THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 RAJJAB 25, 1436 AH www.kuwaittimes.net Civil ID renewal 43 Ismaili The Real Real reject goes online with Shiites killed as Fouz: The Morata fires new e-envelope gunmen attack benefits Juventus system 4 bus in Karachi7 of37 sleep into20 final Gulf leaders gather Min 27º Max 44º to push Obama on Iran High Tide 08:35 & 20:35 Low Tide US president meets Saudi princes • Arms sales may be expedited 01:35 & 14:40 40 PAGES NO: 16520 150 FILS

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama hailed MoH withdraws America’s “extraordinary friendship” with Saudi Arabia as he hosted Gulf leaders for a summit yesterday. Describing infant Panadol “an extraordinary friendship and relationship that dates back to Franklin Roosevelt and King Faisal,” in the 1940s, over dosage error Obama heaped praise on two powerful Saudi princes in the Oval Office. “We are continuing to build that relation- KUWAIT: The health ministry yesterday pulled the ship during a very challenging time,” Obama said, a nod to antipyretic and pain reliever Baby & Infant Panadol conflagrations in Yemen, Syria and Iraq that have rever- syrup off the shelves upon a request from berated across the Middle East. GlaxoSmithKline, the producer of the drug, due to a Obama praised guests Crown Prince Mohammed bin mistake in the maximum Nayef and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, dosage directions. The for their work on counterterrorism, which the US presi- medicine registration dent described as “absolutely critical” to the United States. and release supervisor at But conspicuous in his absence at the White House was MoH’s medicine control Saudi leader King Salman, who skipped the summit in department Rami Sadeq what was widely seen as a diplomatic snub, despite Behbehani told KUNA Riyadh’s insistence it was not. Five other Gulf leaders - but that a mistake was dis- only two heads of state, including HH the Amir of Kuwait covered in the directions Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah - arrived at the on the bottles about the White House later in the day, before departing for the recommended maxi- presidential retreat at Camp David today. mum intake (RMI), as an During the precursor meeting, the Saudi Crown Prince overdose may lead to liv- - well known in Washington as the architect of Saudi er poisoning in children. Arabia’s internal fight against Al-Qaeda - also lauded “the Behbehani advised all pediatricians and general strategic and historic relationship” between the two coun- practitioners to stop prescribing Panadol syrup for tries. But the warm words belied deep malaise over babies and infants and temporarily prescribe an Obama’s perceived disengagement from the region and alternative until GlaxoSmithKline revises the willingness to talk to Iran. The Arab and largely Sunni dosage information and corrects the RMI error. He Muslim states suspect Obama’s nuclear deal with Tehran is also urged all parents to stop using the medicine a harbinger of a bigger role for their Persian and Shiite until the problem is resolved. — KUNA WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama welcomes HH the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- arch-foe. Jaber Al-Sabah to the White House yesterday. — AFP Continued on Page 13 LOCAL THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

WASHINGTON: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets GCC Secretary First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and foreign ministry officials are pictured General Abdullatif Al-Zayani. — Amiri Diwan and KUNA photos with Kuwait’s Ambassador to the US Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and embassy staff. Amir receives Omani Deputy PM for Cabinet Affairs

WASHINGTON: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- Meanwhile, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled held talks with Ambassador to the US Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Meanwhile, Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Khaled Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received Oman’s Deputy Prime his counterparts from other Gulf Cooperation Council’s Al-Sabah on Tuesday to discuss the upcoming summit. Al-Jarallah, who had attended the meeting, highlighted Minister for Cabinet Affairs Fahad bin Mahmoud Al-Saeed at (GCC) states in preparation for the US-GCC Summit The deputy premier and foreign minister at the the role of the diplomats in building bridges of coopera- his Washington residence. scheduled at Camp David today. Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled encounter, held on the fringes of HH the Amir’s US visit tion between Kuwait and friendly countries, particularly First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh headed the Kuwaiti delegation that included Director of to attend the talks at Camp David, briefed embassy staff the United States. Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister and GCC Affairs Department at the ministry Ambassador on the preparations being made ahead of the summit. On the other hand, Ambassador Sheikh Salem Minister of Interior Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Nasser Al-Muzayen, Deputy Director of the minister’s He also briefed the mission members on Kuwait’s for- expressed appreciation and gratitude for HH the Amir’s Al-Sabah and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense bureau Ambassador Saleh Al-Loughani and other senior eign policy and developments on the regional and inter- support of the embassy’s diplomats, and hailed the first Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah and members of HH the officials. national spectrums, and hailed them on their role while deputy premier and foreign minister’s plans for the Amir’s accompanying delegation attended the meeting. Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled also met Kuwait’s urging them to do more in support of bilateral relations. upcoming talks. — KUNA Pakistan reiterates commitment to defending GCC states: Ghanem Pakistan seeks closer ties with Kuwait: Sharif

