SUBSCRIPTION

THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015 SHAABAN 17, 1436 AH www.kuwaittimes.net Man’s arm stuck Wars hamper Abusing power: Interpol puts 2 in a toilet bowl fight against Why some ex-FIFA officials inside mosque hunger in relationships are on ‘red notice’ bathroom3 Middle7 East plain37 bad news wanted19 list Security forces raid farm Min 31º Max 46º in search of wanted ex-MP High Tide 10:15 & 12:30 Low Tide Al-Barrak remains at large; opposition fumes 06:30 & 19:35 40 PAGES NO: 16541 150 FILS

By Nawara Fattahova

KUWAIT: The Interior Ministry raided a farm in Abdally NA passes law to punish e-crimes owned by the brother of former parliamentarian Musallam Al-Barrak. Brigadier General Adel Al-Hashash, Head of Public Relations and Moral Guidance at the Ministry of Interior confirmed the raid but noted that Al- 10-year jail for setting up website for terror groups Barrak was not captured. “The police was following the law, and only went upon an order to arrest him and had By B Izzak a previous permission from the General Prosecutor to arrest him,” Al-Hashash told the Kuwait Times. Kuwait’s KUWAIT: The National Assembly yesterday passed a Cassation Court - the highest law to combat electronic crimes, stipulating a jail court in the country, upheld a term of up to 10 years for providing online assistance two-year jail sentence against the to terror groups and for money laundering. The legis- former lawmaker on May 18. The lation, supported in the first vote by 28 MPs and verdict is final and cannot be opposed by eight while two members abstained, appealed. tackles all crimes related to online activity and cyber “This ruling is without the space - including social media and others. The sec- slightest doubt political,” Al ond and final vote is due to be held on June 16 as Barrak reportedly said following some MPs said they will present amendments. the verdict. “I thank God that I am The lowest penalty under the law is a six-month not interested in wealth or pow- Former lawmaker jail term and a fine of up to KD2,000 for those who er and I will always uphold my Musallam Al-Barrak illegally use computers that belong to others. The dignity both inside the prison penalty increases if the misuse involves damaging or and outside,” he said at the time. The sentencing is for a altering data or information stored in the computer. speech Al-Barrak gave in October 2012 deemed insult- But the main penalty is a jail sentence for up to 10 ing to HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. years and a fine ranging between KD20,000 and Heated opposition to the dissolution of the elected KD50,000 for those who set up a website for terror February 2012 parliament, a change in the electoral sys- groups or publish news about them that could be tem and new elections that same year in December used for raising donations. The same penalty applies fueled the political opposition in Kuwait. to money laundering and to those who publish The Popular Action Bloc (HASHD) issued a statement methods for manufacturing explosives or any other following the farm raid that noted that Al-Barrak and device for terrorists. the Secretary General of HASHD were not arrested. Justice Minister Yacoub Al-Sane said similar laws HASHD condemned the “break in by police forces to Al- are applied in many European countries and the leg- Barrak’s farm at 3:30 am today with 15 vehicles, and islation is needed to fill a legislative vacuum dealing specifically with such crimes. MPs however were they pulverized the gate of the farm.” HASHD claimed divided on the law - though eventually the majority that the storming of the farm was illegal and conducted voted for it. KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Yaqoub Al-Sanea (center) talks to MPs during a par- without a search warrant, and it scared all the present Continued on Page 13 liament session at the National Assembly yesterday in Kuwait City. — AFP workers, who denied seeing the wanted ex-lawmaker. Al-Barrak remains at large. Obama signs new curbs on NSA surveillance into law

WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama “My administration will work expedi- on Tuesday signed into law landmark leg- tiously to ensure our national security pro- Saudi Shiites islation ending the government’s bulk fessionals again have the full set of vital telephone data dragnet, significantly tools they need to continue protecting the reversing American policy by reining in country,” the president said. The bill halts bury victims the most controversial surveillance pro- the National Security Agency’s ability to gram since 9/11. The bill was given final scoop up and store metadata-telephone amid fears passage earlier Tuesday by the US Senate, numbers, dates and times of calls-from after being approved by the House several millions of Americans who have no con- DAMMAM: Prompted by fears of another deadly days earlier. nection to terrorism. suicide attack, cranes lowered concrete barricades The measure reauthorizes key national It shifts responsibility for storing the yesterday outside a Shiite mosque in Saudi Arabia security programs that had lapsed early data to telephone companies, allowing still reeling from a bombing claimed by the Islamic this week. “Glad the Senate finally passed authorities to access the information only VIENNA: Kuwaiti Oil Minister Ali Al-Omair (right) arrives at is hotel in Vienna pri- State group. The minority Shiite community was the USA Freedom Act. It protects civil liber- with a warrant from a secret counter-terror or to a meeting of OPEC. The 12-nation OPEC cartel, pumping some 30 percent preparing to bury four men-hailed as heroes-who ties and our national security,” President court that identifies a specific person or of the world’s oil, meets tomorrow for a semi-annual production gathering in were blown to bits Friday when they prevented the Barack Obama said on Twitter shortly group of people suspected of terror ties. Vienna. — AFP bomber from entering the hall of the Al-Anoud before he signed it. In a separate state- “It’s a historic moment,” Senator Patrick mosque in the Gulf city of Dammam. ment earlier, Obama chided lawmakers for Leahy, the senior Democratic sponsor of The ceremony comes more than a week after the “needless delay and inexcusable lapse the bill, said after the 67-32 vote, describ- Gulf OPEC members back tens of thousands turned out to pay their respects in important national security authorities,” ing the bill as “the first major overhaul of to 21 victims of a separate mosque bombing in the in the days leading up to the bill’s eventual government surveillance laws in decades.” keeping oil ceiling intact Sunni-majority kingdom. Both attacks were passage. Continued on Page 13 claimed by the Islamic State group, a Sunni extrem- KUWAIT: Kuwait Oil Minister Ali Al-Omair Saudi Oil Minister Ali Al-Naimi said on ist organization that considers Shiites to be said he “strongly believes” that Gulf OPEC Tuesday that OPEC’s strategy of not cut- heretics. Yesterday, the Interior Ministry released a members support keeping the cartel’s ting output to safeguard market share list of 16 men suspected of involvement in the sui- cide bombings, promising rewards of up to five mil- production ceiling unchanged at a cru- was working. Asked if this strategy had lion riyals ($1.33 million) for help in catching the cial meeting this week. In statements to been successful, Naimi told reporters: suspects. And anyone who provides information the official KUNA news agency on arrival “The answer is yes... Demand is picking that helps “foil a terrorist attack” could get seven in Vienna, Omair said that OPEC’s options up. Supply is slowing. This is a fact. The million riyals ($1.86 million), it said in a statement. were to “either to maintain or increase market is stabilizing.” Some other mem- Mohammed Al-Arbash, his brother Abdul Jalil, (the) production ceiling,” ruling out cuts. bers, particularly Venezuela and Iran, Mohammed Eisa and Abdul Hadi Al-Hashim died The 12-member Organization of have called for a production cut to sup- when a man dressed as a woman blew himself up Petroleum Exporting Countries is meet- port prices. Oil prices have lost almost at a rear entrance to Al-Anoud in Dammam, which ing tomorrow to decide on production half their value since June 2014, when has a mixed population of Sunnis and Shiites. “We levels for the second half of 2015, amid Brent traded at about $115 and New York are anxious something will happen in future but expectations that production levels will crude at almost $108 per barrel. we are taking care,” volunteer Ibrahim Abu Ahmed be maintained. Omair attributed the relative rise in oil told reporters inside the worship hall, which Omair said ministers of Gulf OPEC prices to OPEC having forced some high- appeared untouched by Friday’s attack. Several members which besides Kuwait include cost production offline, especially in the square meters of the rear parking lot are scorched heavyweight producer Saudi Arabia, the United States and Canada, and to an black after the blast, which Ahmed said blew the United Arab Emirates and Qatar will hold improvement in global economic chest of one victim about 100 meters. coordination talks ahead of the meeting. growth. He said he expected oil prices to Residents said three of the dead were volunteers Together, the four Gulf states pump increase further by the end of the year. trying to protect the mosque after a similar attack a around 17 million barrels per day (bpd) Oil prices fell in Asia yesterday, reversing week earlier in the nearby community of Kudeih. DALLAS: In this file photo, US President Barack Obama (right) and former or 55 percent of OPEC’s current output of steep gains in the previous session as The fourth man killed was another civilian who was President George W Bush shakes hands during the opening ceremony of the 31 million bpd. Saudi Arabia alone dealers awaited the latest US energy at the site when the blast struck. “We have four George W Bush Presidential Center on the campus of Southern Methodist pumps 10.3 million bpd. “The global stockpiles report amid concerns about a heroes,” said a 21-year-old student frisking worship- University (SMU) in Dallas, Texas. Former US President George W Bush is now scene requires us to not take a decision sustained global supply glut. US bench- pers arriving for midday prayers at Al-Anoud. He more popular than his successor Barack Obama, according to a CNN/ORC poll that may negatively impact the market, mark West Texas Intermediate for July stood just outside the main door to the cavernous, released yesterday. The survey said 52 percent of Americans polled have a favor- and the options available for OPEC are delivery fell 35 cents to $60.91, while red-carpeted mosque with a stained-glass dome. able opinion of the former Republican president who was in office between either to maintain or increase (the) pro- Brent crude for July eased 27 cents to Continued on Page 13 2001 and 2009, while 49 percent share a similar feeling about the man currently duction ceiling,” he said. $65.22 in late morning trade. — AFP in the White House. — AFP THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015 LOCAL

KUWAIT: His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received at Bayan Palace yesterday (from left, clockwise) HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al- Sabah, First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khaled Al-Sabah and Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah. —KUNA ‘Kuwait ready to aid Iraq through GCC security coordination UN Stability Fund’ following Saudi attacks PARIS: Kuwait’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah expressed Kuwait’s full readiness to aid Iraq through the proposed UN-supervised Stability Fund. “We have Jarallah praises Kuwaiti-Italian relations expressed full readiness to aid Iraq through the Stability KUWAIT: There is huge security coordination across the Gulf Italy’s Republic Day. He lauded Italy’s “effective and appreciat- tions further. Kuwaiti tourists flock to Italy in large numbers Fund and to offer humanitarian aid to a huge number of Cooperation Council in general, and between Kuwait and ed role” within the international coalition which is battling the each year, he added, while noting to Kuwait’s large pavilion displaced Iraqis before the advent of the holy month of Saudi Arabia in particular in light of the recent terrorist militant Islamic State (IS) group across Iraq and Syria at EXPO Milan 2015. Ramadan expected on June 18,” Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled attacks that took place in the kingdom, a senior Kuwaiti offi- In response to a question on the recently-hosted said after participating in the second ministerial meeting cial said. “We recognize that the dangers are broad and are Bilateral relations Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) talks, Jarallah for the anti-IS coalition on Tuesday. not targeting the security and stability of Saudi Arabia, alone The senior official described Kuwait’s relations with Italy said discussions focused on all matters that were causes “This comes within the framework of Kuwait’s respon- but that of the GCC as a whole,” Foreign Ministry as ‘historic,’ ‘exceptional,’ and ones that are based on mutual for concern amongst Islamic nations. “All decisions were sibility towards the stability and security of its neighbor, Undersecretary Khaled Al-Jarallah said, calling for “vigilance respect. Italy’s stances in support of Kuwait, particularly dur- made unanimously and there were no obstacles to this,” Iraq,” he said. He also pointed out that Kuwait’s speech at at this critical stage.” ing the Iraqi invasion, are very much appreciated, Jarallah he said, as he highlighted Kuwait’s role in achieving results the meeting reiterated support to Iraqi government’s Jarallah was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a cel- said, adding that this support has extended after the 1990 that will contribute to joint work under the body’s frame- approach of opening up to the region and the whole ebration hosted by the Italian embassy Tuesday night to mark invasion to international podiums and this has boosted rela- work. —KUNA world to back the measures it takes to defeat the Islamic State (IS). Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled underscored the need for a national reconciliation that includes different segments of the Iraqi society to ensure Iraq’s stability and security. He expressed satisfaction of the outcome of today’s “very important meeting”. He stated that the Iraqi Premier Haider Al-Abadi has informed the conferees about the latest developments of the situation in Iraq and the fight against IS. Abadi also touched upon various issues including the under-foundation Stability Fund, the return of displaced people who fled their homes in the IS-controlled areas, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled said. He added that the Commander of the Global Coalition to Counter IS General John Allen also briefed the conferees about the coalition’s strategy in confronting IS. The Kuwait top diplomat disclosed that the meeting mulled several measures to dry up the financial resources of IS and other extremist groups and to stop the flow of KUWAIT: Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Khaled Al-Jarallah (right) and Italian Ambassador to Kuwait Fabrizio Nicoletti cut the cake at a ceremony to mark Italy’s Republic Day. —Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat foreign fighters to IS-controlled areas. —KUNA

Ramadan working hours announced

By Meshaal Al-Enezi

KUWAIT: The Civil Service Commission officially released the working hour schedule at the public sector during the holy month of Ramadan, which starts in two weeks. Working hours will be short- ened to four hours and a half, from 9:30 am to 2:00 pm, at the following state departments: l Ministry of Commerce and Industry. l Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs. l Ministry of Justice. l Ministry of Public Works. l Ministry of Higher Education. l Ministry of Communications. l Ministry of Education. l Ministry of Information. l Public Authority for Housing Welfare. l Kuwait Ports Authority. l Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources. l Public Authority for Youth and Sports. l Environment Public Authority. l Public Authority for Industry. l Public Authority for Minors’ Affairs. l Customs General Department. l Kuwait Fire Services Directorate. l Kuwait Credit Bank. l Zakat House. l Kuwait Municipality. l Civil Service Commission. l National Council of Culture, Arts and Letters. Meanwhile, working hours will be from 10:00 am to 2:30 pm in the remaining state departments. As for the private sector, the Labor Law number 6/2010 indicates that working hours during Ramadan must be shortened to 36 hours a week, or six hours a day. THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015 LOCAL Arm gets stuck in toilet bowl

By Hanan Al-Saadoun

KUWAIT: Firefighters were called to free a man’s arm which got stuck in a toilet bowl inside a mosque’s bathroom in Bayan. The Asian man was reaching for his keys which had fallen into the bowl, but could not pull his arm out. Firemen arrived to the scene after the incident was report- ed, and were able to release the man’s arm. The man was not injured in the incident.

KUWAIT: The Kuwait Dive Team issued a navigation warning yesterday from a concrete piece located north of the southern island of the Jaber Causeway project. The two-meter-high piece is located 200 meters north of the island, and is completely submerged by water during high tide, rendering navigation at the area very dangerous. Kuwaiti divers marked the place temporarily to alert navigators. The concrete piece is located at the following coordinates: 200 24 N 29 - 090 56 47 E. Fake companies given until August 1 to legalize status

By Meshaal Al-Enezi not deterred by the penalties, fines, or even by closures Essa said that six nominees had so far refused an offer to sometimes slapped on them, Ghareeb noted. “They have to become the Kuwait University Rector. The candidates were KUWAIT: Fake companies and those suspended under be deterred by letting the public know about their viola- deterred by the undue pressure and stress that comes with code 71 are given a notice until August 1, 2015 to legalize tions so that they stop cheating their customers,” he the job, Essa said. their status, Manpower Public Authority’s Deputy Director stressed. Ahmad Al-Mousa said. There are 6,770 violating companies Hajj committee to be formed employing 33,000 laborers that need to address their situa- Power lines stolen The cabinet recently approved an Amiri decree to form tion before the deadline, Mousa added. The Ministry of Electricity and Water reported that 21 this year’s hajj committee, to be presided by the overhead power transmission lines along the Seventh Ring Undersecretary of the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Food stores Road were stolen. Investigations or ongoing to identify and Dr Adel Al-Falah. Also, according to the decree, the hajj Municipal Council member Yousuf Al-Ghareeb suggest- arrest the thieves. committee will include representatives from the ministries ed publishing in local newspapers and media the names of of interior, health, finance, information, commerce, justice, shops and stores found selling expired food products and Nominees snub KU directorship Kuwait Municipality, Directorate General of Civil Aviation, meat to inform the public. Some of the violating stores are Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr Bader Al- Kuwait Red Crescent Society, and hajj convoys.

Child abuse fatal global problem

KUWAIT: Child abuse is a global problem forum on ways to deal with various that may lead to fatal consequences, as degrees of domestic violence and their around 41,000 children aged below 15 negative impact on children, as well as are killed annually, according to a leading curing the child from violence’s physio- activist in children protection. Ibtisam Al- logical and physical damage, she said. Go’oud is the general coordinator of a The previous forum focused on set- child forum titled ‘Towards a better ting a law for the Kuwaiti child, besides Childhood Future,’ which kicked off at enforcing any related laws. The year 2015 Kuwait University on Tuesday. The forum witnessed enactment of a basic law for aims to protect the child rights and nur- protecting the child against any form of ture a healthy and productive genera- violence. This forum is designed to sup- tion, she said. port the child protection law and dis- The event, organized by the Center of cussing effects of the media, electronic Women’s Studies and Research of the games, and negative social phenomena College of Social Sciences at Kuwait on child’s behavior, she mentioned. University (KU) and Supreme National The forum includes specialized 21 Committee for Protection of the Rights of workshops with the supervision of acad- the Child at the Ministry of Health, sheds emicians, doctors, lawyers and specialists light on means of helping the child to in the field. The participants will receive gain self-defense skills, in addition to approved certificates by the Dean of tackling domestic violence against chil- College of Social Sciences at Kuwait dren of special needs, she added. University Dr Abdul Redha Asiri. The Child Protection Committee has They have already reviewed various trained around 1,000 people including researches in the field of domestic vio- physiologists, social workers, teachers, lence, including ‘children violence Cable thieves caught nurses, and physicians, besides volun- against their parents,’ ‘Social treatment Ahmadi police arrested five Asian men who committed teers on dealing with children and for child violence,’ ‘Ways of helping chil- several robberies in which they stole electric cables. The adopting proper means to solve their dren to acquire self-defense skills,’ and gang of five was caught red handed with possession of problems with modern scientific meth- ‘Domestic violence against children with stolen cables. They were sent to concerned authorities. ods. It trained the participants in the special needs.’ — KUNA ICRC chairman praises Kuwait’s relief efforts KRCS to provide iftar for 28,000 refugees

KUWAIT: President of the International order to face these challenges and to respond to will be launched at the beginning of the holy Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Peter Maurer the humanitarian needs of the victims of armed month of Ramadan. The project is expected to praised Kuwait’s generous financial support and conflicts and other situations of violence world- serve about 28,000 Syrian refugees for the whole its humanitarian action in the region particularly wide,” Maurer added. fasting month. in Syria, and reaffirmed the ICRC’s commitment Dr Sayer meanwhile affirmed keenness to The iftar project will provide meals through- to neutral, impartial and independent humani- work and coordinate with humanitarian organi- out the holy month of Ramadan in order to alle- tarian action. zations, especially with the Saudi Red Crescent viate the suffering of the Syrian refugee families His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- Society and King Salman Center for Relief and and help them cope with their difficult circum- Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, with his expertise and Humanitarian Works to deliver various forms of stances, Head of the KRCS Mission here Khaled wise leadership, has made Kuwait a leading and assistance needed to the Yemeni people, strug- Al-Zaid said in statement. proactive country for supporting the poor and gling to survive under exceptional circum- This iftar project came upon directions of needy Maurer said in statement after a meeting stances of the war. Both sides reviewed during His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad president of the Kuwait Red Crescent Society their meeting the existing cooperation means to Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Zaid added. KRCS team that (KRCS) Dr Hilal Al-Sayer yesterday. strengthen the strategic partnership between is implementing the project, in cooperation Maurer thanked HH the Amir and the govern- them. with the Jordanian Red Crescent, is a part of a ment of Kuwait for their political, diplomatic, package of humanitarian efforts to alleviate moral and financial support for the ICRC’s Iftar project suffering of the Syrian people who fled the humanitarian task. “We need a collective will and Separately, the KRCS launched an iftar project ongoing deadly conflict in their country, he commitment of the international community in for 500 Syrian refugee families in Jordan, which said. — KUNA

KUWAIT: ICRC President Peter Maurer (center) is pictured with Kuwait Red Crescent Society officials. — KUNA THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015 LOCAL

Abu Dhabi Summer Season 2015: Deals, fun for the whole family

By Nawara Fattahova Road show hotels and hotel apartments during the Abu Dhabi magician Hans Klok, the Illuminaire, MythBusters, Comedy To promote this huge event, the ADTCA went on a Summer Season 2014, compared to the previous year; Friday, Shreya Ghoshal, Mummenschanz, and many oth- KUWAIT: Starting June 11, Abu Dhabi will hold its road show in different GCC countries, including Kuwait. while a 25 percent hike was observed among GCC visitors ers. Valuable prizes were prepared for the lucky winners in annual festival called the ‘Abu Dhabi Summer The road show started in Jeddah, Riyadh, and Khubar in and a 2,495 increase in the number of hotel rooms. “We aim the weekly raffle draws,” Hosani added. Also, the visitors Season 2015.’ “This event presents three months of Saudi Arabia. Kuwait was the second station, while the to increase the number of visitors this year by encouraging can enjoy various entertaining activities such as the Yas fun and entertainment for the whole family,” said show ended in Muscat, Oman. more families to come and enjoy the activities,” he said. Water Park, Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Ferrari Hamad Al-Hosani, Assistant Domestic Promotion Along with ADTCA, seven hotels from Abu Dhabi pre- World, and the biggest gathering of museums that will official at the Destination Promotion Department of sented the road show that took place Tuesday evening at Mega promotions soon be launched. the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Cultural Authority (ADT- the J W Marriot Hotel. About 120 travel agencies attend- The festival is offering mega promotions and raffle Moreover, the concerts will kick off on July 18, with the CA). The event will bring together international per- ed, and they had one-to-one networking sessions, fol- draws across the emirate’s shopping malls, with chances beginning of Eid Al-Fitr, with a concert by popular Saudi formances and concerts by leading artists, superb lowed by the presentation of the Abu Dhabi Summer of winning throughout the 12 weeks. “40 hotels in Abu singer Mohammed Abdo, at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, fol- comedy acts, world famous children’s shows plus Season 2015 and a raffle draw. Dhabi are providing special discounts during the three- lowed by other concerts. The festival will run from June the best summer deals in hotels, malls, and attrac- During the event, Hosani shared that there was a 20 per- month event. The various activities will be held in 60 dif- 11 until September 15 and will be held in Abu Dhabi tions, he added. cent decrease in the number of visitors who stayed in ferent venues. These activities include Sesame Street, City, Al Ain, and the Western Region.

Fund provides support Sixth Ring for Kuwaitis looking to Road to be develop business ideas renamed?

KUWAIT: Providing support for young interest amongst the younger genera- KUWAIT: This screenshot taken from Google Kuwaitis looking to develop business tion. “The first will focus on ICT, which Maps’ website yesterday shows the Sixth ideas has a pivotal part to play in driv- will encourage products with added val- Ring Road already renamed after former ing greater private sector growth, the ue; the second on light manufacturing parliament speaker Jassem Al-Khorafi, who National Fund for Small and Medium to primarily serve larger industries; the passed away two weeks ago. The cabinet Enterprise Development’s Executive third on media and creative design” he had reportedly approved a decision to Chairman Dr Mohammad Al-Zuhair said said. Other applications will also be con- rename the key expressway after the busi- yesterday. sidered under a fourth program for proj- ness scion and politician in recognition of Zuhair told the global publishing, ects that do not fit neatly into any of the his national contributions. An official research and consultancy firm Oxford three categories. He added that encour- announcement from the cabinet, however, Business Group (OBG) that the National aging the private sector to lead the way has not been made yet. Fund (NF) recognizes the importance of in SME expansion remained a priority identifying talent and an entrepreneur- for the NF and is an integral part of its ial spirit, including the willingness to strategy. take a risk, early on. The full interview with Zuhair will Kuwait, Jordan sign “Incubation for us starts at universi- appear in The Report: Kuwait 2015, KTV program ties, the ideal place to capture the best OBG’s forthcoming guide to the coun- insurance memorandum, and most creative ideas of an ambitious try’s economic activity and investment youth,” he said. “Once students graduate opportunities. The report will be a vital wins award export program there is social pressure to find a job guide to the many facets of the country, KUWAIT: The Information Ministry is immediately, which leads graduates to including its macroeconomics, infra- keen on participating in the Arab AMMAN: Kuwait and Jordan yes- projects. Shawish meanwhile laud- register for a government post. Our aim structure, banking, and other sectoral Radio and Television Festival every terday wrapped up meetings of ed Kuwait’s role for supporting the is to change this.” developments. year, Kuwait Television Channel 1 their joint higher meeting in Kingdom’s economy. In the mean- The Fund was established under law Oxford Business Group is a global Executive Supervisor Mohammad Amman by signing a memoran- time, Tayyar underlined the 98/2013 to support the growth of small publishing, research and consultancy Shabkouh said. Kuwait was well-rep- dum of understanding (MoU) for momentousness of the meeting for and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), firm, which publishes economic intelli- resented during the 16th event fostering cooperation in the insur- bolstering bilateral economic, as part of a drive to create new and pro- gence on the markets of the Middle which took place in Tunis earlier this ance sector and an executive pro- trade and investment ties for the ductive jobs in untapped areas of the East, Africa, Asia and Latin America and month, he added. gram on exports. good of the Kuwaiti and the economy, particularly in the non-oil sec- the Caribbean. Through its range of Kuwait participated in most of the Assistant Undersecretary for Jordanian peoples. tor. It provides financing and other busi- print and online products, OBG offers competitions held as part of the festi- Foreign Trade and International Meanwhile, the two sides Organizations at the Ministry of formed a task team entrusting it comprehensive and accurate analysis of val, Shabkouh said. ‘The Cup never ness assistance where gaps have Commerce and Industry Sheikh with abolishing trade and invest- emerged in the market. macroeconomic and sectoral develop- Shakes,’ a program produced by Kuwait Television, won the first-prize Nimr Fahd Al-Sabah signed the ment obstacles between the two Zuhair told OBG that the Fund will ments, including banking, capital mar- award in a competition that “featured MoU, the program and the commit- countries. A respective report and target three industry sectors in its initial kets, insurance, energy, transport, indus- fierce competition,” he said. Mohammad Shabkouh tee’s final report with Secretary recommendations are expected by phase of operation. This, he explained, try and telecoms. ‘The Report: Kuwait “Winning the award is a notable General of the Jordanian Ministry the fourth quarter of the year. The drew on market research and analysis 2015’ will be produced in partnership development at the level of local par- the direction of Information Minister, of Industry and Trade and Supplies joint committee called for boosting undertaken to identify which areas of with the Kuwait Direct Investment ticipation in foreign contests,” State Minister for Youth Affairs Sheikh Ramzi Al-Shawish. Kuwaiti Charge cooperation in the small and medi- business generate the highest levels of Promotion Authority (KDIPA). — KUNA Shabkouh said, hoping for further Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud d’Affaires in Jordan Nayef Al-Tayyar um sized enterprises, through development in this regard under Al-Sabah. attended the signing ceremony. exchanging data and encouraging The executive program pertains specialized fairs and exhibitions. to a MoU for promoting industrial The two sides agreed to exports over the period 2015-2017, exchange stamps of rules of ori- KNPC wins Kuwait Sheikh Nimr said, adding that they gin in line with the Agreement to invited the Jordanian side to the Facilitate and Develop Trade next committee meeting in Kuwait, among Arab States. They will also e-Content Award 2016, Sheikh Nimr said. The two work to enhance cooperation in countries have stressed the need to maritime transport, protection of KUWAIT: Kuwait National Petroleum governmental institutions in the shift their economic cooperation the marine environment and Company’s winning of Kuwait e- country, he said. from exchanging goods to eco- monitoring and inspecting ships Content Award in its fifth round, E-sourcing Portal Project serves nomic partnership, as well as at the harbors of the both coun- reflects adherence to the transparen- the national economy and allows launching joint trade and industrial tries. — KUNA cy principle in the oil sector regard- KNPC to conduct quick and vital ing commercial transactions, KNPC’S communication to fulfill required Chief Executive Officer Mohammad tasks regarding various stages of Ghazi Al-Mutairi said yesterday. commercial tenders. The KNPC is the The Award, offered by Kuwait sole establishment that offers online Foundation for Advancement of tenders, valued up till KD 5,000,000, Science (KFAS) of the e-Sourcing he affirmed. Processing thousands of Portal, reflects KNPC’s capability of tenders electronically during the last keeping abreast of latest develop- eight years besides registering 8,000 ments at the regional land interna- local and foreign companies show tional levels in the related realms, KNPC’s prominent role in this field. Mutairi said. Mutairi expressed satisfaction for Remarkable cooperation winning the prize for the second con- KNPC’S Manager of Information secutive time, with the classification Technology Abdulaziz Ahmad Al- of e-trade “which indicates KNPC’s Duaij said meanwhile that this digital leadership.” He also thanked achievement was reached due to the the company’s employees for con- remarkable cooperation between tributing to this achievement. information technology and com- mercial departments. Leading role “We were sure that this project Deputy CEO for assisting services would be able to compete, as it was Khaled Al-Asousi meanwhile provided with techniques protecting expressed his happiness for making the information security for the por- this new achievement, which shows tal’s services,” he said. The e-Sourcing the company’s leading role in the Portal is able to support all devices, electronic field. KNPC won a prize including smart phones and elec- KUWAIT: A delegation representing the Taiwan External Trade last year for its projector of Human tronic tablets, as it allows private Development Council (TAITRA) opened a trade fair at the Al Dana Resources Certificate Kiosk, companies to follow up their work Ballroom in Sheraton Hotel yesterday. The delegation includes represen- launched in 2011, and was later easily and smoothly at anytime and tatives from 16 Taiwanese supplies representing various industries who adopted by major companies and anywhere. — KUNA are on a visit to Kuwait until Friday. — Photo by Joseph Shagra

THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015 From the Arabic press

Crime Al-Anbaa Report In-laws beat Masala chai*

son-in-law By Sami Al-Khorafi

KUWAIT: A citizen accused both his mother-in-law and pon an invitation from my lifelong friend Abu father-in-law of storming his house in Waha and beating Abdullah, we went to have masala chai and chapatti him with the help of others. A security source said the citi- in a popular Indian restaurant. We had a funny chat zen was transferred to Sabah hospital, with a deep cut, a U and discussed many issues of ‘joint interest’, as we so often security source said. The man also complained from pain in hear on news bulletins without understanding what the his pelvis, in addition to bruises on most of his body. term means. We also talked about my previous article that Details about the circumstances of the alleged attack were was titled ‘Blacks Want a Portfolio’ and the positive as well as not disclosed. Police are investigating the case. the negative responses to it. We had the following chat: Me: Abu Abdullah, what would you do if you had a mil- Stolen cables lion dinars? Abu Abdullah: (Adjusting the way he sat with a smile Ahmadi detectives arrested two Iranian men with on his face), well, I would do full maintenance of my body stolen electric cables in Khaitan. The men were sent to and remove this large belly that has been a good alterna- concerned authorities for further action. tive to airbags. I would then go to the bank with my gho- tra on my shoulder like we did in the good old days and snobbishly ask the bank manager how much do I still owe Robbers tie maid during burglary them, and for once in my lifetime, pay off my loan because I am used to getting into the bank with my face masked Three masked men broke into a Kuwaiti man’s house, tied Al-Jarida because of my disgraceful balance with only a quarter up his maid who was alone at the time and stole the home- dinar in it due to loans, like the majority of other citizens owner’s belongings. A security source said the citizen told who have been opening newspapers daily with a wish to police that he was shocked to come back home from work read about the government’s decision of write off their and discover that his maid was tied up. The maid told him Al-Anbaa debts and loans or to give a grant. I would also want to after he freed her that unknown persons stole a laptop and purchase a chalet or a ranch and a flat in Turkey and then router before escaping. Detectives are working on the case. go to Europe to enjoy the ‘taboos’ at home that are allowed abroad. I would then buy a luxury vehicle like that Can our screams reach the whole world? of so and so, whom I always consider ramming mine into Guard hit by car his out of envy. A security guard was hurt after being run over by a driv- By Nermin Al-Hooti Hearing these daydream wishes, I laughed and told er following a dispute over a parking spot. The suspect him that they were really the ones of a poor man that are had parked his vehicle outside a company’s building, he dialogue started when my mentor told me: charges that fall on him. For example, when life has a not even fit for a Gulf drama series for some reasons. I told and occupied a space used by a company official. When If the entire world screams, then it is possible huge amount of problems that confront the human him that three quarters of the chalets are now vacant the guard approached him and asked him to leave, he no one will hear it. For the first time, I did not being and puts obstacles that he cannot resolve, because their owners got bored with them. They only T went there frequently in the beginning, then started rent- refused, so the guard called police. When the driver agree and told him: Who said this? Sometimes, rather then the only thing he has are screams to vent his attempted to leave, the guard asked him to wait for the majority who scream get the message of their concerns and declare his rejection of what befalls ing them to others or even forgetting about them. I added that those people who are not indebted to banks for loans police to come. He refused to wait however, then hit the pain delivered to others. This was the first time when him in the form of psychological pressure. Screams guard with his car and escaped. The license plate num- they got and who do not worry about paying the install- I saw my mentor listen to me attentively and liking may differ from one human to another as far as form ments of a washing machine the way he did, usually had ber was taken and given to police, who are working on what I was telling him, so he said: How is that? I said and action are concerned, as sometimes you find the case. companies making them fortunes and have no problem in screaming is something most people do. They do it people who run and scream in the street, and we realizing any of the dreams he mentioned. when they are angry or happy. There are many rea- think they have gone mad, while others cry hysteri- “Your problem is that you forgot all about Allah in your Fake checking sons in our daily life that make the human being cally. dreams - you never considered paying any charity and you burst out in screams. Sometimes our screams may Forms may differ and reasons may be many, but forgot your family members and relatives who would, A drunk man was sent to the Drug Control General Department not be heard, but they are heard most of the time the scream remains a hope for many of those who themselves, envy you when you get the money without (DCGD) for conducting fake traffic inspections in Mubarak Al- and whoever hears the screams gets interested in feel the oppression of life and their hearts are full of giving them any and would start saying that you either Kabeer. Police received a call about a man stopping a citizen and them and listens to what those screams carry with life’s pressures. The only thing they have is the got it illegally or as a bribe. They will never pray to Allah to asking for his ID. When a patrol vehicle went to the scene, police them in the form of reasons. scream, in hopes that they are heard by others. So get the same without envying you,” I explained, telling found the person described to be severely intoxicated. —Al-Rai I do not agree with you for the first time, my men- how do you want the human being to scream? him that eventually his money would be used up and that tor, because when the individual does not have the Maybe, my mentor, the world one day may scream he would be broke again because he had never consid- ability to change his reality and bears many pressures that will resonate around the globe, and those who ered real investment in the course of daydreaming of join- that he cannot stand, he explodes through screams did this will hear it. ing the elite. “Satisfaction is the real asset you and I need News to rest psychologically, and vents the negative —Translated by Kuwait Times because millions only belong to those,” I told him. in brief (*Masala chai is a flavored tea made by brewing black tea with a mixture of aromatic Indian spices and herbs. Originating in India, the beverage has gained worldwide Ten expat pilgrims popularity, becoming a feature in many coffee and tea- houses.) —Translated by Kuwait Times per agency allowed KUWAIT: Hajj campaign organizers in Kuwait will be allowed to take up to ten non-Kuwaiti pilgrims this year, Al-Jarida Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affair’s Undersecretary Adel Al-Falah said. Campaigners were only allowed to How would life take Kuwaiti pilgrims last year after Saudi Arabia limited the number of pilgrims from Kuwait and other countries be without wars? due to ongoing expansion works at the Masjid Al-Haram in Makkah. Kuwait’s quota this year has remained the same at 6,400, but local hajj campaign agencies will still By Arwa Al-Waqian be allowed to bring expatriate and bedoon (stateless) pilgrims. Priority will still be given to citizens however, Falah said, meaning that expatriate or bedoon pilgrims ust take off your prescription glasses and wear sun- will only be registered if there were opening slots glasses. Block the bright light and imagine with me - how would life be without wars? Without death, remaining before the pilgrimage season starts. —Al-Rai J blood, martyrs or POWs? Just imagine if this world looked as a simple garden full of colorful butterflies where we hear nothing but the sound of birds and the Fugitives’ arrest poetry of Nizar Qabbani, Mahmoud Darweesh and Ghada Al-Samman and all the other Arab poets we KUWAIT: Thirteen months after Deputy Prime Minister Khaled Al-Mutawa, General Manager - International Banking and Investments, and Mona Mansour, love! and Interior Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khaled Al- General Manager - Customer Services Delivery accepting the award from Deutsche Bank senior repre- Just imagine if gunfire was substituted with music Sabah formed a security team to search for and arrest sentatives. that makes our souls dance. Imagine starting your day fugitives around the country, only 1,000 people have with a smile while your terrace is lit by pure sunlight approximately been arrested. Meanwhile, 11,000 are still at large, said security sources familiar with Interior Gulf Bank receives excellence award that has not been polluted by man. Imagine if we had Ministry statistics. —Al-Qabas no wars - how would our lives be? Our skies would be KUWAIT: Gulf Bank announced it has International Banking and Investments, financial institution as Deutsche full with rainbows. The air would be perfumed with been awarded the prestigious ‘Euro and Mona Mansour, General Manager - Bank. Receiving this award is lavender. There would be no hunger, greed or sad sto- STP Excellence Award’ from Deutsche Customer Services Delivery. acknowledgment for being one of ries. There would be no occupations or civil wars, no Mosques’ protection Bank for the exceptional quality of Receiving the award on behalf of the top correspondent banks and it sectarianism or racism. Skies whose intermingled colors payment messages. the bank, Mutawa said: “We are hon- reinforces our reputation as a market would make life a beautifully admirable painting. KUWAIT: Following recent terrorist attacks against The award was jointly received by ored to receive this award and proud leader in operations and service Just imagine if the human soul got rid of greed, self- Shiite mosques in Saudi Arabia, Minister of Justice, Khaled Al-Mutawa, General Manager - to be recognized by such a renowned quality.” ishness and lust for power and humiliating others. Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Yaqoub Al-Sane Imagine injustice disappeared and justice became a gave orders to take precautionary measures at all lifestyle for us all. We would dance to Latin music mosques around the country, including fixing CCTV regardless of the color or shape of those sharing the cameras for extra protection, a ministry source said. dance floor with us. We would go to worship houses, Minister Sane was specific in stressing the importance mosques and temples without any fear of hatred or of installing surveillance cameras at mosques, saying racism. We would be passionate to each other with pure that public safety was ‘invaluable.’ The minister’s com- human souls that have not yet been infected by life. ments came in response to statements suggesting that What if we remained as pure as when Allah first cre- a project to supply surveillance cameras at mosques ated us? What if we can life in a utopia and it became a around Kuwait would be too expensive. —Al-Qabas real fact instead of remaining as a Byzantine wish we long for to express disappointment? What if we lived without fears because we know for sure that our rights would be protected and hard work would be rewarded? Al-Zour Refinery What if all the ideal lessons we learned at school turned KUWAIT: A committee affiliated to the Kuwait into tangible facts instead of remaining as silly abstract Petroleum Corporation’s Board plans to recommend concepts in such a vicious world? Just imagine how life would be without wars! It an additional budget for Al-Zour Refinery project, would be beautiful - children would play, adults would exceeding KD 800 million (nearly $3 billion), well- be happy and dreams would become feasible, not informed sources said. —Al-Rai impossible. Imagine if we loved each other with no rea- son other than good, gave without waiting for reward and forgave others to make life as rosy as we have ever Fish market KUWAIT: The Commercial Bank of Kuwait (CBK) announced sponsoring a football tournament for the wished it would be! This idea was banging in my head this morning, KUWAIT: Though demand for fish drops during Finance Ministry’s labor union, to be organized during the holy month of Ramadan for the second con- secutive year. The picture shows Paul Dawood, CBK’s General Manager - Retail Banking (left), present- bringing a bright smile to my face that made my peace- Ramadan in Kuwait, Public Authority for Agricultural longing soul very cheerful and brought rainbow hues Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAAFR) recent decision to ing a cheque to Abdullah Al-Dallak, Secretary of the Finance Ministry’s labor union. to my sky. Even if I am dreaming, I still believe dreams open mullet fishing within a three-mile radius from are still allowed and have not been banned or restrict- Kuwait’s mainland helped revive local fish markets. ed by laws. Dreams are still possible despite everything. Selling mullet baskets for KD 13 each, fisherman Ahmed In fact, they are the only thing we still have left in a Abdullah said that sales were better on the second day 62 nurseries closed world obsessed with war and its devastating conse- of allowing mullet fishing. Accordingly, on the second quences. However, I will keep on dreaming that some- day auction, small mullet fish baskets were sold for KD 9 KUWAIT: 62 nurseries were closed in different areas inspection teams found out that some nurseries were day, peace would prevail and dreams would be realized. each, big sizes were sold for KD 15, while mixed sizes around Kuwait, either for violations or upon their owners’ operating in residential flats, which is illegal under law Finally, dream with me of building a gigantic house sold for KD 13. Auctioneer Rami Owaidhah said mean- requests, said Nasser Al-Ammar, Director of the Women number 22/2014, because flats are not adequately or safely in our imagination - one that gathers us like Noah’s ark while that fish prices have been relatively high because and Childhood Protection Department at The Ministry of designed nor equipped to accommodate nurseries. Ammar and steers us to safety shores. Our hearts still have of the high temperatures, which are preventing many Social Affairs and Labor. “Three nurseries were closed for added that some nurseries were being used for other pur- room for hope and dreams. Do not deprive yourself of fishermen from sailing out. Owaidhah also predicted an severe violations while the owners of 59 others requested poses other than those stated in their official licenses, such flying a little. There is no harm in that. Just soar and increase in fish prices over the coming few days closing them because they did not have enough time to as running them for tuitions or for Quran memorization. remember that you do have wings and that it is only because of the expected decrease in supply, since many run them themselves”, he explained. Meanwhile, Ammar said that under MSAL’s supervision, the you who decides to use them or to take them off. So, fly Moreover, Ammar said that there are currently 339 nurs- Children Parks festival will be held soon in 9 parks (Faiha, fishermen will be traveling back to their home countries with me because we have nothing left but dreams! eries in total and that 50 applications for licenses are still Qadisiya, Khaldiya 1, Khaldiya 2, Kaifan, Shaab, and —Translated by Kuwait Times during this period. —Al-Qabas pending approval and issuance. Further, he said that Subahiya). —Al-Jarida Ammonium nitrate cache under ‘close surveillance’ Page 10

THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015 Conflicts hamper fight against hunger in Mideast

BEIRUT: Conflicts and instability are hampering the fight noted that 2014 was a very dry year, affecting crop produc- that key growing areas in Hasakeh and Idlib provinces are and Iraq. In Yemen, it said, around half the population against hunger in the Middle East at a time when under- tion. “Domestic production in Syria was the lowest in the difficult to access because of fighting. required humanitarian assistance at the beginning of 2015, nourishment is on the rise, the UN’s Food and Agriculture past decade,” said Maurice Sade, FAO’s Lebanon country The report said the Syrian conflict would “likely have a even before the latest conflict involving Saudi-led air Organization warned yesterday. Presenting a report on the representative, adding there had been a breakdown of the long-lasting impact on food security and nutrition inside strikes in the country. And in Iraq, the prevalence of under- Near East and North Africa region’s progress on Millennium animal health system in Syria. So far, rainfall in 2015 has Syria and on the Syrian refugee population.” Elsewhere, the nourishment has gone from just eight percent in 1990- Development Goals set in 1990, FAO said MENA was the been comparatively good in Syria, he added, but he noted report also highlighted hunger problems in both Yemen 1992 to 23 percent in 2014-2016, the report said. — AFP only region of the world in which hunger had increased. “Conflicts and protracted crises in Iraq, Sudan, Syria and Yemen, as well as in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, mean that NENA is the only region to have seen its overall preva- lence of undernourishment increase,” the report said. “The NENA region, as a whole has witnessed a serious setback in its fight against hunger,” said the FAO assistant director-general for the region, Abdessalam Ould Ahmed. “Conflicts and protracted crises are the main drivers of food insecurity in the region.” FAO said around 33 million people in the region were now chronically undernourished, a rise in prevalence from 6.6 percent in 1990 to 7.5 percent. While it called the number “unacceptably high,” it also stressed that 15 of the region’s 19 countries had achieved the Millenium Development Goal target of halving the pro- portion of people undernourished or keeping it below five percent. Still, in countries in the region at war, the agency sound- ed the alarm about the growing threat of hunger. It said 9.8 million people in Syria were in need of food assistance, and

HOMS: Tadmur prison is blown up and destroyed by the Islamic State group in Palmyra (Tadmur in Arabic), Homs province, Syria. The prison was where govern- ment opponents were held, and reports over the years said it was the site of beatings and torture. — AP INTERNATIONAL THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015

Syria insurgent advances put Assad under pressure Worries surface in government-held areas

BEIRUT: Steady advances by insurgents on key fronts ground, but red lines will not be breached,” said one was not able to independently verify the report. Tactical withdrawal in Syria mean President Bashar Al-Assad is under more source familiar with the thinking in Damascus, declin- Assad is still determined to hold on to energy instal- military pressure than at any point in the four-year-old ing to be named because he was discussing private Where is the support? lations needed to supply government-held areas, war. Losses in the north, east and south to groups conversations with Syrian officials. Assad has survived Public concern about the war has surfaced in gov- including gas and oil fields east of Homs. Last week he including Al-Qaeda’s Syrian arm and Islamic State may such pressure before, notably at the end of 2012 when ernment-held areas where most of the population still dispatched Halaki on a visit to the Sha’ar gas field, which test Assad’s hold over western parts of the country the West thought his government was near collapse. lives. The Syrian lira has weakened. Foreign Minister had previously fallen to Islamic State but was recap- that are the most crucial to his survival. After his loss of But the difference now is that the insurgents have Walid Al-Moualem fielded tough questions during a tured after fierce battles. An offensive by the army and Palmyra, a symbolic and militarily strategic city, and grown in strength while government forces have been televised news conference in Damascus last week, Hezbollah against insurgents including the Nusra Front nearly all of Idlib province, he appears to be circling his weakened after more than four years of fighting. including whether Syria was now in fact partitioned. in the Qalamoun mountain range north of Damascus is wagons more closely to a western region that includes Assad has also lost Iraqi Shi’ite militiamen who had One journalist put it to him that Iranian and Russian also crucial. The diplomat said: “It will be very difficult Damascus, Homs, Hama and the coast. Sources famil- been fighting alongside Syrian forces. They went home statements of support were failing to halt insurgent for armed groups to take (Damascus), because it will be iar with the thinking in Damascus acknowledge that to fight Islamic State after it captured Mosul and other advances. People were asking why this support was a battle not just for land, but a fight for survival.” But pressure is growing but say the government is confi- Iraqi cities last June. The sudden advances also added not more apparent on the ground, the journalist said. Latakia on the coast and Homs could be harder to dent the army can defend crucial territory with the to the military pressures facing Iran both in Syria and “This question is certainly asked in the popular opin- defend. The Syrian government views the fall of Palmyra help of its allies. Iraq. Insurgent groups in the north and south of Syria ion,” Moualem said. The relationship with Russia and as a tactical defeat but a strategic gain, said Salem Assad still controls areas in more far-flung parts of have emerged as the war’s most dynamic force in the Iran “is deeper than some think”, he added. Zahran, a Lebanese pundit with close ties to Damascus. Syria, but these are dwindling in number. His decision past two months. They are better organized and A diplomat who tracks Syria said the tone reflected Islamic State’s capture of the city and its UNESCO to maintain forces in places such as in Deir Al-Zor, armed than before and are believed to have received a new government willingness to admit vulnerability. World Heritage site should encourage Washington to Hasaka and Aleppo suggests he still wants to preserve new support from Assad’s regional enemies. “It’s a change in their attitude,” the diplomat said. “The review its Syria policy, would make US-allied Jordan a nationwide presence, rejecting Syria’s de facto parti- “Clearly the trends right now are working general mood is black.” The deputy head of Israel’s take greater notice of the Islamic State threat, and tion. Sources familiar with the government’s thinking against the regime, but it appears the regime’s armed forces said this week the Syrian military had force Iraq to cooperate more with Syria, he said, say Assad is confident about standing his ground: backers - and Iran in particular - may increase their “ceased to exist, de facto”, while Hezbollah was invest- reflecting the view in Damascus. Damascus is also extra support is expected from Iran, his strongest ally, support in an attempt to reverse those trends,” said ing in thousands of its fighters in Syria. Others describe counting on Syria climbing up Iran’s list of priorities which said on Tuesday it would continue to stand by Noah Bonsey, senior analyst with the International the situation in less dire terms, and say the army is still once Tehran signs a nuclear deal with world powers, Syria. The Lebanese group Hezbollah, which is backed Crisis Group thinktank. “It is too early to tell what able to defend government-held areas. State TV airs Zahran said. But previous assumptions that Assad by Iran, is more widely deployed in Syria than ever. such an escalation could achieve,” he said. “The videos reassuring Syrians the army is in good shape, could not be defeated due to his superior military And Assad still believes the West will eventually regime is still seeking to maintain as much of its displaying its weapons and showing bare-chested sol- strength underpinned by the air force were no longer rehabilitate him as a partner in the fight against geographic reach as it can.” Lebanon’s As-Safir diers breaking concrete with their arms. “We believe in valid, the diplomat said. The insurgents were building Islamic State - a shift that shows no sign of happening newspaper on Tuesday said more than 20,000 Iraqi, the capacity of the army to restore security for every on their momentum and had more recruits. “For every but which he thinks is inevitable given the risk of a full Iranian and Lebanese fighters had entered Idlib inch of Syria,” the headline of a recent state media 100 soldiers lost by the regime, there are not 100 jihadist takeover. “The summer will be tough on the province in readiness for a counter attack. Reuters report read, citing Prime Minister Wael Al-Halaki. more coming in,” the diplomat said.— Reuters

News in brief

Gunmen kill 2 Egyptian policemen at Pyramids CAIRO: Egypt’s state news agency says gunmen on a speeding motorcycle opened fire, killing two members of the tourist police at the famed Giza Pyramids. Yesterday’s drive-by shooting was a rare incident at a tourist site. Egypt sees regular attacks on its security forces as it struggles with a low-level Islamist insur- gency, mostly in the lawless northern Sinai Peninsula. But the attacks have inched closer to the capital, mostly targeting individual security agents but also included small bombings in public areas. A deadly car bombing last year hit the security headquarters in Cairo, also damaging an Islamic museum. The surge in violence has followed the 2013 ouster of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi. Tourism, a major foreign revenue earner, plunged recently, after recovering from a wave of Islamist attacks in the 1990s.

