-month campaign suggest the govern- outside registry offices to get people to vote. Officers eventually got between the two vehicles pizza was delivered from there to the mansion making sure you are not coming today.” She ment-backed amendment favoring gay mar- There’s been queues of people trying to get in northeast Washington and took Wint, three that day. Wint was convicted of assaulting one called and texted back and got no response. riage should be approved by a majority of vot- their identification stamped in order to register other men and two women into custody, girlfriend in Maryland in 2009, and he pleaded The Savopouloses had two teenage daughters ers when results are announced Saturday. But to vote. There’s been packed-out meetings up Fernandez said “We had overwhelming numbers guilty the next year to malicious destruction of who were away at boarding school at the time gay rights activists expressed caution, based on and down the country. There’s been people and force,” Fernandez said. “They completely property after he allegedly threatened to kill a of the killings. Relatives of the victims have previous votes when anti-government senti- wearing badges for months saying they’re submitted immediately.” woman and her infant daughter, breaking into made few public statements and have not ment and low turnout produced surprise refer- going to vote ‘yes,’” the 38-year-old said. “This is Fernandez said he noticed a big wad of cash her apartment, stealing a television and vandal- returned calls from the AP. Representatives of endum rejections. a referendum like no other,” O Riordain told The in the moving truck, but he didn’t know how izing her car. “I’m going to come over there and American Iron Works have repeatedly declined Electoral officers reported stronger-than- Associated Press. “There’s a buzz and an antici- much was there. It was not clear whether that kill you, your daughter and friends,” Wint told to comment. — AP usual voter turnout at polling stations in pation of this like I’ve never seen before.” schools, church halls and pubs across this Leaders of the country’s predominant faith, nation of 3.2 million registered voters. Some Roman Catholicism, have fueled opposition to US jury indicts 6 officers in death of Freddie Gray lines built up outside stations before the 7 a.m. the measure, arguing that legalization of gay opening. On social media, voters traveling in marriage would undermine the institution and BALTIMORE: A grand jury’s decision to indict all head-first into a van, Mosby has said. His pleas for the Justice Department announced a civil rights from as far away as Australia posted their trigger unintended legal consequences in Irish six officers charged in the case of an African- medical attention were repeatedly ignored. His investigation of the Baltimore Police Department progress and voting intentions. Most were say- courts, where adoption and surrogacy rights American whose death from injuries he suffered death a week later spawned protests that on two to search for discriminatory policing practices ing “yes.” Voters leaving one polling station in loom as distinct legal battlegrounds. A “yes” in police custody sparked rioting and nationwide occasions gave way to violence and looting. Two and examine allegations that officers too often northeast Dublin, a Catholic parish hall, demon- result would provide fresh evidence of waning protests, allows the state’s attorney to press officers, Edward Nero and Garrett Miller, were use excessive force and make unconstitutional strated a clear generation gap when asked how church influence in a country that, in the 1980s, ahead with the most serious charges despite crit- indicted on second-degree assault, reckless searches and arrests. they had voted. Those under 40 were solidly voted forcefully in referendums to outlaw abor- icism she was part of an “overzealous prosecu- endangerment and misconduct in office for “fail- According to court documents, Gray made “yes,” older voters much more likely to have vot- tion and reject divorce. tion.” The indictments announced Thursday were ure to perform a duty regarding the safety of a eye contact with a police officer and took off run- ed “no.” By the shores of Dublin Bay, 20-something similar to the charges Baltimore State’s Attorney prisoner” and for an illegal arrest, Mosby said. ning. He was apprehended two blocks away and “You can give the gays their rights without campaigners from the Yes Equality lobbying Marilyn Mosby announced three weeks ago. Caesar Goodson, who drove the van, faces arrested for possession of a knife that Miller redefining the whole institution of marriage. group waved rainbow flags and held up plac- Attorneys for the officers have said in court manslaughter and a second-degree “depraved wrote in charging documents is illegal under a What they’re asking for is too much,” said ards urging morning commuters to “Vote for us.” documents they are the victims of an “overzeal- heart” murder charge, as well as misconduct in city ordinance. Mosby said the arrest was unlaw- Bridget Ryan, 61, as she voted with her border Cars honked back in approval. The Students ous prosecution” riddled with personal and politi- office and second-degree assault. ful because the knife is legal under state law. collie in tow. On Twitter, travelers documented Union of Ireland, determined to spur students cal conflicts of interest. At a minimum, they said, Sgt Alicia White, Lt Brian Rice and Officer None of the officers secured Gray’s seatbelt in the their disparate journeys home to Ireland via back to their often faraway home districts to Mosby should be replaced with an independent William Porter are each charged with manslaugh- van, a violation of police policy. Soon after he was London, New York, Bangkok and Nairobi, often vote, produced an app offering custom-tailored prosecutor because she had a personal interest in ter, second-degree assault and misconduct in placed in the van, Goodson made a second stop under the hashtags #HomeToVote or, for those advice on the best transport links to take. Cab calming unrest in the city that followed Freddie office. Those officers also face reckless-endanger- during which Gray was secured in leg irons in neighboring Britain, #GetTheBoatToVote. booking companies Hailo and Uber offered free Gray’s death and because her husband is a city ment charges. Nero, Miller and Rice are white; because he was “irate,” police said. After a ride One posted a picture on a London-to-Wales lifts to polling stations. Irish singer Hozier post- councilman who represents the areas most Goodson, Porter and White are black. Gray’s that included two more stops, including one to train with travelers donning the rainbow colors ed a selfie in which he held up a Yes Equality affected by upheaval. death became a symbol of what protesters say is pick up a second passenger, the van arrived at and balloons of the gay rights movement. “I’m ready to vote” sign. “Flying in to vote. ... It’s Gray suffered a critical spinal injury April 12 a pattern of police brutality against African- the Western District police station. By that time, The government’s minister for equality, the most important thing you’ll do. Don’t for- after police handcuffed, shackled and placed him Americans in Baltimore. Following Gray’s death, Gray was non-responsive. — AP Aodhan O Riordain, cast his “yes” ballot in north- get!” he wrote.— AP INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2015

Intense South Sudan battles creating ‘alarming’ aid conditions

JUBA: South Sudanese government tanks Unity, Upper Nile and Jonglei. would be a crippling blow to South Sudan’s Rebels last week launched a major counter- backed by helicopter gunships have pushed Fighting broke out in December 2013 when already struggling economy. attack, including an assault on Malakal, the back rebels from a key oil town, state television South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir accused his At least three heavily armoured barges, state capital of Upper Nile and the gateway to showed yesterday, as aid agencies warned of former deputy Riek Machar of attempting a equipped with anti-aircraft guns, and used for the country’s last remaining major oil fields. “alarming” and worsening conditions. coup, setting off a cycle of retaliatory killings transporting troops along the Nile river, are MSF has been forced to abandon its hospital Tanks are shown firing as a helicopter gun- across the country. seen on fire, as soldiers on the river bank rake it in the town of Leer, in southern Unity State, and ship-believed to belong to the Ugandan army Footage from the recent battle, filmed earlier with gunfire and rockets. pull back into UN bases in Malakal and Melut. which is fighting alongside government troops- this week, show men with rocket-propelled The government assault that began in late In Jonglei, an MSF team discovered the town swoops over the burning town of Melut in the grenades crowded onto pickup trucks, cheering April is one of the heaviest offensives in the of New Fangak “had effectively been destroyed, key northern oil state of Upper Nile. as they fire heavy machine guns fixed to the 17-month long civil war and has cut off over with trees and homes burnt to the ground and Doctors Without Borders (MSF) on Friday back. 650,000 people from aid, with gunmen rap- school buildings flattened,” the mission’s chief warned there was an “escalating and continued Melut lies some 35 kilometres (20 miles) west ing, torching towns and looting relief sup- Paul Critchley said. “The hospital, one of the use of violence against civilians” in the three of the main oil production base at Palouch, plies, according to the United Nations and aid main health facilities in the northern part of the battleground northern and eastern states of which rebels are trying to capture. Its loss agencies. state, had been demolished.” — AFP

Cameron: Tough times for EU ahead of UK membership vote

RIGA: British Prime Minister David Cameron ically when it comes to immigration and jus- yesterday warned European Union leaders tice issues. there will be a rough road ahead as his Some EU leaders have acknowledged nation is seeking a drastic reform of the they share some concerns, but they have bloc’s policies ahead of a referendum on insisted that allowing people to travel freely whether to leave. across the EU’s 28 nations remains a corner- In his first meeting with EU counterparts stone of their policies, whatever the British since his election victory earlier this month, objections. Cameron “Freedom of movement is the core value said that “there will be lots of noise, lots of the European Union,” Lithuanian of ups and downs along the way.” He has President Dalia Grybauskaite insisted. said that if Brussels refuses to budge on Cameron said he realizes the way ahead will some essential demands, it could mean a so- not be easy. called Brexit, the term for a potential British “You will hear one day this is possible and exit from the EU. the next day something else is impossible,” He kicked off his whirlwind campaign Cameron said. “But one thing throughout all with several bilateral meetings at the EU- of this will be constant and that is my deter- Eastern Partnership summit and will visit mination to deliver for the British people a French President Francois Hollande reform of the European Union.” Thursday and German Chancellor Angela French President Francois Hollande said Merkel next Friday. it was up to Britain to do the heavy lifting if Cameron has pledged to hold a national it wanted to push through change. “We ask vote before the end of 2017 on whether for nothing. Europe is not concerned by a Britain should leave the EU. The issue is one vote,” Hollande said. of the most important facing his govern- Britain’s industry and services sector ment in the next five years and will likely stands to lose billions in trade if the coun- start to increasingly affect the workings of try leaves the EU. Europe would also lose if the EU. Britain departed, leaving the continent Cameron has been insistent on regaining with much less diplomatic and military decision-making powers from the EU, specif- clout. — AP

KIEV: Krasimir Yankov (R), Amnesty International’s Ukraine researcher and Denis Krivosheev (L), deputy director of the regional program of Amnesty International for Europe and central Asia give a press conference in Kiev yesterday. Amnesty International accused yesterday Ukrainian forces of torture and pro-Russian rebels of even more serious war crimes such as summary executions committed both before and after a February truce deal. — AFP ‘War crimes’ rampant

RIGA: British Prime Minister David Cameron, right, and Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, left, participate in a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Eastern Partnership in Ukraine: Amnesty summit in Riga, Latvia yesterday. — AP Prisoners beaten until their bones broke Burundi protesters KIEV: Amnesty International yesterday accused Summary executions Insurgents blew up the hub on January 20 Ukrainian forces of torture and pro-Russian rebels Yesterday’s Amnesty report focused on explo- and ordered surviving members of the govern- defy police crackdown of even more serious war crimes such as summa- sive prisoner abuse allegations at the heart of a ment contingent to load themselves onto rebel ry executions committed both before and after a vicious public relations battle between Russian trucks. A 34-year-old soldier named Andriy BUJUMBURA: Anti-government protesters in Mutakura, around 100 protesters did the February truce deal. state television and Ukraine’s predominantly Gavrilyuk had his legs crushed during the explo- Burundi marched on the streets of the capital same. “We try to bring people together, then The damning report adds to a growing string pro-Western press. Its researchers said that 32 of sion and could not properly move. Bujumbura yesterday, defying one of the we will go to neighbouring districts,” said one of independent findings suggesting that Europe the 33 former detainees interviewed from both “There were no stretchers, no nothing, so heaviest pushes by police to end weeks of protester. is witnessing the most brutal conflict on its outer sides of the conflict described “severe beatings they couldn’t carry him (Gavrilyuk) up. Seconds demonstrations. At least two protesters were border since the 1990s Balkans crises. or other serious abuse”. “Accounts of detainee later I heard three shots,” a fellow soldier told shot dead and eight wounded in clashes on Cholera deaths rising “Former prisoners described being beaten torture are as commonplace as they are shock- Amnesty. Thursday with police, the Red Cross said, the An AFP journalist was denied entry by the until their bones broke, tortured with electric ing,” Amnesty’s Europe and Central Asia The report said a video from the airport post- latest victims of the unrest triggered by police into Musaga, a flashpoint district that shocks, kicked, stabbed, hung from the ceiling, Programme director John Dalhuisen said. ed on YouTube four days later showed Gavrilyuk President Pierre Nkurunziza’s bid for a third has seen some of the worst violence. “It’s for deprived of sleep for days, threatened with death, “Prisoners on both sides have been beaten and lying dead with “a clear gunshot wound to the term, in which more than 20 people have your safety,” a policeman said, claiming to have denied urgent medical care and subjected to subjected to mock executions,” said Dalhuisen. middle of his forehead”. died. been ordered to block journalists’ access to the mock executions,” the global human rights organ- “We have also documented summary killings of Heavy gunfire was heard all day Thursday area. isation said in a new report. Almost daily those held by separatist groups. It is a war crime Right Sector ‘basement cell’ in suburbs of the capital, with intense bursts “There are a lot of police on the streets to exchanges of loosely-aimed heavy weapons have to torture or deliberately kill captives taken dur- Russia casts the pro-EU uprising in Ukraine of automatic weapons, as protesters in reply terrorise us,” said Steve, a protester. killed at least 6,250 people and left nearly two ing conflict.” that last year ousted a Moscow-backed presi- hurled rocks from makeshift barricades. Nkurunziza said in an address to the nation million homeless since the conflict broke out 13 Ukraine’s National Security Service said it was dent and sparked the current war as having Clashes largely calmed overnight. Protesters late Wednesday that most of the central months ago. “open for dialogue” and ready to meet Amnesty been led by armed “fascists” from the Pravy also torched election materials, stopping a African country was secure and that the Much of the fighting on the pro-Kiev side is representatives in order to improve the rights Sektor (Right Sector) paramilitary group. vehicle carrying voting booths and ballot box- upcoming parliamentary and presidential being waged by irregular forces who follow their record of its troops. Amnesty said “Right Sector members systemati- es in Mukiki province, just south of the capital, votes would be peaceful. own nationalist commanders and appear to pay Amnesty said it had identified three recent cally extorted money from people in their cus- according to the electoral commission Police officers were stationed at the little attention to orders from the Ukrainian gen- cases in which the rebels executed at least eight tody and collected ransoms from the prisoners’ spokesman Prosper Ntahorwmiye. “This is the entrance of each neighbourhood, where barri- eral staff. Kiev and the West accuse the rebels on pro-Kiev fighters. relatives.” Its research discovered that the far- first time such an incident happens, we will cades set up the day before had been cleared. the other side of being supported by Russian spe- “Most of the worst abuses take place in infor- right fighters crammed prisoners into an over- take appropriate measures to ensure this does Opposition and rights groups say that cial forces who provide and often operate long- mal places of detention. This typically occurs crowded basement cell near the peaceful gov- not happen again,” Ntahorwmiye said, adding Nkurunziza’s bid for a third five-year term vio- range rocket systems that have damaged thou- during the initial days of captivity, and groups ernment-controlled city of Dnipropetrovsk. that two soldiers fired into the air to stop the lates the constitution and the terms of a peace sands of homes across Ukraine’s industrial east. outside the official or de facto chain of com- “People had to use plastic bags to collect crowd, but “all the equipment was burned.” deal that ended a 13-year civil war in 2006. Both sides have been condemned for indiscrimi- mand tend to be especially violent and lawless,” their urine and excrement, and they had no The crisis, which began in late April after Nkurunziza, a former rebel leader and born- nate bombings. A joint investigation conducted the report said. means of washing or showering. Some prisoners the ruling party nominated Nkurunziza to again Christian who believes he has divine by Human Rights Watch and The New York Times One reported episode involved a Ukrainian were brought outside to work; others remained stand again in the June 26 presidential elec- backing to lead the country, argues that his released in October found several credible cases soldier who was wounded during Kiev’s failed inside all of the time,” the report said. tion, deepened last week when a top general first term did not count as he was elected by of Ukrainian forces shelling densely-packed cities defence of the highly-contested airport The “evidence appears credible and merits staged a failed coup attempt. Parliamentary parliament, not directly by the people. Four with cluster munitions-a highly destructive sprawled on the outskirts of the rebels’ de facto a full criminal investigation,” the report con- polls, initially set for May 26, have been post- key private radio stations were attacked and weapon banned by much of the world. capital Donetsk. cluded. — AFP poned to June 5. closed during the coup bid after broadcasting Yesterday morning, protesters in the city’s messages from coup leaders, and there is now Cibitoke district shouted and blew whistles to virtually no independent media in the country, try to encourage others to come out onto the with government broadcasts relaying presi- Party vote gives Hollande boost streets, while in the neighbouring district of dential messages. — AFP

PARIS: Socialist party members backed French this was not a foregone conclusion.” they acknowledged defeat, disgruntled back- President Francois Hollande’s policies in an inter- Still France’s most unpopular president in benchers nevertheless said on Friday there was nal party vote, boosting his chances of standing modern history, Hollande has his work cut out to “no blank cheque” for the government and unopposed for a re-election ticket in 2017 get re-elected in 2017, but the vote ahead of the they would keep asking for tweaks to the gov- despite months of tension over the govern- Socialists’ June 5-7 congress should help contain ernment’s policies. ment’s economic line. opposition within his party, analysts said. Socialist party secretary-general Jean- With a large part of the vote counted, a The results from Thursday’s party vote were a Christophe Cambadelis acknowledged a lack of broad-brush policy statement put forward by relief for Hollande’s backers, with one member of enthusiasm among supporters, as many who Hollande loyalists for the party’s annual congress his inner circle saying it “should put an end” to did not come and vote on the policy state- won more than 60 percent of the vote, a party pressures for the party to hold primaries to ments. official told Reuters yesterday. decide who will get the ticket for 2017. “Our language is too technocratic, we don’t Back-benchers who have strongly contested The results came as the French economy is know how to talk (to party supporters), we Hollande’s pro-business switch over the past showing signs of turning around, a factor - have ... no dynamic. We need to change that,” months in parliament and in the media had together with the next presidential and parlia- he told BFM TV. been hoping for a narrower win, which would ment elections getting nearer - that helps Viavoice’s Miquet-Marty said that while the have allowed them to influence the govern- explain why the party is trying to close ranks. internal divisions may have been contained, ment’s policies. French industrial morale rose more than the lack of enthusiasm could be damaging. “If the majority had been tighter, around 50 expected in May to its highest level in nearly four “There is no clear vision for tomorrow ... percent, it would have been a slap in the face for years, data from state statistics body INSEE no motivating discourse for the years to BUJUMBURA: Demonstrators and army soldiers confront each other in the Cibitoke district of Hollande,” Viavoice pollsters’ head Francois showed yesterday. The economy grew at its come. The substantive work that left-wing the capital Bujumbura, Burundi yesterday. Demonstrators say they will continue to protest Miquet-Marty said. “The vote shows there is no fastest pace in two years in the first quarter. voters expect (of the Socialist party) is not until President Pierre Nkurunziza steps down at the end of his second term, while police have credible alternative within the Socialist party ... It is still not plain sailing for Hollande. While there yet.” — Reuters been using live ammunition and tear gas to disperse the crowds of angry protesters. — AP INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2015 Afghan army falls back on militias to help defend Kunduz

KUNDUZ: The Afghan government has enlisted hun- lion on getting Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) Critics said historic rivalries between groups could have fostered independent, localised “uprising” village dreds of militia fighters controlled by local commanders ready to secure the country once NATO troops withdrew. also reignite, leading to more violence and lawlessness in defence units in areas plagued by the Taleban. to battle Taleban militants near the northern city of Kunduz Governor Mohammad Omar Safi said that, as Afghanistan. Human rights groups have documented abuses both Kunduz, officials said, underlining how the armed forces of this week, Taliban militants held positions on the city’s “They (militia fighters) really answer to strongmen in by “uprising” units and mujahideen militias. are struggling to tackle the insurgency alone. outskirts and there were skirmishes daily. An operation to the area and not to a standard, disciplined chain of com- The recruitment of unofficial armed groups in Kunduz drive the insurgents out has been pending for two mand,” said Patti Gossman, an Afghanistan analyst for Seeking help is on a larger scale than previous attempts by the govern- weeks. Human Rights Watch. Kunduz governor Safi, though, said he was sure the ment and NATO forces to recruit militias in the fight Turning for help to so-called “mujahideen”, a loose Afghanistan is led by a unity government headed by government could keep fighters loyal, and that by against the Taleban. term for fighters who resisted the Soviet occupation in Ghani that came together after months of squabbling recruiting militias, Kabul might in fact be able to control It may also signal a compromise of sorts for President the 1980s and the Taleban’s hard-line regime the follow- over election fraud. them better. “A large number of them (mujahideen mili- Ashraf Ghani’s administration, which had been trying to ing decade, is an obvious solution for many in the gov- Many mujahideen supported Ghani’s election rival tias) were unhappy with the government, so we tried to curb the influence of so-called “mujahideen” strongmen ernment. Abdullah Abdullah, who is now his chief executive, and bring them into an organized framework,” Safi said. who held key positions in former President Hamid “ANSF are capable of providing security, but these during the political crisis some prominent commanders For militia fighters in Kunduz, the call to arms feels Karzai’s government. people know the area better and they are more useful,” threatened to revolt against Kabul if their candidate was overdue; prominent mujahideen commanders have felt Ghani’s spokesman, Ajmal Abidy, denied that the said Safi. He told Reuters that about 1,000 fighters led by not named president. sidelined by Ghani’s government. Kunduz recruitment amounted to re-arming mujahideen dozens of ex-mujahideen commanders had been recruit- Creating new layers of forces beyond the ANSF, which “We have waited for a long time for the government militias. “What is being considered is selective voluntary ed and given ammunition and money in recent weeks. is made up of the army and national and local police, to push back the insurgents, but it didn’t happen,” said citizens’ participation in the defence of the country Another 1,000 militiamen were on standby, he added. could mean more instability, said Thomas Ruttig of Masood Chardara, a former mujahideen commander against terrorists,” he said in a statement. The militias are backing an army and police presence Afghanistan Analysts Network. who says he is leading 100 gunmen on the front lines in The Taleban’s weeks-long siege of Kunduz has that was as high as 12,000 in recent weeks, although it “At the moment, these militia commanders might Talawka district on the city’s outskirts. involved thousands of militants and brought the insur- may be less now, according to military officials. support the government. But we don’t know what they “The government came forward and asked us to help gents closer to capturing a major city than at any time in will do next week.” them to root them (the Taliban) out. We had some old years. Risks of more lawlessness Afghanistan’s private militias were supposed to have weapons, and the government gave us some new ones.” The scale of the assault and the inability of Afghan While calling on the support of former mujahideen been disbanded in the years after US-backed military Another local ex-mujahideen, Mahbubullah, said his forces to repel it is particularly worrying, because it groups may make sense in Kunduz, experts said it could action toppled the Taliban in 2001, but many ex- fighting force of several dozen men was proving effective comes just a few months after NATO ended its combat backfire by entrenching militia commanders, some of mujahideen commanders retained arms and fighters. in Kunduz. “So far we have killed dozens of Taleban, and mission in Afghanistan. whom have been accused of human rights abuses over In addition to mujahideen groups, both the US-led this is continuing,” said Mahbubullah, who like many Western governments have spent more than $60 bil- recent decades. military coalition and Afghanistan’s intelligence agency Afghans uses only one name. — Reuters Nepalis return to quake epicentre to rebuild

BARPAK: Dressed in his brother’s old British army fatigues, going abroad to work have fallen to a daily average of 950, Mohan Ghale is rebuilding his mother’s home stone by down from 1,500 before the disaster. stone, after returning to Barpak village, high in the Himalayas, which was demolished by last month’s earth- Outside help quake. In Barpak, famed for its fearless Gurkha soldiers, the head Ghale had been working as a plumber a full day’s jour- of the armed police force’s rescue operation, Sudan Acharya, ney away in the Nepalese capital Kathmandu, but with his said more than 60 men had returned to the village to help. It brother overseas and father away for work, it fell to him to is difficult to know how many are away, but almost every remake the family home at the epicentre of the 7.8 magni- family Reuters spoke with in the village, where 90 percent of tude quake that killed 8,633 people nationwide. the 1,200 houses were levelled, a male member was away “I came back to rebuild and to help my mother. I had to,” serving in the army or working overseas. “This village has said the 30-year old, who put off the promise of a job in had a lot more help than other villages,” Acharya said. Japan to return to the rubble of his childhood home. “Ninety percent of our work here is done.” Further up the Ghale is one of tens of thousands of his countrymen to mountain, where the road ends, help has been more limit- have returned - including many of the more than 2.2 mil- ed, and some “lower caste” villagers, those at the bottom lion Nepalis living abroad - to remote villages to help with end of a centuries-old social hierarchy that classifies peo- reconstruction. ple by bloodline, complain of getting too little relief. On the reopened dirt track that takes a tortuous 60-kilo- Aid organisations are scrambling to fly in supplies metre (37-mile) climb to Ghale’s home at 6,235-feet (1,900- before the incoming rains trigger fresh landslides. Not metres), one village after another lies in ruins in the forest- everyone in Barpak is getting the help they say they need. ed mountains. Here, in the sparsely settled Gorkha region, Seventy-year old Maya Ghale and her husband lost their 440 people died in the country’s deadliest natural disaster. small stone house in Barpak when the earthquake shat- Women are clearing debris to retrieve belongings, men tered the walls and the roof caved in. are fixing makeshift iron roofs ahead of the monsoon rains, Ghale, who is not related to Mohan Ghale, said she CHENNAI: Leader of the AIADMK Jayaram Jayalalitha greets supporters as she leaves her residence to meet the and the army is constructing a school in Barpak to replace needed help because all but one of her children were away state Governor in Chennai, India, yesterday. An appeals court acquitted the powerful politician in southern India the skeleton of a building remaining on the site of the old. in Britain, Korea and India. Her priority now is to build a of corruption charges earlier this month, clearing the way for her to return to public office. — AP About half a million homes were destroyed in Nepal by food stockpile to last the monsoon after the quake ruined the April 25 quake and a series of aftershocks. The govern- supplies. “We want them (our children) to come back, but ment has estimated reconstruction costs of $7 billion, a they are very far away. Maybe we will make a wood house,” third of the country’s GDP. she said. Back in the ruins of his mother’s home, Mohan Jayalalitha to return In the villages, the sheer number of absentees working Ghale plans to stay for three months before following mil- in Kathmandu or overseas - remittances account for nearly lions of his countrymen into a life overseas, a trend the 30 percent of the economy - was keenly felt after the International Organization for Migration has warned would as CM of southern state quake, in the struggle to rescue loved ones and begin accelerate if more local jobs were not created once recon- rebuilding. struction is complete. “After, I will go back to learning Nepal’s labour ministry does not know how many have Japanese in Kathmandu. I still have plans to work there,” Hundreds of supporters celebrate returned to the country since the quake, but the numbers Ghale said. — Reuters CHENNAI: One of India’s most powerful politicians, Jayalalitha Jayaram, is set to return as chief minister of the Cambodia accepts 4 southern state of Tamil Nadu following a nine-month break, after a court overturned her conviction in a corruption case. A former film star who has a cult-like following in Tamil refugees under Nadu, Jayalalitha also wields influence in national politics, with her AIADMK party holding the third largest number of Australia agreement seats in India’s lower house of parliament. Jayalalitha is expected to be sworn in as chief minister as CANBERRA: Four refugees rejected by Australia who early as Saturday. The governor of Tamil Nadu yesterday invit- have agreed to resettle in Cambodia will likely ed her to form the state government, his office said in a state- become examples that other refugees will follow, an ment. “Tamil Nadu, which was suffering without its mother, is Australian minister said yesterday. now getting her back,” said V.P. Kalairajan, a state legislator Cambodia has agreed to accept the first four from her party. refugees under a 40 million Australian dollar ($32 Hundreds of supporters gathered to celebrate outside million) four-year agreement it made with Australia Jayalalitha’s home in Chennai, the state capital, and members nine months ago to resettle asylum seekers held in of her party handed out sweets, with posters 20 feet (6 m) tall an Australia-run detention camp on the Pacific island being hastily put up in anticipation of her return. nation of Nauru. Many of the 677 asylum seekers on Jayalalitha was forced to resign as chief minister last year Nauru have been there for almost two years. after being convicted of holding 530 million rupees ($8.3 mil- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen signed an lion) in unaccounted cash and property. But a higher court endorsement letter Wednesday and the countries are scrapped the case against her last week. now discussing when the four will arrive in After she stepped down, senior ministers wept at the Cambodia, Gen. Khieu Sopheak, spokesman of swearing-in ceremony of her replacement, loyalist O. Cambodia’s Interior Ministry, said Thursday. Panneerselvam, and some supporters reportedly set them- Australian Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said selves on fire to protest against her conviction. Australian officials were working with the Panneerselvam gave up the post yesterday. Parties led by International Organization for Migration and other film stars and scriptwriters have dominated politics in Tamil groups in Cambodia to provide the refugees’ needs Nadu for four decades, using cinema to promote Tamil culture for accommodation, jobs, transport and education. and language and win support. Jayalalitha acted in more than “We want to show success with this first four who KATHMANDU: Nepalese residents walks past damaged houses in Bungamati on the outskirts of Kathmandu yes- a hundred films before turning to politics, and her main rival, travel,” Dutton told reporters. “I think when we terday after multiple earthquakes struck the Himalayan nation. Nearly 8,500 people have now been confirmed Muthuvel Karunanidhi, wrote plays and film scripts. She has demonstrate that that can be a success, we’ll see oth- dead in the disasters, which destroyed more than half a million homes and left huge numbers of people without endeared herself to millions of voters by giving away laptops er people from Nauru follow to start their new life in shelter with just weeks to go until the monsoon rains. — AFP and food processors. — Reuters Cambodia.” The first Cambodian settlers will be two Iranian men, an Iranian woman and a Rohingya man from Myanmar. They are the only ones so far to apply for ‘My parents tried to marry me off as a child’: Indian activist Cambodian residency, the Cambodian general said. He declined to say where in Cambodia they would CASABLANCA: At the age of 14 Usha Choudary was betrothed kinds of engagement (rituals) - there were rings, jewellery and depriving them of education and opportunities, and forcing live once they arrive. to a man she had never met. She refused to go through with ornaments, and they put the sindoor on my forehead - the red them to go through pregnancies before their bodies are ready. Dutton defended the steep cost to Australian tax- the marriage. When her parents insisted, she threatened to kill powder mark at the hairline that signifies a Hindu woman is Sexual and domestic violence are also common. payers of the AU$40 million agreement that has so herself. Choudary wanted to stay at school and break the cycle married. Child marriage is a long established tradition in Choudary’s far attracted only four people from among the 488 of child marriage and domestic abuse that blights millions of “They did all this in five minutes because they knew I was an home state of Rajasthan, and not so long ago girls were even verified refugees on Nauru. women’s lives in India, and which nearly destroyed her own outspoken and strong-minded person. Then the guests are married off as babies and toddlers. Australia’s tough policies of turning back asylum mother, who was married at 14. gone and I am crying - really crying because I did not want to When she was about 12, Choudary says her mother got so seeker boats back to Indonesia and refusing to reset- After years of violent arguments, Choudary finally managed get married.” To this day she has no idea who she was engaged desperate that she considered killing herself and all her chil- tle any refugee who arrives on its shores by boat to persuade her parents not to marry her off. Today she runs a to because grooms do not attend the bride’s betrothal ceremo- dren. “She had no choices because she wasn’t educated, but have all but stopped the boats from coming since grassroots organisation working to stop child marriage in her ny. “In India marriage is not a personal decision, it’s a communi- she didn’t do it because she said her children still had hope.” the conservative government was elected in home state of Rajasthan. ty decision. If you do not marry your daughter there will be Choudary became a teacher before co-founding Vikalp, September 2013, Dutton said. “Ending child marriage comes from my heart because of social pressure,” she said. which tackles child marriage and violence and discrimination But the government still has to resettle more than everything I went through,” she said, describing a childhood “The situation was very shameful for my parents. I was beat- against women. She says they have already stopped hundreds 31,000 of the 52,000 asylum seekers who arrived in scarred by witnessing the violence her mother suffered at the en many times, there was lots of fighting but I carried on living of child marriages and helped keep thousands of girls in school. Australia by boat during the six years that the center- hands of her alcoholic father and in-laws. with them because I wanted to change their mentality. “Education is key for ending child marriage,” said Choudary left Labor Party was in power. India has more child marriages than any other country, “If I had gone through with that marriage I would never who now lives in Udaipur. “When a child marries her dreams “Labor created a massive mess when it comes to accounting for two in five child brides worldwide. Although have cut that chain of child marriage and violence in my family,” die, she loses her freedom, her choices, her friends, her network, boats and it’s going to take time and taxpayers’ mon- child marriage is illegal, nearly half of girls get wed before their she said. “No one in my family has been married as a child her opportunities.” She says Vikalp tries to persuade parents ey, I’m sorry to say, to clean up Labor’s mess,” Dutton eighteenth birthday and nearly one in five before they turn 15, since.” that keeping their daughters in education can lead to better said. according to UN data. jobs which in turn helps lift the whole family out of poverty. As part of its efforts to deter boats of asylum seek- As a child, Choudary saw her young cousins married off one ‘Dreams die’ Her campaigning work also targets priests, beauticians and ers, Australia made the agreement with Cambodia by one. But it didn’t cross her mind that she could be too, and Choudary told her story on the sidelines of an international DJs who may provide services at the weddings of children. last September despite critics worrying that she had no idea what her family was plotting when she went to conference on child marriage in Casablanca hosted by Girls Not Now 38, Choudary says the pressure on her to marry has Cambodia was too impoverished to handle the new visit her grandparents one summer holiday. Brides, a global partnership committed to ending a practice subsided, but her single status still attracts comment. “I want to residents and its poor human rights record would “Lots of people arrived by taxi. Suddenly all the guests and affecting some 720 million girls and women. create an example and show that a single woman can do any- put them at risk.—AP my family came down from the guest room and started all Worldwide some 15 million girls are married off each year, thing. There is an alternative to marriage,” she said. — Reuters INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2015