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani officials reaffirmed commitment to defending Asian parliament the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states, Kuwaiti National Ghanem also met Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain, and dis- Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem said yesterday. cussed means of bolstering bilateral ties in all fields, especially economy “The Pakistani premier and all parliamentarians and officials have and trade. Ghanim conveyed greetings by HH the Amir to Hussain and the affirmed to us that Pakistan is ready to contribute to supporting the GCC Pakistani people, wishing the country more prosperity and progress. The countries, especially Saudi Arabia, by all means, and fully commits itself meeting also discussed regional and international developments, and to defending any GCC country in case of danger,” Ghanem said. stressed keenness on supporting issues of common concern for the two Ghanem indicated that his talks with Pakistani Prime Minister countries. Meanwhile, Ghanem met Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and other officials were “fruitful, constructive Raza Rabbani, and they discussed enhancing parliamentary cooperation and candid”. He added that he had discussed with them a recent contro- and exchange of legislative expertise. Ghanem reiterated support to a pro- versial vote by the Pakistani National Assembly against Pakistan’s posal by the Senate of Pakistan to establish an Asian parliament to be involvement in the Saudi-led Operation Decisive Storm in Yemen. based in Islamabad. He hoped the proposed continental body would help fulfill Asian peoples’ expectations for closer and stronger ties. Misrepresented Ghanim and Rabbani also discussed activating the role of parliamen- KUWAIT: His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- “The Pakistani Parliament’s decision was misrepresented in a way tary friendship committees and bolstering bilateral cooperation on the Sabah meets Kuwait’s Ambassador to Iran Majdi Al-Thifeeri. — KUNA that gave an impression that the parliament was against (Pakistan’s) par- world arena. They also addressed regional and international developments ticipation in Operation Decisive Storm in Yemen,” Ghanem said. “But, in and other issues of common concern. Crown Prince, Prime fact, Pakistani officials have clarified to us the content of the decision, a During his stay in Pakistan, the Kuwaiti National Assembly Speaker has copy of which was delivered to us,” he added. met Kuwaiti military students at Pakistani military academies. He also met The Kuwaiti speaker noted that Pakistan already has a military pres- Speaker of Pakistan’s National Assembly Sardar Ayyaz Sadiq and Adviser to Minister receive officials ence in Saudi Arabia for training and support purposes. In this context, Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Afairs Sartaj Aziz. he noted that over 1,500 retired Pakistani military personnel would trav- Ghanem, accompanied by a parliamentary delegation, arrived in KUWAIT: His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown General and Chairman of Kuwait News Agency el to Kuwait, citing this as a sign of growing cooperation in all sectors. Islamabad earlier Monday on a six-day Asian tour which will also take him Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (KUNA) Sheikh Mubarak Duaij Al-Ibrahim Al-Sabah. He noted that he had also discussed with Pakistani officials closer coop- to South Korea. His visit to Islamabad comes at the invitation of the received at Bayan Palace yesterday HH the Prime Meanwhile, HH the Prime Minister received honorary eration in the health field as many Pakistani doctors are working in Pakistani parliament speaker. — KUNA Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. chairman of the Kuwait Society of Engineers MP Adel Kuwait. He also received Kuwait’s Ambassador to the Islamic Al-Kharafi, who was accompanied by chairman and Republic of Iran Majdi Al-Thifeeri, and Director members of the Society’s new board. — KUNA Strengthening ties Sharif meanwhile said that Pakistan wishes to strengthen bilateral ties with Kuwait and increase cooperation in all fields. During the meet- ing, the premier recalled the visit of His Highness the Prime Minister Ooredoo offers exclusive Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah to Pakistan, which served to further strengthen relations between the two countries. discounts with Nojoom The Prime Minister said democratic institutions are gaining roots in the country and the government is taking important decisions in con- KUWAIT: Ooredoo Kuwait, a member of the international exchanging Nojoom points with any of Nojoom’s part- sultation with all stakeholders. He said that due to the policies of the Ooredoo Group, continues to offer its customers the best ners on the website www.ooredoo.com.kw/nojoom. government, key economic indicators have become positive, though exclusive discounts with its unique Nojoom rewards pro- Ooredoo has recently partnered with Qatar Airways, the country still faces huge challenges like energy and terrorism. gram. Accessible to all Ooredoo customers, the