Saudi Arabia beheads ANBAR: Fighters from Badr Brigades Shiite militia clash with Islamic State group militants at the front line on the outskirts of Fallujah, Anbar province, Iraq. — AP two drug traffickers RIYADH: Saudi Arabia yesterday beheaded two citizens convicted of drug trafficking, bringing to 94 the num- ber of executions carried out in the kingdom so far this IS risks becoming global year. Awadh Al-Atwi and Mussalam Al-Qaraani were executed for trafficking “narcotic pills” and possessing hashish in the ultra-conservative kingdom, said an interior ministry statement carried by the official SPA menace, US envoy warns news agency. The latest beheadings in the northwest- ern region of Tabuk come despite fierce criticism from rights groups over a surge in executions this year. More than 10,000 jihadists killed According to an AFP tally, 94 Saudis and foreigners have been put to death so far in 2015, compared to 87 in all of last year. “Any execution is appalling, but execu- DOHA: A senior US envoy said yesterday the growth of the “We said many times that it is critical that all forces in the bat- specifying whether the losses were in Iraq or Syria. Blinken was tions for crimes such as drug smuggling that result in Islamic State militant group had global implications and could tle field must be under the command and control of the govern- speaking a day after an international conference in Paris in which no loss of life are particularly egregious,” said Sarah “wreak havoc on the progress of humanity” if unchecked. Retired ment of Iraq for the counter-ISIL operation to be successful,” he 20 or so representatives of the anti-IS coalition pledged support Leah Whitson, Middle East and North Africa director at Gen John Allen, appointed by US President Barack Obama to added, using a common acronym for Islamic State. Washington for Baghdad’s plan to claw back territory from the marauding Human Rights Watch. “The current surge in executions build a coalition against Islamic State, told a conference in Qatar remained “very attentive and concerned about extremist militia jihadists who have conquered large parts of Iraq and Syria. The in Saudi Arabia is yet another stain on the kingdom’s the group was not merely an Iraqi problem or a Syrian problem elements frequently influenced by Iranian leadership, where Iran coalition’s strategy has been criticized for relying on air strikes human rights record,” Whitson said in a statement on but “a regional problem trending towards global implications”. may play a significant role in their presence,” he said. He added without committing boots on the ground, but Blinken stressed Monday, calling for a halt to the “cruel punishment.” The group has lost about a quarter of the populated areas it once that Turkey’s borders with Syria and Iraq were the “last line of there had been “significant progress”. held in Iraq, but countering its ideology might take a generation defense” against foreign fighters coming into the conflict - but Islamic State now controls “25 percent less of Iraq after nine or more, he told the Brookings Institution’s US-Islamic World other countries also needed to help stop the influx. Syrian months, a lot of their equipment has been destroyed and many Forum. President Bashar Al-Assad should have no place in a solution to Daesh members have been eliminated,” said Blinken. He never- Writer leaves for US Last month, the Iraqi government had its worst military set- Syria’s war, he added, repeating Washington’s stance on efforts to theless acknowledged the “resilience” of the group after the coali- after Islamist threats back in nearly a year when Islamic State seized Ramadi from a end the fighting. tion has launched about 4,000 air strikes on them. In a separate DELHI: Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen said yester- weakened Iraqi army. The capital of the overwhelmingly Sunni French radio interview, Iraq’s ambassador to France, Fareed day she had left her home in India for the United States Muslim province of Anbar is 90 km west of Baghdad. Since then, Over 10,000 killed Yasseen, said the allies had heeded Baghdad’s calls for more after receiving death threats from Islamists behind the government troops and allied Shiite Muslim militia have been Meanwhile, more than 10,000 jihadists have been killed in air weapons to combat the group. “The Americans have promised recent murders of atheist bloggers in her home coun- building up positions around Ramadi. Many Iraqi Sunnis dislike strikes against the Islamic State group over a nine-month coali- us and will shortly deliver missiles that will make the difference try. Nasreen, who fled to Europe in 1994 after protests the ultra-hardline Islamic State but also fear the Shiite militias after tion campaign, US deputy secretary of state Antony Blinken said against these truck bombs ... which made us lose Ramadi,” a key against her work by Muslim extremists and who now years of sectarian strife. Allen said there was no future for Iraq yesterday. “We have seen enormous losses from Daesh (IS), more Iraqi city close to the capital. “The French will be giving us similar lives in New Delhi, tweeted that she did not feel safe in without Sunni support and stressed the need for the government than 10,000 since the beginning of the campaign and this will weapons, ammunition and we are discussing other cooperation the Indian capital. “Was threatened by Islamists who to control the Shiite militias, some of whom have links to Iran. end up having an impact,” Blinken told French radio, without projects,” the ambassador told Europe 1 radio.—Agencies killed atheist bloggers in B’desh. Worried,” she tweeted. “Will be back when feel safe.” Nasreen, 52, said she had asked for a meeting with India’s Home Minister Rajnath Anger, defiance as Erdogan takes aim at Turkey media Singh after receiving death threats but had received no response. The move came weeks after masked attack- ISTANBUL: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hashtag #CanDundarYalnizDegildir (Can the first issue of French satirical weekly Charlie premier Adnan Menderes (hanged in 1961 after ers hacked secular blogger Ananta Bijoy Das to death has launched aggressive attacks on media foes Dundar is not Alone). Human Rights Watch said Hebdo after the Paris attacks. a military coup) and late president Turgut Ozal. in Bangladesh, the third such deadly attack by suspect- ahead of Turkey’s most tightly-contested elec- Cumhuriyet was doing its job of “researching “This task is not new for the New York Times... ed Islamists since February. Das had written a poem tions in over a decade, prompting fears of a and reporting the news”, and warned there was ‘The jester can stay silent’ Now they have also done it to me,” he said in an eulogizing Nasreen, who left the Muslim-majority clampdown on freedom of expression but also an “alarming pattern of the government clamp- Erdogan meanwhile has turned the New interview with Show TV on Tuesday. Turkey is country after she was accused of blasphemy over her defiant vows not to stay silent. Erdogan per- ing down on any scrutiny of its conduct”. York Times into one of his favorite campaign already ranked a lowly 149th placed on novel “Lajja” (Shame), which depicts the persecution of sonally filed a criminal complaint against the punchballs, accusing the newspaper of taking its Reporters Without Borders’ World Press Freedom a Hindu family. Bangladesh is an officially secular coun- editor-in-chief of the secular Cumhuriyet news- ‘Don’t sacrifice freedom’ orders from the US government. He said he was Index. This year, legal proceedings have been try but more than 90 percent of its 160 million popula- paper Can Dundar over a front page story it Tuesday’s front page of Cumhuriyet showed just the latest target for the paper in a long his- opened against dozens of journalists and indi- tion are Muslims. The country has seen a rise in attacks said proved Turkey had sent arms to rebels in pictures of all its journalists and columnists tory of attacks from Abdulhamid II to former viduals on charges of insulting Erdogan. — AFP by religious extremists in recent years. Syria, warning he would “pay a heavy price”. with the headline “We are responsible (for the And after a New York Times editorial said story)”. It went a step further yesterday, publish- there were “dark clouds” over Turkey, Erdogan ing statements by 30 Turkish artists and celebri- denounced the paper as “trash” and even said it ties, including the author Orhan Pamuk, star Hezbollah widens offensive had a tradition of vilifying Turkish leaders going actress Beren Saat and singing legend Sezen back to the Ottoman Sultan Abdulhamid II. Aksu under the headline “We are beside you”. near border, seizes hilltops Erdogan, who became president in August Pamuk, who himself has brushed with the BEIRUT: Hezbollah has seized ground from insurgents after more than a decade as premier, wants Turkish authorities in the past, said he con- near the Lebanon-Syria border, the group said yester- after Sunday’s legislative polls to create a presi- demned the pressure on Dundar “from the day, widening its joint offensive with the Syrian army to dential-based system that his opponents fear highest authority in the state”. “Democracy and try to clear the area of militant groups including Al- would lead to one-man rule. But the ruling freedom of speech should not be sacrificed to Qaeda’s Syrian wing. The Iran-backed Lebanese group Islamic-rooted Justice and Development Party the election frenzy and the hatred it generates,” said in a statement its fighters had seized three hilltops (AKP) is under pressure, with opinion polls sug- Pamuk wrote. in the mountainous area east of the Lebanese town of gesting it may need to form a coalition for the Pro-government media have lined up on Arsal, the target of an incursion last August by the Al- first time since it came to power in 2002. the other side against Cumhuriyet, with colum- Qaeda-linked Nusra Front and Islamic State. Hezbollah In this context, the Cumhuriyet story pub- nist Ibrahim Karagul of the Yeni Safak daily writ- fighters were now advancing towards a strategically lished on Friday was a bombshell, accusing ing that “they signed themselves on the great- important peak, it said. Hezbollah’s support has been Erdogan of covering up arms shipments to est treason of history by saying ‘Stop Turkey’. crucial to Syria’s President Bashar Al-Assad in the four- Syrian rebels fighting President Bashar Al- But Dundar refused to stay silent, penning an year-long Syrian conflict. Its operation in the Qalamoun Assad. Prosecutors were quick to open an article Tuesday entitled “stop the threats and mountains north of Damascus is part of Assad’s effort investigation and Erdogan in his personal com- answer these 20 questions” over the alleged to shore up his control over western Syria. Assad has plaint Tuesday demanded that Dundar serves Syria arms delivery. “When a newspaper does lost swathes of northwestern and eastern Syria in the two life sentences and 42 years in prison for not publish the truth, is it not guilty?” he asked. ALEPPO: Syrian men help an injured person following a reported barrel bomb attack by last two months to an array of insurgent groups includ- espionage and publishing false information. Cumhuriyet had already angered conservatives Syrian government forces that hit an open market in the northern city of Aleppo killing ing both the Nusra Front and Islamic State, putting him Yet there has been an angry backlash, with by reproducing in January the front-page car- and injuring people. Regime barrel bombs-crude weapons made of containers packed under the toughest military pressure he has faced since supporters of Dundar rallying under the Twitter toon mocking the Prophet Mohammed from with explosives - have often struck schools, hospitals, and markets in Syria. — AFP the war began. INTERNATIONAL THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015 Nevada stays with the caucus system Republican contenders, supporters disappointed DENVER: Nevada is keeping its caucuses for select- woman Kristin Orthman. candidates to try to appeal directly to voters through ing presidential nominees, disappointing supporters Without Democratic support, the bill fell victim to a statewide primary than master the complex caucus of several Republican presidential contenders who divisions within the state Republican Party. Nevada’s system. “I’m a huge Scott Walker fan and I honestly had hoped to shift the early-voting state to a system state party apparatus was taken over by followers of believe he’s going to win no matter what,” Wheeler of primaries. Caucuses are considered favorable to former Rep. Ron Paul several years ago, and critics said of the Wisconsin governor and 2016 prospect, candidates who have a network of highly motivated have contended that the caucuses - and their arcane “but I believe a primary would be easier” for him and activists, and in Nevada they are seen as especially rules over who can vote in the gatherings - favor the most other candidates. favoring Kentucky Sen Rand Paul because of his fam- Paul family. Nick Phillips, political director of the Clark However, the 2012 example showed that the ily’s support in the state Republican party. County Republican Party and a supporter of a pri- state is no guarantee for the Paul family. Ron Paul, Republican Gov Brian Sandoval, who has met mary system, vowed to change that despite the bill’s Rand’s father, came in third in the caucuses behind CHICAGO: In this file photo, Chicago Public Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett speaks at a news with Jeb Bush, backed legislation to change to a failure. “Obviously, there’s the perception that those Mitt Romney, who was helped both by the strong conference, as Mayor Rahm Emanuel listens from behind in Chicago. The mayor’s office released a primary, but the bill never came up for a vote people can run the caucuses, but we’ll get the rules influence of Mormon voters among Nevada statement saying Byrd-Bennett has resigned effective Monday, June 1, 2015. The announcement before the Legislature adjourned Monday night. It better this time,” Phillips said in an interview Tuesday. Republicans and his own well-funded operation. comes amid a federal investigation over a roughly $20 million no-bid contract that Chicago Public was the subject of frantic horse-trading and lobby- Phillips and other backers give a similar reason for Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who had no Schools awarded to a training academy where Byrd-Bennett once worked as a consultant. — AP ing in the state capitol in Carson City until the final preferring a primary - higher turnout. Nevada’s cau- built-in ties to Nevada, came in second. For 2016, minutes of the session. The state’s Republican Lt cuses drew only about 8 percent of the state’s Bush, Rubio and Texas Sen Ted Cruz have all signed Two years on, empty schools Gov Mark Hutchison, chairman of Florida Sen Republican voters in 2012. “It hurts the citizens of the prominent Nevada Republican operatives in recent Marco Rubio’s 2016 presidential campaign in state of Nevada,” said state Sen. James Settelmeyer, weeks, signaling that the state will be fiercely con- pose tough sell for Chicago Nevada, had pushed for the bill. Senate Democratic the bill’s author. He worried the collapse of the legis- tested, regardless of its system for picking the win- leader Harry Reid called one Democratic lawmaker lation would lead both national parties to remove ner. “We will strongly compete in every state, includ- CHICAGO: Sitting at the dead end of a west housing and community centers - scenarios to urge him to not back the measure. Reid felt the Nevada’s status as the first-voting presidential nomi- ing the Nevada caucuses,” Rubio spokesman Alex side Chicago street, the vacant Ward elemen- that also were envisaged in Chicago by a bill jeopardized Nevada’s early-voting status nating Western state by the 2020 contest. Conant said. Conant said Rubio’s campaign was neu- tary school is a gloomy sight. The three-storey February 2014 advisory committee. However, “because it created uncertainty,” said Reid spokes- Assemblyman James Wheeler said it’s far easier for tral on the legislation.— AP building has boarded up windows and graffiti. the charter option has long been a political Dandelions poke through cracks in the park- challenge in Chicago, where public school ing lot. Two concrete playground turtles, their teachers held an eight-day strike in 2012 over paint fading, provide seats for drug users, Emanuel’s reforms and his support of charter US sex education teacher under fire neighbors say. “They should utilize it, or they schools. should tear it down,” said neighbor Connie Although Chicago Public Schools, or CPS, MINNEAPOLIS: A sex education teacher has drawn church, has an annual budget of about $100,000. because it is private. “I don’t think anybody would Sims. “It’s like an accident waiting to happen.” had previously pledged not to go the charter the ire of parents after taking middle- and high-school Parent Lynn Floyd’s 11- and 13-year-old daugh- think that going to the Smitten Kitten is a great idea,” Ward was one of 49 elementary schools tar- route, it enraged its teachers’ union last month students on a field trip to an adult novelty store in ters were on the field trip. Floyd says the trip was “a he said. It is not clear whether the field trip broke any geted by the country’s largest mass closing in by saying it would consider turning some Minneapolis. Gaia Democratic School director Starri major breach of trust” and has withdrawn his chil- laws. A city ordinance said those younger than 18 2013, and most are still empty two years later. closed sites into charter schools if communi- Hedges took about a dozen students to the Smitten dren from the school. Floyd said he is most troubled should not be exposed to “sexually provocative writ- Under-enrollment and low resources were cit- ties wanted them. One such proposal already Kitten last week. Hedges told the Star Tribune that she that parents were never notified before the trip. “I ten, photographic, printed, sound, or published mate- ed by school board officials for the closures, has been approved. “This is a betrayal of the wanted to provide a safe environment for students to just struggled to think that I wasn’t involved in that,” rials deemed harmful to minors.” which mainly affected poorer African- Board’s promise to not allow charters to learn about human sexual behavior. Besides offering he said. Hedges said that she “unfortunately didn’t Minneapolis City Attorney Susan Segal said inspec- American and Latino neighborhoods. snatch up closed schools,” said Chicago adult books, videos, toys and other products, the store communicate well enough with parents ahead of tors visited the store Tuesday and plan to issue a viola- The shuttered buildings have become a Teachers Union staff coordinator Jackson also has educational workshops, which the students time” about the trip. Pornographic items were off tion notice for failing to comply with the city ordi- vivid symbol of the fight over Chicago Mayor Potter. Andrew Broy, president of the Illinois attended. limits to the children, Hedges said, but sex toys and nance and for not complying with a zoning ordinance. Rahm Emanuel’s sweeping drive to reform Network of Charter Schools, said charters “What I saw happening on our trip, I thought it was other products were visible. She said the store can reconfigure its space or cover education and tackle a projected $1.1 billion should be able to access vacant school build- beautiful because kids could talk to these sex educa- Smitten Kitten owner Jennifer Pritchett said the the items to comply. Pritchett, the store owner, did not education budget deficit. Chicago’s teachers’ ings if there is no other viable use for them. tors without any shame, without any fear,” Hedges store is an educational resource about sex and sexuali- immediately return a call seeking comment. Hedges union is fiercely opposed to turning the sites “The longer we wait to do so, the more those said. Some of her students bought condoms, she said. ty. “We leave it up to the discretion of parents and said she probably would not take another class to the into charter schools - privately run and usually buildings deteriorate,” Broy said. The small K-12 school has a motto that promises aca- guardians as to when, if, and in what capacity they store. “It was certainly the first time we have taken that non-union - while residents say the empty demic freedom, youth empowerment and democratic seek resources from our educators,” she said. kind of field trip and it will probably be our last, which buildings have become sources of blight and Spending and saving education. Parents say it has about 25 students. Tax Minnesota Department of Education spokesman Josh I feel bad (about) because the kids had so much fun,” activists say the process to find new uses has The 38 empty school buildings are costing records show the school, housed in a Unitarian Collins said the state has no authority over the school Hedges said.— AP been painfully slow. “They went and closed a Chicago’s cash-strapped system more than $3 record 50 schools with no plan,” said Valerie million a year for utilities, security and other Leonard, a West Side community organizer. maintenance, official figures show. CPS said it The Chicago public schools system says find- avoided $430 million in capital costs over 10 ing new uses has taken time because it wants years by closing the schools. It spent $233 mil- to evaluate all possibilities and consult the lion on refurbishment for schools that took in public. displaced students. So far, Chicago has found new uses for four emptied buildings - one Tough sell became an arts academy, another a testing Empty urban schools can be a tough sell, as center. Sales are pending for two buildings - Detroit, Philadelphia and Kansas City, Missouri, including one that will include an expanded all have found in recent years. According to a charter - and requests for proposals have 2013 study by Pew Charitable Trusts, vacant gone out for three, officials said. school buildings are sometimes in poor condi- CPS spokesman Bill McCaffrey said finding tion, their layouts are often not conducive to new uses has been a “deliberate process” of new uses and some are located in declining evaluation because officials saw what hap- residential areas. In March, Detroit’s school sys- pened in other cities when a building was sold tem transferred 77 of its 98 closed schools to off too quickly, and then became “an alba- the city, which can use federal dollars to tear tross.” “We knew this would take some time some down while rehabilitating others, said and we wanted the community to have a school spokeswoman Michelle Zdrodowski. chance to express their wishes,” said McCaffrey. One abandoned high school is about to Yet there have been no community meetings become part of an automotive plant. since November 2014, and none are currently Of Philadelphia’s 34 shuttered schools, scheduled. Asiaha Butler, a community activist sales are closed or pending for 25, said spokes- in the South Side’s troubled Englewood neigh- woman Raven Hill. Forty percent of closed borhood, said she hates to see closed public schools in the United States became charters, schools among so many other vacant homes the Pew study found. Others found new life as and businesses. — Reuters INTERNATIONAL THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015

Baltics eye flashpoints with Russia, guard against ‘green men’ TALLIN: From sabotage of energy installations to cyber attacks and declara- sense for us is to be prepared for anything.” tion,” said Igor Vatolin a Latvian ethnic Russian journalist who campaigns tions of “independence” by Russian-speaking border villages, the Baltics are against Putin’s policies. “Such people could seize a municipality near the bor- preparing for possible flashpoints of war. Ukraine’s conflict with Moscow- Fear of occupation der for a couple of hours or couple of days and declare some kind of local backed separatists has unnerved Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, the only parts Many Baltic residents say concerns over Russia have filtered down to daily republic.” Estonia is mindful of 2007, when a decision to relocate a bronze of the former Soviet Union that have joined NATO and the European Union. life - to the extent the possibility of Russian occupation comes up when many statue of a World War Two Soviet soldier sparked violent protests from They are small, geographically-isolated from the rest of the EU, and have people discuss buying homes. Fear of occupation runs deep in the Baltic Russian speakers and a widespread cyber attacks. Russian-speaking minorities which President Vladimir Putin declared last year states, which were annexed by the Soviet Union under Stalin’s secret 1939 gives Moscow the right to intervene with military force. pact with Hitler, overrun by the Nazis during World War Two and then recap- Act of aggression Their fear is not only about a conventional war of tanks rolling across 627 tured by the Red Army and held until the Soviet Union fell. “The Baltics have It held its biggest ever exercise this year simulating cyber attacks, with 16 miles of border, but of smaller, ambiguous incidents similar to the tactics good reason to be fearful of Russia’s actions. There are many people alive nations participating. Some experts say that while invasion is unlikely, Russia Moscow employed to wrest control of Ukraine’s Crimea peninsula last year. today who have personally seen tactics similar to those deployed in Ukraine,” could test Article 5 of NATO’s treaty, which states that an attack on one of its For more than a year the three countries have prepared for a kind of murky said Andres Kasekamp, Baltic Politics professor at Tartu University in Estonia. members is an act of aggression against all, obliging them to react. Much of conflict or “hybrid war”, with exercises against “saboteurs”, campaigns against Air sorties by Russian fighters have raised fears of possible accidents that the Russian border is poorly delineated. Last year Estonia formally protested Russian “propaganda” and increased spending on defense and border securi- could erupt into wider conflict. There may have been at least one near miss what it said was the abduction of an intelligence officer - spirited across the ty. with a Swedish airliner over the Baltic sea. Latvia and Estonia have large frontier into Russia under cover of smoke bombs and jamming of communi- Lithuania held a simulation in May of separatist groups attacking installa- Russian-speaking minorities on their borders with Russia, including residents cations. Russia says he was arrested after crossing their border to spy. tions near Russia’s enclave of Kaliningrad, a base of Moscow’s Baltic fleet who hold Russian passports. Latvia’s security services launched an inquiry this In March, Lithuania stopped a train bound for Kaliningrad after which is connected to the rest of Russia by a train line through Lithuania. The year after Facebook posts appeared promoting separatism in several villages reports that Russian soldiers were on board without permission. The men exercise was modeled on last year’s capture of Crimea by Russian soldiers in in majority Russian-speaking regions. turned out to be students. Some say Baltic “hybrid war” fears may be unmarked uniforms, who came to be known as the “little green men” when In May’s exercise, some 3,000 Lithuanian troops simulated a response to exaggerated, given their strong democracies and the protection of NATO Moscow denied their identity until the takeover was complete. “We need to armed groups seizing local government buildings to declare a separatist gov- membership. “Baltics have felt vulnerable for many years and they per- learn lessons which we learned in Crimea, which we partly see in the east of ernment, actions that pro-Russian separatists have carried out in cities across haps are now feeling over-vulnerable, although perhaps that is under- Ukraine. Any possible attack, in any form, needs to be taken seriously,” Ukraine since last year. Municipalities on Latvia’s border have also held semi- standable given their history,” said Neil Melvin, an expert on the region at Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite told Reuters in May. “What makes nars on how to react to “green men”. “There might be some kind of provoca- the Stockholm-based SIPRI think tank.— Reuters

Once bustling border town in lockdown over Boko Haram DIFFA: A soldier in fatigues furiously pedals his Chad, and some of the French troops deployed bicycle through the alleyways of Diffa, puffing in the region since August 2014, throng the away after the biggest town in southeast Niger scorching hot, sandy Sahel town. A strict curfew banned motorcycles-vehicle of choice of means no cars or other vehicles are allowed to jihadists. Situated on the border with northeast- circulate after 8 pm. People are allowed to walk ern Nigeria, the heartland of Boko Haram insur- on the street, but very few take the risk. “By gents, Diffa is on high alert since it was attacked night, we hear machine-gun fire, which are in February. Banning motorbikes like those often warning shots,” a UN source said, speaking reportedly used by the Islamists in their Diffa to AFP on condition of anonymity. “The security assault is just one of several emergency meas- situation has improved in Diffa, but the fear ures taken by authorities in the region to boost remains,” said another source, who is in charge security. Gone are the hundreds of motorcycle of security for a UN agency. taxis known as kabu-kabu that once chugged The heavy military and police presence aims across town day and night. Dozens of rusting to send a reassuring message but some people two-wheelers also lie abandoned on the road in Diffa fear Boko Haram fighters are still slip- linking Bosso which also came under Boko ping across the border, mixed in among the Haram assault-and Malam Fatori, a Nigerian thousands of Nigerian refugees fleeing to Niger. town across the border retaken from the mili- “In this asymmetric war, we don’t know who is tants in April. who. The shopkeeper where you buy your gro- “There haven’t been any attacks since we ceries might be arrested tomorrow,” a third UN stopped motorbikes from circulating. The peo- worker said. As a precaution, the entrances to ple can sleep well,” Diffa’s governor Yacouba state institutions, including the police station Soumana Gaoh said. The official acknowledged and the town hall, are barricaded by old tyres that the travel restrictions had cost some kabu- and sandbags. In the heart of a residential kabu drivers their livelihoods, but claimed that neighborhood, a military vehicle mounted with “those who want us to let them go back to work a machine gun stands guard. are pro-Boko Haram”. Boko Haram’s assaults on Diffa and Bosso were unsuccessful. But a subse- ‘Poisonous atmosphere’ quent raid in April on an island in Niger’s side of Human rights activists have criticized the Lake Chad, in which 74 people were killed, militarization of the area and widespread para- BANGUI: Rwandan policemen from the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic showed the country remained vulnerable. The noia. “The atmosphere is poisonous,” sighed (MINUSCA) patrol the market streets at Boy Rabe neighborhood in Bangui, Central African Republic. — AFP jihadists’ bloody six-year insurgency in north- Boureima Kiari of the local NGO Alternative eastern Nigeria and bordering areas of neigh- Espaces Citoyens, which promotes human boring countries has killed over 15,000 people. rights and good governance. “As soon as you Battered CAR embarks on criticize the authorities, they can accuse you of ‘Asymmetric war’ being a Boko Haram accomplice,” Kiari said, Now, as security improves in Niger, some of deploring a lack of freedom of expression. the residents who had fled are returning, and Another of the group’s activists, Moussa uphill struggle for justice the market in Diffa is back in business. “But that Tchangari, has been charged with making doesn’t mean life has gone back to normal. remarks “likely to demoralize the army” and There are barely any students here, there is no “violating national security” for criticizing the Armed gangs turn territory into African Wild West one on the streets, and army soldiers are every- government’s handling of the humanitarian cri- where,” one trader complained. Hundreds of sis sparked by the exodus of people from the BANGUI: “I want justice,” says Antoine Pounengakola, be considered in the problematic quest for law and coup and eventually proclaimed himself “Emperor” police and soldiers from Niger and neighboring Lake Chad area. —AFP a Christian pensioner whose pregnant daughter, 26, order. “There’s a paradox. On the one hand, we want before being ousted with French backing in 1979. and two-year-old granddaughter were slaughtered to prosecute those behind crimes. On the other, we’re “If the perception is that ‘you can get things with by Muslim rebels in the Central African Republic two obliged to negotiate politically with many chiefs of weapons’ and ‘violence pays off’, that’s not good,” years ago. Abdul Wahid, a Muslim truck driver, lost armed groups... who are among those who will be Pepneault says. “If people who commit crimes are eight members of his family, massacred by Christians pursued,” said one Western source, who asked not to encouraged to do so because they will never be pun- who formed vigilante bands to avenge atrocities by be named. “Reconciliation doesn’t mean impunity,” ished, a cycle of impunity sets in. That must be the ex-rebels of the Seleka alliance, which seized stresses Justice Minister Aristide Sokambi. “It’s not stopped. Otherwise, we’ll have the same situation in power in a coup in March 2013. Both families were because there is reconciliation that those who are 10 years.” Hunting down suspects is complicated victims of the latest strife to ravage a very poor, land- sought will escape punishment. “We need a strong when the police and paramilitary gendarmerie are locked nation. The conflict led to unprecedented bru- position shared by the international community, by being restructured, with much reduced manpower. tality across the fault lines of religion and initially the government, but above all by the population.” State administration is also absent in parts of the raised fears of a genocide. Christian vigilantes and country. “The crisis shook up institutions but particu- Seleka fighters mostly drawn from the Muslim minori- ‘Arrests and sentences’ larly the judicial system,” Sokambi says. Many court- ty killed, raped and looted civilians, while hundreds of Any amnesties were ruled out during a national houses and jails were laid waste during the conflict. thousands fled their homes. reconciliation forum that gathered delegates from all The minister wants to restore these premises “as “Those who committed crimes and theft must be over the CAR early in May, soon after the ruling quickly as possible” with international assistance. arrested,” Wahid says after filing a suit at a court in the National Transitional Council announced the creation “We’ve managed to restart the penal process. There capital Bangui. “How many amnesties have there of a Special Penal Court. This tribunal will consist of 27 have been arrests and sentences.” “The only (function- been in this country? It’s not a matter of religion. We judges - 14 Central Africans and 13 from abroad-to ing) prison in the country is bursting at the seams. shan’t build this nation without justice,” he adds. The give it both “expertise and legitimacy” in trying Common criminals are side by side with those who A grab taken from a video posted on YouTube by Boko Haram shows an alleged Boko road to justice is hard in a country battered by coups, crimes, the minister said. The specialized International committed offences” during conflict, an observer Haram member delivering a speech at an undisclosed location. — AFP insurgencies and army mutinies since independence Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague has sent a prosecu- says. “Many people await trial.” For Pepneault, “the from France in 1960 and today under interim gover- tor to Bangui to probe war crimes and crimes against population must have confidence in justice. That was- nance. Three foreign peacekeeping forces have been humanity. “We’re giving information to the ICC. n’t the case before and if it’s not the case tomorrow, Ammonium nitrate cache active since the president installed by the Seleka, The ICC has contacted us with regard to a certain people will want to take the law into their own Michel Djotodia, stood down under international number of people,” Sokambi says, naming no names. hands.” Sokambi acknowledges that the past conduct under ‘close surveillance’ pressure in January 2014, but the CAR remains far Jonathan Pepneault of Amnesty International is of judges was not always exemplary, but hopes that from pacified. pleased with recent moves. “It’s a step in the right years of bad governance are over. “Justice is the basis NICOSIA: A home in Cyprus where police seized cuss information involving security matters. It’s Armed gangs have turned dusty swathes of terri- direction. The last big trial... dates back to (Jean-Bedel) of everything. There’ll be no peace, no development, five tons of a chemical compound that can be unclear what use was intended for the cache of tory into an African Wild West and their leaders must Bokassa,” a megalomaniac soldier who staged a 1966 no health... without justice.”— AFP turned into an explosive had been kept under ammonium nitrate, which was stored in about surveillance for some time before officers 420 boxes. moved in, a government official said yesterday. The official said the suspect is denying the Authorities put the Larnaca home in their sights charges and isn’t cooperating with authorities, Kenya’s fight against Shebab after being tipped off, Justice Minister Ionas which are investigating whether he’s linked to Nicolaou said, without revealing the source. Lebanon’s anti-Israeli group Hezbollah. The sus- Police are holding a 26-year-old Lebanese- pect is due to appear in court Thursday for Canadian man in connection with the seizure. renewal of his detention order. In his first court shifts to its own backyard He faces charges of conspiracy to commit a appearance last week, the judge ordered the criminal offense and possession and transporta- proceedings to be closed to the public after a NAIROBI: From hit and run attacks and massacres late last year. Days later, 36 quarry workers were urgent need for the Kenyan government to reassert tion of explosives. A security official told the AP request by the state prosecutor. In 2013, a to a shopping trip, Somali-led Shebab militants are pulled from their tents at night and murdered. In its control over the border region-pointing to the that the suspect arrived in Cyprus on May 21st Cyprus court sentenced a Swedish-Lebanese on the march in northeastern Kenya. With large Garissa, just half a day’s drive from the capital fact that many paved border crossings were simply and that authorities are also searching for the man who admitted he was a Hezbollah mem- numbers of troops in southern Somalia but seem- Nairobi, a small group of gunmen stormed the unmanned. There are signs Kenya’s leadership may man who owns the home, in connection with ber to four years in prison after finding him ingly unable to effectively police its own outer town’s university in April and massacred nearly 150 be taking stock of the shift in Shebab strategy, and the case. The official spoke on condition of guilty of helping to plan attacks on Israelis in regions, Kenya must react quickly to stop the al- students during a day-long siege. that the question of pulling out of Somalia-up to anonymity because he isn’t authorized to dis- Cyprus. No Israelis were attacked.— AP Qaeda-affiliated Islamists from gaining significant now dismissed as akin to giving in to terrorism-may ground and finding a new generation of recruits, Filling the vacuum at least be up for discussion. Western security officials say. “The Somalia theatre While the heavy death tolls and high-profile is no longer of interest to the Shebab,” a Western attacks grab the headlines, security sources say that Towards exit strategy? security source said. a series of low profile, non-deadly operations-dur- Quoted by Capital FM news on Tuesday, the “They’ve been defeated there. They are losing ing which the militants briefly fill the space left chairman of the Kenyan Senate’s National momentum, and their rare operations there don’t vacant by the Kenyan security apparatus-are equal- Security and Foreign Relations Committee, Yusuf get much media attention. It’s the opposite in ly worrying. Last month the militants entered a vil- Hajji, signaled that an exit strategy was no longer Kenya, where they have found a new playground lage in Garissa County and delivered a hardline ser- taboo. “The aim is to come up with a ‘white paper’ for their jihad, a new source of recruits and a very mon to a captive audience before withdrawing that will detail a strategy on how to fight insecu- strong potential to destabilize.” The upsurge in unhindered. This week, suspected Shebab mem- rity in Kenya,” he was quoted as saying, adding cross-border attacks and the emergence of Kenya- bers moved into a village in Mandera County, the plan would also include measures to “de-radi- based Shebab cells is now Kenya’s number-one another impoverished border region, forcing calise youth” in the impoverished, Muslim-majori- security headache, and a strategic blow given that it schools to close and some residents to flee, the ty border regions. He nevertheless stressed that deployed troops into southern Somalia in 2011 in Nation newspaper reported. any pull-out from Somalia was dependent on the hope they would serve as a buffer and protect The paper said the gunmen chatted with resi- Kenya’s African Union troop-contributing part- the long, porous border. dents who remained in the village, and even ners, according to Capital FM, and notably the Instead, Shebab units-hunted by African Union shopped for goats. “It’s a repeat of the strategy of possibility of finding another country that could LARNACA: Cypriot police cordon off the house of a Lebanese man holding a Canadian troops and US drones inside Somalia-have flanked AQIM (Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb),” comment- take Kenya’s place in southern Somalia. Even if it passport in the Cypriot coastal city of Larnaca where more than 400 boxes of ammonium the Kenyan contingent to mount a string of grue- ed another Western security official, pointing to the can redeploy significant manpower to the border nitrate-a fertilizer that when mixed with other substances can be used to make explo- some cross-border raids. In the Mandera region, 28 growth strategy of the Islamists in the Sahara, region, Kenya also faces an uphill task in winning sives-was discovered. The suspect was remanded in Cypriot police custody after two tons passengers were dragged from a bus and executed notably into northern Mali. He said there was an over hearts and minds.— AFP of the potential bomb-making material was found in his home. — AFP INTERNATIONAL THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015

Precarious limbo awaits Rohingya who make it to Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is a beacon for ethnic to take them back to Malaysia. Rohingya fleeing oppression and violence in Myanmar, but countless migrants like Mohammed Ismail are still Waiting for years searching for the promised land years after arriving. Malaysia has never signed the UN’s Refugee Ismail is among tens of thousands of Rohingya Muslims Convention and is thus not obliged to provide any social who have risked their lives over the years to reach services to Ismail, his wife and baby daughter, such as Malaysia, only to find a stateless limbo and a new kind of schooling or health care. Most Rohingya pin their hopes marginalization. “Every day, I regret coming to Malaysia on gaining the coveted UN refugee card, which affords a but I had no choice,” said Ismail, 40, who fled his home in glimmer of protection from authorities. But that can take Myanmar in 1992 to escape being forced by authorities years, followed by many more before resettlement to the into a labor camp. Scraping by in Malaysia on low-paying United States, Australia or elsewhere can be gained-if construction jobs, he has been arrested twice as an ever. Ismail landed a refugee card in 2004, but a seven- undocumented migrant, deported once, and repeatedly year-old application for resettlement overseas has gone shaken down by corrupt police officers-all common nowhere. Rohingya complaints. “My wife and I at least we know we won’t get killed in The plight of the Rohingya has drawn international Malaysia and we are thankful for that. But my daughter attention following the boat people crisis that erupted will not get a proper education here,” he said. The UN last month, in which thousands of impoverished calls the Rohingya one of the most persecuted groups in Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants struggled desper- the world. Rohingya complain of systematic mistreat- ately to reach Southeast Asian countries. Malaysia and ment by Myanmar’s Buddhist-majority government, Indonesia agreed to accept them pending possible repa- which refuses to even recognize them as citizens. Many triation or resettlement to third countries as refugees. have been killed in sectarian clashes with Buddhists in But Rohingya asylum-seekers and labour activists say recent years. Despite this, Richard Towle, the UN refugee most will likely face the same limbo endured by Ismail. agency’s representative in Malaysia, said “historically the Rohingya flock to Malaysia because it is Muslim-majority Rohingya have not been settled out of Malaysia in high and has a thriving economy with jobs in construction, numbers.” He declined to speculate why. agriculture and manufacturing that require little skill. But Aegile Fernandez of Malaysian migrant-rights But legal protections are few for the 45,000 Rohingya group Tenaganita blamed Western “Islamophobia”. “With AMPANG: Sayat Ahmad Shobi, 61, and his wife Khotijah Soyot, 47, ethnic Rohingya refugees from registered as refugees with the UN in Malaysia, and par- rising Islamophobia, most countries are closing their Myanmar living in Malaysia, posing inside a house in Ampang in the suburbs of Kuala Lumpur. — AFP ticularly for the estimated tens of thousands who lack doors to Muslim refugees,” she said. There are, however, such status. “There have been so many occasions when fresh hopes that growing awareness of the Rohingya police will wait for us outside the construction sites and plight could open doors overseas. the vast majority from Malaysia. already in Malaysia to better their lives and prevent when we step out to buy food, they will stop and President Barack Obama has been outspoken on abuses. “In this day and age, you will not resettle yourself demand bribes from us,” said Ismail. Once, after being Rohingya rights, raising suggestions of increasing US ‘Resettlement not the answer’ out of a refugee problem,” he said. “If they are going to paid his monthly salary of $136, corrupt police officers acceptance. The US State Department said that over The UN refugee agency’s Malaysia office said it does be here anyway, it’s better to regularize their status.” seized it all, he said. After his first arrest in 2001, Ismail the past five years America had resettled more than not publicly release breakdowns of resettlement num- Malaysia, however, has long resisted moves that may said police put him on a rickety boat with other 2,600 Rohingya refugees, including more than 1,000 in bers to various countries. But Towle said the difficulties draw a new wave of migrants. That leaves Ismail fearing Rohingya and Bangladeshis and sent it to Thailand, the past eight months. It projected that up to 1,600 in resettling large numbers means alternatives need to for his daughter’s future. “She will have no future here. where human smugglers charged them $543 per head will be resettled this year and up to 2,500 next year, be explored including improving the status of Rohingya She will end up like me,” he said.— AFP Dozens of corpses wash ashore in West Myanmar

YANGON: Dozens of corpses have washed to violence and discrimination in their predomi- shore in Myanmar’s western state of Rakhine in nantly Buddhist country; the remainder, it says, the last month, an advocacy group and villagers are Bangladeshis, escaping poverty. Myanmar, said yesterday. Some were believed to be which denies the existence of the Rohingya, Rohingya Muslims trying to escape trafficking insists all those who have fled by boat in recent ships, while others were Bangladeshi. Ye Htut, months were Bangladeshi. The government has the presidential spokesman, and other officials gone to great lengths to make sure it is not dis- were in meetings and could not immediately be proven - at least not on its own soil. Its Navy reached for comment. Rakhine State Minister detained journalists, including the AP, over the Maung Maung Ohn had no word on the bodies weekend, erasing their camera memory cards, but his office was checking into the report. At while officials to confirm the nationalities of 727 least 47 bodies washed up on beaches and the migrants on a boat hidden away for days near a mouths of rivers May 12-24, many so badly remote island. decomposed they were unrecognizable, said The ship was being towed yesterday to Chris Lewa of the Arakan Project, which has northern Rakhine. And late last month, been monitoring activities in the isolated, Myanmar’s government claimed a ship with northern tip of Rakhine for more than a decade. more than 200 migrants - all Bangladeshis - Lewa - who provided a village-by-village had been recovered. But many more breakdown and the dates each corpse was Rohingya were taken off the ship and found - believes they drowned while trying to brought to shore under the cover of darkness swim to shore. Religious leader Ashu Dular and before they landed, said Araf, a 26-year-old other residents in two villages contacted by The woman, who was among those who said she Associated Press by phone gave similar was forced to disembark with her five chil- accounts, together tallying at least 18 corpses in dren. Others in Sittwe, the state capital, had KABUL: Local militia group fighters walk past a building torched by Taleban fighters at Talawka village in Kunduz province, north of Kabul, Afghanistan. — AP a much less complete survey. Myanmar has similar accounts. For months, ships crammed denied blame for a humanitarian crisis that has with hundreds of migrants stayed in the Bay gripped Southeast Asia since early May, with of Bengal, hoping to leave after the security Afghan leader in north dismisses more than 4,600 desperate and hungry boat crackdown eased. That didn’t happen and people rescued in five countries after a massive, conditions on board deteriorated, recent regional crackdown on human trafficking escapees complaining they were getting Kabul’s government as a ‘show’ prompted some captains to abandon their almost nothing to eat and were badly beaten human cargo at sea. if they made any noise. Some bought their The United Nations says around half those freedom with help from family and friends, Powerful governor warned Kabul of Taleban risks brought to land have been Rohingya, fleeing paying hundreds of dollars.— AP MAZAR-I-SHARIF: Atta Mohammad Noor, a powerful strongly backed Abdullah in the election, at one point He said former resistance fighters should be governor in northern Afghanistan, visited a local threatening civil unrest over the outcome. Ultimately recruited into official forces if they wanted to fight, Pakistan cancels poll result; amusement park last week and grabbed a video Ghani was deemed the winner, and Noor has dis- and that if security worsened, militias could be an arcade gun. Firing on fictional aliens made a break tanced himself from the rivalry. Asked what he option “of last resort.” One source of weakness in from the frequent target of his ire: the government in thought was the government’s most significant Afghan security has been the absence of a defense women barred from voting Kabul. Noor, a former general hardened in wars achievement so far, he chuckled. “I cannot remember minister. Tensions within the government between ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s election commission demand that better arrangements be made against the Soviets and Taleban but now suited and any successes at the moment.” rival ethnic and regional interests have played out in has cancelled the result of a local poll in the next time to facilitate women voters.” But the affluent, complains of a lack of leadership by President the tortuous process to agree on a candidate. Ghani country’s restive northwest after women were candidate who won the vote, JI’s Aizaz-ul- Ashraf Ghani and is angry his warnings of rising mili- Deadly attacks has chosen a third nominee after the first was rejected barred from casting their ballots. A by-elec- Mulk Afkari, hit out at the ruling and vowed to tant violence in the north were not heeded. “They told Ghani and Abdullah are aware of the grumblings by parliament and the second dropped out amid con- tion on May 7 in Lower Dir district of Khyber challenge it in the Supreme Court. “There was me that they will take action, but unfortunately they of Noor and other regional power brokers. Both lead- troversy. Masoom Stanikzai could face a similar fate, Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan’s deeply conservative no agreement to keep women out of this didn’t,” the governor of Balkh province told Reuters, ers declined to comment for this article. Tensions with Noor and some lawmakers deeply skeptical. “He northwestern province, was won by a mem- election, so how can the election commission recalling a warning he gave Kabul several months ago between Kabul and the provinces are likely to grow if doesn’t have military qualifications and hasn’t done ber of the Islamist Jamat-e-Islami (JI) party, cancel results?” he said. “If there was an agree- to prepare for more Taleban violence in the north. security deteriorates in the north, which had until anything in the peace process,” Noor said of Stanikzai, but it emerged that women in the area had ment, it should be made open. JI has not The dissatisfaction is one of Ghani’s main chal- recent years escaped the worst of the Taleban insur- who has been closely involved in a faltering attempt been prevented from voting. signed such an agreement.” lenges; he must contain the Taleban, rally various gency. In April, militants stormed a court in Mazar-i- to negotiate peace with the Afghan Taleban. “I’m sure After objections by civil society groups, Bahadur Khan, candidate from Awami strongmen behind a single cause and bridge differ- Sharif, killing eight people including the district police he will not be a successful (defence) minister.” women’s rights organizations and the media, National Party also denied the existence of ences with his partner in power, Chief Executive chief. Nine Afghan employees of a Czech-backed aid the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) a deal to stop women voting. “There have Abdullah Abdullah. Noor has emerged as one of the group were killed in Balkh on Tuesday. People in Need ‘No vote’ cancelled the result. “The by-election of con- been such agreements in the past, but not government’s biggest critics. He questions how the said it was suspending all operations in Afghanistan. Others agree. Tribal elders, lawmakers and other stituency No PK-95 Lower Dir-II is hereby this time,” he said. It is not the first time a armed forces are being run, the handling of peace In Kunduz, near Balkh, Afghan National Security influential Afghans from across the country filed into declared void for the reasons of disenfran- Pakistani election result has been over- talks with the Taleban and Ghani’s relationship with Forces have been struggling for weeks to drive out Noor’s ornate offices to pay their respects and discuss chisement of female voters,” the ECP said in its turned because women have been stopped Abdullah. Ghani and Abdullah fought bitterly over the Taleban fighters, leading the government to fall back affairs of state, and some had similar complaints to his. official notice issued late on Tuesday. “New from voting. A court in the northwest with- outcome of last year’s presidential election which they on militias controlled by local commanders. Noor said “My vote is a no vote,” said Saifora Niazi, a parliamentar- election schedule shall be announced in held by-election results in two constituen- contested, and despite forming a unity government, he believed Afghan security forces could fight on their ian from Balkh province. “The national unity govern- accordance with law, in due course.” cies in 2013 and ordered the arrest of elders mutual suspicion has slowed policy decisions, diplo- own, provided they had better leadership, support ment is imposing people like him (Stanikzai).” Mawlawi Activists welcomed the decision. “There who had prevented women from voting. mats and analysts say. and equipment. Most NATO troops withdrew at the Shahzada Shahid, spokesman for the High Peace was a verbal agreement among the political Female election turnout is usually weak in Noor, 51, said neither the president nor the CEO end of 2014, significantly weakening Afghan defense Council of which Stanikzai is a member, defended his parties to bar women from voting,” Shad Bibi, the most conservative, rural parts of had done much to solve the country’s problems. options. The governor, who has commanded his own colleague’s record. “He held several peace meetings a women’s rights campaigner and former Pakistan, particularly within the tribal belt, “Whatever they do is a show,” Noor said in the inter- militia in the past, has been increasingly vocal on inside and outside Afghanistan. Most of those meet- councilor from the area, said. “We welcome Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and southwestern view at his palatial party offices in Mazar-i-Sharif, capi- security matters and recently appeared on Afghan tel- ings proved very successful. He brought hundreds of this decision of declaring the poll void but Baluchistan province.— AFP tal of Balkh. “Instead, they should work honestly.” Noor evision wearing his old military uniform. Taleban into normal lives,” said Shahid. — Reuters Philippine leader likens China to Nazi Germany ‘World cannot continue to appease Beijing’

TOKYO: Philippine President Benigno Aquino of the Sudetenland, Czechoslovakia, the annexa- Most vocal likened present-day China to Nazi Germany yes- tion of the entire country of Czechoslovakia, Aquino’s comments yesterday come after US terday during a speech in Japan, hinting the nobody said stop. “If somebody said stop to President Barack Obama this week weighed in on world cannot continue to appease Beijing as it (Adolf) Hitler at that point in time, or to the growing tensions in the South China Sea, urg- claims ever-more territory in the South China Sea. Germany at that time, would we have avoided ing regional powers-particularly China-to respect The comments come as disquiet grows over the World War II?” the law and stop “throwing elbows”. China has quickening pace of China’s land reclamation pro- The comments sparked anger in Beijing, rejected US demands to stop all reclamation works gram in international waters, including its con- where foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua in the South China Sea, saying it was exercising its struction of a runway long enough for large mili- Chunying said she was “deeply shocked and dis- sovereignty and using the outposts to fulfil interna- tary planes. “If there was a vacuum, if the United satisfied with the groundless remarks”. Hua reit- tional responsibilities. States, which is the superpower, says ‘we are not erated the Chinese position that the Philippines Beijing insists it has sovereignty over nearly all of interested’, perhaps there is no brake to ambi- has “illegally” occupied Chinese islands, adding the South China Sea, a major global shipping route tions of other countries,” Aquino told an audience “the Philippines keeps colluding with countries believed to be home to oil and gas reserves, but of business leaders in Tokyo. outside the region to stir up trouble and sling rival claimants accuse it of expansionism. Vietnam, “I’m an amateur student of history and I’m mud at China”. Aquino, who is in Japan on a the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also reminded of... how Germany was testing the four-day visit, has previously made similar com- have various claims over islets and reefs in the area. waters and what the response was by various ments comparing China’s actions with those of Despite its relatively weak economy and the parlous other European powers,” he said, referring to the the Third Reich. “At what point do you say, state of its military, the Philippines has been the Nazis’ territorial conquests in the months before ‘Enough is enough’? Well, the world has to say it most vocal country in the region in its criticism of the outbreak of World War II. “They tested the - remember that the Sudetenland was given in China. The Association for South East Asian Nations waters and they were ready to back down if, for an attempt to appease Hitler to prevent World (ASEAN), a 10-strong regional bloc, has struggled to TOKYO: Philippine President Benigno Aquino (left) is welcomed by Japan’s Emperor instance, in that aspect, France said (to back War II,” he told the New York Times last year, pro- come to a consensus, with China exploiting divi- Akihito (center) and Empress Michiko upon his arrival for a state dinner at the Imperial down). “But unfortunately, up to the annexation voking fury in Beijing. sions and exercising its economic might. — AFP Palace in Tokyo yesterday. — AFP INTERNATIONAL THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015 Mexico’s pro-fracking Green Party makes waves

MEXICO CITY: With huge campaign billboards touting and kidnappers. This year, it was fined millions for “The party is a family business that politically negoti- wouldn’t have won the presidential election and the PRI its support for life sentences against kidnappers, exceeding campaign ad limits and for using banned ates with parties and televisions,” Crespo said. The Green won’t triumph in the midterm elections” without the Mexico’s controversial Green Party is racking up sup- get-out-the-vote tactics such as offering discounts at Party was founded by a former PRI member, Jorge Greens, said political analyst Denise Dresser. “The wag- porters as fast as fines ahead of weekend elections. The stores to voters. But the Greens, with $29 million in pub- Gonzalez Torres, who was succeeded by his son, Jorge onloads of money have flowed into its coffers to boost party has come under fire from the left and the right lic funds at its disposal this year, have not been Emilio, aka “The Green Kid.” “Enrique Pena Nieto its brand.”— AFP alike while aligning itself with President Enrique Pena deterred. “I couldn’t understand a party that doesn’t use Nieto’s Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), which all the tools available to get closer to the citizens in a opened the oil industry to private investors-not your more direct way,” congressman Arturo Escobar, the par- usual green policy. Election authorities have imposed ty’s national spokesman said. “We are a party that has $33 million in fines on the Green Party for breaking maintained its direction despite the fines. We have over- campaign rules ahead of Sunday’s midterm elections, in come the negative campaign,” Escobar said, predicting a which Mexicans will pick 500 congressmen, nearly 900 “historic” election for the Greens. The leftist Democratic mayors and nine governors. Revolution Party (PRD) and the conservative National It has placed ads in movie theaters and television to Action Party (PAN) have lodged complaints against the boast about its support for a ban on circus animals and Greens at the National Electoral Institute. The institute for raising fines against polluters. But the coalition of rejected a bid by the rivals to have the Greens’ registra- European Green parties has stopped recognizing their tion as a party annulled. Mexican counterpart as one of their own. Mexico’s Greens support fracking, a form of drilling for shale gas PRI stooges? by blasting through layers of rock with a high-pressure The Green Party holds 29 seats in the 500-member mix of water, sand and chemicals that environmentalists lower chamber of Congress. Its 5.8 percent representa- oppose. The party has even been fined for using non- tion has helped the PRI get the majority needed to pass recyclable paper for campaign pamphlets. Despite the Pena Nieto’s reform agenda. “The Green Party is practi- financial penalties and controversies, opinion polls pre- cally a satellite of the PRI,” said Jose Antonio Crespo, dict a respectable eight to 11 percent of the vote for political analyst at the Center for Economic Research Mexico’s fourth biggest party. and Teaching. Before supporting the PRI, the Green Party backed the candidacy of the PAN’s Vicente Fox in GUERRERO: Ayotzinapa’s teachers burn electoral material as they hold a banner reading “There will Getting closer to voters 2000. His election ended 71 years of uninterrupted PRI not be enough common graves to silence all” during a road block at the tollbooths of the The self-described centrist party sparked controver- rule. But after just a year into Fox’s presidency, the Chilpancingo-Acapulco highway in Palo Blanco, Mexico. Teachers on strike began a series of protests, sy already in 2009 when it hired popular television pre- Greens switched allegiance to the PRI. It backed Pena including stealing thousands of ballot papers and destroying electoral offices, to boycott local and senters to call for the death penalty against murderers Nieto’s 2012 election. legislative elections, which will take place on June 7 in several states of the country. — AFP Japan’s govt eyes urban drone ban TOKYO: Japan plans to ban the public from asters. The government said it would like to flying drones above residential areas and at submit legislation during the current session night, as it scrambles to legislate after a of parliament, which is expected to last until device was found on top of the prime minis- August. ter’s office in April. According to draft regula- The move comes after a Japanese man tions the government revealed Tuesday, was arrested about a month ago for allegedly drone flying would be prohibited in Japan flying a small drone carrying traces of “except during daytime”. Only operators who radioactivity onto the roof of the prime minis- are deemed to have taken sufficient safety ter’s office. It also comes amid growing alarm steps will be able to use drones near airports in some quarters about safety after drones and in residential areas, the regulations say. have been flown over populated areas. Last Anyone wishing to fly high-spec month, police arrested a 15-year-old boy for unmanned aircraft would be required to suggesting online that he might fly a drone obtain a licence. The use of drones has over a crowded festival in Tokyo after giving exploded in many parts of the world over the him several warnings for flying and attempt- last couple of years, particularly amongst ing to fly a device near tourist spots. There media and hobbyists. Tokyo said it wanted to have been no reported instances of anyone create an environment where “operators can being killed or suffering serious injury from use small-scale drones in a flexible manner” if drones in Japan. In contrast, an elderly man they take certain safety measures, recogniz- died after a 700-kilogramme (1,540-pound) ing the device’s usefulness in farming, as well kite plunged from the sky into a crowd at a as collecting information during natural dis- festival earlier this week.— AFP