Chinese political enemy given funeral 50 years later

BEIJING: A funeral has finally been held for one of in accordance with Mao’s ideas. according to official history. cial Communist Party mouthpiece People’s Daily with the Chinese Communist Party’s early high-profile His son was told in the 1980s that Chu had died, An opinion piece in the state-run Global Times, an article that was widely seen as condemning Chu, political targets nearly 50 years after he disappeared, but was not told how or given the body. affiliated with the People’s Daily, re-iterated that and subsequently sparked a campaign that persecut- but state-run media said yesterday it was not a The family finally inaugurated a gravestone for stance Friday. ed more than half a million people for holding so- moment to reevaluate the past. Chu this week in Wuxi, in the eastern province of “No matter what, we should not consume Chu called “Rightist” sympathies. Chu Anping, a former editor of a Communist Jiangsu, placing personal belongings in the tomb Anping’s work again,” said the article, bylined Shan China has yet to fully come to terms with the later, newspaper, was the first victim of Mao Zedong’s instead of any remains. Renping. “He experienced a very special period in decade-long Cultural Revolution, when Mao forceful- Anti-Rightist Movement in 1957, and was again per- At the ceremony, Chu’s son reportedly said: time, and that period will never be repeated.” ly reasserted his power over the Party and the coun- secuted at the start of the Cultural Revolution in “Today is not a sad day, today is a commemoration, The Chinese-language op-ed was not printed in try via public shamings, beatings and killings. 1966, disappearing soon afterwards. memorial and memorable day.” the paper’s English edition. Scholarship within the country is limited to offi- Some say Chu committed suicide and others that But the Communist Party, which has rehabilitated Chu penned an article in 1957 criticising the cial accounts, although in recent years there have he was beaten to death by Red Guards, groups of almost all of the 550,000 who were persecuted under Communist Party, leaving Mao reportedly unable to been a select few apologies to individuals for the young people tasked with purging ideological “foes” the Anti-Rightist Movement, still views Chu as hostile sleep for days as a result. Mao responded in the offi- excesses of the period. — AFP Appeals court frees ‘nut rage’ Korean Air heiress

SEOUL: The former Korean Air executive As the plane was taxiing to the runway, jailed for disrupting a flight in a rage over Cho, sitting in first class, became enraged macadamia nuts walked free yesterday when when a flight attendant served her some a South Korean appeals court overturned her nuts in a bag, rather than on a plate. She conviction for violating aviation safety laws. lambasted the chief steward over the The High Court in Seoul ruled that Cho behaviour of his cabin crew and then Hyun-Ah, who had been in jail since her arrest ordered the plane back to the gate so he in December, was not guilty of the most seri- could be ejected. ous charge of altering an aircraft’s route while In her original trial, the district court in flight. determined that an aircraft was “in flight” That overturned the verdict of a lower dis- from the moment it began to move, and trict court, which had jailed Cho for one year therefore Cho had violated aviation safety in February. “The accused had no intention of laws by illegally changing the plane’s route. hampering the safe operation of the plane,” But the High Court overturned that deci- High Court judge Kim Sang-Hwan said, hand- sion, ruling that the return to the gate “did ing down a reduced sentence of 10 months, not constitute a change” of flight path. suspended for two years. After the hearing, Cho, 40, changed out of ‘Modest’ safety threat her prison clothes and left the court, dressed While describing the threat Cho’s actions in black coat and wearing heavy dark-rimmed had presented to the safety and security of glasses. Mobbed by reporters outside, Cho, the aircraft as “modest”, the court upheld walking with her head bowed, was shielded her conviction for hampering the plane’s by a small group of minders who whisked her operations and violence against the cabin away to a waiting black sedan. crew. Chief steward Park Chang-Jin had testi- Apology to those ‘hurt’ fied that Cho had made him kneel and beg One of her lawyers offered Cho’s apolo- for forgiveness while jabbing him with a gies to “all those who have been hurt by this service manual. incident”. The eldest daughter of the airline’s The flight attendant who served the now chairman, Cho was a Korean Air (KAL) vice infamous nuts has since filed a civil lawsuit, president in charge of in-flight service at the alleging Cho attacked, threatened and time of her December 5 “nut rage” melt- screamed obscenities and then pressured BAYEUN: Rohingya men from Myanmar perform congregational Friday prayers at the newly set up confinement area for migrants at Bayeun, down on board a Seoul-bound KAL flight her to cover up the incident by lying to gov- Aceh province yesterday after more than 400 Rohingya migrants from Myanmar and Bangladesh were rescued by Indonesian fishermen ffo the that had just left the gate in New York. ernment regulators.—AFP waters of the province on May 20. —AFP US readies air patrols in search for boat people Myanmar navy continues with rescue activities

BANGKOK: Attention turned yesterday to the seas citizens. seeking better economic opportunities in Malaysia off Southeast Asia’s west coast as naval vessels from About 3,600 refugees and migrants have washed and elsewhere. Myanmar and Malaysia searched for stranded boat ashore in Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand, according In Myanmar, the Rohingya are fleeing years of people and the US military prepared air patrols to to the International Organization for Migration. Half state-sanctioned discrimination. Over the past few step up its involvement. are Rohingya and the rest are from Bangladesh, the years, Rohingya were targeted by violent mobs of Thousands of Rohingya Muslims fleeing Myanmar IOM said. Many endured voyages of more than 1,700 Buddhist extremists and then confined to camps in and economic migrants from Bangladesh are kilometers (1,000 miles) on overcrowded boats that western Rakhine state. At least 120,000 have fled to believed to be trapped on crowded boats with little last lasted weeks or months. sea, and an unknown number have died along the food or water - some after being pushed back by the way. SEOUL: Former Korean Air (KAL) executive Cho Hyun-Ah (C) is surrounded by jour- navies of at least three countries - and the interna- 3,000 still at sea nalists after she received a suspended jail sentence and was freed by a Seoul appeals tional community has warned that time to save them The UN refugee agency estimates more than Cooperate court in Seoul yesterday, after she had been jailed for a year in February for disrupt- is running out. 3,000 others may still be at sea after a regional crack- Myanmar overcame initial reluctance and agreed ing a flight in a rage over macadamia nuts. — AFP In the first official rescue operation since migrants down on human traffickers at the beginning of the to join a regional meeting next week in Thailand to started washing onto Southeast Asian shores earlier month prompted captains and smugglers to aban- address the crisis. “We are ready to cooperate with this month, four Malaysian navy ships searched the don their boats. other governments to resolve the ongoing problems country’s territorial waters for the boats. Navy chief Southeast Asian countries initially responded to through constructive engagement and on humani- Arrests after anti-junta Abdul Aziz Jaafar said three helicopters and three the crisis by refusing to take in the migrants. But after tarian grounds,” said Zaw Htay, director of the presi- other ships were on standby. pushing back several vessels earlier in the month, dent’s office on Thursday. Myanmar’s navy found two fishing trawlers filled Malaysia and Indonesia said Thursday they will pro- The decision was made after an invitation letter protests on coup ’versary with 208 men during a patrol Thursday night off the vide temporary shelter to the desperate men, women arrived, he said, noting it did not imply Myanmar was coast of Myanmar’s Rakhine state, the main point of and children if the international community helps solely responsible for the crisis or use the word BANGKOK: Police arrested several anti-junta months of violent protests by anti-government departure for Rohingya minority Muslims fleeing the resettle them within a year. Rohingya - two conditions Myanmar had set for its activists yesterday for small protests marking a supporters paralysed the elected administra- Buddhist country. Indonesia said it would not actively search for the attending the conference. year since Thailand’s generals seized power tion of Yingluck Shinawatra. She was dumped Zaw Htay, director of Myanmar’s presidential migrants, but will rescue those stranded or drifting in The United States has said it was prepared to take from the elected government, as the defiant out of office by a court ruling two weeks before office, said Friday the men were identified as the country’s waters close to its shores, said a leading role in any multi-country effort organized junta leader said the country “may have col- the coup. Bangladeshi and would be sent back to the neighbor- Arrmanatha Nasir, the Foreign Ministry spokesman. by the UN refugee agency to resettle the most vulner- lapsed” without his intervention. Martial law was imposed two days before ing country. He said the country would not push them back out to able refugees. A group of die-hard campaigners called the coup by the military. Her supporters say the “The Myanmar navy continues with search and sea. US Deputy Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, vis- ‘Resistant Citizen’, who have repeatedly defied putsch was the latest assault by the royalist rescue activities in Myanmar waters,” he said. “If they The US military said it was preparing to send “mar- iting Southeast Asia, met Thursday with Myanmar’s the junta’s ban on political protests, were pre- Bangkok-centric elite on the kingdom’s bur- find any boat with migrants, they will provide human- itime aviation patrols throughout the region,” president, army commander in chief and other offi- vented from marching to a court in Bangkok to geoning democratic forces-in particular from itarian assistance, conduct verification and return Pentagon spokesman Lt. Col. Jeffrey Pool told The cials, raising “deep concern about the thousands of file treason charges against junta chief Prayut the culturally distinct northeast, which has vot- them to where they came from.” Associated Press on Thursday. The Department of vulnerable migrants stranded at sea,” State Chan-O-Cha. ed Shinawatra parties to power in every elec- The Rohingya are fleeing hatred and religious vio- Defense “is responding to this crisis and taking this Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said. At least four of the group were arrested, an tion since 2001. lence in Myanmar, where the government regards seriously,” he said. “He stressed the need for Burma to address the AFP photographer said. Meanwhile seven stu- In the past year, protests have been smoth- them as illegal migrants from Bangladesh - and refers Washington has been urging governments in the root causes of this migration, including the racially dents were wrestled to the ground and ered, dissenters arrested and anti-coup radio to them as “Bengalis,” not “Rohingya” - even though region to cooperate on search and rescue operations and religiously motivated discrimination and violence detained for holding an anti-coup banner in and television stations shut, while royal many have lived in the country for generations. and sheltering the refugees and migrants. Most of the facing the Rohingya population in Rakhine State,” the northeastern city of Khon Kaen, a bastion defamation cases have surged as rights groups Neither Myanmar nor Bangladesh recognizes them as Bangladeshis are believed to be fleeing poverty and Harf said, using the former name for Myanmar. — AP of support for Yingluck Shinawatra whose gov- say the space to speak freely diminishes. ernment was toppled by the May 22, 2014 coup. ‘I did it alone’ Student activists who have previously held The junta says its power grab restored order US planes keep distance from Chinese ‘islands’ creative “flash mob” acts of dissent-including after months of protests against Yingluck left readings of George Orwell’s anti-authoritarian dozens dead and the economy in a straitjacket. novel “1984” and flashing the three-fingered “I did it (the coup) myself because I thought WASHINGTON: US surveillance aircraft and naval mation works in one lagoon, and an airstrip under The Chinese warnings to the US aircraft are typi- salute from the Hunger Games films-have also that both the country and the people were in ships have yet to test China’s territorial claims construction on another island. cal and occur frequently, a navy official told AFP. said they will hold a protest in downtown severe danger... I made up my mind alone,” for- around artificial islands built in the South China Sea, “You can see here the landing strip and on the “It’s not uncommon,” the official said, adding Bangkok on Friday evening. mer army chief-turned prime minister Prayut but the Pentagon warned that could be “the next back side there is the taxi way,” an officer says, that the Chinese sometimes send military aircraft to But widespread dissent appeared unlikely Chan-O-Cha told reporters yesterday. step”. pointing at a screen, adding that “hundreds of visually identify American planes in the area. with the country still in lockdown. “If I didn’t do it I wonder if our country may Although the United States does not recognise metres” have been built in “the past couple of China’s Global Times newspaper said in an edito- Thailand’s military took over last May after already have collapsed,” he said.— AF China’s claims of sovereignty around the man-made months.” rial that the access given to CNN showed the US structures, American P-8 surveillance planes and The officer explained the huge dredging opera- was “trying to sensationalise China’s reclamation naval vessels patrolling the area have not ventured tion, taking material from the seabed as part of the activities on some reefs and islets in the South within 12 nautical miles of the artificial islands-the reclamation project to provide fresh space for con- China Sea in a bid to impose more pressure on standard territorial zone around natural land. struction. China”. “That would be the next step,” Pentagon “Washington is purposefully raising tensions spokesman Colonel Steven Warren told reporters. ‘Great wall of sand’ with China, a move that has created a higher risk of Asked if the military would move to within that The new video came after a CNN television crew a physical confrontation between both sides,” it sensitive zone, he said: “We don’t have any aboard a P-8 Poseidon plane captured a tense radio added. announcement to make on next steps. We are exchange between the US aircraft and Chinese Earlier, Beijing said it had “indisputable sover- going to continue our routine flights.” forces in the area. eignty over the Nansha islands and adjacent US officials have said they are weighing sending “This is the Chinese navy... This is the Chinese waters”, using its name for the Spratly islands. “We warships and surveillance aircraft within 12 nautical navy... Please go away... to avoid misunderstand- hope that relevant countries can respect China’s miles of the man-made islands in the South China ing,” a voice can be heard telling the Americans. sovereignty in the South China Sea, avoid taking Sea to test Beijing’s controversial territorial claims. The Chinese navy issued eight such warnings actions that may escalate or complicate the mat- But the move could raise tensions and lead to a during the P-8’s flight near the Fiery Cross Reef, one ters, and contribute to regional peace and stability,” standoff on the high seas in an area vital to global of the sites of Beijing’s massive land reclamation Beijing’s foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei told shipping lanes. Beijing regards almost the whole of effort, CNN reported. reporters. the South China Sea as its own. The US Navy has American pilots replied in each case that they With Beijing pursuing land reclamation at an released video from a P-8 Poseidon surveillance were flying through “international airspace”. unprecedented pace, a US naval commander has flight in the South China Sea which received several Journalists are rarely allowed to fly in a sophisti- accused China of building a “great wall of sand” in BANGKOK: Police officers carry a student protester in Bangkok, Thailand yesterday. warnings from the Chinese military. cated P-8 spy plane, much less permitted to film the South China Sea to bolster its territorial Thai police detained anti-coup protestors who attempted to organize activity mark- It showed a flotilla of vessels carrying out recla- inside the cockpit, as the CNN crew was. claims. —AFP ing the first anniversary of the military coup. — AP Tuk-tuk taxi maker aims to make inroads in US Page 14

Business BoJ governor holds fire on stimulus SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2015 Page 15 $100bn Saudi city Finance minister says India may miss tax reform deadline to be ready by 2035 Page 16 Page 14

RIGA: German chancellor Angela Merkel (L) talks with Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras at the begining of the second day of the fourth European Union (EU) eastern Partnership Summit in Riga, yesterday as Latvia holds the rotating presidency of the EU Council. EU leaders gathered with six post-communist nations to discuss various issues, including enlargement and the economy. — AP Greece to return back to negotiating table Merkel says ‘very, very, intensive work’ needed

RIGA: European leaders told Greece yesterday to without the mistakes of the past”. return to the negotiating table for “intensive work” to He later held talks with European Commission wrap up a reform agreement before cash runs out, President Jean-Claude Juncker, who agreed a deal sidestepping Athens’ demand for a comprehensive, was “feasible” in the coming weeks, a Greek official Saudi rewrites its oil long-term solution to its troubles. said. With his country risking default in as little as two weeks, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras flew to Buying time game with refining might Riga to press German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Since storming to power in January, Tsipras’s left- French President Francois Hollande for a political ist-led government has bitterly fought and then push to break the impasse in technical-level talks struggled through four-months of talks with the EU LONDON: Saudi Arabia’s rapid transition into one of refinery sector - such as Nigeria - effectively leave with European Union and International Monetary and IMF on a deal that could release up to 7.2 billion the world’s largest oil refiners adds an extra dimen- this money on the table for refiners, Aramco and Fund creditors. euros ($8.1 billion) in remaining aid. sion to the oil exporter’s role as the driver of OPEC others in the Gulf can now cash in. The leaders offered help, but told Tsipras to get The initial acrimony that marked talks with lenders policy. “The crude is so cheap it’s pretty much free for back to focusing on talks with the so-called “Brussels - who were aghast at the new government’s When it attends OPEC’s next meeting in two them,” said Amrita Sen of Energy Aspects. “The mar- Group” of European Commission, European Central unabashed determination to end austerity and weeks, it does so with major new state-of-the-art oil gins are going to be massive. It makes trade flows in Bank and IMF lenders - the trio bankrolling Greece bailouts keeping Greece afloat - have largely abated. refineries that can profit from cheaper crude and products very different.” since it nearly went bankrupt in 2010. But the talks remain deadlocked over pensions, reviving world fuel demand - exactly as internation- Other Organization of the Petroleum Exporting “It was a very friendly, constructive exchange, but labour reform, fiscal targets and increases in value- al oil firms have over the past six months. Countries members, including fellow Gulf states it’s also clear that there must be more work with the added tax. The kingdom now has stakes in more than 5 mil- Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, have also three institutions. There is a lot to do,” Merkel told Athens has proposed VAT rates of 7, 14 and 22 per- lion barrels per day (bpd) of refining capacity, at boosted refining and added trading arms. But their reporters on the sidelines of an EU summit in Riga. cent in an effort to redistribute the tax impact and home and abroard, landing it a place among the refineries worldwide, hovering near 1 million bpd She said France and Germany had offered to help lighten the burden on lower income groups, the gov- global leaders in making oil products. Its own target each, are only a fraction of what Aramco has built in whenever it was needed, but said: “The conclusion ernment spokesman said. But lenders want rates of of 8-10 million bpd of refining firepower would just a few years. needs to be found with the three institutions and 11 and 23 percent instead and are pressing for an eclipse even ExxonMobil. “The Saudis have a much wider market there there needs to be very, very intensive work.” increase in VAT on energy to 23 percent. “Saudi have moved into the product business in a because they are competing globally,” Halff said. Acknowledging Greece’s dire financial state as its Complicating matters further is what Greek offi- big way,” said Fereidun Fesharaki, chairman of FGE “They diversify vertically by capturing different cash runs dry, Hollande said the focus should be on a cials say is disagreement between the IMF and EU energy. parts of the value chain and it becomes a hedge quick deal that allows the reopening of aid so Greece creditors over the priorities on Greece and the resist- Its oil trading arm, Aramco Trading, could soon and it gives them a lot more market access.” can be sure of making payments to the IMF in early ance of the IMF to agree a quick deal without a com- find at least two thirds of its trading focused on Aramco has added more than 1 million bpd in June. prehensive review of reforms to be done. products such as diesel, gasoline and heating oil capacity through a controlling stake in Korea’s S-Oil “Everyone knows the deadline, because it’ll be Speaking in Rio de Janeiro, IMF chief Christine rather than crude, Fesharaki said. as well as its two heavy hitting refineries at home, around June 6 or 7 that Greece will need liquidity to Lagarde agreed that a lot remained to be done for a Years of investment was designed to fuel the Yanbu and Yasref, both with 400,000 bpd in meet certain repayments,” Hollande said. “That deal and said: “It has to be a comprehensive transport, air conditioning and power generation throughput. Jizan, due on in the Kingdom in 2018, doesn’t mean that other phases cannot be prepared approach, not a quick and dirty job.” for the kingdom’s economic growth. But as OPEC would add a further 400,000 bpd. but what interests the Chancellor and I is what Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis has said he members fight for market share, Aramco’s refineries The growth puts Aramco’s owned or equity responses Greece can make to release the funds believed the IMF did not want to be involved in also give it a natural outlet for its 10 million bpd of stakes refining at 5.4 million bpd, at least 40 percent which would give Greece the means to pay the Greece after the bailout expires in June. But in a sign crude production. above a decade ago. Aramco itself markets more amounts it owes in June.” that may be unlikely, Germany said it was essential “In contrast with the crude market which is than 3 million bpd of that, tying it with Shell as the Greece’s government put a brave face on the out- for the IMF to take part in reform talks. shrinking, the product market is becoming more world’s fourth largest oil refiner. come of the talks, voicing optimism it could reach a A Greek official said the country had “no problem” global,” said Antoine Halff, chief oil analyst with the The shift could also enable it to funnel more deal in as little as 10 days - before the next IMF pay- with the IMF’s continued participation in talks. International Energy Agency. crude into its own plants, meaning the nine-year ment falls due on June 5. Reflecting the growing exasperation within the The crude oil price rout this year catapulted refin- high of 7.89 million bpd it exported in March could “We think conditions have matured for (talks) to euro zone over a country that has lurched from one ing to the fore; trading and refining last year soared be the high water mark. Already, it has turned down progress further and in the next 10 days, in May, for crisis to the next over the past five years, Bundesbank to 60 percent of integrated oil companies’ first quar- requests from China for extra crude. the deal to be sealed,” government spokesman chief Jens Weidmann told Reuters it was now up to ter earnings, compared with 18 percent last year, “The volume of crude being sold is still huge,” Gabriel Sakellaridis told Skai TV, adding a deal would Athens to stabilise the Greek economy. according to Reuters calculations. Fesharaki said. “But it shows the transformation in allow the European Central Bank to include Athens in Asked about calls from beyond Europe for other the next five years in which the companies become its bond-buying programme. EU countries to help Greece and calm financial mar- Global reach more of product players and will have automatically Tsipras said he was “very optimistic” of soon reach- kets, Weidmann said: “This can’t always simply be While crude oil producers who lack a developed less of an influence on the crude market.” — Reuters ing a “long-term, sustainable and viable solution about simply buying Greece more time.” —Reuters SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2015 BUSINESS Rising underlying inflation keeps Fed on rate hike path Consumer price index rises 0.1% in April

WASHINGTON: Rising shelter and medical care even if medical costs subside. Minutes of the surged about 15 percent against the currencies costs boosted underlying US inflation pressures Fed’s April meeting released on Wednesday said of the United States’ main trading partners in April, a welcome sign for the Federal Reserve “many” policymakers did not believe that the between June last year and mid-March. It has as it contemplates raising interest rates this year. data by June “would provide sufficient confirma- handed back some of those gains and is now up The Labor Department said yesterday its tion that the conditions” for raising the key only 10 percent. Consumer Price Index, excluding food and ener- short-term interest rate had been meet. “If sustained that should help weakness in gy, increased 0.3 percent last month. It was the A recent batch of weak data, including April core goods prices continue to moderate,” said largest rise in the so-called core CPI since industrial production and retail sales, has left Ted Wieseman, an economist at Morgan Stanley January 2013 and followed a 0.2 percent gain in many economists even doubting the Fed will in New York. March. raise rates in September. The overall CPI edged up 0.1 percent last Economists who had expected core inflation Fed Chair Janet Yellen could give fresh clues month after increasing 0.2 percent in March. It to increase 0.2 percent last month said the on the rate outlook when she gives a speech on was held back by a 1.7 percent drop in gasoline increase, which also reflected gains in the prices the economy later on Friday. prices and no change in food prices. of household furnishings and new and used The central bank, which has a 2 percent infla- In the 12 months through April, the CPI fell motor vehicles, should keep the US central bank tion target, has kept overnight interest rates 0.2 percent, the largest decline since October on track to hike rates before the end of 2015. near zero since December 2008. It tracks a price 2009, after dipping 0.1 percent in March. “It will give the Fed greater confidence that measure that is running below core CPI. In the Core inflation was lifted by a 0.3 percent inflation will indeed make it to its target in the 12 months through April, core CPI advanced 1.8 increase in shelter costs, which followed a similar next couple of years, it increases the odds of percent after a similar gain in March. gain in March. Shelter inflation is being driven by DENVER: In this photo taken Friday, Feb. 27, 2015, a worker checks the roof of an faster Fed action,” said Chris Rupkey, chief finan- “September is still the most likely (rate) lift-off rising household formation, which is boosting electric Tuk-Tuk being prepared for export at the Denver eTuk factory in northeast cial economist at MUFG Union Bank in New York. date, but July is not out of the question, particu- demand for rental accommodation. Denver. The Tuk Tuk Factory, based in Amsterdam, has signed a licensing agreement The dollar rose to a 3-1/2-week high against larly not if we get another couple of robust rises The medical care index rose 0.7 percent, the with Denver-based eTuk USA to allow the company to manufacture and sell an elec- the euro, while prices for U.S. government bonds in core consumer prices in May and June,” said largest rise since January 2007. Household fur- tric version of the vehicle. — AP fell. U.S. stocks traded slightly lower. Paul Ashworth, chief economist at Capital nishings posted their largest gain since While slower economic growth in the first Economics in Toronto. September 2008. half of the year has diminished the chances of a Prices for new and used cars and trucks rose Tuk-tuk taxi maker aims mid-year rate hike, a declining unemployment Fading dollar rally for a third straight month. Airline fares, however, rate and rising demand for housing suggest core The fading dollar rally also was seen keeping fell, as did apparel prices, which recorded their to make inroads in US inflation could continue to push higher this year core inflation on an upward trend. The dollar first drop since December. —Reuters

DENVER: They’re ubiquitous in Asia, and light rail systems. He noted the “last- swarming the bustling streets of Bangkok, mile concept,” a term that has been used by New Delhi and Beijing. Now, a company urban planners to describe the difficulty of that manufactures the tuk-tuk - the three- getting people from places like a railway wheeled motorized rickshaws that have station or a bus depot to their final destina- moved the masses for more than half a tion. The concept originally applied to sub- century - aims to make inroads in the urban areas, but also is relevant when United States. studying how people complete their trips The Tuk Tuk Factory, based in in downtown areas, said Carolyn Amsterdam, has signed a licensing agree- McAndrews, an assistant professor of ment with Denver-based eTuk USA to allow design and planning at the University of the company to manufacture and sell an Colorado-Denver. electric version of the vehicle. The compa- “Everybody has the last-mile problem, ny’s founders hope the eco-friendly vehi- and they solve that problem by walking or cles, a far cry from the loud, pollution- we drive our cars,” she said. But McAndrews spewing versions common in Asia and also said the market is ripe for new modes South America, will become the next hip of transportation like tuk-tuks to close that mode of transportation for urban dwellers gap. She points to a 2012 study in New and tourists across the country. Jersey that says “last-mile” shuttles are play- It’s too soon to know if Americans will ing an increasingly important role in con- embrace tuk-tuks, but Michael Fox, director necting people and jobs to rail transit, of sales and marketing for eTuk USA, says especially because of the decentralization the company has been selling the vehicles of jobs and homes in most cities over the across the country to individuals, market- past few decades. “To be competitive with ing companies and food vendors for cars, you have to make the point-to-point between $16,950 and $25,000, depending as convenient as possible,” she said. And it on how they are customized. seems like Colorado’s legislature agrees. The three partners’ other company, eTuk Because the tuk-tuks are classified as Denver, launched a call-and-demand shut- motorcycles by the US Department of tle service in downtown Denver after Transportation, drivers would have had to receiving approval from the Colorado wear eye protection and get a motorcycle Public Utilities Commission, which regu- endorsement for the license. Anyone under lates for-hire transportation services. 18 also would have had to wear a helmet. AMMAN: Jordan’s King Abdullah II (L) listens to the founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum (WEF), German Klaus Schwab The service is the latest entrant into an But state Rep. Paul Rosenthal said such speaking on stage on the opening day of the WEF on the Middle East and North Africa 2015 yesterday in the Dead Sea resort of Shuneh, west of increasingly crowded field of transporta- requirements for vehicles that travel short the capital Jordanian Amman. — AFP tion options that includes pedicabs, car-shar- distances at low speeds don’t make sense, ing services such as Uber and Lyft and golf- especially for a shuttle service. cart taxis. Fox is banking that the tuk-tuk’s “Say you have four kids. They would $100bn Saudi city to be ready by 2035 open-air design will help it stand out. “When have to go find a helmet or have them on you look at a golf cart and you look at a tuk- hand to do that,” he said. “It becomes cum- SOUTHERN SHUNEH: A $100 billion city-from- the past five years. “We are obviously creating a close to 100 companies, with nine already oper- tuk, which has more curb appeal?” he asked. bersome.” On May 4, the legislature passed scratch in Saudi Arabia is to be completed by product that people want to invest in, and we ating there and 20 building facilities. But like car-sharing services, the tuk-tuk has Rosenthal’s bill to strip those requirements 2035 and will serve as the main logistics and are creating enough value that we can make He said the target for 2020 is 50,000 residents faced some pushback from a handful of cab for 3-wheeled motorcycles with a wind- manufacturing hub for countries on the Red Sea, profit,” he said. and 28,000 jobs, with 25 percent of the city, or companies and other shuttle operators - and shield, seatbelts and a top speed of 25 the world’s “largest new emerging market,” said EEC’s mother company, the Dubai-based 45 million square meters, to be developed by raised concerns about the vehicles’ safety. mph. Each shuttle model also has under- the CEO of the company in charge of the mega- Emaar Properties, built Burj Khalifa, the world’s then. The date for completion is 2035, though al- Terry Bote, a commission spokesman, said gone a standard commercial vehicle project. tallest building. Rasheed acknowledged that it’s an ambitious several cab and shuttle companies were suc- inspection to make sure it complies with The business model of an entire city being The new city, located about 100 kilometers deadline. cessful in restricting where the tuk-tuks can federal safety standards built by the private sector was so unusual that it (60 miles) north of Saudi Arabia’s current com- The project is part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to operate, what types and how many vehicles Still, most states heavily regulate three- required adjustments in the beginning, said mercial hub of Jiddah, is envisioned for 2 million “diversify away from oil” and create jobs, he can be used and how many passengers each wheeled vehicles because of what some Fahd al-Rasheed, the Group CEO of Emaar residents, with industrial parks, hospitals, said.The country’s youth unemployment rate is vehicle can carry. say is the potential for serious accidents. Economic City (EEC), which is building the King schools and golf courses. more than 28 percent, on par with the regional Sherry Williams, who chairs a committee Abdullah Economic City. Its port is currently capable of handling 2.7 rate for the Middle East and North Africa. Restrictions of independent researchers on motorcycle “Putting that first phase together is the most million containers per year, with capacity to Al-Rasheed said the city is to become the The tuk-tuks operate mostly in a restrict- safety, said helmets should be required and difficult point,” he told The Associated Press in an grow to 20 million containers per year once main manufacturing and logistics hub for the ed downtown area - and are banned from passengers need to be aware of the possi- interview on the sidelines of a regional confer- completed. The city is also being linked by high- Red Sea region and one of the world’s top 10 providing scheduled service to the nearby ble danger in the event of an accident, ence of the World Economic Forum hosted by speed train to Jiddah and the holy cities of ports. Twenty-three percent of global trade goes Broncos’ football stadium, a lucrative desti- even at slow speeds. “Most motorcycle acci- Jordan. Mecca and Medina. through the Red Sea, he said, and countries bor- nation for the competition. dents occur under 30 mph, and many of “Once you figure it out, the sky is the limit, so The city currently has about 3,000 residents dering it have seen high growth rates, making But even with the restrictions, Fox said them are fatal. This is a serious issue,” she we are in that phase now.” He said the company and about 7,000 non-construction jobs, al- the area “perhaps the largest new emerging his service can complement Denver’s bus said.—AP has posted 20-30 percent growth in revenues for Rasheed said. The industrial park has attracted market.” — AP EXCHANGE RATES

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. GOLD Jordanian Dinar 426.125 US Dollars Mint 0.298700 0.302900 20 gram 246.730 Egyptian Pound 39.491 10 gram 126.060 Asia ASIAN COUNTRIES Sri Lankan Rupees 2.242 Bangladesh Taka 0.003541 0.004141 Japanese Yen 2.521 5 gram 63.710 Indian Rupees 4.751 Chinese Yuan 0.047303 0.050803 Indian Rupees 4.754 Pakistani Rupees 2.961 Hong Kong Dollar 0.036909 0.039659 Pakistani Rupees 2.965 UAE Exchange Centre WLL Bangladesh Taka 3.876 Srilankan Rupees 2.242 Philippines Pesso 6.777 Indian Rupee 0.004541 0.004942 Nepali Rupees 2.980 Cyprus pound 741.050 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000019 0.000025 Singapore Dollar 228.150 COUNTRY SELL DRAFT SELL CASH Japanese Yen 3.525 Japanese Yen 0.002434 0.002614 Hongkong Dollar 39.001 Australian Dollar 226.64 Syrian Pound 2.595 Kenyan Shilling 0.003132 0.003132 Canadian Dollar 251.58 Bangladesh Taka 3.884 Nepalese Rupees 3.025 Korean Won 0.000267 0.000282 Swiss Franc 327.42 Philippine Peso 6.794 Malaysian Ringgit 85.500 Malaysian Ringgit 0.081078 0.087078 Euro 339.45 Thai Baht 9.072 Chinese Yuan Renminbi 49.040 Nepalese Rupee 0.003031 0.003201 US Dollar 303.10 Thai Bhat 9.970 Pakistan Rupee 0.002771 0.003051 Sterling Pound 472.81 Turkish Lira 116.910 Philippine Peso 0.006684 0.006964 GCC COUNTRIES Japanese Yen 2.54 Saudi Riyal 80.656 Sierra Leone 0.000067 0.000073 Bangladesh Taka 3.891 Singapore Dollar 0.224160 0.230160 Qatari Riyal 83.084 Indian Rupee 4.750 South African Rand 0.019369 0.027869 Omani Riyal 785.710 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.248 Bahrain Exchange Company Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001838 0.002418 Bahraini Dinar 803.240 Nepali Rupee 2.975 UAE Dirham 82.348 Pakistani Rupee 2.973 Taiwan 0.009805 0.009985 COUNTRY SELL CASH SELLDRAFT Thai Baht 0.008731 0.0009281 UAE Dirhams 82.40 Europe ARAB COUNTRIES Bahraini Dinar 804.50 Belgian Franc 0.007886 0.008886 Egyptian Pound 39.61 Arab Egyptian Pound - Cash 42.600 British Pound 0.466456 0.475456 Jordanian Dinar 430.59 Bahraini Dinar 0.795394 0.803394 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 39.545 Czech Korune 0.004459 0.016459 Omani Riyal 786.08 Egyptian Pound 0.039829 0.042929 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.411 Danish Krone 0.041741 0.046741 Qatari Riyal 83.47 Iranian Riyal 0.000084 0.000085 Tunisian Dinar 157.940 Euro 0.336291 0.344291 Saudi Riyal 80.74 Iraqi Dinar 0.000185 0.000245 Jordanian Dinar 426.710 Norwegian Krone 0.036688 0.041888 Jordanian Dinar 0.422066 0.429565 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 2.155 Romanian Leu 0.076665 0.076665 Kuwaiti Dinar 1.000000 1.000000 Syrian Lira 2.155 Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Slovakia 0.009002 0.019002 Morocco Dirham 31.754 Swedish Krona 0.032617 0.037617 Lebanese Pound 0.000150 0.000250 Swiss Franc 0.319702 0.329902 Moroccan Dirhams 0.021698 0.045698 Rate for Transfer Selling Rate EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES Turkish Lira 0.116240 0.123240 Nigerian Naira 0.001246 0.001881 US Dollar Transfer 302.300 US Dollar 302.900 Omani Riyal 0.779182 0.784862 Euro 343.110 Canadian Dollar 255.880 Qatar Riyal 0.082323 0.083536 Sterling Pound 475.240 Australasia Sterling Pound 474.610 Saudi Riyal 0.079977 0.080677 Euro 345.788 Australian Dollar 0.233250 0.244750 Canadian dollar 249.830 Syrian Pound 0.001281 0.001501 Swiss Frank 276.932 New Zealand Dollar 0.218059 0.227559 Tunisian Dinar 0.155426 0.163426 Turkish lira 117.170 Bahrain Dinar 799.730 Swiss Franc 327.520 UAE Dirhams 82.500 America Turkish Lira 0.116240 0.123240 Australian Dollar 243.050 Qatari Riyals 83.740 Canadian Dollar 0.243599 0.252099 UAE Dirhams 0.081324 0.082473 US Dollar Buying 301.100 Saudi Riyals 81.310 US Dollars 0.298200 0.302900 Yemeni Riyal 0.001366 0.001446 BUSINESS SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2015