program allowing Nojoom members to redeem 1 mile on Qatar He added that tangible steps are being taken to meet these chal- offers members free upgrades, vouchers and discounts Airways for every 5 Nojoom points. Members can also lenges effectively in the shortest possible time. Sharif also invited from a variety of partners, ranging from service providers, use their points to upgrade to business or first class on Kuwaiti investment in Pakistan especially in the field of energy. The retailers and hotels, and airline companies. any of the 125 destinations that Qatar Airways flies to Prime Minister also conveyed his greetings to the HH Amir of Kuwait Nojoom boasts a variety of partners that include: worldwide. Ooredoo has also partnered with Tamdeen Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, HH the Crown Prince and HH Xcite, Ikea, Oula Petrol Stations, Sama Dental Centre, Entertainment, offering clients vouchers in exchange of the Prime Minister of Kuwait. Landmark Group, and Alshaya Company. Ooredoo’s care- their Nojoom points to be used in Kuwait’s biggest family Meanwhile, Pakistani parliamentarians vowed to enhance coopera- fully-selected partners offer services that complement entertainment centre to enjoy throughout the summer. tion between the parliaments of Kuwait and Pakistan during Ghanem’s the lives of members, adding value and luxury to their Tamdeen Entertainment’s centre includes The Bowl visit. The convener of Pakistan’s parliamentary friendship, Sahibzada everyday routine. Room, Infunity, and Freeze Club, and is located in 360 Muhammad Nazeer Sultan described Ghanem’s visit to Pakistan as “suc- All prepaid and post-paid Ooredoo customers can Mall. cessful”. He said that Kuwait and Pakistan have agreed to further become a member of Nojoom for free by sending R to Ooredoo’s top-notch Platinum Tier gives customers enhance their ties during the visit. Sahibzada said that the current visit 129. Nojoom members can also check their Nojoom access to an exclusive 24/7 call centre that assists mem- of Kuwaiti parliamentarians would further help to cement ties among points by dialing *5##. Nojoom offers customers a bers with everyday errands, reminders, special occasions Muslim nations. Hamid-ul-Haq Khalil, another member of Pakistan’s parliamentary chance to enjoy more value and a variety of exciting or booking airline tickets and hotel accommodation. ISLAMABAD: Kuwaiti National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al- friendship group, said: “Kuwait is a brother Muslim country and it is very experiences along with their mobile and internet con- Additionally, Platinum Tier members receive access to Ghanem and Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif are important for Pakistan and Kuwait to enhance cooperation in diverse nection. Members can view the terms and conditions for several lounges in airports around the world. pictured during their meeting in Islamabad yesterday. — KUNA fields to create unity among the Muslim nation.” Kuwait business environment ‘promising’ for foreign investors

WASHINGTON: A leading business official in Kuwait is Diversifying economy Typically a Kuwaiti citizen must own 51 percent of a for- Cutting edge urging American investors to bring their plans and ideas “Now we can see the fruits of it. I think we are (moving) eign company operating in the country, but KDIPA “has an Law No 116 “will provide more opportunities for Kuwaiti to his country, in an effort to strengthen and expand pri- in the right direction, we got a lot of positive feedback exemption from (that) companies law,” Sheikh Meshaal companies and Kuwaitis in a broad range (of sectors): edu- vate sector beyond the industries of oil and gas, and from US investors and I can sense the difference with all said, and investors “can benefit from this incentive.” KDIPA, cation, healthcare, infrastructure projects, and will help the defense. these measures we are taking,” he added. however, is just “one of the many options” foreign investors Kuwaiti economy’s production of oil and gas through serv- Sheikh Meshaal Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Director “Kuwait is diversifying its economy to reduce its have to enter the Kuwaiti market, he noted. ice contracts because it will make it easier for companies General of the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion dependence and create a new form of income. This is why with the most cutting edge technology and the greatest Authority (KDIPA), has partnered with the US embassy in (the government) introduced a lot of positive measures Economic partner experience in mapping wells and increasing production Kuwait to promote business and investment opportuni- and passed and updated a lot of economic laws that affect US Ambassador to Kuwait Douglas Silliman accompa- from different wells to actually be present in - and do busi- ties to US companies, large and small, insisting that it the business environment. It allows investors that can help nied Sheikh Meshaal on his promotional tour with stops in ness - in Kuwait,” Silliman affirmed. was not the cash that matters - but the technologies and us bring technologies, innovations, and create job oppor- Houston, Texas, and New York City prior to arriving in the But Kuwait needs more than just a welcoming legal cli- innovation that can be infused into the small Gulf tunities for the Kuwaitis,” he explained. nation’s capital, and stressed in his remarks that Kuwait’s mate to draw investors and Sheikh Meshaal pointed to the nation. development plan for the year 2035 brings with it many country’s skilled youth as a motivating factor. “Kuwaiti