JIANLI: Rescue personnel transport remains of victims who were travelling on the capsized passenger ship Dongfangzhixing or ‘Eastern Star’ in the Yangtze river at Jianli in China’s Hubei province yesterday. — AFP N Korea races to boost power Divers comb capsized ship; in time for party anniversary PYONGYANG: North Korea is racing to boost engine of the national economy, so the state its electricity supply by up to 50 percent with is increasing investment in this field,” he said. the completion of several generating stations He added that a major portion of the 2015 hopes fade for survivors by the end of the year and is pushing alterna- national budget that didn’t go to defense has tive resources like solar - already used exten- been earmarked for investment in the power sively in the countryside - to ease its chronic sector, though he refused to give precise fig- Death toll mounts, more than 400 still missing shortages, a government expert told The ures. Associated Press in Pyongyang. In an unusu- Kim said two major projects - Mount JIANLI: Rescuers searched a sunken cruise ship in the ding photographer whose father was on the ship. The news agency that it was raining so hard, water was ally high-profile campaign, the North has Paektu Songun Youth Power Station units No Yangtze River yesterday for more than 400 missing ship was on an 11-day voyage upstream from the city seeping through cabin windows, and that the ship mobilized legions of shock brigades to com- 1 and No 2 and Huichon Power Station units people, many of them elderly, but hopes of finding of Nanjing, near Shanghai, to Chongqing. While the then listed violently. plete two large hydropower projects by Oct 5, 8, 9 and 10 along the Chongchon River - more survivors were fading in what could be China’s People’s Daily said the ship passed inspections by “I thought, ‘this isn’t right’, and I told my colleague, 10. As is common with major North Korean are expected to be completed in time for the worst shipping disaster in almost 70 years. State tele- authorities in Chongqing last month, in 2013 it was ‘I think we’re in trouble’. After I said that, the ship construction efforts, the deadline is a date of anniversary. The hydropower station on vision showed rescuers, some standing gingerly on investigated and held by authorities due to defects, flipped over. It only took 30 seconds or a minute,” national significance: the 70th anniversary of Mount Paektu, near the Chinese border, was the upturned hull of the Eastern Star, and scores of according to documents from a local maritime watch- Zhang said. Li Yongjun, the captain of a freighter that its ruling party. started under Kim Jong Un’s father, the late divers working through the night. Only 14 people, dog. passed near the Eastern Star shortly before it cap- Kim Jong Il, but had been plagued by delays. including the ship’s captain, have been found alive The Nanjing Maritime Safety Administration inves- sized, told Xinhua the weather was so bad he decided ‘Speed campaign’ State media in the North, officially known as since the ship capsized in a freak tornado on Monday tigated Eastern Star as part of a safety campaign into to anchor and wait out the storm. “The visibility was Officials hope a noticeable increase will the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, night with 456 people on board. Just 19 bodies have passenger ferries and tour boats and held the ship terrible, like being in fog, and the rain was interfering provide tangible proof that the party is work- have portrayed the race to complete the been recovered. along with five other vessels, according to three doc- with the radar so you couldn’t make anything out,” Li ing to improve the impoverished and heavily megaprojects as a heroic demonstration of Rescuers have not slackened off, even though uments on the bureau’s website. The documents did said. He said he heard a voice from the river crying, sanctioned nation’s standard of living. Kim national will. about 200 divers face difficulties such as cabin doors not give any detail on the nature of the defects relat- “Help!” just after 10 pm (1600 GMT), about 30 minutes Kyong Il, a senior researcher at Pyongyang’s “The young people of the DPRK have blocked by tables and beds. There is also the fear that ed to Eastern Star but said that the issues were report- after state media has said the Eastern Star capsized. Academy of Social Sciences, said the goal is a gone through thick and thin in hearty rashly cutting holes in the hull could burst air pockets ed to the Chongqing maritime safety bureau. The “The rain was just too heavy, there was no way to 20 to 50 percent increase in power compared response to the call of the party to flatten keeping people alive. “Although there’s lots of work to search area has been expanded up to 220 km down- mount a rescue, so I shouted over, ‘swim to the bank!’,” with the 2014 level. How effective its latest even mountains, empty seas and conquer do, saving people is still being put first,” Transport stream, state television said, suggesting that bodies Li said. “speed campaign” will be is an open question. space,” the ruling party’s newspaper said in a Ministry spokesman Xu Chengguang told reporters. could have been swept far away from where the ship Even achieving its target would leave North recent editorial. “Now is the time for them to State television showed a rain-soaked Premier Li foundered in the rain-swollen river. Three of the bod- Distraught relatives protest Korea with a small fraction of what it needs to powerfully demonstrate their courage, unity Keqiang, who is on the scene overseeing rescue ies were found 50 km away near Yueyang city in The captain and chief engineer have been fuel a vibrant economy or even meet some and fighting capability before the world.” But efforts, bowing in respect to two bodies laid out on neighboring Hunan province, state media said. detained by police for questioning. An initial investi- basic needs of its population. Experts stress Kim acknowledged it’s hard to predict how the deck of a boat covered in sheets. “Life is greater gation found the ship was not overloaded and had the North needs more than just new power much power the units will actually produce. than the heavens, and the burden on your shoulders Unusually bad weather enough life vests on board. The ship overturned stations - it must improve its infrastructure to “If the power stations now under construc- is massive,” Li told a group of military divers, the gov- Zou Luwang, who lives in a village near the river, “within one or two minutes”, Xinhua quoted the cap- get the electricity where it is needed, secure tion are completed, tens of thousands of kilo- ernment said in a statement. said the government called residents to warn of tain as saying. He was dragged out of the water near a spare parts and conduct sustained mainte- watts will be generated,” he said. “But this is But some relatives were already bracing them- extreme weather on the night the ship capsized. “I pier just before midnight on Monday. Relatives of the nance to keep the plants themselves going. only the capacity of the power stations. selves for the worst. “Yesterday I still had some hope. believe those who operate the boats have expertise missing, angry at what they perceive as a lack of infor- Supplying its industries and 24 million citi- Actual output differs, so we will have to wait The boat is big and the water hadn’t gone all the way about this, but the weather was unusually bad for mation, have scuffled with officials in Shanghai. All of zens with even a bare minimum of electricity and see how much it comes out to.” in. Now, it’s been more that 40 hours. I ask you, what these parts,” he told Reuters. Zhang Hui, a tour guide the passengers on board had booked their trips has long been one of North Korea’s biggest do I have left?” said Wang Feng, a 35-year-old wed- who survived the disaster, told the official Xinhua through a Shanghai-based travel agency. — Reuters problems, particularly after the fall of the Droughts and freezing Soviet Union in the early 1990s. Since then, Kim said North Korea relies on hydropow- the international community has offered to er for 60 percent of its power grid, and on help the North expand its power grid, if it coal-fired thermal power for most of the rest. South Korea test-fires missile agrees to dismantle its nuclear weapons pro- Both are vulnerable: hydropower to droughts gram, but to no avail. North Korea’s total, and freezing, coal to supply and quality prob- nationwide electricity output is believed to lems. Kim said a “once in a century” drought that can strike all of North be about 15 terawatt hours per year, give or last year caused a 10 percent drop in the out- take 10 or 20 percent. That would only be put of hydropower stations, which he said SEOUL: South Korea yesterday test- sile is the first developed under new about enough to power Seoul, the South was largely offset by increased coal power launched a new ballistic missile that can guidelines signed with the United States Korean capital of 10 million, for less than four output. Not surprisingly, rural areas, which are hit all of North Korea, the president’s in 2012 to more than double the range of months. low on the priority list for energy allocations, office said, developed under a new agree- the South’s missiles to tackle its disadvan- It’s been estimated - though never con- except at rice harvest time, were hardest hit ment with the United States that lets tage with Pyongyang’s missile capabili- firmed by Pyongyang - that about one-fifth by shortages. David von Hippel, senior associ- Seoul extend the weapon’s range to up to ties. of North Korea’s electricity is diverted to its 1 ate with the Nautilus Institute think tank, 800 km. President Park Geun-hye made a The North has a deployed arsenal of million-person military. Moreover, a dispro- which has done extensive research on North rare visit to a missile base on the west missiles of various ranges and is believed portionate amount of the nation’s power is Korea’s energy situation, said he doesn’t coast to watch the launch of the guided to be developing an intercontinental bal- used to light up Pyongyang, where less than believe the 20-50 percent boost is plausible. missile, which will be a key part of the listic missile aimed at delivering nuclear one-tenth of the population resides. Kim, the He said the additional electricity from the South’s defense against its neighbor’s weapons. In 2012, North Korea success- government expert, said the North is shifting plants could be “potentially very significant to nuclear and missile threat, her office said. fully launched what is generally consid- its focus in line with leader Kim Jong Un’s the surrounding area, or to whatever area of “The test demonstrated improved bal- ered a long-range rocket, putting what it promise to improve the lives of the North electricity demand the plant is connected to,” listic missile capability that can strike all said was a satellite into orbit. The North Korean people and invigorate its economy. but not very significant on the national scale. parts of North Korea swiftly, and with pre- called it a space launch vehicle, but the Still, he added, assessing the North’s capaci- cision, in the event of armed aggression international community said it was a Small solar panels ties, and even its needs, is complicated or provocation,” the presidential Blue missile that violated UN Security Council He said North Korea is exploring wind and because Pyongyang makes so little informa- House said in a statement. The launch resolutions. The North is under various tidal power sources and added that solar tion public. North Koreans also long ago comes a month after the North said it sanctions for its missile and three nuclear already provides as much as half of the elec- adjusted their lifestyles to the realities of test-fired a submarine-launched ballistic tests. Besides its missile pact with the tricity in some rural areas. Small solar panels, scarcity - for example, by not buying appli- missile. If true, the statement points to United States, South Korea has an agree- seen by outside experts as a grassroots cop- ances or equipment that require electricity. progress in the North’s missile capabili- ment limiting the range of the missiles ing mechanism where state-provided energy “The country has lived under a shortfall for so is woefully lacking, are a common sight on many years that it’s difficult to know what ties, although some experts and US mili- and a pact on civil nuclear energy that TAEAN: Picture shows a ballistic missile being launched tary leaders questioned the authenticity bars Seoul from developing atomic apartment balconies and some countryside demand would be if there were enough pow- from a test-firing range of the state-run Agency for Defense farms. “Our country regards electricity as the er,” he said.— AP of the North’s report. South Korea’s mis- weapons.— Reuters Development in Taean, south of Seoul. — AFP NEWS THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015

ALEPPO: Syrian men react following a reported barrel bomb attack by Syrian government forces that hit an open market in the northern city of Aleppo, killing and injuring many people. — AFP

Saudi Shiites bury victims amid fears Obama signs new curbs on NSA surveillance... Continued from Page 1 funeral in Saihat municipality, next to Dammam. “Every Continued from Page 1 occurred against a backdrop of Republican infighting and mosque, I think, put some people to protect” them, Turaiki tension about the bill. House leaders had warned that any Several meters in front of the steps, red plastic barriers said. “But I feel the people are not afraid.” They continue to The vote follows days of sharp debate on the floor, with change to the bill could delay its final passage or even kill it, have been installed and another volunteer also searched attend worship, and took to the streets “more than any year” many Republicans split over their support for strong count- which would have meant several national security authori- worshippers. Beyond that are the new, heavier concrete for a religious festival Tuesday night, he said. er-terror measures and the need for personal privacy protec- zations expiring for good. barriers. “This is a house of God. We should protect it,” said AFP observed a police car patrolling outside Al-Anoud tions in the wake of former NSA contractor Edward Many major Internet firms declared victory with the con- the student, who declined to be named. “Now all Shiites yesterday, and Jawad Abu Kader, a leader of the mosque, Snowden’s bombshell revelations about the bulk data drag- gressional approval. “The USA Freedom Act realizes hard- (form) one line to protect ourselves from terrorism.” The told reporters officers frequently pass by. But Turaiki said net in 2013. fought and much-needed wins for Internet users every- mosque blasts were the first attacks in Saudi Arabia to be the government had not done enough. “They didn’t take where, including prohibiting the bulk collection of user claimed by the Islamic State group. any action after what happened in Dalwa,” he said. “It’s sup- Snowdon hails change data,” Yahoo said in a statement. But Republican presidential IS controls swathes of neighboring Iraq and Syria, and posed to be the government who protect us.” Each of the The fugitive Snowden, alternatively seen as a villain by candidate Marco Rubio, a Florida senator who voted against has carried out widespread abuses. Saudi authorities spoke attacks has been condemned by Saudi leaders and dis- intelligence backers and a hero by supporters of stronger the act, slammed it as result of “weak presidential leader- of an attempt to provoke sectarian strife, after gunmen missed as contrary to the values of Islam. Authorities have civil liberties, hailed the congressional action as “historic”. ship”. “The USA Freedom Act weakens US national security allegedly linked to IS killed seven Shiites in the Eastern made some attempts to reach out to the kingdom’s Shiites, Province town of Al-Dalwa in November. “We strongly most of whom live in the oil-rich east but have long com- Speaking by live video link from Russia at an Amnesty by outlawing the very programs our intelligence community expect that there will be other attacks,” said Radi Turaiki, 45, plained of marginalization. Yet analysts say sectarianism International event in London shortly before the bill was and the FBI have used to protect us time and time again,” a teacher in Al-Dalwa who was preparing to attend the remains ingrained in Saudi.— AFP passed, Snowden called efforts to end mass surveillance “not Rubio said. enough” but “an important step”. The Republican divisions, “Unfortunately, weak presidential leadership combined as well as delay tactics by Senator Rand Paul, a 2016 presi- with a politically motivated misinformation campaign have dential candidate, forced an expiration of the bulk data col- now left the American people less safe than we’ve been at NA passes law to punish e-crimes lection program and two other sections of the USA Patriot any point since the 9/11 attacks,” he added. Hawkish Continued from Page 1 laws exist in Europe, adding that a special court should be Act, roving wiretap and lone-wolf tracking authorities, all of Republican Senator John McCain, who also voted against it, created to try people after passing the law. “In some parts of which expired at midnight Sunday. added that a diverse array of possible threats meant the MP Youssef Al-Zalzalah said the law is needed to curb the law, poison was mixed with honey and I challenge the The legislation that passed Tuesday would reauthorize “intelligence community must have access to the vital those who instigate dissent and sow social and sectarian dis- minister to show us European legislation similar to this law” the latter two provisions. The strong vote marked a stunning authorities and capabilities they need to stop another terror- cords in Kuwait especially at this time when regional ten- he said. Shiite MP Saleh Ashour lashed out at the law saying rebuke to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who ist attack before it happens.” — AFP sions are rising. it is extremely dangerous. He also charged that Kuwait is not sought in vain to amend the bill. One of the changes would MP Mohammad Al-Jabri said a majority of civilized a true democratic country because people are sent to jail for have extended the transition period from six months to a nations and neighboring countries have already enacted 10 years over a political opinion or for speaking against a year from NSA storage to telecoms storage of the data. such laws and Kuwait needs the law to regulate online serv- sacred figure. “Give a European country where a person is Another would have stripped out a provision that declassi- ices, especially that a large number of problems arise from sent to prison for 10 years for speaking against the head of fies rulings by the secret Foreign Intelligence Surveillance tweeting. “We are not against freedoms but against the mis- state or the prime minister ...Under this law, no one will be (FISA) Court, a move critics have argued would erode impor- use of social media” Jabri said. MP Abdulhameed Dashti said able to open his mouth without being sent to jail” he said. tant transparency that was built into the Freedom Act. The he is a big Twitter user and has more than 120,000 followers Ashour said that opinion cases must not be penalized changes were rejected, with at least 11 Republicans oppos- but there are some people who want to create social and with jail term and fines should suffice. Speaker Marzouk Al- ing McConnell to vote against the amendments. sectarian tensions in the country using the Internet. Ghanem however disputed Ashour and insisted that Kuwait McConnell decried the reform bill as “a step backward”. Accordingly, the law is needed to protect national interests, is a democratic country that applies he rule of the law. MP he said. Nabeel Al-Fadhl said there are no political prisoners in “This is going to diminish our ability to respond to the myri- But MP Jamal Al-Omar harshly criticized the law saying it Kuwait because people in jail were sent there after trials in ad threats we have today,” he said in a provocative floor includes very dangerous penalties. “With respect to the jus- court. After the session, liberal MP Rakan Al-Nasef said he speech in which he accused the Obama administration of withdrawing from leadership in the battle against extrem- tice minister, I think if this law is passed, most Kuwaitis will will submit several amendments to the law before the sec- FORT MEADE: Photos shows the National Security ism. “It is also a resounding victory for those who continually be in jail. People get five years in jail for just one or two ond reading. The National Assembly also agreed to debate Agency (NSA) headquarters at Fort Meade, plot against our homeland,” McConnell said. The vote tweets” Omar said. He said he does not believe that similar draft legislation on domestic helpers in next session. Maryland. — AFP THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015 ANALYSIS

THE LEADING INDEPENDENT DAILY IN THE ARABIAN GULF ESTABLISHED 1961

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

Focus The flip side of years of no hurricanes as good luck runs out

By Seth Borenstein

or millions of Americans living in the hurricane zones on the Gulf and East coasts, recent decades have been Fquiet - maybe too quiet. Cities like Tampa, Houston, Jacksonville and Daytona Beach historically get hit with major hurricanes every 20 to 40 years, according to meteo- rologists. But those same places have now gone at least 70 years - sometimes more than a century - without getting smacked by those monster storms, according to data analy- ses by an MIT hurricane professor and The Associated Press. These are places where people may think they know what to expect from a major hurricane with more than 110 mph winds, such as Katrina or Andrew - but they really don’t. They are cities where building construction has boomed but Blatter quits as pressures rapidly built from all sides haven’t been tested by nature at its strongest. In the Tampa region, an Andrew-sized storm could cause more than $200 By Ian Chadband date to take over the job, admired his “sacrifice” to help FIFA. changes everything,” said Andrew Woodward, a sports market- billion in damage, according to a local government study in Some of his delighted critics though, were not prepared to ing consultant who was former director of public relations for 2010. ho got him? Who shot him? What happened pull their punches. “I don’t believe he went on any sort of moral Visa. Ultimately, though, the fact that the US investigations into Few of Tampa’s current residents witnessed the last major between then and now?” asked the English basis because I don’t believe that’s the man,” said Dyke, a for- FIFA had begun to get ominously close may have persuaded hurricane that hit there in October 1921. Movies were silent, Football Association’s chairman Greg Dyke, a for- mer TV executive. “I just don’t think he’s the sort of person who him to depart now. Reuters and other news media reported on booze was illegal and Warren Harding was president. For “W mer TV executive as he pondered the downfall of Sepp Blatter, would suddenly have had a moral conversion on the road to Monday that US authorities believe that FIFA Secretary General northeast Florida and southern Georgia, the last major hurri- who announced his resignation as FIFA president on Tuesday. Damascus and said, ‘Oh maybe I’m not the right person for Jerome Valcke made $10 million in bank transactions related to cane was sometime in the 19th century. “We’ve been kind of Others may have put the questions in a less colorful way but football’. He would have hung on forever so clearly something the award to South Africa of the rights to hold the 2010 World lucky,” said MIT meteorology professor Kerry Emanuel, who they were still the main ones on everyone’s lips. As parts of the has happened.” Like what? A source close to FIFA told Reuters Cup. Reuters sourced the report to a person familiar with the along with the AP crunched numbers on how often hurri- soccer world celebrated his departure, many could only ask that in the wake of all the opprobrium heaped on the organi- matter. canes have hit metro regions and compared them to when how a man who last Friday was seen clasping his hands zation since last week’s arrests of FIFA officials, pressure had Valcke is described in an indictment filed in federal court in the last time they were hit. “It’s ripe for disaster. ... Everyone’s together and crying “Let’s go FIFA!” after his re-election to the been put on Blatter by officials on the executive committee Brooklyn, New York, as an unidentified “high-ranking FIFA offi- forgotten what it’s like.” top job at the sport’s governing body was now to be found and people in his inner circle to go. cial” who in 2008 transferred the sum to another FIFA official, “It’s just the laws of statistics,” said Emanuel. “Luck will run surrendering quietly. Blatter was apparently told by the advisers who he has Jack Warner. FIFA claimed Valcke was not involved but a letter out. It’s just a question of when.” This hurricane season, The contrasting image was now of 79-year-old Blatter being always listened to - even if he has often ignored their sugges- addressed to the Frenchman, sent by the South African beginning Monday, doesn’t look to be as busy as past ones. ushered off stage towards a back-door exit after a short resig- tions - that if he wanted to choose when and in what manner Football Association president Molefi Oliphant ahead of the The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration fore- nation speech in Zurich, looking suddenly very fragile. After all, he would depart, he should do so now. By doing so, he could 2010 World Cup, added to the questions. Some saw the investi- casts a 70 percent chance of fewer than normal hurricanes, this was Blatter we were talking about, widely known as the point to the massive growth that FIFA has achieved during his gation’s focus on Valcke as crucial in Blatter’s departure. Per mostly because of an El Nino weather oscillation. But even a most able sports mover and shaker of his time. A modern-day 17-year reign, the successes in developing soccer across the Ravn Omdal, former president of the Norwegian Football quiet season can have one devastating storm hit. That’s what Houdini who had won many skirmishes with opponents was world, and the advance of the game among women and Association, who served on the FIFA executive from 1994 until happened when Andrew smashed parts of Miami in 1992; it never expected to depart so quietly. So what did happen? youth. For once, the source said, Blatter did what he was told. 2002 and had a close first-hand working relationship with was the second costliest hurricane on record, in a below What got Blatter to recognize so suddenly his time was up? Pressure from key FIFA sponsors behind the scenes may also Blatter in the early years of his reign, said he believes this was average year for overall hurricane activity. Was it because FBI agents have just too much information have played an important part. critical. Craig Fugate, administrator of the Federal Emergency about dubious payments involving FIFA officials to easily shake There was no great public outpouring of indignation from Omdal told Reuters: “I’m sure the letter from the South Management Agency, is preparing for the worst and worry- off their questions? them after Friday’s Blatter victory but Coca-Cola Co.’s declara- Africa FA was the tipping point. It was to his own general secre- ing that other people aren’t. Inexperienced people “generally Or was it just the understanding of a wise old politician who tion after Blatter’s resignation speech on Tuesday gave an tary who had denied it. It was getting too close.” Late on underestimate how bad it will be and made decisions about recognized that the squeeze being applied by everyone from inkling of how some companies really felt. “The announcement Tuesday, a source who spoke on condition of anonymity told staying when they should be evacuating,” Fugate said. “You disgruntled sponsors to unhappy former soccer stars would lead today is a positive step for the good of sport, football and its Reuters that Blatter himself is being investigated by US prose- have to accept the fact that every time a major storm threat- to suffocation of his hopes for FIFA sooner rather than later. In fans ... and will help FIFA transform itself rapidly into a much- cutors and the FBI. FIFA and Blatter could not be immediately ens it’s a new experience for 99 percent of the people his departure announcement, Blatter sought to explain that his needed 21st century structure and institution,” said Coke. reached for comment. Blatter has been accused of many things involved.” And then there are the people who went through resignation was a noble gesture to help the game he loved, and Adidas, another major sponsor, welcomed Blatter’s resignation. by his critics - yet he has never been so out of touch as not to smaller storms and think that wasn’t too bad and misjudge there were plenty of his allies - and some foes - who were happy “Today’s news marks a step in the right direction on FIFA’s path recognize when the whole deck has been stacked against him. the bigger storm. In that type of situation, that thinking can to play along with the narrative. Michel Platini, the head of to establish and follow transparent compliance standards in “I do not feel that I have a mandate from the entire world of “get you killed,” Fugate said. “People don’t always under- European soccer - who had urged Blatter to go last week - everything they do,” Adidas said. football - the fans, the players, the clubs, the people who live, stand the threat.” praised him for making “a difficult decision, a brave decision, and Blatter’s removal appeared to be what many stakeholders breathe and love football,” he said in his departure announce- Hurricane evacuation researcher Jay Baker, a retired the right decision” while Jerome Champagne, a potential candi- wanted. “Problem solved. This was the major hurdle and ment.—Reuters Florida State University professor, said his studies and sur- veys show that people will still evacuate properly even if they don’t have recent storm experience. But it’s not just people; it’s the officials who have to make the tough deci- In Istanbul’s Bazaar, rumbles of discontent against Erdogan sions and tell people what to do. Only one hurricane-prone state, Louisiana, has a governor who was in office when a By Dilay Gundogan tenants say that Fatih Municipality-run by the agreed: “All the government cares about is officials really stuffed their pockets full and major hurricane hit. The FEMA top management is different AKP-had leased their shops for a higher rent to money. Is there anything they haven’t sold whether there is really a lack of freedom in the than in 2005, when the last majors hit. Fugate, who was n Istanbul’s centuries-old Grand Bazaar, the a single tenant “to cover the costs of the yet?” “People in our community used to vote country.” Florida’s emergency management chief during many state hum of commerce is as noisy as ever. restoration” of the Grand Bazaar, which hosted for the AKP when they stood for something. Erdogan is hoping the AKP will win a two- landfalls in 2004 and 2005, said “there are very, very few peo- Vendors sell tea, coppersmiths craft their a motorcycle chase scene in 2011 in the James But they have held the reins too long and the thirds majority in the polls in order to change ple who are working state government in Florida who were I wares, merchants shout out to passing tourists. Bond movie “Skyfall” that caused damage to corruption and undemocratic behavior is now the constitution and boost his office’s powers there in state government in 2004.” But beneath this hubbub, discord is brewing the structure. shining through,” he said. to that of a US-style executive president. The Experts are especially worried about the Tampa region. against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and There are rumors that the shops could be latest opinion polls, however, suggest the Emanuel calculates using past storm data and computer the ruling Justice and Development Party converted into hotels as part of an ambitious ‘No economic miracle’ AKP’s support could fall sharply from the simulations that a major hurricane in general should hit (AKP) ahead of June 7 parliamentary elections. project by the municipality. “The government Turkish economist Mustafa Donmez said almost 50 percent of the vote it garnered in Tampa every quarter century or so. The National Hurricane The Grand Bazaar, home to some 4,000 is just spitting on our face. I don’t believe in any “there is no economic miracle anymore” for the 2011, with it possibly even losing its parliamen- Center, calculating on past storms a bit differently, says a shops where over 20,000 people work, has of them anymore. I’m not going to vote for AKP AKP’s core voters, who until now supported tary majority. But Selvi Gurey, who owns a sou- major hurricane should hit every 30 years or so. But it’s been long been seen as a bastion of support for because we are in a grave situation here,” said the party over “bread and butter issues”. “The venir shop in the bazaar, says he will vote for decades upon decades since the big one hit. “It’s a real big Erdogan and the Islamic-rooted AKP. But as the Mustafa Kahraman, a cloth merchant. “They’ve AKP has not much left to give them. The econ- the AKP because he thinks a presidential sys- concern,” said Christopher Landsea, science operations offi- economy starts to show weakness after years clearly demonstrated they are there to serve omy is very fragile and the future rates of tem will bolster stability and economic growth. cer at the National Hurricane Center in Miami. “My worry is of impressive growth under Erdogan, who mainly the rich and powerful,” he said outside a growth will no longer be enough to create jobs “We owe a debt of gratitude to Erdogan, who that we’ll have hundreds or even thousands dead the next became president in 2014 after more than a square where his shop was located, now for their children,” he said. “When the economy has worked so tirelessly to make our life better. major hurricane that hits the Tampa Bay area.” decade as premier, there are growing signs deserted. Huseyin Kaya, a board member of is going bad, they start to question whether I think Turkey will be better off with a stronger It may sound like areas like Tampa are “overdue,” scientists that this support is beginning to wane. “I used Grand Bazaar Association of Shopkeepers, the government is really corrupt, whether the president,” he said. —AFP like Landsea and Emanuel say that’s not a good word to vote for AKP but it’s time for a change now. because the odds of getting hit don’t actually change They have been in power for too long. I think because there were no storms the year before. They are the they are burnt out now,” said Huseyin Kaya, a same year to year. “Hurricanes don’t give a darn what hap- silver shop owner who has worked in the pened the last year, the last 10 years,” Landsea said. “We Bazaar for two decades. could certainly have a major hurricane hit Tampa-St Pete in “The economy is not good. Business is bad. I 2015 but it doesn’t matter for this particular season that it have bought merchandise for tens of thou- hasn’t had a hurricane since 1921.” For Houston the last sands of dollars and I have debts now that I major hurricane hit was 1941, according to the hurricane cannot pay back,” he said. Many of the shop- center, although smaller storms, barely under the threshold keepers and small-scale manufacturers who for major, have hit more recently and major storms have have thrived under the AKP’s rule voted for skirted nearby. —AP political stability and rewarded Erdogan for the country’s growing prosperity, even after a cor- ruption scandal and anti-government protests in 2013. But the party is entering an election under fire over Turkey’s economic performance All articles appearing on these for the first time since it came to power in 2002 pages are the personal opinion of due to stalling growth, stubbornly high infla- the writers. Kuwait Times takes no tion and unemployment. responsibility for views expressed ‘Spitting in our face’ therein. Kuwait Times invites read- The Bazaar was the scene of protests last month by shopkeepers who refused to vacate ers to voice their opinions. Please their stalls in Sandal Bedesteni, a section of the send submissions via email to: opin- 15th century shopping area, following a notice [email protected] or via snail calling for the immediate eviction of some 80 mail to PO Box 1301 Safat, Kuwait. shops. The shopkeepers locked themselves in their shops, shouting anti-government slo- The editor reserves the right to edit gans, before riot police stormed the area, evict- any submission as necessary. ing all the shops in Sandal Bedesteni and ISTANBUL: Posters and party flags of Turkish Prime Minister and leader of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) briefly detaining some 20 shopkeepers. The Ahmet Davutoglu fly over an avenue in Istanbul, Turkey. —AP THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015 SPORTS

Pakistan axe spinner Ajmal Popov inks Van Persie future uncertain LAHORE: Pakistan have dropped off-spinner Saeed Ajmal from their squad for the three-test Spartak deal AMSTERDAM: Robin van Persie is keeping his options open over his future at Manchester United as he series against Sri Lanka this month and have recalled opening batsmen Ahmed Shehzad and enters a final season of his contract with the club, Dutch media reported yesterday. The striker returned Shan Masood. from injury towards the end of the season but was no longer able to command a regular place in the MOSCOW: Bulgaria captain Ivelin Popov has The 37-year-old Ajmal, once Pakistan’s most potent wicket-taker, has struggled since team. “The club must do its homework and so must I. It’s a new situation,” he told reporters in an inter- joined Spartak Moscow from fellow Russian view with several Dutch newspapers ahead of Friday’s friendly international between the Netherlands returning to international cricket from a ban for an illegal bowling action. Premier League side Kuban Krasnodar, Spartak He was ineffective in the limited-overs series against Bangladesh and the US in Amsterdam. said on Wednesday in a statement on their offi- “I’m going to calmly and relaxed sit down and consider everything. “I still have ambitions of playing before he was left out of the team for the subsequent two-test cial website(www.spartak.com). series. Shehzad and Masood were left out of the test series in every week. I feel top fit and I think I can still go on for several years. Take note of my words,” said the The attacking midfielder has signed a long- 31-year-old, who moved to Old Trafford from Arsenal in 2012. Van Persie said he should have had six or Bangladesh, which Pakistan won 1-0. Fast bowlers Rahat Ali term contract with the side from the Russian cap- and Sohail Khan and batsman Sohaib Maqsood are yet to recov- seven more goals than the tally of 10 he netted for the club last season. ital. The 27 year-old started his career with the “People don’t accept that I just scored 10. Actually that’s a compli- er from their injuries and missed out on selection, the Pakistan Bulgarian side Litex Lovech, before moving to ment because they expect more of me on the basis of what I can do. I Cricket Board (PCB) said in a statement. Turkey to play for Gaziantepspor. He then was the club’s second highest goal scorer together with Juan Mata and “Rahat Ali, Sohail Khan and Sohaib Maqsood are still on the moved to the south of Russia, joining Kuban. behind Wayne Rooney (14 goals). “It’s not good that a top club like rehab after sustaining injuries and it is hoped that they would be Popov has won 52 caps for Bulgaria and has Manchester United does not have a scorer with 20 or more goals available for selection in the near future,” chief selector Haroon scored nine goals. “I had three or four offers, but behind his name each season and that is why we only finished fourth.” when a concrete offer came in from the red and Rashid said. Van Persie struggled with an ankle injury through the season, blaming a hectic whites, I told my club immediately that I wanted “Selection committee has also kept its options open in case of pre-World Cup training programme, as he battled to get fit for Brazil, and then to play for Spartak,” Popov said. “My new club is need for the 16th member keeping in mind the extreme weath- a lack of a break after the tournament last summer. “After I came back from the most famous in Russia. This is a big step for- er conditions in Sri Lanka.” The first test begins at Galle from injury I realised that I would not automatically get back in the ward my career,” he added. Spartak finished sixth June 17 and Pakistan will also play five one-day internation- starting line-up,” he said. “But I didn’t have a problem with that last season. — Reuters als and two Twenty20s.—Reuters because they were playing well at the time. —Reuters Blue Jays thrash Nationals, Rockies win

WASHINGTON: Kevin Pillar hit two home runs off Max Chase Field swimming pool in the seventh inning and Scherzer, including a go-ahead three-run drive, as the Arizona won a back-and-forth game. Toronto Blue Jays beat the Washington Nationals 7-3 The homer was the 51st splashdown in the water Tuesday night to earn a split of a day-night doubleheader. beyond the right field fence since the ballpark opened in Jordan Zimmermann pitched six-hit ball for eight innings 1998. Ender Inciarte had two RBIs, two runs scored and two in the opener, a 2-0 victory that ended a three-game losing stolen bases for the Diamondbacks. He drew a two-out streak. Bryce Harper had a go-ahead single off R.A. Dickey, walk from Brandon Cunniff (2-1) and scored on Pollock’s then he thrilled a fan before the nightcap by taking a selfie home run. in right field with her phone. AJ Pierzynski and Todd Cunningham each drove in a Scherzer (6-4) had won each of his previous five starts pair of runs in the Braves’ five-run sixth inning after the and appeared poised for another with a 3-1 lead. Pillar had Diamondbacks had taken a 4-1 lead off Shelby Miller. other ideas, though. He drove a pitch over the wall in left in the sixth for his second homer and fourth on the season PADRES 7, METS 2 for a 4-3 lead. Ian Kennedy threw six strong innings and outpitched Marco Estrada (2-3) pitched six innings in the second rookie sensation Noah Syndergaard, lifting San Diego past game for Toronto, allowing three runs - two earned - and New York. Kennedy (3-5) broke a four-start losing streak as six hits. Zimmermann (5-2) struck out four and walked one he held the Mets to two runs and six hits. Syndergaard (2- to win for the third time in four starts. Dickey (2-6) gave up 3) flashed enough quality pitches to strike out 10 but the eight hits, struck out six and walked one. Padres reached the righty for seven runs and 10 hits in four innings. It was Syndergaard’s shortest of his five career ROCKIES 6, DODGERS 3 starts. Derek Norris hit a two-run homer in the fourth and Alex Guerrero hit a grand slam off reliever Rafael Alexi Amarista and Will Venable drove in two runs each in a Betancourt with two outs in the top of the ninth, helping four-run second inning. Los Angeles salvage a doubleheader split. Guerrero sent a fastball from Betancourt (2-2) to the PIRATES 7, GIANTS 4 deepest part of Coors Field, just eluding the glove of leap- Andrew McCutchen had four hits and drove in two runs, ing center fielder Charlie Blackmon. It was Guerrero’s first Pedro Alvarez drove in twor and Pittsburgh won for the career grand slam and fourth homer of the day for the 10th time in 12 games. Dodgers. Jordy Mercer hit his first home run of the season and In the opener, Jorge De La Rosa threw six solid innings Neil Walker drove in a run as the Pirates clinched their third with a healing cut on his middle finger and Michael DENVER: Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Alex Guerrero (left) is congratulated by center fielder Joc Pederson (center) series win in the last five played in San Francisco. McKenry homered to lead Colorado. and right fielder Chris Heisey after the Dodgers retired the Colorado Rockies in the ninth inning. — AP Brandon Crawford hit a two-run home run and Buster De La Rosa (2-2) had his start pushed back twice Posey drove in a pair of runs for the Giants, who lost their because of a cut he got from the seams on a baseball. The PHILLIES 5, REDS 4 AL-leading Houston. fourth straight. McCutchen improved to .398 (37-for-93) lefty allowed three runs and struck out six for his 71st win Darin Ruf hit a walkoff single with one out in the ninth The Astros were in a big hole early after a four-run sec- over his past 26 games, with 11 doubles, a triple, five with the Rockies, one shy of matching Aaron Cook’s team inning after Maikel Franco tied it in the eighth with a two- ond inning by the Orioles, but bounced back an inning lat- homers, 21 RBIs and 17 runs scored. record. John Axford pitched around a leadoff single in the run homer to lead Philadelphia to a rare late-inning come- er for their major league-leading 17th comeback victory ninth for his 10th save. Ian Thomas (0-1) allowed four runs back victory. Odubel Herrera led off the ninth against Tony this year. YANKEES 5, MARINERS 3 in three innings for the Dodgers, and rookie Joc Pederson Cingrani (0-2) with an opposite-field double to left. Herrera Houston trailed by 3 when the homer by Gattis made it Garrett Jones hit a three-run homer in the top of the hit his 15th home run, a shot estimated at 477 feet. went to third on Carlos Ruiz’s sacrifice bunt and scored on 4-all and the Astros went back to back when Valbuena 11th inning to give the Yankees the lead and Andrew Miller Ruf’s single to right. homered to right field to put Houston on top. The Astros preserved the win in the bottom half by striking out RED SOX 1, TWINS 0 Jonathan Papelbon (1-0) pitched a 1-2-3 ninth, striking added an insurance run in the eighth inning. Houston Nelson Cruz with two on. Clay Buchholz pitched eight innings and got all the run out two, to earn the victory. The Phillies looked headed to starter Collin McHugh (6-2) settled down after giving up Stephen Drew tied it in the ninth with an RBI double off support he needed on Rusney Castillo’s RBI single in the their eighth straight loss before scoring two runs with two four runs in the second, and the last out of that inning was Seattle closer Fernando Rodney as New York took the first seventh as Boston ended a three-game skid. outs in the eighth. Philadelphia improved to 2-30 when the first of eight straight and 15 of 16 he retired before two games of this three-game series. Buchholz (3-6) struck out eight and scattered three hits trailing after seven inning. being replaced by Pat Neshek for the eighth inning. With two outs, Jones drilled a fastball over the wall in before Koji Uehara took over in the ninth and picked up his Baltimore rookie Mike Wright (2-1) yielded eight hits center off reliever Joe Beimel, who relieved Tom 11th save to preserve the shutout. Mike Pelfrey (4-2) had a RANGERS 15, WHITE SOX 2 and five runs in five innings after allowing just three runs Wilhelmsen (1-1) after he allowed two-out hits to Drew solid start as he and Buchholz both carried a shutout into Joey Gallo hit an upper-deck homer, doubled off the combined in his first three starts. and Brett Gardner. the seventh inning, when the Red Sox broke the tie. top of the wall and set a Rangers franchise record for a Justin Wilson (2-0) pitched a clean 10th for the win. Xander Bogaerts hit a two-out double off the wall in center major league debut with four RBIs as Texas cruised past INDIANS 2, ROYALS 1 Miller gave up an RBI single to Robinson Cano in the 11th. and scored easily on Castillo’s single up the middle. Chicago. Michael Brantley drove in the go-ahead run with two Then with Cano and Austin Jackson, who was hit by a pitch Buchholz got his first win since Boston beat Toronto 6-3 on Gallo, the top prospect in the Rangers organization, outs in the eighth inning, backing a strong performance by from the Yankees closer to reach base for the sixth time, May 10. made the jump from Double-A Frisco for what is supposed Carlos Carrasco and sending Cleveland past Kansas City. aboard, Miller struck out Cruz for his 16th save.—AP to be a short stint while four-time All-Star third baseman Carrasco (7-4) allowed five hits over seven innings to MARLINS 5, CUBS 2 Adrian Beltre is on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained win his third straight start. The big right-hander struck out Brad Hand pitched six innings to earn his fifth victory in left thumb. eight while dominating Kansas City for the second time in MLB results/standings 33 career starts to lead Miami. Hand (1-1) improved 5-18 in With the bases loaded in the first, Gallo hit a hard shot a month. his career as a starter. Even with the victory, his winning that got past Gold Glove first baseman Adam LaRoche. It Cody Allen handled a perfect ninth for his 12th save as Washington 2, Toronto 0; Colorado 6, LA Dodgers 3; percentage as a starter (.217) is the lowest in the majors was scored a “bad-hop single” that drove home the first the Indians won for the 11th time in 14 games. AL Central Toronto 7, Washington 3; Philadelphia 5, Cincinnati 4; among active pitchers with at least 20 decisions, according two runs off Jeff Samardzija (4-3). rival Kansas City lost for the sixth time in its last seven. Oakland 5, Detroit 3; Boston 1, Minnesota 0; Miami 5, to STATS. Giancarlo Stanton hit a solo homer, his 16th. He When Gallo came up two innings later, he hit the first Wade Davis (2-1) was summoned in the eighth to keep the Chicago Cubs 2; Texas 15, Chicago White Sox 2; Houston 6, has seven of Miami’s 14 homers at Marlins Park this year. pitch into the upper deck in right field - an estimated 418 game tied, but he walked Michael Bourn to lead off the Baltimore 4; Cleveland 2, Kansas City 1; St. Louis 1, Rookie Addison Russell’s baserunning blunder helped A.J. feet - for a 6-2 lead. inning. Milwaukee 0; LA Dodgers 9, Colorado 8; Arizona 7, Atlanta Ramos earn his fifth save in seven chances. Marcell Ozuna 6; Tampa Bay 6, LA Angels 1; San Diego 7, NY Mets 2; NY hit a two-out, three-run double off Kyle Hendricks (1-2) CARDINALS 1, BREWERS 0 RAYS 6, ANGELS 1 Yankees 5, Seattle 3 (11 innings); Pittsburgh 7, San that put Miami ahead to stay in the fifth. Lance Lynn allowed five hits while pitching into the Tampa Bay rookie Chris Archer overcame another mile- Francisco 4. eighth inning and Mark Reynolds had an RBI single in the stone home run by Albert Pujols to win his third straight ATHLETICS 5, TIGERS 3 second to lead St. Louis. decision, tying a franchise record with 15 strikeouts over American League Ben Zobrist’s grand slam highlighted a five-run seventh Tyler Cravy (0-1) made an impressive major debut for eight innings. Eastern Division inning as Oakland rallied for the win. Alfredo Simon (5-3) Milwaukee, allowing a run on four hits in seven innings. Pujols tied Jimmie Foxx for 17th place on the career W L PCT GB held the A’s to one hit over the first six innings, but the The Brewers won the series opener 1-0 and Milwaukee home run list with his 534th, putting him two behind NY Yankees 28 25 .528 - Tigers scuffled defensively in the seventh, and Oakland pitchers had thrown 19 consecutive scoreless innings Mickey Mantle. And he did it in his 8,134th big league at- Tampa Bay 27 26 .509 1 had the bases loaded with one run already in when the before Reynolds’ RBI. bat - the exact same number that Foxx finished his career Baltimore 23 28 .451 4 right-hander was pulled. Angel Nesbitt came on in relief, Lynn (4-4) struck out five and walked one in 7 2/3 with. Toronto 24 30 .444 4.5 and Zobrist greeted him with a line drive over the wall in innings. Kevin Siegrist got the last out in the eighth and Archer (6-4) matched James Shields’ club record for Boston 23 29 .442 4.5 right field for his sixth career grand slam. most of a sellout crowd of 42,835 stuck around to see strikeouts, which was set on Oct. 2, 2012 in a complete- Central Division Kendall Graveman (3-2) allowed three runs and eight Trevor Rosenthal earn his 16th save in 17 chances. The game 1-0 loss to Baltimore. The 26-year-old right-hander Minnesota 30 20 .600 - hits in six innings. Evan Scribner pitched two perfect Cardinals are 6-2 with one game to go on the home stand. did not walk a batter and allowed six hits, including Pujols’ Kansas City 29 20 .592 0.5 innings of relief, and Tyler Clippard finished for his eighth 14th homer and sixth in as many games. Detroit 28 25 .528 3.5 save. Simon allowed four runs and four hits in 6 1/3 innings ASTROS 6, ORIOLES 4 Cleveland 25 26 .490 5.5 as the Tigers lost a season-high fifth straight. Evan Gattis hit a three-run homer and Luis Valbuena DIAMONDBACKS 7, BRAVES 6 Chicago White Sox 23 27 .460 7 added a go-ahead solo shot in a five-run third inning for AJ Pollock hit a two-out, two-run home run into the Western Division Houston 33 20 .623 - LA Angels 28 25 .528 5 Texas 27 25 .519 5.5 Seattle 24 28 .462 8.5 Oakland 21 33 .389 12.5

National League Eastern Division Washington 29 23 .558 - NY Mets 29 24 .547 0.5 Atlanta 26 26 .500 3 Miami 21 32 .396 8.5 Philadelphia 20 33 .377 9.5 Central Division St. Louis 34 18 .654 - Chicago Cubs 27 23 .540 6 Pittsburgh 28 24 .538 6 Cincinnati 22 28 .440 11 Milwaukee 18 35 .340 16.4 Western Division LA Dodgers 31 21 .596 - San Francisco 30 24 .556 2 San Diego 26 28 .481 6 Arizona 24 27 .471 6.5 Colorado 23 28 .451 7.5 WASHINGTON: Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper can’t catch a ball hit by Toronto Blue Jays’ Kevin Pillar during the fourth inning of the second baseball game of a doubleheader. — AP THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015 SPORTS England moving in right way