Nationwide predicts higher house prices as profits rise

LONDON: Nationwide’s Chief Executive Graham particularly relating to opposition Labour’s pledge possible British exit from the European Union ing profit to 1.2 billion pounds ($1.9 billion) for the Beale said he expected Britain’s housing market to for a tax on higher-value properties. could impact the market. year to April 4. be stronger this year after the UK’s second-biggest “The uncertainty of the general election and “My expectation is that it will be a stronger mar- It said its core tier 1 ratio, a key measure of its provider of home loans reported a 32 percent rise some of the political direction, particularly from ket this year than last year. Provided that borrowers financial strength, rose to 19.8 percent from 14.5 in full-year profit. the Labour party-the notion of the mansion tax-it don’t start to get concerned about the EU referen- percent, higher than any major British bank. Nationwide also said Beale would step down in was clearly influencing and dampening sentiment dum, generally it’s a more stable environment,” he Nationwide’s net mortgage lending during the the summer of next year after nine years as CEO ahead of the election,” Beale told Reuters. said. year totaled 7.1 billion pounds, accounting for a during which he guided the lender through the Beale said he expected the market to be The chief executive of property website Zoopla 31.2 percent market share. The lender’s personal 2007-9 financial crisis and, more recently, launched stronger this year than in 2014, when a number of said earlier this week that he expected the current account market share grew to 6.8 percent a revamp of its branches and digital technologies factors had a negative impact including measures Conservatives’ victory to help the housing market and it is targeting 10 percent. Beale said the to meet changing customer demands. to cool the buoyant London market and uncertain- to grow. Beale, who joined the company in 1985 as Nationwide board will look at both internal and Beale told Reuters on Friday that the ty over the outcome of the Scottish independence a chartered accountant and is 56, will leave external candidates to succeed him. “We start off Conservative party’s victory in Britain’s national vote. Nationwide in a healthy state. with some very good internal candidates but the election had removed uncertainty from the market, However, he cautioned that concerns over a The lender reported a 32 percent rise in underly- board will also look outside,” he said. — Reuters BoJ governor holds fire on stimulus Stronger data behind bank’s more upbeat view

TOKYO: The Bank of Japan yesterday held off launching more stimulus as its chief said the world’s number-three economy was on the upswing, days after data showed stronger- than-expected growth in the first quarter. The upbeat figures eased pressure on policymakers who kept the central bank’s annual 80 trillion yen ($662 billion) monetary easing programme in place after a two-day meeting. But some analysts say further action will be needed later in the year. On Wednesday the government released figures showing Japan’s economy, which sank into a brief recession last year, expanded by a better-than-expected 0.6 percent from the previous quarter. In annualised terms, the economy expanded by 2.4 percent in the January-March period-well ahead of tepid growth in the United States-as capital spending and the housing market showed signs of strength, although CLERMONT-FERRAND: A picture taken yesterday shows people attending the General Assembly of exports dipped slightly and consumer spend- Michelin group’s shareholders in Clermont-Ferrand, central France. — AFP ing was weak. BoJ governor Haruhiko Kuroda TOKYO: Governor of the Bank of Japan (BoJ), Haruhiko Kuroda gestures during his said yesterday that the stronger data was regular press conference following the bank’s two-day policy meeting at its head- behind the bank’s more upbeat view. quarters in Tokyo yesterday. BoJ held fire on launching more stimulus, days after “It is not that something about the econo- official data showed the world’s number three economy grew more than expected in Coal, medicine, trains top my dramatically changed-it has been steadily the first quarter. — AFP improving,” he told a press briefing on Friday. “That improvement is likely to continue, and the deflation-plagued economy-although he Japan’s more upbeat economic assessment Tokyo’s infrastructure plan so we have taken a step forward in our insists that healthy price rises are around the today suggests that the introduction of more assessment to fit the current situation.” corner. stimulus as early as July is off the table,” TOKYO: Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s offer of $110 Abe pledged more support of advanced med- Stripping out the impact of a sales tax hike Marcel Thieliant from Capital Economics said billion in fresh infrastructure financing for Asia is as ical technology for its developing Asian neighbors; Outlook improving last year, Japan’s inflation rate in March came in a commentary. “However, we remain con- much about Japan’s agenda for selling its clean “safe and reliable” high-speed rail systems and The central bank’s post-meeting state- in at a tepid 0.2 percent from a year ago, well vinced that the prospect of prolonged below- coal know-how and other technologies as it is improved water treatment. ment slightly tweaked the wording on its short of the BoJ’s target. target inflation will convince policymakers to about keeping up with China. assessment of the economy to suggest the Kuroda yesterday acknowledged the chal- step up the pace of easing by October.” Abe announced the commitment, topping the Focus on energy outlook was improving. Kuroda has been lenges on hitting the BoJ’s ambitious goal. “It In currency trading, the dollar slipped to $100 billion China set for its newly created Asian Japan and China are competing intensely on forced to push back a timeline for hitting a 2.0 won’t be easy, but it’s not impossible,” he said. 120.80 yen from 120.91 yen just before the Infrastructure Investment Bank, on Thursday with sales of high-speed railways. Since taking office in percent inflation target-a cornerstone of Tepid inflation data has spurred specula- BoJ’s announcement, and well off the 121.07 an explicit pledge to make a “treasure trove” of late 2012, Abe has crisscrossed the globe, promot- Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s plan to kickstart tion of further easing measures. “The Bank of yen in New York. — AFP Mongolia’s vast reserves of brown coal, regarded as ing Japan’s efforts to sell such big-ticket technolo- too polluting for power generation. gies and equipment. But his main focus was on Japan sided with the US in not joining the 57 energy. countries that have signed on to the Beijing-initiat- With energy demand due to expand by 60 per- ed AIIB, but instead has pledged to provide more cent by 2040, Asia cannot afford to rely on rising support itself, both through the Asian imports. “We will help Asian countries to realize Development Bank, to which it is the largest donor, their energy strategies and contribute to techno- and also through public-private initiatives. logical development around Asia. We will spare no The plan announced Thursday represents about effort in our cooperation,” Abe said. a 30 percent increase over current funding levels. It Apart from clean coal, Japan is promoting a is in keeping with Japan’s priorities to counter shift to use of energy efficient LED lighting, ener- China’s growing influence while also helping sup- gy-conserving air conditioners equipped with port its own manufacturing capacity and trade in inverters and electric vehicles. the region, especially in Southeast Asia. As the rest of the world including China backs “Asia has a voracious infrastructure demand, away from coal, Japan is embracing the heavily reaching as much as 100 trillion yen ($830 billion) polluting fossil fuel with fresh enthusiasm. It is annually,” Abe said. “We should seek quality as well financing coal-fired power plant construction both as quantity. Pursuing both is perfectly suited to at home and overseas despite criticism the money Asia.” would be better spent on building up renewable Abe reminded his audience, who included for- energy capacity and that such facilities increasing- mer Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad ly are viewed as potential “stranded assets.” and Mongolia’s president Elbegdorj Tsakhia, of Having shut down its nuclear reactors following Japan’s longstanding role as a provider of aid to the 2011 disaster at the Fukushima Dai-Ichi nuclear the region. power plant, Japan has ramped up its use of coal Six decades ago, through the “tenacity of the and needs cheap supplies from its neighbors. Japanese engineers who grappled in the dense Support for coal-fired power plants that use forest with large snakes, elephants and tigers,” new high-efficiency combustion technologies to Japan built Myanmar’s Baluchaung Hydropower reduce CO2 emissions, compared to older coal Plant, which still provides a fifth of the country’s plants, is in sync with efforts to counter climate electricity, he said. change, Abe said. Even with their increased commitments, the He cited power industry estimates that releas- scale of available financing falls short of the $8 tril- es of greenhouse gas emissions by 1.5 billion lion the ADB says is needed by 2020 to help build tons a year if it were to spread to the US, China up essential infrastructure. and India. — AP Gold set for biggest weekly drop in 4 weeks CALIFORNIA: In this Thursday, April 2, 2015 photo, shoppers walk past a Dior luxury goods shop on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, LONDON: Gold fell yesterday, on course for its investors will peruse for clues on the timing of Calif. The Labor Department released the Consumer Price Index for April yesterday. — AP biggest weekly decline in four weeks, as the dol- the next U.S. interest rate increase. The Fed is lar rebounded after a stronger-than-expected aiming for inflation at 2 percent before it will Luxury giant Richemont rise in US core consumer prices in April. consider raising rates, but has said that a signifi- Spot gold, higher initially, fell 0.2 percent to cant pick-up is not a precondition to raise rates. $1,203.60 an ounce by 1415 GMT. It was down Recent weakness in US economic data has 1.6 percent for the week, however, heading for prompted investors to bet that interest rates will sees net profit plunge its biggest fall since the week ended April 24 stay near zero till at least the latter part of the and 2.4 percent below a three-month high of year. ZURICH: The world’s second luxury goods themselves against changes in exchange slightly better than analyst expectations- $1,232.20 hit on May 14. Higher US interest rates would increase the group Richemont confirmed yesterday that rates in the different countries they oper- boosted especially by its sale of an Volumes were expected to stay thin on Friday opportunity cost of holding non-yielding bul- its annual net profit fell by more than a ate, but unexpected changes can lead to investment property. ahead of public holidays in Britain and the lion. third due to losses on financial instru- losses. Richemont said its sales in April had bal- United States on Monday. Investor sentiment towards gold has turned ments. The Geneva-based group, which owns looned nine percent in actual exchange “Gold remains very much dependent on the bearish as prices have fallen from three-month During its 2014/15 financial year, which top global brands like Cartier, Piaget and rates compared to the same month last US economic data and traders are just trying to highs reached earlier this week. ended on March 31, the Swiss company IWC, meanwhile said its sales had inched year, but that they slumped eight percent find out when the US rate hike will be,” Natixis “Gold continues to be drawn towards the earned in 1.3 billion euros ($1.4 billion) in up four percent in during the year to 10.4 at constant exchange rates. analyst Bernard Dahdah said. $1,200 pivot point. The metal has failed to move net profit, down 35 percent from a year billion euros. Richemont’s board said it would stick to “It’s not really exciting times for gold, there more than 3 percent on either side of $1,200 earlier, it said. The rise, which was only one percent its aim of gradually increasing the compa- isn’t investor appetite for the metal and that since mid-March,” MKS Group said in a note. The drop was slightly less than the 36- in constant exchange rates, reflected ny’s dividends over time, and would pro- means less liquidity.” Gold buying was slow this week in Asia, with percent decline Richemont signalled in a “growth in jewellery, haute horlogerie pose for the financial year 2014/15 dishing The dollar rose 0.8 percent versus a basket of the Chinese hooked on surging equities. profit warning last month, but in line with and steel watches, as well as growing out 1.60 Swiss francs ($1.70, 1.50 euros) per leading currencies after data showed U.S. Demand in India stayed weak and was unlikely the expectations of analysts polled by the demand in Europe, the Middle East and share to shareholders, up from 1.40 a year Consumer Price Index rose 0.1 percent last to pick up as the wedding season cools. AWP financial news agency. the Americas,” it said. The amount how- earlier. month, while core CPI, which strips out food and Silver was down 0.4 percent at $17.05 an The company warned in April that “non- ever fell short of analyst expectations Following the news, the company saw energy costs, increased 0.3 percent, the largest ounce, heading for a 2.6 percent weekly fall. cash, mark-to-market losses on financial that Richemont sales during the year its share price slump 1.73 percent to 85.35 gain since January 2013. Platinum dropped 0.9 percent to $1,141.24 an instruments, which include monetary items would tick in at 10.9 billion euros. And Swiss francs a piece in morning trading as The release preceded Fed Chair Janet Yellen’s ounce and palladium fell 0.9 percent to $771 an and derivatives.” Multinationals often use the company said its operating profit the Swiss stock exchange’s main SMI index speech on the economy, due at 1700 GMT, that ounce. — Reuters financial instruments to try to protect swelled 10 percent to 2.7 billion euros- slipped just 0.1 percent. — AFP SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2015 BUSINESS

Chinese independents get foothold in LNG trade

BEIJING/SINGAPORE: China’s inde- supplies while boosting competition are being used at just over 50 percent of volumes. and tackling air pollution. pendent buyers of liquefied natural gas and efficiency in an energy sector long capacity, in part because of receiving ENN won Beijing’s nod this February China is raising gas imports from (LNG) are taking their first cargoes of the dominated by state firms. room built ahead of supplies to be deliv- to build a 3 million tonne-per-year Central Asia and Russia via pipelines and fuel as Beijing permits third-party use of “There will be sizeable room for inde- ered out of Australia when new LNG receiving facility off the east coastal city from producers such as Qatar and Papua idle capacity at import terminals and pendents to grow, either by building projects come online there this year and of Zhoushan, and Guanghui is building a New Guinea as LNG. Some experts are approves the new players’ long-term their own receiving terminals or taking next. receiving terminal in eastern Jiangsu forecasting LNG shipments to triple by plans to build their own facilities. stakes in large existing terminals,” said Li In the first four months of the year, province, company officials said. 2025 from last year’s 20 million tonnes. Privately run city gas distributor ENN Qingping, advisor to city gas distributor LNG imports are running 4.5 percent Huadian Group, a state utility, is also The country’s current 12 terminals - Group and onshore LNG investor Shenzhen Gas in southern China. behind last year due to high contract venturing into the LNG sector, taking a 5 with a total capacity of about 38 million Guanghui Energy Co Ltd were among The new non-state buyers have taken prices and overstocking ahead of last percent stake in an $11 billion Canadian tonnes per year - were used at just 52 the first to start importing spot cargoes, about six spot cargoes so far this year, winter, while pipeline flows have surged gas export project and planning to build percent of their capacity in the first four renting space at PetroChina’s under- said traders involved in LNG trades into 32 percent over the same period. a receiving terminal on China’s southeast months of 2015, leaving plenty of room utilised receiving terminals at Rudong China. That compares with around 45 coast. for new players to enter the market. and Dalian and each bringing in at least total cargoes of LNG imported in the first New buyers “China is set to see more active spot While welcoming the new buyers, one cargo since late 2014, according to four months of the year, based on official Last year in April, Beijing said parties trade with the government policy sup- suppliers remain cautious, especially company officials. customs data and the typical size of LNG such as ENN Group - parent of Hong port including market access and grad- when negotiating longer-term supplies Other new importers include trader tanker shipments. Kong-listed ENN Energy Holdings - and ual price deregulation, and firms like with the independent companies. JOVO Group and independent oil and Independents could account for as Shenzhen Gas could lease and use that ENN approved to build receiving termi- “They don’t really have a strong bal- gas company Pacific Oil and Gas as much as 30 percent of China’s LNG idle infrastructure, and independent nals,” Ma Shenyuan, vice president of ance sheet, or lack a pipeline network,” China works to meet clean energy tar- import market by around 2030, said energy companies and small buyers are ENN Group, told an LNG seminar in April. said a marketing executive with a North gets calling for natural gas’ share in its industry experts, benefiting suppliers taking advantage of Asia’s low spot American exporter. energy mix to double. from Australia to North America in a prices to bring in LNG at a lower cost Suppliers cautious Recently a small Chinese buyer had Beijing is freeing up the nation’s LNG market where spot prices than some of the supplies contracted by Top global energy consumer China to turn away an LNG delivery from trade as part of broad reforms that allow tumbled over the past year as slowing state importers such as PetroChina. aims to more than double the share nat- Spain’s Gas Natural Fenosa because it private companies to invest in oil and Asian economies met expanding sup- Companies are also building and ural gas has in its energy mix to 13-15 lacked the credit rating to swing the gas exploration as well as pipelines and plies. planning their own receiving and stor- percent by 2030 from about 6.5 percent deal, according to industry sources and tank farms, and to engage in importing Import terminals built by state-run age facilities so they can have more con- now, seeing the fuel as more effective ship tracking services on the Thomson and exporting. The aim is to help secure energy companies over the past decade trol over their future purchase prices and than renewables in cutting emissions Reuters terminal. — Reuters

Finance minister says India may miss tax reform deadline

NEW DELHI: India’s finance minister growth. acknowledged yesterday that the govern- The government set a deadline of April ment could miss its deadline to implement 1, 2016, for introducing the key goods and a key tax law amid criticism of the pace of services tax (GST), which will replace over- economic reforms after a year in office. lapping state and federal levies and create Arun Jaitley said he was “conscious” that a common market to boost the economy. delays in parliament in passing long-await- But the opposition, which has a majority ed legislation on a national sales tax meant in the upper house, forced the government the government was “cutting (it) too fine to this month to send the GST bill to a parlia- reach the deadline” for its rollout next year. mentary panel for further scrutiny along “(But) the government is going to make with legislation on making it easier for every effort to ensure that there is no delay businesses to buy land, another crucial ini- tiative. In a special India edition published yesterday, The Economist criticised a lack of big-bang reform by the government in its first 12 months, including easing strict labour laws, overhauling inefficient state- owned giant Coal India and introducing a more predictable and lower tax regime. “Mr Modi’s government is missing a rare chance to launch some bold reforms,” the magazine said to mark the first anniversary. Jaitley defended the pace and level of reform since his party won a landslide at elections last May, saying his government NEW DELHI: Indian Finance Minister had revived Asia’s third largest economy Arun Jaitley addresses a press confer- with growth heading towards eight per- ence in New Delhi yesterday. India’s cent. finance minister acknowledged that the But he also said the government should government could miss its deadline to work to tax companies at more competitive implement a keynote tax law amid criti- rates, amid a blazing row with foreign port- cism over the pace of economic reforms folio investors over demands they pay after a year in office. — AFP another tax for which they were not previously liable. FUYANG: Chinese people share a light moment as they check on stock prices at a brokerage house in Fuyang in central China’s Anhui province and we meet the deadline,” the minister “We must ... remove discretion, phase yesterday. Chinese stocks hit a seven-year high as investors pinned their hopes on further economic stimulus while most other world markets told reporters while marking a year in gov- out exemptions and bring the effective rate were subdued yesterday ahead of a speech by Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen. — AP ernment. down to global levels,” Jaitley told the press He meanwhile trumpeted a string of his conference. government’s achievements in the last 12 One of the main gripes by foreign busi- months, including shrinking inflation and nesses under the previous Congress gov- Asia stocks rally, early the fiscal and public deficits, combating ernment was that the tax regime was both corruption and speeding up decision-mak- aggressive and arbitrary, a deterrent to for- ing which have long held back economic eign investment in India. — AFP US rate hike unlikely China, HK broaden Beijing to announce fresh monetary easing measures

HONG KONG: Asian markets rose yesterday fol- for Fed tightening may be enough to see bar- In other markets: financial ties lowing another record close on Wall Street as the gain hunters start to return in earnest.” Mumbai rose 0.53 percent, or 148.15 points, likelihood of a US interest rate hike in the near With rate hike expectations narrowing the to end at 27,957.50. Housing Development term dwindled, with Tokyo hitting a new 15-year dollar eased to 120.77 yen in Asian trade, from Finance Corporation gained 2.51 percent to SHANGHAI: China and its special adminis- called the move an “important milestone”. high. Chinese shares were again the stand-out 121.07 yen in New York late Thursday. 1,287.50 rupees, while State Bank of India fell 2.38 trative region of Hong Kong yesterday “The (mutual recognition of funds) is an performers on hopes that Beijing will announce percent to 282.45 rupees. announced they will allow cross-border important element in the opening up of fresh monetary easing measures after more dis- China stimulus hopes Malaysia’s main index fell 0.42 percent, or 7.54 sales of investment funds to retail investors, the mainland’s capital market,” it said, appointing economic indicators. The greenback’s losses extended after the points, to close at 1,787.50. SapuraKencana saying it will increase financial cooperation. adding the quota for each side had been Tokyo reversed a morning sell-off to end 0.30 Bank of Japan held off adding to its bond-buy- Petroleum led energy stocks higher, rising 2.73 Market regulators from both sides said set at 300 billion yuan ($49 billion). percent higher, adding 61.54 points to 20,264.41 ing stimulus and gave a more upbeat summary percent to 2.63 ringgit, and Petronas Gas gained the “mutual recognition” of funds would China keeps a tight grip on its capital — its best finish since April 2000, while Shanghai of the economy. The euro edged up to $1.1169 1.0 percent to 22.20 ringgit. Plantations giant Sime allow mainland China and Hong Kong markets, out of fears sudden inflows or out- surged 2.83 percent, or 128.17 points, to and 134.90 yen against $1.1112 and 134.52 yen. Darby fell 2.13 percent to close at 8.75 ringgit. funds to be distributed in each other’s mar- flows of funds could threaten financial sta- 4,657.60. Hong Kong added 1.70 percent, or Shares in Shanghai and Hong Kong resumed Bangkok closed down 0.16 percent, or 2.39 points, kets from July 1, Hong Kong’s Securities bility and reduce its control. 469.11 points, to close at 27,992.83. Seoul closed their upward trend after preliminary figures on to 1,523.86. Telecoms company AIS added 2.13 and Futures Commission (SFC) said in a Currently, overseas fund management 1.10 percent up, gaining 23.29 points to 2,146.10 HSBC’s gauge of China’s manufacturing showed percent to 240.00 baht, while Bumrungrad statement. companies need to set up joint ventures while Sydney ended flat, edging 2.4 points high- activity continued to contract in May. Hospital, a popular destination for health tourists, “The mutual recognition of funds initia- with Chinese partners to sell their products er to 5,664.7. The data is the latest showing the world’s lost 2.96 percent to 180.50 baht. tive is a major breakthrough in the opening in the domestic market. On Wall Street the S&P 500 closed at another Singapore rose 0.30 percent, or 10.32 points, to up of the mainland’s funds market to off- In November last year, the stock market number two economy is struggling to get back all-time high thanks to strong earnings results on track, raising hopes for further stimulus 3,450.18. United Overseas Bank fell 0.37 percent to shore funds,” SFC Chairman Carlson Tong in the Chinese financial hub of Shanghai and a multi-billion-dollar pharma merger. Sg$24.07 while real estate developer Capitaland measures, on top of the three interest rate cuts said in the statement. and the Hong Kong bourse launched a A disappointing reading on US new home gained 0.28 percent to Sg$3.65. since November. “It will also open up a new frontier for scheme allowing investors on each sales indicated the economy was still not firing Jakarta ended up 0.04 percent, or 1.95 points, the mainland and Hong Kong asset man- exchange to trade selected stocks on the on all cylinders, which suggests it is not yet Also in Hong Kong Goldin Properties and at 5,315.15 Auto maker Astra International slipped agement industries and make available a other through their existing accounts. ready to absorb a Federal Reserve rate rise from Goldin Financial, which slumped more than 40 3.19 percent to finish at 7,575 rupiah, while taxi wider selection of fund products to “Besides stocks, mainland investors can record lows. On Wednesday, minutes from the percent on Thursday wiping billions off their val- operator Blue Bird jumped 7.23 percent to 8,900 investors in both markets,” he said. now invest in the fund products of Hong Fed’s April policy meeting showed board mem- ue, ended mixed. Properties added 4.87 percent rupiah. Taipei added 0.63 percent, or 60.24 points, The effective date, July 1, is the anniver- Kong’s fund companies and vice versa,” bers had similar concerns. The S&P 500 gained but Financial was down 3.20 percent. to 9,638.80. Wellington rose 0.12 percent, or 6.75 sary of the return of the former British Haitong Securities analyst Zhang Qi told 0.23 percent to another record high, the Nasdaq But Hanergy Thin Film Power, which dived 47 points, to 5,776.02. Warehouse Group was up 2.14 colony to Chinese rule in 1997. AFP. “The main impact will be an expan- rose 0.38 percent and the Dow was flat. percent Wednesday, remained suspended. percent at NZ$2.86 and Infratil gained 0.31 per- In a joint statement, the SFC and the sion of investment channels for mainland “The question of when and how fast the US Oil prices were lower. US benchmark West cent to close at NZ$3.22. Manila ended 0.57 per- China Securities Regulatory Commission and Hong Kong investors.” — AFP Fed begins to lift interest rates remains the dom- Texas Intermediate for July delivery eased 11 cent lower, giving up 44.46 points to 7,790.92. inant macro issue for equity markets and will be cents to $60.61 while Brent crude for July fell 18 Universal Robina Corp. lost 3.64 percent to 201.00 front of mind for traders,” Ric Spooner, chief mar- cents to $66.33 in afternoon trade. Gold fetched pesos, GT Capital fell 1.11 percent to 1,428.00 ket analyst in Sydney at CMC Markets, told $1,212.40 compared with $1,209.50 late pesos, while Energy Development Corp. eased Bloomberg News. “Some relief on expectations Thursday. 1.75 percent to 7.85 pesos. — AFP Taiwan lowers growth in face of rival China

TAIPEI: Taiwan lowered its growth forecast yes- Taiwanese firms such as Foxconn and TSMC are It comes at a time when economic stagnation terday blaming increased competition from reportedly among Apple’s suppliers. But China and a lack of job and housing opportunities for China in the tech industry, as the island’s stag- has been pushing to grow its own tech industry younger generations are putting pressure on the nant economy stokes public frustration. with the development of domestic smartphone ruling Kuomintang (KMT) party ahead of presi- Gross domestic product was predicted to brands and homegrown hardware, including dential elections in January 2016. However, the grow 3.28 percent in 2015, the statistics bureau chips. “The constant development by China to first quarter rise was a reflection of some gains said, 0.5 percent lower than its previous forecast. be self-sufficient intensified competition against from exports of goods and services, the state- “Looking forward, the prolonged sluggish factories in Taiwan, resulting in slower growth in ment said, as well as “moderate growth of pri- growth in global economy and strong competi- demand of mobile devices,” the statistics bureau vate consumption and investment”. tion from abroad, especially from mainland said. Taiwan’s predicted annual growth rate for Taiwan’s economy was buoyed last year by a China in (the) IT industry may limit Taiwan’s 2015 was lower than last year, when GDP rose steady recovery in developed countries as well export momentum,” the Directorate General of 3.77 percent overall. as record-high exports and rising domestic con- HONG KONG: A woman walks past high rise buildings in the financial district of Hong Budget, Accounting and Statistics in a state- The bureau also revised down the growth fig- sumption. But growth then slowed in the three Kong yesterday. Hong Kong and Shanghai shares rallied yesterday on hopes for fur- ment. Traditionally an export-driven technology ure for the first quarter of 2015 to 3.37 percent months to December due to lower-than-expect- ther Chinese stimulus after another indicator suggested the mainland economy is hub, Taiwan has benefited from Apple’s new compared to the same quarter in 2014 — it had ed overseas demand for goods and weaker still struggling. —AFP iPhone6, launched last year-a number of leading been estimated at 3.46 percent. domestic spending. — AFP HEALTH SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2015 Alaska’s popular walrus webcam streams again

ANCHORAGE: A popular webcam showing donor this year, where it was widely popular large male Pacific walruses lying on the beach with visitors. But operational problems with with a Hitchcockian number of seabirds flying the camera and a lack of funding eventually overhead is once again streaming to the doomed the project. Internet. The high-definition stream from Maria Gladziszewski, the acting deputy Alaska’s remote Round Island had been dor- director of Fish and Game’s Division of Wildlife mant for nearly a decade after private funding Conservation, said the state had discussed ran out, but a version is back now, thanks to a looking for another partner. It wasn’t an active philanthropic organization that operates a search until explore.org added the brown bear series of nature webcams from around the cams from Alaska’s Katmai National Park and planet. The walrus cam, part of the Pearls of the Preserve. “I thought, ‘Gee, I wonder if they’d be Planet series, can be viewed on their website interested in doing a walrus cam?’” she said. A monetary grant from explore.org, along Gladziszewski called and found out with other donations this year, have had an Weingarten had always intended to feature unintended benefit for the Alaska Department walruses. “It was fortuitous, and we were off of Fish and Game. The funds are allowing the trying to make it happen,” she said. Alaska state government - struggling financial- Weingarten said walruses are as majestic as ly because of low oil prices - to put two paid the brown bears that inhabit Katmai, but for staff members on the island about 400 miles most people, they are even less accessible. southwest of Anchorage to not only welcome Round Island - which can only be reached by the handful of visitors it gets every year, but an hours-long boat ride from hub communi- also to help prevent boats or aircraft from ties in southwest Alaska - had just 42 visitors spooking the 2-ton walruses and sparking a last year. Only five of those camped out stampede. If the donation hadn’t come overnight in the primitive conditions. through, Round Island would have been closed The four Round Island webcams allow up- to visitors this year. close views of walruses that few people ever “It was just serendipity,” said Charlie see in person. “To be able to capture a walrus, Annenberg Weingarten, vice president of the not just ‘a’ walrus but a herd of walrus on a Annenberg Foundation and founder of beach is beyond description,” Weingarten said explore.org. “I would have done it anyway, but in a phone interview from Los Angeles. Up to this is really a cherry on top, knowing we were 14,000 of the tusked mammals haul out on the able to assist them in furthering their research, island while the females are off raising their their love of their work and be able share with pups. “It’s important to show people and the people.” showcase what is out there,” Gladziszewski said. “This is an incredible resource to have Lack of funding and very, very difficult to get to,” she said. “And The state Department of Fish and Game to show people, from Bristol Bay to their desk worked with a private donor in 2005 to stream in Indiana or wherever, it’s an incredible oppor- images from Round Island, part of the Walrus tunity.” Like in 2005, the cams will be offline for BANGALORE: In this photograph taken on May 5, 2015, traditional Indian dental worker Allah Baksh takes measurements for dentures from a Islands State Game Sanctuary. The feed was one week in the fall when Alaska Natives con- customer at his roadside stall at KR Market bus stand. — AFP photos sent over the Internet and featured at the duct a legal subsistence walrus hunt on the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, another island, she said. — AP India’s street dentists filling gap for the poor Providing an essential service to tens of millions

BANGALORE: Ignoring noisy buses and curi- tures for some 20 customers a day. Dhoble branded unlicensed dentists ous onlookers, street dentist Allah Baksh A full set of teeth, molded and ready to fit quacks who were not worth the risk, despite a plunges his hands into a patient’s mouth to fit in 30 minutes, costs as little as 800 rupees lack of ultra cheap services offered by a sparkling set of dentures for $12 in the ($12), while a single false tooth sells for 50 licensed professionals for the poor. “Ban them Indian city of Bangalore. With his plastic stool, rupees (80 cents). Tools are thoroughly and they will be forced to look for another mirror and glass cases of teeth on display, washed in soap and water-but not disinfec- job. We can’t have cheap treatment as an Baksh is among hundreds of such dentists ted. The teeth in all shapes and sizes are made excuse to continue this practice,” he said. frowned upon by their licensed counterparts in China and in India from dental cement. Soft in rapidly modernizing India. But the 54-year- pink adhesive is then moulded for gums and Status symbol old insists he is providing an essential service the teeth stuck in, with the dentists saying In Delhi’s crowded old quarter, third- ALASKA: This May, 2015 photo provided by explore.org, shows walruses on a beach, to tens of millions of poor who cannot afford their handiwork lasts for at least four years. generation dentist Satvinder Singh, 48, takes recorded by a robotic camera on Round Island. — AP a visit to a sterilized clinic. India passed a law in 1948 allowing only a lunch break from treating patients on the “There are millions of poor people in this licensed dentists to treat patients, but the leg- pavement. Numerous posters advertising his country who cannot pay for expensive dental islation’s vague and outdated wording about services are propped up around him, as a Dogs domesticated over treatment,” Baksh told AFP in between cus- exactly what constitutes a dentist has allowed multitude of vendors jostle for space. Singh tomers at his makeshift clinic where his tools many unregistered ones to operate. In big said his profession is slowly dying because of 27,000 years ago: Study include a large, metal file. “But they also have cities such as New Delhi and Mumbai, street the growth of India’s formal dentist industry a right to be treated and look good,” he said as dentist numbers have dwindled in recent along with more hygiene-conscious cus- he mixed pink gum paste with his bare fingers years on growing awareness of contracting tomers. WASHINGTON: Man’s best friend may have “Dogs may have been domesticated on a teaspoon. “I know this is not hygienic at HIV/AIDS and other diseases, rising customer “A few decades ago I used to get 30 cus- been his companion for far longer than much earlier than is generally believed,” all but if I start using sophisticated tools, the income levels, and a surge in dentist gradu- tomers a day. I hardly see two now,” said believed, scientists reported, publishing an said Love Dalen from the Swedish Museum poor man won’t come here.” From dentists to ates. But they still thrive in smaller cities as Singh. “At my age I can’t change my profes- analysis that dates domesticated dogs to of Natural History. Dalen said the only oth- shoe shiners, barbers and chefs, street servic- well as towns, although few perform root sion. My sons are in a different business. I over 27,000 years ago. Humans possibly er explanation for the unusual bone was es are an engrained part of life in India, partic- canals, fillings or other operations. don’t want them here,” he told AFP. Singh domesticated dogs 27,000 to 40,000 years the less likely possibility that a major diver- ularly for the poor. “There must be thousands of them,” Ashok said a few decades ago, traders from a near- ago, according to Swedish researchers gence between wolf populations took whose work was published Thursday in the place at that time that gave birth to mod- Dhoble, secretary general of the Indian Dental by spice market, Asia’s largest, would line up journal Current Biology. ern wolves while the wolf population 80 cents a tooth Association, a private body of licensed den- for his false silver and gold teeth, considered The scientists based their analysis on an became extinct. The Taimyr wolf lived a few Baksh never formally trained as a dentist, tists, told AFP. “The oral healthcare (industry) a status symbol. “Earlier rich and poor would ancient Siberian jaw fragment. Previous thousand years after Neanderthals disap- instead learning his skills from his father, who is in its infancy and surprisingly we don’t have equally visit us but now we are looked down estimates said modern dogs diverged from peared and modern humans spread came in 1984 to the southern, sleepy backwa- even figures on qualified dentists in India.” on,” he said. For his part, Baksh remains their wolf ancestors 16,000 years ago after throughout Asia and Europe, the study ter now transformed into a regional IT hub Dhoble said 30,000 graduates join the profes- adamant he is improving the lives of the the last ice age. The “Taimyr” wolf bone in said. DNA analysis also showed modern and thriving metropolis. Alongside his sion every year, but India still has only one poor, and that his family will continue the the study, dated to 35,000 years ago, shows Siberian Huskies and Greenland sled dogs younger brother, son and nephew, Baksh set dentist per 10,000 people in urban areas and tradition. “We have thousands of satisfied that the animal was the most recent ances- have an “unusually large” number of gene up their clinic 14 years ago outside a bus about 250,000 in rural areas, according to the customers, who not only pay us but give us tor of wolves and modern dogs. in common with the Taimyr wolf. — AFP stand, where together they make and fit den- US National Library of Medicine. their blessings.” — AFP technology SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2015 Gazans reach beyond blockade through start-up