business opportunities for American companies. youth (are some) of the most well-educated in the region Promising framework Silliman called Kuwait “a very quiet economic partner” (and are) eager to work,” and KDIPA wants to “cater to their In remarks to the National US-Arab Chamber of that does not make headlines, although it is the fifth specialties,” he said. Commerce Tuesday, Sheikh Meshaal touted Kuwait’s new largest market for the US in the MENA region. “I’m seeing “promising legal framework” passed in 2013 - known as personally a large number of young Kuwaitis, many of Women’s role Law No 116 - and said the government is “improving trans- whom are educated in the United States, who are coming As for the increasing role of women in the business parency” for potential investors, as well as providing a low back and trying to be successful at business,” he later told world, Sheikh Meshaal stressed that “Kuwait’s gender corporate tax rate set at 15 percent, and competitive fac- KUNA. “On Instagram, I see a lot of Kuwaiti startup acceler- equality (is) very high compared to the region.” He added: tor costs in a country with a high income per capita - a fig- ators. I hear from other Kuwaitis that these are new phe- “We have women in parliament, women in the cabinet, ure the World Bank puts at $52,197 for 2013. nomena. These are things that didn’t exist five years ago,” very strong CEOs (who are) women, we have women He further highlighted the new “one-stop shop” for he continued. ambassadors all over the world. I think women in Kuwait business registration - an effort that aims to cut through “Sheikh Meshaal and I, we talked and said we’ve got to are very influential and play a big role in shaping Kuwait’s tremendous bureaucratic red tape, which plagues much come to the United States, to begin the process of educating future.” of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. “The American businesses on this change in Kuwait,” Silliman said. The US embassy’s Senior Commercial Officer, Dao M Le, government and parliament have been working very hard “And KDIPA, the US embassy, the small and medium sized described the investment opportunity for Americans as “a to remove all the hurdles and obstacles that used to face enterprises (SME) organization will be there to help, through no-brainer,” citing the history and friendship between investors, whether they are local or foreign, because they WASHINGTON: KDIPA Director General Sheikh Meshaal Al- whatever process of bureaucracy still exists.” As the private Kuwait and the United States. “(KDIPA will) give you 100 believe the private sector is the one that should lead the Jaber Al-Sabah speaks at an event hosted by the National sector grows, Kuwaitis will look at the economy differently, percent access without a local partner,” he affirmed. “You Kuwait economy,” Sheikh Meshaal said. US-Arab Chamber of Commerce. — KUNA he said, marking a “paradigm shift” in the culture at large. want to do business with your friends.” — KUNA THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 LOCAL MPs plan to prevent debate of Dashti grilling Controversy over reported changes at oil companies

By B Izzak militias. He also charged that the minis- announced officially, social media out- ter was pushing for the ratification of lets reported that Adasani had submit- KUWAIT: A large number of MPs appear the Gulf security pact which he alleges it ted his resignation in protest. But KPC determined to prevent the debate of a breaches the Kuwaiti constitution. spokes Sheikh Talal Al-Sabah denied in a Kuwait confirms Wafra field grilling filed by Shiite MP Abdulhameed statement that Adasani or any other oil Dashti against Foreign Minister Sheikh KPC reshuffle executive has resigned. Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah over Kuwait’s In another development, the liberal MP Shaye said the decision of the closure for maintenance participation in the Saudi-led air cam- National Democratic Alliance and liberal council of ministers to reshuffle the KPC paign against Shiite Houthi militias in MP Faisal Al-Shaye yesterday criticized board should not be rushed and should Yemen. the reported reshuffle in the manage- be reconsidered in fear of having a neg- Cooperation with OPEC to address price fluctuations A meeting of at least 12 MPs was ments of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation ative impact on the country’s vital sec- reportedly held at MP Sultan Al- tor and main source of income. DOHA: Kuwaiti Minister of Oil Kuwait has set strategic plans to importance of reaching a rea- Shemmari residence at which they and Minister of State for National expand its oil production and sonable oil price levels for decided to do whatever necessary under Unwanted results Assembly Affairs Ali Al-Omair refining capacity, to best serve Kuwait and the whole world. “Oil the constitution to prevent the grilling The lawmaker said that the changes announced yesterday the clo- the growing oil markets’ is the backbone of the national from being debated. Although a grilling could lead to unwanted results and may sure of the Wafra oil field located economy, so we (in Kuwait) are is an undisputed right or lawmakers, the trigger resignations thus complicating in the neutral zone between striving to maintain and develop national assembly can reject a grilling the situation at the oil sector. Shaye Kuwait and Saudi Arabia was oil resources as well as to opti- suspected of violating principles of the appealed to the council of ministers not constitution. A precedence happened to rush any decisions and also called on due to maintenance. mize and rationalize its