LEEDS: England will head into this year’s Ashes series against Australia heartened by their performances against New Zealand but with nagging doubts about key areas in the team. A thrilling 124-win in the first test against the Kiwis was followed by a 199-run defeat in the second which raised familiar concerns. The most obvious problem is a one-dimensional pace bowling quartet which struggled to restrict New Zealand’s scoring rate and to dismiss tail-enders cheaply. James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Mark Wood and Ben Stokes all had their moments in the series but the lack of a left-armer meant the attack always lacked variety. Moeen Ali proved that despite his success against India last year, he is not a front-line spinner like his pred- ecessor Graeme Swann, failing to tie down one end suf- ficiently to give the seamers enough rest and posing a limited attacking threat. The close fielding is also a major concern. Too many catches were spilled in the slip cordon and a repeat against the Australians will prove very costly. The specialist batsmen generally performed well with the exception of a very vulnerable Ian Bell, who appears to have major technical issues, and Gary Ballance. Alastair Cook’s return to form after a long barren run was a welcome relief and, in Adam Lyth, he finally looks to have found a reliable opening partner. Lyth scored 107 in his second test, a compact and composed innings which suggested he has the tech- nique and temperament to succeed where Nick Compton, Michael Carberry and Sam Robson have failed recently. LEEDS: England’s captain Alastair Cook stands on the LEEDS: New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum smiles he as walks past the series trophy after his side’s win and therefore Joe Root is established at number five, exuding class pitch after his side are beaten on the fifth day of the sec- drawn series on the fifth day of the second Test match against England. — AP in any situation, and Ben Stokes made 92 and 101 in the ond Test match between England and New Zealand. —AP first test at Lord’s in an explosive manner which hinted at the potential to be England’s next Ian Botham or Warner, Steven Smith and Michael Clarke the Aussies Dynamic Black Caps Andrew Flintoff. have batsman of the highest class. With Jos Buttler and Moeen at numbers seven and But given the chaotic off-field preparations for eight, England bat deep and Stuart Broad’s 46 in the the New Zealand series and the fact that England second test was his best innings for nearly a year after a recovered after slumping to 30 for four on the open- fully justify status dismal run. ing day at Lord’s, significant progress has been New Zealand provided feisty opposition, ahead of made. With Australian Trevor Bayliss installed as the Australians who play at an even higher level of coach to mastermind the plans to bring down his LEEDS: New Zealand did more than enough against The tail can more than wag too with Tim Southee, intensity. Mitchell Johnson and Mitchell Starc are faster compatriots, the future looks much brighter for England to prove they are worth much more than a Matt Henry and Trent Boult all capable of scoring quick bowlers than any of the New Zealanders while in David Cook and his team. — Reuters two-test series shoe-horned into the schedule as a tasty runs against a tiring attack. That trio form also provide a appetiser before the Ashes. penetrative and versatile pace bowling attack. Left- Supremely positive, aggressive and efficient, the armer Boult is quick and hostile while Southee hits the Black Caps amply justified their status as the world’s deck hard and gets movement in the air and off the Gatlin out third-ranked test side in a 1-1 draw with their hosts pitch. which fluctuated from the first ball to the last. New Henry is a more than useful third seamer, fast, accu- Zealand are a team to be reckoned with. rate, and consistent enough to give his captain an ele- to win races, Martin Guptill and Tom Latham form a contrasting ment of control. Craig is an under-rated spinner, eco- and exciting opening partnership. Kane Williamson at nomical, naggingly accurate and a weapon especially number three has a water-tight technique and the against left-handed batsmen. not popularity potential to be one of the world’s finest batsmen. Ross New Zealand also excel in the field. Taylor, Craig and Taylor, a class act at number four, showed a welcome Guptill are a ruthlessly efficient slip-catching unit, return to form after a barren run and captain Brendon Watling or Ronchi quietly efficient wicketkeepers and contest McCullum is simply one of the most destructive bats- McCullum sets an example in energetic outfielding men in world cricket. which constantly keeps opponents under pressure. EUGENE: Justin Gatlin skipped along the track during But there is much more. BJ Watling, Luke Ronchi and Make no mistake about it. New Zealand, World Cup his workout, sunglasses on, seemingly without a care in Mark Craig combine in a middle-order capable of finalists this year, are the real deal. After years of punch- the world. And why not? adapting to any match situation. Corey Anderson adds ing above their weight, they deserve to be recognised The 33-year-old American, who has served two dop- another attacking dimension. as one of the forces in the modern game. — Reuters ing bans, rocketed to a lifetime best of 9.74 seconds in the 100 metres on May 15 and last weekend equalled his fastest ever 200m (19.68) at the Prefontaine Classic. Adoring fans kept him busy signing autographs for Weakened Indonesia still nearly an hour after his 200m win, but Gatlin’s populari- ty is far from universal. Calls for the sprinter to be kicked out of the sport target badminton glory due his doping suspensions, one of which was for four years, have been widespread, coming from fellow ath- letes, social media and newspaper columns. SINGAPORE: The badminton competition at this The mixed doubles is also a strong discipline for “Justin Gatlin not only threatens Usain Bolt - he year’s Southeast Asian Games promises to be as hard Indonesia with world number nine pair Riky Widianto threatens athletics,” blazed a recent British newspaper fought as ever, with Indonesia’s dominance set to and Puspita Richi Dili likely to come up against 10th- headline. The criticism, though, seems to have done lit- come under threat from the presence of a women’s ranked compatriots Praveen Jordan and Debby world champion and a former men’s number one. Susanto in the final. tle to deter Gatlin, who is looking for another fast 100 in While some events at the 11-nation multi-sports Indonesia can also expect to be fighting for top Rome today. gathering lack the highest quality, badminton is not honours in the men’s and women’s team events but “I have cut that emotional rope off and let that ship one of them as the region boasts a host of world- Malaysia and Thailand will be looking to claim at sail,” he told Reuters when asked about the uproar. class players who can expect packed crowds at the least one gold medal with the help of their key play- Maybe, maybe not. Gatlin became noticeably testy at a Singapore Indoor Stadium from June 10-16. ers. Thailand will be targeting success in both singles news conference before the race. Indonesia has been a global power in the sport for events with Tanongsak considered favourite for the A reporter had asked for details on his 2006 positive decades, second only to China in golds won at men’s singles, while world number 18 Busanan test for the banned steroid testosterone, while another Olympic, Asian Games and world championship lev- Ongbumrungpan and Nichaon Jindapon (27) are the wanted to know his thoughts on a Norwegian study of el, while their dominance at SEA Games has seen highest-ranked players in the women’s. mice that indicated the use of steroids could have long- them win twice as many titles as nearest rivals The women’s team looks fairly formidable too, term benefits. Malaysia. spearheaded by 2013 world champion and world Gatlin has always maintained that a massage thera- However, with a world championships on home number six Ratchanok Intanon, who was hoping to pist rubbing a steroid-laced cream on his legs caused soil looming in August, Indonesia is sending a youth- target individual honors but will be forced to return his positive test, though many doubt that explanation. ful team to Singapore as their leading players target to China for club commitments ahead of the singles. His recent times have also left some in disbelief. Only bigger prizes, but they are still confident of winning Badminton Association of Thailand (BAT) secre- at least three of the seven titles on offer. tary-general Nahathai Sornprachum expects her four men have run faster in the 100m, and just seven in In men’s singles, youngsters Jonatan Christie and country’s shuttlers to enjoy multiple success in the 200m, despite the earliness of the season and the Firman Abdul Kholik are snapping at the heels of Singapore. lateness of Gatlin’s career. “People are going to have their country’s top players but face a challenge to “Although Ratchanok will play only in the team what they want to talk about, what they want to write usurp defending champion and world number 17 event, we still believe we have a chance of getting about,” the 2004 Olympic and 2005 world champion at Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk of Thailand. two gold medals,” she told the Bangkok Post. 100m said in the interview. Malaysia’s former world number one Lee Chong Malaysia will be hoping the ace in their pack, for- “If my competitors are OK with running against me. If Wei will take part in the team event but will forgo the mer world number one Lee, can help secure a men’s he (world record holder Bolt) is OK with me running fast singles competition to complete his world champi- team gold as he builds form and fitness ahead of the times and pushing him to be a better athlete, I really onship preparations at the U.S. and Canadian Opens. world championships after recently returning from a don’t care what the world thinks.” The Indonesians will target success in the men’s dou- doping ban. “I can see a difference in our team, of Were it a popularity contest, things might be differ- bles, with world number 17 pair Ricky Karanda late. The players are united in wanting to achieve ent. “But I am not trying to win over my naysayers,” Suwardi and Angga Pratama expected to follow up success,” Lee said. “I felt the vibe at last year’s Thomas Gatlin said. “That’s not my point in being in track and on their Singapore Open victory at the same venue Cup finals and the recent Sudirman Cup. We’re able field. in April. to rise against the odds.” — Reuters Justin Gatlin “I don’t want to leave the sport saying I could have run faster. I just want to be tapped out, like I gave it my all,” Gatlin said. “I think a lot of people who have the opportunity, and who are capable of running 9.7, prob- Huddersfield peaking at right time, says Ta’ai ably hold back because they don’t want to run so fast early and get the notion of being burned out.” Eligible under athletics and world anti-doping rules LONDON: Huddersfield have faded in the play-offs in ure it out and this year we want to get that right. “This “It’s a great appointment, someone held in high the last two Super League seasons but Ukuma Ta’ai (game against Wigan) is a big chance, they are always esteem,” Kirmond said. “It can only work in a positive to return in 2010 after his four-year ban, Gatlin has insists his side are peaking at the right time in 2015. one of the best sides, right up there in the competition.” way, he’s been at some massive clubs and he’s experi- shown steady improvement. He won medals behind The Giants have finished first and third in the regular The 28-year-old Ta’ai, formerly of the New Zealand enced, it can only benefit the club in the long term. “It’s Bolt in both the 2012 Olympics (bronze) and 2013 world season tables of the last two years but both times Warriors in the NRL, has been very impressive in Super in its infancy in the way it’s being run, (Chairman) championships (silver). missed out on the Grand Final after stuttering against League this season, nominated for the player of the Michael (Carter) is doing a great job but bringing in But it was last year when the uproar over his partici- the big names in the knockout stages. month in April and with seven tries to his name. But someone like Brian (Smith) can help not just on the field pation reached full steam. With Bolt injured, the Currently six games unbeaten in the league however, used primarily as a replacement, Ta’ai admits it has tak- but behind the scenes as well.” American dominated sprinting, going undefeated in the Giants’ big-game mettle will be put to the test this en time to get used to his fluctuation in minutes. “My Catalans Dragons head to Warrington Wolves but the both the 100 and 200. weekend when they host last year’s runners-up Wigan performances have not been too bad, sometimes I am French side will have to do without Todd Carney and This season he has raised more eyebrows and there on Sunday. playing long minutes and then the next week I am play- Willie Tonga after the pair were injured during Sunday’s is the very real possibility he could threaten Bolt’s domi- The Giants currently sit fourth with the Warriors third ing shorter time,” he added. Magic Weekend draw with Huddersfield. nance when the two meet at August’s world champi- and Ta’ai insists the hosts are ready to prove themselves “I know they want to get all the boys so I don’t mind St Helens are chasing Leeds at the top of the table onships in Beijing. Bolt, whom Gatlin calls “the greatest on the big stage. “We are doing really well at the but I would like some more time. I am feeling very confi- and they host Salford Red Devils with head coach in the world at what he does,” has started slowly but moment, and we are looking forward to getting to the dent so it can be a bit frustrating.” Keiron Cunningham excited about the spirit in his side. that will change, the American said. “He knows what it end of the season,” he said. Elsewhere the Wildcats, with new coach Brian Smith “It’s something we’ve been growing,” Cunningham takes to be at the top of his game,” said Gatlin. “When “The last two years we have started the season very at the helm, host table toppers Leeds Rhinos and skip- said. “You can’t fabricate togetherness, it something fast, but when we have our big games we have strug- per Danny Kirmond is positive about the Australian’s that grows. We’re getting better and better and this year the world championships come around I am expecting gled. “I am not sure why that is, but we are trying to fig- arrival. we’ve really flourished.” —AFP to go out there and see the Bolt of old.” — Reuters THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015 SPORTS

Preview

Tried and Switzerland set trusted for for strong debut Japan title CANADA: Switzerland qualified in style for defence and a superb level of fitness. their first women’s World Cup appearance, Ramona Bachmann and Lara defence winning their European group in with nine Dickenmann are prolific scorers. victories and one draw. Bachmann, a professional since the age of CANADA: Japan coach Norio Sasaki is banking They blitzed their group, banging in 53 16, has averaged nearly a goal every other on experience to lead the Nadeshiko to another goals and conceding just one, not a bad game in a long and impressive international Women’s World Cup triumph but the trusted haul for World Cup neophytes. Whether that career, while Dickenmann notched 10 goals troops have shown weakness in the lead-up to sizzling form carries over into the June 6- in the qualifying phase. their title defence. A ninth-placed finish at the July 5 World Cup proper in Canada is the Nonetheless, the bookmakers do not 12-team Algarve Cup in March was not ideal big question. They are still a relatively lowly fancy the chances of the Swiss, listing them preparation and Sasaki reacted by recalling 36- 19th in the FIFA rankings. at 80/1 to win the competition. The Swiss year-old Homare Sawa for the June 6-July 5 tour- But while their players are new to the have been drawn in a relatively easy Group nament in Canada. World Cup, coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg C. Their chief adversary will be Japan, but Sawa scored the dramatic equaliser in the is not. She played in three World Cups for Cameroon and Ecuador should be easier closing stages of extra time in the 2011 final her native Germany, and since taking pickings. against the United States but her chances of charge of the Swiss team three years ago Switzerland should advance out of its making a record sixth finals looked over after has molded an excellent unit that combines group, perhaps not as the winner, but more being left on the sidelines for a year by Sasaki. a potent attacking threat, with a well drilled likely the runner-up. — Reuters Injuries and a loss of form following a brief retirement in 2012 looked to have taken their toll before some domestic goals for her club side led to a recall. Sasaki said their was no sentiment in bringing back Japan’s most capped international Cameroon hope early and record goal scorer. “Let me stress that experi- ence is not all she brings. I’m selecting her on her arrival catches success present form and fitness,” he said upon naming the squad last month. VANCOUVER: Cameroon were the first Games, conceding 11 goals and scoring Sawa, player of the tournament and top scor- team to arrive in Canada for the just once. Cameroon are likely to find it er in 2011, is one of 17 players in the 23-woman Women’s World Cup and will struggle tough to get any points in Canada as well, squad that were victorious in Germany. not to be among the first to depart as with their two other group opponents Sasaki said the Algarve Cup performances, they make a maiden appearance at the being Switzerland and defending world where they lost to Denmark and France, led to tournament. champions Japan. him opting against bringing too many new The African team received special FIFA “Our main objective will be to do bet- names to Canada. permission to go to Vancouver some three ter than we did in 2012 during the “Ideally, we would’ve liked more fresh, young weeks before they begin their Group C Olympic Games, where we learnt a lot,” faces in the squad but when you look at what campaign against Ecuador on June 8. said long-standing coach Carl Enow we’re trying to achieve - to win another title - we The opportunity to play warm-up Ngachu. need players with consistency and experience.” games against club and university oppo- “We know it’s going to be very tough Despite Sawa’s return, twice Asian Player of nents in Canada represented a better for us, but Ecuador and Switzerland are the Year Aya Miyama will continue to skipper the preparatory option for the central African also here for the first time, so there can be side who will again employ a short sharp pass- country, who have played just three surprises. ing style to navigate their taller opponents. warm-up internationals this year against “We’ll have to be well prepared. If we They open their Group C campaign on June 8 other African opposition. prepare well by the time of our first game, against Switzerland before taking on Cameroon Cameroon qualified for the June6-July we can get by. But I said that this is a very and Ecuador. Topping the pool would ensure a 5 World Cup after finishing as runners-up difficult group and Switzerland and Japan last 16 clash against a third ranked side and then at last year’s African Women’s are the group favourites.” a probable quarter-final against Brazil. If results Championship, defying the rankings to Cameroon’s squad includes eight for- go to rankings, they would avoid the United take one of the three berths reserved for eign-based players, now earning a liveli- States and top-ranked Germany until the final. Africa. It kept up the progress they had hood as professionals, headlined by 30- The ingredients are all there for another shown by qualifying for the London year-old goalkeeper Annette Ngo Ndom, Japanese triumph and the favourable draw also Olympics, where women’s soccer is played who competes for a club in Slovenia, and helps. “Because of the experience, we will be at senior level and where Cameroon’s the 31-year-old captain Christine Manie, a able to gel quickly and it shouldn’t take time to Indomitable Lionesses competed for the defender at Olympia Cluj Napoca of get everyone on the same wavelength,” said first time in a major tournament. Romania. Top striker Gaelle Deborah Sasaki. “And every player on the squad is a fight- PORTLAND: In this photo taken May 5, 2015, goalkeeper Nadine Angerer works out in the rain with It was a baptism of fire as they lost all Enganamouit was signed by a Swedish er.”— Reuters Portland Thorns goalkeeper coach Scott Vallow. Angerer was in preparation for the German Women’s three of their group games at the 2012 club two years ago. — Reuters World Cup in Canada.—AP Norway aim to reclaim NZ have lofty ambitions WELLINGTON: For a team that have never made the United States in the quarter-finals, which any noise in three previous Women’s World Cup sowed the seeds for a plan to improve ahead of place among top nations appearances, New Zealand have a lofty goal in the World Cup. mind after a long-term strategy to improve their With little opposition in the Oceania region, CANADA: They may have undergone a nine successive victories and secure quali- “I am a warrior who likes to lead, not to playing depth and standard of play. they wrapped up World Cup qualification last year Coach Tony Readings feels they have the side with three victories when they scored 30 goals steady slide in the world rankings in the fication for Canada, their only defeat mention making those around me good,” and playing style to win the June 6-July 5 tour- and did not concede, New Zealand Football last 15 years, but Norway have what it coming in their final qualifier when they she told the Norwegian FA website. nament in Canada. “We’ve had a goal ever since embarked on improving the number and quality takes to reclaim their place as one of the fell to Netherlands with their berth Together with midfielders Ingvild we started this programme about being a team of internationals the team played. top nations at the Women’s World Cup in already secured. Stensland and Solveig Guldbrandsen, capable of winning the World Cup,” said Readings’ squad has 15 players who appeared Canada. As a former champion (1995) and Despite reaching the Euro final and an Ronning will provide the experience, but Readings. at the 2011 World Cup, while a dozen have in runner-up (1991) the pedigree is there, excellent qualifying record, Norway are if Norway are to make a lasting impres- “Everything we’ve done; changing our style, excess of 50 international caps and their interna- and had they not missed two penalties in only ranked 11th in the world coming sion on the tournament it will be up to getting the right number of games against the tional results have improved. the Euro 2013 final loss to Germany the into the June 6-July 5 tournament, the youthful striker Ada Hegerberg to con- right opposition, the full time programme we’re In 2014, they held powerhouses Brazil and Norwegians could well have been com- fourth time in five years they have been tribute with goals. putting the players through in New Zealand, Norway to draws while they lost narrowly to fel- ing into this tournament as Europe’s ranked outside the top 10. Since making her breakthrough three that’s all around building so we are playing and low World Cup finalists France, Switzerland and brightest hope. Regardless of ranking, the future looks years ago, the 19-year-old forward aver- winning seven games at a World Cup.” Mexico. Instead, Norway will be looking to bright. With a new generation of talented ages around a goal every other game for While the Football Ferns have never advanced Last month, they dominated World Cup hold- avenge that bitter defeat when they meet young players carefully matched with the national team, and she comes into past the group stage in three World Cup appear- ers Japan, but were beaten by Homare Sawa’s Germany in their second Group B game in experienced campaigners by coach Even the tournament full of confidence follow- ances, Readings has some basis for optimism. 83rd international goal, increasing their confi- Ottawa on June 11. Pellerud, Norway could mount a strong ing a double-winning season with her The Englishman, who took over from current dence ahead of their opening clash against the That clash will be sandwiched challenge in Canada. club Lyon. “I fear no other player or team,” Canada coach John Herdman in 2011 after work- Netherlands on June 6. “Any time you can domi- between what should be two relatively In a country obsessed with English the striker told the Norwegian FA’s web- ing with the New Zealand under-20 side and nate possession against a team that are arguably straightforward encounters with out- soccer, the Norwegian style is often direct site. “I don’t think that I might be one of assisting his compatriot at the 2007 and 2011 the best in the world, I think it says good things siders Thailand and Ivory Coast. and always physical, traits embodied by the world’s best strikers, or about what World Cups and 2008 Beijing Olympics, guided about us,” said captain Abby Erceg. The Norwegians rebounded quickly Norway captain and defender Trine others might think. I’m just going to deliv- them to their first knockout phase place at the “We’ve got to remember where we are ranked 2012 London Games. in the world and how far we have come, so there from their bitter defeat to Germany with Ronning. er.”— Reuters Reading’s side lost to eventual gold medallists is nothing but positives for us.” — Reuters I Coast admit World Cup might be bridge too far

CANADA: Ivory Coast snatched a maiden trip to Canada. But drawn in the same group Women’s World Cup berth just five minutes with Germany and Norway leaves Ivory Coast from the end of their qualifying campaign last with little chance of any impact, although a year but by their own admission might find result against fellow World Cup debutant the standard in Canada some way above their Thailand in their second game in Ottawa on ability. June 11 will be seen as a target. “They will be complicated opponents,” added Toure, who won the Africa Women’s Championship in charge of Equatorial Guinea in 2008, of their Asian counterparts. “We will not go to Canada as victims. We want to achieve as much as we can and give a good image of ourselves.” Nicknamed Les Elephantes, there are not many changes in personnel from last October’s African Women’s Championship, where they booked their berth. They have a handful of players at clubs Clementine Toure outside of the country, with Jose Nahi scoring four goals for her Russian club Zvesda Perm in While their male counterparts are African this season’s UEFA women’s Champions champions, the Ivorian women had little suc- League. There are also players based in cess until the qualifying tournament in Morocco, but the bulk come from home- Namibia when they faced South Africa in an based teams. The Ivorian build-up to the all-important playoff for third place. After see- World Cup has been chaotic with a planned ing off wave after wave of opposition attacks, training camp in France put on ice. Ida Guehai’s late goal completed a fairytale It was only weeks before the tournament passage to the June 6-July 5 Women’s World kicks off that the Ivory Coast government Cup for a team ranked 67th in the world. agreed to fund their preparations, by which “We are the team least expected to be time it was too late to organise any training there but we must believe and take our camp save for an early departure to Canada VANCOUVER: In this April 27, 2015, file photo, Canadian national women’s soccer team goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc (left) and captain Christine Sinclair chance,” coach Clementine Toure said of the and a few warm-up friendlies.—Reuters joke around after the roster for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup was announced. — AP THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015 SPORTS

Preview Nigeria seek to step up after years as also-rans

WELLINGTON: Nigeria have been Africa’s com- manding team in women’s soccer, ever present at every Women’s World Cup, and are finally hoping to step up and join the list of the tournament’s top contenders. The Super Falcons kept up an obligatory African presence at the last six World Cups but made little headway, demonstrating the gulf between their game and the more developed standard of women’s football in Europe and North America. But in recent years the gap has narrowed and after Nigeria finished runner-up in last year’s Under-20 Women’s World Cup, there are now hopes Nigeria could be a realistic challenger. “Our desire is to be counted at the World Cup and we won’t leave any stone unturned to ensure we achieve the target,” coach Edwin Okon said in a recent Nigeria press interview ahead of the June 6-July 5 Women’s World Cup in Canada. The target is at least a place in the last eight, emulat- ing Nigeria’s best ever achievement at a Women’s World Cup when they got to the quarter-finals in 1999. Key to Nigeria’s hopes will be a positive result in their opening game in Group D against Sweden in Winnipeg on Monday. They also play Australia and the United States in a tough draw. Okon has put heavy emphasis on fitness ahead of the tournament and there has been a lengthy preparatory camp. African Women’s Roger Reijners Footballer of the year Asisat Oshoala leads their squad, having made a recent move to join Dutch pioneers finally at Liverpool’s ladies team and in the process become the first African in England’s Women’s Super League. Women’s WCup party She is an exciting forward who was voted the best player at last year’s U-20 Women’s World Cup, also played in Canada, after a tournament- CANADA: Netherlands were among the Olympics. record seven goals. countries at the forefront of the establish- “It will be difficult but that is the goal,” The Nigerian captain is Evelyn Nwabuoko and ment of the women’s game in Europe but Reijners told reporters. “It could turn out 12 of the players are foreign-based, a major fac- only now are they set to make their debut that reaching the quarter-finals might be tor in the improvement of Nigeria’s performanc- at the Women’s World Cup. enough to qualify for Rio because there es. “As African champions I want you to go to the They played in the first women’s interna- might just be two other European teams World Cup this time with a clear determination tional recognised by FIFA in 1971, but have left then. to do better than any of your predecessors have lagged behind in subsequent decades only “It has been our goal all along to keep ever done,” Nigerian Football Federation presi- to now eventually get to play on the qualifying for the big tournaments.” The dent Amaju Pinnick told the team before they biggest stage in the game. Dutch take to Canada arguably one of the left for Canada two weeks ago. “We believe you Having squandered a chance to win their potential stars of the women’s game in Edwin Okon can.” —Reuters qualifying group after giving up a late goal teenage striker Vivianne Miedema. in their last game, the Dutch had to come The 18-year-old, who plays in the through the European playoffs, upsetting Bundesliga with Bayern Munich, scored 16 Italy to book a spot in the June 6-July 5 goals in the qualifiers, including the deci- Women’s World Cup in Canada. sive away goal in Italy that ensured the US looking to break through They have ambitions of keeping up their Dutch passage. The team are, however, form in Group A where they will meet sweating on her fitness after she suffered a Canada, China and New Zealand - all sea- foot injury in training. Eight of the other CANADA: The United States have their eyes Rampone will be playing in her fifth World through this and feel truly confident and excit- soned World Cup campaigners. squad players are playing at clubs outside firmly set on a third Women’s World Cup title, Cup, while Shannon Boxx and Abby Wambach ed about the group we have.” Coach Roger Reijners has set the goal of of the Netherlands, whose own women’s and with a squad loaded with experience the will be making their fourth finals appearances. While there is solidity at the back with Solo finishing among the top three European football league is combined with that of Olympic champions are rightly among the Goalkeeper Hope Solo and midfielders Carli long regarded as the world’s top keeper and teams as the team’s target, as that will neighbouring Belgium in a new profession- favorites to triumph in Canada. Lloyd and Heather O’Reilly enter their third the back-line full of experience, it is in the ensure they qualify for the 2016 Rio al structure. —Reuters The United States have dominated at the World Cup but the squad also has some excit- attack where the team’s strengths lay. Olympic Games, winning four of the five gold ing younger talent, with eight players set for Morgan has pace and skill, Leroux brings medals that have been contested, but that their first tournament. directness and energy and Wambach, with 182 success has not been replicated in the World Coach Jill Ellis believes she has the right mix goals in 241 international appearances, is a Ecuador eyes Cup since 1999 when they won their second of youth and experience and knows that the natural finisher. title. Four years ago, the Americans were high- physical demands of competing during a “We are so diverse in attack, they all have ly fancied to triumph in Germany but fell at Canadian summer means she may well need tremendous assets and experience and we are first World Cup the final hurdle, suffering a 3-1 defeat on to call on most of her 23 women. “We’re going really stacked at that position,” said Ellis. “We penalties to Japan after the game ended 2-2 to need a lot of bodies up there in Canada, out have proven goal scorers, great options and it after extra-time. in the heat, and over the past six or seven is certainly one of our strengths.” The United CANADA: Ecuador will bring a burst of are strong tactically, said Arauz. “Thankfully, freshness to Canada next month with a 26- we have all three styles too,” added Arauz, The bulk of that team is back again forming months, we’ve been able to play a lot of play- States are the favourites but have a tough year-old coach leading the small Andean who says she is the youngest coach in a a squad that boasts an impressive amount of ers and give a lot players experience,” said Ellis. group with Sweden, Australia and Nigeria all country at its maiden Women’s World Cup. FIFA World Cup and according to world soc- World Cup experience. Defender Christie “I truly feel that we’ve vetted these players ranked in the top 10 in the world. —Reuters The canary yellow “Tri,” 48th in the FIFA cer’s governing body was the first woman world ranking, qualified by the skin of their to graduate as a football coach in Ecuador. necks after star striker Monica Quinteros Still, despite Arauz’s gusto, an upset will be scored an eleventh hour goal against tricky against Japan, ranked 4th, and Trinidad and Tobago in the playoffs. Switzerland, ranked 19th, though “The players have evolved positively since, Cameroon, ranked 53rd, present a more I think we’re going to show a much fresher, feasible challenge. faster team at the World Cup,” said coach “We’re working towards going past the Vanessa Arauz in a recent interview with local eights (last 16) and maybe even bringing sports news outlet Mas Deportes. Ecuador, the World Cup here, it’s not impossible,” improving as part of a boom of women play- Arauz said. Ecuador open their campaign ing soccer in football-crazy South America, in Vancouver against Cameroon on June 8, will face off against Cameroon, Japan and then face Switzerland in the same city on Switzerland in Group C. June 12 before playing Japan in Winnipeg Cameroon boast quick players and on June 16. The final is in Vancouver on Switzerland a well-oiled team, while Japan July 5. —Reuters Swedes need attack to fire at World Cup

STOCKHOLM: Sweden’s hugely success- Brazil, but also to outsiders Switzerland ful qualification campaign should put and drawing with a Danish side that them among the favorites for the failed to qualify. Women’s World Cup in Canada, but ques- Some players have also expressed dis- tions remain as to whether they can satisfaction with Sundhage’s leadership, deliver on the biggest stage. which departs somewhat from Sweden’s Ranked fifth in the world with 10 consensus society and introduces a more straight wins and an average of over hierarchical structure to the squad. three goals per game in qualifying might Whatever about her management style, look impressive, but Sweden scored the Sundhage is a proven winner as a coach, NEW YORK: United States goalkeeper Hope Solo (left) and midfielder Megan Rapinoe (right) listen during the US women’s nation- fewest goals of any group winner and delivering two Olympic gold medals for al team World Cup media day in this file photo. —AP coach Pia Sundhage has lamented their World Cup favourites USA in 2008 and inability to create chances. 2012. With Nilla Fischer at centre back, Her knowledge of the Americans will Caroline Seger anchoring the midfield be put to the test almost immediately in and Lotta Schelin leading the front line, Group D, where they will face a tough Group of death no waltz for confident Matildas Sundhage sets out her team with an challenge from Nigeria before taking on emphasis on strength through the mid- the United States and finishing up SYDNEY: Despite a daunting draw, “It is, but we’re all excited by over her disciplinary regime. Lisa De Vanna as one of the co- dle of the pitch. The purpose is to allow against Australia. There may be some there is a feeling in the Australia the challenge,” co-captain Clare Stajcic got the job full time captains, handing the 30-year-old her more creative players to do what hurdles to be overcome, but it is far from camp that their sixth Women’s Polkinghorne said. “It’s the World after the tournament despite the a leadership role for the first time. they do best, but unfortunately, despite all doom and gloom for the Swedes. World Cup campaign just might be Cup so you are not going to get 1-0 defeat to the world champions The pacy and skillful forward, the undoubted talents of Schelin and fel- Despite the financial difficulties of some the one where the Matildas make any easy games. You have to beat in the final and has spent the last kicked out of the training camp low forward Kosovare Asllani, the clubs, the top-flight Damallsvenskan the breakthrough into the final the best to be the best.” year moulding a side he hopes will before the 2011 World Cup, has Swedish attack often come up short. league is one of the world’s best, attract- four. The United States, 2003 run- Australia’s optimism is based play vibrant, attacking football in played in both the United States Never was this more apparent than in ing some of the top players in the game. ners-up Sweden and African on a strong run of form since they Canada. Australia have goal-scor- and Sweden and is convinced the the 1-0 defeat on home soil to Germany With enormous home support, champions Nigeria loom in Group finished runners-up to Japan in ing threats all over the park and Matildas can do much better than in their Euro 2013 semi-final, where Sundhage’s squad is blend of youth and D in Canada with the Americans last year’s Asian Cup, which Stajcic has such strength up front their quarter-final finishes in 2007 despite a slew of chances Sweden failed experience, talent and skill, and if she can first up in Winnipeg on June 8. earned the Matildas their World that he was able to leave out the and 2011. “I honestly believe that to deliver. get her charges to remain disciplined in Facing the second ranked twice Cup spot. country’s most prolific striker in this team is going to go all the Sweden’s 2015 results in preparation defence and increase their effectiveness world champions in front of what Coach Alen Stajcic had taken Kate Gill, who has 40 goals in 83 way,” De Vanna said. “I’ve been in for the June 6-July 5 World Cup haven’t in attack, the Swedes could well be in the is likely to be a bumper crowd of over in a caretaker capacity less internationals. this team for a very long time and exactly set the world alight either, losing shake-up in the latter stages of the World border-crossing American fans is a than a month before when That Stajcic has also repaired this is probably the most prepared not only to frontrunners Germany and Cup. —Reuters tough way for any team to start Dutchwoman Hesterine de Reus the team culture was perhaps Matildas team that we’ve ever their tournament. was sacked after a player mutiny most evident in his selection of had.” —Reuters THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015 SPORTS Benitez takes on Real challenge

MADRID: Rafa Benitez was appointed Real bed in and that, given the quality of the Madrid coach yesterday, the much-trav- squad, which he called the best he had elled 55-year-old taking on one of the managed, the team would have to be most demanding jobs in club soccer in competitive from the start. which he will be expected to deliver major “When you have a roster with such trophies in short order. quality you have to attack, to try to score Spaniard Benitez quit Serie A side goals, and to win if possible playing Napoli last week and returns to his boy- attractive football,” he told reporters. hood club to succeed Italian Carlo Real would be monitoring the transfer Ancelotti, sacked after Real failed to either market to see if there was room to defend their Champions League crown or strengthen the team, he added. Ancelotti win the domestic league or Cup. was dismissed a year after ending 12 years A former Valencia, Liverpool, Inter of Champions League failure by leading Milan and Chelsea manager, Benitez Real to a record-extending 10th European began coaching in Real’s youth academy crown in 2013-14. in 1986 after injury ended his hopes of After leaving Real in 1995, Benitez becoming a professional player. graduated to several modest teams in He is the 10th coach to be appointed Spain as he developed his coaching phi- by president Florentino Perez during the losophy. construction magnate’s two six-year stints He made his name with Valencia, at the helm of the world’s richest club by whom he led to two La Liga titles before income and appeared close to tears when leaving for Liverpool, where he won the FA he was presented to the media at the Cup and the Champions League. Bernabeu stadium. He moved on to Inter Milan but was “It’s an emotional day returning here to sacked three months into the 2010-11 sea- my home,” Benitez said. “I have a good son and had mixed fortunes during his technical team behind me and I hope last job with Napoli. things go well, that we win titles and the They won the Coppa Italia last term team plays well.” and finished third in Serie A but lost to Benitez, who has signed a three-year Lazio in Benitez’s last match in charge to contract, told a later news conference he finish fifth, missing Champions League NEW YORK: This screen grab of Interpol’s website shows undated portraits of men who were added to Interpol’s most wanted list was aware he would not be given time to qualification. —Reuters yesterday. (Top row, from left to right) are Jack Warner, Nicolas Leoz and Alejandro Burzaco. (Bottom row from left) are Hugo Jinkis, Mariano Jinkis and Jose Margulies. The Interpol “red notice” means they risk arrest anywhere they travel. —AP Interpol puts two ex-FIFA officials on the wanted list

ZURICH: Interpol put two top for- Interpol, the international police was pressing on with preparations As Blatter announced his exit, mer FIFA officials on its “red notice” body, issued wanted person alerts for 2018. Blatter, who has led FIFA English Football Association wanted list at the request of US for Jack Warner, a former president for 17 years, is being investigated Chairman Greg Dyke suggested authorities yesterday as their inves- of CONCACAF, which governs foot- by U.S. prosecutors and the Federal that the controversial vote that tigation into corruption at soccer’s ball in North and Central America Bureau of Investigation, a person awarded Qatar the 2022 tourna- governing body gathered pace. and the Caribbean, and Nicolas who spoke on condition of ment could be re-run. South Africa confirmed it had given Leoz, the former head of South anonymity told Reuters late on Qatar Football Association $10 million meant to help pay for America’s soccer federation. Tuesday. President Sheikh Hamad Bin the 2010 World Cup to a soccer offi- The others subject to the so- US Attorney General Loretta Khalifa Bin Ahmed Al-Thani hit cial indicted last week in the United called “red notices”-which are not Lynch, on a visit to Latvia, declined back, indicating the small Gulf States, but said the payment was arrest warrants-are Alejandro to comment on whether Blatter is state will not give up hosting soc- not a bribe as US prosecutors Burzaco, Hugo and Mariano Jinkis, under investigation. Blatter has not cer’s showpiece event without a allege. and Jose Margulies, a Brazilian who been charged and FIFA did not fight. “We would urge Mr Dyke to The latest developments in the headed two offshore companies respond to a request for comment let the legal process take its scandal engulfing FIFA came a day that were involved in broadcasting on his being under investigation. course and concentrate on deliv- MADRID: New Real Madrid coach Rafael Benitez (left) and Real Madrid’s after Sepp Blatter stunned interna- soccer matches. Blatter announced his decision ering his promise to build an President Florentino Perez (right) pose for a picture during his official presen- tional soccer by resigning as the They are among soccer officials to step down on Tuesday, six days England team capable of winning tation at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium after signing for Real Madrid.—AP world body’s president shortly and sports media and promotion after police raided a hotel in the the 2022 World Cup in Qatar,” he before it emerged that he too was executives facing US corruption city and arrested several FIFA offi- said. under investigation by US law charges involving more than $150 cials - and just four days after he Qatar’s stock index fell as much Studious coach takes long enforcement. Blatter was not on million in bribes. was re-elected to a fifth term as as 3 percent to a 6-week low amid Interpol’s list. president. An election to choose a fears Qatar could lose the World A source close to FIFA said it was BRIBE DENIED new president will probably not Cup. Among potential candidates route to Real hotseat Blatter’s advisers who had told him FIFA has denied that another sen- take place until at least December. to lead FIFA, Platini is the favorite. he must reverse course and quit. ior official, Secretary General Jerome Blatter, meanwhile, remains in his Jordan’s Prince Ali Bin Al BARCELONA: Fierce ambition and a stu- ophy. He would methodically assess train- Critics pointed to the widening Valcke, was involved in a $10 million position. Hussein, who withdrew from last dious approach to the game have marked ing sessions and write down his observa- criminal probe, disquiet among payment approved by the South His daughter, Corinne Blatter- week’s presidential election after Rafa Benitez’s journey around Europe’s top tions. He took a year out to watch, and sponsors, and pressure from African Football Association that lies Andenmatten, told a Swiss newspa- winning 73 votes to Blatter’s 133 leagues and he now returns to his home- learn from, other coaches around Europe in European soccer body UEFA as pos- at the heart of the US investigation. At per her father’s decision had in the first round, stopped short of town club Real Madrid to take on one of 1999 and following that break began to sible reasons. a news conference in Johannesburg, “absolutely nothing” to do with confirming he would run again. the toughest coaching jobs in football. enjoy success first with Tenerife and then With Blatter saying he no longer sports minister Fikile Mbalula denied recent corruption allegations. But Asked if there should be a fresh Benitez quit Napoli last week to take particularly at Valencia where he won two had the mandate he sought, UEFA the payment to Warner during South FIFA executive committee member start at FIFA, he told Britain’s over from the sacked Carlo Ancelotti at La Liga titles and the UEFA Cup. postponed a meeting due on Africa’s successful bid for the 2010 Kozo Tashima of Japan told Channel 4 News: “I’m willing to Real, where the eagle eyes of impatient, Benitez had developed a reputation as a Saturday where there might have World Cup was a bribe. Mbalula said Japanese media that Blatter should help.” and deep-pocketed, president Florentino defensive coach but attracted the attention been talk of a revolt against FIFA. South Africa had not bought votes for go at once. Chung Mong-joon, billionaire Perez will be scrutinising him from day one. of Europe’s top clubs and in 2004 he moved UEFA had opposed Blatter, and the right to host the cup, and the cash scion of South Korea’s Hyundai Perez was at his most ruthless in axing to Liverpool. Michel Platini, the UEFA president was intended for football develop- TATTERED REPUTATION conglomerate, said he would con- Ancelotti after a season without a major On Merseyside he will be always who is favourite to succeed the 79- ment in the Caribbean, Warner’s European sports officials said sider running. Possible candidates trophy that followed Real’s capture of their remembered for their Champions League year-old Swiss national, had urged home region. Blatter’s resignation was an impor- include Domenico Scala, inde- treasured tenth Champions League title in win in 2005 but he failed to build on that him not to stand for re-election as US legal authorities last week tant step, but that the organisation pendent chairman of FIFA’s audit the Italian’s debut season in 2013-14. and the team appeared to have lost its way FIFA faced the worst crisis in its 111- announced they are investigating needed deeper changes, while New and compliance committee. Ancelotti’s name was chanted at the when he left in 2010. year history. alleged bribery and corruption at Zealand Football Chief Executive Others could include former Bernabeu in their final La Liga outing last “Considering new information is FIFA going back 24 years and Swiss Andy Martin said soccer must now Brazil international Zico, Argentine month as fans anticipated his dismissal and IRREGULAR RECORD revealed every day, I believe it is prosecutors announced a criminal rebuild its tattered reputation. The soccer legend Diego Maradona, his affable approach endeared him to the Since then his record has been irregular wiser to take time to assess the sit- investigation into the award of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), Jerome Champagne, a former players, who backed him to the end. One of with short spells at Inter Milan and Chelsea uation, so together we can take a 2018 World Cup to Russia and the which has been a staunch ally of French diplomat and FIFA deputy Benitez’s first tasks when the squad returns before he took the job at Napoli. His style position on this issue,” Platini, a for- 2022 tournament to Qatar. Blatter, said it would discuss inter- secretary general, and German to training will be to win the confidence of of play evolved at Napoli into a more mer French soccer star, said. The Kremlin said Russia was sur- nally the “best way forward for both Wolfgang Niersbach, a former FIFA the team, particularly those like top scorer attacking approach where he preferred to As the FIFA crisis unfolds, prised by Blatter’s resignation but FIFA and world football”. media chief. —Reuters Cristiano Ronaldo who clearly did not want have a trident behind the frontman, typi- Ancelotti to leave. cally Real striker Gonzalo Higuain, and he Benitez was 19 and hoping to move up will be expected to deliver entertaining to Real’s second team when he suffered football at Real. Portugal advance in NZ knee ligament damage that ended his However, it is arguable whether he actu- hopes of a professional career and it was ally improved Napoli and left with the side natural for him to move into coaching due having failed to qualify for a Champions WELLINGTON: Organisers again tried to shake off to his analytical skills. League place this season. the stigma of the scandal engulfing world govern- “It is true that when I played a lot of Now, given financial backing at Real, he ing body FIFA as Portugal qualified for the round of team mates said that I talked too much but will quickly need to bring home major tro- 16 at the under-20 World Cup in New Zealand yes- I couldn’t stop myself,” Benitez was quoted phies, and while in the past he has said he terday. The tournament has been touched by the as saying in Marca this week. favours the English model, under which controversy and political machinations at FIFA’s “It was not to blame anyone, it was managers are given time to bed in, he will headquarters in Switzerland, with President Sepp because I saw things that others didn’t and not be afforded that luxury. Another sea- Blatter’s shock resignation late on Tuesday again I tried to do my best for the team. I didn’t son without at least one major trophy and seizing the world headlines. Last week’s arrests of a lose my temper they were just observa- Perez will be looking for a replacement for total of 14 FIFA officials and corporate executives on tions.” Benitez graduated from youth team Benitez, the 10th coach he has hired in two charges of running a criminal enterprise involving coach at Real to several modest teams in six-year stints at the helm of the world’s more than $150 million in bribes had been a dis- Spain as he developed his coaching philos- richest club by income. —Reuters traction but interest in the tournament was picking up, local organising committee chief executive Dave Beeche told Reuters. Pele: Time to ‘stop the war’ “I guess there is more people talking about foot- ball full stop,” Beeche said. “We just have to focus on what we have to do and that’s deliver a great tour- LONDON: Brazilian great Pele said the honest to organise anything,” Pele added. nament and the football is speaking for itself on the “war” must stop in world soccer following Blatter stunned the world of soccer pitch.” Portugal winger Ivo ensured his side made a seismic week that on Tuesday resulted when he resigned on Tuesday, although the round of 16 with two goals in their 4-0 demoli- in embattled FIFA president Sepp Blatter he will stay in office for a few more tion of Qatar in Hamilton. The result gave the Gulf announcing he would stand down. months until a successor is chosen, end- side a reality check on the hopes of their current “I want to see football put people ing a 40-year career at the sport’s govern- under-20 squad blossoming into potential world together, stop the war,” Pele told the BBC ing body just four days after being re- beaters in seven years’ time. Qatar have openly said in an interview from Cuba where his old elected to a fifth term despite a US cor- they feel the current under-20 side will provide the club New York Cosmos are playing. ruption investigation. bulk of their squad when they host the 2022 World “That’s my position because football The 79-year-old, who has held office Cup, though their Spanish coach Felix Sanchez said put people together. What happened since 1998, announced the decision at a they still needed time to develop. “Experience won DUNEDIN: Mijat Gacinovic (left) of Serbia eyes the ball under pressure from Yousouf with the corruption, this is not my prob- news conference in Zurich, six days after the match,” he told a media conference at Waikato Kone of Mali (right) during the FIFA Under-20 World Cup football match. —AFP lem.” The 74-year-old, widely regarded as Swiss police, acting on a request from Stadium. “We still have room for progression. opportunity of seizing control of Group D with Gutierrez’s goal followed Hirving Lozano’s 71st the greatest footballer of all time, said it United States authorities, raided a hotel Hopefully this experience will better the players.” was time FIFA made changes to ensure in the Swiss city and arrested several FIFA Mexico’s Kevin Gutierrez converting the free kick to minute strike, though Uruguay’s Mathias Suarez Qatar must now beat Senegal, who drew 1-1 give his side a 2-1 win. had equalised with seven minutes remaining in the scandals that have plagued it in officials. Blatter has not been charged. An with Colombia, to have any hopes of advancing to recent years cease. “Everything in life election to choose a new FIFA president Had Gutierrez not curled the ball past the out- normal time. Mexico have three points after two the round of 16 as one of the best third-placed stretched hand of Gaston Guruceaga at Otago games, the same as every other team in the group changes, football changes, life changes, is thought unlikely to go ahead until at teams in the tournament. it’s important to have people who are least December. —Reuters Regional Stadium, the central Americans would following Serbia’s 2-0 victory over Mali in the late In Dunedin, Erick Cabaco’s added-time dismissal have almost certainly been out of contention for the game in Dunedin. Serbia lead the group on goal for a second bookable offence cost Uruguay the knockout phases. difference. —Reuters Blue Jays thrash England moving Nationals, in right way Rockies15 win 16 THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015

Benitez takes on Real challenge Page 19

FRANCE: Serbia’s Novak Djokovic returns the ball in the quarterfinal match of the French Open tennis tournament against Spain’sRafael Nadal at the Roland Garros stadium. — AP Djokovic routs Nadal, meets Murray

PARIS: Novak Djokovic crushed nine-time after wrapping up his 27th successive win this your opponent plays better and is in better siege in the second set, breaking for 5-3. On the prospect of facing Djokovic, he champion Rafael Nadal 7-5, 6-3, 6-1 to move year. shape,” said Nadal. Nadal saved three set points in the ninth added: “It’s going to be an extremely tough into the French Open semi-finals yesterday, “I knew I had to be aggressive and stay “It’s not a big surprise that I didn’t win. I game, but he was powerless on the fourth. match but I hope it’s a good one. condemning the great Spaniard to just his concentrated on every point. That’s not easy lost also in 2009 and today in 2015, but I hope Djokovic set it up with a breathtaking, no- “I’m going to need to play a high quality second defeat in 72 matches at Roland to do against a man who had only lost once to be back next year with another chance.” look backhand volley and converted it into a match to have a chance.” In a remarkable first Garros. here in his career. In a marathon 67-minute first set in their two-set lead when Nadal netted another tired set on Court Suzanne Lenglen there were six It was world number one and top seed “It’s an incredible day, I am very happy and 44th career meeting, Djokovic raced into a 4- drive. It was the first time in his career the breaks of serve-three apiece-before Murray Djokovic’s first win over defending champion I want to continue like this.” For Nadal, it was a 0 lead, allowing Nadal just four points. But the Spaniard had lost the first two sets of a won it in a tiebreak. Murray took the second Nadal in seven meetings in Paris, avenging his sobering way to mark his 29th birthday with sixth seed roared back to 4-4, finally finding French Open match. 6-2, breaking his opponent twice, and looked defeats in the 2012 and 2014 finals. the comprehensive loss placing a serious his range with his trusty forehand. Nadal He looked and played like a beaten man in set to go on and secure victory with the mini- It also eased Djokovic, who fired 45 win- question mark over whether he will be able faced down three set points in the 10th the third set as Djokovic raced into a decisive mum of fuss. ners to Nadal’s 16, closer to a first French to achieve his dream of a 10th French Open game, also shrugging off a time warning from 4-0 lead and the Serb claimed victory on The Scot was 3-0 up in the third before he Open title and a career Grand Slam. He will crown. umpire Cedric Mourier for exceeding the 20- Nadal’s second double fault of the tie. let Ferrer back in. First Murray failed to con- play his 26th major semi-final on Friday The defeat, just his second in Paris in a second limit between points. Murray made it 15 consecutive wins on vert a match point at 5-4 up on Ferrer’s serve against British third seed Andy Murray who decade after a fourth-round exit to Robin After a 12-minute game, Nadal held for 5-5 clay this year by beating the number seven and then he was broken in the next game as saw off Spain’s 2013 runner-up David Ferrer 7- Soderling in 2009, could also see him slip out and saved two more set points in the 12th seed Ferrer. “I was frustrated at the end of the the Spaniard forced a fourth set. However, he 6 (7/4), 6-2, 5-7, 6-1 to make the last four for of the world top 10 for the first time since game before Djokovic sealed it with a low, third set because I had match points and it’s could not maintain the fightback and the 28- the third time. “I have great respect for Rafa, 2005. searing cross-courter which Nadal could only very difficult to then play a full set more after year-old Murray ran away with the set, taking he’s a true champion and it’s always a pleas- “I had my moments, but he controlled push wide. that,” said Murray, the first British player to it 6-1 to seal victory after three hours, 16 min- ure to play him,” said 28-year-old Djokovic most of the match. This can happen when Djokovic continued to have Nadal under reach the semi-finals three times. utes. —AFP Serena face Bacsinszky Qatar relaxed in French Open semis PARIS: Top seed Serena Williams set up a last three matches I lost the first set and today as world fumes semi-final clash with Timea Bacsinszky at the I knew I needed to play very well because she French Open after defeating Italian 17th seed is very good here at Roland Garros so it was DOHA: Qatar may be embroiled in the ers who have come to the country to work Sara Errani 6-1, 6-3 yesterday. very important for me,” said Williams. biggest crisis ever to engulf world football, on World Cup-related projects. Qatar is Williams, who is looking for her third title Bacsinszky is through to her first Grand but you would never have guessed so in undergoing a huge spending splurge on at Roland Garros and 20th career Grand Slam Slam semi-final after repelling a battling per- the country’s capital, Doha, yesterday. infrastructure, worth around $200 billion crown, will face Bacsinszky after the Swiss formance by Van Uytvanck on Court Suzanne While outside the Gulf, some of the foot- (180 billion euros), much of it related to the 23rd seed beat unseeded Belgian Alison Van Lenglen in a match that lasted an hour and balling fraternity fulminated with fury at World Cup. Uytvanck 6-4, 7-5 in the day’s other quarter- three quarters. the FIFA corruption scandal, unions and As well as stadiums, cities, ports and final tie. The Swiss got off to a great start, breaking rights groups continued to point the finger railways are being built from scratch. To The American had lost the first set in each twice early on to lead 3-0. Van Uytvanck then over labour conditions in 2022 World Cup fuel this, the number of workers from out- of her last three matches in Paris but on this got one break back but could not find anoth- hosts Qatar, South Africa denied bribery side Qatar increases. This week, Doha occasion she meant business right from the er and Bacsinszky took the opening set 6-4. claims and Interpol put FIFA members on announced the country’s population had off, breaking immediately to lead 2-0 on the Van Uytvanck, the unseeded world number their most wanted list, inside the tiny Gulf reached an all-time high of 2.37 million. central Court Philippe Chatrier. The diminu- 93 who was the first Belgian to appear in the state all was calm. Up to one million of those are migrant tive Errani, who was the runner-up at Roland quarter-finals at Roland Garros since Justine It seemed a day like any other. The vast blue collar workers, a number that will Garros in 2012 and lost to Williams in the Henin won the title in 2007, kept fighting and armies of blue-overalled migrant workers double by 2020, at least as long as Qatar semi-finals a year later, broke back straight an exchange of breaks ensured that the sec- could be seen working away in tempera- keeps the World Cup. If it doesn’t, then it is away but once more she could not hold her ond set was poised at 5-5. tures which tipped past 50 degrees celsius anyone’s guess what might happen to the own serve and fell 3-1 behind. But that was when Bacsinszky broke (122 degrees farenheit), Doha’s notoriously workers on the frontline. Williams then saved another break point again, leaving her serving for the match. And busy roads were crammed full as usual and Baju, a construction worker from south- against her in the following game with a bril- the 25-year-old daughter of Hungarian par- even the Qatar stock market finished the ern India, said yesterday that recruitment day pretty much as it started. of workers from his country and others liant cross-court forehand and, with Errani ents converted her first match point with a Local media reported Blatter’s resigna- such as Bangladesh and Nepal would con- struggling against her opponent’s power, she terrific backhand down the line. “It is tion but there was little to link it to the pos- tinue regardless of what happens in broke again before serving successfully to absolutely extraordinary, just incredible. I’m sible removal of the World Cup from Qatar. Switzerland. Having just finished his shift in take the first set in just 27 minutes. very proud of my run,” said Bacsinszky after FRANCE: Timea Bacsinszky of Switzerland Qatar’s official response also seemed to central Doha and resting in the shade at a The second set was tighter, going with becoming the first Swiss woman to reach the raises her arms as she defeats Belgium’s suggest there was little to worry about. bus stop, he said he was confident that serve until Williams broke in the seventh semis in Paris since Martina Hingis in 2001 Alison van Uytvanck during their quarterfi- The Supreme Committee for Delivery & there would still be work for many of his game to lead 4-3, and she then went on to and the first at any Grand Slam since Patty nal match of the French Open tennis tour- Legacy said the dramatic events in Zurich, compatriots even if the 2022 tournament clinch victory on her fourth match point in a Schnyder at the Australian Open in 2004. nament. — AP which threaten a revolution in world foot- was hosted elsewhere. marathon ninth game as the match conclud- “It was a very difficult match. She was in ball administration, would have “no He has worked in Qatar for five years and ed in just one hour and five minutes. the quarters because she had played very well quarter-finals at Indian Wells earlier this year. impact” on the first World Cup in the more worrying than the World Cup was the Williams, who has now won all nine of her so I had to battle like crazy, back to the wall.” Williams is the heavy favorite to win the title, Middle East. Crisis, what crisis? immediate issue of pay. “Qatar is very meetings with Errani, was far too powerful for Bacsinszky, who beat fourth seed Petra with the other semi-final pairing seventh seed But if Qatar does end up losing the expensive,” he told AFP before adding that the Italian, producing 39 winners to just nine Kvitova in the fourth round, has lost both of Ana Ivanovic, the Serbian who was the French World Cup, some of those most vulnerable he earned 1,200 Qatari Riyals ($330, 290 for her opponent and conjuring 11 return her previous meetings with Williams, on clay Open champion in 2008, with Czech 13th would be the million or so migrant labour- euros a month). “Here, no good.” — AFP winners against Errani’s weak serve. “In the in Rome in 2010 and in straight sets in the seed Lucie Safarova. — AFP US oil inventories shrink as contango disappears Page 22

US trade gap shrinks; Business private jobs growth bounces back THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015 Page 25 ECB raises inflation forecast, leaves core Warba Bank acquires Auto Finance portfolio from Al Mulla Finance rates unchanged Page 26 Page 23

PARIS: Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Chief Economist and Head of the Economics Department, Catherine L Mann (left), gives a speech during a press conference yesterday in Paris. — AFP OECD chops world growth forecast Global watchdog calls US dip a blip