GAZA CITY: Dozens of workers sit with their eyes people with disabilities. After three wars with Israel in situation” in Gaza, which is effectively ruled by the In the perpetually-connected world of technology, glued to computer screens and fingers clicking away the past seven years, there should be no shortage of Islamist Hamas movement and cut off from the rest of having electricity is also crucial, but far from certain in on keyboards writing code and tapping in data for recruits. the world by the Israeli blockade. Gaza, which suffers from hours-long power cuts every clients around the globe. During last year’s 50-day conflict with Israel, huge Until last year, Palestinians were able to leave via day. In order to ensure its servers are never down, the It could be a scene at any software firm, but these swathes of the territory were razed and around 2,200 the Rafah crossing with Egypt, but since October the firm has invested in solid backup generators to pro- programmers are Palestinians based in the Gaza Strip, Palestinians were killed while more than 10,000 were frontier has been closed as Cairo struggles with a vide an uninterrupted power supply. which has been under an Israeli blockade since 2006. wounded. growing insurgency in the Sinai Peninsula. “Even during the war, we were able to continue “Here we are opening a gap in the blockade and “Gaza is not just war, blood and bombs,” says Last summer’s war brought Gaza’s already battered working,” Luzun says. Such a step is crucial, particularly showing that Gazans are capable of achieving big Luzun. “Gazans want to do business and not just sit economy to its knees, with IMF figures showing GDP for reassuring clients who are “sometimes nervous things,” says Saadi Luzun, 33, co-founder of Unit One, a around waiting for humanitarian aid.” The proof, he declined by about 15 percent in 2014. about signing a contract with a company in a war Gaza-based outsourcing firm which also develops says, is in the numbers: the last time they held a During the bombardment, 128 businesses and zone,” he adds. Unable to leave Gaza, Luzun has not web and mobile applications for clients in the Gulf recruitment drive, they were overwhelmed with 400 workshops were destroyed, according to the met most of his clients, instead using Skype for confer- and Europe. Ten years ago Luzun hooked up with fel- applicants for 10 jobs. Palestinian Federation of Industries. ence calls. low software engineer Ahmed Abu Shaaban to form “a One young woman looking to find work at Unit Unit One has come a long way and Luzun harbours small start-up in a tiny room” in Gaza City. One is Sadine al-Ayubi, who is about to finish her SENSE OF FREEDOM dreams of creating a company culture like Google. Their company now employs 89 people, most of degree and is desperate to avoid the unemployment Programmer Mohammed al-Banna, 27, says work- “We would like to do what Google does. We even them young women who are busily engaged in data that affects more than two-thirds of young Gazans. ing in technology offered him a sense of freedom thought of organising fun days for our staff,” he says entry inside the spacious office. “Most young people have a degree but they never because it is “the only area” where Israel cannot cut with a smile, recalling a visit to the California-based “Gaza has no oil or gas but we have human find work,” the smartly dressed 21-year-old says, hold- Gazans off from the outside world. offices of the Internet giant. resources-plenty of young people who are just waiting a smartphone with a sparkly cover. In fact, Israel controls all of Gaza’s cable communi- But with the instability in Gaza unlikely to change ing to be offered an opportunity,” Luzun says as he cations which are routed through the Jewish state, any time soon, it is not such a straightforward walks past rows of staffers in front of their screens. BATTERED ECONOMY and also controls the bandwidth of its Internet lines, prospect. “We haven’t done it yet-we never know Recruiting women is a “social responsibility”, says For Lina, 23, who has been with Unit One for three meaning that it has the technical ability to completely when a war can break out and force us to stop work- Luzun, whose next objective is to start employing years, the fault lies with “the political and economic sever the territory’s digital link to the rest of the world. ing,” Luzun says. — AFP Curves and ‘self-healing’ in super-premium phones

NEW YORK: For those not satisfied with just a materials - leather, metal or ceramic - that won’t might even cost more. If you’re with Sprint, premium phone, Samsung and LG are offering be as prone to scratches. The G4 will also have a you’re likely getting a great deal with a super- two models best described as the Lamborghinis better camera than its predecessors, including premium model. of smartphones. the Flex2. The regular S6 and G4 models will be fine for You’re already getting a lot with flagship The G Flex costs $504 through Sprint and most people. The extra features are neat, but phones from those two companies. For about $709 through AT&T. Prices for the G4 haven’t not essential. Better to spend the extra money $100 more, you can get a super-charged experi- been announced yet, but high-end phones typi- on more memory to store photos and video tak- ence. Not everyone’s going to want or need this, cally go for $600 to $650. The leather version en with the improved cameras. — AP but here’s what you get:

SAMSUNG GALAXY S6 EDGE The regular Galaxy S6 offers a rich experience: a high-resolution screen with vivid colors, a fingerprint ID sensor to replace passcodes, a PASADENA: In this April 14, 2015 photo provided by the California Institute of heart-rate sensor to track fitness and Samsung’s Technology, Dr. Charles Y. Liu (left) a neurosurgeon at the University of Southern best smartphone camera yet. The Edge version California, laughs with patient Erik Sorto in Pasadena, Calif. Liu led a team of doctors that offers all that plus a screen that curves around implanted tiny chips into Sorto’s brain in 2013 to allow him to control a robotic arm using the left and right edges. The phone looks and his thoughts. — AP feels nicer as a result, and the side display offers these capabilities: Paralyzed man uses When it’s facedown during meetings, the phone will light up on the side when a call or his thoughts to message comes in. You can assign your top five contacts different colors - everyone else gets white - so you can gauge whether to interrupt a control a robotic arm meeting. If the call isn’t urgent, you can tap on the heart-rate sensor to send the call to voice- LOS ANGELES: A man paralyzed by gunshot work zeroed in on a different area of the brain mail. A text message is also sent to let the caller more than a decade ago can shake hands, - the posterior parietal cortex - that’s involved know you’re busy. drink beer and play “rock, paper, scissors” by in the planning of movements. The hope is The side edge can also display headlines and controlling a robotic arm with his thoughts, that this strategy will lead to smoother other information, but mostly limited to Yahoo researchers reported. motions. It’s unclear whether the new and Twitter. During evening hours, the side dis- Two years ago, doctors in California approach is better because no side-by-side play can turn into a nightstand clock. implanted a pair of tiny chips into the brain of comparisons have been made yet, but it The Edge’s battery capacity is slightly higher Erik Sorto that decoded his thoughts to move gives researchers a potential new target in than the regular S6’s, but the extra price you pay the free-standing robotic arm. The 34-year- the brain. is mostly for a better look. Depending on the SAN FRANCISCO: Joe Belfiore, Microsoft Corporate Vice President of Operating Systems Group, old has been working with researchers and carrier, the Edge costs $700 to $815 in the US demonstrates Continuum for phones at the Microsoft Build conference. While Microsoft has already occupational therapists to practice and fine- PAST WORK without a contract. By contrast, the regular S6 previewed some aspects of the new Windows 10, a parade of top executives will use the conference tune his movements. It’s the latest attempt at In 2012, a Massachusetts woman para- costs $600 to $685. to demonstrate more software features and app-building tools, with an emphasis on mobile devices creating mind-controlled prosthetics to help lyzed for 15 years directed a robotic arm to as well as PCs. — AP disabled people gain more independence. In pick up a bottle of coffee and bring it to her LG G FLEX2 the last decade, several people outfitted with lips. In another instance, a quadriplegic man The G Flex2 is curved, too - but not around brain implants have used their minds to con- in Pennsylvania used a robotic arm to give a the sides to offer notification lights and infor- trol a computer cursor or steer prosthetic high-five and stroke his girlfriend’s hand. mation. Rather, the whole phone is slightly limbs. Here are some things to know about curved inward from top to bottom, as though PayPal chief promises new the new work, published Thursday by the SORTO’S STORY you’ve gently bent it. That’s supposed to give it journal Science: Sorto has a caregiver at home, but he a better fit around your head when making services for mobile world goes to the rehab center several times a week calls, similar to those old flip phones or landline THE STUDY to practice using the robotic arm. Since suf- handsets. Of course, many people don’t use Doctors at the University of Southern fering a gunshot wound 13 years ago, he phones for calls anymore, so that’s not going to SAN FRANCISCO: As PayPal prepares to split devices. “Those worlds are blurring,” Schulman California implanted small chips into Sorto’s longed to drink a beer without help. The first appeal to everyone. from its corporate parent, its new chief executive told The Associated Press in an interview brain during a five-hour surgery in 2013. The time he tried with the prosthetic arm, he was The curvature also promises more immersive is promising to expand the popular online pay- Thursday. “When you go into a store environ- sensors recorded the electrical activity of so excited that he lost his concentration and viewing, especially for video, though I found ment system, adding a variety of services for con- ment, and you have your mobile phone with you, about 100 brain cells as Sorto imagined caused the arm to spill the drink. text meant for flat screens occasionally distort- sumers to use when shopping on their phones or it should be a simple step to do a checkout from reaching and grasping. On the second try, he directed the arm to ed when curved. in traditional stores. that device.” Researchers asked Sorto to think about pick up the bottle and bring it to his mouth So forget about the flex in the name. The PayPal will be spinning off from parent com- Schulman spoke after an event where PayPal what he wanted to do instead of breaking where he sipped through a straw. The beer more impressive feature is LG’s “self-healing” pany eBay later this year at a time when it’s facing announced new partnerships with companies down the steps of the movements, said prin- tasted “like a little piece of heaven,” Sorto said. technology. Keys and other sharp objects will new competitive challenges. Alibaba, Amazon that help merchants sell goods online around the cipal investigator Richard Andersen at the inevitably scratch phones. The Flex2’s back has and even Facebook are promoting online pay- world, including in India and China. PayPal also California Institute of Technology. THE FUTURE tiny bubbles that burst open when scratched to ment systems, while Apple Pay and Google touted a recent partnership with Burger King that After weeks of imagining movements, Despite progress in the last decade, hur- fill in those scratches like paint. Deeper scratch- Wallet are competing to handle transactions in lets consumers pay for their meals with a smart- Sorto trained with Caltech scientists and ther- dles remain before brain-controlled pros- es didn’t disappear completely in my testing, stores and on mobile devices. Veteran executive phone app. apists at Rancho Los Amigos National thetics can help paralyzed people in their but this technology does a good job of making Dan Schulman, who will be CEO of the new “We want to be more than just a button on a Rehabilitation Center to move the robotic daily lives. Experts said computer programs the phone look and feel smooth after such PayPal, says his company will compete by posi- merchant’s website,” Schulman said. “We really arm, starting with a handshake and graduat- must run faster to interpret brain signals abuse. tioning itself as a “full-service” payments partner want to provide a full suite of services and prod- ing to more complicated tasks. The sensors and the brain implants must be more You can ditch those bulky protective cases, for consumers and merchants, handling mobile ucts.” relayed their signals to the arm, bypassing durable. Currently, wire connections run though self-healing doesn’t mean full protec- transactions, credit purchases and even customer That includes expanding a PayPal credit serv- Sorto’s damaged spinal cord. from a patient’s brain to outside the skull, tion. The screen itself is still prone to scratches loyalty rewards programs. ice that lets shoppers spread payments over time increasing the risk of infections. Future sys- and cracks, as with any other phone, though LG PayPal was best known for many years as a and the Venmo mobile app that lets individuals THE DIFFERENCE tems need to be wireless and contained says a special chemical layer makes the screen payment method for purchases made on desk- exchange small sums when they split a bill or Scientists have long strived to make within the body like pacemakers, experts J. more durable. top computers. But consumers are increasingly repay a debt. PayPal is also extending a service robotic arms produce movements that are as Andrew Pruszynski of Western University in Coming soon is an update to LG’s flagship using mobile phones to shop online and even for websites and mobile apps that remembers an natural as possible. Previous research target- Canada and Jorn Diedrichsen of University phone, G4. The screen is slightly curved, too, but when they make purchases in traditional, brick- individual’s account information and shipping ed a region of the brain known as the motor College London wrote in an accompanying not as extensively as the Flex2. It won’t have the and mortar stores. Almost a third of transactions address, so they don’t have to be re-typed with cortex, which controls movement. The new editorial. — AP self-healing technology, though, as LG is using handled by PayPal are now made on mobile every new purchase.—AP Spotify introduces video, radio service

NEW YORK: While saying that it is still a music will continue to be music, and in that sense This, the company says, can help people run company at heart, Spotify says it is expanding it’s likely to stand apart from the services faster, longer and even put them in a better its lineup to include podcasts, news radio and whose primary product is TV and movie mood. video streaming. streaming. Spotify’s video offerings are a “logical The company says it wants to help people In addition to the extra content, Spotify extension of the company’s success in digital create a soundtrack for their day that includes also redesigned its site, adding the “Now start music streaming, since these are complemen- not only music but videos, newscasts and oth- page” that aims to provide a continuous, per- tary businesses that use much of the same er content. CEO Daniel Ek said that the new sonalized soundtrack to users all day and all technology infrastructure, marketing expert- service launches Wednesday in the US, UK, night. This could be energizing tunes for get- ise, and vendor relationships,” said Paul Verna, Germany and Sweden. ting ready in the morning, songs without senior analyst at research firm eMarketer. Spotify offers free streaming music and lyrics for concentrating at work, or dance Verna said the maneuver suggests that also a premium service for a monthly fee that tracks for late Saturday night. Over time, Spotify “sees a business opportunity in digital lets users listen to music offline and without Spotify will adapt to users’ tastes to play what video advertising, which is a much larger and advertisements. The extra content, from part- they like to hear at a certain time of day. faster-growing sector than Spotify’s core busi- ners such as Comedy Central, BBC and ESPN, While Spotify does not currently ask users ness of digital music.” EMarketer estimates will be available for both free and premium for location, in the future it’s likely that it that spending on US digital video ads will customers. could use this, along with other information, total $7.77 billion in 2015, up from $5.81 bil- Spotify enters a competitive market for to further personalize users’ music playlists. lion in 2014. video streaming that is dominated by Netflix, Noticing that millions of users create Spotify’s update comes ahead of Apple Amazon.com, and Hulu, but it’s getting more playlists for running, Spotify is also adding a Inc.’s expected relaunch of Beats Music, the LOS ANGELES: In this June 13, 2013 file photo, Jonny Rice wears a Minecraft-themed crowded of late with the arrival of companies feature that will detect your tempo once you streaming service it acquired when it mask while promoting a video clip he created during the Electronic Entertainment Expo. like HBO. But the company says its main focus start running and match the music’s beat to it. bought Beats for $3 billion last year. —AP “Minecraft” is the most streamed video game on YouTube. — AP Films divide critics ahead of awards22 weekend SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2015

Pearl divers, or gawas, take part in the “Senyar” pearl diving and fishing competition on a traditional dhow boat off the south eastern coast of Qatar. — AFP photos Qatar’s pearl divers seek tradition and riches

rom a distance it could be a scene from Qatar’s There is also someone there to make sure the divers then return them to the sea,” says Sada. “They said we ‘Very hard life’ ancient past, long before the country’s modern- have enough food-chocolates and meats-and water, should immerse them in water and then return them Competition organizer Jehad Al-Jaidah says the tour- Fday wealth was secured by the discovery of gas while a referee sits placidly over barrels crammed with to their natural environment so that they live, breed nament appeals to Qatar’s historical reliance on the sea. and oil. Several kilometers off the coast of southern pearls oysters ready to count. The emphasis is on oys- and the place stays alive. So that they’re not impacted “Most of the Qatari people were born next to the sea. Qatar, five traditional dhow boats bob gently up and ters rather than pearls. To protect stocks, the oysters by the annual competition.” One year, Sada admits, his This was their way of life. Most of the Qataris went to down on the becalmed blue-green waters of the Gulf. remain unopened. But collecting the most oysters is team lost first prize because they did not follow the the sea two or three times a week.” Pearl diving was one On board each vessel are a number of gawas, or not enough to guarantee top spot. Teams are also rules. Fellow diver Abdullah Bilal says the motive for of the major industries in Qatar stretching from ancient pearl divers. In the midday heat, divers take it in turns to awarded points for their treatment of the oysters. the competition is not only money but “to keep Qatar’s times until the 1950s but, Jaidah says matter-of-factly, swim the six meters or so to the sea bottom unaided to “They decided that they should count the number heritage alive”. “In the past it had disappeared and we “when the oil came, diving stopped”. find pearl oysters. The strongest can stay underwater for of pearl oysters and not the pearls themselves because want to bring it back, especially the youth who have Jaidah does not romanticize the past and speaks about 90 seconds before returning, breathless, to the they believe that we should collect the oysters and energy and vigor.” realistically about the hardships endured by traditional surface, hopefully with a net full of pearls, or lulus as pearl divers. They spent months away from home at they known in Arabic. sea-the oyster catching season ran from May to at least This is not some romanticized recreation of the past August-surviving on rations and risking their lives to get but Qatar’s biggest annual pearl diving event, the enough pearls to ensure their families had money for “Senyar”. And just like their pearl diving predecessors, the winter. today’s divers are there to try to secure a good bounty-a “It was a very hard life,” says Jaidah. But as modern as first prize of 400,000 Qatari riyals ($110,000/100,000 Qatar is now, with its gleaming glass-fronted skyscrap- euros). “There are four other boats,” says one of the com- ers, it cannot entirely break with the past. Merchants peting captains, Mohamed bin Abdullah Al-Sada. “The known as “Tawash” traditionally supplied divers with total number of teams is five. There are two teams that food while they were at sea. One of those Tawash was a we need to watch out for, but God willing we’ll finish member of the now-powerful Alfardan family which ahead of them,” he adds. But this was not to be his year. nowadays trades not in food for divers and fishermen but in luxury cars, yachts and jewelry beloved by deep- ‘Keep Qatar’s heritage alive’ pocketed Qataris. — AFP The scene may look like a picture postcard but the closer you get to the action, it is obvious this is a serious business. The boats buzz with activity as the teams vie for the lucrative first prize. Each team has up to five divers, all hurriedly shouting out instructions to the others so as to find the largest number of pearl oysters. When a diver returns to the surface with a full bag, his teammates invariably cheer and shout out to the other boats, as the competition becomes fiercer by the hour. Also on board is the boat’s skipper, who needs a deft touch to put the dhow in the right place for the A pearl diver, or gawa, divers and a thick skin to cope with the criticism when stands on a traditional he does not. dhow boat.

A skipper maneuvers a traditional dhow boat as pearl divers, or gawas, prepare to dive off the south eastern coast. Pearl divers, or gawas, swim around a traditional dhow boat. lifestyle SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2015

Features

A woman looks up at the painting ‘ L’Apres-midi des infants a Wargemont’ by Auguste Renoir during the press preview of A woman looks at the painting ‘Chez le pere Lathuille’ by Edouard Manet during the press preview of the exhibition. the exhibition ‘Impressionism - Expressionism. Turning Point in Art’ at the Alte Nationalgalerie (Old National Gallery), in Berlin. — AP photos Berlin exhibits impressionist, expressionist paintings

amille Pissarro’s famous “Boulevard Montmartre impressionism and expressionism in dialogue?” said water and Kirchner’s bathing women dancing through at Night” shows a brightly illuminated avenue in Udo Kittelmann, the director of the Nationalgalerie, the waves of the Baltic Sea. Famous nature scenes CParis - the city lights turned into gentle dabs of which includes several museums, among them Alte include Claude Monet’s three white-clad ladies in a oil paint. Next to the French impressionist’s 1897 work Nationalgalerie. More than 160 works by mainly French rowboat on a pond in Giverny and Auguste Renoir’s is a painting by German expressionist Ernst Ludwig impressionists and German expressionists are on dis- chestnut tree in full pinkish bloom. Kirchner from 1912 depicting a Berlin street scene in play in themed galleries, the majority of them from Franz Marc’s expressionist “Cows, Yellow/Red/Green” flashy yellow, blue and black - the broad brush stokes Berlin collections, but also from other museums from 1912 shows three bright-colored animals dancing clearly visible. around the world. The curators frequently paired and seemingly embracing at the same time. For Marc, Both masterpieces are featured in “Impressionism - impressionist with expressionist works to show the the organizers said, animals had a soul and were a sym- Expressionism: Art at a Turning Point,” a Berlin exhibi- same subjects treated in different styles. bol of life. In the final gallery, works from 1913 capture tion which opens Friday at the city’s Alte the tensions of Germany’s deeply divided society as Nationalgalerie museum. “In general people think of Urban life World War I approached. Otto Dix’s 1913 pale-yellow art history as linear, that first impressionism came and Both movements were fascinated by contemporary “Sunrise” with black crows rising before a gray sky proj- then expressionism as a reaction. It is not that simple,” urban life, with scenes in bars, restaurants or cabarets. ects a nightmarish atmosphere, while Emil Nolde’s Philipp Demandt, the director of Alte Nationalgalerie At the same time they also had a longing for nature “Battlefield” with a rearing, screaming horse seems to told The Associated Press. “Impressionism paved the and often took brush and easel outdoors. “The differ- foretell the suffering of the impending war. The exhibi- way for expressionism and these two styles of art have ence is that the impressionists paint what they see, and tion runs through Sept. 20. It is accompanied by a a lot in common, and we show that here.” Organizers only what they see, and try to keep their experiences series of events focusing on the art and time period say it’s the first time the two artistic styles are being and what they know away from the painting,” said from both German and French perspectives, with con- presented together in one major show, tracing the dif- Angelika Wesenberg, the show’s curator. “The expres- certs, readings and lectures. — AP ferences and similarities of the movements that sionists think that this focus on just the surface is sim- together revolutionized Western art between the end ply terrible and they paint what they feel, just what of the 19th century and the beginning of World War I. they feel.” “As we came up with this idea, we really all asked A motif of bathers opens the exhibition, with Paul The painting ‘Der Redner’ by Ferdinand Hodler is displayed inside the exhibi- ourselves: Why has there never been an exhibition with Cezanne’s images of naked men and women by the tion. China’s mega-tours draw attention and critique

ll-expenses-paid trips to reward top sales- Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait wished them great mem- people aren’t unusual, but direct marketing ories. Acompanies that are the Chinese versions of The Tianjin-based Tiens Group, which sells Amway, Avon and Herbalife are taking it to an medicinal products, including via direct marketing, extreme by sending thousands abroad on package sent 6,000 employees on a four-day, all-expenses- tours. One company is sending 12,700 salespeople paid trip to France to celebrate the company’s 20th to Thailand on a tour that continues until next anniversary. They formed the phrase “Tiens’ dream week. The Infinitus herbal supplement company is nice in the CÙte d’Azur” on a waterfront in Nice. has outfitted the sales reps with uniforms, the same The French foreign minister met with the company luggage and even the same umbrellas. president. Infinitus is sending 12,700 sales associ- Earlier this month, a medicinal products group ates to Thailand in shifts of two to three thousand sent 6,000 of its representatives to France where for six-day trips to Bangkok and the beach resort of they set a world record by massing the most peo- Pattaya. They are taking 110 flights and shuttling in ple to spell out a phrase that included their own 400 coach buses until Tuesday. Thai tourism offi- A banner of Frida Kahlo’s “Self-Portrait with Thorn A visitor smells flowers in the “Frida Kahlo: Art, Garden, Life” exhibit. firm’s name. Yet another Chinese direct seller sent cials expect $18 million in revenue. Necklace and Hummingbird” hangs over the entrance of 7,000 people to California last year. the Mertz Library advertising the “Frida Kahlo: Art, “We are making history!” vice-chairman Xu Media buzz Garden, Life” exhibit. Guowei of the Perfect China cosmetics company The three mass tours have generated media crowed in California during the retreat and package buzz not only in host countries, but back home tour. “We have taken 86 flights, stayed in 26 hotels,” where some Chinese see them as part of their NY recreates Frida Kahlo studio and garden he said. “Our group’s attendees have spent $10,000 country’s rise on the world stage. They relish the each this visit.” The tours are at the intersection of big spending and the warm welcome from host he studio and garden of the late Mexican when we studied her more that she was also a examine Kahlo’s work in a different way, and several trends in a country with a predilection for cities. The tours also have drawn sneers for their painter Frida Kahlo, a magnet for artists very passionate plants person.” combined plants already in the garden with package trips: an explosion in overseas travel, surg- ostentation at a time when Chinese tourists are Tand intellectuals all over the world, has The exhibition re-imagines Kahlo’s studio others sourced elsewhere. The project had ing national pride and the phenomenal growth in gaining a reputation abroad for showiness and been recreated in New York as part of a new and garden from “Casa Azul” (Blue House). It been five years in the making. “She is extreme- the past decade of direct sales companies. The rudeness. China’s National Tourism Administration exhibition of her work. The presentation “Frida was the house where Kahlo grew up in Mexico ly well known here in the United States. We are companies are splashing cash and seeking publici- has created a new black list to shame tourists who Kahlo: Art, Garden, Life” focuses of the artist’s City, lived with her husband, Mexican artist excited to be able to offer a little bit different ty following a period in which they were banned as misbehave while traveling. interest in nature, and includes a rare display Diego Rivera, and died in 1954 aged 47. The view.” The life and work of Kahlo has been the pyramid schemes. But they have also generated Hu Xingdou, an economics professor at Beijing of more than a dozen original paintings and property is now a museum and a major draw subject of several films including one in 2002 debate among Chinese who have become increas- Institute of Technology, said the mass tours reflect drawings. for tourists. starring and co-produced by actress Salma ingly sensitive to how they are perceived overseas. the desire of Chinese to show off wealth after It is the first solo exhibit of Kahlo’s work in The botanical garden has mounted similar Hayek. Kahlo only received wide recognition Some see the tours as tacky ploys by the quasi- decades of impoverishment, while the uniforms New York in more than 10 years, the Bronx- exhibitions in the past to honor British natural- for her work decades after her death. She is evangelical companies to entice new sales repre- and shouting of slogans reveal the oddly militaris- based New York Botanical Garden said. “We ist Charles Darwin, American poet Emily now considered among the most notable sentatives to expand earnings. tic corporate culture of China’s direct marketing were inspired by Frida Kahlo’s art but also by Dickinson and French impressionist artist Latin American artists. — AFP companies. “It’s also about brainwashing and instill- the artistry of her garden in Mexico City,” said Claude Monet. Kahlo was a surrealist painter Dividing opinions ing loyalty in the salespeople,” Hu said. Zhang curator Joanna Groarke. “We knew from study- best known for her haunting self-portraits and It takes several months of advance work to book Xiaoyan, a senior business director at Infinitus who ing her paintings that she was a careful her depiction of the female form. the hotel space and arrange the travel for the tours. went on one of the Thailand trips, recalled local observer of nature and plants, but we learnt Groarke said the exhibition sought to A travel agency spent six months planning the people “gaping” at the travelers who were wearing France trip. China’s direct sales market began with uniforms, lugging suitcases and carrying umbrellas the entry of Avon in the 1990s. But the industry - all with the company logo. “I think it helped a lot plunged into chaos with rampant pyramid to advertise our company’s culture and image,” schemes, prompting the government to ban the Zhang said. “Some local TV network reported on us industry altogether in 1998. The ban was lifted in and they called us the largest tourist group in histo- 2005. ry in Thailand.” — AP Direct selling cuts out shops to sell products or services directly to consumers, using teams of sales personnel who typically get most of their income from a cut of the sales. Since the ban was lifted, direct marketing has expanded rapidly, with an average annual growth rate of 30 percent. China’s direct sales market is likely the world’s third or fourth biggest behind the United States, Japan and possibly South Korea, said Hu Yuanjiang, executive director for direct selling at China Health Care Association. After 2005, the industry grew to employ 2.3 million salespeople within seven years. In 2012, the country had 32 licensed direct marketing companies with combined sales of nearly 20 billion yuan ($3.2 billion), according to the Chinese Commerce Ministry. The growth can be attributed to China’s economic boom, a rising consumer culture and more favorable government policies, and also that direct selling provides low-threshold opportunities for people to start their own businesses, Hu said. “It also fits into the Chinese culture, where kin- ships and personal relationships, such as being in the same class or from the same village, are highly valued. They help build trust quickly, which is Employees of the Tiens Group, a Chinese company important for direct selling,” Hu said. Perfect China’s cheer as they attend a parade organized by CEO Li tour of California last year reportedly generated Jinyuan as part of a four-day celebration weekend $85 million in revenue for the local economy, and for the 20th anniversary of his company, on the Visitors tour the “Frida Kahlo: Art, Garden, Life” exhibit at the Haupt Conservatory at the New York Botanical Garden. — AFP photos Promenade des Anglais, Nice. — AP lifestyle SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2015

Features Rediscovering Walt Disney’s optimism in ‘Tomorrowland’

or writer Damon Lindelof, the genesis of personally responsible for your own future - the escapist adventure “Tomorrowland” where that future is potentially fun - has started Fwas one very simple question: What hap- to slip away,” said Lindelof, who was born in pened to our jet packs? When he, director Brad 1973. Bird and George Clooney were children (albeit Bird added: “We’ve been gradually prepared at slightly different times), the future seemed for the idea that the future is going to stink. It’s like something great. To them, it was full of happened so slowly that we haven’t really wonder around the gadgets and inventions noticed it.” That’s where the Disney movie that populated their entertainment and “Tomorrowland” kicks off. In a story developed sparked their developing imaginations. by Lindelof, Bird and longtime Entertainment Clooney, who was born in 1961, just as the Weekly writer Jeff Jensen, a boy genius turned Space Race was picking up, remembers its pessimistic adult grump (Clooney) gets entan- influence on his youth. “My whole childhood gled with a driven and bright dreamer, Casey was eating space food sticks and drinking (Britt Robertson), who endeavors to go to Tang,” he said in a recent interview with Bird “Tomorrowland” and fix what’s been lost: and Lindelof. Optimism. By the time Clooney was 8-years-old, a man had already walked on the moon. Even amid the political and social turmoil of the time, it Embracing original ideas was hard for them not to look at everything Part of that involved Clooney taking a back with such rose-colored glasses - especially with seat to the young female protagonist in the Walt Disney as a consistent and persuasive film. “In my 30s, I got to punch the guy and fall advocate for optimistic futurism. Disney, in his on the ground and walk away and there are television series “Disneyland,” would present explosions behind me as I’m walking toward scientific ideas to his young viewers and specu- the camera. Now I’m the guy who gets socked late on what the future might hold. in the face, who falls on the ground and who Australias’s Guy Sebastian performs the song ‘Tonight Again’ during a dress rehearsal. whines a lot,” said Clooney. In many ways, Hub of imagination “Tomorrowland,” opening today, is a response “We were fairly positive that at some point to modern cynicism, often most evident on in our lifetime, the world was going to end in a social media. When “Tomorrowland” was under nuclear holocaust. That was a real possibility,” development, for example, it used the code Australia may win said Clooney. “It was as bad as anything you see name “1952.” today, but we all thought something was going During that same time, Disney acquired to work out.” Bird, born in 1957, said that Lucasfilm, Lindelof said, and “people were ‘like Disney’s influence on that can-do attitude of 1952 and 5+2=7, so you guys are doing “Star the era was undeniable. “He was this hub of Wars VII’” and Brad had to tweet ‘we are not Eurovision Song Contest imagination. Every time that he talked about doing “Star Wars”.’” “That turns into ‘Bird says the future, it was fascinating and it was fun and he’ll never do Star Wars!’” added Bird. “You can or the first time in its 60-year history, the Eurovision ture,” he declared. Despite such sentiments, millions saw it was bright and it was like all these great be incredibly well-intentioned in that space Song Contest may be won by - Australia. The land Wurst’s win last year as a triumph for tolerance. But it was things are going to happen,” said Bird. and just want to put out positivity and it will Ffrom Down Under is making its debut in Europe’s not the first time Eurovision has pushed the boundaries of And then, of course, there was turn on you.” favorite songfest, invited as a wild card due to its strong gender identity. The 1998 winner was Israel’s Dana Tomorrowland itself. The area of Disneyland By embracing an original idea with fan base. Its entry, Guy Sebastian, is one of the bookmak- International, who had male-to-female gender reassign- opened in 1955 and imagined what 1986 “Tomorrowland,” Bird also believes the film is a ers’ favorites. Sebastian is touted as being among the top ment surgery before competing. Israel can participate due might look like. Disney called it a “step into the response to the standardization of summer five contestants along with entries from Sweden, Italy, to its membership in the European Broadcasting Union, future, with predictions of constructed things movies - all superheroes and sequels. It’s a Russia and Estonia. But all 27 nations contesting the top the event’s organizer. to come.” (The Tomorrowland section of brave thing to go against the mold, especially spot Saturday after surviving the elimination rounds have If Australia wins, the event will not go Down Under. The Disneyland isn’t physically portrayed in this earnestly. “Not everything is based on a at least a theoretical chance of walking away the winner. Aussies would be invited to compete next year but in a “Tomorrowland” the movie. Rather, it exists comic book,” said Bird. “People say that they Still, Australia’s participation is this year’s buzz at the European country. Even without a change of continents, more as an abstraction and the film’s undeni- want to see something original and there is a extravaganza, which catapulted into world consciousness contest horizons can be further widened this year with a able inspiration.) way to do that,” he added, even though last year with the win of bearded Austrian diva Conchita triumph by Polish contestant Monika Kuszynska, who is From the Moonliner’s “trip to the moon” to “Tomorrowland” is technically based on an area Wurst. A co-host in this year’s competition, she has opted partially paralyzed and performs from a wheelchair. But the Carousel of Progress, Tomorrowland in a theme park. for a small role, so the spotlight stays on this year’s singers. hopes of a breakthrough by the Finnish punk band PKN - shaped the minds of generations of kids. For Doing that meant fully committing to the The Aussies are already stoked, or as Sebastian put it, “bit- consisting of one autistic member and three others with Bird, the best version of Tomorrowland was the spirit of optimism, even if it is a bit retro, sim- ten by the Eurovision bug.” Australian delegation head Paul Downs Syndrome - were eliminated in a qualifying round. one that opened six months after Disney’s 1966 plistic and possibly naive. But that’s their point: Clarke attributed the huge interest among his countrymen That means Eurovision will rely this year on its usual mix of death and represented his complete vision. To inspire a new generation of unjaded innova- in part to the country’s “incredibly strong European pres- eclectic, sometimes vapid and often overwrought techno Even Clooney had an early transformative tors. “We’re not afraid to make a movie that ence.” beats, love songs, ballads and pop tunes. The Finnish band experience at the park. “I was 6 when I went could be perceived by some as corny or hope- Delayed TV broadcasts of Eurovision contests have been was taking it all in stride. “We didn’t make the finals,” drum- In this May 20, 2015 photo there and it was fascinating. Tomorrowland was ful or unrealistic,” said Bird. “You have to have shown for 30 years in Australia and Eurovision parties are mer Toni Valitalo told Finnish television. “But we won the Australias’s Guy Sebastian going to be the future. I thought that’s what it the dreamer in order to do the dream.” Perhaps common there. This year it will be shown live in Australia’s whole contest.” — AP performs the song ‘Tonight actually was going to be,” said Clooney. then Lindelof will get his jet pack. — AP early morning hours - and like citizens of other nations Again’ during a dress But something happened in between, and vying for the win, Australians can vote for their candidate. rehearsal of the Eurovision our collective attitude about what’s to come But Europeans also will be watching - and voting. Song Contest in Austria’s has soured for many. “That idea of you being Organizers expect a television audience of about 200 mil- capital Vienna. — AP photos lion to tune in globally to the spectacle taking place in Vienna’s sprawling Stadthalle, which has been outfitted with the latest stage and light technology.