use to last year when the assembly rejected the oil executives who intend to resign Oil production in the field will boost oil revenues and national parts of a grilling against the prime min- to rethink their decisions. be decided after two weeks of income,” he said. ister filed by three lawmakers who later Secretary General of the NDA Bashar maintenance, Minister Omair Moreover, he added that rea- quit their seats in protest. Al-Sayegh warned in a statement added in remarks to KUNA. He sonable prices encourage oil The assembly can object to all or against infighting in the sensitive oil stressed on Kuwait’s keenness producers to pour more invest- portions of the grilling or it can send it MP Abdulhameed Dashti sector, especially between the oil minis- on continuing the exploration ments in the energy sector to to its legal committee to study whether ter and oil executives. He called for and drilling for oil, using the lat- help keep the smooth flow of it is in line with the constitution or not. (KPC) and a number of its affiliates. warding off the oil sector against exter- est available technologies, to supplies and meet world It can also send the grilling to the con- Reports said that Oil Minister Ali Al- nal interference and pressure and for achieve Kuwait Petroleum demands. He stated that Kuwait stitutional court to rule if it does not vio- Omair had secured the green light for preserving its interests. Corporation’s (KPC) strategy of has drawn up plans and strate- late the constitution or Kuwaiti laws. major changes at KPC that are expected Sayegh said the dispute between the reaching a total production of Oil Minister Ali Al-Omair gies to increase oil production According to sources, as many as 39 to include almost all the board mem- oil minister and oil executives has four million barrels per day. and refining capacity to help lawmakers are expected to oppose the bers except CEO Nezar Al-Adasani. The reached a new dangerous level after the Kuwait has always worked for demands, he said. The country is meet the growing demand for grilling which many have described as changes also reportedly included top minister used his political influence in sectarian in nature and could negatively executives of several state-run oil com- the cabinet to change the KPC board further gas explorations, he said, also voluntarily contributing to clean fuel on global markets. impact national unity especially in the panies. Omair has been trying to make members without the knowledge of alluding to new exploration that the international efforts to “We are also working on the wake of sectarian wars raging in the the changes almost immediately after Adasani or consulting with him. He would eventually boost the out- decrease heat emission gases, development of eco-friendly region. Dashti’s grilling is listed on the he was appointed in the post over a charged that the planned changes put, noting that Kuwait currently the minister added. projects to strike a balance agenda of the May 19 session. He year ago and reportedly encountered appear to be punitive in nature because buys large amounts of gas. The between the requirements of claimed that the foreign minister is stiff resistance. the KPC board has strongly resisted suitable oil prices are those that Oil market sustainable development and responsible for Kuwait’s decision to take Following the reports about the appointments by the minister for elec- satisfy all parties, including the Earlier, Omair said that Kuwait environment safety,” he said. part in the war against Yemen’s Shiite changes, which have not yet been tion purposes. exporting and importing coun- work in coordination with the “Kuwait also voluntary con- tries, he affirmed. OPEC member states and non- tributes to international efforts Omair stressed on Kuwait’s OPEC oil producers to stabilize to reduce greenhouse gas emis- commitment to cooperate with the oil market and stop the sions.” Mina Abdullah refinery units its partners in the Organization sharp fluctuations of oil prices. The minister expected that of Petroleum Exporting “Kuwait acts in cooperation with oil will remain the major source in maintenance till June 8 Countries (OPEC), in coordina- OPEC partners and in coordina- of energy, essential catalyst for tion with oil producing countries tion with non-OPEC producers to the global economy and an KUWAIT: Kuwait started planned main- and May are desulfurization 2, hydro- Project, to expand and modernize to fulfill stability in the oil mar- stabilize the global oil market important element for world tenance in mid-April for different units gen production 3, vacuum distillation 1, Kuwait’s refineries with a focus on pro- kets and avoid undesired fluctu- and put the brakes on prices energy security. He went on to at its 270,000 barrel-per-day (bpd) Mina hydrogen processing unit for diesel and ducing high-grade products such as ations in prices. fluctuation,” Omair, also Minister say that the steadily consump- Abdullah refinery that will end on June naphtha, and cooker unit 1. Kuwait also diesel fuel and kerosene for exports. Kuwait always works to reach of State for National Assembly tion rise requires a surge in 8, a Kuwaiti oil official said yesterday. plans a total shutdown of Mina Under the project, which will be com- optimal exploitation of the oil Affairs, said in his speech in the investments to raise produc- The refinery will also undergo a second Abdullah in November 2016 for two pleted between 2018 and 2022, Mina wealth, seeks to rationalize con- second day of the 15th Doha tion. But it also necessitates the round of maintenance for 45 days start- weeks, Fayez Al-Khazam, the