PARIS: The OECD yesterday sharply lowered its global cent to 2.8 percent next year. the world” in the coming period. report said. Addressing a news conference at the OECD’s growth forecasts for 2015 and 2016, dragged down partly The Paris-based think tank said the stronger dollar and Its outlook for the euro-zone was unchanged at 2.1 Paris headquarters, Gurria urged governments “to use all by a “transitory” shortfall in US performance and by busi- a brutal North American winter-which it said caused percent for this year and a slightly rosier 2.0 percent for the policy tools they have in hand” to step-up invest- nesses and governments skimping on investment. “transitory disruptions”-put a brake on growth in the first 2016, thanks to lower oil prices, the weak euro, better ment. “Global growth is projected to strengthen in the quarter of 2015, while predicting: “Activity should regain financial conditions and fresh stimulus spending. But “If investment is there, growth will come,” he said. course of 2015 and 2016, but will remain modest relative steam, with aggregate demand propelled by continued unemployment in the euro-zone will remain stubborn, Among global risk factors the OECD cited were new to the pre-crisis period,” the Organization for Economic employment gains, wealth effects from rising asset prices, declining to a still painful 10.25 percent by the end of drops in oil prices, failure to reach a “satisfactory” deal Cooperation and Development said. and the boost to purchasing power from lower oil prices.” next year, the OECD said. between Greece and its creditors, and a “disorderly exit” It predicted the world economy would grow at a rate China, too, will grow more slowly than the OECD pre- from Washington’s zero interest rate policy. of 3.1 percent this year, down from the 4.0 percent dicted in March, by two-tenths of a percentage point low- ‘Tepid’ investment It said it expected oil prices to “stabilize above current increase it projected in March. The growth forecast for er in both years, at 6.8 percent in 2015 and 6.7 percent in The report chided businesses and governments for levels” but well below the $110 per barrel average of the next year has been revised downward half a percentage 2016. what it called “tepid” investment. “By and large, firms three years preceding last year’s precipitous drop. point, from 4.3 to 3.8 percent, with an expectation that “Consumption will remain robust” in China, where have been unwilling to spend on plant, equipment, tech- Greece faces a Friday deadline to repay more than 300 the world economy “will strengthen gradually to growth will also be spurred by stepped-up infrastructure nology and services as vigorously as they have done in million euros ($328 million) to the IMF. Overall it needs to approach its past (pre-crisis) average pace by late 2016.” investment, it said. The OECD said that overall, “the eco- previous cyclical recoveries,” it said. “Moreover, many repay the global lender some 1.6 billion euros this “The global recovery continues but is mired by unem- nomic recovery from the global financial and economic governments postponed infrastructure investments as month, funds it currently lacks. The US Federal Reserve ployment, rising inequality, low wages and low productiv- crisis that broke out in 2008 has been unusually weak.” part of fiscal consolidation,” it said, with negative effects funds rate has remained locked at zero since the end of ity growth,” OECD chief Angel Gurria said, unveiling the The knock-on effects have included continuing on employment and wages and therefore consumption. 2008 as the Fed has sought to help pull the economy new report. job insecurity, sluggish development in emerging “On the supply side, sluggish investment has under- back from the Great Recession. The OECD, a policy analysis body grouping 34 economies and “rising inequality nearly everywhere”, mined the rate of growth of potential output-the capaci- Fed boss Janet Ellen last week said to expect a rate advanced economies, slashed its outlook for the United the report said. However, the OECD said it expected ty of economies to increase living standards, make good hike “at some point this year” as the economy continues States from 3.1 to 2.0 percent this year, and from 3.0 per- growth “to be shared more evenly across regions of on future obligations to citizens, and repay debt,” the to mend. — AFP Greece threatens to skip IMF payment

Qatar’s FIFA panic sell-off ATHENS: Greece threatened to miss a loan repayment to the January promising to end years of austerity for Greece. IMF this week, opening the way for possible default, just Locked out of international bond markets, Greece has not hours before creditors were expected to present an ultima- received any cash from its main creditors - the International short-lived; Saudi slips tum offering Athens funds in return for economic reform. Monetary Fund, European Central Bank and euro-zone coun- Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras visits Brussels later yesterday tries - since last August and its coffers are all but empty. It is to see senior European officials, where he is expected to hear due to pay back the IMF 300 million euros ($335 million) of MIDEAST STOCK MARKETS the terms of the plan drawn up this week at a meeting of top loans on June 5, but the spokesman for Syriza’s lawmakers leaders, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel. He said on Wednesday it would miss this deadline if there was no DUBAI: Qatar’s stock market closed nearly flat yesterday It is not yet clear whether Qatar faces any serious risk called on creditors to show some “realism”, saying he wanted prospect of an aid-for-reforms deal with its creditors. “If there after a brief, panicked sell-off triggered by Sepp Blatter’s of being deprived of the Cup. It has denied any wrong- a deal that would let Greece escape from “economic asphyxi- is no prospect of a deal by Friday or Monday, I don’t know by surprise resignation from world soccer body FIFA. doing in the bidding process. ation” and put an end to “doomsday scenarios”, including his when exactly, we will not pay,” Nikos Filis told Mega TV yester- Dubai rose while other Gulf markets moved little. In any case, the world’s biggest natural gas exporter country being ejected from the single European currency. day. Greece has three other repayments, totalling some 1.23 The Doha index slid as much as 3.2 percent to a sev- could easily afford the waste of several billions of dollars With time running out, and looking to draw a line under billion euros, due to the IMF in June after the one on Friday. en-week low shortly after the market opened. Blatter’s building unused stadiums. Analysts believe most major months of acrimonious negotiations, Greece’s creditors have Tsipras is due to meet European Commission President decision to quit, just days after he was elected as FIFA infrastructure building plans would go ahead anyway, effectively come up with a take-it-or-leave-it offer. Jean-Claude Juncker and Eurogroup President Jeroen president for a fifth term, increased investor fears that since they are not primarily aimed at World Cup visitors. Details of the proposal - and a rival one sent by Athens Dijsselbloem in Brussels, as well as representatives from the Qatar could be stripped of its right to host the 2022 Most stocks closed little changed on Wednesday but earlier this week - began to emerge yesterday. Greece’s offer ECB and IMF. World Cup. Gulf International Services surged 5.8 percent after called for a budget surplus before interest payments of 0.8 “We do not expect any final outcome tonight. This is a first Doha was awarded the World Cup in a 2010 vote. announcing some success in mitigating the impact of percent this year and 1.5 percent next year - close to the cred- discussion, not a concluding one,” Commission spokesman Corruption probes into FIFA by Swiss and US authorities low oil prices on its drilling rig business. itors’ proposal for 1 percent in 2015 and 2 percent in 2016, Margaritis Schinas told a regular media briefing in Brussels. have now raised the prospect of key decisions made on The company said late on Tuesday it had succeeded sources familiar with the proposals told Reuters. The Greek prime minister, who has vowed not to inflict more Blatter’s watch being reviewed. in leasing out one of two idled jack-up rigs and the sec- The creditors see that surplus gradually rising to 3.5 per- economic hardship on his people and faces a backlash in his Blatter’s resignation “is the primary driver for sure” for ond was being considered for work to start early next cent in 2018, euro-zone officials said. Athens offered to curb party if he is forced to retreat on this pledge, said he would the Doha market, said Amer Khan, senior executive at year. early retirements to save on pension payouts in line with pre- push his government’s proposal at the Brussels meeting. Shuaa Asset Management in Dubai. “As and when fur- Most of the day’s big losers were affected by factors vious proposals but it was not clear if it had offered any new “Today, more than ever before, it is necessary that the ther developments take place, the market will react.” But other than World Cup speculation. Ezdan, down 2.6 per- concessions demanded by lenders on labor and pension institutions, and mainly the political leadership of Europe selling of stocks eased later on Wednesday as buyers cent, is in profit-taking mode after jumping last month reform. The creditors’ willingness to lower the surplus target adopt the realism that the Greek side has been showing for emerged, believing there would be little real impact on on its inclusion in MSCI’s emerging markets index. to levels below those set in Greece’s bailout program repre- the past three months,” he told Greek television. “We need Qatar’s wealthy economy even if it did lose the World Vodafone Qatar , down 2.5 percent, double its quarterly sent a concession to Athens. But the proposal will almost cer- unity. We must avoid divisions and I’m certain, the political Cup. net loss. — Reuters tainly contain other elements that will be hard to accept for leadership of Europe, will do what it must, it will adopt real- Tsipras and his leftist Syriza party, which was elected in ism.” — Reuters THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015 BUSINESS India refiners in talks with Iraq on strategic reserves

NEW DELHI: State refiners Indian Oil Corp and Hindustan the refiners with Basra Light crude at the official selling Chinese trader Unipec for a VLCC arriving in mid-June. (about $375 million) from revised budget estimates for Petroleum Corp are holding talks with Iraq’s national oil price, said one of the sources, who declined to be identi- “The spot market is getting pricey now,” said an Asian the current fiscal year to pay for filling its first SPR alloca- company to buy 4 million barrels of Basra light crude oil fied due to the sensitivity of the issue. The sources said oil trader, highlighting recent spikes in Basra light premi- tion. The Vizag facility has two compartments of 7.55 mil- for India’s strategic petroleum reserves (SPRs), three the refiners were looking for the oil supplies to arrive in ums. “I think SOMO’s ambition to push the OSP for Basra lion barrels and 2.20 million barrels. The smaller compart- sources said. India in March asked the state refiners to the next two to three months. Light higher is achievable now.” ment will be used by HPCL for its 166,000 barrel-per-day each seek two very large crude carriers (VLCCs) of Iraq’s HPCL declined to comment. IOC and SOMO did not Spot premiums for Basra light crude hit a multi-year Vizag refinery. HPCL is using Nigerian Qua Iboe oil sup- Basra crude oil for arrival in May-June totalling 8 million immediately respond to emails seeking comment. high after Iraq cut supply of the grade to export more of plied by Unipec for the smaller compartment. barrels for the reserves in the coastal city of Vizag in Bombay Stock Exchange has sought clarification from its new heavy grade in June. A total of three SPRs in the south of India will hold southern Andhra Pradesh state. Indian Oil Corp (IOC) and Hindustan Petroleum Corp In May, Iraq set the price for Basra Light cargoes load- more than 36 million barrels of oil, enough to meet about But after being faced with having to pay a premium (HPCL) after Reuters’ report appeared on a local TV chan- ing this month at minus $2.55 a barrel against the aver- 13 days demand in India in case of a supply disruption or for spot oil purchases the refiners had decided to directly nel. HPCL last month awarded a tender for June loading age of Oman/Dubai quotes, up 25 cents from the previ- extreme price volatility. The two other SPRs, at Padur and negotiate with Iraq’s State Oil Marketing Organization to European trader BP at $1.40 a barrel above the official ous month. SOMO is expected to raise the price for July- Mangalore in southern Karnataka state, will have a capac- (SOMO), said the sources with knowledge of the talks. selling price (OSP). IOC, the country’s biggest refiner, loading cargoes next week. ity of 29.3 million barrels and are expected to be ready by So far the indications were that SOMO would supply agreed to pay a premium of 50-60 cents a barrel to India’s finance ministry has set aside 24 billion rupees October.— Reuters

US oil inventories shrink News in brief

as contango disappears US dollar down against Kuwaiti dinar to KD 0.302 Domestic oil production expected to stabilize KUWAIT: The US dollar exchange rate went down against the Kuwaiti dinar in yesterday’s trading to KD 0.302 while the LONDON: The vanishing contango in US crude oil futures points familiar causality question for oil traders and analysts pointing to Stocks of gasoline and distillates are only slightly above euro went up to KD 0.337, compared with Tuesday’s rates. to a sharp draw down in crude stocks over the next few months the complicated two-way incentives between time spreads and their long-term averages and tracking normal seasonal pat- The pound sterling exchange rate rose to KD 0.464, as well as as the incentive to store excess oil disappears. inventory holding. terns closely (http://link.reuters.com/syj84w and the Swiss franc to stand at KD 0.324. The Japanese yen The price for storing US crude for six months has shrunk from Contango structures make it profitable to buy excess produc- http://link.reuters.com/vyj84w). remained unchanged at KD 0.002, said the daily bulletin of around $8.75 per barrel in mid-March to $1.25 on Tuesday tion now and hold it for consumption later so tend to encourage Falling crude inventories, high refining runs, and moder- the Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK). (http://link.reuters.com/kyj84w). the build up of stock piles (often highly visible). ate stocks of refined fuels point to strong consumption at The price of storage barely covers the cost of financing the But excess supply also results in distressed sales which tend to home and abroad. Senior officials from Saudi Arabia and inventory and renting tank space so it will sharply diminish depress spot prices and push the forward price curve into con- the major oil trading firms have spoken repeatedly in KPC announces the incentive for buying and storing excess oil, known as the tango. In the real world, contango and inventories are co-deter- recent months about the strength of demand since the “cash and carry” trade. The sharp narrowing of the contango is mined. start of the year. new prices of LNG KUWAIT: The Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) remarkable because reported crude stocks in commercial So the sharp narrowing of the contango over the last three For the moment, at least, market participants seem confi- announced yesterday the new prices of liquefied natural storage remain at the highest level for 80 years months indicates traders expect far less crude will need storing in dent the enormous build up in crude stocks over the last six gas (LNG) (propane and butane) for this month. Propane (http://link.reuters.com/nyj84w). the near future. months can be successfully digested by the refining system. will be sold at $405 per metric ton, down by $60 com- Crude stocks in the United States have fallen in each of the But it will also encourage inventory holders to reduce their There are a number of uncertainties around the outlook. pared to last month, while butane will be sold at $440 last four weeks by a total of 11.5 million barrels, according to discretionary and speculative stocks since it no longer makes First, whether demand will continue to grow strongly in the per metric ton, a decrease of $35 compared to last weekly data from the Energy Information Administration. commercial sense to hold them. face of a significant increase in the price of crude and refined month, the company said in a press statement yester- But crude stocks are still 94 million barrels (25 percent) higher The much narrower contango likely heralds a continued and fuels since the start of the year. Second, whether the over- day. Propane and butane are used for several purposes, than at the end of 2014 and 115 million barrels (32 percent) high- substantial draw down in commercial crude inventories over the supply of crude oil is simply being transformed into an mainly cooking, heating, and petrochemical production. er than the 10-year seasonal average. Domestic oil production is next few months. excess of refined fuels. The prices of propane and butane are affected by the expected to stabilize or even fall over the third quarter given the Third, what happens once the summer peak demand sea- fluctuations of oil prices at the global markets and the 60 percent reduction in the number of rigs drilling for oil. Refineries running hard son in the United States and Saudi Arabia is over and refiner- rising and dropping of the US dollar against main cur- But so far any slowdown lies in the future. Current statistics US refineries are already running at exceptionally high ies enter the traditional maintenance season between rencies, as well as other causes like geopolitical condi- show crude production running at well over 9 million barrels per rates, processing well over 16 million barrels per day (bpd) September and November. tions, natural disasters and economic crises. day, the highest since the 1972/73. of crude oil, which is 1.2 million bpd above the 10-year sea- Finally, it is unclear how the market will absorb extra oil So why is the contango narrowing so much? sonal average (http://link.reuters.com/qyj84w). So far, how- exports from Iran in 2016 if a nuclear deal is struck between ever, strong refinery runs have not resulted in the accumu- Tehran and world powers. With crude stocks already very Inventory incentives lation of unusually high stocks of refined fuels like gasoline high any renewed accumulation could cause a big contango Dubai Emaar’s beachfront “Which came first, the contango or the buildup in stocks?” is a and distillate. to reappear quickly. — Reuters project to cost $2.7bn DUBAI: Emaar Properties’ mixed-use beachfront devel- opment in Dubai’s Al Mamzar district is expected to have a preliminary cost of 10 billion dirhams ($2.72 bil- Saudi may issue govt bonds this year: IMF lion), the United Arab Emirates state news agency WAM stated yesterday. The project, announced last year in DUBAI: The Saudi Arabian government may resume issuing spending, which he said was inflated this year by one-off fac- Government bond issues would also benefit the kingdom by cooperation with Dubai Municipality, will have 4,000 bonds this year, easing downward pressure on the country’s for- tors such as bonuses for state employees to mark King building a benchmark yield curve that could be used to develop residential units, 300 hotel rooms, and 250,000 square eign reserves caused by low oil prices, a senior International Salman’s accession to power in January. He declined to esti- the corporate debt market and by providing investors with new metres of retail outlets, WAM said in a statement. It did Monetary Fund official said after talks with Saudi officials. mate how fast spending would adjust. savings instruments, Callen added. — Reuters not provide further details. “The sense we had is this year,” Tim Callen, chief of the IMF mission to Saudi Arabia, said of the kingdom’s potential issuance plans. He was speaking to Reuters by telephone after annual UAE bank NBAD to meet consultations between the IMF and Riyadh. Bond issues would investors on bond be a big shift in Saudi economic policy. Riyadh has been focus- DUBAI: National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD), the largest bank ing on paying down its obligations; public debt fell to 44.3 bil- in the United Arab Emirates by assets, plans to meet fixed lion riyals ($11.8 billion) at the end of last year, or just 1.6 percent income investors from Monday ahead of a potential dollar- of gross domestic product, finance ministry data show. denominated capital-boosting bond issue, a document from However, the plunge in global oil prices since last June has arrangers showed. The bond issue, rated six notches lower than slashed Saudi oil export revenues and Finance Minister Ibrahim the lender’s rating at Baa3/BBB- by Moody’s and Standard and Alassaf has said bond issues are possible. The government last Poor’s respectively, will boost the bank’s Tier 1 (core) capital, the issued a development bond in 2007. document showed. Owned 70 percent by the government of So far, Riyadh has been covering its budget deficit by draw- Abu Dhabi, NBAD mandated Citigroup, HSBC, Morgan Stanley, ing down financial reserves. Central government deposits at the Societe Generale and itself to arrange the investor meetings, it central bank - current and reserve deposits, those earmarked for said. NBAD will meet investors in Asia and Europe, it said, state projects and those of government institutions - totalled adding that it would issue a bond during the course of 2015 the equivalent of $361 billion in April, down from $447 billion subject to market conditions. The bond will be of benchmark last August. size, the document added, traditionally understood to mean The drawdown has caused net foreign assets at the central the deal will be worth upwards of $500 million. bank, which acts as a sovereign wealth fund, to slide to $679 bil- lion in April from a record $737 billion in August. Given the size of the deficit, this strategy cannot continue Mobinil to offer stake indefinitely. The IMF predicts the government will run a fiscal deficit of around 20 percent of GDP this year, equivalent to on Cairo bourse roughly $150 billion. Callen said government bond issues would CAIRO: The chief executive of French telecoms operator reduce pressure to draw down the reserves, eventually allowing Orange said yesterday that Egyptian subsidiary Mobinil them to stabilize. He predicted the bonds would be riyal- would offer 10 to 15 percent of its stock on the Cairo denominated and be absorbed easily by Saudi Arabia’s cash- bourse or sell a stake to a local partner in 2016. Stephane flushed capital market. Richard also said at a news conference in the Egyptian “There will be large demand among banks - there’s a ready capital Cairo that Orange would increase its stake in a Moroccan subsidiary to 49 percent from 40 percent, as market there,” he said. Callen said pressure on the reserves BEIJING: A man squeezes his bicycle between a Rolls-Royce (right) and Porsche SUV at a busy intersection in part of plans to expand in North Africa. would also decrease as Saudi Arabia rationalized its state Beijing yesterday.—AFP

EXCHANGE RATES

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. GOLD Saudi Riyals 81.310 US Dollars 0.299050 0.303550 20 gram 242.780 Jordanian Dinar 426.125 US Dollars Mint 0.299550 0.303550 10 gram 123.780 ASIAN COUNTRIES Egyptian Pound 39.491 5 gram 62.580 Sri Lankan Rupees 2.242 Asia Japanese Yen 2.448 Indian Rupees 4.751 Bangladesh Taka 0.003553 0.004153 Chinese Yuan 0.047440 0.050940 Indian Rupees 4.755 UAE Exchange Centre WLL Pakistani Rupees 2.961 Pakistani Rupees 2.974 Bangladesh Taka 3.876 Hong Kong Dollar 0.037013 0.039763 Srilankan Rupees 2.231 Philippines Pesso 6.777 Indian Rupee 0.004464 0.004854 Nepali Rupees 2.975 CURRENCIES TELEX TRANSFER PER 1000 Cyprus pound 741.050 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000019 0.000025 Singapore Dollar 225.890 Australian Dollar 222.29 Japanese Yen 3.525 Japanese Yen 0.002362 0.002542 Hongkong Dollar 39.095 Canadian Dollar 248.20 Syrian Pound 2.595 Kenyan Shilling 0.003365 0.003365 Bangladesh Taka 3.896 Swiss Franc 329.09 Nepalese Rupees 3.025 Korean Won 0.000264 0.000279 Philippine Peso 6.790 Euro 341.12 Malaysian Ringgit 85.500 Malaysian Ringgit 0.079781 0.085781 Thai Baht 9.022 US Dollar 303.35 Chinese Yuan Renminbi 49.040 Nepalese Rupee 0.003040 0.0032100 Sterling Pound 468.09 Thai Bhat 9.970 Pakistan Rupee 0.002779 0.003059 GCC COUNTRIES Japanese Yen 2.48 Turkish Lira 116.910 Philippine Peso 0.006696 0.006976 Saudi Riyal 80.883 Bangladesh Taka 3.894 Sierra Leone 0.000067 0.000073 Qatari Riyal 83.317 Indian Rupee 4.739 Bahrain Exchange Company wll Singapore Dollar 0.221803 0.227803 Omani Riyal 787.810 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.236 South African Rand 0.018843 0.0273343 Bahraini Dinar 805.500 Nepali Rupee 2.973 Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001845 0.002425 Pakistani Rupee 2.976 UAE Dirham 82.580 CURRENCY BUY SELL Taiwan 0.009784 0.009964 UAE Dirhams 82.47 Europe Thai Baht 0.008719 0.0009269 ARAB COUNTRIES Bahraini Dinar 805.17 Belgian Franc 0.007909 0.008909 Egyptian Pound - Cash 41.480 Egyptian Pound 39.64 British Pound 0.458261 0.467261 Jordanian Dinar 430.94 Arab Egyptian Pound - Transfer 39.657 Czech Korune 0.004318 0.016318 Omani Riyal 786.73 Bahraini Dinar 0.797648 0.805648 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.415 Danish Krone 0.041310 0.046310 Tunisian Dinar 157.190 Qatari Riyal 83.54 Egyptian Pound 0.039086 0.041636 Euro 0.332443 0.340443 Jordanian Dinar 427.940 Saudi Riyal 80.81 Iranian Riyal 0.000084 0.000085 Norwegian Krone 0.034783 0.039983 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 2.035 Iraqi Dinar 0.000186 0.000246 Romanian Leu 0.086961 0.086961 Syrian Lira 2.162 Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Jordanian Dinar 0.423269 0.430769 Morocco Dirham 31.578 Slovakia 0.009041 0.019041 Kuwaiti Dinar 1.000000 1.000000 Swedish Krona 0.031916 0.036916 Lebanese Pound 0.000152 0.000252 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES Rate for Transfer Selling Rate Swiss Franc 0.317996 0.328196 Moroccan Dirhams 0.021793 0.045793 US Dollar Transfer 303.150 US Dollar 302.900 Turkish Lira 0.112939 0.119939 Nigerian Naira 0.001251 0.001886 Euro 340.440 Canadian Dollar 255.880 Omani Riyal 0.781391 0.787071 Sterling Pound 467.150 Sterling Pound 475.240 Australasia Qatar Riyal 0.082556 0.083769 Canadian dollar 245.370 Euro 345.788 Australian Dollar 0.227578 0.239078 Saudi Riyal 0.080203 0.080903 Turkish lira 113.480 Swiss Frank 276.932 New Zealand Dollar 0.210978 0.220478 Syrian Pound 0.001285 0.001505 Swiss Franc 327.020 Bahrain Dinar 799.730 Tunisian Dinar 0.153766 0.161766 Australian Dollar 237.670 UAE Dirhams 82.500 America Turkish Lira 0.112939 0.119939 US Dollar Buying 301.950 Qatari Riyals 83.740 Canadian Dollar 0.238911 0.247411 UAE Dirhams 0.081555 0.082704 Yemeni Riyal 0.001370 0.001450 THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015 BUSINESS ECB raises inflation forecast, leaves core rates unchanged Draghi says no question of curbing QE, calls for ‘strong’ Greek deal

FRANKFURT: The European Central Bank raised GREECE sustainable and addresses the remaining sources its forecast for inflation this year but said yester- Greece warned yesterday it might miss a loan or factors of financial instability in the financial day there were some signs of economic recovery repayment to the International Monetary Fund sector,” he said. “These would be the components losing momentum across the euro-zone. this week, opening the way for possible default, of a strong agreement.” Greek Prime Minister Data this week showed euro inflation turned just hours before creditors were due to present Alexis Tsipras visits Brussels later in the day to see positive in May and the closely-watched core Athens with a bailout deal. senior European officials, where he is expected to rate jumped to 0.9 percent, signalling an end to Draghi met Germany’s Angela Merkel, France’s hear the terms of the plan drawn up this week at the threat of deflation that has stalked the cur- Francois Hollande, IMF chief Christine Lagarde and a meeting of top leaders and put forward his rency bloc and prompted the ECB to begin print- ing money. After leaving interest rates at a record low 0.05 percent, the ECB raised its infla- tion forecast to 0.3 percent for this year, having previously put it at zero, saying that its trillion- euro-plus asset buying program was paying off but had to be seen through. Inflation next year is seen at 1.5 percent and on growth, ECB staff kept forecasts unchanged at 1.5 percent this year and 1.9 percent in 2016. “Inflation bottomed out at the beginning of the year,” Draghi said. “The recovery is on track. However, we had expected stronger figures than our projections ... There has been some modest loss of momentum.” The ECB chief said recovery was still expected to broaden through 2015 and threats to its dura- tion had diminished. Government bonds have sold off on the back of fledgling signs of inflation - amplifying a recent slide - while the euro soared on Tuesday for the same reason and hopes that an agreement will be snatched from the fire to prevent a Greek default. FRANKFURT: President of the European Central Bank Mario Draghi speaks during It took a hit after Draghi flagged signs of fal- tering growth. Draghi repeated that lifting infla- a news conference in Frankfurt, Germany, yesterday, following a meeting of the tion towards its near 2 percent target depends ECB governing council. —AP on full implementation of the quantitative eas- ATHENS: Drachma notes and coins, Greece’s national currency before adopting the ing scheme, which is due to last until September Euro, are displayed for sale at a street market in Athens yesterday. —AP 2016 and said the ECB would look through any Japan ruling party calls for market volatility. European Commission President Jean-Claude own blueprint, which is believed to reject further With oil prices now rising and the impact of Juncker in Berlin on Monday night for talks on austerity. Athens urged its lenders to accept what cautious approach to AIIB last year’s dramatic fall dropping out of the how to proceed with Greece. it called a comprehensive reform proposal but equation by the end of 2015, price pressures Draghi would not comment on any decisions euro-zone officials have already said the Greek TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo they would change the word to “carefully”, should rise automatically. made at that meeting but said he and his ECB col- text was insufficient. Greece has a 300 million Abe’s ruling party called for a “cautious reflecting opinions of an overwhelming “The risk of deflation is definitely gone, but leagues wanted to keep Greece in the euro. euro ($335 million) payment to the IMF due on response” to the China-led Asian majority of lawmakers. inflation is unlikely to move back to 2 percent for “There should be a strong agreement and a Friday and a series of bigger obligations later in Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), but “Our conclusion is that it was a right deci- the foreseeable future,” UniCredit economist strong agreement is one that produces growth, the month, which it is unlikely to manage with- will leave the decision on joining to the pre- sion not to become a founding member. The Marco Valli said. that has social fairness, but that is also fiscally out aid. —Reuters mier, a draft report showed on yesterday. government should closely monitor the situ- A panel of ruling Liberal Democratic ation and deal with it carefully,” said Kenya Party was lawmakers tasked with looking Akiba, a member of the LDP’s panel, which into Japan’s possible membership in the drew up the draft report. China’s Shenzhen Airlines AIIB, ahead of a meeting of Japanese and “What’s in it for us to make our stance Chinese finance officials in Beijing this week- clear now? We are taking the long view and end. The report will be submitted to Abe will make judgment only when issues such today. Japan and the United States have as governance, debt sustainability and estab- to buy 46 Boeing planes stayed out of the Beijing-based institution, lishment of a permanent board are resolved.” seen as a rival to the US-dominated World Tokyo and Washington were caught off Bank and Japan-led Asian Development guard when a total of 57 countries - includ- BEIJING: China’s Shenzhen Airlines Shanghai and 1.59 percent lower in world’s second-largest, is slowing January-March period, the worst Bank, citing concerns about transparency ing Group of Seven members Britain, will buy 46 Boeing 737 planes, in a Hong Kong, where it is also listed. already and expected to soften fur- quarterly result in six years. and governance. Germany and France - joined the Beijing- deal valued at $4.3 billion in list Last year, Boeing forecast ther in the coming years-a trend The country also wants to chal- Tokyo looks unlikely to make a decision sponsored $100 billion lender as its prospec- prices, its parent company Air Chinese carriers will need nearly industry officials say could put a lenge the global dominance of on joining any time. The LDP’s draft at first tive founding members by end-March. AIIB China said in a statement yester- 6,000 new planes valued at $780 dent in air travel. Boeing and Airbus by ensuring called on Tokyo to deal with the AIIB as said last month it expected to be operational day. billion over the next 20 years, China’s gross domestic product part of its vast aircraft market goes “appropriate”, but officials in charge said by the end of the year. —Reuters China is already Asia’s biggest accounting for around 16 percent expanded 7.4 percent last year, the to a homegrown large passenger aircraft buyer, as a growing middle of world demand and nearly half of slowest since 1990. Growth weak- plane, the 168-seat C919, and a class takes to the skies in ever- Asia’s. But China’s economy, the ened further to 7.0 percent in the smaller regional jet. —AFP Spanish economy minister increasing numbers. The airline, based in the southern city of ‘totally sure’ of Greek deal Shenzhen, will take delivery of the planes from 2016 to 2020, said the statement to the Shanghai stock PARIS: Spanish Economy Minister Luis de lenders but also “common interest in find- exchange, where Air China is listed. Guindos said he was certain a deal would ing a solution”. Shenzhen Airlines already owns be reached between Greece and its credi- Asked when a deal could be reached, he a fleet of more than 100 passenger tors and a Greek exit from the euro zone said, before heading to Brussels for talks: and cargo aircraft including Boeing would not happen. “We’re meeting (European Commission) 747s and 737s, as well as Airbus He was speaking on the panel of a con- president (Jean-Claude) Juncker, we shall 320s and 319s, according to its ference at the OECD think tank in Paris, see what’s on the table” However Jason website. where Portuguese Finance Minister Maria Furman, chairman of the White House The statement did not specify Luis Albuquerque suggested negotiations Council of Economic Advisers, struck a which variants of the single-aisle could be concluded “today, tomorrow, very more cautious note, saying that Greece 737 the airline would purchase, but shortly”. “I am totally sure that we will remained a “potential accident”. it said the company expected a dis- reach an agreement with Greece. I am “It would be a mistake to think it would count from list prices. The price of a totally sure. The euro zone is a club where be just contained to Greece,” he said, say- jet in the 737 family ranges from you can check in but you cannot check ing that policy-makers had already been $78.3 million to $113.3 million, out,” de Guindos told an audience of poli- caught wrong-footed in recent years by Bloomberg News reported. cy-makers. contagion from the sub-prime debt crisis. Boeing says its new 737 Max “My impression is that we will be able to Also cautious, Dutch Prime Minister delivers eight percent lower oper- reach an agreement that will be beneficial Mark Rutte told Reuters on Wednesday ating costs than its main competi- to Greece and the rest of the euro-zone,” that an exit of Greece from the euro zone tor, according to its website. Air he said. “It is very clear that Grexit is not on could still not be excluded and that bridg- China, which owns a controlling BEIJING: A Shenzhen Airlines plane preparing to land at Beijing’s Capital International Airport. the table.” ing the gap between Athens and its credi- stake in Shenzhen Airlines, yester- China’s Shenzhen Airlines will buy 46 Boeing planes from the 737 family, in a deal valued at $4.3 Portugal’s Albuquerque said Greece’s tors remained difficult. day closed down 0.92 percent in billion in list prices. —AFP creditors were making a huge push to “You can never say it (“Grexit”) is not an reach an accord but that further efforts to option, but it is not the aim. The aim is to find a compromise could be necessary. come to a common understanding,” he said “We need to find a way which is accept- on the margins of the OECD conference. Oil prices drop on dollar, oversupply able for both parts, knowing that it “I do believe they are working very hard involves, maybe crossing some lines, and to get somewhere, but at the same time LONDON: Oil prices fell more than 2 percent source has told Reuters. currencies. Benchmark Brent crude oil for July that may be necessary,” she said. One of they (the Greeks) have made so many yesterday as the dollar strengthened and as “There is consensus among Gulf OPEC coun- fell $1.75 to a low of $63.74 before recovering a Greece’s top negotiators, Euclid Tsakalatos, promises in the elections and afterwards in oversupply weighed on markets ahead of a key tries, and others, to keep the (production) ceiling little to around $63.90, down around 2.5 per- told Reuters that “there are areas of differ- parliament ... that it’s difficult to bridge the meeting of OPEC oil producers. unchanged,” the OPEC delegate told Reuters in cent, by 1010 GMT. US crude was $1.40, or 2.25 ences” in the talks between Greece and its gap,” he added. —Reuters Core Gulf members of the Organization of Vienna. “Nobody wants to rock the boat. The percent, at $59.86 a barrel. the Petroleum Exporting Countries, which meeting is expected to be smooth sailing.” Brent collapsed last year, falling to almost $45 pumps over a third of the world’s oil, have a The dollar gained around 0.4 percent against a barrel in January from above $115 last June, Turkish inflation edges consensus to maintain the group’s oil output a basket of other currencies as the euro slipped, squeezing many oil producers in countries out- at its meeting on Friday, a senior Gulf OPEC making fuel more expensive to holders of other side OPEC, including US shale drillers. Comments by OPEC ministers in Vienna this above 8% in May week have reinforced a view among investors ISTANBUL: Turkish annual inflation edged limited the rise. The central bank has faced that the big Middle East oil producers will carry above 8 percent for the first time this year in considerable political pressure, led by on pumping oil nearly flat-out for many months May, data showed just four days ahead of a President Tayyip Erdogan, to ease interest to come, content that lower prices will knock out parliamentary election which investors fear rates to boost faltering growth in recent some of their competitors. may lead to a coalition government. Analysts months, but he has halted his criticism of the Saudi Arabian Oil Minister Ali Al-Naimi told a said the data may limit the central bank’s bank as the election nears. conference organized by OPEC in Vienna on room to cut interest rates after the June 7 That pressure could resume after the elec- Wednesday that the group was “currently meet- vote. But Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek tion, but uncertainty over the outcome of the ing global demand and I don’t see this chang- said the trend in core inflation was good and vote has clouded the outlook for monetary pol- ing”. there would be an improvement in the com- icy. The lira was boosted in May by forecasts “In terms of the long-term energy outlook, ing months. that the ruling AKP would secure a majority, the future looks very positive,” the veteran Saudi The lira, which has lost some 13 percent which would ensure continuity, but not win minister said. OPEC is pumping around 2 million against the dollar this year, weakened to enough seats to boost the power of President barrels per day (bpd) more than needed at the 2.6850 by 0945 GMT from 2.6782 late on Tayyip Erdogan, seen as an authoritarian figure moment, helping fill oil inventories worldwide Tuesday. The Turkish Statistics Institute data who brooks little dissent. Some recent polls, and keeping the price of oil for delivery now at a showed consumer prices rose 0.56 percent however, have suggested the AKP, which discount to futures prices. month-on-month in May, just below a fore- Erdogan founded and which he wants to push Some analysts have said there is a chance cast of a 0.65 percent increase in a Reuters through constitutional change establishing an OPEC could even increase its production target poll, for an 8.09 percent rise year-on-year. executive presidency, may have to form a coali- this week. “With heightened geopolitical risk “Given the strength in inflationary pres- tion government. The main Istanbul share threatening oil supplies in the Middle East and sures, the Turkish central bank does not have index rose 0.36 percent to 81,714.85 points. The North Africa, it is highly unlikely that OPEC will much room to ease its policy after the elec- benchmark 10-year government bond yield reduce the quota, but an increase is possible,” tions,” JP Morgan economist Yarkin Cebeci stood at 9.15 percent, down from 9.17 percent Barclays said in a preview note of tomorrow’s meeting. said in a note. He said a seasonal rise in cloth- at the spot close on Tuesday. Yesterday’s data SANTIAGO: A hairdresser protests during a demonstration against the IVA tax ing prices and, more importantly, continued also showed domestic producer prices rose Analysts from Citi said this week that given increase in Santiago de Compostela, northwestern Spain, yesterday. The tax increase OPEC was widely expected to maintain its out- exchange rate pressures were the main infla- 1.11 percent in May, for an annual rise of 6.52 from 8 to 21 percent has led to 34,000 redundancies and the closure of 18,000 salons tionary forces while softening food prices percent. —Reuters put policies, the global surplus would last well since September 2012. —AFP into 2016. —Reuters BUSINESS THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015 Greek bailout hopes help shore up markets

LONDON: Mounting hopes of a breakthrough 0.40 percent to 11,374.18. was up 1.3 percent at 5,069 while Germany’s suade creditors to accept a proposal that Asia subdued in Greece’s protracted bailout discussions The euro slid to $1.1123 from $1.1152 late DAX rose 1.2 percent to 11,456. The FTSE 100 might unlock much-delayed bailout A spike in US and German debt yields with international creditors helped shore up on Tuesday. “I continue to watch global mar- index of leading British shares was 0.7 percent loans and save the country from bank- reduced the appetite for riskier assets to global stock markets yesterday. European kets with unwanted but justifiable pessimism higher at 6,977. Wall Street was set for solid ruptcy. Without a deal that would release keep Asian share markets subdued yester- markets held steady or firmed yesterday, the level of complacency in global equity gains at the open with Dow futures and the remaining bailout funds, Greece faces day while the euro held gains made on shrugging off deep cuts to global growth markets is a concern of the highest level,” said broader S&P 500 futures up 0.5 percent. bankruptcy and a possible exit from the upbeat euro zone inflation data and on forecasts as well as mounting uncertainty Market Strategist Evan Lucas at IG trading Greek hopes: It appears to be crunch time euro, a development that could roil the hopes that Greece will reach a deal with over a deal to prevent Greece from defaulting. company in a note to clients. “Although the with regard to Greece, which for months has 19-country euro-zone. creditors. Approaching midday, London’s benchmark macro risks are to the downside the momen- failed to convince creditors the merits of its Analyst take: “Athens and its credi- The Australian dollar rallied after strong FTSE 100 index was flat at 6,928.08 points. The tum in both the US and European equity mar- economic reform program. Yesterday, Greece’s tors are yet to reach a deal, but the feel GDP data further cooled prospects of a near- CAC 40 in Paris climbed 0.25 percent to kets remains to the upside.” prime minister, Alexis Tsipras, was heading to good factor is on the rise,” said David term interest rate cut. Japan’s Nikkei lost 0.3 5,016.90 points and Frankfurt the DAX 30 rose Keeping score: In Europe, France’s CAC 40 high-level meetings in Brussels to try to per- Madden, market analyst at IG. percent and Australian shares shed 1.1 per- US Data: US economic figures over cent. The Shanghai Composite Index lost 1.4 the rest of the week will also likely have percent on a string of initial public offerings an impact on markets. The heavy data and Indonesian stocks also slipped. In a week culminates Friday with the non- patchy session for the region, the modest farm payrolls report for May. That could gainers included Malaysian, Thai and Hong set the market tone for a week or two as Kong stocks. traders assess when the Federal Reserve MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific will start to raise interest rates. shares outside Japan stood little changed. Asia’s day: Japan’s benchmark Nikkei Spreadbetters expected a flat open for 225, which has been a stronger gainer in Britain’s FTSE, Germany’s DAX and France’s the past three months, edged down 0.3 CAC ahead percent to 20,473.51. South Korea’s Kospi The Australian dollar, already on a bullish fell 0.7 percent to 2,063.16. Hong Kong’s footing after the Reserve Bank of Australia Hang Seng added 0.7 percent to (RBA) took a neutral stance on interest rates 27,657.47 while the Shanghai Composite Tuesday, got a further lift after data showed was little changed at 4,909.98. Australia’s the country’s economy topped forecasts and S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.9 percent to 5,583.60. grew at its fastest in a year in January-March. The OECD yesterday chopped its fore- “It most probably puts a floor under any casts and now sees the global economy further RBA easing at this stage, this is pretty growing by 3.1 percent this year instead much in line with their expectations,” said of the 4.0 percent it predicted just over Michael Workman, senior economist at CBA two months ago. in Sydney. It slashed its forecast this year for the The Aussie was up 0.2 percent at US economy, to 2.0 percent from 3.1 per- $0.7791, putting more distance between a cent, although it held the outlook for the seven-week low of $0.7598 plumbed on euro-zone at 2.1 percent. Monday. — Agencies THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015 BUSINESS GCC equity markets face bearish trends

KAMCO GCC MARKETS REPORT

KUWAIT: Negative sentiments prevailed in the ings with a growth of 13.9 percent and 38.5 per- traction of 1.5 percent to close at 9,688.7 percent), UNB (-5.1 percent) and National Bank Qatar Exchange GCC equity markets during May-15 as a largely cent, respectively, during Q1-15. points. Moreover, concerns regarding Yemen of Ras Al Khaimah (-3.75 percent). Among the Among the active GCC equity markets, the muted Q1-15 earnings performance failed to KSE indices declined during the month also affected markets, but the euphoria sur- gainers, CBI gained 11.1 percent during the Qatar Stock Exchange saw the smallest maintain positive investor sentiments that was with the KSE Weighted Index witnessing a rounding the opening up of the Saudi market month although the trades in the stock monthly decline during May-15 recorded at seen during the previous month. Q1-15 earn- steep decline of 3.0 percent to close at 421.83 to foreigners, which is expected to start from remained very marginal (AED 89.7,000). 1.0 percent for the QE20 Index and 0.9 per- ings for a majority of the markets saw only a points by the end of the month. As a contrast 15th June, 2015, largely offset some of the cent for the Qatar All Share Index indicating a marginal growth although the core Banking to the previous month, investors primarily other concerns. Nevertheless, the Saudi mar- Dubai Financial Market broad-based decline especially during the last sector saw an overall strong first quarter. sold large-cap stocks which was evident from ket still leads the GCC in terms of YTD-15 per- The Dubai stock market plunged 7.2 per- week of the month due to negative news flow Moreover, negative sentiments were exacerbat- the 4.1 percent monthly decline for the KSE 15 formance that stood at 16.3 percent by the cent during May-15 falling below the psycho- surrounding FIFA. The QE20 Index briefly ed by oil price that trended downward during Index for May-15 as compared to a strong end of May-15. The decline in market capital- logically important 4,000 mark as lack of posi- plunged below the 12,000 mark due to steep May-15. External factors like the concerns over monthly return during the previous month. A ization was slightly less than the TASI owing to tive catalysts triggered investors to book profits consecutive declines on 27th and 28th May Yemen and its impact on the political situation majority of the constituent stocks in the KSE- the listing of two companies during the after a successful bull run during the previous 2015 (a total decline of almost 4.1 percent for in the GCC, in addition to global events like the 15 index declined during the month (a total of month, i.e. Middle East Paper Co. (MEPCO) and month. In addition to the fall in oil prices and the two trading sessions) after news related to Greece situation and its impact on Europe, the 10 stocks declined as against 3 gainers and 2 FIFA shook investor confidence in the econo- relatively weakening USD as compared to the stocks ended flat) led by the Zain which my that is seeing large scale infrastructure more recent uptrend as well as the uncertainty declined by 10.31 percent due to a 26.5 per- development as it prepares to host the FIFA and delay in rate hike in the US also affected cent decline in Q1-15 earnings. Agility was the World Cup in 2022. Banking and Real Estate markets in the GCC. second largest decliner in the index with a stocks were the hardest hit stocks due to their Nevertheless, there were also several posi- monthly fall of 8.9 percent despite recording exposure to the Qatari infrastructure market. tive data points across the GCC that provided improvement in quarterly earnings during Nevertheless, the index saw strong support strong support to market indices. On one hand Q1-15. Meanwhile, the KSE Price Index was and it recovered on the final day of the month the euphoria over Saudi market opening up on down by almost 1.3 percent whereas the closing above the 12,000 mark. The decline in 15th June, 2015 led to hopes of higher fund KAMCO TRW Index declined by 1.9 percent market capitalization was even higher during raising activity in the primary market with two trailing the decline in KSE Weighted Index. the month at 1.7 percent to record QAR 641.8 IPOs already executed on the Tadawul and the YTD-15 index performance that saw some billion. one more in the pipeline (Saudi Ground improvement after the positive market per- Services). The Saudi CMA also announced formance in the previous month once again Bahrain Bourse measures that would lead to higher allocation plunged to negative 3.9 percent for the KSE Bahrain Bourse continued to decline during to institutional investors in IPO on a case by Weighted Index and 3.7 percent for the KSE May-15 falling by almost 1.9 percent during the case basis. Moreover, there were also specula- Price Index. On the other hand, total market month although the stock exchange witnessed tions that shareholders of Network capitalization also slid by 7.8 percent for YTD- improvement in monthly trading activity, an International LLC, Emirates NBD and Abraaj 15 overtaking 7.7 percent decline during full exception as compared to the other GCC mar- Group, are mulling an IPO of the payment pro- year 2014 primarily on the back of several kets. The YTD-15 returns currently stands at 4.4 cessing firm. delistings during the year. percent for the Bahrain All Share Index and 2.7 Meanwhile, the MSCI in its semi-annual In terms of sector performance, a majority percent for total market capitalization which review announced several changes and adjust- of the large-cap sectors i.e. Banking, Telecom, stood at BHD 7.9 billion at the end of the ed weightages of constituent companies. The Financial Services and Real Estate all closed month. The weakness was broad based as index aggregator added Emaar Malls to its UAE the month with negative returns, whereas the reflected in the sectoral index performance Index whereas Ezdan Holding and Qatar Insurance, Basic Materials, Health Care and which recorded negative returns for all the sec- Insurance were added to the Qatar Index. Consumer Goods sectors recorded positive tors except for the Investments index that saw Meanwhile, the weightages of ADCB and Doha performance. The decline in sectoral indices marginal monthly returns during the month. Bank were increased in their respective indices. was led by the Oil & Gas Index due to the MSCI also published a standalone index for ongoing concerns related to oil prices where- Muscat Securities Market Saudi Arabia which included 19 stocks. as a majority of the banking stocks declined As an exception to the rest of the GCC mar- solely on the back of low investor sentiments. Saudi Company for Hardware (SACO). the problems in Yemen, one of the other key kets, the MSM remained the only stock market to Kuwait market The monthly gainers chart was topped by factor that contributed to the market weakness record positive monthly performance during KSE witnessed a steep downturn during ISKAN that resumed trading after being sus- Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange was the lackluster earnings for Q1-15 which May-15. The MSM30 Index recorded a positive May-15 as investors remained on the sidelines pended since December-14. Other gainers ADX General Index declined by 2.6 percent was almost flat year-on-year. With the decline in monthly return of 1.0 percent resulting in posi- leading to low trading activity during the included Al Deera (+42.5 percent) that record- during May-15, the third steepest decline dur- May-15, the YTD-15 gains for the DFM has cur- tive YTD-15 gains of 0.7 percent by month end. month. The stock market saw a declining trend ed earnings improvement during Q1-15 and ing the month as compared to other GCC equi- rently pulled back to 4.0 percent by the end of However, total trading activity saw a steep since the beginning of the month after lacklus- Al Qurain Holding (+36.0 percent) which ty markets. The decline was broad-based as the month. decline during the month with volumes declin- ter earnings results resulted in depressed reported losses for Q1-15. The losers chart seen from the negative performance of a Meanwhile, listed companies on the DFM ing by almost a third to 229 million shares during investor sentiments. Q1-15 earnings reported was topped by IPG (-23.4) due to the fall in oil majority of the large cap sectors. The Banking recorded an almost flat Q1-15 earnings which May-15 as compared to 332 million shares dur- by listed companies on the KSE declined by 2.0 related earnings followed by Salbookh index declined by 2.2 percent as most of the stood at AED 7.1 Bn as compared to Q1-14. The ing the previous month. Total value traded also percent to KD 492.3 million as compared to KD Trading (-22.4 percent) and Zima Holding (- banks recorded negative monthly returns with Banking sector reported a strong 41 percent declined by almost OMR 27.2 million or 28.14 502.5 million during Q1-14. A majority of the 16.9 percent). the exception of ADCB and CBI. NBAD fell by 4.1 year-on-year increase in earnings primarily percent to OMR 69.5 million as compared to oil-related companies recorded a steep decline percent during the month bringing the YTD-15 powered by 60.3 percent increase in Q1-15 net OMR 97 million during April-15. Consequently, in Q1-15 earnings as seen in 17.8 percent Saudi Arabia (Tadawul) decline to 15.1 percent in spite of reporting profits of Emirates NBD further supported by average daily value traded declined from 15.1 decline in total earnings for the Oil & Gas sector. After a strong run during April-15, the upbeat results for FY14 and an almost flat Q1- higher profits for the rest of the banks (with the Mn shares to 11.5 Mn shares and average value Nevertheless, the Banking and the Financial Saudi stock market saw profit taking during 15 net profits. Other large-cap banks that exception of Amlak Finance and Al-Salam traded fell from OMR 4.4 million during April-15 Services sector recorded higher quarterly earn- May-15 that resulted in a slight market con- declined during the month included FGB (-2.6 Bank). to OMR 3.5 million during May-15. US trade gap shrinks; private jobs growth bounces back Economy recovers from Q1 contraction

NEW YORK/WASHINGTON: The US $189.9 billion in April. A stronger sor ADP said yesterday. That was in comprehensive non-farm payrolls trade deficit narrowed in April on a US dollar has in recent months line with analyst forecasts and report on Friday, which includes drop in imports, which surged in made US goods and services less higher than a revised 165,000 jobs both public and private-sector March following the end of a West affordable abroad. Exports of US in April, which were the fewest employment. Economists polled by Coast ports labor dispute, while services edged up to $60.9 billion, since January 2014. Reuters are looking for total US companies picked up their hiring in the highest ever recorded. The April US stock indexes were trading employment to have grown by May after a pullback the previous petroleum deficit stood at $6.8 bil- higher after the data, while prices 225,000 jobs in May, largely in line month. lion, the lowest since March 2002. for US Treasuries fell. The dollar was with April’s 223,000 increase. The The data supported the notion Meanwhile, private employers weaker against a basket of curren- unemployment rate is seen holding the US economy has recovered added 201,000 jobs in May, the cies. The ADP data came ahead of at a near seven-year low of 5.4 per- somewhat from a first-quarter con- most since January, payrolls proces- the US Labor Department’s more cent. —Reuters traction and bolstered expectations BUJUMBURA: People walk on a busy street in Bujumbura yesterday. —AFP the Federal Reserve may consider raising interest rates later this year. Economists cautioned that a sec- Burundi on the brink ond-quarter economic rebound remains modest due to a strong dollar, a recent rise in oil costs and of economic collapse sluggish demand abroad. “The takeaway for now is that BUJUMBURA, Burundi: During Monday’s workplaces in order to hit the economy and the massive drag from trade activi- truce in anti-government protests, Renovat force the president to abandon a third term ty is beginning to unwind, though Ndayizeye was quick to try to reopen his bid they believe is unconstitutional. this sector is likely to remain a mod- stall in Jabe market in Burundi’s capital. He Protesters are seeking to “turn est drag on activity this quarter on has scarcely sold a single pair of shoes since Bujumbura into a dead city,” fumed a senior account of the strong dollar, higher demonstrations began weeks ago, and he is official in the ruling CNDD-FDD party. “The energy prices and weak global getting desperate. impact of the demonstrations on the econo- demand,” said Millan Mulraine, “I haven’t worked since the protests my is real. It is a terrible weapon.” deputy head of US strategy at TD began, we are living on our savings, and Securities. now I have nothing,” said the 26-year old Painful times ahead The US Commerce Department salesman, surrounded by others who had Even before the announcement of yesterday said the trade gap nar- taken advantage of a pause in the protests Nkurunziza’s third term bid at the end of rowed to $40.9 billion from March’s to reopen their small wooden shack shops. April, and the start of protests, the economy revised deficit of $50.6 billion. The Some customers did turn up to shop, but was suffering from a pre-election depres- March deficit was previously only for basic necessities like rice, meat, veg- sion. Fears of a return to large-scale violence reported at $51.4 billion. etables and soap. Across the Burundian cap- in a country-which has a bitter history of The 26.6 percent drop in the ital, business has been paralyzed since inter-ethnic massacres-has driven people to April trade deficit was the largest demonstrators opposed to President Pierre change their Burundian francs for dollars or decrease since early 2009. Nkurunziza’s third term bid began street euros, and shelter their savings in their Analysts polled by Reuters had protests, leading to almost daily, violent homes or in neighbouring Rwanda. forecast the trade deficit falling to clashes with police. For over a month, cus- April tax revenues, collected mainly in $44 billion. Imports fell 3.3 percent tomers have deserted the market and Bujumbura, dropped 18 percent. The short- to $230.8 billion as West Coast LOS ANGELES: Ships wait to be loaded at the Port of Los Angeles in Long Beach in this traders have left their goods locked up in fall was worse in May which saw the closing ports, a key entry point for goods February 13, 2015, file photo, as ports are partially closed due to a dispute between staff and the once teeming alleys. of shops and banks, the blocking of roads to and from Asia, cleared a backlog bosses along the key trade frontline with Asia. The US trade deficit fell back to a more nor- The consequences of the political crisis in into key areas of the capital and the fearful created by a labor dispute that was settled earlier this year. mal level in April after a surge the previous month as the distortions from the West Coast Burundi, and the protests primarily in its exodus of tens of thousands of Burundians port slowdown began to ebb. —AFP capital, are dramatic for traders like to neighbouring countries. Exports increased 1.0 percent to Ndayizeye, but also potentially disastrous for The dire economic situation is com- the country’s already faltering economy. pounded by the effect of the political crisis The tiny Great Lakes nation was ravaged on vital foreign aid, which accounts for half China’s miniature homemakers cut down to size by a 13-year civil war that ended in 2006 and the national budget. Insecurity directly today is one of the poorest countries on the affects projects financed by donors such as SHENZHEN, China: They tower over their shrunken ments before a stone was laid. Property developers “Compared to five years ago, we are making a lot planet: gross national income per capita is the World Bank, whose experts were evacu- creations like gods. But in the face of an extended enlisted an army of artisans to make tiny, often fewer models,” said craftsman Wang Gang, as his col- $260 (238 euros), 58 percent of the popula- ated amid the violence leading to a reduc- downturn after a decade-long property boom, China’s extremely detailed models of houses for their glitzy leagues at Canyon Models inserted miniature furniture tion suffers tion in disbursements. miniature apartment builders are finally downsizing showrooms, sparking a parallel frenzy of small-scale into a crop of luxury plastic villas, one gluing a chronic malnutrition, it exports very little, Hard currency is already missing for the their ambitions. construction. Lilliputian kitchen sink into place. produces too little to feed itself and is rid- import of fuel, for hops used in production China has experienced the most rapid urbanisation “Developers used home buyers to fund their proj- Overconstruction and government controls on dled with corruption. Many of the demon- of the popular local beer, for medicines and in human history-it is said to have used more cement in ects, and using models of houses to be built was one house purchases aimed at preventing a bubble have strations have taken place on the outskirts for products such as charcoal used for cook- 2011-2013 than the US did in the entire 20th century, way for them to resolve their funding problem,” said caused real estate sales to stall. Property prices in of Bujumbura, fuelled by poverty and unem- ing which has tripled in price. A leading local and built twice as many homes in the decade to 2010 Zhu Guozhong, an economist at Peking University. major cities have fallen for 10 of the last 12 months, ployment. This does not prevent them from economist, speaking on condition of as exist in Britain in total. “You could sell a house just based on the model.” leaving developers with a hangover of empty proper- playing the economic card, erecting barri- anonymity, has warned of looming hyperin- Over the same period home prices in major cities Now demand for both real accommodation and its ties and half-built complexes, and putting new proj- cades to prevent people from reaching their flation. —AFP tripled, and many residential buyers snapped up apart- scaled-down equivalent has shrivelled. ects on hold. —AFP THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015 BUSINESS Warba Bank acquires Auto Finance portfolio from Al Mulla International

KUWAIT: Warba Bank, a leading Kuwaiti Islamic Bank, is in-line with Warba Bank’s strategic regional and ferent sectors and in accordance to shariah-compli- able to arrange and execute this pioneering struc- yesterday announced that it has signed a binding international expansion plan. ant. The acquisition also demonstrates our keenness ture which will bring great benefit to both organi- agreement with Al Mulla International Finance Jassar Dakheel Al-Jassar, Vice Chairman and to connect with our corporate clients whom we con- zations. Our exceptional growth after becoming a Company KSCC to acquire auto financing portfolio of Managing Director of Warba Bank, said: We are excit- sider our partners in success, and it reflects the hard Shariah-compliant Islamic Finance Company a cumulative value of KWD 20 Million (USD 66 ed about completing this transaction with AMIFC work and efforts spent to fulfill their financing needs licensed by Central Bank of Kuwait in December Million) with a Profit Sharing arrangement. The trans- which is considered one of the most prestigious and developing the tools used to do so.” 2013, has justified our decision to focus on Islamic action illustrates Warba Bank’s commitment to pro- companies working in many areas including selling Danah Al Mulla, Chairman of Al Mulla Financing in Kuwait”. Al Mulla International Finance viding shariah-compliant innovative Islamic financial and renting cars. It reaffirms the Bank’s proven strate- International Finance Co KSCC said. “We are happy Company is one of the leading financing business- solutions. The acquisition of the portfolio from AMIFC gy of collaborating with local companies’ across dif- and proud that Warba Bank and AMIFC have been es in the Kuwait.