‘Building bridges Huge public viewing screens have also been set up in key locations throughout the city for those brave enough to ignore Saturday’s predicted cold and windy showers. The annual competition is supposed to be removed from politics, and fittingly, this year’s theme is “Building Bridges.” Even so, the Ukraine crisis is making its presence felt. Kiev is not sending a candidate this year. With many in the West viewing Moscow as the aggressor in the Ukraine conflict, Russian contestant Polina Gagarina is raising some eyebrows with her pacifist-themed song, “A Million Voices.” And in Russia, where propagating homosexuality is against the law and many view Wurst as a threat to traditional family values, the Orthodox Church already is warning of the consequences should Gagarina win, since the winner’s nation usually hosts the next year’s contest. Tass and other Russian news agencies quoted Patriarch Kirill as saying her victory would bring the contest to Russia “with all those bearded female singers.” Acts such as (From left) Brad Bird, George Clooney and Damon Lindelof pose for a portrait during Wurst’s promote values “repulsive to our soul and our cul- press day for “Tomorrowland” at The Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills. — AP $30m raised at celebrity AIDS gala

mid celebrity show offs, indiscreet liaisons, and the aggres- Cure by 2020 sive banging of a hammer - the French Riviera’s annual, New York art dealer David Benrimon donated a Pablo Picasso Astar-filled amfAR gala brought in its expected share of dra- sketch that raised 700,000 euros ($781,000), and a Fernando ma - with celebrity invitees including Leonardo DiCaprio, Jake Botero sculpture that raised two million euros ($2.23 million.) Gyllenhaal, Marion Cotillard, Sienna Miller and Adrien Brody. But, “Elizabeth Taylor started the foundation and it’s saved millions of importantly, Thursday’s celebrity auction in Antibes raised in lives. Now we will have, I really believe, an HIV cure by 2020,” he excess of $30 million for the fight against AIDS, a cause for which said. “It’s not superficial, people here are real,” he added. the Elizabeth Taylor fought until her death in 2011. “12 Years a Slave” actor Michael Fassbender star had heads The highlight of the celebrity auction was the sale, at 12 mil- turnings as he was very prominently chatting, up close, to beauti- lion Euros ($13.4 million,) of artist Jeff Koons’ “Coloring Book” ful Madalina Ghenea, for 20 minutes at the center of the amfAR sculpture to Russian billionaire Leonard Blavatnik. It was installed marquee. Ghenea, 26, a Romanian model turned actress grabbed and much-admired by guests at the event venue, the Hotel Du attention at the Cannes Film Festival by featuring nude on the Cap-Eden Roc hotel. Art-collector-cum-”Titanic” star DiCaprio provocative poster for the film “Youth,” with Michael Caine and donated a work from his personal collection by enigmatic British Harvey Keitel. She drew more attention on the Cannes red carpet street artist Banksy - bought for 1 million Euros ($1.1 million.) in a white mermaid gown for the movie’s premiere. Following the The normal auction host, “Basic Instinct” star Sharon Stone was intimate chat with Fassbender, Ghenea was seen having an argu- nowhere to be seen, prompting some guests to comment on ment with another, older, man. whether the exuberant actress’ absence was due to persistently rumored ill health. But in a statement to The Associated Press, the Music makes the people come together 57-year-old said that she could not “attend due to work commit- Singer Charli XCX was followed by legendary diva Mary J Blige, ments.” “I am grateful that on this my 20th year with amFar, we who at first wowed crowds with a rousing performance of a have become a solid community that has grown to the point of “Family Affair,” then dashed the hopes of many by leaving stage functioning and succeeding in fundraising and HIV/AIDS aware- after five minutes. Picking up the baton, the rousing British band ness,” she added. Model-of-the-minute Karlie Kloss tried her best, “Imagine Dragons” delivered an outstanding performance, stand- at moments during the presentation on stage, to add the neces- ing on tables, and at one point had a drunken lady snatch a mike sary charismatic punch to the auction proceedings. from them on stage.

The (non-)spice girls reunion Fashion show darlings A beauteous, but motley, crew of petite Eva Longoria and tow- Former French Vogue Editor Carine Roitfeld curated a glam- ering Lara Stone and Karlie Kloss burst into an a cappella version orous fashion show, featuring the world’s top models, who sport- of “Wannabe” by the Spice Girls, while on the cocktail carpet of the ed designs from the world’s most important houses such as Louis amfAR event. Needless to say, it attracted attention from hungry Vuitton, Dior, Chanel, Givenchy and Armani. photographers. “There’s nothing in the world that’s more chic than being char- While Kloss said that her Spice Girl of preference would be itable,” she said, dedicating this year’s collection to Jacqueline “Sporty,” the others told The AP that they wanted more original Onassis, Jean Shrimpton, Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn. The names. “Desperate Housewives” star Longoria said she was highlight of the catwalk show, apart from Roitfeld high-fiving “Blatina Spice,” while model-of-the-minute Stone preferred the most of the models as they passed, was the Giambattista Valli silk dubious “Old Spice.” Stone’s comment was ironic, referring to the cloque dress with sequin embroidered flowers, and a great bow (From left) Models Adriana Lima, Kendall Jenner and Actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan pose for photographers upon male cologne, but perhaps also a tad risky since the fashion world on the bust. The whole collection was bought for 800,00 Euros arrival for the amfAR Cinema Against AIDS benefit at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, during the 68th Cannes international is so age-conscious and cut-throat. ($891,000.) film festival. — AP photos lifestyle SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2015

Movies

Films divide critics ahead of awards weekend s the Cannes Film Festival bears down on its weekend Trees” tells the story of a depressed American man’s voyage awards ceremony, a look at the movies seen so far and into, and then out of, a Japanese woodland known for sui- Atheir reviews reveal deep divisions among the critics. cides. Whatever the critics might say, the decisions rest with Some are polarised on the basic question of whether cinema this year’s Cannes jury. The nine-person panel is jointly head- is more entertainment or art, while others show cultural bias. ed by American sibling director duo Joel and Ethan Coen and Another faction gives more weight to pedigree, politics or including actors Jake Gyllenhaal, Sienna Miller and Sophie aesthetics. Marceau, and directors Guillermo del Toro and Xavier Dolan. So far, broadly, US and British press and industry types are plumping for “Carol”, an American period lesbian romance lift- Hard to predict ed to Oscar heights by a flawless performance from Australian The Coen brothers could be tempted by “Sicario,” a taut star Cate Blanchett. Vanity Fair magazine said the movie “tran- thriller about a CIA anti-drug operation on the Mexican bor- scends” and achieves “something rather mighty”. But many der, where their Oscar-winning “No Country for Old Men” was continental Europeans are more seduced by “My Mother,” an set, and with the same actor, Josh Brolin. Or maybe their odd- Italian film that packs an emotional wallop as it explores a ball sensibilities will lean towards “The Lobster,” a strange, well- director’s personal and professional crises. “Able to move and received movie starring Colin Farrell in which single people raise laughter, it seems able to take the Palme d’Or,” Italian have 45 days to find a mate or be transformed into an animal. magazine Panorama wrote. Fantasy director Del Toro could be drawn to “The Tale of Tales,” an Italian movie that compiles three dark fairytales US vs European tastes powered by special effects reminiscent of his “Pan’s Labyrinth”. Two other Cannes movies-”Youth,” another Italian-directed And the actors on the jury might appreciate the leisurely per- film starring Michael Caine, Harvey Keitel and Jane Fonda formances in “Youth,” Blanchett’s tour de force in “Carol” or a ruminating about ageing, and grim Hungarian Holocaust dra- generation-spanning Chinese movie, “Mountains May ma “Son of Saul”-are also seen as worthy leading contenders. Depart”. European reviewers said they were wary of American Past juries have proved notoriously unpredictable, howev- movies that seemed too obviously to be seeking Oscar pres- er, and Cannes-lovers are left to guess for clues as to who tige, at the expense of offering a fresh or unusual perspective. might win the Palme d’Or, its runner-up Grand Prize, and the British and Americans “are maybe more sensitive to the look trophies for best director, best actor and best actress. of a film,” David Elbaz, of Radio Campus Paris, told AFP. “For Sometimes-as in 2004, when the anti-Bush documentary European critics, it’s a little more suspect.” “Fahrenheit 911” won the Palme-politics triumphs. This year, The French are showing particular affection for one of their though, the race looks more likely to be decided on the merits five films in the competition, “The Measure of a Man,” which and quality of the contenders. The Cannes Palme d’Or closing looks at home-turf unemployment. In a strong line-up, only ceremony will be held late on Sunday. — AFP one movie has been unanimously panned. Starring Matthew Actress Cate Blanchett poses for photographers as she arrives for the screening of the film Sicario at the 68th inter- McConaughey and directed by Gus Van Sant, “The Sea of national film festival. — AP Michael Fassbender on making ‘Macbeth’: ‘The Scottish film’

ichael Fassbender doesn’t know if the “Macbeth” curse carries over to movie adaptations, but he’d Mrather not test it. “The Scottish film” is what Michael Fassbender calls his “Macbeth” adaption, which is set to premiere Saturday at the Cannes Film Festival. He’s maintaining the theatrical superstition of not speaking the name of Shakespeare’s play - at least he wasn’t in an interview ahead of the festival. “Sometimes I say it, sometimes I don’t,” Fassbender said. “It depends on the day.” “Macbeth,” usually referred to by the euphemism “the Scottish play” by actors wary of its legendary spell, will be the final film to screen in competition at Cannes. Directed by Australian director Justin Kurzel and co- starring Marion Cotillard as Lady Macbeth, it has been eagerly awaited as the blood-soaked finale of the French Riviera festival, which concludes Sunday with the presentation of the Palme d’Or top prize. Although interpreting Shakespeare is a traditional rite of passage for any British Isles actor of ambition, it wasn’t a priority for Fassbender, the Oscar-nominated actor of “12 Years a Slave,” “Shame” and the “X-Men” films. The film marks the first entry into Shakespeare, on stage or screen, by the German- German-Irish actor Michael Fassbender poses for a (From left) Actors Beatrice Mancini, Giulia Lazzaroni, director Nanni Moretti, actors Margherita Buy and John born, Ireland-raised Fassbender. portrait to promote his film. — AP Turturro pose for photographers as they arrive for the screening of the film Mia Madre (My Mother). — AP But the “Othello” villain Iago is his favorite Shakespeare character and “Macbeth” his favorite Shakespeare play. impressed with his French co-star, Cotillard. “For me to take it “(‘Macbeth’) wasn’t necessarily on the list, but when the oppor- on, it was, ‘OK, Shakespeare.’ But she’s French-speaking,” said tunity came up, I felt like I couldn’t turn it down,” said Fassbender. “I just thought it was incredible bravery.” No release Fassbender. “I guess it wasn’t always something I felt naturally date has yet been set for “Macbeth” in the US, but the Italy hails best Cannes Weinstein Co will release it sometime this fall. — AP comfortable, but I always thought that I could find something in it that I would have a relationship to it.”However difficult it lineup in two decades was for Fassbender to work up to “Macbeth,” he was more taly is hailing its best turnout of homegrown cinema at Cannes candidate films in English and cast international Cannes in 20 years as a sign of new life in an industry stars like Salma Hayek and Michael Caine, Leone said. “We Ithat had lost luster since the days when Rome was need to make international films like Garrone’s and dubbed “Hollywood on the Tiber”. Four Italian films are in Sorrentino’s. They have all the trappings of international competition at the world’s most prestigious film festival, cinema,” Leone said. “We need to start to export our films, which closes on Sunday. The culture ministry says this is just like they did in the golden years of our cinema.” Italy’s strongest showing since 1994. Leone said people will go to see good films in any lan- Culture minister Dario Franceschini said the selection guage, but filming in English made it easier to appeal to a showed Italian cinema was regaining the power it had dur- bigger audience because dubbing films is uncommon in ing the country’s economic boom after World War Two, large English-speaking cinema markets like the United when a generation of directors including Federico Fellini States and Britain. But amid the celebration, Moretti was won worldwide acclaim and Cinecitta’ studios brought quoted saying the turnout at Cannes was thanks to individ- stars to Rome. ual directors and producers, and Italy’s cinema industry Matteo Garrone’s action fantasy “Tale of Tales”, Paolo was “distracted”. Sorrentino’s sonorous old-age flick “Youth” and Nanni Culture minister Franceschini said the director was right (From left), Actor Riley Osborne, director Mark Osborne, actors Rio Suzuki and Mackenzie Foy pose for pho- Moretti’s semi-autobiographical “My Mother” are in the that “in Italy there have been years and years of negligence tographers during a photo call for the film The Little Prince. — AP main competition, while Roberto Minervini’s “The Other and scant interest in Italian cinema” but tax incentives and Side” shows in the Un Certain Regard section. The country state funding for the arts promoted by his government is now well-supplied with talented filmmakers and the have turned the tide. The new incentives raised the overall challenge is to export their work effectively, said Andrea tax credit for the cinema and audiovisual industry by 5 mil- Leone, who runs the film company founded by his father, lion euros ($5.58 million) and the tax credit ceiling for inter- ‘Little Prince’-inspired Spaghetti Western pioneer Sergio Leone. national productions filmed in Italy from 5 million to 10 “During the past couple of years, we have had a rebirth,” million euros. — Reuters said Leone, citing Sorrentino’s Academy Award for 2013’s “The Great Beauty” as a moment of international recogni- animation soars at fest tion. Garrone and Sorrentino were right to shoot their new animated film based on the best-selling French the Little Prince-he’s a very old man but he has all the wis- book “The Little Prince” was to premiere in Cannes dom of the Little Prince.” Making the nine-year-old girl a Aon Friday, adding a touch of childhood magic to the small adult who has to rediscover her inner child helped red carpet of the movie festival. The $63-million (57-mil- drive the story along while capturing one of the themes of lion-euro) cartoon is the most expensive France has made, the book, he said. and its choice of a US director, Mark Osborne, who made “Kung Fu Panda”, aims it squarely at the family market ‘Tough to adapt’ book dominated by Pixar and DreamWorks. The original book, by writer-aviator Antoine de Saint- Jeff Bridges, Marion Cotillard, Rachel McAdams, James Exupery, is “tough to adapt,” said Dimitri Rassam, one of the Franco and Benicio Del Toro head the English-language French co-producers who secured the rights for the movie. voice cast. The film is not a faithful adaptation of the book, “It is intimate and fragile, and Mark Osborne’s genius was which mixes swipes at selfish adults with accessible philos- to insert the book into a larger story,” he said. The fact that ophizing through the account of a stranded aviator con- a US director helmed it, and that the modern settings look versing with a space-travelling boy-prince. Rather it takes more like America than France did not distract from the scenes and characters from the book and weaves them essence of the story, he said. “It’s really a universal work,” into a modern-day story that stresses the importance of Rassam said, adding that he had “cried each time” he saw imagination in a regimented world. the movie. Around 250 people worked to make the picture, The main character is a studious young girl being which relies on two animation techniques: the smooth, brought up by her super-efficient single mother. The child computer-generated 3D images familiar from Hollywood befriends a kooky next-door neighbor who spends his time cartoons and stop-motion sequences for scenes taken star-gazing, trying to fix a tatty old airplane-and writing the from the book. The movie, which is not in the race for tale that becomes “The Little Prince”. As the little girl reads Cannes’s Palme d’Or prize, won warm applause at its press the neighbor’s story, she changes, learning to trust in child- screening ahead of the premiere. It is to get its wide French hood flights of fancy and whimsy. release in late July, and is to move on to other countries in (From left) Chanel Iman, Pharell Williams, Kiersey Clemons, Shameik Moore, Amin Joseph, Tony Revolori, “I thought this was a beautiful way to present the story the months following. — AFP Quincy Brown, Zoe Kravitz, Rick Famuyiwa and A$AP Rocky pose for photographers during a photo call for in a different way,” Osborne told a news conference ahead the film ‘Dope’ at the 68th Cannes Film Festival. — AP of the premiere. “The aviator becomes an embodiment of SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2015 TV PROGRAMS

21:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 04:00 Alien Origin-PG15 22:00 Man Fire Food 06:00 The Legend Of Hercules- 22:30 Man Fire Food PG15 23:00 Bite This With Nadia G 08:00 Beast Of The Bering Sea- 23:30 Bite This With Nadia G PG15 00:20 Fast N’ Loud 00:30 The Daily Show With Jon 10:00 Crimson Tide-PG15 01:10 Fast N’ Loud Stewart 12:00 Shadow Conspiracy-PG15 02:00 Misfit Garage 01:00 The Nightly Show With Larry 14:00 The Legend Of Hercules- 02:50 Wheeler Dealers Wilmore PG15 03:40 Storage Hunters 01:30 Girls 16:00 500 mph Storm-PG15 04:05 Backroad Bounty 00:35 The Jonathan Ross Show 02:00 Girls 18:00 Crimson Tide-PG15 05:00 How It’s Made 01:30 Paul O’Grady: For The Love 02:30 Curb Your Enthusiasm 20:00 Ender’s Game-PG15 05:30 How Do They Do It? Of Dogs 03:00 Last Man Standing 22:00 v For Vendetta-18 06:00 Mind Control Freaks 02:00 Who’s Doing The Dishes 03:30 New Girl 06:25 Mind Control Freaks 02:55 Emmerdale 04:30 The Tonight Show Starring 06:50 The Pop Illusionist 03:20 Emmerdale Jimmy Fallon 07:40 The Pop Illusionist 03:45 Emmerdale 07:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 08:30 Bear Grylls: Breaking Point 04:10 Emmerdale 09:00 Last Man Standing 00:00 Imogene 09:20 Marooned With Ed Stafford 04:35 Emmerdale 09:30 Black-Ish 02:00 Despicable Me 2 10:10 So You Think You’d Survive? 05:00 Emmerdale 10:00 Fresh Off The Boat 04:00 13 Going On 30 11:00 Bear Grylls: Breaking Point 05:15 Coronation Street 11:00 The Tonight Show Starring 06:00 Anywhere But Here 11:50 Bear Grylls: Breaking Point 05:40 Coronation Street Jimmy Fallon 08:00 She-Devil 12:40 Bear Grylls: Breaking Point 06:05 Coronation Street 14:00 New Girl 10:00 Imogene 13:30 Bear Grylls: Breaking Point 06:30 Coronation Street 14:30 Black-Ish 12:00 13 Going On 30 14:20 Bear Grylls: Breaking Point 06:55 Coronation Street 15:00 Fresh Off The Boat 14:00 The Smurfs 2 15:10 Bear Grylls: Breaking Point 07:15 The Chase: Celebrity 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon 16:00 She-Devil 16:00 Gold Rush Specials Stewart 18:00 Drinking Buddies 16:50 Gold Divers 08:00 The Doctor Blake Mysteries 16:00 The Nightly Show With Larry 20:00 Save The Date 17:40 Alaska: The Last Frontier 08:55 The Doctor Blake Mysteries Wilmore 22:00 The Details (Season 4 Specials) 09:50 Murdoch Mysteries 17:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 18:30 Bear Grylls: Breaking Point 10:40 Murdoch Mysteries 18:00 Last Man Standing 19:20 Marooned With Ed Stafford 11:10 Eggheads 18:30 New Girl 20:10 Edge Of Alaska 11:35 Eggheads 19:00 2 Broke Girls 21:00 Alaska: Battle On The Bay 12:00 Eggheads 19:30 Galavant 21:50 Auction Hunters 12:25 Eggheads 20:00 The Tonight Show Starring 01:00 Grace Of Monaco-PG15 22:15 Auction Hunters 13:15 Raised By Wolves Jimmy Fallon 03:00 Beasts Of The Southern 22:40 Auction Hunters 13:45 Raised By Wolves 21:00 The Daily Show Global Wild-PG15 23:05 Treehouse Masters 14:05 Big Star’s Little Star Edition 05:00 Philomena-PG15 23:55 The Pool Master 15:00 Home Fires 21:30 The Nightly Show Global 07:00 Playing For Keeps-PG15 15:45 Who’s Doing The Dishes Edition 09:00 The Magic Of Belle Isle- 16:30 The Doctor Blake Mysteries 22:00 Saturday Night Live PG15 17:45 The Doctor Blake Mysteries 23:00 Curb Your Enthusiasm 11:00 Philomena-PG15 18:30 Raised By Wolves 23:30 Late Night With Seth Meyers 13:00 Blancanieves-PG15 19:00 Big Star’s Little Star 15:00 Timer-PG15 00:00 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 19:45 Home Fires 17:00 The Magic Of Belle Isle- 00:30 Richkids Of Beverly Hills 20:30 The Doctor Blake Mysteries PG15 00:55 Extreme Close-Up 21:45 The Doctor Blake Mysteries 19:00 Grand Piano-PG15 00:30 Empire 01:25 Fergie Special 22:30 Raised By Wolves 21:00 Blood-PG15 01:20 The Strain 02:20 E! News 23:00 Coronation Street 23:00 Enemy-PG15 02:10 Survivor: Worlds Apart 03:15 Keeping Up With The 23:25 Coronation Street 03:00 The Strain Kardashians 23:50 Coronation Street 04:00 Survivor: Worlds Apart 04:10 THS 06:00 Parenthood 05:05 E!ES 07:00 The Assets 06:00 Keeping Up With The 08:00 Perception Kardashians 09:00 Survivor: Worlds Apart 01:00 Six Degrees Of Separation 06:55 Keeping Up With The 11:00 Once Upon A Time 03:00 Maladies Kardashians 00:00 80s Greatest 12:00 The Assets 04:45 Annie 07:50 Style Star 01:00 Shark Men 13:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 07:00 Kon-Tiki 08:20 E! News 02:00 Banged Up Abroad 14:00 Perception 09:00 Swing Kids 09:15 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 03:00 Naked Science 2.5 15:00 Parenthood 11:00 The Insider 09:45 Richkids Of Beverly Hills 04:00 Mystery Files 16:00 The Assets 13:45 Heart Of The Country 10:15 E!ES 17:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 15:30 Kon-Tiki 11:10 E!ES 04:30 Mystery Files 18:00 Perception 17:30 Swing Kids 12:05 E! News 05:00 Somewhere In China 19:00 Unforgettable 19:30 All Is Lost 13:05 Giuliana & Bill 06:00 Untamed Americas 21:00 Satisfaction 21:30 Close Encounters Of The 14:05 Christina Milian Turned Up 07:00 Family Guns 22:00 Empire Third Kind: Directors Cut 15:00 Fashion Bloggers 08:00 80s Greatest 22:50 Empire 15:30 Fashion Bloggers 09:00 Shark Men 23:40 Empire 16:00 House Of DVF 10:00 Banged Up Abroad 17:00 House Of DVF 11:00 Brain Games Compilation 18:00 E! News 01:00 A Fighting Man-PG15 19:00 E!ES 12:00 The Border 03:00 Admission-PG15 20:00 Keeping Up With The 13:00 Remote Survival 05:00 So Undercover-PG15 Kardashians 14:00 Doomsday Preppers 07:00 Tad, The Lost Explorer-PG 21:00 Christina Milian Turned Up 15:00 Knights Of Mayhem 00:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 09:00 The Secret Life Of Walter 22:00 E! News 16:00 Inside 01:00 Good Morning America Mitty-PG15 23:00 The Soup 17:00 Is It Real? 03:00 Legends 11:00 The Hunger Games: 23:30 The Grace Helbig Show 18:00 Star Talk 04:00 Defiance Catching Fire-PG15 13:30 Percy Jackson: Sea Of 19:00 Knights Of Mayhem 05:00 Good Morning America Monsters-PG 20:00 Inside 07:00 Top Gear (UK) 08:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 15:15 A Family Reunion-PG15 21:00 Is It Real? 09:00 Switched At Birth 17:00 The Secret Life Of Walter 22:00 Star Talk 11:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show Mitty-PG15 EVIL DEAD ON OSN MOVIES HD 23:00 Brain Games Compilation 12:00 Marvel’s Agent Carter 19:00 Inside Llewyn Davis-PG15 00:30 Guy’s Big Bite 13:00 C.S.I. 21:00 The Railway Man-PG15 05:30 Counting Cars 01:00 Girl Eats World 09:30 Who On Earth Did I Pirates 14:00 Killer Women 23:00 Evil Dead-R 06:00 American Restoration 01:30 Girl Eats World Marry? 19:45 Doc McStuffins 15:00 Live Good Morning America 06:30 American Restoration 02:00 Bite This With Nadia G 09:55 Who On Earth Did I 20:00 Adventures Of The 16:00 Switched At Birth 07:00 Counting Cars 02:30 Bite This With Nadia G 03:00 PGA Tour Marry? Gummi Bears 17:00 Marvel’s Agent Carter 07:30 Counting Cars 03:00 Guy’s Big Bite 07:00 Live AFL Premiership 10:20 Who On Earth Did I 20:30 Sofia The First 18:00 C.S.I. 08:00 Counting Cars 03:30 Guy’s Big Bite 11:30 World Rugby Marry? 20:55 Cars Toons 00:20 World’s Deadliest: Jaws & 19:00 Switched At Birth 08:30 Counting Cars 04:00 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 12:00 NRL Full Time 10:45 Who On Earth Did I 21:00 Chip n Dale Rescue Sins 20:00 Marvel’s Agent Carter 09:00 Counting Cars 04:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 12:30 Live NRL Premiership Marry? Rangers 01:10 Hunter Hunted 21:00 C.S.I. 01:15 Wallace & Gromit: The Curse 09:30 Counting Cars 05:00 Chopped 14:30 Live PGA European Tour 11:10 The Will 21:30 Ducktales 02:00 World’s Deadliest Animals 22:00 Legends Of The Were-Rabbit 10:00 Big Rig Bounty Hunters 06:00 Guy’s Grocery Games 20:00 Live PGA Tour 12:00 The Will 22:00 Lilo & Stitch 02:50 Lion Army 23:00 Defiance 02:45 Ernest & Celestine 11:00 American Restoration 07:00 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 12:50 Blood Relatives 22:25 Art Attack 03:45 Wild Colombia 04:30 Garfield’s Fun Fest 11:30 American Restoration 07:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 13:40 Nightmare Next Door 22:55 Limon And Oli 04:40 The Croc Catchers 12:00 Ultimate Wheels 08:00 Chopped 06:00 Hiroku: Defenders Of Gaia 14:30 On The Case With Paula 23:05 Zou 05:35 World’s Weirdest 13:00 Storage Wars Texas 09:00 Amazing Wedding Cakes 07:45 Happy Feet Zahn 23:20 Mouk 06:30 Fish Warrior 13:30 Storage Wars Texas 10:00 The Pioneer Woman 09:45 See Spot Run 15:20 On The Case With Paula 23:35 Jungle Junction 07:25 Hooked 00:30 Indian Premier League H/L : 14:00 Storage Wars Texas Zahn 23:50 Art Attack 10:30 The Pioneer Woman 11:30 Astro Boy 08:20 Kingdom Of The Oceans 00:00 The Terminator Qualifier 2 14:30 Storage Wars Texas 11:00 Siba’s Table 16:10 Extreme Forensics 00:15 Julius Jr. 09:15 World’s Deadliest Animals 02:00 V/H/S 13:00 Ernest & Celestine 12:00 Indian Premier League H/L : 15:00 Shipping Wars 11:30 Siba’s Table 17:00 Stalked: Someone’s 00:30 Calimero 10:10 Urban Jungle 04:00 Thor: The Dark World 14:30 The Olsen Gang In Deep Qualifier 2 15:30 Shipping Wars 12:00 Guy’s Big Bite Watching 00:45 Henry Hugglemonster 11:05 Animals Gone Wild 06:00 Alien Origin Trouble 13:00 Live International Test Series 16:00 Pawn Stars 12:30 Chopped 17:25 Stalked: Someone’s 01:00 Zou 08:00 The Legend Of Hercules 16:00 See Spot Run : ENG v NZ 16:30 Pawn Stars 13:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 12:00 Megafish Watching 01:15 Jungle Junction 10:00 Beast Of The Bering Sea 21:00 ICC Cricket 360 17:00 Pawn Stars 14:00 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 12:55 World’s Deadliest Animals 18:00 Pacific Pirates 17:50 I Was Murdered 01:25 Art Attack 12:00 Crimson Tide 21:30 Indian Premier League H/L : 17:30 Pawn Stars 14:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 13:50 Lion Battle Zone 20:00 Back To The Sea 18:15 I Was Murdered 01:50 Julius Jr. 14:00 Shadow Conspiracy Qualifier 1 18:00 Pawn Stars South Africa 15:00 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 14:45 Wild Colombia 22:00 The Olsen Gang In Deep 18:40 I Almost Got Away With It 02:00 Calimero 16:00 The Legend Of Hercules 22:30 Indian Premier League H/L : 18:30 Pawn Stars South Africa 19:30 I Almost Got Away With It 02:15 Henry Hugglemonster 15:30 Chopped 15:40 Man And The Wild Trouble 18:00 500 mph Storm Eliminator 19:00 Storage Wars 16:30 The Pioneer Woman 16:35 Nordic Wild 20:20 I Almost Got Away With It 02:25 Zou 20:00 Crimson Tide 23:30 Happy Feet 19:30 Storage Wars 17:00 The Pioneer Woman 17:30 Built For The Kill 21:10 I Almost Got Away With It 02:40 Mouk 22:00 Ender’s Game 20:00 Storage Wars 17:30 Guy’s Big Bite 18:25 Unlikely Animal Friends 22:00 Unravelled 02:50 Jungle Junction 20:30 Storage Wars 18:00 Guy’s Big Bite 19:20 Wild Colombia 22:50 Deadly Women 21:00 Storage Wars 18:30 Guy’s Big Bite 20:10 Man And The Wild 23:40 Desperate Measures 21:30 Storage Wars 19:00 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 21:00 Nordic Wild 00:30 Killer Truckers 22:00 Ultimate Wheels 19:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 21:50 Built For The Kill 00:00 Foodfight!-PG 01:20 Blood Relatives 01:15 Speak 23:00 Big Rig Bounty Hunters 20:00 Chopped 22:40 Unlikely Animal Friends 00:00 V/H/S-R 02:00 Europa Report-PG15 02:10 Unravelled 02:15 Piranha 3D 21:00 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 23:30 Megafish 02:00 Thor: The Dark World-PG15 03:45 Captain Phillips-PG15 04:15 John Rabe: Part 2 06:00 The Croods-PG 05:45 Inferno 06:00 Kid vs Kat 08:00 Safe-PG15 07:30 Struck By Lightning 06:10 Zeke & Luther 09:45 2 Fast 2 Furious-PG15 09:00 Frankenweenie 06:35 Phineas And Ferb 11:45 Captain Phillips-PG15 10:30 33 Postcards 07:00 Ultimate Spider-Man 14:00 Epic-PG 12:15 The Incredibles 07:25 Zeke & Luther 16:00 Safe-PG15 14:15 Chimpanzee 00:45 Return To Amish 03:00 Art Attack 07:50 Star Wars Rebels 18:00 Walk Of Shame-PG15 15:30 From Paris With Love 01:35 My 600lb Life 03:25 Julius Jr. 08:15 Supa Strikas 20:00 The Other Woman-PG15 17:00 The Station Agent 02:25 Body Bizarre 03:35 Calimero 08:40 The 7D 22:00 Stretch-18 18:30 Speak 03:15 Outrageous Emergency 03:50 Henry Hugglemonster 09:05 Kirby Buckets 20:00 People Like Us 04:05 What Not To Wear 04:00 Zou 09:30 Phineas And Ferb 22:00 Up 05:00 What Not To Wear 04:15 Mouk 09:55 Phineas And Ferb 23:45 K-Pax 06:00 17 Kids And Counting 04:25 Jungle Junction 10:20 Phineas And Ferb 06:25 Toddlers & Tiaras 04:35 Art Attack 10:45 Phineas And Ferb 07:15 Toddlers & Tiaras 05:00 Julius Jr. 11:15 Phineas And Ferb 08:05 The Next Great Baker 05:10 Calimero 11:40 Phineas And Ferb 00:00 Live MSNBC The Ed Show 08:55 The Next Great Baker 05:25 Henry Hugglemonster 12:05 Phineas And Ferb 01:00 Live MSNBC Politicsnation 09:45 My Big Fat Fabulous Life 05:35 Zou 12:30 Phineas And Ferb 02:00 Live NBC Nightly News 10:10 My Big Fat Fabulous Life 05:50 Mouk 12:55 Phineas And Ferb 02:30 ABC World News With David 00:00 According To Jim 10:35 Shopping Is My Life 06:00 Jungle Junction 13:20 Phineas And Ferb Muir 00:30 The Bridge 11:25 17 Kids And Counting 06:10 Art Attack 13:45 Phineas And Ferb 03:00 Live MSNBC All In With Chris 01:30 Lone Star Legend 11:50 17 Kids And Counting 06:35 Julius Jr. 14:10 Phineas And Ferb Hayes 02:30 Da Vinci’s Demons 12:15 17 Kids And Counting 06:45 Calimero 14:35 Phineas And Ferb 04:00 Live MSNBC The Rachel 03:30 Army Wives 12:40 17 Kids And Counting 07:00 Jungle Junction 15:00 Phineas And Ferb Maddow Show 04:30 Off The Map 13:05 17 Kids And Counting 07:15 Zou 15:25 Phineas And Ferb 05:00 MSNBC Hardball W/ Chris 05:30 Dirt 13:30 Say Yes To The Dress 07:30 Calimero 15:50 Phineas And Ferb Matthews 06:30 Criminal Minds: Suspect 13:55 Say Yes To The Dress 07:45 Loopdidoo 16:15 Phineas And Ferb 06:00 NBC Nightly News Behavior 14:20 Oprah: Where Are They 08:00 Limon And Oli 16:40 Lab Rats 06:30 ABC World News With David 07:30 Criminal Minds: Suspect Now? 08:10 Jake And The Never Land 17:05 Mighty Med Muir Behavior 15:10 Cake Boss Pirates 17:30 Johnny Tsunami 06:57 NBC Nightly News 08:30 Revenge 15:35 Cake Boss 08:35 Doc McStuffins 19:00 The 7D 07:18 ABC World News With David 09:30 Revenge 16:00 Cake Boss 09:05 Art Attack 19:15 Supa Strikas Muir 10:30 Off The Map 16:25 Cake Boss 09:30 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 19:40 Ultimate Spider-Man 07:39 Live ABC Nightline 11:30 How I Met Your Mother 16:50 Cake Boss 10:00 Sofia The First 20:05 Star Wars Rebels 08:06 MSNBC The Rachel 12:00 Cougar Town 17:15 Shopping Is My Life 10:25 Jake And The Never Land 20:30 Lanfeust Quest Maddow Show 12:30 Cougar Town 18:05 Oprah Presents: Master Pirates 20:55 Boyster 09:00 MSNBC Hardball W/ Chris 13:00 Masterchef: The Class 10:55 Miles From Tomorrow 21:20 Kickin’ It Matthews Professionals 18:55 Say Yes To The Dress 11:20 Messages From Miles 21:50 Marvel Avengers 10:00 MSNBC Morning Joe 15:30 Lone Star Legend 19:20 Say Yes To The Dress 11:25 Doc McStuffins Assemble 13:00 MSNBC The Ed Show 16:30 The Bridge 19:45 Say Yes To The Dress 11:50 Henry Hugglemonster 22:15 Wander Over Yonder 14:00 Live NBC Saturday Today 17:30 Wayward Pines 20:10 Say Yes To The Dress 12:15 Sofia The First 23:00 Programmes Start At Show 18:30 Happy Endings 20:35 Say Yes To The Dress 12:45 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 6:00am KSA 16:00 ABC 20/20 19:00 Happy Endings 21:00 Oprah: Where Are They 13:10 Sheriff Callie’s Wild West Nat Geo Wild HD 17:57 MSNBC Hardball W/ Chris 19:30 Masterchef: The Now? 13:35 Zou 03:45 Wild Colombia Matthews Professionals 21:50 Oprah’s Next Chapter 13:50 Jake And The Never Land 04:40 The Croc Catchers 18:38 MSNBC The Rachel 20:10 Masterchef: The 22:40 Long Island Medium Pirates 05:35 World’s Weirdest Maddow Show Professionals 23:05 Last Chance Salon 14:15 Doc McStuffins 06:30 Fish Warrior 21:00 MSNBC Weekends With 21:00 According To Jim 23:55 Last Chance Salon 14:45 Miles From Tomorrow 07:25 Hooked Alex Witt Saturday 21:30 According To Jim 15:10 Sofia The First 08:20 Kingdom Of The Oceans 23:00 Live MSNBC Caught On 22:00 Lone Star Legend 15:35 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 09:15 World’s Deadliest Animals Camera 23:00 The Bridge 16:00 Messages From Miles 10:10 Urban Jungle 16:05 Lilo & Stitch 11:05 Animals Gone Wild 16:30 Adventures Of The 12:00 Megafish Discovery ID Gummi Bears 12:55 World’s Deadliest Animals 17:00 Chip n Dale Rescue 13:50 Lion Battle Zone 02:00 Golfing World 03:00 Serial Killers Rangers 14:45 Wild Colombia 03:00 Top 14 03:45 Couples Who Kill 00:00 Pawn Stars 17:25 Ducktales 15:40 Man And The Wild 09:30 Super Rugby Highlights 04:30 Most Evil 00:30 Pawn Stars 18:00 Miles From Tomorrow 16:35 Nordic Wild 10:30 Live Super Rugby 05:20 Nightmare Next Door 01:00 American Pickers 18:30 Sofia The First 17:30 Built For The Kill 12:30 Live Super Rugby 06:10 True Crime With 02:00 Storage Wars 18:55 Messages From Miles 18:25 Unlikely Animal Friends 14:45 Live Super Rugby Aphrodite Jones 02:30 Storage Wars 19:00 The Adventures Of Disney 19:20 Wild Colombia 17:00 Super Rugby Highlights 07:00 Fatal Encounters 03:00 American Pickers Fairies 20:10 Man And The Wild 18:00 Live Super Rugby 07:50 Disappeared 04:00 Ice Road Truckers 08:40 Disappeared 19:30 Jake And The Neverland 21:00 Nordic Wild THE LEGEND OF HERCULES OSN MOVIES ACTION HD 20:00 Live Super Rugby 05:00 Counting Cars 21:50 Built For The Kill WHAT’S ON SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2015