refinery’s Abdullah’s capacity will rise to 454,000 sumption of its resources, con- Forum Enriching the Middle adoption of effective policies to ing March 1 next year, Hamoud Al- maintenance coordinator, said at the bpd from 270,000 bpd currently. OPEC tinually develops oil facilities as East’s Economic Future boost sustainability through Rasheed, head of planning at the refin- same conference. member Kuwait has three refineries oil production is the backbone Conference. rationalizing consumption, he ery said in a news conference. The total shutdown is part of an with a combined capacity of 930,000 the country’s economy, he said. The minister underlined the underlined. —KUNA The units in maintenance in April upgrade project called the Clean Fuels bpd. —Reuters THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 LOCAL KPC employees resent restructuring plans

By Meshaal Al-Enezi Private residence extensions The capital municipality manager Soud Al- KUWAIT: Chairman of the employees’ syndicate Enezi said that building third and fourth floors at Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) Jassim on private residence houses was illegal and that Al-Ali yesterday said that KPC employees were some citizens had jeopardized their families’ highly concerned regarding salaries and bonus- safety and lives through building two extra unli- es. They noted that KPC’s board has failed to pro- censed floors that had not been originally tect their gains and was threatening to cancel included in blueprints and approved by the some of them. Ali stressed that one of the most important reasons of such concerns was the decision made by KPC CEO Nizar Al-Adasani on merging and cancelling some departments. “Time has proven that those changes are unpro- KUWAIT: PACI’s Director General Musaed Al-Asousi (third from left) speaks at the press conference yesterday. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat fessional and did not serve the oil sector,” he said, noting that the decision made many employees sue the corporation and win the cases costing E-envelope system allows KPC a fortune to compensate them. Further, Ali criticized what he described as administrative violations such as the new orga- nizational structure which had not been civil ID renewal online approved by the Civil Service Commission. “This is a clear violation of cabinet decision number 666/2001,” he said, noting that KPC had been New system saves time, money intimidating employees by threatening to refer them to retroactively investigate their atten- dance punctuality. By Nawara Fattahova Quantum leap less than 3 hours. The employee will then check Ali said that the union was defending This new project is applied by PACI for the if the photos are correct as well as other data. In employees’ rights in accordance to international KUWAIT: The Public Authority for Civil first time and is considered a quantum leap. “Till case of providing false data on purpose, the pacts and agreements Kuwait has signed and Information (PACI) officially launched the ‘e- now, people were using the express envelope, applicant may face legal sanctions,” stressed that it would never accept ‘intimidation’ to any envelope system’ yesterday during a press con- available in more than 100 machines, located in Asousi. employee. Ali also urged the political leadership ference held at its premises. This system simpli- different locations, mostly in co-ops, costing 250 to interfere to reform the oil sector and “save it”. fies the procedure of renewing the civil ID by fils. Applicants follow-up by phone, online or in- Old envelopes KUWAIT: Minister Ahmad Al-Jassar speaks replacing the old manual procedure with a person, while PACI’s couriers collect the Tareq Al-Rashid, Director of System during a press conference to announce New fingerprint system soon new electronic one that can be done from envelopes in cartons, take them to PACI, where Development and Database Department launching of the Ministry of Public Work’s The Central Tenders Committee has recently home. the employees enter the data, scan the photos, explained the steps of the electronic transaction new website. — Photo by Fouad Al-Shaikh issued a new tender to install fingerprint ‘punch Currently, this service is available for four and then the documents are transferred to the through a live presentation. “The new e-enve- in and out’ machines to a local company, a well main categories: Registration of newborns, first waste,” he explained. lope saves time and money as people can finish informed source at the Ministry of municipality. Enezi said that such violations had time registration of maids, renewal service for The old process took a long time, but now it’s their work from their house online,” he noted. Communications told Kuwait Times. The source been so far detected in Qortuba, Jaber Al- Kuwaitis and renewal service for non-Kuwaitis. faster and easier. “In this new e-envelope system, The regular old envelopes are still available added that a contract would be signed within Ahmed and North West Sulaibikhat. “These extra “These are the easiest transactions that can be the applicant enters the data himself and scans and people can use them. Also, the SMS service the coming few days to install 210 machines in floors pose an additional burden to an area’s done online,” said Musaed Al-Asousi, Director the photos. The applicant accesses the website, that was launched 5 years ago is still available. 