VIVA launches Microsoft’s Lumia 640 LTE for postpaid customers

KUWAIT: Kuwait Telecommunications The Microsoft Lumia 640 LTE comes with Company VIVA, Kuwait’s fastest-growing 5-inch display and features an 8-megapixel and most developed telecom operator, camera, 8GB mass memory, quad-core announced its partnership with Microsoft 1.2GHz processor, and operates on 4G LTE launching the Lumia 640 LTE exclusively in network. The smartphone offers customers Kuwait. The Microsoft Lumia 640 LTE is benefits such as one-year subscription to available for VIVA’s postpaid customers exclusively at VIVA’s branches. Through this exclusive launch and part- nership, VIVA will present its postpaid cus- tomers with the Microsoft Lumia 640 LTE for free for only KD 10 per month with an 18 month commitment. Customers will also enjoy a free Microsoft Portable Power Bank as well as 100 free local and international SMSs, 3GB free internet and monthly voice credit of KD 8. VIVA is delighted to be the first compa- ny to launch the latest Microsoft Lumia 640 LTE in Kuwait as its part of VIVA’s responsi- Office 365 Personal, which includes the lat- UAE Exchange Kuwait launches bility to offer the newest devices to its cus- est Office applications (Word, Excel, tomers and to the wider Kuwaiti communi- PowerPoint, Outlook and OneNote) and ty at competitive prices. VIVA is always keen 1TB of OneDrive storage. More importantly, Customer Loyalty Month on being a pioneer in offering the Kuwaiti it will upgrade to and benefit from market with the latest products and servic- Windows 10 as it becomes available later es and will continue to do so. this year. KUWAIT: The leading foreign exchange and money transfer brand launched the Customer Sayeed Thaher Ajeel Al-Shamery Loyalty Month on 1st June, 2015. The celebra- tions will continue till the end of the month dur- wins KD 125,000 in NBK’s ing which loyal customers will be patronised and commemorated for their affiliation towards UAE Al-Jawhara monthly draw for May Exchange. UAE Exchange, the leading money transfer KUWAIT: National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) after the draw. and foreign exchange brand launched its announced the winner for May’s KD Al-Jawhara accounts are available to Customer Loyalty Month on 1st June, 2015 in 125,000 Al-Jawhara monthly prize, Sayeed both Kuwaitis and expats and can be Kuwait. During this month long celebrations, Thaher Ajeel Al-Shamery. The draw was opened at any one of NBK’s branches various customer engagement activities and held in Marina FM under the supervision of around Kuwait, or through NBK website for contests will be conducted. Customers transact- the Ministry of Commerce and the winner’s existing customers. ing and participating can avail special offers and name was announced live. prizes. The event was launched by Sunil Jain, the NBK has re-launched Al-Jawhara Indian Ambassador in the presence of top offi- account recently by doubling customers’ cials of UAE Exchange Kuwait. chances to win in the weekly, monthly and Vivek P Nair, General Manager - UAE quarterly draws when they do not with- Exchange Kuwait said during the launch, draw or transfer from their accounts. “Customer’s trust has been the reason for the NBK customers have chances to win KD longevity and success of UAE Exchange, and 5,000 weekly, KD 125,000 monthly and a hence we create opportunities to express our grand prize of KD 250,000 quarterly. Each gratitude to them. During the Customer Loyalty KD 50 in a customer’s account entitles Month, several promotional and recreational them to one entry in the draw, thus more activities are organised, that make the cus- money in an account means more chances tomers feel celebrated and special. At this junc- in each draw. The new feature introduced ture, we would like to thank our customers for to al Jawhara Account enables customers their loyalty in UAE Exchange, and we look for- to double their chances when maintaining ward to continue to be their preferred services their balance without withdrawing. provider.” Al-Jawhara is the most popular prize- UAE Exchange is well-known for its excellent giving account in Kuwait. Al-Jawhara customer service and widest network among account entitles account holders to enter remittance brands with over 22branches in the weekly, monthly and quarterly Al- Kuwait serving a large customer base. Strong Jawhara draws. All prizes are automatically correspondent relationship with over 41 global credited to the winners’ accounts the day banks further adds to the might. Customers can walk in to the nearest one to address their multi- ple financial requirements viz. money transfers, AUB announces winners of currency exchange and more, under one roof. Al-Hassad Islamic saving account

KUWAIT: Ahli United Bank held its weekly Ghaleb Shlash AbdSafouq, Noureyah Kalyan Jewellers launches new collection draw of Al-Hassad Islamic Saving Account Motlaq Alajmi, Abdulla Shabib Alsharidah, on May 27, 2015. This program offers the Abdulla Ibrahim Alfailakawi, Abdulmohsen with discerning purchase benefits biggest prize amount to the largest num- Fahad Abdulmohsen, Nourah Abdullah Ali, ber of winners. The prize program succeed- Hamza Mohd Abed, Ghuloum Hussain Haji, ed in becoming the first and only prize BibiI Tajaldeen Taleb, Rashed Yagout KUWAIT: Kalyan Jewellers, one of the most buying experience from the time they enter our uct merchandise and showroom locations to account in Kuwait compliant with the Mrazouq, Khaled Habeeb AlFadhli , trusted jewellery brands has launched its latest showrooms till they leave completely satisfied cater to the growing demands of the customers. Islamic Shari’a principles. The program has MeshalL M A Ahmad, Mefleh Ayyad collection for the Kuwaiti market coupled with with their purchase. The new collection has With our emphatic launch of three stores last been developed to fulfil the needs of the Almutairi, Fouzi Bader Aldabbous, Fawzia purchase benefits including up to 50 percent been designed keeping the seasonal trend and year, we continue to set benchmarks in the jew- Bank customers and increase their oppor- Ahmed Ebrahim, Hessa Rashid, Abdulkarim reduction on making charges on gold jewellery. the reduction on making charges will further ellery retail experience for the people of Kuwait,” tunities in winning sizeable and attractive Mohammed Ali, Mohammed Hasan The offer spans across an array of collections motivate our gold jewellery connoisseurs.” continued Kalyanaraman. prizes in addition to enjoying the latest Mohammed, Sameera Abdulla AlAsoomi. such as Turkish, Finja, Antique and Omega. Also “We have always endeavoured to offer the Kalyan Jewellers opened three showrooms in banking advantages that Ahli United Bank The Prize program of “Al Hassad Islamic included are the traditional Indian and best and the same applies to Kuwait. Launching Kuwait last year in December 2014 and has nine provides. Saving” from Ahli United Bank offers a Singaporean ranges. our three showrooms in Kuwait came within a showrooms in the UAE. It has a total of 82 out- On this occasion, the bank issued the weekly grand prize worth KD 25,000 in Ramesh Kalyanaraman, Executive Director, year of our international operations and I am lets spread across West Asia and India. The following press release: Al Hassad Islamic addition to 25 weekly prizes worth a total Kalyan Jewellers says; “For Kalyan Jewellers, cus- happy to acknowledge the loyalty and patron- showrooms, curated in close partnership with Saving program offers the highest amounts of KD 25,000 distributed to 25 prizes, KD tomer experience is the epicenter of our busi- age showered by our customers. Kuwait is a designers and stylists offer an exquisite and of prizes which amount to KD 3.4 million 1,000 for each winner. ness framework. We continuously strive to inno- sophisticated market and we believe that extensive collection of jewellery, with stunning per year. This Program also offers 26 weekly In addition, prizes of Al Hassad Islamic vate and embark on initiatives that elevate the Kalyan Jewellers has the ideal mix of right prod- designs. prizes, with the highest number of weekly saving program from Ahli United Bank winners. The Islamic Hassad Saving offer 4 quarterly grand prizes announced in Account may be opened by the lowest quarterly draws. Each is a “Salary for Life” amount to open an account, which is KD prize which is worth KD 250,000. 100. The winner of the weekly grand prize In general, Ahli United Bank continues in the amount of KD 25,000 is: Naji Ahmed to offer innovative tools and means to Abdulla Yusuf. meet the needs of its customers to match The winners of the KD 1,000 prize each : the Bank’s long history of distinctive servic- Jehad Fawzi Dagher, Amal Yousef Mohd, es which extend over 73 years during Bharti Lok Bahadur, Khadijah A Al-Sarraf, which the Bank managed to take the lead Faleh Fathi Joudah, Mohd Dahi Al Shamari, among local banks. UK services growth stumbles in May, points to slower recovery

LONDON: Growth in Britain’s service sector across the three sectors in May was the slow- suffered its steepest slowdown in nearly four est since December and the second-weakest years in May, according to a survey that sug- for two years, Markit said. Data from mort- gested the economy might not recover as gage lender Nationwide earlier yesterday quickly as hoped after stumbling in early showed the annual rate of house price 2015. Sterling fell sharply after yesterday’s growth fell to its lowest in nearly two years. Markit/CIPS services purchasing managers’ Economists said Britain’s economy looked like index (PMI) fell back to 56.5 last month, still it would pick up a bit of pace from unexpect- comfortably in growth territory but down edly weak expansion of 0.3 percent in the first from 59.5 in April and at its lowest level since three months of 2015, but that growth would December. probably be slower than in 2014. The monthly drop was the biggest since “Overall, the PMI surveys continue to point August 2011 and the reading undercut the to solid growth, strong employment and soft lowest forecast in a Reuters poll of econo- productivity,” Dominic Bryant, an economist mists, though the index did show signs that at BNP Paribas, said. “Continued low produc- rock-bottom inflation could pick up. Along tivity growth combined with the pick-up with a weak manufacturing figure and a seen in wages means that inflation pressures bounce in construction, combined growth are gradually beginning to build.” —Reuters THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015 TECHNOLOGY Leading security experts join forces to make Smart Cities safer

DUBAI: Securing Smart Cities, a new not-for-profit global smart city, the greater the potential risk. If security is not Participants in Securing Smart Cities believe that the growth, sustainability, and social improvement. However, initiative, is being launched today. Backed by leading IT addressed early on, the cost and complexity of a smart initiative will help efficiently and responsibly share the projects can’t just be smart, they also need to be safe. security researchers, companies and organizations, city could make it difficult to address problems. In the knowledge about the cyber security of modern cities. It Enabling embedded technologies and leveraging the including IOActive, Kaspersky Lab, Bastille, and the Cloud end, the city would be left vulnerable. will connect vendors of infrastructure automation equip- Internet of Things in city infrastructure brings forth risk Security Alliance, the Securing Smart Cities initiative aims The Securing Smart Cities initiative seeks to prevent ment with security researchers ready to validate the that must be considered and monitored to maintain safe- to solve the cyber security challenges smart cities face this outcome using a range of activities, such as: secure functioning of these products. It will also bring ty for citizens. We want to work with city planners and through collaboration and information sharing. The * Educating smart city planners and providers on the city authorities together with the security community to builders to raise awareness about cyber threats and share group will serve as a communications node for compa- importance and cost benefits of security best practices; collaboratively solve new cyber security problems. information on how to mitigate those threats before they nies, governments, media outlets, not-for-profit initia- * Collaborating with partners to share ideas and “The cyber security of a modern, smart city is not can impact the public,” said Chris Rouland, Founder and tives, and individuals across the world involved in the cre- methodologies; something you can solve on your own. The concept CEO of Bastille and Board Member of Securing Smart ation, improvement, and promotion of smart and safe * Endorsing the significance and benefits of introduc- involves so many different technologies communicating Cities. “Securing Smart Cities aims to solve cyber-prob- technologies for modern cities. ing security early into the development lifecycle of a proj- with each other in so many ways, that the only way to lems at every stage of a smart city’s development: from The concept of a smart city is very topical, and many ect or plan; predict and eliminate all possible security issues is planning through to the actual implementation of smart organizations are working on intelligent solutions to * Fostering partnerships between cities, providers, through collaboration between experts around the technologies. We encourage city authorities, equipment make urban areas energy efficient, comfortable, environ- and the security community; world. This is what Securing Smart Cities is for,” said Cesar and software vendors, as well as security researchers to mentally friendly, and physically safe. Unfortunately, far * Creating standards, guidelines, and resources to Cerrudo, CTO for IOActive and Board Member of join the discussion,” said Patrick Nielsen, Principal Security fewer are considering the cyber security of these smart help improve cyber security across all areas related to Securing Smart Cities. Researcher at Kaspersky Lab and Board Member of the cities. The more IT organizations involved in creating a smart cities. “Smart cities present a tremendous opportunity for Securing Smart Cities initiative.

Your guide to the myriad of phone-upgrade options

NEW YORK: Upgrading your phone is up $18.75. no longer as simple as paying $100 or In general, you’re paying the $15 $200 and extending your service con- rate (and getting the bigger savings) if tract by two years. you’re on a higher data plan - starting Phone companies have been shift- at 6 gigabytes at Verizon, 8 GB at Sprint ing away from contracts and trying to and 10 GB at AT&T. Individuals and get you to pay full price - $600 to $700 couples probably don’t need to pay for for a high-end phone. Installment that much data, so their rate would be plans are available, along with a leas- $25. Again, that’s just $15 off the regu- ing option from Sprint. lar $40 access charge, or less than what To understand your options, it’s you’re giving up in subsidies, so it’s not best to break down the typical month- a good deal. However, installment ly phone bill into three components: plans typically let you upgrade phones The cost of the phone, which can be more often, so it might still be worth the monthly installment, or zero for a paying more for that. With subsidies, traditional contract plan. you have to wait two years. A per-phone “access” charge for Sprint and T-Mobile charge $10 a unlimited voice and texts. With con- month for the flexibility to upgrade tract plans, you’re paying $40 to con- early, before your phone is paid off. In nect a smartphone. With full-price or T-Mobile’s case, the charge includes leasing plans, you’re paying $15 or insurance for loss and damage. AT&T $25. That sounds like a deal, but you’re and Verizon include free upgrades with paying more for the phone itself. the installment plans, though some of The data bucket, typically sharable its other fees are higher. In all cases, if you’re part of a group plan. This you must turn in the old phone to charge varies depending on how upgrade early. much data you need, but it’s not affected by how you buy your phone. Buy it outright (At T-Mobile, access and data is a com- Installment plans don’t charge inter- bined charge.) est, so you’re not really saving anything Are you better off with a contract paying the full price up front. If you TAIPEI: This picture taken on June 2, 2015 shows a man wearing an electroencephalogram (EEG) brain-computer interface headset designed by plan knowing you pay less for the don’t have good credit, this might be US tech company Neurosky during the Computex trade show in Taipei. The Apple Watch raised the bar for wearable technology when it phone but more in service fees? your only option. This is also for those launched in April, but smaller brands are seeking their own niche in the battle for wrist space. — AFP looking for a used phone from a friend Buy it the traditional way or from eBay. Verizon, AT&T and Sprint still offer Another advantage: You can get an Wearables fight back as subsidies in exchange for two-year unlocked version of a phone, letting contracts. You pay $100 or $200 up you switch carriers more easily. Be fore- front, with no additional charges for warned, though, that not all phones the phone itself. However, you pay $15 will work with all carriers. AT&T and T- Apple Watch raises bar or $25 more each month through the Mobile phones are typically inter- access charge. That’s how phone com- changeable, but Sprint and Verizon panies make up for the cost of the sub- have different networking technology. sidies. Apple Watches are too complicated Verizon and AT&T also charge a $40 Rent it upgrade fee when you’re getting a new Sprint offers a leasing program with TAIPEI: The Apple Watch raised the bar for wear- cue from Apple and attempting to forge their own links to smart phones for notifications but has no phone on contract; there’s no fee when monthly charges that are lower than able technology when it launched in April, but direction. fitness tracker. you’re paying full price for the phone. the installment plan. It’s even waiving smaller brands are seeking their own niche in the “The Apple Watch is free advertising for less “Most wearables of the last two years are more Sprint charges a $36 upgrade fee to those charges for some phones on battle for wrist space. famous brands like us, because it makes more peo- and more feature-centric,” said founder John Wang, get a new phone through the compa- unlimited data plans. The catch: You New kids on the block at Taiwan’s Computex ple interested in smart watches,” said Christophe a former HTC executive. ny, regardless of how you pay, while T- don’t end up owning the phone. tech fair insisted that style and simplicity were more Arathoon of US-based watch-brand Omate, which “What we are trying to do is to recognise that Mobile has no fees for its main phone With other plans, you can resell the important than myriad features, in the face of launched its first smart watch in 2013, crowdfunded wristwear has always been about self-expression. plans. phone or give it to a friend once it’s Apple’s intimidating offering. by Kickstarter. “In a way, Noodoe is much closer to Swatch than paid off. With leasing, you turn in the Apple’s iPhone-compatible smart watch enables Its watches are fashion-focused, says Arathoon, to most of the wearables on the market today.” Pay through installments old model for a new one when the wearers to answer calls, check emails and access with the latest “Racer” a rugged sporty model in Other wearables on show at Computex ranged All four national carriers let you pay lease runs out in 12, 24 or 30 months. apps without taking their phones out of their pock- black, white, grey and red. from mind-reading headsets to rings that might the full cost of phones in monthly Or you can pay the difference between ets. It links to iOS and Android phones, with wearers save your life. installments. T-Mobile no longer offers the full cost of the phone and the It also tracks fitness, plays music, offers cus- able to choose which notifications they receive. It Silicon Valley’s Neurosky headsets-which use subsidies at all, so this is your best amount you’ve already paid to lease it. tomisable watch faces and comes in different also includes a music player and pedometer. EEG sensors to read brain activity-are already on option there. Elsewhere, the install- If your old phone is simply going to sit colours and styles. “Within consumer technology, “Apple Watches are a good thing but they are the market and will be used in new Star Wars game ment plans go by Edge at Verizon, in a desk drawer when you upgrade, smart watches are the biggest new category since too complicated,” said Arathoon. The Force Trainer II, released in September, in Next at AT&T and Easy Pay at Sprint. leasing could help you save money tablets,” said Daniel Matte, US-based analyst for “We have simplified our watches and made which wearers can imagine and control a holo- For an iPhone 6 and other phones each month. research firm Canalys. them fashionable and affordable.” The Racer costs gram. that retail for $650, the subsidy is “The Apple Watch has very much defined the US$149, less than half the price of the cheapest A less obtrusive wearable from Taiwan, the worth $18.75 a month over the two- ... Or wait category and set the benchmark for other vendors Apple Watch model. Keydex NFC Ring-a ceramic ring which stores data- year life of the contract. So if the Do you really need to upgrade now? to follow.” Canalys has forecast 20 million Apple introduced its new “SOS” model, which stores the installment plan has you paying a $15 It might be a good time if you use Watch shipments for 2015. ‘Zero features’ wearer’s medical information and can be accessed access charge, you’re saving $25 off Android, as new models from Samsung “Vendors other than Apple are improving their Taiwanese smart watch “Noodoe” also trades off in an emergency with the tap of a smart phone. the $40 access charge you would nor- and HTC just came out. LG’s G4 phone designs to be more fashionable and of higher quali- its simplicity-with its founder boasting it has “zero And homegrown firm ChipSip showed the latest mally pay to get subsidies. That sav- is due out soon. ty, but the Apple Watch still has a significant design features”. version of its smart glasses, which are being used in ings is more than what you’re giving A new iPhone is expected in advantage,” said Matte. The simple black band is billed as the “opposite art galleries in Taiwan and Europe. Wearers look at a up in subsidies, so this is a good deal September, at which time current mod- A host of smart watches are on the market from of Apple Watch” but promises to help wearers chan- painting and, through image recognition, explana- for you. But if the installment plan has els will probably be cheaper. Waiting major players including Samsung, Sony, LG and nel their self-expression as they can copy their own tory text will appear in the glass. you paying a $25 access charge, the might be your best option if your Motorola, with Taiwan’s Asus launching its new hand-drawn images onto its monochrome watch The glasses can also be hooked up to head- savings is only $15 - yet you’re giving iPhone is still working. - AP ZenWatch 2 Android Wear watch at Computex. face via a camera app. phones so wearers can watch and listen to movies But lesser-known names are also taking their Due to launch later this year for less than $100, it and videos. — AFP Gulfsat Communications participates in ASBU

KUWAIT: Gulfsat Communications, the leading ticipation in all events and major activities held by and Television in its sixteenth edition is considered organizations, representatives of TV broadcasting ments of the radio and TV broadcasting, and raised provider of innovative satellite communications, ASBU, including the Arab Festival for Radio and a one of the most important media event across and programs producers, news and radio stations the bar in providing high end services in the field as satellite broadcasting and telecommunications Television. the Arab world, which gives us the chance to meet as well as foreign TV channels and VIP guests, well as being an innovator in providing the latest in solutions across the Middle East and North Africa, Mohammed Al Haj, CEO of Gulfsat with our customers and get acquainted with the Gulfsat Communications is considered one of TV and radio broadcasting and re-broadcasting has recently participated in the sixteenth edition of Communications commented with regards to the their needs and future plans which assists us in the major players in the Arab world in the develop- services. Arab State Broadcasting Union (ASBU) that was participations: “Throughout the years, Gulfsat assuring in providing them with the best satellite held in in the Tunisian capital from the 11th to the Communications built a very strong relationship services and meets their goals and objectives. 16th of May, 2015, with over 600 participants from with the Arab State Broadcasting Union (ASBU), The participation of Gulfsat Communications in the Arab countries and elsewhere. working closely together with committees that are major international and global forums such as the Solar Impulse gets inside This participation is based on an existing and in charge of satellite channels, assuring uninter- Arab Festival for Radio and Television at its six- long lasting partnership between Gulfsat rupted broadcasting, and content and programs teenth edition contributes to strengthening its rela- mobile hangar in Japan Communications and the Arab States Broadcasting copywriting. tionships major international companies in Union, which grants Gulfsat Communications par- Al Haj also added: “The Arab Festival for Radio telecommunications, radio and television broad- TOKYO: Sunshine-powered Solar Impulse 2, But a developing cold weather front in the casting sectors. This participation also reflects the which has made an impromptu stop in Japan on Pacific forced mission controllers to order pilot commitment of Gulfsat Communications in estab- its way around the world, was under cover in its Andre Borschberg to divert to Nagoya, unexpect- lish strong relationship with a group of specialized mobile hangar yesterday as the team waited out edly adding Japan to the tour. companies, including radio and television broad- the weather before heading to Hawaii. In a telephone interview with AFP on Tuesday, casting companies, content companies and service The featherweight flying machine had been mission initiator Bertrand Piccard said crew mem- providers from all over the world. exposed to the elements since its arrival in the bers had been holding on to the delicate solar The participation of Gulfsat Communications in central city of Nagoya on Monday night, with craft since it arrived in Nagoya. the Arab Festival for Radio and Television reflects its crew having to hold it down to prevent it being “The plane has a huge surface area and is very focus and aspirations towards its global market by blown away by the wind. “#Si2 is safe in the light, with a take off speed of just 45 kilometres offering different services available to the local, mobile hangar!” @solarimpulse tweeted yester- (28 miles) an hour, so with gusts of wind like regional and international various TV companies, as day, saying support staff had worked through the today you really need to hold on to it,” he said. well as learn about the latest technologies in the night to put together the sections of an inflatable Now, all eyes were on the skies and when they field of satellite marketing and satellite broadcast- tent that looks a little like a series of connected would get their next chance to attempt the vast ing. igloos. Solar Impulse 2 is on a record-breaking distance across the Pacific. The attendance of The Arab Festival for Radio attempt to circumnavigate the globe using the “We want to carry on as soon as possible, and and Television was from all over the Arab world, power of the sun, to highlight the uses of renew- leave Nagoya before the rainy season,” said and elsewhere who joined Tunisian music-lovers able energy. The seventh leg of its epic mission Piccard. and media people in celebrating the five-day festi- was intended to be the 8,500 kilometres (5,250 Japan’s month-long rainy season is already val devoted to promoting radio and TV content, miles) from Nanjing, China, to Hawaii-a journey under way in the far south of the country, and is exchange and competition among Arab broadcast- set to take six days and six nights of non-stop expected to advance northwards over the com- ers. There were also representatives of radio and TV flight. ing days. — AFP THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015 HEALTH & SCIENCE Bringing immense happiness, joy to a little girl and her family

KUWAIT: With gratitude and joy, Rayah Mohammed’s Complex heart defect father recounted the story of his daughter’s journey with Dr. Martin Kostolny said “Rayah was born with a com- Great Ormond Street Hospital. During the early stages of plex heart defect. It is called pulmonary atresia, ventricular Rayah’s mother’s pregnancy, doctors in Kuwait had septal defect and major aortopulmonary collateral arter- detected through sonar the hole in little Rayah’s heart. At ies. There were no proper lung arteries identified in her first they assumed the hole to be very small but after she case and blood supply to the lungs was provided via col- was born and was 27 days old they discovered that was lateral arteries originating from the main body artery. Her not the case. Rayah’s condition was not good; she had surgery consisted of disconnection of these collateral ves- breathing difficulties, wasn’t drinking milk and used to sels from the main body artery and subsequent connec- vomit continuously after every feed. They immediately tion via a small piece of Goretex tube to the right pump- took their child to the Kuwait Chest Diseases Hospital, ing chamber. This provided controlled blood flow to the where the initial diagnosis showed it necessary to do car- lungs and enabled growth of the collateral vessels. She diac catheterisation. It was during this stage that the will need another operation to close the hole between the father heard about Great Ormond Street Hospital in pumping chambers and exchange the tube connecting London and through recommendations from friends the lung arteries to the heart. The timing of this will decided to take his daughter there for treatment. depend on her clinical progress. This is a highly complex When Rayah arrived at GOSH she was just two and half operation and our team acquired considerable expertise months old. Her parents met Dr Shankar Sridharan, a in treatment of this particular problem.” Consultant Fetal and Paediatric Cardiologist who The second procedure took place when Rayah was explained her condition in full honesty and transparency. seven months old. Both procedures went well and Rayah’s He also explained the entire catheterisation and operation respiratory symptoms are now improving. Rayah is now procedures. The doctors at GOSH then conducted a just over eight months old, she will regularly visit GOSH to detailed evaluation of her heart problems and breathing have a general assessment of her health status. In six difficulties. It was discovered that her left pulmonary months Rayah will need to undergo a further surgery to artery was small and restrictive. Following cardiac Dr Martin Kostolny Rayah fix the structure of her heart. catheterisation by consultant Robert Yates, where a bal- Great Ormond Street Hospital in London is recognised loon dilation expanded the artery and improved blood as one of the few truly world-class hospitals for children. flow to the lung, Rayah underwent a unifocalisation pro- including the translators who were very patient and surgery. I believed in the confidence and care of the As a global leader, GOSH has top clinical and research cedure (where misdirected blood vessels are rerouted into cooperative during their stay. They also praised the whole GOSH team in saving Rayah’s life, and their experts working every day to find new and better ways to the pulmonary artery) by Dr Martin Kostolny, Consultant medical team of nurses and other health specialists efforts to resolve any health complications she might treat children. While breakthroughs and medical expertise Cardiothoracic Surgeon. mentioning that they were very supportive and always face in future. I would like to especially thank the trans- are essential to the treatment of patients, GOSH also smiling. “The nurses were very keen to make Rayah feel lators and nurses for their support and cooperation places great emphasis on the support and care provided Comfortable as comfortable as possible, and treat her with the towards me and my daughter during our stay at GOSH. for children by nurturing an open and supportive atmos- Rayah arrived at GOSH on a Friday and the unifocali- utmost care.” said Rayah’s faher. “GOSH has become more than a hospital to us. I feel phere, ensuring that parents and patients are well sation procedure was conducted on the Monday after. Rayah’s father continued: “It wasn’t that easy to immense gratitude to the nurses and doctors there. I informed and closely involved in the treatment process. After the operation she stayed on the ward for just five make such a decision, especially as my daughter is very consider GOSH to be the very best - a place where all Children receive the highest standards of care and atten- days. Although the duration of Rayah’s stay at GOSH young and needed the operation to live a normal life. the medical services are conducted perfectly, and the tion from the expert team of medical and support staff wasn’t very long, the parents spoke highly of Rayah’s However, Dr Yates’ interest in my daughter’s life reas- treatment from the staff couldn’t be any better.” con- during their stay at GOSH, and are always treated with treatment and the services provided by the hospital, sured and encouraged me to give my approval for the cluded Rayah’s father. respect, trust, concern and openness.

‘New era’ in physics as world’s biggest particle smasher cranks up

GENEVA: The world’s biggest particle smasher it closed for a thorough upgrade. started experiments with nearly doubled ener- Experiments at the collider are aimed at gy levels yesterday, with scientists hailing a unlocking clues as to how the universe came “new era” in their bid to unlock more mysteries into existence by studying fundamental parti- of the universe. The tests with collisions of 13 cles, the building blocks of all matter, and the teraelectonvolts (TeV) came after a sweeping forces that control them. two-year revamp of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), used to prove the existence of the Higgs Unlocking nature’s secrets Boson-which confers mass and is also known as “The collisions we are seeing today indicate the God particle. that the work we have done in the past two The European Organisation for Nuclear years to prepare and improve our detector has Research (CERN) said everything went accord- been successful and marks the beginning of a ing to plan at the giant lab, a 27-kilometre (17- new era of exploration of the secrets of nature,” mile) ring-shaped tunnel straddling the French- said Tiziano Camporesi, a spokesman for the Swiss border. project. The LHC was used to prove the exis- “It is time for new physics!” declared CERN’s tence of the Higgs Boson, a discovery that outgoing director general Rolf Heuer. “We have earned the 2013 Nobel physics prize for two of seen the first data beginning to flow. Let’s see the scientists who had theorised the existence what they will reveal to us about how our uni- of the Higgs back in 1964. The LHC allows verse works,” he said. “It’s not going to happen beams containing billions of protons travelling tomorrow, be patient,” he said. “I am happy, I am at 99.9 percent the speed of light to shoot touched, I am proud to be the boss of this through the massive collider in opposite direc- organisation,” he added, as the collision drew tions. sustained applause from scientists monitoring Powerful magnets bend the beams so that NEW DELHI: An Indian youth prepares Nestle ‘Maggi’ instant noodles at his makeshift roadside food stall on the outskirts of New Delhi yester- the event. they collide at points around the track where day. India yesterday, tested packets nationwide of Nestle India’s instant noodles after high lead levels were found in batches in the country’s On May 20, the LHC broke the record for four laboratories have batteries of sensors to north amid a mounting food-safety scare, an official said. — AFP energy levels colliding protons at 13 TeV for the monitor the smashups. The sub-atomic rubble first time. The LHC’s previous highest energy for is then scrutinised for novel particles and the collisions was eight TeV, reached in 2012 before forces that hold them together.— AFP Maggi noodles ordered off India’s shelves Noodles contains high levels of lead NEW DELHI: Indian shopkeepers withdrew a popular dles in all state-run stores in the Indian capital. Several the noodles were safe to eat and lead levels were well brand of Nestle instant noodles from their shelves major grocery chains in the city have also announced within limits. yesterday after tests revealed the snack contained that they are taking the noodles off shelves. “We regularly monitor all our raw material for lead, unsafe levels of lead. Maggi noodles are a hot favorite with school and including testing by accredited laboratories which India’s states have either ordered the withdrawal college students and Nestle’s “two-minute” advertis- have consistently shown levels in Maggi Noodles to of Maggi noodles from shops or are carrying out fur- ing campaign stressing the ease of making the snack be within permissible limits,” Nestle India said in the ther tests on noodle samples before taking action in have made it a household name in India. The noodles statement released Monday. conjunction with the federal government. are Nestle’s fastest selling food item in India, clocking Excessive intake of lead can cause damage to the Maggi sales have plunged in India since laborato- around 15 billion rupees ($240 million) in sales annu- kidneys, bones and nervous system. It is particularly ry tests showed the noodles contained lead at levels ally. harmful to children and can cause learning disorders. far higher than the legal maximum. The tests also Some of India’s biggest film stars have appeared in Health experts say MSG, often used as a flavor detected the chemical flavor enhancer monosodium television commercials aimed at mothers and young enhancer in processed food and in some restaurants, glutamate, or MSG, which is not mentioned in the children to promote Maggi noodles. A court in Bihar can damage the nervous system with long-term use. MARSEILLE: PlanetSolar, the largest solar catamaran (front), moors by the Villa product’s list of ingredients. state on Tuesday ordered that a complaint be filed The government of the southern state of Kerala Mediterranee building in Marseille, southern France, yesterday, on the eve of the On Tuesday, the Delhi city government said it had against three of Bollywood’s biggest stars, Amitabh has stopped the distribution of Maggi noodles and opening of the two-day MEDCOP21 climate summit. — AFP conducted tests on 13 samples of Maggi noodles and Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit and Preity Zinta, for acting ordered more than 1,000 state-run grocery stores to 10 were found to be unsafe with lead exceeding the as brand ambassadors for Maggi. withdraw the product. The state governments of allowable level. Earlier tests, performed by food safety Spurred by the Maggi noodle scare, India’s federal Haryana, West Bengal and Maharashtra have begun authorities in Uttar Pradesh state, showed that sam- government was readying a new law to deal with cas- the process of testing noodle samples for lead and UN chief urges nations to ples contained 17.2 parts per million of lead, many es in which consumers of essential commodities and MSG. times the allowable limits which range between 0.01 foods were misled through wrong information. S K Singh, a food safety regulator in Uttar Pradesh, help end Ebola in W Africa and 2.5 ppm. Companies and individuals would be liable for said the lead was found in the flavor powder provid- The Delhi government said it will take legal action prosecution under the new law which would pre- ed with the noodle packets. \UNITED NATIONS: Secretary-General Ban Ki- countries. against Nestle India, which is a subsidiary of Swiss- scribe up to life imprisonment for violators, Ramvilas “Nestle claims its products are not harmful but moon warned Tuesday that as long as there is UNMEER’s acting chief Peter Jan Graaff said based Nestle SA, and was meeting Wednesday with Paswan, India’s federal food minister, told reporters. we found lead in the taste enhancer powder,” one Ebola case in West Africa “all countries are UNMEER’s Mali office closed on March 31, its company officials. It banned the sale of Maggi noo- In a statement earlier this week, Nestle India said Singh said.— AP at risk” and urged all nations to support the Liberia office already handed over operations final battles to wipe out the deadly disease in to the UN country team and the Sierra Leone Sierra Leone and Guinea. office is expected to end operations by the end S Korea says everything must be done to halt MERS “We are on the home stretch now and what of June. happens now is critical,” the U.N. chief told a “UNMEER could complete its transition by SEOUL: South Korean President Park Geun-hye the vast majority in the Middle East. There is no cure of a South Korean man who tested positive after General Assembly meeting on efforts to end July 31 and be closed by the end of August,” he said yesterday everything must be done to stop or vaccine. breaking a voluntary house quarantine and travel- the Ebola epidemic that has killed over 11,100 said. Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) as fear of “There are a lot people worried about the situa- ling to Hong Kong and on to mainland China. people mainly in Liberia, Sierra Leone and If the situation deteriorates, however, Graaff the disease shut hundreds of schools and led to tion,” Park told an emergency meeting of ministers Guinea since it was first reported in March 2014. said, the timeline could be changed “to ensure corporate giant Samsung calling off a staff confer- and top officials. “Everything must be done to stop Pressure growing Liberia, once the worst affected country, is that the UN’s political leverage and convening ence. any further spread.” South Korea reported its first two deaths from now Ebola free, but Ban warned that in Sierra power is maintained.” Five more cases were confirmed yesterday tak- More than 200 schools were shut on MERS on Tuesday. Leone and Guinea “the battle has not yet been Ban said he will convene an International ing to 30 the number infected in South Korea since Wednesday, most of them in the province of Of the five new cases, four had been in the same won” and “any lapse in vigilance could allow the Ebola Recovery Conference in New York on July the outbreak began there two weeks ago. Two peo- Gyeonggi, around Seoul, where the first death hospital as the first patient, a 68-year-old man who virus to spread.” 10 to mobilize resources to start early recovery ple have died, fuelling fear in the country with the occurred on Monday. South Korea has quarantined had just returned from a trip to four countries in the Dr. David Nabarro, the UN Ebola chief, told in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. most cases outside the Middle East, where the dis- or isolated about 1,300 people for possible MERS Middle East. The other, a 60-year-old man, caught it the assembly that the priority is to ensure the “We must also translate lessons learned ease first appeared. infection. from another infected person. outbreak ends as soon as possible “which will from this Ebola outbreak into stronger national While there has been no sustained human-to- A spokesman of Samsung Group, South Korea’s Media said health authorities were conducting take several weeks and may take a number of and international systems to prevent and human transmission, the nightmare scenario is the top conglomerate, said an orientation conference tests on an elderly patient who died on Sunday months.” respond to health crises,” he said. virus changes and spreads rapidly, as Severe Acute for new staff scheduled for this week has been post- after sharing the same hospital ward with one of “But everybody should be ready in case the Last week, the World Health Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) did in 2002-2003 poned in accordance with government instructions the two MERS-infected people who had died. disease recurs and needs to be controlled, Organization’s decision-making body exam- killing about 800 people around the world. on public safety. Officials said it was likely she died of existing illness. especially in the coming 12 months,” he said. ined how the response could have been MERS was first identified in humans in 2012 and Media in the region has reported tourists can- The new cases would bring the total number The secretary-general said UN agencies who improved to reduce suffering, deaths and is caused by a coronavirus from the same family as celling visits to South Korea. Though the WHO has globally to 1,166, based on World Health will be taking over responsibility for tackling other consequences including serious eco- the one that triggered SARS. But MERS has a much not recommended trade or travel restrictions, Organization (WHO) data, with at least 436 related Ebola as the UN Mission for Ebola Emergency nomic damage. Ban has also commissioned a higher death rate at 38 percent, according to World South Korean border control authorities have put a deaths. Response known as UNMEER scales down “will high-level panel on improving the Global Health Organization (WHO) figures. ban on overseas travel for people isolated for possi- Pressure is growing for the government to iden- need considerable resources to go the distance Response to Health Crises led by Tanzania’s The WHO puts the total number of MERS cases ble infection, a health ministry official said. tify the hospitals treating infected patients as fear and support recovery” in the three hardest-hit President Jakaya Kikwete. — AP globally at 1,161, with at least 436 related deaths, China last week reported its first MERS case, that and confusion mount.—Reuters THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015 HEALTH & SCIENCE Battered by crisis, Moscow restaurants embrace Russian cuisine

MOSCOW: Ginger pickles, soup with cab- the crash of the ruble late last year, the sec- bage and porcini, and reindeer tartare: as tor has also suffered from the falling pur- economic troubles take a bite out of import- chasing power of Russians who are opting ed food, Russian restaurants are increasingly to eat at home more often. Russia’s turning to local delicacies. Gone is the era Restaurateur and Hotelier Federation esti- when Italian and French cuisine dominated mates that 1,000 cafes went out of business Moscow’s high-class eateries. The economic in the past few months, some of which were crisis and import embargo keeps foie gras able to reopen after rebranding and chang- and Parmesan out of Russian kitchens, so ing their menus. new venues like Poyekhali (Let’s Go) are aim- “The peak of the crisis has passed,” ing to “tell their own story” through Russian believes Igor Bukharov, the head of the fed- food. As casseroles sizzle in the kitchen of eration. “Since then, the ruble has rebound- the restaurant, opened in October, manager ed and many restaurants reviewed their Yelena Chekalova says the time has come to menus, optimised costs and staff and “use local products that are familiar to us, launched new projects that work better.” but to prepare them with techniques invent- ed elsewhere”. This fusion approach creates Soviet classics return “Russian nouvelle cuisine”, the journalist- “Those who had dishes made of expen- turned-restaurateur told AFP, and elevates sive and high-quality ingredients saw prices ingredients often thought to be humdrum on their menu become inaccessible and suf- Middle East health care technology to new heights. fered the most,” said Alexei Zimin, editor in The culinary trend had a hesitant start a chief of Afisha Food gastronomy magazine. couple of years ago but is now burgeoning “Those who used local produce from the recognized at ‘Cerner Achievement in the atmosphere of overt patriotism and beginning didn’t need to change suppliers,” the scarcity of many European foods due to he said. the agricultural embargo Moscow imposed Pierre Gagnaire, a Michelin-starred and Innovation Awards’ last year following Western sanctions over French chef had to close his Moscow restau- Ukraine. rant in a luxury hotel. ‘Epidemic will return, we need to be prepared’ It recently won official recognition when He said the closure was not due to the the prestigious list “The World’s 50 Best embargo on Western foods, but told the DUBAI: Cerner Middle East, a developer of health Cerner’s St. John Sepsis Rescue Agent, which has 30,000 pieces of paper annually, reduced the turn- Restaurants” gave 23rd place to the Moscow French paper Le Figaro that he needed to care information management systems, honored its saved more than 25 lives in the past year. around time by 53 percent and increased the depart- eatery of star chef Vladimir Mukhin, White “think of a new concept that would corre- clients’ most inspiring health care technology adop- HMC also received the Best in Innovation award ment’s efficiency by 25 percent. Rabbit. It praised him for “reimagining” spond to the desires of Moscow’s people”. tions at the 2015 Cerner Achievement & Innovation for developing three HMC-IT Robots, which are being During the ceremony, Children’s Cancer Hospital Russian staples like beetroot soup, fried carp As the taste for fancy European food sub- Awards on Monday at The Ritz-Carlton in Dubai. used to automatically create lifetime encounters and Egypt 57357 was highly commended for its submis- and buckwheat porridge, saying “chef sides, countless places are opening that “We are proud to align with these outstanding analyze contact numbers. HMC has created 433,000 sion in this category. The facility automated its cancer Vladimir Mukhin claims to have borscht run- offer Central Asian cuisine and staples from health care facilities that have worked to improve the pharmacy lifetime encounters, calibrated more than registry process by leveraging Cerner EMR reporting ning in his veins”. elsewhere in the former Soviet Union. patient experience and boost the quality of health 3.5 million patient records and regulated the contact capabilities. Many restaurants that relied on meat, “Because of, or despite, the crisis people care,” said Michael Pomerance, vice president and numbers for more than 200,000 patient records with The ceremony was hosted during the sixth annual cheese and fish imported from the West are finally turning away from complicated managing director, Cerner Middle East & Africa. “The this innovation. By April, the HMC-IT Robots had Cerner Middle East Regional User Group Meeting, a were forced to close while those that strived concepts and seeking new forms of simplici- submissions we received reinforce the significance of saved the corporation an estimated QR2 million. two-day, knowledge-sharing event designed exclu- to source their ingredients from Russian ty,” influential Moscow chef Uilliam Lamberti technology in the health care industry and how inno- A second ‘Achievement & Innovation in Patient sively for Cerner Middle East client health care lead- regions are now more competitive despite wrote in Time Out. vation enables our clients to achieve remarkable Care Delivery in Departmental Experience’* award ers, clinicians and IT professionals. The event covered the economic meltdown. Even the luxury Hotel National next to patient outcomes.” was granted to King Faisal Specialist Hospital & best practices and the latest developments in region- the Kremlin chose a theme that is close to Cerner recognizes clients that deliver quality solu- Research Centre in Saudi Arabia for its implementa- al health care. More than 120 senior health care rep- Localise to survive home for its new restaurant, naming it tions and the best health care IT system implementa- tion of document imaging in the Human Leukocyte resentatives from various organizations, hospitals and “We suffered less than others because Doctor Zhivago after the novel by Boris tions or projects from the previous 12 months at the Antigen (laboratory) department, which eliminated ministries attended. the idea of our project was to work with pro- Pasternak. annual awards ceremony: duce that is 90 percent Russian,” Chekalova The menu is comprised of Soviet classics, Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA) led said. “But we’ve also suffered. Clearly when from the mayonnaise-dressed Olivier winter all honorees with three awards: 2,000-year-old pearl found fewer products are supplied to the market, salad to herring and pelmeni, a kind of - Achievement & Innovation in Patient Care everything becomes more expensive.” Siberian dumpling. Spartak Bemov, the Delivery in Departmental Experience* Poyekhali had to raise its prices by 10 director of Seryozha, another new restau- • Reduced denials by 50 percent for proton pump at remote Australian site percent, she said, and shed some popular rant that offers classic Soviet dishes con- inhibitors through implementation of real-time alerts dishes, such as the scallop risotto, which has firmed that Russians are turning back to and substantially decreased Reye’s syndrome by pre- SYDNEY: Australian scientists said yesterday they Wollongong. “Natural pearls are very rare in nature become too expensive to prepare and was familiar comfort foods. “People are looking scribing aspirin correctly to pediatric patients have uncovered a “very rare” 2,000-year-old natural and we certainly-despite many, many (oyster) shell replaced by a dish of pearl barley with win- more and more for simple venues with - Achievement & Innovation in Physician sea pearl-the first found on the vast island continent- middens being found in Australia-we’ve never found kles. As prices grew for both food and familiar dishes and prices that are not pro- Experience while excavating a remote coastal Aboriginal site. a natural pearl before,” Szabo, who specialises in imported restaurant appliances following hibitive.” — AFP o Reduced deficiency rates of physicians by 70 Archaeologists were working the site on the north studying shells at archaeological sites, told AFP. percent through proper use of Cerner’s Message Kimberley coast of Western Australia when they came A midden is a prehistoric refuse pit. Center to save the physician time and increase rev- across the unique gem below the surface, said Kat “The location makes it particularly significant enue cycle throughput Szabo, an associate professor at the University of because the Kimberley coast of Australia is synony- - Best in Standardization* mous with pearling, and has been for the better part • Reduced the amount of document duplications, of the last century.” improved communication between health care pro- The pink-and-gold-coloured pearl is almost spher- fessionals and patients, and gave nurses more time to ical, with a five-millimetre diameter. Due to its near- spend with patients at their bedside with the imple- perfect round shape, the researchers used a micro CT mentation of the nursing communication known as scan to test its age and prove that it was naturally Situation, Background, Assessment, occurring rather than a farmed modern cultured Recommendation (SBAR) pearl. United Arab Emirates Ministry of Health (UAE The oysters that produce pearls have been used in MOH) was recognized with two awards for using rainmaking ceremonies in indigenous cultures, and SBAR: Achievement & Innovation in Nursing their shells have been found in the central desert Experience and Best in Standardization*. Through the more than 1,500 kilometres (930 miles) away. use of SBAR, the UAE MOH: Archaeologists have known about the rainmaking - Achieved a 75 percent reduction in patient hand- rituals but were not aware of how far back in history off, leading to an additional 547,000 hours spent with they had been practised. “Studying the pearl has led patients per year with no additional staffing. us to the study of the layer in which it’s found,” Szabo said. “In indigenous terms, that’s telling a really inter- - Clearly facilitated the communication of patient NORTH KIMBERLEY: This undated handout esting story about a cultural tradition to do with pearl information among clinicians to minimize manual photo released by Australia’s University of shells which we knew historically but we’ve never errors Wollongong yesterday shows a “very rare” been able to prove that it went back into the past.” - Saved more than 2,000 hours of nursing han- 2,000-year-old natural pearl - the first found MOSCOW: A Russian soup is placed on a table in the restaurant of traditional The pearl is set to go on display at the Western dover during January and February. on the vast island continent — uncovered Russian cuisine Poyekhali (Let’s Go) in Moscow. Ginger pickles, soup with cabbage Australian Maritime Museum in Perth later this Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) in Qatar was while excavating a remote coastal Aboriginal and porcini, and reindeer tartare: as economic troubles take a bite out of imported month, with details of the find published in the recognized with the Achievement and Innovation in site. — AFP food, Russian restaurants are increasingly turning to local delicacies. — AFP Patient Care Delivery award for its implementation of Australian Archaeology journal. —AFP WHAT’S ON THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015

Reborn Kids Education Academy graduation t was a glamorous moment at the Symphony Hotel in Salmiya on Monday as Reborn Kids Education Academy organized its graduation ceremony. The program featured lots of enthralling displays as Reborn kids showcased their talents. The event attracted lots of dignitaries, parents and top officials. Reborn Kids Education Academy is an established educational institution that aims to create a niche in the education sector in Kuwait. It is a final bus-stop for parents looking for the Ibest education, secured environment and academic-based fun package for their children. ‘Reborn Kids Education Academy is best atmosphere to learn how to interact with others! The best environment to grow and to feel happy. It has a won- derful professional staff.’

ongratulations to Azhar AbdelSamee and El Sayed Ali on your wedding. We wish you the very best as your hearts become one in love. May the union be filled with great peace and joy. Greetings from CCambridge English School Hawally. TIES Animal Fair Second Chance Charity Shop is teaming with Kareq8 to raise money and awareness for animals in Kuwait. Shop at Second Chance and other vendors and all proceeds will go to Kareq8. Special fun activities and a petting zone for children are some of the events being planned. Animal food and donations are grate- fully accepted. The fair will take place at TIES Center on Saturday June 13 from 5-8 pm.