Kuwait ICAI chapter organizes AGM and a CPE seminar

he Kuwait Chapter of the Institute of Chartered CA. Shetty used the occasion to soft launch the website emphasis on the current oil glut and its impact on the CA Balvir Machado, Chairman of the Media and PR Accountants of India (ICAI) conducted its Annual of the Chapter. The website (www.icaikw.org) documents Kuwait economy in the medium and long term. His presen- Committee of the ICAI Kuwait Chapter extended a vote of TGeneral Meeting (AGM) on 17 May 2015 at the all activities of the ICAI in Kuwait and will serve as an online tation traced the economy post the financial crisis in 2008 thanks, on behalf of the Executive Committee of the Holiday Inn Down Town. Speaking on the occasion, the rallying point for members to be constantly updated and and its impact on various sectors, including Kuwait’s long Kuwait Chapter of the ICAI, to the speaker, sponsors and all Chairman of ICAI Kuwait Chapter, CA. Prashantha Shetty share best practice with fellow members of the fraternity. range plans and proposed project spending. Also dis- those who assisted in putting together and publicizing the applauded the achievements by the Chapter’s executive Following the AGM, a Seminar on the “The current oil glut cussed was the current oil price volatility and impact going event. As a token of appreciation, a memento was present- committee and the sub committees during the financial and long term economic growth in Kuwait” by prominent forward. The lively and interactive session was helpful in ed to the speaker by CA Prashantha Shetty, Chairman of year 2014-15. CA Sai Devata, Secretary of ICAI Kuwait speaker Nemr Janus Kanafani, Senior Economist at “NBK” understanding Kuwait’s economy and available options to the Chapter. A memento was also presented to CA Balvir Chapter briefed the chapter activities accomplished in the was conducted. Sai Devata, Secretary anchored the event deal with the oil glut. A house full audience that included Machado for his valuable contribution to ICAI Kuwait last year by walking through the annual report and CA and introduced Nemr to the audience. around 100 Indian Chartered Accountants from various Chapter, since the inception of the Chapter, as he is shortly KaizarShakir, Treasurer of ICAI Kuwait Chapter summarized Nemr delivered an insightful session on the Kuwait walks of Industry and Professional Firms were in atten- leaving Kuwait. The session was followed by a sumptuous the financials. economy in general and the oil sector in particular, with dance and left inspired. buffet dinner.

‘Festival of Praise’

hen we praise God from the depth of our heart, He is pleased’. The Life Abundant International Fountain Church wishes to invite all to the “Festival of Praise” at the NECK prem- ‘Wise in Kuwait City and Family House Fintas on 4th-7th June. Special guest includes Apostle Dr James Maina from Nairobi Kenya. The power-packed program will feature ministrations, worship, praises etc.

Birthday Greetings

Happy birthday to Musa Omair Khan. Best wishes Kuwait Center for Autism recently held a special lecture for domestic laborers working with autistic children. The lecture aimed at spreading awareness amongst those labor- from Riaz Khan. ers on the best ways to deal with autistic children. SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2015 information

For labor-related inquiries and complaints: INTERNATIONAL CALLS Call MSAL hotline 128

Afghanistan 0093 Luxembourg 00352 GOVERNORATE PHARMACY ADDRESS PHONE Albania 00355 Macau 00853 Algeria 00213 Macedonia 00389 Ahmadi Sama Safwan Fahaeel Makka St 23915883 Andorra 00376 Madagascar 00261 Sabah Hospital 24812000 Abu Halaifa Abu Halaifa-Coastal Rd 23715414 Angola 00244 Majorca 0034 Amiri Hospital 22450005 Danat Al-Sultan Mahboula Block 1, Coastal Rd 23726558 Anguilla 001264 Malawi 00265 Maternity Hospital 24843100 Jahra Modern Jahra Jahra-Block 3 Lot 1 24575518 Antiga 001268 Malaysia 0060 Madina Munawara Jahra-Block 92 24566622 Argentina 0054 Maldives 00960 Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital 25312700 Capital Ahlam Fahad Al-Salem St 22436184 Armenia 00374 Mali 00223 Chest Hospital 24849400 Khaldiya Coop Khaldiya Coop 24833967 Australia 0061 Malta 00356 Austria 0043 Marshall Islands 00692 Farwaniya Hospital 24892010 Farwaniya New Shifa Farwaniya Block 40 24734000 Ferdous Coop Ferdous Coop 24881201 Bahamas 001242 Martinique 00596 Adan Hospital 23940620 Modern Safwan Old Kheitan Block 11 24726638 Bahrain 00973 Mauritania 00222 Ibn Sina Hospital 24840300 Bangladesh 00880 Mauritius 00230 Hawally Tariq Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St 25726265 Barbados 001246 Mayotte 00269 Al-Razi Hospital 24846000 Hana Salmiya-Amman St 25647075 Ikhlas Hawally-Beirut St 22625999 Belarus 00375 Mexico 0052 Physiotherapy Hospital 24874330/9 Hawally & Rawdha Hawally & Rawdha Coop 22564549 Belgium 0032 Micronesia 00691 Ghadeer Jabriya-Block 1A 25340559 Belize 00501 Moldova 00373 Kindy Jabriya-Block 3B 25326554 Benin 00229 Monaco 00377 Ibn Al-Nafis Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St 25721264 Mishrif Coop Mishrif Coop 25380581 Bermuda 001441 Mongolia 00976 Kaizen center 25716707 Salwa Coop Salwa Coop 25628241 Bhutan 00975 Montserrat 001664 Rawda 22517733 Bolivia 00591 Morocco 00212 Bosnia 00387 Mozambique 00258 Adaliya 22517144 Botswana 00267 Myanmar (Burma) 0095 Khaldiya 24848075 Brazil 0055 Namibia 00264 Brunei 00673 Nepal 00977 Kaifan 24849807 Bulgaria 00359 Netherlands 0031 Shamiya 24848913 Burkina 00226 Netherlands Antilles 00599 Burundi 00257 New Caledonia 00687 Shuwaikh 24814507 Cambodia 00855 New Zealand 0064 Abdullah Salem 22549134 Cameroon 00237 Nicaragua 00505 Canada 001 Nigar 00227 Nuzha 22526804 Cape Verde 00238 Nigeria 00234 Industrial Shuwaikh 24814764 Cayman Islands 001345 Niue 00683 Central African 00236 Norfolk Island 00672 Qadsiya 22515088 Chad 00235 N. Ireland (UK) 0044 Dasmah 22532265 Chile 0056 North Korea 00850 Bneid Al-Gar 22531908 China 0086 Norway 0047 Colombia 0057 Oman 00968 Shaab 22518752 Comoros 00269 Pakistan 0092 Qibla 22459381 Congo 00242 Palau 00680 Cook Islands 00682 Panama 00507 Ayoun Al-Qibla 22451082 Costa Rica 00506 Papua New Guinea 00675 Mirqab 22456536 Croatia 00385 Paraguay 00595 Cuba 0053 Peru 0051 Sharq 22465401 Cyprus 00357 Philippines 0063 Salmiya 25746401 Cyprus (Northern) 0090392 Poland 0048 Czech Republic 00420 Portugal 00351 Jabriya 25316254 Denmark 0045 Puerto Rico 001787 Maidan Hawally 25623444 Diego Garcia 00246 Qatar 00974 Djibouti 00253 Romania 0040 Bayan 25388462 Dominica 001767 Russian Federation 007 Mishref 25381200 Dominican Republic 001809 Rwanda 00250 W Hawally 22630786 Ecuador 00593 Saint Helena 00290 Egypt 0020 Saint Kitts 001869 Sabah 24810221 El Salvador 00503 Saint Lucia 001758 Jahra 24770319 England (UK) 0044 Saint Pierre 00508 Equatorial Guinea 00240 Saint Vincent 001784 New Jahra 24575755 Eritrea 00291 Samoa US 00684 West Jahra 24772608 Estonia 00372 Samoa West 00685 Ethiopia 00251 San Marino 00378 South Jahra 24775066 Falkland Islands 00500 Sao Tone 00239 North Jahra 24775992 Faroe Islands 00298 Saudi Arabia 00966 Fiji 00679 Scotland (UK) 0044 North Jleeb 24311795 Finland 00358 Senegal 00221 Ardhiya 24884079 France 0033 Seychelles 00284 French Guiana 00594 Sierra Leone 00232 Firdous 24892674 French Polynesia 00689 Singapore 0065 Omariya 24719048 Gabon 00241 Slovakia 00421 N Khaitan 24710044 Gambia 00220 Slovenia 00386 Georgia 00995 Solomon Islands 00677 Fintas 23900322 Germany 0049 Somalia 00252 Ghana 00233 South Africa 0027 Gibraltar 00350 South Korea 0082 Greece 0030 Spain 0034 Greenland 00299 Sri Lanka 0094 PRIVATE CLINICS Grenada 001473 Sudan 00249 Guadeloupe 00590 Suriname 00597 Guam 001671 Swaziland 00268 Guatemala 00502 Sweden 0046 Ophthalmologists Plastic Surgeons Paediatricians Endocrinologist Guinea 00224 Switzerland 0041 Dr. Abidallah Al-Mansoor 25622444 Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalaf 22547272 Dr. Khaled Hamadi 25665898 Guyana 00592 Syria 00963 Dr. Abd Al-Naser Al-Othman 25339330 Dr. Samy Al-Rabeea 25752222 Dr. Abdal-Redha Lari 22617700 Dr. Abd Al-Aziz Al-Rashed 25340300 Haiti 00509 Serbia 00381 Dr. Masoma Habeeb 25321171 Dr. Abdel Quttainah 25625030/60 Dr. Zahra Qabazard 25710444 Dr. Ahmad Al-Ansari 25658888 Holland (Netherlands) 0031 Taiwan 00886 Dr. Mubarak Al-Ajmy 25739999 Family Doctor Dr. Sohail Qamar 22621099 Honduras 00504 Tanzania 00255 Dr. Mohsen Abel 25757700 Dr. Kamal Al-Shomr 25329924 Dr Divya Damodar 23729596/23729581 Dr. Snaa Maaroof 25713514 Hong Kong 00852 Thailand 0066 Dr Adnan Hasan Alwayl 25732223 Physiotherapists & VD Hungary 0036 Toga 00228 Psychiatrists Dr. Pradip Gujare 23713100 Dr. Abdallah Al-Baghly 25732223 Dr. Zacharias Mathew 24334282 Dr. Deyaa Shehab 25722291 Ibiza (Spain) 0034 Tonga 00676 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Dr. Esam Al-Ansari 22635047 Iceland 00354 Tokelau 00690 Dr. Ahmed Fouad Mouner 24555050 Ext 510 Dr Eisa M. Al-Balhan 22613623/0 Dermatology Dr. Musaed Faraj Khamees 22666288 India 0091 Trinidad 001868 Dr. Abdallah Al-Ali 25644660 Gynaecologists & Obstetricians Dr. Mohammed Salam Rheumatologists: Indian Ocean 00873 Tunisia 00216 Dr. Abd Al-Hameed Al-Taweel 25646478 DrAdrian arbe 23729596/23729581 Bern University 23845955 Indonesia 0062 Turkey 0090 Dr. Sanad Al-Fathalah 25311996 Dr. Verginia s.Marin 2572-6666 ext 8321 Dentists Dr. Adel Al-Awadi 25330060 Dr. Mohammad Al-Daaory 25731988 Iran 0098 Tuvalu 00688 Dr. Fozeya Ali Al-Qatan 22655539 Dr Anil Thomas 3729596/3729581 Dr. Ismail Al-Fodary 22620166 Dr. Khaled Al-Jarallah 25722290 Iraq 00964 Uganda 00256 Dr. Majeda Khalefa Aliytami 25343406 Dr. Shamah Al-Matar 22641071/2 Dr. Mahmoud Al-Booz 25651426 Ireland 00353 Ukraine 00380 Dr. Ahmad Al-Khooly 25739272 Dr. Anesah Al-Rasheed 22562226 Internist, Chest & Heart General Practitioners Italy 0039 United Arab Emirates 00976 Dr. Abidallah Al-Amer 22561444 Dr. Mohamme Y Majidi 24555050 Ext 123 Dr. Salem soso 22618787 DR.Mohammes Akkad 24555050 Ext 210 Ivory Coast 00225 United Kingdom 0044 Dr. Faysal Al-Fozan 22619557 General Surgeons Dr. Yousef Al-Omar 24719312 Dr. Mohammad Zubaid Jamaica 001876 Uruguay 00598 Dr. Abdallateef Al-Katrash 22525888 Dr. Tarek Al-Mikhazeem 23926920 Dr. Amer Zawaz Al-Amer 22610044 MB, ChB, FRCPC, PACC Japan 0081 USA 001 Dr. Abidallah Al-Duweisan 25653755 Dr. Kathem Maarafi 25730465 Dr. Mohammad Yousef Basher 25327148 Assistant Professor Of Medicine Jordan 00962 Uzbekistan 00998 Dr. Bader Al-Ansari 25620111 Dr. Abdallah Ahmad Eyadah 25655528 Internists, Chest & Heart Head, Division of Cardiology Kazakhstan 007 Vanuatu 00678 Dr. Nabeel Al-Ayoobi 24577781 Neurologists Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital 25339667 Dr. Adnan Ebil 22639939 Kenya 00254 Venezuela 00582 Dr. Dina Abidallah Al-Refae 25333501 Dr. Sohal Najem Al-Shemeri 25633324 Dr. Mousa Khadada 22666300 Consultant Cardiologist Kiribati 00686 Vietnam 0084 Urologists Dr. Jasem Mola Hassan 25345875 Dr. Latefa Al-Duweisan 25728004 Dr. Farida Al-Habib 2611555-2622555 Kuwait 00965 Virgin Islands UK 001284 Dr. Ali Naser Al-Serfy 22641534 Gastrologists MD, PH.D, FACC Kyrgyzstan 00996 Virgin Islands US 001340 Dr. Fawzi Taher Abul 22639955 Dr. Nadem Al-Ghabra 25355515 Dr. Sami Aman 22636464 Inaya German Medical Center Dr. Khaleel Abidallah Al-Awadi 22616660 Dr. Mobarak Aldoub 24726446 Laos 00856 Wales (UK) 0044 Dr. Mohammad Al-Shamaly 25322030 Te: 2575077 Dr. Adel Al-Hunayan FRCS (C) 25313120 Dr Nasser Behbehani 25654300/3 Latvia 00371 Yemen 00967 Dr. Foad Abidallah Al-Ali 22633135 Fax: 25723123 Dr. Leons Joseph 66703427 Lebanon 00961 Yugoslavia 00381 Liberia 00231 Zambia 00260 Soor Center Psychologists [email protected] Tel: 2290-1677 Kaizen center Noor Clinic William Schuilenberg, RPC 2290-1677 Libya 00218 Zimbabwe 00263 /Psychotherapists www.soorcenter.com Zaina Al Zabin, M.Sc. 2290-1677 Fax: 2290 1688 25716707 23845955 Lithuania 00370 stars26 SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2015 CROSSWORD 911 STAR TRACK

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

You don't necessarily excel at following rules, but you must pay Channeling your creativity into practical endeavors is critical today attention to them now or suffer the consequences. The lines are printed in because you could otherwise fritter away an important opportunity. Even if a coloring book for a reason, even if you rebel against the idea of staying you feel like your brilliance is bottled up, you can overcome your mental within them. Self-control counts far more than anything else these days, so blocks to success by declaring your unwavering determination. Don't allow non-believers to tell you what you can't do. Nodding yes in agreement only establish clear guidelines and stick to them. Keep in mind that reaching encourages them. Defend your right to reach for the stars; once you've gath- your long-term goals is more rewarding than the temporary satisfaction of ered enough information, taking a calculated risk makes the most sense. immediate gratification.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Scorpio (October 23-November 21) Even if you believe you must act with authority, don't get so Stand up tall and assume your rightful place within your fami- enamored with your role that you end up alienating your closest friends ly, workplace, or local community. Even if you are uncertain about your and family. Undoubtedly, maintaining your integrity when it comes to eth- capabilities today, this isn't the time to give them voice. Instead, express ical issues is important, but it's dangerous to force your beliefs onto others. your vision as optimistically as you can. Naturally, reality may constrict Take your commitments seriously, but remember that compassion and your dream to make it fit into your life, but don't sell yourself short before cooperation are necessary components if you want your voice to have a you start. Your confidence alone could inspire others to grant you the sup- positive impact on the people in your life. port you need.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Many people don't share your cavalier philosophy and they worry Slowing down and doing a job methodically doesn't come naturally to about your future well-being. You might not want to hear the opin- you busy Twins; you want to bolt ahead to the next compelling activity rather than ions of others as you attempt to gloss over their negativity. Nevertheless, it's crucial 80. Pretentious or silly talk or writing. ACROSS learn an important lesson. Nevertheless, you won't likely feel free to follow your own to acknowledge the advice you receive in a matter-of-fact manner and use it to 1. Having made preparations. heart until you deal with a lingering relationship issue. Your big ideas may be improve your plans, if necessary. Visionary thinking may be your strong suit, but knocked down a notch or two by someone in a powerful position. But don't get dis- 5. A member of the Circassian people living east your ideas will simply drift off into space if you don't find a way to ground them in DOWN couraged; this is not about defeat. Restrictive circumstances are giving you a chance of the Black Sea. 1. A Bantu language spoken in Cameroon. reality. This is a wonderful opportunity to create lasting changes if you have the to become even more effective as you rework your plans, limit your options and cre- sense to grab it before it's gone. 11. The handle of a weapon or tool. 2. Any culture medium that uses agar as the ate a more stable future. 15. God of fire. gelling agent. 16. United States gangster who terrorized 3. To the degree or extent. Chicago during Prohibition until arrested for tax 4. Waterfall in Canada is the Horseshoe Falls. ) Capricorn (December 22-January 19) evasion (1899-1947). 5. Causing a dull and steady pain. Cancer (June 21-July 22 17. A Spanish river. 6. The cry made by sheep. An emotionally intense interaction with someone at work could Working harder may be your instinctive answer to the height- 18. An independent agency of the United States 7. The ratio of the distance traveled (in kilometers) precipitate deep contemplation on your part. You may wonder how to cultivate ened stress now, but there's a point at which additional effort just isn't more supportive business relationships. It's not that anything in particular is government responsible for aviation and space- to the time spent traveling (in hours). worth it. Knowing when to stop today can mean the difference between wrong; it's just that you're determined to get your needs met even if satisfaction happiness and sorrow. You could feel great about your contribution if you flight. 8. The largest of the four main islands of Japan. seems too far away. Soften your stance and let go of any self-criticism for now simply give it your best shot and then relax and reflect upon your accom- 19. German chemist who was co-discoverer with 9. An associate degree in nursing. while you reevaluate all your alternatives. If you can imagine it, you can find a plishments. Taking your responsibilities seriously is one thing; carrying the way to make it happen. Lise Meitner of nuclear fission (1879-1968). 10. Relating to or located at or near the zenith. weight of the world on your shoulders is beyond the call of duty. 20. Fermented alcoholic beverage brewed from 11. German dramatist (1813-1863). malt and hops. 12. Norwegian mathematician (1802-1829). 21. Stunned or confused and slow to react (as 13. Able to act at will. Leo (July 23-August 22) Aquarius (January 20- February 18) from blows or drunkenness or exhaustion). 14. A unit of pressure equal to 0.001316 atmos- 23. A basketball player who is dribbling the ball to phere. The weight of responsibility falls upon your shoulders today and you Your antennae are extended as far as they go now, but you're not advance it. 22. Spanish painter (born in Greece) remembered can't decide whether to stand up even taller or just collapse under the pressure. necessarily picking up the desired signals from your favorite station. You might However, giving up is not a viable option now. Bear the heavy burdens as best you prefer dance music, but instead are receiving serious cautionary lectures that 26. At a great distance in time or space or degree. for his religious works characterized by elongated can or they will grow more cumbersome over the next few weeks. Just be sure to make you wonder if you're on the right path. Be patient and respectfully listen to 28. Conspicuously or grossly unconventional or human forms and dramatic use of color (1541- use your common sense and draw a line when absolutely necessary. Know your lim- the voices of authority, but remember that ultimately you are your own boss. unusual. 1614). its and then communicate them clearly to those around you if you want things to Remain open to the incoming message, but turn the radio off once you've heard it 29. A cut of pork ribs with much of the meat 24. A rare polyvalent metallic element of the plat- change. and follow the beat of your own drums. trimmed off. inum group. 32. Small genus of erect balsam-scented herbs. 25. (of champagne) Extremely dry. 36. The capital and largest city of Venezuela. 27. Pay out. Virgo (August 23-September 22) 38. A highly unstable radioactive element (the 30. Of or relating to the palm of the hand. Pisces (February 19-March 20) heaviest of the halogen series). 31. Avatar of Vishnu. You are aware of exactly what must be done today, but Evading your professional duties is nearly impossible today, even if 39. The bureau of the Treasury Department 33. In the Arabian Nights a hero who tells of the you may be inhibited by your previous commitments to others. the personal goals you have in mind are more worthy. You might have to get seri- responsible for tax collections. fantastic adventures he had in his voyages. People might not understand the hardship you are experiencing ous, buckle down and fulfill your immediate obligations before undertaking a more charitable endeavor. Even if it seems overwhelming at first, making a con- 40. A silvery ductile metallic element found prima- 34. A genus of Scolopacidae. and it's not necessarily wise to tell them now. Thankfully, you can surprise everyone with your high level of perfection. No one rises crete plan improves your chances of pursuing a full spectrum of activities. rily in bauxite. 35. Stern foremost or backward. Anything is possible if you believe in yourself and are willing to show up and do to the challenge better than you when it comes to performing 41. The executive agency that advises the 37. A long noosed rope used to catch animals. the work. under pressure. President on the federal budget. 43. Food mixtures either arranged on a plate or 42. An extension at the end and at right angles to tossed and served with a moist dressing. the main building. 45. A monarchy in northwestern Europe occupy- 44. A bachelor's degree in music. ing most of the British Isles. WORD SEARCH PUZZLE Yesterday’s Solution 47. A sensation (as of a cold breeze or bright light) 46. Free from fear or doubt. that precedes the onset of certain disorders such 48. A reproach for some lapse or misdeed. as a migraine attack or epileptic seizure. 52. The type of environment in which an organ- 49. A deliberately false or improbable account. ism or group normally lives or occurs. 50. Cook and make edible by putting in a hot 56. Great coolness and composure under strain. oven. 59. A small ball with a hole through the middle. 51. Mechanical device consisting of a toothed 60. Tall perennial herb of tropical Asia with dark wheel or rack engaged with a pawl that permits it green leaves. to move in only one direction. 61. A popular island resort in the Netherlands 53. The habitation of wild animals. Antilles. 54. A period of time containing 365 (or 366) days. 63. Medium-sized tree having glossy lanceolate 55. A white metallic element that burns with a leaves. brilliant light. 65. A place for the burial of a corpse (especially 57. A health resort near a spring or at the seaside. beneath the ground and marked by a tomb- 58. A port city in southwestern Iran. stone). 62. A vicious angry growl. 66. A district in southwestern Manhattan noted 64. Any of a number of tiny parallel grooves such for its shops and restaurants and galleries and as. artist's lofts. 69. Engraving or carving in low relief on a stone 67. (Greek mythology) Goddess of discord. (as in a brooch or ring). 68. United States writer (born in Poland) who 71. Where the air is unconfined. wrote in Yiddish (1880-1957). 73. How long something has existed. 70. The address of a web page on the world wide 74. A percussion instrument with wooden bars web. tuned to produce a chromatic scale and with res- 72. The month following September and preced- onators. ing November. 77. Elegant and stylish. 75. A soft yellow malleable ductile (trivalent and 78. Small cubes with 1 to 6 spots on the faces. univalent) metallic element. 79. Mainly nocturnal North American goatsucker. 76. Being nine more than forty. Yesterday’s Solution

Daily SuDoku Yesterday’s Solution Classifieds

SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2015

Kuwait KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (21/05/2015 TO 27/05/2015)

SHARQIA-1 SPOOKS: THE GREATER GOOD 10:30 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 7:45 PM TOMORROWLAND 9:30 PM POLTERGEIST 11:30 AM SPOOKS: THE GREATER GOOD 12:45 AM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 10:00 PM TOMORROWLAND 12:05 AM MAD MAX: FURY ROAD 1:30 PM POLTERGEIST 12:15 AM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 3:45 PM FANAR-4 AL-KOUT.2 ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 6:00 PM TOMORROWLAND 11:30 AM AVENUES-5 SPOOKS: THE GREATER GOOD 12:15 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 8:15 PM TOMORROWLAND 2:00 PM TOMORROWLAND 11:30 AM POLTERGEIST 2:30 PM MAD MAX: FURY ROAD 10:30 PM TOMORROWLAND 4:30 PM TOMORROWLAND 2:15 PM POLTERGEIST 4:30 PM MAD MAX: FURY ROAD 12:45 AM TOMORROWLAND 7:15 PM Special Show “TOMORROWLAND” 2:15 PM SPOOKS: THE GREATER GOOD 6:30 PM TOMORROWLAND 9:45 PM TOMORROWLAND 5:00 PM POLTERGEIST 8:45 PM SHARQIA-2 TOMORROWLAND 12:30 AM TOMORROWLAND 7:45 PM SPOOKS: THE GREATER GOOD 10:45 PM department of reputed TOMORROWLAND 11:30 AM Special Show “MAD MAX: FURY ROAD”7:45 PM POLTERGEIST 1:00 AM FOR SALE companies having middle TOMORROWLAND 2:00 PM FANAR-5 TOMORROWLAND 10:30 PM to senior level vacancy may Galant 2004, grey, 140K TOMORROWLAND 4:30 PM MAD MAX: FURY ROAD 12:30 PM OUT OF THE DARK 1:15 AM AL-KOUT.3 please contact mobile: TOMORROWLAND 7:00 PM POLTERGEIST 3:00 PM OUT OF THE DARK 12:00 PM lady driven, KD 650, one 50519450 or email: TOMORROWLAND 9:30 PM POLTERGEIST 5:00 PM AVENUES-6 SPOOKS: THE GREATER GOOD 2:00 PM year passing, call 67014100. TOMORROWLAND 12:05 AM MAD MAX: FURY ROAD 7:00 PM OUT OF THE DARK 11:30 AM OUT OF THE DARK 4:15 PM (C 4987) [email protected] MAD MAX: FURY ROAD 9:30 PM MAD MAX: FURY ROAD - 3D 1:30 PM OUT OF THE DARK 6:15 PM (C 4984) SHARQIA-3 TOMORROWLAND 12:05 AM MAD MAX: FURY ROAD 4:00 PM OUT OF THE DARK 8:30 PM 1999, white 340K, 17-5-2015 OUT OF THE DARK 1:00 PM MAD MAX: FURY ROAD - 3D 6:30 PM OUT OF THE DARK 10:30 PM Galant POLTERGEIST 3:00 PM MARINA-1 MAD MAX: FURY ROAD 9:00 PM SPOOKS: THE GREATER GOOD 12:30 AM excellent engine, one year passing, KD 450, call OUT OF THE DARK 5:00 PM OUT OF THE DARK 12:30 PM MAD MAX: FURY ROAD 11:30 PM LOST POLTERGEIST 7:00 PM OUT OF THE DARK 2:30 PM AL-KOUT.4 67014100. 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Directorate General of Civil Aviation Home Page (www.kuwait-airport.com.kw)