182 sites at various ministry departments. service infrastructure,” he pointed out reminding General of PACI during the press conference. chooses the service and enters the data. Within “Through the SMS service, PACI communicates Meanwhile, Minister of Electricity and Water and home owners that houses are already large “In the future, more services will be added 40 seconds, a PACI employee registers the sub- with the patron without him attending. Through Minister of Public Works Ahmad Al-Jassar yester- enough to accommodate a Kuwaiti family and including change of address, replacement of mitted data. In this way, we shortened the docu- this service, the patron can ask about his trans- day launched the Ministry of Public Work’s new urging citizens to respect and observe the law. lost cards and applications for dependents, till menting session and only used one employee. action by sending a short text message (SMS) to website that provides English and Arabic inter- we cover all or most services,” he added. Now, they can finish 1,000 transactions within 1889988,” he added. faces, accessible through smart phones and pro- Alternative power sources vides e-payment services. Rapporteur of the environment committee at the Municipal Council Hassan Kamal said that Snake at the port using alternative powers by 2030 would provide On inspecting an incoming container, the 15 percent of the total power needed to gener- southern ports customs inspectors recently ate electricity. Speaking after the committee found a venomous snake and managed to deal meeting dedicated to discuss the ‘environmental with it without any casualties. benefits of CO2’, Kamal said that the committee recommended reducing climate-changing CO2 Supplements targeted emissions. He warned that Kuwait was already The head of the Hawally committee at the ranked to have the highest per capita share of Municipal Council Yousif Al-Ghareeb urged the CO2 emissions. “Laws must be set to mandate municipality to fight food supplements that the government conduct environmental studies were openly sold and advertised in ad maga- for all its short and long-term projects and zines under cover of being approved by the reduce CO2 emissions by using modern technol- Ministry of Health. Describing those supple- ogy,” Kamal said. He also noted that alternative ments as ‘poisons,’ Ghareeb noted that many citi- power sources such as solar, wind and other zens and expats had been lured into using them powers would be used to generate around 15 and consequently suffering from some diseases percent of the total electricity output needed by and complications. 2030. VIVA concludes photo training sessions

KUWAIT: VIVA, Kuwait’s fastest-growing and most the criteria and were selected by expert photogra- assisting and supporting these participants while developed telecom operator, concluded the two phers Ahmad Al-Harby and Abdulaziz Al-Duwaisan providing them with useful tips and trainings that workshops that taught attendees how to take and participated in the training sessions and were pre- help hone their skills and talent. edit pictures. The three-day workshops titled sented At the end with certificates from presenters VIVA’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) ‘Basics of photography’ and ‘Mastering Photoshop’ to mark their successful completion of the training activities can be reviewed on the company’s web- were held from 10 to 12 May 2015 and presented sessions. site at https://www.viva.com.kw/csr. This offers a by expert photographers Ahmad Al-Harby and In support of the company’s leading role in pro- description of each CSR initiative that VIVA has sup- Abdulaziz Al-Duwaisan respectively. viding services that contribute to the development ported, or taken on since its inception. The 15 professional photographers who met of the Kuwaiti community, VIVA is committed to No injuries in fires

By Hanan Al-Saadoun trapped inside the vehicle. Separately, WASHINGTON: Kuwaiti surgeon Waddah Al-Refaie (center) and KRCS President Hilal Al- Farwaniya fire center responded to a car Sayer (left) are pictured at the ceremony. — KUNA KUWAIT: A transformer caught fire in Jahra. accident in Ishbeliya and a freed an The Jahra fire center dealt with it. injured person, who was taken to hospital Meanwhile, a tent in Mina Abdullah caught for treatment. Georgetown University fire, which was put out quickly. No injuries were reported. Debris hauled celebrates Kuwaiti surgeon Municipality Public Relations said the WASHINGTON: Georgetown University has cel- mer instructors of Refaie, stated meanwhile that DOHA: Minister Yaaqoub Al-Sane pictured at the Accidents Capital branch hauled 90 truckloads of ebrated the naming of Kuwaiti surgeon Waddah from the first time he dealt with his compatriot event. — KUNA A vehicle flipped over on Fahaheel debris from an unidentified source in Jaber Expressway, prompting Mangaf fire cen- Al-Ahmad during a weeklong field cam- Al-Refaie as the occupant of the prestigious in 1997, he recognized Refaie’s unique commit- GCC ministers approve ter to respond and free the person paign. John S Dillon Chair in Surgical Oncology. ment, calmness and great care for his patients. Participating senior surgeons of Georgetown Sayer, former Kuwaiti health minister, described strategy against University concurred that the conferring Refaie Refaie as “A worthy ambassador for Kuwait.” with John S Dillon Chair in Surgical Oncology is extremist ideologies well-deserved. They lauded his great dedication Constant efforts to medical knowledge acquiring and spreading Meanwhile, Refaie vowed that he and his DOHA: Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries approved as well as his role in the advancement of surgical team would continue their efforts to make the a Kuwait-proposed strategy to confront extremist ideolo- oncology researches. This