Ramadan Tips for Expats Not sure how to conduct yourself in Ramadan? Join TIES Center to learn about Kuwait’s laws related to Ramadan, expected public etiquette, customs you will encounter in your neighbor- hood and workplace, how to cope with daytime restrictions such as restaurant closures, and how to get the most out of your Ramadan experience. The presentation will be followed by dis- cussion and Q&A. Indian Embassy Announcement he Government of India under the ageis of Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), New Delhi, had declared the launching of a new Tscheme in Bhopal (M.P) on 26 May called INTERNSHIP also known as PASSPORT SEVA MITRA. All relevant details in this matter have already been uploaded on Passport India Portal with the following link: http://passportindia.gov.in/AppOnlineProject/pdf/Passport_seva_mitra .pdf The Passport Seva Project has recently achieved a rare distinction of becoming the first Mission Mode Project to receive three ISO Certifications. Their details have also been uploaded on Passport India Portal: http://passportindia.gov.in/AppOnlineProject/pdf/ISO_Certification.pdf The MEA has made many quantitative and qualitative improve- ments in the delivery of passport services in the country through successful implementation of Passport Seva Project (PSP). The objec- tive is to deliver passports to the citizens of India all over the world quickly in a comfortable manner. The location of the PSKs/RPOs may be accessed at the Passport Portal: www.passportindia.gov.in.

What’s On - Submission Guidelines All photos submitted for What’s On should be minimum 200dpi. Articles must be in plain text and should include name and phone numbers. Articles and photos that fail to meet these requirements will KNES Year 5 and 6 Summer Concert and Year 6 Graduation not be published. he Kuwait National English School Year 6 Graduation Mia by Abba, whilst dressed in 70’s style of clothing. professionalism and dignity and pupils were praised by the Please send them to ceremony, held on Tuesday 12th May 2015, was once They also wore ‘big hair’ wigs to complete the look. school Director, Madame Chantal Al Gharabally, who [email protected] Tagain a resounding success with pupils singing songs Various solo performances were also rendered by students proudly awarded the graduating students with their diplo- from the 70’s and 80’s on the theme: “The Show Must Go from Year 5 and 6. The awarding ceremony was very well mas. The function ended with all pupils singing “The Show On”. The concert opened with the Year 6’s singing Mamma organised with the students parading onto the stage with Must go on” by Queen and “One day” by Matisyahu. WHAT’S ON THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015

Joyalukkas launches ‘Summer Promotion’ ‘Big summer sale’ on fashion he globally renowned jewellery retail The Joyalukkas Summer Promotion - shoppers. Our objective is to make this sum- chain Joyalukkas launched their Drive Your Dream is scheduled up to 8th mer special for every shopper at Joyalukkas’ and silks at Jolly Silks TSummer Promotion ‘Joyalukkas Drive August, 2015 and in addition to the dream said Mr. John Paul Joy Alukkas, Executive Your Dream’ to coincide with the peak sum- winnings of 12 Audi cars and 3 Kg gold cus- Director of Joyalukkas group. mer shopping period. Shoppers will get a tomers are also being offered the ‘Low Joyalukkas Summer Promotion - Drive olly Silks, Kuwait the one stop desti- Panasonic Tower Kuwait branch. An extra incentive for shoppers is the chance to win the dream prizes of 12 Audi Making Charges’ during the campaign peri- Your Dream is one of the biggest promo- nation for Silks and Fashion launched Jolly Silks is the one stop destination host of new collections that Jolly Silks Cars and 3 Kgs of Gold on shopping worth od. Customers can buy their favourite jew- tional initiatives launched by the Jan exciting offer to reward customers. for Women’s, Men’s snd Kid’s wear. They has recently added in-store. The new col- KD 40 at any of the Joyalukkas Jewellery ellery for Low Making Charges. Joyalukkas Superbrand for jewellery shoppers. The ini- Customers shopping at Jolly Silks, Kuwait offer a world of choice in Sarees, lections and designs have been chosen showrooms. This mega winning initiative has also introduced a host of new summer tiative will be simultaneously launched during the promotion period will get 20% Churidars, Kurtas, Shirts, Trousers and Kids from the latest trends in India and will be one of the biggest winnings on offer collections and designs in gold, diamond, across all Joyalukkas showrooms in the Discount on every purchase of worth KD attire to suit the budget of all customer abroad and have been inspired by some during the summer months. polki, pearl, precious stones to meet the Middle-East, Singapore and Malaysia. The 20 & above. The rewarding offer is valid up profiles. The wide range of choices of the foremost designers of fashion and The Joyalukkas Summer Promotion - demand and expectation of the summer winner of Superbrand status 6 years in a to 8th August, 2015. Big Summer Sale was includes designer wear for weddings & silks clothing there. Jolly Silks also offers Drive Your Dream was launched by Mrs Asha shoppers. row has created this dream package of win- launched by Mrs Sherly John, Principal, special occasions and also daily wear the best prices and has created the Sharma, Principal, Learners Own Academy ‘Joyalukkas Summer Promotion - Drive nings based on in-depth research and Indian Community School Junior, Kuwait items to cater to all the needs and aspira- choice to suite all budgets to make the School, Kuwait on 29th May 15 in the pres- Your Dream will be one of the biggest win- understanding of customers needs and in the presence of other dignitaries and tions of shoppers in Fashion and ready- fashion & silks choices accessible for all ence of other dignitaries and customers. nings this summer to excite the summer aspirations. various customers on 29th May 2015 at made garments. shoppers.

ASSE organizes awareness program AOU signs cooperation agreement on Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome with Arab Trainers Union merican Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), Kuwait he Arab Open University (AOU) In the training field, the AOU also thank to Dr Younis Khataybah, Chapter as a part of continuous signed a cooperation agree- has signed several cooperation Chairman of the Union for signing A ment with the Arab Trainers agreements with many public and the agreement with the university. efforts in its professional journey, T organized an Awareness program for Union, a regional Arab body respon- private bodies and institutions in The Union includes many excel- the women members on Polycystic sible for organizing the training pro- Kuwait and in other Arab countries. lent Arab experts in the training field Ovary Syndrome on 28th May 2015 at fession in the Arab World. This agree- On this occasion, Faisal Al- and it works on standardizing the Hotel Safir, Fintas. ment came to register the University Shalaby, Director of Trainig, training profession in the Arab world. Ms Janet Najare, Head, WISE as one of the accredited training Development and Community It also makes standards and regula- Committee gave an introductory pres- institutions in the union. It includes Service in the AOU, expressed his tions that advance the training pro- entation on “Women in Safety all AOU branches that spread in eight gratitude and appreciation to Prof. fession in addition to its support to Engineering (WISE) Committee” and its Arab countries and its Kuwait-based Moudi Al-Humoud, the AOU Rector, efforts of training and exchange activities in Kuwait. She introduced the headquarters. and Prof Mustapha Achoui, Vice expertise among its members. key note speaker Dr Rajani Soni, This agreement will give the uni- Rector for Planning, Research and In addition, it helps its members Obstetrician & Gynecologist with 13 versity a competitive feature in train- Development Affairs in the AOU, for to build a well-educated union International publications and expert- ing since the Union validates only their continuing support to the through research and cooperation in ise in Laparoscopic and Hysteroscopic training centers or institutes that efforts of training and ongoing edu- addition to best practices and meas- Surgeries. Dr Rajani is currently practic- meet its quality requirements. cation in the university, extending his ures share. ing at Shifa Al-Jazeera Clinic Fahaheel, Kuwait. During the presentation on the top- ic, Dr Rajani, described about the rou- tine changes in female body which helps in recognition of the Cysts forma- tion in its early stage, she referred to the importance of good & healthy food habits for increasing the chances and effectiveness of recovery without any medication. The awareness session was very much interactive and it was followed by Question & Answer session. As a token of appreciation, ASSE executive com- mittee & WISE committee members handed over memento to Dr Rajani Soni. Around 20 women members, Ministry of Private Education including ASSE Kuwait Chapter mem- ber’s spouses & ladies ASSE member, honours India International School participated in the awareness program. The awareness session concluded with xemplary performance of the Islamic Studies Department of India International School, Mangaf has once again vote of thanks by Dr Shaikha Al Fajjam, brought laurels to the school. The department has secured third position in all Kuwait and Mrs Heba and Ahmed Rabai Head of Shuaiba Medical Center, are bestowed with the Excellency Award by the Private Education Department at the Ministry of Education, Kuwait. The Ministry of Health. The meet concluded E school Director Malayil Moosa Koya received the trophy from Fahad Abdurahiman Al Gais, Director of the department. The with the dinner. school director and principal appreciated the teachers for their tireless work that added an extra feather on the cap of IISM. THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015 TV PROGRAMS

04:10 Beyond Candid With 09:00 Hot In Cleveland 09:00 Golfing World Giuliana 09:30 Modern Family 14:00 Dubai Duty Free Masters 05:05 THS 10:00 Modern Family 19:00 WWE NXT 06:00 Keeping Up With The 10:30 The Nightly Show With Larry 20:00 WWE SmackDown Kardashians Wilmore 00:15 So Undercover 22:00 Live Super League 00:15 Lorraine’s Fast, Fresh And 06:55 Keeping Up With The 11:00 The Tonight Show Starring 02:00 HairBrained Easy Food Kardashians Jimmy Fallon 04:00 The Best Man Holiday 00:40 Homes Under The Hammer 07:50 Style Star 12:30 Til Death 06:30 Life 01:30 MasterChef 08:20 E! News 13:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 08:30 Captain Ron 02:25 Bargain Hunt 09:15 Giuliana & Bill 14:00 The Goldbergs 10:30 Cloudy With A Chance Of 03:10 Come Dine With Me 10:15 Giuliana & Bill 14:30 Modern Family Meatballs 2 18:30 Natwest T20 Blast H/L: Leics 03:35 Kirstie’s Best Of Both Worlds 11:10 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 15:00 Modern Family 12:15 She-Devil v Durham 04:25 Tareq Taylor’s Nordic 11:35 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon 14:00 HairBrained 19:30 Natwest T20 Blast H/L: Cookery 12:05 E! News Stewart 16:00 Captain Ron Derbys v Lancs 04:50 Lorraine’s Fast, Fresh And 13:05 Christina Milian Turned Up 16:00 The Nightly Show With Larry 18:00 Syrup 20:30 Live Natwest T20 Blast : Easy Food 13:35 Christina Milian Turned Up Wilmore 20:00 That Awkward Moment Hampshire v Middlesex 05:15 MasterChef 14:05 Extreme Close-Up 17:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 22:00 The Details 06:10 Bargain Hunt 14:30 Style Star 18:00 Hot In Cleveland 06:55 Baking Mad With Eric 15:00 Keeping Up With The 18:30 The Goldbergs Lanlard Kardashians 19:00 Black-Ish 07:20 Tareq Taylor’s Nordic 16:00 Keeping Up With The 19:30 Community Cookery Kardashians 20:00 The Tonight Show Starring 07:45 Come Dine With Me 17:00 Fashion Bloggers Jimmy Fallon 01:00 The Trouble With Bliss-PG15 08:10 Kirstie’s Best Of Both Worlds 17:30 Fashion Bloggers 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon 03:00 What Maisie Knew-PG15 00:45 Outrageous Births 09:00 Tareq Taylor’s Nordic 18:00 E! News Stewart 05:00 Playing For Keeps-PG15 01:35 Angels Among Us Cookery 19:00 THS 21:30 The Nightly Show With Larry 07:00 Little Red-PG15 02:00 My 600lb Life 09:25 Lorraine’s Fast, Fresh And 20:00 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills Wilmore 09:00 Timer-PG15 02:50 Say Yes To The Dress Easy Food 21:00 Good Work 22:00 South Park 11:00 Playing For Keeps-PG15 03:15 Something Borrowed, 09:50 Homes Under The Hammer 22:00 E! News 22:30 Brickleberry 13:00 The Glass Man-PG15 Something New 10:45 MasterChef 23:00 The Soup 23:00 The Boondocks 15:00 Europa Report-PG15 03:40 Secret Eaters 11:35 Bargain Hunt 23:30 The Grace Helbig Show 23:30 Late Night With Seth Meyers 17:00 Timer-PG15 04:30 Cake Boss 12:20 Come Dine With Me 19:00 Seeking A Friend For The 05:00 Little People, Big World 12:45 Kirstie’s Best Of Both Worlds End Of The World-PG15 05:30 Extreme Couponing All-Stars 13:35 Tareq Taylor’s Nordic 21:00 The Railway Man-PG15 06:00 17 Kids And Counting Cookery 23:00 Lovelace-18 06:25 Bakery Boss 07:15 Say Yes To The Dress 14:00 Lorraine’s Fast, Fresh And 00:00 Glee Easy Food 07:40 Something Borrowed, 14:25 Homes Under The Hammer 00:10 The Jonathan Ross Show 01:00 Chicago Fire Something New 15:20 MasterChef 01:05 Four Weddings UK 02:00 Outlander 08:05 The Next Great Baker 16:15 Bargain Hunt 02:00 Emmerdale 03:00 Mistresses 08:55 Shopping Is My Life 17:00 Come Dine With Me 02:25 Emmerdale 04:00 Franklin & Bash 09:45 Cake Boss 01:30 Hope And Glory 17:25 Kirstie’s Best Of Both Worlds 02:55 Coronation Street 10:10 Little People, Big World 05:00 The Blacklist 03:30 Mr. Pip 18:15 Fantasy Homes By The Sea 03:25 Chasing Shadows 10:35 Extreme Couponing All-Stars 06:00 Glee 05:30 In The Name Of The Father 19:00 Chefs: Put Your Menu Where 04:20 Hiding 11:00 Toddlers & Tiaras 07:00 Survivor: San Juan Del Sur 07:45 Salinger Your Mouth Is 05:15 The Chase: Celebrity Special 11:50 Oprah: Where Are They 08:00 Perception 10:00 Sal 19:45 Simply Italian 06:10 Four Weddings UK Now? 11:30 Promised Land 20:10 Fantasy Homes By The Sea 07:05 Coronation Street 09:00 The Blacklist 12:40 Bakery Boss 13:15 Casanova 20:55 MasterChef 07:30 Chasing Shadows 10:00 Franklin & Bash 13:30 Shopping Is My Life 15:15 Dead Poets Society 21:50 Bargain Hunt 08:25 Hiding 11:00 Chicago Fire 14:20 My Big Fat Fabulous Life 17:30 Sal 22:35 Come Dine With Me 09:20 The Chase 12:00 Emmerdale 14:45 My Big Fat Fabulous Life 19:00 Grand Piano 23:00 Fantasy Homes By The Sea 10:15 Holiday: Heaven On Earth 15:10 Cake Boss 12:30 Coronation Street 21:00 Buried 23:45 Chefs: Put Your Menu Where 10:40 The Jonathan Ross Show 15:35 Little People, Big World 11:35 Four Weddings UK 13:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 23:00 Charlie Wilson’s War Your Mouth Is 14:00 Perception 16:00 Toddlers & Tiaras 12:30 The Chase: Celebrity Special 16:50 Say Yes To The Dress 13:25 Emmerdale 15:00 Glee 17:15 Something Borrowed, 13:50 Holiday: Heaven On Earth 16:00 Emmerdale Something New 14:15 Coronation Street 16:30 Coronation Street 17:40 17 Kids And Counting 14:40 The Jonathan Ross Show 17:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 01:00 Oculus-PG15 18:05 Extreme Couponing All-Stars 15:35 The Chase 18:00 Perception 03:00 Philomena-PG15 18:30 Secret Eaters 16:30 Murdoch Mysteries 19:00 White Collar 05:00 Justice League: The 19:20 Oprah’s Next Chapter 17:25 Murdoch Mysteries Flashpoint Paradox-PG 20:00 The Fosters 20:10 Bakery Boss 00:20 Fast N’ Loud 18:20 Keep It In The Family 07:00 The Pretty One-PG15 21:00 Chicago Fire 21:00 Something Borrowed, 01:10 World’s Worst... 19:10 Coronation Street 09:00 Marvel’s Next Avengers: Something New THE COUNSELOR ON OSN MOVIES HD 02:00 The Pop Illusionist 19:35 The Chase 22:00 Justified Heroes Of Tomorrow-PG 21:25 Something Borrowed, 02:50 The Carbonaro Effect 20:30 Murdoch Mysteries 23:00 Mistresses 11:00 A Family Reunion-PG15 Something New 17:47 Clarence 22:50 Blood Relatives 15:10 Messages From Miles 03:15 Magic Of Science 21:25 Murdoch Mysteries 13:00 Quartet-PG15 21:50 Say Yes To The Dress 18:00 Adventure Time New 23:40 Fatal Encounters 15:15 Sofia The First 03:40 Storage Hunters 22:20 Coronation Street 14:45 The Butler-PG15 22:15 Say Yes To The Dress 18:10 Adventure Time 00:30 Extreme Forensics 15:40 Mickey Mouse 04:05 Storage Hunters UK 22:50 Emmerdale 17:00 Marvel’s Next Avengers: 22:40 Angels Among Us 18:25 Adventure Time 01:20 True Crime With Clubhouse 04:30 What’s In The Barn? 23:15 Keep It In The Family Heroes Of Tomorrow-PG 23:05 My 600lb Life 18:50 Regular Show Aphrodite Jones 16:05 Nina Needs To Go 05:00 How It’s Made 19:00 The Expendables 3-PG15 23:55 Oprah: Where Are They 19:40 Uncle Grandpa 02:10 True CSI 16:10 Lilo & Stitch 05:30 How Do They Do It? 21:00 300: Rise Of An Empire-18 Now? 19:52 Uncle Grandpa 16:35 Adventures Of The 06:00 Alaska: The Last Frontier 23:00 The Counselor-18 20:05 Teen Titans Go! Gummi Bears 06:50 Overhaulin’ 01:00 Good Morning America 20:55 Ben 10: Omniverse 17:00 Chip n Dale Rescue 07:40 Fast N’ Loud 03:00 Better Call Saul Rangers 00:20 Night Stalkers 21:20 Ben 10: Omniverse 08:30 Storage Hunters 04:00 Salem 17:25 Ducktales 01:10 Caught In The Act 21:45 Johnny Test 08:55 Storage Hunters UK 05:00 Good Morning America 17:50 Jake And The Neverland 02:00 Brutal Killers 23:10 Regular Show 09:20 What’s In The Barn? 07:00 Emmerdale Pirates 02:50 Blood Rivals: Lion vs. Buffalo 03:15 Ninjago: Masters Of 23:55 Teen Titans Go! 09:45 How It’s Made 07:30 Coronation Street 18:00 Runaway Shuffle/Surfin’ 03:45 Animals Gone Wild 01:15 Unstable Fables: Goldilocks Spinjitzu 00:40 Grojband 10:10 How Do They Do It? 08:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show The Whirlpool 04:40 Cheetah: Fatal Instinct & The Three Bears 03:35 Ninjago: Masters Of 01:00 Grojband 10:35 World’s Worst... 09:00 Suits 18:25 Messages From Miles 05:35 Brutal Killers 02:45 Hiroku: Defenders Of Gaia Spinjitzu 01:25 Total Drama World Tour 11:25 The Pop Illusionist 10:00 Emmerdale 18:30 Sofia The First 06:30 Blood Rivals: Lion vs. Buffalo 04:15 Shark Bait 04:00 Teen Titans Go! 01:45 Regular Show 03:10 Henry Hugglemonster 12:15 The Carbonaro Effect 10:30 Coronation Street 18:55 Nina Needs To Go 07:25 Animals Gone Wild 06:00 Garfield’s Fun Fest 04:45 Grojband 02:30 Johnny Test 03:20 Calimero 12:40 Magic Of Science 11:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 19:00 Jake And The Never Land 08:20 I, Predator 08:00 Unstable Fables: 3 Pigs & A 05:05 Total Drama World Tour 03:35 Zou 13:05 Storage Hunters 12:00 Supernatural Pirates 09:15 Pythonathon Baby 05:30 Adventure Time 03:45 Loopdidoo 13:30 Storage Hunters UK 13:00 C.S.I. 19:30 Loopdidoo 10:10 Shark Island 09:30 True Story Of Puss’n Boots 06:00 Uncle Grandpa 04:00 Art Attack 13:55 What’s In The Barn? 14:00 Live Good Morning America 19:45 Doc McStuffins 11:05 Madagascar’s Legendary 11:00 Back To The Sea 06:11 Uncle Grandpa 04:25 Henry Hugglemonster 14:20 Alaska: The Last Frontier 16:00 Suits 20:00 Adventures Of The Lemurs 12:45 Hiroku: Defenders Of Gaia 06:20 Clarence 04:35 Calimero 15:10 Overhaulin’ 17:00 Supernatural Gummi Bears 12:00 Monster Fish 14:30 Santa’s Magic Crystal 06:32 Clarence 04:50 Zou 16:00 Fast N’ Loud 18:00 C.S.I. 03:00 California Investigator 20:30 Sofia The First 12:55 Planet Carnivore 16:00 True Story Of Puss’n Boots 06:45 New The Amazing World 05:00 Loopdidoo 16:50 How It’s Made 19:00 Suits 03:25 California Investigator 20:55 Cars Toons 13:50 Africa’s Blood River 17:45 Free Birds Of Gumball 05:15 Art Attack 17:15 How Do They Do It? 20:00 Supernatural 03:45 Fatal Encounters 21:00 Chip n Dale Rescue 14:45 Animals Gone Wild 19:30 Speed Racer 06:55 The Amazing World Of 05:35 Henry Hugglemonster 17:40 Dive Wars Australia 21:00 C.S.I. 04:30 Deadly Affairs Rangers 15:40 Ultimate Animals 21:45 Santa’s Magic Crystal Gumball 05:50 Calimero 18:30 Treehouse Masters 22:00 Defiance 05:20 Nightmare Next Door 21:25 Ducktales 16:35 Black Mamba: Kiss of Death 23:15 True Story Of Puss’n Boots 07:10 New Steven Universe 06:00 Zou 19:20 Tanked 23:00 Salem 06:10 True Crime With 21:50 Lilo & Stitch 17:30 Shark Kill Zone 07:23 Steven Universe 06:15 Loopdidoo 20:10 Storage Hunters UK Aphrodite Jones 22:15 Zou 18:25 The Living Edens 07:35 Adventure Time New 06:25 Limon And Oli 20:35 What’s In The Barn? 07:00 Nightmare Next Door 22:30 Art Attack 19:20 Animals Gone Wild 07:47 Adventure Time 06:35 Art Attack 21:00 Treehouse Masters 07:50 Fatal Encounters 22:55 Limon And Oli 20:10 Ultimate Animals 08:00 Ben 10: Omniverse 08:40 I Almost Got Away With 07:00 Calimero 21:50 The Pool Master 08:25 Ben 10: Omniverse 23:05 Henry Hugglemonster 21:00 Black Mamba: Kiss of Death 00:00 Snitch-PG15 It 07:10 Zou 22:40 Tanked 08:50 Ninjago: Masters Of 23:20 Calimero 21:50 Shark Kill Zone 02:00 The Way Way Back-PG15 09:30 I Was Murdered 07:25 Nina Needs To Go 23:30 World’s Strangest 00:00 In The Blood Spinjitzu 23:35 Zou 22:40 The Living Edens 04:00 When The Game Stands 09:55 Stalked: Someone’s 07:30 Jake And The Neverland 02:00 Sniper: Legacy 09:15 Regular Show 23:50 Loopdidoo 23:30 Monster Fish Tall-PG15 Watching Pirates 04:00 Befriend And Betray 09:27 Regular Show 06:00 Planes: Fire And Rescue-PG 10:20 Forensic Detectives 07:55 Sofia The First 06:00 Recoil 09:40 The Amazing World Of 08:00 Badges Of Fury-PG15 11:10 On The Case With Paula 08:20 Doc McStuffins 08:00 Shadow Conspiracy Gumball 10:00 Rio 2-FAM Zahn 08:45 Loopdidoo 10:00 500 mph Storm 10:05 Uncle Grandpa 12:00 When The Game Stands 12:00 Blood Relatives 09:00 Limon And Oli 12:00 Befriend And Betray 10:17 Uncle Grandpa 00:00 Violetta Tall-PG15 12:50 True Crime With 09:10 Sheriff Callie’s Wild West 14:00 Recoil 10:30 Johnny Test 00:50 Sabrina: Secrets Of A 00:30 The Daily Show With Jon 14:00 In A World...-PG15 Aphrodite Jones 09:35 Mickey Mouse 16:00 Justice League: War 11:20 Total Drama World Tour Teenage Witch Stewart 16:00 Badges Of Fury-PG15 13:40 Who On Earth... Clubhouse 06:00 The 7D 18:00 Snake Eyes 11:45 Total Drama World Tour 01:15 Sabrina: Secrets Of A 01:00 The Nightly Show With Larry 17:45 Need For Speed-PG15 14:05 Who On Earth Did I 10:00 Sofia The First 06:10 Phineas And Ferb 20:00 Terminal Velocity 12:10 Steven Universe Teenage Witch Wilmore 20:00 Lay The Favorite-PG15 Marry? 10:25 Jake And The Never Land 06:35 Kickin’ It 22:00 Ender’s Game 12:35 Regular Show 01:40 Wolfblood 01:30 Web Therapy 22:00 Fire With Fire-18 14:30 On The Case With Paula Pirates 07:00 Mighty Med 02:05 Wolfblood 02:00 Web Therapy 13:25 Clarence Zahn 10:55 Runaway Shuffle/Surfin’ 07:25 Lab Rats 02:30 Violetta 02:30 The Boondocks 13:50 Uncle Grandpa 15:20 I Was Murdered The Whirlpool 07:50 Supa Strikas 03:20 Sabrina: Secrets Of A 03:00 Hot In Cleveland 14:15 Matt Hatter Chronicles 15:45 Stalked: Someone’s 11:20 Messages From Miles 08:15 Mini Ninjas Teenage Witch 03:30 The Goldbergs 14:40 Ben 10 Watching 11:25 Doc McStuffins 08:40 Kirby Buckets 03:45 Sabrina: Secrets Of A 04:00 Til Death 00:00 Sniper: Legacy-PG15 03:00 Super League 15:05 Ben 10 16:10 Fatal Encounters 11:50 Henry Hugglemonster 09:05 Ultimate Spider-Man Teenage Witch 04:30 The Tonight Show Starring 02:00 Befriend And Betray-PG15 07:00 Golfing World 15:30 Ninjago: Masters Of 17:00 Blood Relatives 12:15 Sofia The First 09:30 Camp Lakebottom 04:10 Wolfblood Jimmy Fallon 04:00 Recoil-PG15 12:00 Live PGA European Tour Spinjitzu 17:50 I Almost Got Away With 12:40 Mickey Mouse 09:55 Boyster 04:35 Wolfblood 05:30 The Daily Show With Jon 06:00 Shadow Conspiracy-PG15 14:00 Golfing World 15:55 Total Drama: All Stars It Clubhouse 10:20 Randy Cunningham: 9th 05:00 Violetta Stewart 08:00 500 mph Storm-PG15 16:00 Live PGA European Tour 16:20 New Steven Universe 18:40 Forensic Detectives 13:05 Sheriff Callie’s Wild West Grade Ninja 05:50 Mouk 06:00 Two And A Half Men 10:00 Befriend And Betray-PG15 20:30 This Is PGA Tour 16:33 Steven Universe 19:30 True Crime With 13:30 Loopdidoo 10:45 The 7D 06:00 Lolirock 06:30 The Nightly Show With Larry 12:00 Recoil-PG15 21:30 Live PGA Tour 16:45 Teen Titans Go! Aphrodite Jones 13:45 Limon And Oli 11:00 Phineas And Ferb 06:25 Hank Zipzer Wilmore 14:00 Justice League: War-PG15 17:10 New The Amazing World 20:20 The Will: Family Secrets 13:55 Jake And The Never Land 11:25 Phineas And Ferb 06:50 Girl Meets World 07:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 16:00 Snake Eyes-PG15 Of Gumball Revealed Pirates 11:50 Cars Toons 07:15 H2O: Just Add Water 08:00 Til Death 18:00 Terminal Velocity-PG15 17:20 The Amazing World Of 21:10 Who On Earth... 14:20 Doc McStuffins 11:55 Pair Of Kings 07:40 Jessie 08:30 The Daily Show With Jon 20:00 Ender’s Game-PG15 Gumball 21:35 Who On Earth... 14:45 Runaway Shuffle/Surfin’ 12:20 Pair Of Kings 02:00 Live NHL 17:35 Clarence 08:05 Wizards Of Waverly Place Stewart 22:00 22 Bullets-18 05:00 Indycars Highlights 22:00 True CSI The Whirlpool 12:45 Zeke & Luther 08:30 Wizards Of Waverly Place 13:10 Zeke & Luther 08:55 Sabrina: Secrets Of A 13:40 Star Wars Rebels Teenage Witch 14:05 Marvel Avengers 09:20 Sabrina: Secrets Of A Assemble Teenage Witch 14:30 Hulk And The Agents Of 09:45 Austin & Ally S.M.A.S.H. 10:10 Austin & Ally 14:55 Ultimate Spider-Man 10:35 Wizards Of Waverly Place 15:20 Camp Lakebottom 11:00 Wizards Of Waverly Place 15:45 Mini Ninjas 11:25 Jessie 16:10 Pair Of Kings 11:50 Jessie 16:35 Supa Strikas 12:15 Sabrina: Secrets Of A 17:00 Kirby Buckets Teenage Witch 17:25 Mighty Med 12:40 Sabrina: Secrets Of A 17:55 Kickin’ It Teenage Witch 18:20 Lab Rats 13:05 Good Luck Charlie 18:45 Supa Strikas 13:30 Good Luck Charlie 19:10 Phineas And Ferb 13:55 Dog With A Blog 19:40 Phineas And Ferb 14:20 H2O: Just Add Water 20:05 The 7D 14:55 Lolirock 20:30 Ultimate Spider-Man 15:20 Liv And Maddie 21:00 Lab Rats 15:45 Girl Meets World 21:25 Kickin’ It 16:10 I Didn’t Do It 21:50 Mighty Med 16:35 Austin & Ally 22:15 Kirby Buckets 17:00 Mako Mermaids 22:40 Cars Toons 17:25 Violetta Top 5 Tracks 23:00 Programmes Start At 17:50 I Didn’t Do It 6:00am KSA 18:15 Girl Meets World 18:40 Liv And Maddie 19:05 H2O: Just Add Water 19:30 Lolirock 19:55 That’s So Raven 20:20 That’s So Raven 03:00 American Pickers 20:45 Hannah Montana 04:00 Ice Road Truckers 21:10 Hannah Montana 05:00 Counting Cars 21:35 Kim Possible 05:30 Counting Cars 22:00 Kim Possible 06:00 American Restoration 22:25 Sabrina: Secrets Of A 06:30 American Restoration Teenage Witch 07:00 Counting Cars 22:50 Sabrina: Secrets Of A 07:30 Counting Cars Teenage Witch 08:00 Search For The Lost 23:10 Wolfblood Giants 23:35 Wolfblood 09:00 Swamp People 10:00 American Pickers 11:00 Pawn Stars 11:30 Pawn Stars 12:00 Storage Wars 12:30 Storage Wars 13:00 Counting Cars 00:00 House Of DVF 13:30 Counting Cars 00:55 Extreme Close-Up 14:00 Shipping Wars 01:25 Kourtney And Khloe Take 14:30 Shipping Wars The Hamptons 15:00 American Pickers 02:20 E! News 16:00 American Restoration 03:15 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 22 BULLETS ON OSN MOVIES ACTION HD 16:30 American Restoration Classifieds

THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015

FOR SALE

2001 model black Mercedes with sunroof. Tel: 99620905. 4-6-2015

New Nomadic Brochure Display Stands with HARD CASE. Original Price KD 75. Selling Price KD 35 (2 pieces available) & Nomadic Brochure Display Stands with SOFT CASE. Original Price KD 60. Selling Price KD 30 (3 pieces available). Interested please call 66041769.

LOST

Original Passport No. OR737496 of Mrs. Marghalara Nashair Ghulam Ali Khan, Afghani National, has been lost. Anybody finding the same, please contact on 66589643. (C 4995) 4-6-2015 Kuwait Original document Policy KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (04/06/2015 TO 10/06/2015) No. 633000645 of Mr Munir Ahmad owned by the state Life Insurance Corporation SHARQIA-1 SURVIVOR 2:00 PM SAN ANDREAS 8:00 PM of Pakistan, Gulf Zone is PRESSURE 11:30 AM SURVIVOR 4:00 PM FANAR-4 PRESSURE 10:15 PM reported to have been lost. PRESSURE 1:30 PM SURVIVOR 6:00 PM SAN ANDREAS 12:30 PM SAN ANDREAS 12:15 AM Anyone finding the same or ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 3:30 PM PRESSURE 8:00 PM SAN ANDREAS 2:45 PM JURASSIC WORLD -3D 10:15 PM claiming any interest in it PRESSURE 5:45 PM PRESSURE 10:00 PM SAN ANDREAS 5:15 PM JURASSIC WORLD 12:45 AM should contact SLIC Office. ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 7:45 PM PRESSURE 12:05 AM SAN ANDREAS 7:30 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 10:00 PM SAN ANDREAS 9:45 PM AVENUES-1 PH 22452208. (C 4994) PRESSURE 12:15 AM MUHALAB-3 SAN ANDREAS 12:05 AM OUT OF THE DARK 11:30 AM 1-6-2015 PRESSURE 11:45 AM JURASSIC WORLD 9:45 PM COCONUT: THE LITTLE DRAGON 1:30 PM SHARQIA-2 PRESSURE 1:45 PM JURASSIC WORLD -3D 12:15 AM COCONUT: THE LITTLE DRAGON 3:30 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 11:30 AM PRESSURE 3:45 PM COCONUT: THE LITTLE DRAGON 5:30 PM COCONUT: THE LITTLE DRAGON 1:45 PM SAN ANDREAS 5:45 PM FANAR-5 COCONUT: THE LITTLE DRAGON 7:30 PM CHANGE OF NAME SAN ANDREAS 3:30 PM SAN ANDREAS 8:00 PM PRESSURE 1:00 PM OUT OF THE DARK 9:45 PM COCONUT: THE LITTLE DRAGON 5:45 PM SAN ANDREAS 10:15 PM PRESSURE 3:00 PM OUT OF THE DARK 12:05 AM I, Pereira Maria Louisa of SAN ANDREAS 7:30 PM SAN ANDREAS 12:30 AM PRESSURE 5:00 PM SAN ANDREAS 9:45 PM JURASSIC WORLD 10:15 PM PRESSURE 7:00 PM AVENUES-2 Indian Passport No. SAN ANDREAS 12:05 AM JURASSIC WORLD -3D 12:45 AM PRESSURE 9:00 PM UNFRIENDED 12:15 PM L6663041 issued at Kuwait JURASSIC WORLD -3D 9:45 PM PRESSURE 11:00 PM UNFRIENDED 2:15 PM and having Indian residen- JURASSIC WORLD 12:15 AM FANAR-1 PRESSURE 1:00 AM UNFRIENDED 4:15 PM cy at St Pius X Colony, OUT OF THE DARK 1:30 PM UNFRIENDED 6:15 PM Jeevan - 8, Nahur road SHARQIA-3 ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 1:00 PM MARINA-1 UNFRIENDED 8:15 PM SURVIVOR 1:00 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 3:30 PM PRESSURE 12:00 PM UNFRIENDED 10:15 PM Mulund West Mumbai - SURVIVOR 3:00 PM OUT OF THE DARK 5:45 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 2:00 PM UNFRIENDED 12:15 AM 400080, change my name SURVIVOR 5:00 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 7:45 PM PRESSURE 4:15 PM to Maria Luizinha Pereira. PRESSURE 7:00 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 10:00 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 6:15 PM AVENUES-3 (C 4993) SURVIVOR 9:00 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 12:15 AM PRESSURE 8:30 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 12:00 PM PRESSURE 11:00 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 10:30 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 2:15 PM 31-5-2015 SURVIVOR 1:00 AM FANAR-2 PRESSURE 12:45 AM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 4:30 PM SURVIVOR 12:15 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 6:45 PM MUHALAB-1 SURVIVOR 2:15 PM MARINA-2 ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 9:00 PM Prayer timings ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 12:45 PM SURVIVOR 4:15 PM SURVIVOR 12:30 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 11:15 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 3:00 PM SURVIVOR 6:15 PM SURVIVOR 2:30 PM Fajr: 03:15 ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 5:15 PM OUT OF THE DARK 8:15 PM SURVIVOR 4:30 PM AVENUES-4 ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 2:00 PM SURVIVOR 10:15 PM TOMORROWLAND 6:30 PM SURVIVOR 11:30 AM Shorook 04:48 ASURA- Telugu 4:30 PM SURVIVOR 12:15 AM SURVIVOR 9:00 PM SURVIVOR 1:30 PM SURVIVOR 7:30 PM SURVIVOR 11:00 PM SURVIVOR 3:45 PM Duhr: 11:47 ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 9:30 PM FANAR-3 SURVIVOR 1:00 AM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 6:00 PM SURVIVOR 11:45 PM WOMAN IN GOLD 11:30 AM Special Show “SAN ANDREAS” 6:00 PM Asr: 15:21 ASURA- Telugu 9:30 PM DIL DHADAKNE DO -Hindi 1:45 PM MARINA-3 ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 8:15 PM SURVIVOR 12:30 AM WOMAN IN GOLD 5:00 PM PRESSURE 11:30 AM NO THU Maghrib: 18:45 DIL DHADAKNE DO -Hindi 7:15 PM PRESSURE 1:30 PM Special Show “ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 8:15 PM Isha: 20:13 MUHALAB-2 WOMAN IN GOLD 10:30 PM SAN ANDREAS 3:30 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 10:30 PM SURVIVOR 12:00 PM OUT OF THE DARK 12:45 AM SAN ANDREAS 5:45 PM SURVIVOR 12:45 AM

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

Arrival Flights on Thursday 4/6/2015 GFA 221 Bahrain 14:20 Departure Flights on Thursday 4/6/2015 JZR 124 Bahrain 13:30 Airlines Flt Route Time FDB 057 Dubai 14:20 Airlines Flt Route Time MSR 611 Cairo 14:00 QTR 1084 Doha 00:05 SVA 500 Jeddah 14:30 AIC 976 Goa/Chennai 00:05 THY 767 Istanbul 14:10 KAC 564 Amman 00:05 KAC 538 Sohag 14:55 RBG 556 Alexandria 00:05 UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 THY 772 Istanbul 00:15 RJD 135 Abu Dhabi 15:00 BBC 044 Dhaka 00:10 KAC 741 Dammam 14:40 JZR 239 Amman 00:20 KAC 788 Jeddah 15:00 JZR 562 Sohag 00:20 QTR 1079 Doha 15:05 JZR 267 Beirut 00:30 OMA 645 Muscat 15:05 JAI 573 Mumbai 00:25 FDB 058 Dubai 15:05 DLH 637 Dammam 00:35 ABY 127 Sharjah 15:35 MSR 615 Cairo 00:30 GFA 222 Bahrain 15:05 FDB 068 Dubai 00:55 UAE 857 Dubai 15:45 FDB 072 Dubai 00:30 KNE 481 Taif 15:10 JAI 574 Mumbai 01:30 NIA 251 Alexandria 15:50 KLM 411 Amsterdam 00:55 KAC 617 Doha 15:15 JZR 539 Cairo 01:30 RJA 640 Amman 15:55 JZR 502 Luxor 01:10 KAC 673 Dubai 15:20 SAI 441 Lahore 01:35 JZR 257 Beirut 15:55 DLH 637 Frankfurt 01:35 JZR 188 Dubai 15:50 PGT 858 Istanbul 01:40 JZR 535 Cairo 16:05 THY 773 Istanbul 02:05 KAC 773 Riyadh 15:55 RJA 642 Amman 01:45 FDB 051 Dubai 16:10 SAI 442 Lahore 02:35 KAC 613 Bahrain 16:00 KKK 6507 Istanbul 02:15 QTR 1072 Doha 16:20 JAI 525 Abu Dhabi/Chennai 02:55 SVA 505 Jeddah 16:00 GFA 211 Bahrain 02:15 JZR 125 Bahrain 16:25 PGT 859 Istanbul 02:55 OMA 646 Muscat 16:05 UAE 853 Dubai 02:25 KAC 118 New York 16:30 KKK 6508 Istanbul 03:10 RJD 136 Abu Dhabi 16:10 MSC 403 Sohag 02:30 KNE 476 Jeddah 16:40 MSC 404 Sohag 03:30 ABY 128 Sharjah 16:15 OMA 643 Muscat 02:35 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 16:50 OMA 644 Muscat 03:35 NIA 252 Alexandria 16:50 QTR 1076 Doha 03:05 AXB 393 Kozhikode 16:55 UAE 854 Dubai 03:45 RJA 641 Amman 16:55 ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 03:05 KAC 562 Amman 17:00 FDB 068 Dubai 04:00 JZR 266 Beirut 17:05 MSR 612 Cairo 03:15 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15 ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:05 FDB 052 Dubai 17:10 FDB 067 Dubai 03:15 UAL 982 IAD 17:25 QTR 1077 Doha 04:05 JZR 512 Sharm el-Sheikh 17:15 KAC 1544 Cairo 03:35 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 MSR 613 Cairo 04:15 QTR 1073 Doha 17:25 MSC 401 Alexandria 04:00 JZR 177 Dubai 17:45 THY 765 Istanbul 04:55 KNE 477 Jeddah 17:30 JZR 555 Alexandria 04:15 KAC 742 Dammam 17:45 JZR 560 Sohag 05:00 UAE 858 Dubai 17:40 THY 770 Istanbul 04:40 JZR 777 Jeddah 17:50 MSC 406 Sohag 05:00 ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 17:40 QTR 8301 Doha 04:50 KAC 678 Muscat/Abu Dhabi 17:55 QTR 1085 Doha 05:20 AXB 394 Kozhikode 17:55 DHX 170 Bahrain 05:10 FDB 065 Dubai 18:05 QTR 8302 Doha 06:20 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15 KAC 412 Manila/Bangkok 06:15 KAC 176 Geneva/Frankfurt 18:20 RJA 643 Amman 06:35 JZR 184 Dubai 18:20 BAW 157 London 06:35 JZR 483 Istanbul 18:20 GFA 212 Bahrain 06:50 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 JZR 563 Sohag 06:45 KAC 502 Beirut 18:35 THY 771 Istanbul 06:50 KAC 563 Amman 18:30 JZR 503 Luxor 07:20 KAC 786 Jeddah 18:35 JZR 240 Amman 07:05 KAC 287 Dhaka 18:35 KAC 382 Delhi 07:30 QTR 1080 Doha 18:55 FDB 070 Dubai 07:05 JZR 156 Dubai 18:35 IRA 673 Ahwaz 07:30 KAC 542 Cairo 18:55 JZR 164 Dubai 07:15 JZR 538 Cairo 18:40 KAC 206 Islamabad 07:45 KAC 618 Doha 18:55 KAC 537 Sohag 08:20 UAL 982 Bahrain 18:40 FDB 053 Dubai 07:50 KAC 104 London 19:00 JZR 256 Beirut 08:30 FDB 066 Dubai 18:55 KAC 204 Lahore 07:50 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:05 JZR 778 Jeddah 08:30 JZR 238 Amman 19:15 SVA 512 Riyadh 07:50 UAE 875 Dubai 19:05 BAW 156 London 08:30 GFA 218 Bahrain 19:50 KAC 302 Mumbai 07:55 FDB 063 Dubai 19:10 IRA 672 Ahwaz 08:30 FDB 064 Dubai 19:50 QTR 1086 Doha 07:55 KAC 614 Bahrain 19:10 FDB 054 Dubai 08:30 QTR 1081 Doha 19:55 KAC 352 Kochi 08:15 ABY 123 Sharjah 19:20 SVA 513 Riyadh 08:50 KAC 361 Colombo 20:00 UAE 855 Dubai 08:25 JAI 572 Mumbai 19:35 QTR 1087 Doha 08:55 ABY 124 Sharjah 20:00 KAC 332 Trivandrum 08:30 KAC 774 Riyadh 19:40 JZR 534 Cairo 09:15 UAE 876 Dubai 20:35 KAC 362 Colombo 08:30 FDB 061 Dubai 19:50 KAC 671 Dubai 09:25 JAI 571 Mumbai 20:35 IRA 667 Esfahan 09:00 AGY 684 Sohag 19:50 KAC 787 Jeddah 09:30 FDB 062 Dubai 20:35 ABY 125 Sharjah 09:05 OMA 647 Muscat 20:00 JZR 482 Istanbul 09:45 KAC 351 Kochi 20:45 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 09:10 KAC 674 Dubai 20:00 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:45 AGY 681 Alexandria 20:50 KAC 284 Dhaka 09:25 KNE 480 Taif 20:10 UAE 856 Dubai 09:50 KAC 343 Chennai 20:55 RJA 648 Amman 09:30 MEA 402 Beirut 20:15 KAC 101 London/New York 10:00 KAC 1543 Cairo 20:55 IZG 4161 Mashhad 09:30 ABY 121 Sharjah 20:20 IRA 668 Mashhad 10:00 KAC 333 Trivandrum 20:55 FDB 055 Dubai 09:40 DLH 634 Frankfurt 20:20 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:00 OMA 648 Muscat 21:00 KAC 350 Kochi 09:40 JZR 189 Dubai 20:25 RJA 649 Amman 10:15 ABY 122 Sharjah 21:00 QTR 1070 Doha 10:00 MSR 618 Alexandria 20:40 IZG 4162 Mashhad 10:30 KNE 461 Riyadh 21:10 SYR 341 Damascus 10:05 JAD 301 Amman 20:55 FDB 056 Dubai 10:40 JZR 554 Alexandria 21:15 KNE 470 Jeddah 10:30 ALK 229 Colombo 21:10 KAC 677 Abu Dhabi/Muscat 10:50 MEA 403 Beirut 21:15 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 UAE 859 Dubai 21:15 KAC 501 Beirut 11:00 JAD 302 Amman 21:35 UAE 873 Dubai 10:40 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:15 QTR 1071 Doha 11:00 MSR 619 Alexandria 21:40 MEA 404 Beirut 10:55 KLM 417 Amsterdam 21:25 SYR 342 Damascus 11:05 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 MSC 405 Sohag 11:20 FDB 073 Dubai 21:30 KNE 471 Jeddah 11:20 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:05 JZR 561 Sohag 11:25 QTR 1074 Doha 21:30 KAC 165 Rome/Paris 11:25 FDB 074 Dubai 22:10 RBG 553 Alexandria 11:30 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:45 KAC 561 Amman 11:25 ALK 230 Colombo 22:20 AGY 680 Alexandria 11:40 THY 764 Istanbul 22:10 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:35 KAC 381 Delhi 22:20 JZR 165 Dubai 11:50 ETD 309 Abu Dhabi 22:10 MEA 405 Beirut 11:55 UAE 860 Dubai 22:25 FDB 075 Dubai 12:25 AIC 981 Chennai/Ahmedabad 22:25 KAC 541 Cairo 12:05 KLM 417 Dammam/Amsterdam 22:25 JZR 241 Amman 12:40 UAL 981 Bahrain 22:40 UAE 874 Dubai 12:10 KAC 301 Mumbai 22:30 UAE 871 Dubai 12:45 FDB 059 Dubai 22:50 RBG 554 Alexandria 12:10 KAC 349 Kochi 22:30 MSR 610 Cairo 13:00 JZR 157 Dubai 22:55 JZR 776 Jeddah 12:15 QTR 1075 Doha 22:40 THY 766 Istanbul 13:10 JZR 185 Dubai 22:55 MSC 402 Alexandria 12:20 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:45 JZR 779 Jeddah 13:50 JAI 526 Chennai/Abu Dhabi 23:00 AGY 685 Sohag 12:40 ETD 310 Abu Dhabi 23:00 KAC 672 Dubai 13:55 MSR 614 Cairo 23:30 KAC 785 Jeddah 13:00 KAC 205 Islamabad 23:05 QTR 1078 Doha 14:05 JZR 513 Sharm el-Sheikh 23:30 JZR 176 Dubai 13:10 KAC 411 Bangkok/Manila 23:25 KNE 460 Riyadh 14:10 FDB 071 Dubai 23:35 FDB 076 Dubai 13:10 KAC 415 Kuala Lumpur/Jakarta 23:50 DIAL161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION stars34 THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015 CROSSWORD 923 STAR TRACK

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

It’s important for you to know that your work has meaning as you You have grand expectations about what you want to accomplish seek something intangible that goes beyond recognition and acknowledgment today, but it’s difficult to get much of anything done. You are hesitant to say today. Nevertheless, you’re not prepared to give up the stability that your cur- what’s on your mind because your ideas are so outrageous now that you think rent job provides. Luckily, there’s no reason to add unnecessary stress by mak- no one will take you seriously. Forget about trying to convince others you are up ing dramatic changes now, even if you are feeling somewhat frustrated in your to something revolutionary; just reveal your plans in a casual manner. Oddly position. Keep your concerns to yourself for a while longer; you can make your enough, downplaying your brilliant thoughts for another few days strengthens big move after Mercury turns direct next week. A little patience serves you well. your overall message. Timing is everything.