Arrival Flights on Saturday 23/5/2015 KAC 540 Sharm el-Sheikh 14:50 JZR 185 Dubai 22:55 UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 Airlines Flt Route Time IZG 4161 Mashhad 14:50 JAI 526 Chennai/Abu Dhabi 23:00 MSR 576 Sharm el-Sheikh 14:40 QTR 1084 Doha 00:05 ABY 127 Sharjah 14:55 JZR 513 Sharm el-Sheikh 23:30 KAC 741 Dammam 14:40 PIA 205 Lahore 00:15 KAC 788 Jeddah 15:00 FDB 071 Dubai 23:35 IRC 527 Mashhad 15:00 THY 772 Istanbul 00:15 RJD 135 Abu Dhabi 15:00 Departure Flights on Saturday 23/5/2015 QTR 1079 Doha 15:05 JZR 239 Amman 00:20 KNE 462 Madinah 15:05 Airlines Flt Route Time GFA 222 Bahrain 15:05 JZR 267 Beirut 00:30 UAE 857 Dubai 15:45 AIC 976 Goa/Chennai 00:05 FDB 058 Dubai 15:05 DLH 637 Dammam 00:35 OMA 645 Muscat 15:50 BBC 044 Dhaka 00:10 KNE 481 Taif 15:10 FDB 068 Dubai 00:55 NIA 251 Alexandria 15:50 JZR 562 Sohag 00:20 KAC 617 Doha 15:15 JZR 539 Cairo 01:30 JZR 257 Beirut 15:55 JAI 573 Mumbai 00:25 KAC 673 Dubai 15:20 JAI 574 Mumbai 01:30 RJA 640 Amman 15:55 FDB 072 Dubai 00:30 IZG 4168 Mashhad 15:30 SAI 441 Lahore 01:35 SYR 341 Damascus 15:55 KLM 413 Amsterdam 00:55 JZR 188 Dubai 15:50 PGT 858 Istanbul 01:40 KNE 472 Jeddah 16:00 JZR 502 Luxor 01:10 KAC 773 Riyadh 15:55 RJA 642 Amman 01:45 JZR 535 Cairo 16:05 PIA 206 Lahore 01:30 KNE 463 Madinah 16:00 KKK 6507 Istanbul 02:15 FDB 051 Dubai 16:10 DLH 637 Frankfurt 01:35 KAC 613 Bahrain 16:00 GFA 211 Bahrain 02:15 KAC 512 Mashhad 16:10 THY 773 Istanbul 02:05 IZG 4162 Mashhad 16:10 UAE 853 Dubai 02:25 QTR 1072 Doha 16:20 SAI 442 Lahore 02:35 RJD 136 Abu Dhabi 16:10 OMA 643 Muscat 02:35 JZR 125 Bahrain 16:25 JAI 525 Abu Dhabi/Chennai 02:55 ABY 128 Sharjah 16:15 ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 03:05 KAC 118 New York 16:30 PGT 859 Istanbul 02:55 NIA 252 Alexandria 16:50 QTR 1076 Doha 03:05 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 16:50 KKK 6508 Istanbul 03:10 OMA 646 Muscat 16:50 FDB 067 Dubai 03:15 KNE 474 Jeddah 16:55 OMA 644 Muscat 03:35 SYR 342 Damascus 16:55 MSR 612 Cairo 03:15 KAC 562 Amman 17:00 UAE 854 Dubai 03:45 RJA 641 Amman 16:55 KAC 1544 Cairo 03:35 IRA 669 Mashhad 17:10 FDB 068 Dubai 04:00 KNE 473 Jeddah 16:55 MSC 401 Alexandria 04:00 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15 QTR 1077 Doha 04:05 JZR 266 Beirut 17:05 PGT 860 Istanbul 04:05 UAL 982 IAD 17:25 ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:05 FDB 052 Dubai 17:10 JZR 555 Alexandria 04:15 JZR 357 Mashhad 17:30 MSR 613 Cairo 04:15 JZR 512 Sharm el-Sheikh 17:15 THY 770 Istanbul 04:40 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 PGT 861 Istanbul 04:45 QTR 1073 Doha 17:25 DHX 170 Bahrain 05:10 KAC 742 Dammam 17:45 THY 765 Istanbul 04:55 UAE 858 Dubai 17:40 KAC 416 Jakarta/Kuala Lumpur 06:00 JZR 177 Dubai 17:45 MSC 406 Sohag 05:00 ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 17:40 KAC 412 Manila/Bangkok 06:15 JZR 777 Jeddah 17:50 QTR 1085 Doha 05:20 KNE 475 Jeddah 17:50 BAW 157 London 06:35 SVA 500 Jeddah 18:00 RJA 643 Amman 06:35 IRA 666 Esfahan 18:10 JZR 563 Sohag 06:45 FDB 065 Dubai 18:05 GFA 212 Bahrain 06:50 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15 JZR 503 Luxor 07:20 IRM 1180 Mashhad 18:10 THY 771 Istanbul 06:50 JZR 184 Dubai 18:20 KAC 382 Delhi 07:30 KAC 176 Geneva/Frankfurt 18:20 FDB 070 Dubai 07:05 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 KAC 206 Islamabad 07:45 KAC 502 Beirut 18:35 JZR 240 Amman 07:05 KAC 563 Amman 18:30 KAC 204 Lahore 07:50 KAC 786 Jeddah 18:35 JZR 164 Dubai 07:15 JZR 156 Dubai 18:35 FDB 053 Dubai 07:50 CLX 856 Luxembourg 18:50 JZR 324 Al Najaf 07:55 KAC 287 Dhaka 18:35 KAC 302 Mumbai 07:55 QTR 1080 Doha 18:55 BAW 156 London 08:30 JZR 538 Cairo 18:40 QTR 1086 Doha 07:55 KAC 618 Doha 18:55 FDB 054 Dubai 08:30 UAL 982 Bahrain 18:40 KAC 352 Kochi 08:15 KAC 542 Cairo 18:55 JZR 778 Jeddah 08:30 JZR 238 Amman 18:45 KAC 344 Chennai 08:15 KAC 104 London 19:00 JZR 256 Beirut 08:30 FDB 066 Dubai 18:55 UAE 855 Dubai 08:25 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:05 KAC 539 Sharm el-Sheikh 08:50 IRM 1187 Tehran 19:10 KAC 362 Colombo 08:30 UAE 875 Dubai 19:05 QTR 1087 Doha 08:55 SVA 505 Jeddah 19:30 ABY 125 Sharjah 09:05 FDB 063 Dubai 19:10 JZR 534 Cairo 09:15 GFA 218 Bahrain 19:50 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 09:10 KAC 614 Bahrain 19:10 KAC 671 Dubai 09:25 FDB 064 Dubai 19:50 IRM 1186 Tehran 09:15 ABY 123 Sharjah 19:20 KAC 787 Jeddah 09:30 QTR 1081 Doha 19:55 KAC 284 Dhaka 09:25 JAI 572 Mumbai 19:35 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:45 ABY 124 Sharjah 20:00 RJA 648 Amman 09:30 KAC 774 Riyadh 19:40 UAE 856 Dubai 09:50 KAC 361 Colombo 20:00 KAC 350 Kochi 09:40 FDB 061 Dubai 19:50 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:00 CLX 856 Hong Kong 20:20 FDB 055 Dubai 09:40 AGY 684 Sohag 19:50 KAC 101 London/New York 10:00 UAE 876 Dubai 20:35 QTR 1070 Doha 10:00 OMA 647 Muscat 20:00 RJA 649 Amman 10:15 JAI 571 Mumbai 20:35 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 KAC 674 Dubai 20:00 KAC 511 Mashhad 10:20 FDB 062 Dubai 20:35 UAE 873 Dubai 10:40 KNE 480 Taif 20:10 IRM 1181 Mashhad 10:25 KAC 351 Kochi 20:45 JZR 325 Al Najaf 11:20 MEA 402 Beirut 20:15 FDB 056 Dubai 10:40 AGY 681 Alexandria 20:50 MSC 405 Sohag 11:20 ABY 121 Sharjah 20:20 QTR 1071 Doha 11:00 KAC 1543 Cairo 20:55 RBG 553 Alexandria 11:30 DLH 634 Frankfurt 20:20 KAC 501 Beirut 11:00 KAC 333 Trivandrum 20:55 AGY 680 Alexandria 11:40 JZR 189 Dubai 20:25 KAC 165 Rome/Paris 11:25 OMA 648 Muscat 21:00 IRM 1188 Mashhad 11:45 MSR 618 Alexandria 20:30 KAC 561 Amman 11:25 ABY 122 Sharjah 21:00 JZR 165 Dubai 11:50 JAD 301 Amman 20:55 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:35 KNE 461 Riyadh 21:10 IAW 157 Al Najaf 12:00 KLM 415 Amsterdam 21:05 JZR 356 Mashhad 11:40 JZR 554 Alexandria 21:15 FDB 075 Dubai 12:25 ALK 229 Colombo 21:10 KAC 541 Cairo 12:05 MEA 403 Beirut 21:15 JZR 241 Amman 12:40 UAE 859 Dubai 21:15 UAE 874 Dubai 12:10 MSR 607 Luxor 21:30 UAE 871 Dubai 12:45 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:15 RBG 554 Alexandria 12:10 JAD 302 Amman 21:35 MSR 610 Cairo 13:00 FDB 073 Dubai 21:30 JZR 776 Jeddah 12:15 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 THY 766 Istanbul 13:10 QTR 1074 Doha 21:30 MSC 402 Alexandria 12:20 KLM 415 Dammam/Amsterdam 22:05 JZR 779 Jeddah 13:50 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:45 AGY 685 Sohag 12:40 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:05 KAC 672 Dubai 13:55 KNE 470 Jeddah 22:05 IAW 158 Al Najaf 13:00 FDB 074 Dubai 22:10 MSR 575 Sharm el-Sheikh 13:55 THY 764 Istanbul 22:10 KAC 785 Jeddah 13:00 KAC 381 Delhi 22:20 IRC 526 Mashhad 14:00 ETD 309 Abu Dhabi 22:10 IRM 1189 Mashhad 13:10 ALK 230 Colombo 22:20 QTR 1078 Doha 14:05 AIC 987 Chennai/Hyderabad 22:25 FDB 076 Dubai 13:10 UAE 860 Dubai 22:25 KNE 460 Riyadh 14:10 UAL 981 Bahrain 22:40 JZR 176 Dubai 13:10 KAC 349 Kochi 22:30 FDB 057 Dubai 14:20 MSC 407 Sohag 22:45 JZR 124 Bahrain 13:30 KAC 301 Mumbai 22:30 GFA 221 Bahrain 14:20 FDB 059 Dubai 22:50 MSR 611 Cairo 14:00 QTR 1075 Doha 22:40 IZG 4167 Mashhad 14:30 JZR 157 Dubai 22:55 THY 767 Istanbul 14:10 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:45 DIAL161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2015 SPORTS

Mourinho: I won’t give Choi has a target on his Bangladesh skipper faces medal away this time mind at SK Telecom fitness race for India Test SEOUL: After taking a near two-year break from golf to ful- DHAKA: Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim faces a race against time to be fit for the LONDON: Jose Mourinho will receive a third Premier League winners’ fil his military service requirement, South Korea’s Choi Jin- one-off test against India next month after the wicketkeeper-batsman was advised a medal tomorrow but the Chelsea manager is not feeling so charitable this ho is keen to make up for lost time and will take a two-shot week’s rest to recover from a finger injury. The 28-year-old injured the third finger on his time-meaning no surprise souvenir for a lucky fan at Stamford Bridge. lead into the SK Telecom Open third round after shooting a right hand in the opening test against Pakistan at Khulna last month and ignored advice After claiming a second English title in 2006 following a 3-0 win against four-under 68 yesterday. Manchester United, Mourinho launched his medal and to skip the next match at Dhaka to deny himself full recovery. “Since he was complaining In his third tournament back since leaving the military, of pain we did the necessary medical examinations again on his right hand,” Bangladesh blazer into the crowd. Chelsea host Sunderland in Choi shot a second consecutive 68 at Incheon’s Sky 72 their final game of the season on Sunday where Cricket Board (BCB) physician Debashis Chowdhury told the Daily Star Ocean Course to top the leaderboard ahead of compatriot newspaper. “The report confirmed that the internal damage is yet to they will be presented with the Premier League Kang Sung-hoon, with Ryan Fox, son of New Zealand rug- completely heal and that’s why the swelling and the pain is still there. trophy for the first time since 2010. by great Grant, a shot further back on five under. We have advised him to take full rest for one week before further “My son now is collecting all my stuff,” the Choi, who won three times on the domestic tour before Portuguese told a news conference on Friday. going into the military, has wasted little time getting back assessment.” “He keeps everything. “At that time (2006) he into the swing of things, finishing tied for 20th at last Fatullah hosts the test from June 10 before the teams play was too young, but in this moment he is collect- week’s Maekyung Open. South Korea requires all able bod- three one-dayers at Mirpur on June 18, 21 and 24. The hosts are ing everything. Shirts, medals-he steals every- ied men between the ages of 18 and 35 to undertake at also concerned over the fitness of paceman Rubel Hossain. thing from me.” Mourinho was named Premier least 21 months in the military as a counter measure to “He is not fully fit. Rubel could not reach our expected level of League manager of the season for potential North Korean aggression. While some athletes fitness today, so we can not declare him 100 percent fit,” the third time following previ- can continue their careers playing for the military’s sports Chowdhury said. “He has failed to achieve the desired level of ous triumphs in 2005 and wing, Choi was unable to do so as the golf programme had fitness on time as he missed few important sessions owing 2006. —Reuters been phased out by 2000.—Reuters to his personal problems.”—Reuters Giants win, Mets down Cardinals

SAN FRANCISCO: Madison Bumgarner homered off Clayton Kershaw and once again outpitched the reigning NL MVP and Cy Young winner, too, as the San Francisco Giants shut out the Los Angeles Dodgers for the third straight day, 4-0 on Thursday. The Giants outscored the Dodgers 10-0 in sweeping the three-game series. This was the third time this season that Bumgarner, the current World Series MVP, had started against Kershaw - the Giants have won all three. Bumgarner (5-2) worked around seven hits and two walks in 6 1-3 innings, striking out six. He improved to 9-3 in his last 13 starts against the Dodgers. Bumgarner became the first pitcher to homer off Kershaw (2-3). The Giants’ star connected for his seventh career home run, hitting a solo shot into the bleachers in left in the third. Last year, Bumgarner hit four home runs, including two grand slams. He had managed just one single in 17 at-bats this year going into the game.

METS 5, CARDINALS 0 Jacob deGrom retired his final 23 batters following a first-inning single, and Lucas Duda hit two long homers to nearly the same spot in New York’s victory over St. Louis. In his latest stingy start at Citi Field, deGrom struck out 11 over eight dominant innings. His only blemish was Matt Carpenter’s clean single with one out in the first. Michael Cuddyer had his first three-hit game of the season and also walked for a perfect day at the plate. John Mayberry Jr. put the slumping Mets lineup on the scoreboard with an RBI single in the fourth. Besides the single by Carpenter, the lone Cardinals hitter to reach base was Kolten Wong with a two-out single off Jeurys Familia in the ninth. The lack of offense left Jaime Garcia (0-1) little chance to win his first major league start since last June. The reigning NL Rookie of the Year, deGrom (5-4) posted his fifth double-digit strikeout game and first since Sept. 21 at Atlanta. He entered with a 1.61 ERA in 15 home games, and SAN FRANCISCO: Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford leaps over Los Angeles Dodgers’ Jimmy Rollins to complete a double play during the eighth inning of a baseball game. —AP improved to 10-1 in his past 12 starts at Citi Field. error by second baseman Hector Gomez. and Brad Boxberger, who pitched the ninth for drove in Boston’s run, tying Fred McGriff for 43rd pitches in a perfect ninth for his first save since BRAVES 10, BREWERS 1 his 12th save, all threw an inning. on the career list with 1,550 RBIs. last June 8. Sam Dyson (2-1) was the loser. Julio Teheran pitched seven strong innings ORIOLES 5, MARINERS 4 DeJesus had an RBI double in the fourth and and Atlanta took advantage of Milwaukee reliev- Steve Pearce hit his first career grand slam, JJ hit a solo homer during a two-run seventh that BLUE JAYS 8, ANGELS 4 INDIANS 5, WHITE SOX 2 er Will Smith’s seventh-inning ejection for Hardy singled in the tiebreaking run in the put Tampa Bay up 3-0. The Rays (23-19), who RA Dickey snapped a two-start losing streak Danny Salazar threw six scoreless innings and allegedly using pine tar. eighth inning and Baltimore weathered a took a half-game lead over the idle New York with a complete game, Edwin Encarnacion hit a was backed by first-inning home runs from Nick Play was stopped briefly with Atlanta leading lengthy rain delay and a comeback by Seattle. Yankees, have held opponents to two or fewer three-run home run and Toronto beat Los Swisher and Mike Aviles, leading Cleveland past 2-1 and the bases loaded with one out in the After Pearce connected in the first inning for a runs in 21 of 42 games this season. Angeles. Danny Valencia added a solo homer to Chicago. Salazar was coming off his worst start of seventh when Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez 4-0 lead, the Orioles managed only one more hit Jesse Chavez (1-4) allowed three runs and five help the Blue Jays won for the second time in the season in which he allowed five earned runs successfully argued that Smith had pine tar on until Chris Davis led off the eighth with a single hits in six-plus innings for Oakland, which has nine games. It was Dickey’s first nine-inning com- in 4 2-3 innings against Texas on May 16. He his right forearm. off Danny Farquhar (0-3). Davis advanced on a lost 13 of 15. It’s the first time the A’s (14-29) have plete game since June 26, 2013, when he beat recovered to help the Indians take three of four Crew chief Jim Joyce walked over to the groundout and scored on an awkward slide after been 15 games under .500 since Sept. 27, 2011. Tampa Bay. He had an eight-inning compete from Chicago while winning their third straight mound, touched a shiny substance on Smith’s Hardy bounced a single up the middle. game in a loss at Oakland last July. for the first time this season. arm and ejected the pitcher from the game. Tommy Hunter (1-1) worked out of a bases- TIGERS 6, ASTROS 5 Dickey (2-5) allowed four runs and five hits, Salazar (5-1) walked three, but struck out Gonzalez claimed that Smith was breaking the loaded jam in the eighth and Zach Britton got James McCann hit a leadoff home run in the walked two and struck out a season-high seven. eight while giving up five hits to hand Chicago rules after the left-hander threw a pitch that three straight outs for his ninth save. 11th inning, lifting Detroit over Houston. David Freese hit a two-run homer and Marc its first series loss at home. John Danks (2-4) bounced in front of the plate and hit pinch-hitter Although the Mariners rallied from the early McCann sent an 0-2 pitch from Tony Sipp (2-1) Krauss added a solo shot for Los Angeles. The allowed five runs and six hits in 5 1-3 innings. Pedro Ciriaco, the only batter he faced. Teheran deficit, they went 3 for 15 with runners in scoring into the Tigers’ bullpen, just beyond the reach of Angels had won nine of their previous 11 in Chicago’s Jose Abreu went 1 for 4 and extend- (4-1) allowed two hits, one run, one walk and position and had 13 left on base. Playing his first leaping left fielder Colby Rasmus. It was the sec- Toronto. ed his hitting streak to 16 games. Tyler Flowers struck out eight in seven innings game with Seattle after being traded from the ond homer of his career. hit a two-run homer with two outs in the ninth Christian Bethancourt’s RBI single chased Cubs on Tuesday, catcher Welington Castillo Alex Wilson (2-0) pitched two scoreless DIAMONDBACKS 7, MARLINS 6 off Bryan Shaw to avoid the shutout. Brewers starter Matt Garza (2-6) with one out drove in a run and scored one. innings for the win. Detroit led 5-0 after six AJ Pollock beat out a run-scoring infield hit in the seventh. After Smith hit Ciriaco, the next innings. Pinch-hitter Preston Tucker tied it with with two out in the eighth inning, and Arizona ROCKIES 7, PHILLIES 3 two pitchers - Neal Cotts and Michael Blazek - RAYS 3, ATHLETICS 0 one out in the ninth, connecting off Joakim Soria beat Miami to complete its first four-game sweep Michael McKenry hit a two-run homer and combined to allow RBI singles to Jace Peterson Alex Colome and four relievers combined on for his first career homer. Astros reliever Josh in seven seasons. It was the fifth four-game road Jorge De La Rosa became Colorado’s career and Freddie Freeman, Cameron Maybin’s two- a six-hitter, David DeJesus drove in two runs and Fields got the first out in the bottom of the ninth, sweep in Diamondbacks history. The Marlins mis- strikeouts leader, helping the Rockies beat run single and Nick Markakis’ RBI double. Tampa Bay beat Oakland to take sole possession but had to leave the game after Anthony Gose’s handled two sacrifice bunts, including one in the Philadelphia. De La Rosa fanned Freddy Galvis on Freeman scored the last run of the inning of first place in the AL East. liner hit him on the right knee. Will Harris came eighth, and fell to 0-7 on their homestand. The the fourth for this 774th strikeout in a Rockies when Jonny Gomes, batting for the second Colome (3-1) gave up four hits over five in to strike out Ian Kinsler and Miguel Cabrera to Marlins’ seven-game losing streak is their longest uniform, moving past Ubaldo Jimenez. The left- time in the seventh, reached on a throwing innings. Steve Geltz, Kevin Jepsen, Jake McGee send the game to extra innings. since they dropped eight straight in April 2014. hander struck out five in 4 1-3 innings. Christian Dan Jennings fell to 0-4 since he replaced Mike Bergman (2-0) got a pair of flyouts in the fifth. CUBS 3, PADRES 0 Redmond as manager. It’s the worst start by a Troy Tulowitzki added a two-run single for the Kyle Hendricks threw a five-hitter for his first first-time manager since Tony DeFrancesco Rockies. Brandon Barnes, just recently called up career complete game and shutout, and Kris opened 0-4 after taking over Houston in 2012. from Triple-A Albuquerque, had four hits. Jerome Bryant hit a two-run home run to help Chicago Arizona’s Yasmany Tomas had two hits for his Williams (3-4) gave up five runs over five innings beat San Diego. sixth consecutive multi-hit game. The four-game in his first start against Colorado in 10 years. Hendricks (1-1) struck out seven with no sweep was the first for the Diamondbacks since Ryan Howard kept up his torrid hitting at Coors walks. Only one baserunner advanced to second September 2008 against the Giants. Field, lining a solo homer in the fifth. He’s hitting base. Hendricks came in with six no-decisions in Andrew Chafin (2-0) pitched 1 1/3 perfect .395 over his last nine games at the hitter-friend- seven starts, including one against San Diego at innings, and Brad Ziegler needed only nine ly field. —AP Wrigley Field on April 18. Bryant homered to straightaway center field on the seventh pitch of the game by Odrisamer Despaigne (2-3). Dexter MLB results/standings Fowler was aboard on a walk for Bryant’s fifth homer. Bryant made his big league debut on Arizona 7, Miami 6; Baltimore 5, Seattle 4; Detroit 6, Houston 5 (11 innings); NY Mets 5, St. Louis 0; Colorado 7, April 17 against the Padres at Wrigley Field. He Philadelphia 3; San Francisco 4, LA Dodgers 0; Toronto 8, LA Angels 4; Texas 3, Boston 1; Atlanta 10, Milwaukee starred at the University of San Diego before the 1; Tampa Bay 3, Oakland 0; Cleveland 5, Chicago White Sox 2; Chicago Cubs 3, San Diego 0. Cubs took him with the second pick overall in the 2013 amateur draft. American League National League Eastern Division Eastern Division W L PCT GB RANGERS 3, RED SOX 1 Washington 24 17 .585 - Tampa Bay 23 19 .548 - NY Mets 24 18 .571 0.5 Mitch Moreland hit a solo homer and drove in NY Yankees 22 19 .537 0.5 Atlanta 20 20 .500 3.5 two runs, Wandy Rodriguez pitched 6 2-3 solid Baltimore 18 20 .474 3 Philadelphia 18 25 .419 7 innings and Texas beat Boston. Boston 19 22 .463 3.5 Miami 16 26 .381 8.5 Moreland added two singles for the Rangers. Toronto 19 24 .442 4.5 Central Division Central Division St. Louis 27 14 .659 - They won for the third time in four games to cap- Kansas City 26 14 .650 - Chicago Cubs 23 17 .575 3.5 ture the series after losing the opener. Detroit 25 17 .595 2 Rodriguez (2-2) allowed one run and four hits, Minnesota 23 17 .575 3 Cincinnati 18 22 .450 8.5 struck out five and walked two after not getting Chicago White Sox 18 20 .474 7 Pittsburgh 18 22 .450 8.5 Milwaukee 15 27 .35712.5 out of the fifth inning in his previous start, a loss Cleveland 17 23 .425 9 Western Division Western Division to Cleveland last Friday when he gave up eight Houston 27 15 .643 - LA Dodgers 24 16 .600 - hits and five runs. Shawn Tolleson got three outs LA Angels 21 20 .512 5.5 San Francisco 23 18 .561 1.5 for the save. Seattle 18 22 .450 8 San Diego 20 22 .476 5 Clay Buchholz (2-5) gave up three runs - two Texas 18 23 .439 8.5 Arizona 19 21 .475 5 NEW YORK: St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Jaime Garcia (54) delivers in the second Oakland 14 29 .326 13.5 Colorado 15 23 .395 8 inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets. —AP earned - and five hits in 7 2-3 innings. David Ortiz SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2015 SPORTS

Nadal, Djokovic face French Open last-eight duel

PARIS: Nine-time champion Rafael which starts Sunday, riding a 22-match again, it’s a draw. You can’t affect it. Munich and Madrid this year and with a Sloane Stephens in Serena’s half. Nadal and world number one Novak unbeaten streak and has already cap- There is always a chance that that’s 10-0 record on the surface, starting Stephens could face the two-time Djokovic were placed on a mouth- tured a fifth Australian Open and gonna happen.” against a qualifier. Murray, a semi-final- champion in the last 16 but she starts watering French Open quarter-final col- Masters crowns in Indian Wells, Miami, The other potential quarter-finals ist last year, could face Australian hope against Venus. In contrast, second seed- lision course in Friday’s draw. Monte Carlo and Rome this year. could see second seed Roger Federer, Nick Kyrgios, who beat Federer in ed defending champion Maria Nadal is seeded a lowly sixth this Djokovic, bidding to become only the 2009 champion, face Swiss compa- Madrid, in the third round. Sharapova starts against experienced year after slipping to seven in the rank- the eighth man to complete the career triot Stan Wawrinka. In the women’s singles, top seed Estonian Kaia Kanepi and could tackle ings and as a result was always likely to Grand Slam, starts his campaign in Paris Third seeded Andy Murray was Serena Williams was handed a tough Spanish claycourter Carla Sanchez face one of his major rivals in the last against experienced 33-year-old Finn drawn for a potential last-eight clash draw which could see the American tak- Navarro in the quarter-finals. eight. “It’s very strange,” admitted Nadal, Jarkko Nieminen while Nadal begins against David Ferrer while Tomas ing on old rival Victoria Azarenka and Former number one Caroline promoted to the sixth seeding after the against 18-year-old French wildcard Berdych could tackle Japan’s Kei sister Venus before the quarter-finals. Wozniacki is a possible last-eight oppo- injury-enforced pull-out of Canada’s Quentin Halys, the world number 304. Nishikori. Federer, the 2009 champion, Williams, the 2002 and 2013 champi- nent for Williams. Third seed Simona Milos Raonic. “It’s never happened The world number one said he starts against a qualifier but has Latvian on and just three majors shy of match- Halep, the runner-up in 2014, could before. “But I have to play four matches wasn’t surprised by the draw which put 24th seed Ernests Gulbis, who knocked ing Steffi Graf’s Open-era record of 22 meet 2008 champion Ana Ivanovic in to get to the quarter-finals. I have to be Nadal into his section. “I think that even him out in the fourth round last year, Grand Slam titles, starts against a quali- the quarter-finals. ready for the first round.” Nadal defeated a few weeks ago when Rafa dropped also in his section. fier but could meet sister Venus in the Petra Kvitova, the fourth-seeded Djokovic in the 2012 and 2014 finals, from the top four, I think people already French star Gael Monfils, who defeat- last 16. Wimbledon champion is in Serena’s half but the top-seeded Serb, who turned 28 started talking the eventual quarter- ed Federer at the Davis Cup final in Two-time Australian Open winner of the draw and a potential semi-final yesterday, is the overwhelming finals with one of the top guys. So it’s 2014, is a potential fourth round oppo- and former number one Azarenka is a rival. Kvitova knocked the American out favourite for a maiden Roland Garros not a surprise,” said the Serb. nent. Murray is a possible semi-final potential third round opponent for of Madrid this month, ending the 19- title this year. “It’s been something that was build- opponent for Djokovic as well as Nadal Williams. Adding extra spice to the draw time major winner’s 27-match win Djokovic goes into the French Open, ing up already for a few weeks. But with the Scot, the champion on clay in is the presence of bitter American rival streak. —AFP ‘VCB’ready to run faster

JAMAICA: Veronica Campbell-Brown, the The fall-out from the case, she said, did first lady of Jamaican sprinting, believes set her back last season when she looked a she will run faster than ever after enduring shadow of the woman who has garnered an ordeal she trusts no other athlete will seven Olympic and nine world champi- have to suffer. onship medals. The suspicion then was that The triple Olympic champion turned 33 maybe after such a traumatic interruption last week but said her “best days are still to her career and in her thirties, her career ahead” now she has recovered from the could be in terminal decline. traumatic episode which saw her pilloried Yet Campbell-Brown, who says she as a drugs cheat before she was cleared of thinks she will still be around to challenge a potentially career-ending doping offence. at the 2017 world championships in “It was very unfair and I hope no athlete London, insisted: “I do believe age is just a will ever go through what I went through,” number and that my best days are ahead of Campbell-Brown reflected in an interview me.” She said, for instance, that she had with Reuters after starting her 2015 cam- “never put a really good 100 metres paign in impressive form in China. “It’s together”-astonishing, considering that she tough, especially when you know you’re won a world title in the event in 2007 — innocent and your name has been dragged and that she felt she could surpass her four- through the mud and people who had no year-old best of 10.76 seconds. clue were speaking evil stuff. As for her 200m, she looked good flying “But people go to jail for crimes they round Beijing’s Bird’s Nest in 22.68 last didn’t commit. It’s part of life and I take my week, seven years since she landed the sec- inspiration from those who have suffered at ond of her two Olympic half-lap titles there. the hands of wickedness.” In August, she intends to be back on Campbell-Brown received a two-year that track at the world championships and ban after testing positive for a banned she pointed out that the record number of diuretic in 2013 and says she went through Olympic medals won by any woman track an emotionally and financially crippling and field athlete is nine, by her compatriot experience as she fought to clear her name. and friend Merlene Ottey. So three more in She even took and passed a lie detector the 100m, 200m and relay in Rio de Janeiro test while her name was being smeared next year would give her 10. before the Court of Arbitration for Sport There is an indomitable quality about (CAS) finally exonerated her last Spring. VCB. One thing that upset her most about CAS noted the blatant flaws in the collec- the drugs slurs was that her Foundation, NEW YORK: Jordan Burroughs of the United States (in red) competes against Luis Esteban Quintana Martinez, of Cuba, during a freestyle tion procedures and possible “environmen- which she created to provide scholarships wrestling event in Times Square. —AP tal contamination” of her urine sample and mentoring programmes for high because of “deplorable” mistakes by school girls in Jamaica, suffered financially. Jamaican athletics and anti-doping offi- “I still want to inspire young women,” she cials. said. She also wants her ailing sport to Cuba and US wrestlers inspire again. “There are so many great ath- MUD STICKS letes out there and we have to uplift and While a nation which has always better promote them all,” she said. And that believed in their “VCB” celebrated, means not just her old Trelawny neighbour, Campbell-Brown knows how some mud a certain Usain Bolt. tussle in Times Square can always stick. “Well, Usain is great, Usain is well-loved, “Life is challenging at times, it was he’s energetic, he’s fun and he’s been doing rough and even to this day, I really don’t a good job carrying the sport. But I do NEW YORK: World class wrestlers from Cuba and two nations. Right now in Cuba you can’t really Streets, which promotes the sport in urban com- know what happened but one thing I can believe he could do with some help. If the the United States celebrated the improving rela- see the changes. But when the door opens munities, the event began with youth competi- say for sure is that I’ve never used drugs in burden is not only his, it will help promote tions between the countries on Thursday with more, you are going to see trade, going to see tors tussling on the mat erected in the shadow my career. I’ve been clean and honest all and push the sport. “As a sport, we have to an outdoor exhibition amid the hubbub of business.” The wrestling showdown precedes a of a statue of fabled Broadway showman George my life,” she said. regain trust at all levels so we can get the Times Square. Billed as “Salsa in the Square,” the trip to Havana by the New York Cosmos soccer M. Cohan. “A lot of people may speculate or insinu- support we need. There’s too much nega- event opened at rush hour and ended at night- team for a game against Cuba next month, and A section of reserved seating in narrow Duffy ate, they can say what they want to say, but tivity, finger-pointing and cynicism that is fall with Olympic champion Jordan Burroughs the hope of Major League Baseball Square was surrounded by police barriers that the bottom line is as long as my conscience stopping us progress. I don’t know how we registering the only pin of the showdown, taking Commissioner Rob Manfred to arrange some held back hordes of families, fans and bemused is clear and me, my family, my friends and do it but we’ve got to go out, work hard down Luis Esteban Quintana Martinez in a bout games next year in baseball-mad Cuba. onlookers crowding in to watch. God knows the truth, then I don’t care what and compete hard and clean. That’s what lit only by the massive electronic screens that Burroughs said the emphatic finish in his 74 people say.” I’ve always done.”—Reuters dominate the area. CRUCIAL NEXT STEP kg (163 pounds) bout was fueled by the audi- The U.S. team of Olympians and world cham- Talks between the United States and Cuba are ence. “I was lifted by the crowd’s energy,” he said. pionship wrestlers won nine of the 13 bouts going on in Washington as the sides try to reach The American’s victory came after an entertain- against their Cuban counterparts, but the event agreement on reopening embassies shut for ing 18-7 win by two-time world silver medalist went well beyond bragging rights. “This is an more than half a century, the crucial next step in Reineris Salas Perez of Cuba in his 86 kg bout excellent tournament, an excellent opportunity,” their historic detente. against Jake Herbert. Cuban team leader Eduardo Perez told Reuters. The opening of embassies in Washington and Burroughs was looking forward to “We appreciate the invitation. This is some- Havana is part of an agreement struck between September’s world championships in Las Vegas, thing that we hope to build on, to come back U.S. President Barack Obama and Cuban but even more so to Rio and the 2016 Olympics. again and it will make the United States and President Raul Castro in December to reestablish “I’ve done it once in London and once you Cuba strong. diplomatic ties severed by the United States in have that feeling, that emotion and that moment “Hopefully the relationship continues and the 1961 soon after Cuba’s revolution. of jubilation on top of the podium, you spend relationship keeps getting stronger between the Jointly staged by USA Wrestling and Beat the your whole life chasing it again.” —Reuters Blackhawks fall to Ducks