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

Your nerves could begin to wear thin if you have been sustaining You aren’t one to avoid conflict when you believe your values are intense excitement for a prolonged period. Nevertheless, you aren’t ready yet to being attacked, prompting you to contemplate what’s really worth fighting for settle down and restore tranquility to your life. Although rest and relaxation today. You may unconsciously create a scenario where you are at odds with oth- usually sounds like a wonderful idea to you peaceful Bulls, you probably won’t ers just so you can prove your superiority. Take the high road by consciously have much of a chance to kick back today. In the meantime, create small pock- choosing compromise over confrontation in order to minimize the negativity. ets of emotional harmony so you can recharge your batteries little by little When all else fails, it never hurts to give peace a chance. throughout the day.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Monetary concerns, possibly involving a partner who spends more You wish you could take the day off to play, but you might not be than you do, can put the brakes on an upcoming vacation that’s still able to shake the guilt if others are expecting you to act in a responsible man- in the planning stages. But don’t make any major changes to your calendar yet, ACROSS birds. ner. You might camouflage your anxiety with a smile, but you won’t likely have 1. Sandwich filled with slices of bacon and 3. Consistent with fact or reality. even if you’re having second thoughts today. You will quite likely regret it next the patience to hide your ambivalence about work for long. Nevertheless, your week if you cancel your trip now. Waiting out the storm makes more sense than tomato with lettuce. 4. An associate degree in applied science. journey to find the truth demands a long-term commitment, so don’t expect to 4. Mildly laxative n. 5. Manufactured in standard sizes to be turning your whole life upside down in a moment of emotional overload. Hold have a sudden epiphany today and move on. Thankfully, if you remain sincere tight to your dream because your positive attitude can actually help it to manifest. 12. Of southern Europe. shipped and assembled elsewhere. about your intentions, the fun times will return sooner than you think. 15. A river in north central Switzerland 6. Enthusiastic approval. that runs northeast into the Rhine. 7. Follower of Rastafarianism. 16. Used of idealized country life. 8. A state in the Rocky Mountains. 17. Aircraft landing in bad weather in 9. Parasitic on the digestive epithelium of which the pilot is talked down by ground vertebrates and higher invertebrates. Cancer (June 21-July 22) Capricorn (December 22-January 19) control using precision approach radar. 10. Not wide. 18. The capital and largest city of Belgium. 11. A state in east central United States. You won’t let anyone talk you out of your point of view today, even You need to honor your feelings today or you could stir up unneces- 20. A form of address for a man. 12. Title for a civil or military leader (espe- if you secretly realize that compromise is a more productive strategy. Your cur- sary drama later this evening when the Moon moves into your goal-oriented sign. 22. Widely cultivated in tropical and sub- cially in Turkey). rent resistance is prompted by your fear of acquiescing control to someone you Practice quieting your mind so you can hear your inner voice of intuition. Luckily, tropical regions for its fragrant flowers and 13. Someone who works (or provides don’t trust. Thankfully, you grow more receptive to alternative perspectives after your psychic sense will steer you in the right direction now, unless you choose to colorful fruits. workers) during a strike. the Moon takes up residence in your 7th House of Others this evening. Listening override it with endless calculations of analysis and logic. Don’t let your determina- 23. A male parent (also used as a term of 14. A metabolic acid found in yeast and carefully throughout the day helps you find a path that values everyone’s unique tion to follow your instincts waver; connect with your heart, not with your head. address to your father). liver cells. individuality, including your own. 24. An amino acid that is found in the cen- 19. A member of a Slavic people who set- tral nervous system. tled in Serbia and neighboring areas in 25. A long noosed rope used to catch ani- the 6th and 7th centuries. Leo (July 23-August 22) Aquarius (January 20- February 18) mals. 21. American novelist (1909-1955). 27. Move about aimlessly or without any 26. (used of count nouns) Every one con- You’re quite animated in your self-expression today, but it’s chal- Your subconscious may be trying to tell you something you must destination, often in search of food or sidered individually. lenging to hit the target with your words. It’s as if everything you say is slightly hear today, but it’s a lot less stressful in the moment to just ignore the message. employment. 28. A bronchodilator (trade names out of focus, and trying harder doesn’t seem to sharpen your message. Instead You might overcompensate for your doubts by attempting to convince others of 29. African tree having an exceedingly Ventolin or Proventil) used for asthma and of narrowing your perceptions to gain clarity, pretend you’re looking at the your worth. But pushing too hard to impress everyone only leaves you feeling thick trunk and fruit that resembles a emphysema and other lung conditions. world through a wide-angle lens. Let the details drop away so you can concen- overextended and exhausted. Creating healthy boundaries is more constructive gourd and has an edible pulp called mon- 30. The capital of Turkey. trate on the bigger picture now. Adopting a more philosophical approach right from the beginning, especially if you need to say no. Speaking up for yourself key bread. 31. An addictive narcotic extracted from enables you to take life less seriously. earns you more self-respect in the long run. 36. A transuranic element that has not seed capsules of the opium poppy. been found in nature. 32. A man who is the lover of a girl or 39. A plant hormone promoting elonga- young woman. tion of stems and roots. 33. To some (great or small) extent. Virgo (August 23-September 22) Pisces (February 19-March 20) 40. Narrow wood or metal or plastic run- 34. (Greek mythology) King of Thebes ners used for gliding over snow. who was unwittingly killed by his son People might wish you were more optimistic and outgoing these Making a positive lasting impression on your boss is your main con- 41. A member of a seafaring group of Oedipus. days, but you’re not responsible for anyone else’s emotional discomfort. If you cern today. However, completing your chores in a timely manner won’t help you North American Indians who lived on the 35. West Indian evergreen with medium are feeling reclusive today, just ask those closest to you to respect your desire to clarify your long-term aspirations. It isn’t that you are lost and confused; you simply Pacific coast of British Columbia and to long leaves. be left alone to your own devices. However, it is wise to keep one foot in reality have too much on your plate and could use an objective point of view as you reset southwestern Alaska. 37. Prepare for a military confrontation. now, even if the other one wants to escape. Remember, walking the fine line your priorities for the weeks ahead. Surrounding yourself with supportive allies 45. The second largest of the Hawaiian 38. A condition (mostly in boys) character- between the inner and outer worlds offers the widest variety of options. inspires you to believe in yourself. Islands. ized by behavioral and learning disorders. 47. Relating to the Urdu language. 42. The sister of your father or mother. 48. Handsome tree of central and eastern 43. The blood group whose red cells carry North America having large bipinnate both the A and B antigens. leaves and green-white flowers followed 44. 1 species. WORD SEARCH PUZZLE Yesterday’s Solution by large woody brown pods whose seeds 46. Realistic Norwegian author who wrote are used as a coffee substitute. plays on social and political themes (1828- 49. Worn around arm as identification or 1906). to indicate mourning. 50. (of a liquid) Treated by having air 52. Any of various perennial South passed or bubbled through it for purifica- American plants of the genus Loasa hav- tion. ing stinging hairs and showy white or yel- 51. A soft silvery metallic element of the low or reddish-orange flowers. alkali earth group. 53. A silvery soft waxy metallic element of 55. A former unit of electric current (slight- the alkali metal group. ly smaller than the SI ampere). 54. (usually followed by `to' or `for') On the 56. Soft blue-gray mineral. point of or strongly disposed. 57. (prefix) Bad or erroneous or lack of. 59. Adorned by inlays. 58. A Bantu language spoken by the 63. A city in southern Turkey on the Kamba people in Kenya. Seyhan River. 60. Combined or joined to increase in size 65. On the positive side or higher end of a or quantity or scope. scale. 61. Conforming to an ultimate standard of 67. Tropical starchy tuberous root. perfection or excellence. 68. A rapid escape (as by criminals). 62. An Italian poet famous for `The Divine 69. Large deep serving dish with a cover. Comedy'--a journey through hell and pur- 73. A bachelor's degree in theology. gatory and paradise guided by Virgil and 74. Make famous for ever. his idealized Beatrice (1265-1321). 76. Take in solid food. 64. Tropical woody herb with showy yel- 77. Leaf or strip from a leaf of the talipot low flowers and flat pods. palm used in India for writing paper. 66. Any division of quantity accepted as a 78. Beaten or overcome. standard of measurement or exchange. 79. A chronic skin disease occurring pri- 70. A member of the Shoshonean people marily in women between the ages of 20 of Utah and Colorado and New Mexico. and 40. 71. (sports) The chief official (as in boxing or American football) who is expected to DOWN ensure fair play. 1. A small cake leavened with yeast. 72. Having leadership guidance. 2. North American yellow-breasted song- 75. A toxic nonmetallic element related to

Yesterday’s Solution

Daily SuDoku Yesterday’s Solution THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015 information

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

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 Firdous 24892674 French Guiana 00594 Sierra Leone 00232 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. Abdallah Ahmad Eyadah 25655528 Dr. Bader Al-Ansari 25620111 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 Dr. Fawzi Taher Abul 22639955 Dr. Nadem Al-Ghabra 25355515 Kyrgyzstan 00996 Virgin Islands US 001340 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 Soor Center Liberia 00231 Zambia 00260 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 lifestyle THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015

Gossip Eastwood’s new film based on real-life hero lint Eastwood’s new film will be a real-life tale of an heroic hands of a “gifted” director. The pilot said: “I am very glad my sto- Sniper’, it is tremendously exciting to see him explore the life of pilot. The 85-year-old filmmaker has been tasked with ry is in the hands of gifted storyteller and filmmaker Clint another captivating true-life hero. “It is also great to be collabo- Cdirecting ‘Miracle on the Hudson’, which is based on Eastwood, and veteran producers Allyn Stewart and Frank rating with Frank Marshall and Allyn Stewart to produce this Captain Chesley ‘Sully’ Sullenberger’s memoirs from landing a Marshall. “The project could not have found a better home than compelling script by Todd Komarnicki.” Filming is planned to US flight in New York’s Hudson River in 2009, which saved 155 Warner Bros. Pictures. This is truly a dream team.” Meanwhile, commence in autumn 2015. passengers’ lives. Sullenberger said he is “very glad” the filmmak- Greg Silverman, Warner Bros President, said: “Simply put, Clint er - whose last movie was 2014’s ‘American Sniper’ - has been Eastwood is at the top of his game, not to mention a global chosen to head up the film and considers his story to be in the treasure.”On the heels of his extraordinary work in ‘American

.R.L. have split up. The girl group’s management and record label has confirmed the band, made up Gof Paula Van Oppen, Natasha Slayton, Lauren Bennett and Emmalyn Estrada, have disbanded nine months after the untimely death of member Simone Battle. A statement from their labels Kemosabe Records and RCA Paul Feig: Records, their manager Larry Rudolph and choreographer Robin Antin said: “Nearly 9 months following the tragic death of band member Simone Battle, girl group G.R.L. Swearing is split announces today that they are disbanding. “We wish them continued success in each of their next creative endeav- ours.” Simone passed away after committing suicide in September aged 25, although the girls had previously an artform vowed they would stay together following the tragedy. aul Feig thinks “swearing is an artform”. The 52- Lauren said in January: “There was never a question that year-old star - who directed new action come- we weren’t going to break up. We didn’t know what was Pdy film ‘Spy’ - has revealed the central role curs- going to happen - we really didn’t even think about it. We ing played in his latest movie, which features Melissa just got back together and just continued to do what we’re McCarthy, Jude Law and Jason Statham. He doing today, to stay close, and that’s just how it is. That’s explained: “Swearing is an art form and I had some where we are now.” She has since taken to Twitter to thank really good minds on it. People were always giving the band’s fans for their support, writing: “Thank u all for me jokes and coming up with different creative ways ridin with GRL thru the tough times... I know it’s all a bit

to do it. “When we first started (filming) I said to G.R.L. confusing but I love you all, and care never forget.(sic)” Jason (Statham), ‘Say here!’ and he goes, ‘Oh, we can swear?’ Once I said yes they could swear then the floodgates just opened. He’s another amazing swear- er and who knew Rose Byrne would be such a great swearer?” Paul also revealed himself to be a huge fan of the ‘Carry On’ franchise, but said he’d be reluctant Aloha Stone to make another film in the iconic franchise without director defends casting Sid James and Kenneth Williams. He told 6Tribes: “I’m obsessed with the Carry On movies. Would I make ameron Crowe has defended casting Emma appearances, she looked nothing like one. “A half- one? Hmmmm, it is tempting ... but with Sid (James) Stone in ‘Aloha’. The 57-year-old director came Chinese father was meant to show the surprising mix gone ... I don’t know if you could and without Cunder fire when it was revealed the ‘Birdman’ of cultures often prevalent in Hawaii. Extremely proud Kenneth Williams too.” star was to play Hawaiian Captain Allison NG in the of her unlikely heritage, she feels personally com- comedy drama as many deemed the flame-haired pelled to over-explain every chance she gets. The beauty’s look unsuitable for the role. However, Crowe character was based on a real-life, red-headed local has spoken out against his critics and insisted Emma, who did just that.” Although many Hawaiian locals 26, was perfect for the part as the woman on which were cast in other roles in the film, Crowe goes on to the character was based was a redhead herself. He apologize for any offence he caused by choosing wrote on his blog The Uncool: “I have heard your Arizona-born Emma for the part. He added: “If any words and your disappointment, and I offer you a part of her fine characterization has caused conster- heart-felt apology to all who felt this was an odd or nation and controversy, I am the one to blame.” misguided casting choice. As far back as 2007, Captain Allison Ng was written to be a super-proud quarter Hawaiian who was frustrated that, by all outward

Stone soaks her Little Mix want face in ice water Minaj collaboration

ittle Mix “dream” of working with Nicki Minaj. The previous efforts and a much more “pop” sound. Jade ‘Wings’ hitmakers - who have teamed up with said: “Yeah album three is a lot more pop. It’s more Lboth Jessie J and Jess Glynne for tracks on their fun, and has more personality, I would say. We always forthcoming new album - are hoping they can find say that if you put us four girls in a room for hours the right song on which to record with the ‘Starships’ chatting away, that’s what the album is. It’s very real arah Jessica Parker has designed a range singer. Jade Thirlwall said: “We’d always wanted to to what we would say and the little things we do. I feel of bridal shoes. The former ‘Sex and the work with Jessie J, but we’d never found the right like it’s our strongest album yet.” While the quartet are SCity’ star has expanded her SJP time before. We really, really want to get Nicki Minaj delighted with their success so far, they have now set on a track.” Her bandmate Leigh-Anne Pinnock added: their sights on making a global name for themselves. designs bridal shoe line Collection to include a line of pretty heeled pumps so women can channel the actress’ “That’s literally the dream. We say it all the time: we Jade told Digital Spy: “We’ve done so well so far and flawless style on their big day. The brunette want a collaboration with Nicki. But it’s about getting we are successful, but we just want that big song that beauty unveiled the new additions to her col- the right track, and obviously we do the album and explodes everywhere. It’s about time that happened - lection - which already includes shoes, hand- then we go back and see what could use a feature. especially in America and all over the world really. The bags and clothing - in the new issue of Martha This album is open to suggestions.” The group - which UK have seen us be successful now, and it’s just about Stewart Weddings. The line also features court also includes Jesy Nelson and Perrie Edwards - think taking that everywhere else. Representing Britain!” designs with embellishments on the toe, their new album has “more personality” than their including a royal blue pair reminiscent of the haron Stone soaks her face in ice water when she thinks she looks “awful”. iconic Manolo Blahnik creation which her The 57-year-old actress says knowing that she’s not the only woman who character Carrie Bradshaw dons to wed Mr Big Sstruggles with looking good while working and raising children makes in the first film adaptation of the HBO series. her feel better but that she also has a few tricks to get rid of puffy bags under Sarah, 50 - who has three children, James, 12 her eyes. Speaking to BANG Showbiz at the Restylane Proof in Real Life reveal and five-year-old twins Marion and Tabitha event in Berlin, she shared: “I know that there are in the world literally millions with her husband Matthew Broderick - also of other women who feel like I feel. I’m so not the only single working mother shared her top tips for creating the perfect or even working mother or working woman who’s just exhausted, and knowing bridal look. She told the magazine: “If I were that helps me. “It’s exhausting and, frankly, what I do is I take a metal bowl and I getting married today, I’d likely wear cream, fill it with ice and I put water in it and I put my face in it. Because I have to put just to have that bridal experience.”I would my face on camera and it’s not great when I look awful.” The ‘Basic Instinct’ star - want my dress to have an Oscar de la Renta who has adopted son Roan with ex-husband Phil Bronstein and two more feel, pockets below the waist, a very fitted adopted sons Laird and Quinn - also confessed she doesn’t think of herself as bodice, a huge skirt, in taffeta or duchesse being particularly fit and says she’s just lucky to be naturally thin, although she satin. That silhouette appeals to me because does love working out. She explained: “I’m just skinny. But I’m not so much in it’s old-fashioned yet can look very modern. shape ... I have a really flat ass. “But I actually really like to exercise, I just like it. I “At a wedding, people might strive for a more just love to go to the ‘everybody’ gym, it’s something I enjoy.” Meanwhile, formal feeling, but a lot of the rules can be Sharon - who was also previously married to TV producer Michael Greenburg - broken today. ‘Formal’ could be a handful of insists she doesn’t think a man’s appearance is the most important thing when Sarah Jessica Parker carnations, beautiful and simple.” Jessica’s it comes to dating. The blonde beauty added: “Not everybody’s attracted to bridal shoes are available to buy on someone because they look like Tom Cruise. Some people are attracted to peo- Nordstrom.com. ple because they absolutely don’t look like that.” — Bang Showbiz

Florence + the Machine want Glastonbury headline slot lorence + the Machine think it would be foot at Coachella festival in California, but still liner because there aren’t enough festivals put- “wonderful” to headline Glastonbury. The insisted “anything could happen” when she per- ting women at the top of line-ups. Frontman F28-year-old singer admitted she’s secretly forms on the Pyramid Stage. She told the latest Justin Young told Digital Spy: “I would’ve had relieved her band are not headlining the iconic issue of NME magazine: “I’m not really planning Florence headline. “I know she’s playing anyway, festival this year, following several rumors they what’s going to happen at Glastonbury, because I but people are complaining about the lack of would be, but said she would love to top the bill just don’t know. It’s almost quite hard for me to women at the top of festival bills and the lack of at some point in the future. She said: “I think I’m remember gigs sometimes, because I just don’t new artists. “There’s a great artist who’s huge as quite happy with where we are. “It would be won- know what happens. It’s almost as if something well and progressing in more than one sense of derful to headline, but also I don’t know how I’d else completely takes over. So if I’m back in fully the word. Whether that’s your thing or not I think be dealing with that right now.” The ‘Say My charged feet mode, I’m nervous for what’s going it would’ve been a really big statement if Name’ hitmaker - whose third studio album ‘How to happen. It’s this sense that anything could Glastonbury put her at the top of the bill.” Big, How Blue, How Beautiful’ is out this week - happen.” Florence’s comments follow a criticism said the pressure would be particularly bad if of the festival from The Vaccines, who said the they were headlining, having recently broken her ‘Ship to Wreck’ singer should have been a head- lifestyle THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015

Features

Abusing power: Why some relationships are plain bad news

nfortunately, it is very common nowadays to wit- growing up too, or an abusive parent. Anger and abuse Successful and genuine ness or experience a relationship where are known to run in the family, and dysfunctional families I would never be able to stay with someone who’s Uphysical/emotional or even verbal abuse takes are more likely to be exposed to abuse. abusive, I would feel neglected, worthless and not femi- place. It is very sad how the concept of love, prosperity nine. I wouldn’t feel like a woman. Women are to be and genuine care has changed over the years and even Exit plan treated gently, and with caution, as if they were fragile, more than ever. When you’re with your partner and you As an individual you need to believe that you deserve because once a woman feels unsafe being around her feel like you have the need to control or change who or someone who genuinely loves and respects you as a partner, she will never be capable to give up her heart what they are then you need to leave that relationship, human being not as an object. A relationship should be a and soul for this relationship. There are some things that because you would only feel that way if you’re with part of your life not your entire life, your partner should be happen that break something inside of you that cannot someone who isn’t what you’ve encouraging you and supporting whatever decision you be fixed no matter how things change to the better. You had in mind or isn’t the ideal part- make. If you were ever in a relationship where your part- can always forgive a person, not for them but for you to ner you’ve searched for. ner is borderline abusive or abusive in any way, even ver- find peace with a situation and not dwell on it, but it is I believe that people who bal, you should definitely consider coming up with your almost impossible to forget the way a person made you allow themselves to be exit plan. You should always consider and truly believe feel. in abusive situations that you should leave your abusive partner. No doubt Be strong for yourself and for your loved ones are people who have about it, and usually he/she will make you feel guilty for around you. You set the tone of the relationship, some issues from within. making such a decision, or try to manipulate you to stay, people might be intimated by the fact that you are They feel like this is but don’t allow yourself to stay in such situations. independent, successful and genuine, and that is only a what they Always let someone know, explain to a close friend or sign of weakness. Be around people who life you up deserve, they’re family member what you’re going through. It is always and make you grow as a human being, and who will most likely to helpful and healthy to talk about such things; it might always be around no matter what. Relationships are have had fam- encourage you to make the right decision. Victims of always tricky and confusing, but once you find the right ily issues abuse often don’t know or realize that they are being person things just happen naturally and things fall into abused, or are led to believe that they are the reason that place by their own, and that is when your heart knows. they’re being abused. Even then you will face problems, and that is okay, but Let us assume that you’ve actually made a mistake or never allow people to bring you down or make you feel did something wrong or disrespectful to your partner, anything but beautiful and worthy. you still don’t deserve to be abused or treated like your existence doesn’t matter. Put your foot down and let your partner know that it is not okay to treat you this way, take time off for yourself and clear your mind. Think about whether or not this is truly worth yourself respect and self worth.

Sweet 15 parties big as ever Shatner to travel across US in changing Latin America on three-wheeled motorcycle illiam Shatner will boldly travel across the side Chicago and make stops in St. Louis; Kansas laudia is a shy, stout adolescent, but Chavarria. “Smile!” she commanded Claudia so she’ll enjoy it and never forget what I’ve US on a three-wheeled motorcycle. The City, Missouri; Oklahoma City; Amarillo, Texas; today she looks like a princess in a as they tightened the corset of her gleam- done for her,” said her mother, racing to get W“Star Trek” star announced plans Monday Albuquerque; Flagstaff, Arizona; and Las Vegas Cfluorescent fairy tale as she dances in ing gown, which featured a bulky skirt of everyone ready on the morning of the par- for the cross-country mission to promote his cus- before arriving in Los Angeles on June 30. her electric blue gown and jewel-encrusted tulle and crinoline and a giant bow on the ty despite having worked through the tom trike and raise awareness about the American Shatner will be joined on the 2,400-mile ride by sneakers for the 250 guests at her 15th back. night at her job as a security guard in Legion. “I am taking another step into the members of the American Legion and American birthday party in Mexico City. More than Bogota. unknown,” the 84-year-old actor said in a state- Wrench crew. The company is planning to sell lim- 4,000 kilometers (2,500 miles) away in Night shifts, loans ment. ited quantities of Shatner’s trike. American Wrench Colombia, Catalina is also wearing bright After a one-hour photo session, a white DJs, limos, contraceptives Shatner partnered with motorcycle builder describes the Rivet as a “landjet” that will feature a blue for her 15th birthday, though she has Hummer limousine took Claudia to church The quinceanera fits into the tradition of American Wrench to create the Rivet motorcycle. V8 engine and an exposed cockpit with seating opted for the traditional high heels-which for a mass in her honor. Then came the par- coming-of-age rituals around the world, The Aurora, Illinois-based company said the silver “only for a captain.”— AP her grandmother knelt to slip on her feet in ty. With all eyes on her, she entered the including Sweet 16 parties in the United studded bike is inspired by the B-17 bomber. a symbolic welcome to womanhood. This is ballroom in a cloud of fog, descended a States. Its origins are unclear. Scholars The eight-day journey will launch June 23 out- the “quinceanera,” or Sweet 15, when Latin staircase and took the stage, dancing a speculate it evolved from European debu- American families traditionally pull out all carefully rehearsed hip-hop routine in a tante balls, though some say it comes from the stops to celebrate their daughters’ sparkling tiara, surrounded by four profes- an ancient Aztec coming-of-age ceremony. birthdays with a lavish rite of passage. sional male dancers. Next came waltzes There is no equivalent for boys-a fact critics Despite criticism that they are patriar- with her father, brother and godfathers, say shows the tradition’s sexism. The fiestas chal, outdated and kitsch, these “fiestas de kicking off a feast that lasted well into the fell out of style toward the end of the 20th XV” are as popular as ever in Latin America, next day. “It’s an unforgettable day,” said century, criticized by feminists as a “male a region whose reputation for machismo Claudia. “It’s something you only get to do chauvinist” spectacle, said Nicolas Guigou, belies the rapidly changing role of women once in a lifetime.” an anthropologist at Uruguay’s Universidad in the family and workplace. In one of the Claudia, who shies from the spotlight de la Republica. “But lately there’s been a world’s most unequal regions, the celebra- and rarely wears make-up, hesitated about major resurgence,” he said. Valentina tion is also a show of status that fuels a having a Sweet 15, said her mother, who is Napolitano, an anthropologist at the massive industry, with wealthy families also named Claudia. Her father offered to University of Toronto, said there is an spending tens of thousands of dollars on pay for a trip or buy her a car instead. But empowering element buried in this “wed- opulent parties or trips to Disney World, the teen finally decided she wanted the ding without the groom,” as she calls it. “It’s and poorer families saving and borrowing party, and the family saved up everything it one of the few public celebrations where in a race to keep up. could from her father’s small construction young women are at the center of it,” she Claudia Itzel Perez’s family spent two supply business to make it happen. “You said. years saving the $10,000 they spent on her can see the sacrifice” that some families Underlining the central role of women party. She started her day with a two-hour make, said her make-up artist, whose serv- in Catalina’s fiesta, it was her maternal makeover by an “image designer” at her ices cost $200 to $300. She told the story of grandmother who ceremoniously slipped family’s modest home in a working-class a quesadilla vendor who paid her in a trick- her sparkling high heels on her feet-not her neighborhood of Mexico City. The beauti- le of installments of $5 to $15. father, as tradition dictates. Such subtle cian covered her in powder, concealer, eye For Catalina Arevalo’s family, organizing shifts hint at the changing role of women shadow, fake eyelashes and lipstick-all a Sweet 15 meant four months of planning in Latin America, where more than 70 mil- sealed with an airbrush to keep it in place. and scraping to come up with the roughly lion women have joined the workforce in This photo provided by courtesy of American Wrench/Rivet Motors shows American Wrench’s “This makeup lasts 24 hours, and she’ll $1,500 they spent on her reception for 80 the last 20 years, swelling the ranks of the Rivet motorcycle. — AP always be smiling. Even if she’s actually cry- guests. “I’ve taken out loans, worked night middle class. The popularity of the ing or nervous, it will look like she’s smil- shifts, everything, because I wanted to do quinceanera “could be a desire for a past ing,” said the make-up artist, Jenny things that had never been seen before... that is stable in a world that is fast-chang- ing,” said Napolitano. “Now women are required to work outside the home and juggle many more tasks. It’s both a roman- YSL advert with ‘unhealthily tic attachment and a way that women con- struct pride around their families.” A booming industry has meanwhile grown up around the tradition. “It’s impres- thin’ model banned in UK sive, everything that has emerged around these fiestas, all the services. It’s endless,” said Sandra Lanzillotti, the editor-in-chief ritain’s advertising watchdog said yesterday plaint after the advert appeared in Elle magazine. of Miss 15, a Uruguayan magazine dedicat- it had banned a magazine ad promoting Saint Laurent, formerly known as Yves Saint ed to all things quinceanera. Her magazine BFrench fashion house Saint Laurent because Laurent, said it did not agree that the model looked recommends girls start planning their fies- the model featured was “unhealthily thin”. The unhealthily thin, but did not provide a detailed tas two years in advance. It offers advice on black and white photograph, showing the model response to the watchdog. venues, caterers, photographers, decora- lying on her back on the ground in a short skirt, The ruling means the ad must not appear again tors, DJs, limousine services and more-with tights and platform heels, was deemed “irresponsi- in its current form. French lawmakers voted earlier ads for products ranging from chewing ble” by the Advertising Standards Authority. It said this year to ban ultra-thin models due to concerns gum to make-up to contraceptives. — AFP the pose and lighting drew particular focus to the about the promotion of “unhealthy” body image, in model’s chest, “where her rib cage was visible and a move that drew condemnation from modeling appeared prominent”, and to her legs, “where her agencies. Spain banned models below a certain thighs and knees appeared a similar width, and body mass index following the 2006 death from which looked very thin.” anorexia of Brazilian model Ana Carolina Reston, Claudia Itzel dances “We therefore considered that the model while London, Milan and New York fashion weeks during her 15th birthday appeared unhealthily underweight in the image have tightened rules on child models. — AFP party, in Mexico City. and concluded that the ad was irresponsible,” the — AFP ruling said. The ASA intervened following a com- lifestyle THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015

Music & Movies Imagine this: Imagine Dragonsonce opened for a mime rammy winners Imagine Dragons will launch their sec- believe it,” Reynolds said. “It’s funny, I went home from the are- ond headlining arena tour this week, but they remem- na tour and my mom sat down with me, her first question was Gber the days when they opened up for anyone - includ- like, ‘So do people really come fill out the arenas to watch your ing a mime. “It was an opportunity,” bassist Ben McKee said in band play?’” “To my mom, a year and half before that, she a recent interview. “This was early, early on and ... we had the would come to see me at some small club in California and it opportunity to play with a mime at a junior varsity cheerlead- would be 10 people there.” The band, which also includes gui- ing squad at a shopping mall in Henderson, Nevada. We tarist Wayne Sermon and drummer Daniel Platzman, released jumped on it.” Bandleader Dan Reynolds recalls “literally like its sophomore album, “Smoke + Mirrors,” in February. It five people in the mall that day.” “They set up tons of seats debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. which makes it even worse,” the 27-year-old singer said. “That The Las Vegas-based foursome says life hasn’t changed too was maybe the lowest - that was the lowest low.” much, though they have topped the charts and won multiple Imagine Dragons have moved far away from opening for awards. “We didn’t have crazy lives before. We’re all pretty other acts on the road as the band launches its North much giant music nerds and we do music and the fact that we American tour Wednesday in Portland, Oregon. They had a get to do music on a stage with four people makes us really, successful run with arenas last year after their debut, “Night really happy,” said Platzman. “It’s just the crowds have gotten Visions,” continued to reach new heights: It went on to sell bigger.” “It’s a cliche thing, but literally, really, none of us got more than 2 million units and launched back-to-back hits with into music thinking we’d have money or wanting to have “It’s Time,” “Demons” and the group’s signature smash, the money,” Reynolds said. “My friends come over to my house I Grammy-winning “Radioactive.” The young band, which bought and they’re like, ‘This is your house?’” “And I’m like, released its debut album in 2012 and its follow-up earlier this ‘What is that supposed to mean?’ It’s like they’re expecting the year, has quickly risen to arena status. The stops on the Smoke ‘Night Visions’ mansion.”— AP + Mirrors Tour include the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York; Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee; and the Forum in Inglewood, California. Dan Platzman, from left, Dan Crazy lives Reynolds, Daniel Wayne Sermon Reynolds credits the band’s success with hours and hours and Ben McKee of Imagine of practice and the motto: “Say yes to every gig.” “I think it was Dragons pose for a portrait at pretty overwhelming at times for us to walk out and actually the Mayan Theater in Los Angeles. — AP Stones seeking new fans with ‘Sticky Fingers’ re-release eith Richards doesn’t keep a list of the Top 10 London haunts. date. Frontman Mick Jagger had warned that the Rolling Stones albums. But he’s happy to Richards remembers that studio as “a magical album might contain too many ballads for a tradi- Kplace “Sticky Fingers,” being re-released in a room” with a distinctive sound that made recording tionally up-tempo Stones gig. deluxe edition next week, near the very top. “I put it a breeze. “It’s a natural, no wonder so many great Richards, 71, said in his 2010 autobiography that up there,” he said in a recent interview. “I don’t No. 1, records came out of there,” he said by phone. “All you he is content to rest on his considerable rock ‘n’ roll No. 2, No. 3 them, but it’s somewhere in that jumble, had to do was stick a microphone up and it was laurels. But he’s got several goals at the moment - top four or five albums.” With its provocative Andy there.” The guitarist said he had been “iffy” about the including a consuming desire to get the band in a Warhol designed album cover and strong sax work industry trend toward re-releasing expanded edi- studio again after a lengthy hiatus. The last full stu- on classics like “Brown Sugar” and “Can’t You Hear tions of old classic material until the redone 2010 dio CD, “A Bigger Bang,” was released a decade ago. Me Knocking,” the album has long been a favorite version of “Exile” did surprisingly well, even topping “There’s always talk of doing a blues album, but I’m with fans who first heard it way back on its release the British charts some 38 years after its initial not so sure about that,” Richards said. “I’d be happy date in 1971. release. to get them back in the studio and record anything,” It was released at the height of what many “I forgot that basically a couple of generations said Richards, who recently recorded a solo album Jason Alexander, from left, Rosie Perez and Larry David pose for a photo on the set of regards as the Stones’ creative peak, a stretch that had gone by since the things first came out,” but has yet to announce its official release. ‘Fish in The Dark’ at the Cort Theatre in New York. — AP included “Beggars Banquet,” “Let It Bleed” and “Exile Richards said. “What I realized after ‘Exile’ was that “Sometimes we come up with our best stuff in the on Main Street.” The album catches the Stones in we picked up an enormous amount of new young studio. I’ll just be happy to get them in there.” — AP transition, with Mick Taylor stepping fully into his fans, because they thought it was a new record.” The prepares to role as the late Brian Jones’ replacement. The Stones band has toyed with the idea of playing the com- Jason Alexander also moved beyond their comfort zone, recording plete “Sticky Fingers” album on their current tour, several songs at the famed Muscle Shoals Sound offering a full version in a club date in Los Angeles sing ‘the music of Larry David’ Studio in rural Alabama rather than in their usual but then only a handful of cuts on their first arena hen Larry David was showing his old play, is about the rivalries and still-simmering “Seinfeld” pal Jason Alexander the angers that explode when a family gathers to Wquirks of his Broadway dressing bid farewell to their dying patriarch. The room, the discussion naturally went to the show has been a huge draw because of toilet. “You know what he said? ‘It’s a two or David, who co-created “Seinfeld” and went on three flusher,’” said Alexander. “He said, ‘Don’t to star and write “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” assume.’ I said, ‘Really? OK, I won’t assume.’” Theater-goers get to see him do a bit about But Alexander, who is about to take over from whether or not to tip doctors and be typically David in his hit play “Fish in the Dark,” fooled petty, vindictive and clueless. with the handle and discovered that he could The play co-stars Jayne Houdyshell and just hold it until the water cleared. “I went to Rosie Perez, but David has dominated the him and I said, ‘Listen, I don’t want to rock stage, with his usual exasperated, impolite your world but it’s actually less effort than routine. “I think the show with me will feel you’ve been making it,’” Alexander said. “Like more like an ensemble show than a star vehi- most things in life.” cle even though the character continues to Alexander is pretty much planning to do drive the piece,” said Alexander. “The upside is the same thing with David’s play that he did it’s not a deeply complex play. It’s a light com- with his toilet - mess around with the plumb- edy. So the trick is finding how you get the ing to find a more efficient way to tell the sto- laugh and finding the rhythms of the show ry. “It is possible that I will be better and he with the cast.” will be funnier,” said Alexander in David’s dressing room one recent morning. “If some- Drop the ball one saw both of us do it, if they laughed 100 Before David ever began the role, he times with Larry, they may only laugh 90 asked Alexander what he might expect in his Keith Richards performs at The Rolling Stones Zip Code (From left) The Rolling Stones’ Charlie Watts, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood and Mick times with me but the takeaway from the Broadway debut. For one, he had no idea Tour opening night at Petco Park in San Diego. Jagger pose for photographers as they arrive at a central London venue to mark the 50th show will be ‘Wow, I actually went on that how grueling the eight-a-week schedule anniversary of their first performance. — AP photos journey a little bit.’”If anyone can do it, it’s becomes. “As most people do, he had some Alexander, who before “Seinfeld” was a Tony- misconceptions,” Alexander said. “He said, ‘It winning stage performer who then played won’t be so bad. I’ll play golf during the day.’ I David’s alter-ego on the show’s nine-year run. said, ‘You’re not playing golf.’ He said, ‘Well, I’ll “We are making the small adjustments that go out for drinks after.’ I said, ‘Not if you want Filmmaker drawing attention to allow me to approach this as more of a to do a show the next day.’” Alexander knows Streep drama trained actor than Larry could,” he said. “I real- that playing George Costanza has built him 2011 Cosby rape comments ly understand Larry’s turf, his rhythms, his plenty of fondness in the crowd, but he isn’t ‘Suffragette’ to open melodies. I get the music of Larry David.” counting on that for long when he hits the ill Cosby’s comments calling rape a form ed by Gloria Allred, a prominent Los Angeles stage. “That buys you 5-10 minutes of extraor- of bullying and “annoying” have been attorney who has hosted several news confer- ‘Fish in the Dark’ dinary good will,” he said. “And then after that, London Film Fest Breleased by a filmmaker who interviewed ences with women who have accused Cosby of Director Anna D Shapiro has helped if you drop the ball, they’ll go, ‘You know, he’s the comedian in 2011. Documentary filmmaker drugging them and sexual misconduct. Allred Alexander and the cast manage the transition not so good.’”— AP istorical drama “Suffragette,” starring Carey Cassidy McMillan said Cosby made unsolicited represented Judy Huth, a Riverside County and said Alexander knows instinctively how Mulligan and Meryl Streep as votes-for-women comments about rape during the interview, woman who sued Cosby last year, claiming the to spread the focus around the stage. “He Hcampaigners, will open this year’s London Film which was to discuss a project she was working comedian molested her when she was 15 years likes to throw the ball as much as hold the Festival. Organizers say the film’s European premiere will on about bullying and violence faced by some old at the Playboy Mansion. ball,” she says. “With Larry, what he’s doing, he kick off the 59th annual festival Oct 7. Helena Bonham young girls. “This rape thing is annoying, it is is the most expert at. What Jason’s doing is a Carter also appears in the drama about the campaigners sickening,” Cosby is heard on three minutes of shared mastery.” “Fish in the Dark,” David’s first who risked life and liberty to fight for women’s suffrage a audio posted on the website RadarOnline, century ago. It’s directed by Sarah Gavron (“Brick Lane”) which is owned by the National Enquirer. The and written by Abi Morgan (“The Iron Lady.”) magazine ran a story last week with a headline It is the first commercial feature which has been on its cover, “Cosby Confesses.” Depp becomes new allowed to film inside London’s Houses of Parliament. The comments were made during part of a Festival director Clare Stewart said yesterday “Suffragette” broader discussion about the bullying and was “an urgent and compelling film - made by British McMillan’s work chronicling the story of a 12- year-old Canadian girl who killed herself after women, about British women who changed the course of being bullied.The partial transcript was posted face of Dior men’s fragrance history.” The full program for the Oct 7-18 festival will be by a freelance journalist who was on the phone announced in September. — AP irates of the Caribbean” star Johnny of men’s scents. The French luxury fashion when McMillan and Cosby spoke. McMillan pro- Comedian Bill Cosby performs at the Depp is about to chart a new house confirmed to AFP yesterday that the 51- vided audio of the hour-long interview with Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing “Pcourse into fragrant waters by year-old American actor would soon be Cosby to the Enquirer, and RadarOnline posted a Arts, in Melbourne, Fla. — AP agreeing to be the face promoting Dior’s line fronting its new cologne. Dior declined to say three minute clip on Monday. how much the contract was worth, but it has Cosby’s attorney Marty Singer did not return McMillan did not return email messages pockets deep enough to afford him while also a phone message seeking comment Tuesday. requesting an interview. She told Allred she was paying Natalie Portman and Charlize Theron The comedian also discussed how his own surprised by Cosby’s casual mentions of rape in a to endorse its products. Depp, ranked among daughter had been bullied and how he and his discussion of bullying, but let him talk about it. the top-paid actors in Hollywood, has wife handled it. Cosby has been accused by She said the interview was arranged by Cosby’s amassed an estimated fortune of $250 million more than two dozen women of sexual miscon- publicist and he was aware he was being taped. (220 million euros), much of it thanks to the duct, including allegations by many that he “The whole thing was just disturbing,” McMillan “Pirates” movie franchise, the latest of which drugged and raped them in incidents dating told Allred, adding that Cosby was polite to her he is currently filming in Australia. back more than four decades. Cosby, 77, has on the call. “Why he kept going on this track of His star has been fading of late, though, never been criminally charged, and most of the rape and sexual assault, my own personal opin- with a string of box office bombs over the accusations are barred by statutes of limitations. ion - I was troubled by it and I thought it was past four years, including “The Lone Ranger”, obviously on his mind. The conversation was “Transcendence” and “Mortdecai”. He ran into Personal opinion troubling to me and seemed to be an indicator trouble last month in Australia after smug- The comedian also said at the time that the of something deeper on his mind.” In addition to gling his two pet terriers into the country on only real recourse for rape victims is through the the lawsuit by Huth, Cosby has been sued by court system. “Rape, there is no freedom unless four women including model Janice Dickinson his private jet, bypassing strict quarantine in a courtroom,” Cosby is heard telling McMillan for defamation. The lawsuit hinges on recent laws. After authorities threatened to put the Meryl Streep waves to photographers during the and another journalist in audio posted by denials of sex abuse allegations by Cosby’s rep- dogs down, prompting him to have them Japan premiere of ‘Into the Woods’ in Tokyo. — AP RadarOnline. After the Enquirer released its sto- resentatives. — AP flown back out, Australian media termed the ry, McMillan appeared on a radio talk show host- incident the “war on terrier”. — AFP lifestyle THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015

Features

This living room by the designer Flynn shows his use of a floating floor plan in A strategic furniture layout turns a large room into two cozy conversation A traditional symmetrical layout gets a fresh twist in this living room designed which seating is placed in the center of the space to create conversation and spaces in this living room designed by Burnham Design. by Betsy Burnham of Burnham Design inBeverly Hills. also complement a home’s architecture. Coming up with a furniture plan that works

ometimes the way to improve a room isn’t ty and find a way to maximize it without sacrific- to buy new furniture: It’s to rearrange ing visual balance.” Spieces you already own. Interior designers Consider any quirks: Are there lots of win- can spend hours creating the best furniture plan dows or doors? Unique architectural items such for a room, balancing practical considerations as a fireplace or beautiful windows with a view? and creative risk-taking. A particular piece of furniture or art that you “Changing up the placement of your furni- want visitors to notice? Depending on the ture can make a massive difference,” says design- answers, Flynn likes to choose one “standout fea- er Brian Patrick Flynn, founder of Flynnside Out ture” and then arrange furniture in a way that Productions. Adding, subtracting or relocating highlights it. Also, says Burnham, “lighting can furniture, he says, affects “how natural light plays direct a furniture plan.” Is there a lot of natural in the space and also how frequently the room light or will you need plenty of lamps? Are there gets used. By simply adding a bench to a wall, a built-in sconces or a central chandelier? room can become more of a hangout.” Removing a few pieces to create more space Measure and draw “can make it feel a bit more casual and informal.” Even if you’ve got a general plan in mind, How do professionals map out a furniture plan, Faires suggests measuring the space and creat- choosing the best location for each item? Flynn ing a scaled drawing with exact measurements and two other interior designers - Dan Faires, of every piece you’re planning to include. Don’t host of HGTV’s “DanMade,” and Betsy Burnham skimp on empty space. “I always allow a mini- of the California-based design firm Burnham mum of 18 inches between sofas and coffee Design - share advice: tables,” Faires says, “and 3 to 5 feet for walk spaces. The flow and negative space in a room is Analyze your space as important as the overall function and the fur- This living room by the designer Flynn demonstrates his use of scale and Begin by deciding how the room will be used, niture” because it makes the space feel more proportion to create a successful space plan.— AP photos Burnham says. Is it a living room used mainly for open, uncluttered and inviting. TV watching or socializing? Does the space have Consider the size and placement of rugs. “I very large rooms or loft spaces, rugs can help two roles, such as a home office that doubles as cannot imagine designing a living-room space define small areas and make the space feel a guest room? Or is it a playroom, where the pri- with a rug any smaller than an 8-by-10,” Faires organized. “To keep everything balanced while ority is open space and maximum storage? In a says. “The rug is meant to unify the entire space visually separating each zone, use area rugs in In this photo provided by Burnham Design, the sym- new home, knowing the answer can take time. and connect furniture pieces together, so a good coordinating colors with slightly different tex- metrical layout of chairs on either side of a cabinet is “It’s important to live in a space for a few weeks rule of thumb is that at least the front legs of any tures and patterns,” Flynn says. — AP echoed by the symmetrical arrangement of images in or months before assigning it a space plan so sofas or chairs in the living room should be on the framed print above, creating an orderly and calm- that you truly get a sense for how you’ll use it,” the rug. For a larger area rug, allow at least 18 ing look in this room designed by Burnham Design. Flynn says. “Then decide on your seating capaci- inches from the edge of the rug to the wall.” In No homes too luxurious for Manhattan super-rich

nfinity pools, climate-controlled cellars and golf golf simulators, bowling alleys, movie screening same experience as someone who is buying a simulators-it’s the little things that count in the rooms, kennels and enormous reception areas with full floor apartment, for $25 million.” Instead of a Ibooming market of luxury real estate coveted by spectacular views are becoming increasingly com- swimming pool, which he says risks becoming the super-rich in New York. This year, record prices mon. At 443 Greenwich in Tribeca, a former factory crowded, he prefers a “fully automated garage,” crossed the threshold of $100 million for a single converted into 52 enormous apartments, the most where residents can park a car on a platform that apartment, and agents are investing more time and expensive costs $53 million. Residents have access then descends underground. trouble than ever before in tailor-making residential to a steam room, an interior courtyard, landscaped Near Central Park, there is 520 Park Avenue buildings for billionaires. A perfect example is the roof deck, wine cellar, a children’s playroom... and where a triplex of about 12,400 square feet costs duplex at the top of a 43-story tower near the an underground garage in 1930s style which guar- $130 million and also offers a sauna, steam United Nations-nearly 10,000 square feet (more antees “absolute privacy,” says Nathan Berman, room, children’s playroom and climate-con- than 900 square meters) with an infinity pool on the founder of Metro Loft developers. In the same area, trolled wine cellar. Luxuries are also on offer in terrace, a private elevator and spectacular views. the 19th century Cast Iron House has been refash- the rental market. MiMA, in Midtown, offers It’s on offer for $70 million. The building, 50 ioned into luxury apartments, offering a “hydrother- renters a Dog City pet spa that offers indoor and A kitchen counter with a view of midtown is seen from inside an apartment at the luxury United Nations Plaza, taps into the latest trend of apy spa modeled after a Turkish-style hammam,” outdoor play spaces, grooming, shampoo and high rise 50 UN Plaza in New York. — AFP photos going above and beyond in the competitive world plunge pool and rainforest shower. “It was impor- massage services, a vet and the best in profes- of luxury living. It has a state-of-the-art gym, sauna, tant that this serve as a retreat and a private oasis sional training. But all the extras are not cheap. a shared indoor pool and a rare luxury in for residents in a busy city,” said a spokeswoman. At 50 UN Plaza, a parking space costs an initial Manhattan-a “private motor court” where cars can The concept is pushed to the hilt at 45 East 22nd $150,000 and more than $295 a month-a relative drop passengers. Of course, each apartment has a Street, a 65-story tower not far from the Flatiron bargain compared to parking at 443 Greenwich, parking space, and there is even valet parking. “I Building with five floors dedicated to relaxation: a which costs an eye-watering $850,000. think we are always looking for ways to distinguish library, a fitness center with boxing equipment, golf Individual climate-controlled wine cellars cost our properties,” says Jill Mangone, director of sales simulator, basketball court, a children’s playroom, a $50,000 to $75,000 at 50 UN Plaza, and some- for the building. “There is a movement towards billiards room and a card room. On the 54th floor, times as much as $200,000. Activities at “Dog amenities that respond to people’s real needs and there is a huge reception space with breathtaking City” at MiMA can easily cost $500 a month. In lifestyle. views and two kitchens. “It is not only five floors of the land of the super-rich, even the underground They want a terrific gym, they want the views, amenities, but it’s also this unusual concept that I storage units can cost $25,000 to $75,000 they want extra storage spaces, they want play- had, to create a club on the 54th floor,” said 45 East depending on their size. — AFP rooms for children. “As the buyers become more 22 developer Ian Bruce Eichner. sophisticated and savvy, they are like, ok, what amenities do really improve my life on a daily $850,000 for parking basis?” Over the years, 24-hour doormen, laundry Eichner says he made a “calculated decision” services, gyms, basketball courts and swimming to sacrifice very expensive real estate at the top pools have become commonplace in New York. of the building to allow residents buying less expensive units to have access to the same kind Distinguishing features of luxury. He explains that it is an opportunity for At the upper echelon, yoga and dance studios, them “to basically enjoy the same views and the A kitchen inside an apartment at a luxury high rise 50 UN Plaza.

A view of Queens and the East River can be seen from inside the luxury high rise. A bathroom with a midtown view. Coming up with a furni- ture39 plan that works THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015

People dressed in period costumes arrive at the ‘Chateau de Versailles’ in Versailles as they participate in a festival as part of the Year of Louis XIV. — AFP Art rooted in the garden: Show explores Kahlo from new angle

An evocation of the mosaic at the entrance of Casa Azul in Mexico City.

Large-scale photographs of artist Frida Kahlo and the Casa Azul’s garden. The Two Fridas by artist Humberto Spindola on display.— AP photos

n a sprawling, multi-disciplinary show, The New York Native plants plant-human. Kahlo, whose father was born in Germany and Botanical Garden focuses on a long-overlooked side of In researching the show, horticulturalists at the botanical whose mother was Mexican, repeated this theme of hybrid Iartist Frida Kahlo: her deep connection to Mexico’s plants garden, working with colleagues in Mexico and a longtime origin in other works on view. “Two Nudes in a Forest,” painted and flowers, and how they inspired her art. “Flora is a very volunteer gardener at Casa Azul, came to understand Kahlo as in 1939, shows a light-skinned woman resting her head on a important part of her creativity,” said guest curator Ariana an expert in plants, with an impressive botanical library. She dark-skinned one. And in the 1940 “Self-Portrait with Thorn Zavala, a specialist in Mexican art and director of Latino replanted her parents’ European-style garden with a mix of Necklace and Hummingbird,” Kahlo, impassive and dressed in Studies at Tufts University. Even those who thought they knew cacti and succulents, which she saw as symbolic of the native stark white, stares straight at the viewer while lush tropical everything about Kahlo, Zavala said, will come away having plants of Mexico, and with tropical plants, fruit trees, and oth- vegetation and animals, including a black monkey and cat, learned something new. er edible or medicinal plants. surround her and appear to be on the verge of overtaking her. The exhibit, “Frida Kahlo: Art, Garden, Life,” includes 14 of “When we learned about Kahlo as a truly sophisticated gar- In conjunction with the show, the garden is offering an array Kahlo’s original works; an evocation of the garden at her dener, who also happened to be a great artist and cultural of cultural offerings to celebrate the artist. Mexico City home, Casa Azul (Blue House); plentiful photos icon, we were blown away,” said Todd Forrest, the botanical “Frida liked to have fun. She had a love of life. This project from Kahlo’s life; and various Mexican cultural offerings. It will garden’s vice president for horticulture and living collections. is a celebration of Mexico,” said Zavala. “In addition to taking in be on view through Nov. 1. Over time, Kahlo transformed Casa Azul into an expression of Frida’s paintings and Frida’s plants and what they meant to A good place to begin is in the huge, glass Enid A. Haupt her deep connection to the natural world and to Mexico. Her her, we hope people stay to enjoy some food and music from Conservatory, where the focus is on the gardens of Casa Azul, studio overlooked the garden, and the plants came to play an Mexico.” There are Mexican cocktails and food; cooking les- where Kahlo was born in 1907, lived for years with muralist important role in her art. “As we studied Frida Kahlo through sons; textile demonstrations; music; an “Octavio Paz Poetry Diego Rivera, and died in 1954. Pathways are lined with sun- her plants, two important themes emerged: those of duality walk”; a native plant walk, and even a Mexican-themed pup- flowers, marigolds, fuchsia, palms, jacaranda, oleander, and and of hybridity,” Zavala said. pet theater and “Frida’s Kitchen” exhibit for kids. Wall texts numerous succulents and cacti, many of which still grow at throughout the show are in Spanish and English.—AP Casa Azul, now a museum. The lush, indigo-blue walls of Love of life Kahlo’s home have been vividly rendered, as has her garden’s Both themes are illustrated in the 14 artworks on view at Aztec-inspired pyramid, designed by Rivera, who painted it the garden’s LuEsther T. Mertz Library art gallery. In Kahlo’s A fountain and variety of important garden plants from dazzling rose, blue and yellow. Here, it holds an array of native 1931 “Portrait of Luther Burbank,” the horticulturalist, whose Mexico on display. Mexican succulents and cacti in huge terracotta planters. garden she and Rivera had visited, is depicted as a hybrid

Cactuses, colors and textures of Frida Kahlo’s Mexico on display. Antiques on display at the Antique Garden Furniture Fair. A scale version of the pyramid at the Casa Azul.