CHICAGO: Anaheim handed Chicago their first home loss of the NHL playoffs on Thursday after a 2-1 win in Game Three put the Ducks ahead by the same margin in the Western Conference final series. Simon Despres broke a 1-1 tie in the final minute of the second period as Anaheim bounced back from a triple-overtime defeat in Game Two that tied the best-of-seven series. Veronica Campbell-Brown Ducks winger Corey Perry told reporters that the team had refused to let that defeat get them down and they had focused on Game Three. “We had our chances in that game, so be it. You move on,” he said. “There’s going to be Kuramoto leads roller coasters in the playoffs.” On Thursday, Patrick Maroon gave the Ducks Senior Championship a 1-0 lead in the first before Chicago’s Patrick Kane tied it with under a minute left in the INDIANA: Japanese Massy Kuramoto was this morning and I lost my circulation opening period. Ryan Getzlaf added two assists the only player to dip below par in difficult about the eighth hole. “I couldn’t feel the for the Ducks, tying his own franchise record scoring conditions as he carded a one- putter head properly through the hands ... with 14 for the playoffs. Anaheim goaltender under 71 for a one-shot lead in Thursday’s awful conditions on a very difficult golf Frederik Andersen made 27 saves and stood tall opening round of the Senior PGA course, a golf course where you’ve got to in the final stages where the Blackhawks Championship in French Lick, Indiana. drive the ball properly. brought on an extra attacker to chase an equal- The 59-year-old, who won 30 tourna- “The pins are in major positions for a izer. Kane looked to have a chance with five sec- ments on the Japan Golf Tour, birdied two Thursday. These are Sunday placings here, onds remaining when he had the puck on his of his first three holes before going into so it’s very difficult to score, to get the ball stick right in front of Anaheim’s goal but could damage limitation mode on a cold, wet and close. And if you do get it close, to hole not put it towards the net. windy day at French Lick Resort. out.” Montgomerie, who won last year’s Corey Crawford, who made 60 saves in Game Defending champion Colin Senior PGA Championship by four strokes Two, stopped 25 shots for the Blackhawks. Montgomerie of Scotland offset a bogey at in Michigan, finished the opening round Crawford has stepped up his game after being the eighth with a birdie at the 12th before level with Americans Billy Andrade and Bart benched for much of Chicago’s first-round series ending a gruelling day a stroke off the pace Bryant, Englishman Barry Lane and France’s against Nashville. in the second of the season’s five major Jean-Francois Remesy. Injuries and fatigue have taken their toll on championships for senior golfers. Germany’s Bernhard Langer, South Chicago and on Thursday centers Antoine “This is one difficult golf course and I am African David Frost and American Tom Vermette and Teuvo Teravainen were both thrilled to get out of here at level par,” Lehman, who won the 1996 British Open, dropped despite being healthy. “It was a tough game the other day with travel, I wanted to CHICAGO: Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Kesler (17) shoots, but Chicago Blackhawks goalie Montgomerie, 51, told Golf Channel after were among a group of 14 players who Corey Crawford (50) stops the shot during the first period in Game 3 of the Western Conference carding an even 72. “It was very, very cold carded 73s.—Reuters bring new guys in,” said Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville. —Reuters finals in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs. —AP SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2015 SPORTS

LONDON: New Zealand’s Ross Taylor plays a shot off the bowling of England’s Moeen Ali during the second day of the first Test match. —AP Williamson frustrates England in first Test

LONDON: Kane Williamson’s unbeaten 92 ment, England found life tough, with captain by Ian Bell at second slip off Stokes. But rounded off a fine day’s work for New Zealand Alastair Cook not often straying from orthodox England took two wickets for no runs in three SCOREBOARD in the first Test against England at Lord’s yes- field settings. balls shortly before tea. Ali succeeded where terday. The 24-year-old Williamson drove down the the quicks had failed by having left-hander LONDON: Scoreboard at stumps on the second day of the first Test between England and New Zealand at The Black Caps ended the second day well- ground impressively and also used the cut Latham lbw. Lord’s yesterday: placed at 303 for two, just 86 runs behind shot to good effect in the first of this two- It was the end of a 95-ball innings featuring England 1st Innings (overnight: 354-7) 1w); Henry 24.5-3-93-4 (1w); Craig 18-2-77-1; England’s first innings 389. Williamson and match series. 10 fours, with Latham’s effort all the more A. Lyth c Watling b Southee 7 Anderson 5-1-14-0 Ross Taylor (47 not out) had so far shared an His fifty came in good time, off 78 balls with impressive after he found himself keeping A. Cook c Watling b b Henry 16 unbroken stand of 155 after coming together six fours. England resumed on 354 for seven, wicket for 75 overs while England batted fol- G. Ballance c Southee b Boult 1 New Zealand 1st Innings when the tourists had lost two wickets with having been 30 for four on Thursday before a lowing an injury to first-choice gloveman BJ I. Bell b Henry 1 M. Guptill c Ballance b Broad 70 their score on 148. fifth-wicket stand of 161 between Root (98) Watling during Thursday’s play. J. Root c Latham b Henry 98 T. Latham lbw b Ali 59 But Williamson was given a reprieve late in and Stokes (92) revived the innings. But they Next over, 148 for one became 148 for two the day when he went down the pitch to off- lost their final three wickets for just 37 runs in when Guptill carelessly drove a Stuart Broad B. Stokes b Craig 92 K. Williamson not out 92 spinner Moeen Ali on 92 only for Jos Buttler, 10.5 overs. Left-arm paceman Trent Boult (four outswinger low to Gary Ballance at cover. J. Buttler lbw b Boult 67 R. Taylor not out 47 still more of a batsman than a wicketkeeper, to for 79) and debutant fast bowler Matt Henry Guptill, one of the stars of New Zealand’s M. Ali c Latham b Boult 58 Extras (b14, lb20, nb1) 35 miss the stumping chance, albeit the ball spun (four for 93) leading the way. run to the World Cup final faced 115 balls S. Broad c Latham b Boult 3 Total (2 wkts, 77 overs, 332 mins) 303 sharply. England might have seen the back of both including eight fours and a swept six off Ali. M. Wood not out 8 To bat: B McCullum, C Anderson, BJ Watling, M Craig, T Now the stylish number three will hope to New Zealand openers when they were each in Then, with both new batsmen on nought, J. Anderson c and b Henry 11 Southee, M Henry, T Boult avoid the fate of England duo Joe Root and the 20s. Guptill was on 24 when he edged Williamson called for a reckless single which Extras (b16, lb6, w2, nb3) 27 Fall of wickets: 1-148 (Latham), 2-148 (Guptill) Ben Stokes, both out in the 90s on Thursday. debutant fast bowler Mark Wood to Cook at would have seen Taylor run out had bowler Total (all out, 100.5 overs, 433 mins) 389 Bowling: Anderson 16-4-46-0; Broad 16-2-42-1; Wood Earlier, Martin Guptill made 70 in his first first slip. Broad’s underarm throw hit the stumps at the Fall of wickets: 1-17 (Lyth), 2-25 (Ballance), 3-25 13-0-60-0 (1nb); Stokes 13-2-63-0; Ali 17-3-52-1; Root Test in two years and was well-supported by But would have been the Durham pace- striker’s end. England were often ragged in the (Cook), 4-30 (Bell), 5-191 (Stokes), 6-251 (Root), 7-354 2-0-6-0 Tom Latham (59) during what was just New man’s first Test wicket to be rubbed out when field on Friday, with Buttler conceding 14 byes, Zealand’s fifth century opening partnership in an umpire review to check for a no-ball although he could do little about one Broad (Buttler), 8-363 (Ali), 9-368 (Broad), 10-389 (Anderson) Match position: New Zealand are 86 runs behind a Test in England. showed he’d overstepped the crease by a frac- bouncer that sailed over his head en route to Bowling: Boult 29-6-79-4; Southee 24-1-104-1 (3nb, England with eight first-innings wickets standing. On a sunny day, and without much move- tion. After lunch, Latham was dropped on 21 the boundary. —AFP Pakistan beat Zimbabwe for emotional win on home soil

LAHORE: Pakistan marked international cricket’s return to the trouble-torn country with a five-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the first Twenty20 International at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium yesterday. Openers Mukhtar Ahmed (83) and Ahmed Shehzad (55) added 142 runs before captain Shahid Afridi hit a boundary off the first ball he faced to seal an emotional victory with three balls to spare. Earlier, Hamilton Masakadza (43) shone upfront and captain Elton Chigumbura (54) provided the late assault to help Zimbabwe post a strong 172-6 having opting to bat first. Six years after an attack on Sri Lanka’s team bus in Lahore left six Pakistani policemen and a van driver dead, Zimbabwe became the first test-playing nation to tour the country for a limited overs series. The visitors got off to a strong start with Masakadza and Vusi Sibanda adding 58 runs before Mohammad Sami (3-36), returning to the national side after a three-year absence, dismissed the openers in successive deliveries in the seventh over. Zimbabwe overcame mid-innings wobbles to reach 114-4 after 15 overs before Chigumbura, beneficiary of a missed stumping opportunity, accelerat- NEW ZEALAND: Francois Hougaard (left) of the Northern Bulls misses an attempt to ed hitting Wahab Riaz for three succes- tackle Damian McKenzie (right) of the Waikato Chiefs during the Super 15 rugby sive boundaries. The Zimbabwe skipper match. —AFP reached his fifty with an effortless flick that cleared long leg ropes for the only six of his breezy 35-ball knock. LAHORE: Zimbabwe’s Tinashe Panyangra clean bowled Pakistan’s Shoaib Malik at the Gaddafi sta- Chiefs overrun Pakistan looked in a hurry to wrap up dium. —AP the chase with Ahmed hitting Chris Mpofu for four successive boundaries in Bulls in Super rugby the bowler’s first over. SCOREBOARD Brian Vitori was hit for three consecu- LAHORE: Scoreboard in the first Twenty20 international between Pakistan and Zimbabwe played at Gaddafi WELLINGTON: Scrumhalf Augustine They remain at the top of the South tive fours in the next over as the 22-year- Stadium yesterday. Pulu scampered in for two tries in two African standings but could be overtaken old Ahmed, playing only his second Twenty20 International, cruised to his Zimbabwe Pakistan: minutes to steer the Waikato Chiefs to a by either the Stormers or the Lions. H. Masakadza b Sami 43 Mukhtar Ahmed c c Mutumbami b Cremer 83 34-20 win over South Africa’s Bulls in The South Africans made a bright maiden fifty in 27 balls and Pakistan reached the 100-mark in the 10th over. V. Sibanda c Ahmed b Sami 13 Ahmed Shehzad c Mutumbami b Williams 55 Super rugby yesterday. start, scoring the first two tries when Mohammad Hafeez c Coverntry b Cremer 12 At 142 for no loss in the 14th over, C. Coventry? c Ahmed b Riaz 14 Pulu darted over in the 53rd minute Hosea Gear failed to get his boot on the Shoaib Malik b Panyangara 7 Pakistan were cruising to victory before E Chigumbura b Riaz 54 after fooling the defence with a dummy ball and Jan Serfontein dived on it, then S. Williams c Riaz b Malik 16 Umar Akmal c Sibanda b Vitori 4 losing five quick wickets as Zimbabwe Sarfraz Ahmed not out 3 then strolled over two minutes later after Heem gifted a try to Bjorn Basson when Sikandar Raza c Ahmed b Sami 17 bowled with considerable discipline to Shahid Afridi not out 4 lock Ross Filipo was tackled just short of he inexplicably batted the ball to him R. Mutumbami not out 4 the line after making a big break. from in-goal. leave the hosts needing four runs from Extras: (lb 5) 5 G. Cremer not out 2 Liam Messam, Bryce Heem and But the Chiefs regained their compo- the final four deliveries. Afridi looked Total: (for five wkts; 19.3 overs) 173 Extras (lb3, nb 1, w5) 9 replacement Tim Nanai-Williams also sure and tied the scores at halftime when unperturbed by the pressure to noncha- Fall of wickets: 1-142 (Shehzad), 2-144 (Mukhtar), 3-157 Total (for six wkts; 20 overs) 172 scored tried for the Chiefs who picked up Messam burrowed his way over and lantly dispatch Tinashe Panyangara’s (Hafeez), 4-162 (Umar), 5-169 (Malik) Did not bat: T. Panyangara, G. Mpofu, B. Vitori a vital bonus point to cement their place Heem crossed out wide. Pulu’s double third delivery for a boundary to seal vic- Did not bat: Anwar Ali, Bilawal Bhatti, Wahab Riaz, Fall of wickets: 1-58 (Sibanda), 2-58 (Masakadza), 3-73 as second in the New Zealand confer- strike gave the Chiefs plenty of breathing tory. Mohammad Sami ence behind the Wellington Hurricanes. space and although Pieter Labuschagne The teams return to the stadium for (Coventry), 4-100 (Williams), 5-142 (Raza), 6-168 Bowling: Panyangara 2.3-0-28-1, Vitori 4-0-24-1, Mpofu The Bulls scored three tries and led scored for the Bulls off the back of a driv- the second and final Twenty20 (Chigumbura) 3-0-32-0, Williams 4-0-33-0, Cremer 4-0-28-2, Raza 2-0- 15-3 early on but were overrun by the ing maul, Nanai-Williams completed the International on Sunday before three Bowling: Ali 3-0-18-0, Sami 4-0-36-3 (1w), Bhatti 3-0-37-0 23-0 Result: Pakistan won by five wickets Chiefs and missed out on a bonus point. rout with a try on the siren.—Reuters one-dayers at the same venue.—Reuters (1nb), Riaz 4-0-38-2 (4w), Afridi 3-0-28-0, Malik 3-0-12-1 SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2015 SPORTS Newcastle and Hull in survival shootout

LONDON: Northeast rivals Hull City and Newcastle United face a shootout for Premier League survival this weekend as the 2014-15 campaign reaches its conclusion. Hull must win at home to Manchester United tomorrow to stand any chance of staying up, but if they succeed, Newcastle will be relegated unless they prevail at home to West Ham United. Newcastle will begin the day two points above the relegation zone, but Hull’s superior goal difference (-18 to -25) means that if the two teams finish level on points, it is Steve Bruce’s men who will stay up. The scenario echoes that of the final day of the 2008-09 season, when Hull avoided the drop despite losing 1-0 at home to Manchester United and Newcastle were relegated after going down 1-0 at Aston Villa. Bruce has never overcome his former club Manchester United in his 17-year managerial career, but he believes the support of the KC Stadium could tip the match in the home side’s favour. “It’s a big positive that this game is at home,” said the former United captain, whose side have lost their last three matches. “We’ve got one of the giants of English football coming to us and we hope that with the ITALY: Juventus’ Alessandro Matri (right) celebrates with teammates in this file fans right behind us and the players ready for photo. —AP the challenge ahead, we can upset the apple- cart. Napoli face acid test at Juve “We have to believe that there is one final twist in this and it needs to go our way.” A run of MILAN: Napoli face a crucial weekend in Lazio whose coach Stefano Pioli is not in a nine defeats and one draw in 10 games has seen their fight for a Champions League place charitable mood after losing their only Newcastle slide from 11th place to the threshold with Rafael Benitez’s men away to treble- chance for a trophy this season. of the relegation zone ahead of Sunday’s pivotal chasing Juventus and rivals Lazio hosting Lazio are fully focused on the city derby, encounter with mid-table West Ham. Roma in the city derby. and Pioli said: “You have to win finals, not Newcastle’s fans have stepped up their Napoli, in fourth place three points off a lose them but I’m really proud of my squad protests against unpopular owner Mike Ashley Champions League place, visit a Juventus and can’t fault any of them. in recent weeks and manager John Carver has side still bubbling with joy after their 2-1 “Our road in the Cup is finished, but not admitted that he cannot bring himself to con- Italian Cup final victory over Lazio on in the league. Monday’s match is our most template the thought of relegation. “It doesn’t Wednesday. important game this season. With the help even bear thinking about, to be quite honest. It’s It was Juve’s first double since they last of our fans, we’re getting ready to play the not something that’s in my mind,” he said. won the Cup in 1995 and kept the 31-time match of our lives.” “I’ve seen what’s happened in the past. It champions, who meet Barcelona in the Although Roma’s credible bid for a first wasn’t nice. If it did happen, it would be unbear- final of the Champions League in Berlin on scudetto fizzled out last month, Rudi able and I don’t know how long it would take to June 6, on course for their first treble. Garcia’s men are determined to secure their get over it. Napoli would be forgiven for hoping place in next season’s Champions League. “But as far as I’m concerned, let us take care Massimiliano Allegri rests several of his They hold a one-point lead on Lazio of our business and then when we get to Sunday players for Saturday’s clash in Turin, but ahead of a derby that, last January, finished at five o’clock (1600 GMT), then I’ll have a better even that would not guarantee an advan- 2-2 after Roma captain Francesco Totti hit a idea, as we all will.” tage for the visitors. second-half brace to cancel out goals from Allegri rested five key players last week, Stefano Mauri and Felipe Anderson. GERRARD’S FAREWELL and Juve still came away from the San Siro Midfielder Daniele De Rossi has been The last day will not be such a nerve-jangling with a 2-1 win over Inter Milan which known for losing his composure, but the affair for the teams at the other end of the table, severely dented the home side’s slim hopes Italy international has promised that would with Chelsea having already secured the title of qualifying for the Europa League. not be the case on Monday. and the Champions League places effectively LONDON: Newcastle United’s Argentinian midfielder Jonas Gutierrez prepares to strike the Napoli, who squeezed a 3-2 win over “Now, I’m better at handling tension. I’m settled. ball in this file photo. —AFP already-relegated Cesena last time out, more calm,” De Rossi said earlier this week. Deposed champions Manchester City, who need to beat Juventus to have any chance “As you get closer to the game you feel the host Southampton, are guaranteed to finish sec- The only other issue to be determined is Gerrard’s 710th and final game for the club of remaining in Champions League con- tension rise, but I’ve played a lot derbies ond due to their four-point advantage over Europa League qualification, with Liverpool, before he joins the Los Angeles Galaxy. tention following a week of further disap- and think I can handle it.” third-place Arsenal. Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton in con- The game could also represent a final pointment. A win for Benitez’s men would Sampdoria, Inter and Torino all face cru- And while Manchester United can mathemat- tention for the two berths guaranteed to offer a Liverpool appearance for 20-year-old forward pull them level with Lazio ahead of the city cial away matches, respectively against ically leapfrog Arsenal into third place, it would place in the tournament. Fifth-place Liverpool Raheem Sterling, who has rejected a new con- derby on Monday when Roma will be look- Empoli, Genoa and AC Milan as they bid to require them to win at Hull and Arsenal to lose and sixth-place Spurs are in line to qualify as tract and reportedly expressed a desire to leave. ing for the win that would secure runner- clinch one of the league’s three Europa at home to West Bromwich Albion accompanied things stand, but seventh place, where Crystal Palace, 3-1 winners at Anfield in up spot and automatic entry to the League spots. by a seven-goal swing in goal difference. Southampton sit, will also yield a Europa League Gerrard’s final home game last weekend, finish Champions League. But Genoa, who sit in sixth place two Both teams will be celebrating at Stamford spot if Arsenal beat Villa in the FA Cup final on the campaign at home to Swansea City, while However it has been anything but a points ahead of Sampdoria, have already Bridge, where Chelsea are scheduled to receive May 30. Villa warm up for the FA Cup final at home to relaxing week for Benitez, who suffered been ruled out of the competition after the Premier League trophy after tackling Tottenham visit Everton, who are finishing Burnley and Leicester City celebrate their great heavy criticism for Napoli’s semi-final exit being denied a UEFA licence by the Italian Sunderland, who secured survival with a battling the season with something of a flourish, while escape from relegation by entertaining relegat- from the Europa League at the hands of authorities because their Luigi Ferraris sta- 0-0 draw at Arsenal on Wednesday. Liverpool travel to Stoke City for captain Steven ed Queens Park Rangers.—AFP Dnipro. dium does not meet UEFA’s standards. Benitez has been tipped to leave the Sampdoria share the stadium but have club when his contract expires in June and registered Sassuolo’s Mapei Stadium as an has reportedly held talks with Real Madrid alternative for European home games. AC Relegation, Europe to with a view to possibly succeeding Carlo Milan’s 3-2 defeat to Sassuolo last weekend Ancelotti. ended all hope of the seven-time European Napoli, meanwhile, are dependent on champions qualifying for Europe. —AFP play for on Liga final day

Klopp aims for Europe on MADRID: Almeria, Deportivo la that for us this point is very important,” Coruna, Eibar and Granada will fight it added Atletico midfielder Tiago. his Dortmund home bow out to avoid the two remaining relega- Almeria’s chances of staying up tion places when the Spanish league could be decided both on the pitch BERLIN: Jurgen Klopp plans to bow out of Bayern will be crowned German league season comes to a close today. and in the court room in the coming his last Bundesliga home game as Borussia champions for the 25th time regardless of The makeup of Spain’s representa- days. Even should they beat Los Che to Dortmund coach with a win over Werder the result of their home match against tives in next season’s Champions avoid the drop, a final decision on Bremen today to help their Europa League Mainz. Pep Guardiola’s side are looking to League will also be decided with whether they are to be docked three bid. finish in style after losing five of their last Valencia and Sevilla still vying for points for unpaid sums to Danish club After two German league titles and a six matches. They were knocked out of fourth place, whilst Atletico Madrid Aalborg for the transfer of Michael Champions League final appearance in the both the Champions League and German need a point to secure third and avoid Jakobsen in 2010 will be made by the last seven years, Klopp leads out Borussia Cup semi-finals in a horror four-week peri- a tricky qualifier in August. Court of Arbitration for Sport on for the last time at Dortmund’s od since winning the title with four games Deportivo and Granada hold the Tuesday. Westfalenstadion and wants a top perform- to spare. But Guardiola has still won five advantage in the battle to avoid the A Valencia slip-up in Almeria would ance. titles in two years in Munich. drop as they lead Eibar and Almeria by also have consequences at the top as “I hope that we will manage to put on a One of the tightest relegation battles in two points. Sevilla could move into fourth with vic- really good ‘Dortmund’ display and run a Bundesliga history will unfold with the bot- However, they both face tough tory at Malaga. real full-throttle event”, enthused Klopp, tom six teams all fighting to avoid the tasks this weekend as Depor travel to However, Sevilla also have a second who will be replaced by Thomas Tuchel dreaded drop. champions Barcelona, whilst in-form chance at Champions League qualifi- next season. The bottom two sides, currently Granada host Atletico. “It is difficult to cation as they will go straight into next The 47-year-old’s final game as Paderborn and Hamburg, will be relegated get anything at the Camp Nou. We are season’s group stages even if they fin- Dortmund coach will be at Berlin’s Olympic automatically while the 16th-placed team facing the best team in the world, but ish fifth should they retain the Europa Stadium in the German Cup final against faces a play-off with the third-best team in we need to show that we are playing League against Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk Wolfsburg on May 30, but he wants to beat the second division. for our lives,” said Deportivo striker on Wednesday. Bremen in a bid to finish sixth. Bottom side Paderborn can finish no Oriol Riera. “For us there is no other On paper, Eibar have by far the easi- Both eighth-placed Bremen and higher than 16th, which would offer them a game. This is the one that will decide est task on Saturday when they host Dortmund, who are seventh, need three survival chance in the play-off. They host where we will play next season.” the already relegated Cordoba. The points and hope Borussia Stuttgart, who are two places higher in the Barca, though, may not be in a for- Basque minnows have won just one of Moenchengladbach beat Augsburg - to fin- table, while the team sandwiched between giving mood despite having the title their last 19 La Liga games, but remain ish sixth to guarantee a Europa League them, Hamburg, are at home to fifth-placed sewn up as the Camp Nou is expected confident of surviving in their first ever place next season. Schalke. to pay homage to Xavi Hernandez on season in the top flight with a little As an added incentive, Dortmund have Hamburg, the only side in Germany’s his final league game for the club after help from Barcelona and Atletico. never finished lower than sixth under top flight never to have been relegated, will a 17-year playing career. “Barcelona are in good form and Klopp after winning the 2011 and 2012 be without their ex-Germany midfielder Having previously won just twice in will want a good goodbye for Xavi and German league titles, then having finished Marcell Jansen, who has a thigh injury. the league since September, Granada Atletico Madrid are playing for third second to champions Bayern Munich in the “We have to get a result, it’s the only have won their last three games since place,” said goalkeeper Xabier Irureta. last two seasons. With former Germany thing we can influence,” said Hamburg Jose Ramon Sandoval took charge ear- “We need to do our job and wait international Sebastian Kehl also playing coach Bruno Labbadia. Hanover are at lier this month to keep their survival and see. If things go as normal then we his final home game before retiring, it home to Freiburg, who enjoyed a shock 2-1 hopes alive. have a great chance of staying up.” promises to be an emotional afternoon. win over Bayern last Saturday, with both “A month ago it was almost impos- Athletic Bilbao can also seal the final Veteran Roman Weidenfeller, who has sides locked on 34 points, just one above sible to survive and now we are just Europa League place with victory at recovered from injury is expected to the relegation places. one game away from achieving it. A home to Villarreal. replace Australia international Mitchell “In such extreme situations, the charac- draw could do us and everyone The Basques are currently seventh, Langerak in goal. ters come out,” said Freiburg coach believes we will do it,” said midfielder which would yield a European place if And Dortmund captain Mats Hummels, Christian Streich. “You can see how great Ruben Perez, who looks set to feature Barca beat them in the Copa del Rey who is reported to have turned down an the pressure is, some can’t handle it.” against his parent club. final next weekend. Anything other approach from Manchester United, will Hertha Berlin could drop from 13th into Atletico will definitely achieve their than a win, though, would allow return after sitting out last Saturday’s the relegation mire and 16th with a defeat objective of qualification for the Malaga to snatch seventh by beating defeat at Wolfsburg with a bruised foot. at Hoffenheim which would threaten their Champions League group stages with Sevilla. Meanwhile, at the Santiago Either way, a top sixth finish would be third relegation in five years. a point, but could still be usurped Bernabeu, Carlo Ancelotti could take an impressive achievement for either “We’re not going to bunker down in should they lose and Valencia win at charge of his final match as Real Bremen or Dortmund, who were bottom of front of our box, we have an aggressive Almeria. Madrid coach when Los Blancos play the table in December and February midfield pressing and we want to use that,” SPAIN: Almeria’s coach Sergi BarJuan jumps in the air in this file “It is difficult to think that one game out a meaningless final game of the respectively. said Hertha coach Pal Dardai. —AFP photo during the Spanish League. —AFP could define a season, but it is true campaign against Getafe.—AFP Cuba and US Pakistan beat wrestlers Zimbabwe for tussle in Times emotional win Square29 on30 home soil SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2015 Newcastle and Hull in survival shootout Page 31

OAKLAND: Houston Rockets guard James Harden (right) is defended by Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) and guard Klay Thompson during the second half of Game 2 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals. —AP Warriors survive Harden onslaught

OAKLAND: The Golden State Warriors survived a “I knew Klay had (Harden) squared up, I wanted the contest by halftime. Center Dwight Howard Mitch Kupchak said. injury, Bryant suffered a fractured left knee and stirring James Harden-inspired fightback to take to protect (Harden’s) left and I was able to stand recorded 19 points and 17 rebounds after leaving “He has indicated to me this is it,” Kupchak told missed the remainder of the 2013-14 season. command of the Western Conference Final with a him up,” Curry told reporters. “That’s just determi- Game One with a knee injury, his presence helping SiriusXM NBA Radio. “He’s on the last year of a deal. Bryant returned for this season and became the 99-98 Game Two victory over the Houston Rockets nation. (Harden’s) making great plays and it takes a to ease Harden’s workload in a fast-paced There have been no discussions about anything third-highest all-time NBA scorer last December, on Thursday. total team effort to guard him.” encounter. going forward. I don’t think there will be.” passing Michael Jordan’s 32,292 points. Nagged by Harden was close to unstoppable as he scored Thompson added 13 points and Andrew Bogut On the final play of the game, Harden pulled The 36-year-old guard has played for the Lakers sore knees, feet, tendons and back, Bryant contin- 38 points and rallied his team from an eight-point put up 14 for the Warriors, who are two wins away down a rebound and dribbled up the floor as the for his entire NBA career, but has been nagged by ued until suffering a torn rotator cuff in his right deficit in the final two minutes but all his hard from reaching their first NBA Finals since 1975. Rockets elected not to call a timeout. After receiv- injuries in recent seasons and unable to display the shoulder last January, forcing him to undergo sea- work was undone when he slipped and lost the Game Three is in Houston today, where a des- ing a pass back from Howard, he ran into a fatal form that made him a 17-time All-Star, two-time son-ending surgery that was expected to sideline ball as time expired, unable to get a shot away. perately disappointed Rockets will need to quickly double team that caused him to lose control of the NBA scoring champion and two-time Olympic him for nine months. “We expect a full recovery This season’s MVP runner-up scored 10 of his regroup to climb back into the series. ball and end up falling to the ground as the final champion. but yeah, he’s much closer to the end than the team’s final 12 points and added 10 rebounds and Houston, though, are no strangers to come- buzzer sounded. “I’m kicking chairs (in the locker Bryant suffered a torn Achilles tendon in April beginning,” Kupchak said. nine assists but again had to accept second billing backs this postseason, erasing a sizeable Game Six room after the game). It’s frustrating to give the of 2013 to end his season, but signed a two-year Kupchak left open the idea that Bryant could to Golden State’s Stephen Curry. lead by the Los Angeles Clippers in the second game away like that,” Harden said. “We let two slip contract extension worth $48.5 million that kept return, saying “a year from now, if there’s some- Curry finished with 33 points and teamed with round of the playoffs, where they rallied to win the away. Now we’re going home.” him the NBA’s top-paid player and set him up to thing different to discuss, then it will be discussed.” backcourt mate Klay Thompson to swarm Harden series despite trailing 3-1. Kobe Bryant will make next season his last with become the first player to compete for the same The uncertainty over his status leaves in doubt the on the final play, lifting the Warriors to a 2-0 lead in Houston started slowly, falling 17 points the Los Angeles Lakers after 20 years that have club for 20 seasons. question of a “farewell tour” by Bryant next sea- the best-of-seven series. behind in the second quarter before rallying to tie produced five NBA titles, Lakers general manager Only six games after returning from his tendon son.—Agencies Unlucky 13 for Heaven or hell? Contador as Aru Monaco GP offers takes Giro lead a vision of both JESOLO: Italian Astana rider Fabio Aru took over as leader of the Giro d’Italia from crash victim Alberto Contador yes- MONACO: The billionaires, supermodels cous and crammed party central for terday after the rain-hit 13th stage was won by Sacha and suntanned celebrities sipping cock- petrolheads. Never mind the music rever- tails in the Monaco sunshine might won- berating across the water from the yacht Modolo. der what planet Jacques Villeneuve is on. parties. The streets throb with sound sys- Italian Modolo hung on in a sprint finish to edge com- Ask the Canadian for an assessment of tems from pavement bars while passing patriots Giacomo Nizzolo and Elia Viviani at Jesolo, near Formula One’s showcase race, a grand prix supercars rev their engines as they crawl Venice. A mass crash less than 5km from the line saw long synonymous with all that is most glam- through the crowds. time race leader Contador fall of his bike and the 40secs orous and glitzy about the world’s fastest Those drivers who live in the tiny prin- dropped on Aru saw the pink jersey handed to the Italian sport, and he wastes no time in replying. cipality, and they are in a majority, return by 19secs heading into today’s time-trial. “Monaco is Hell,” says the 1997 world home with relief between far-flung races Australian Richie Porte also took a tumble and lost over champion. knowing they can live a normal life with- 2mins and is now well down the rankings and out of con- Villeneuve, who lives in Monaco but out intrusion. tention at nearly 6mins off the pace. never won the most historic of street races If some of that goes out of the window although his late father Gilles did with during the grand prix weekend, there are The 24-year-old Aru, who finished third overall last year, Ferrari in 1981, clearly has a love-hate rela- ways of coping and compensations in takes the leader’s jersey for the first time in his career. “It’s a tionship with the place. “The driving is waking up at home. great feeling to finally wear the pink jersey,” said the amazing, it’s the weekend that’s a pain,” “Outside the track it is tougher than delighted Aru. says the driver, who won his title with other races but in the car it’s the best of “I’ve waited since the beginning of the race to finally Williams and retired from the sport in the year because the track is so exciting,” take the lead and now I can look forward to the time-trial 2006 after a long and lucrative spell with agrees Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg, tomorrow (Saturday). uncompetitive BAR. who grew up in Monaco and has won for “It’s a tough stage like many others but I’ll just try and “You can’t sleep at night because the past two years. “It makes it very stay in contention and protect the jersey.” he added. there’s music everywhere until six in the intense. But being local I know the secret Spaniard Mikel Landa is third overall at 1min 14secs. morning,” he told Reuters. “It’s hell to work, ways if I want to avoid people,” added the so that’s the part that’s not likeable German, whose champion father Keke On a day of steady rain and run over 147km of flat rac- because it’s not the good old days where won in 1983. World champion Lewis ing, a trio of Italian Marco Frapporti, Frenchman Jerome you went to a gala the night before and Hamilton, who now enjoys a jet-setting Pineau and German Rick Zabel opened up an escape got drunk and raced anyway. So Monaco lifestyle after an under-privileged before being reeled in towards the finale. The mass acci- is hell. But the driving is so much fun. It’s upbringing in England, is another big fan. dent then played havoc with the chances of several con- so extreme, there’s no margin for error. It’s “It’s Monaco, I live here, it’s one of my tenders, including Contador, before the rest of the pack great. “It’s not like all these modern tracks favourite places in the world to go. The raced for home. where you can see that it’s a piece of card- track is incredible,” said the Mercedes driv- It then came down to a long sprint finish that Modolo board that’s been taken, put there and it’s er, who leads Rosberg by 20 points after won by half a bike length after being led in by two of his got the perfect angle,” he added. Monaco’s five races. “It’s the one track we have Lampre teammates. more discreet and well-heeled residents which is special on another level and it would surely agree about the noise. generally always turns out to be one of Today will feature a tough 59.4km time-trial from For one week every year, the usually the most amazing weekends of the year,” Treviso to Valdobbiadene and is guaranteed to shake up tranquil Mediterreanean playground, with he told reporters. “Not only for us but for the overall standings and give Contador a chance to recov- ITALY: Italien FabioAru (Astana) celebrates the pink jersey of overall leader on the podium of the 13th more millionaires per metre than any- people who get to come and enjoy the er his lost time. —AFP stage of the 98th Giro d’Italia, Tour of Italy, cycling race. —AP where else in the world, becomes a rau- weekend.—Reuters