Chair is named after university’s research center one of the most gies, Kuwait’s Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Yaaqoub Dr. John Dillon who taught at the Georgetown prestigious in the United States in surgical treat- Al-Sane said Tuesday. The State of Kuwait tabled this strate- University for decades and whose great style, ment of cancer. He noted that he tries to publish gy to a meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council’s (GCC) dedication, commitment towards promoting his researches in specialized journals inside and Ministers of Awqaf earlier Tuesday, and the executives knowledge and impressive behavior in dealing outside the US for the benefit of all cancer approved it, Sane, also Minister of Justice, said after the with all people are unforgettable, said Chief patients around the world. meeting. Kuwait, he added, also presented a study of a Medical Officer at MedStar Georgetown Refaie expressed gratitude for His Highness strategy on the creation of an integrated system specially University Hospital Stephen R T Evans. These the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- dedicated for Awqaf and Islamic affairs. characteristics have been seen clearly in Dr Sabah’s congratulatory cable after naming an Sane said the ministers discussed ways of exchanging Refaie and this was one of the major causes for occupant of the John S Dillon Chair. He was expertise over the fight against extremist and takfiri ideolo- supporting him, he said. appreciative of all bodies and persons who con- gies. Takfiri is the accusation of other persons of apostasy. tributed to his prominence in his career. Refaie He said they also agreed to hold a Gulf Waqf (endowment) Dedication graduated from Royal College of Surgeons in Week, as well as the establishment of a department President of Georgetown University John Ireland in 1997. In 2004, he was appointed a sur- assigned with promoting culture of Waqf. KUWAIT: Director General of Kuwait Fire Services Directorate held a meeting with DeGioia spoke highly about Refaie’s dedication geon at the University of California, San Diego. Frank Finger, Director of Kuwait Industrial Gases Company-Gulf Carbo. The two sides for scientific research and his close relations with In 2006, he studied surgical oncology at the Great responsibilities discussed mutual cooperation on guidance to unify conditions and how to transport his students and patients. He also highlighted cancer center at the University of Texas. Then he Sane had stated earlier that GCC ministries of Islamic and use medical and industrial gases. — By Hanan Al-Saadoun the similarities between Refaie and Dillon. was appointed a researcher at the University of affairs were facing “great responsibilities” vis-a-vis people in Lynt B Johnson, Chairman of Department of Minnesota. Two years and a half later he moved region in a drive to achieve security and stability. Surgery at MedStar Georgetown University to Georgetown University Hospital in Addressing the meeting, Sane said joint coordination Hospital, unveiled that the hospital has been Washington, DC. He is now the Division Chief of among Awqaf ministries was “a necessity considering cir- CBK launches ‘Al-Tijari searching for years for a new dean to the surgi- Surgery. His areas of interest include surgical cumstances facing the Gulf people.” cal oncology department and an occupant for oncology, GI cancers, gastric cancer, gastroin- Sane cited some challenges like spread of violence and Offers’ program John S Dillon Chair at the University. testinal stromal tumors, soft tissue sarcoma, extremism, as well as terrorism which targeted youth who He added that there were two conditions for malignant melanoma, pancreatic cancer, geri- “do not properly comprehend” the Islamic Sharia. “One of KUWAIT: Commercial Bank of Kuwait (CBK) recently launched its ‘Al-Tijari Offers’ program, offering candidate to those posts: firstly to have a good atric surgical oncology and surgical outcomes the most important role of our institutions is to achieve CBK’s credit and pre-paid Visa and MasterCard cardholders direct offers and discounts at a variety of achievement record in surgical oncology and research. He is an active member of following social security, which is the cornerstone of development restaurants, retail clothing, health clubs, clinics and a wide range of different services. secondly to be able to continue effective contri- medical societies: Society of Surgical Oncology, and key to creating an atmosphere of security and stabili- Paul Daoud, CBK’s Retail Banking Division General Manager, said that the list of participating butions. A panel of the university’s senior sur- Society of University Surgeons, American ty, which allows Gulf people and institutions to work pro- companies and retail outlets as well as the discounts offered are varied in order to satisfy various geons has picked up “the new star” of the oncol- Society of Clinical Oncology, Association for ductively,” he said. The ministries of Awqaf and Islamic clients’ needs. He also noted that the whole list was available on CBK’s website. In addition, Daoud ogy department Dr Refaie who managed to lead Academic Surgeons, Western Surgical affairs have great responsibilities to guide the youth said that CBK issued a special booklet that includes all its offers, as well as the names and contacts of the center to be one of the best in treating can- Association, American College of Surgeons - towards the correct path which would benefit their coun- various participants. The list is also advertised through the bank’s social media accounts and appli- cer in the region, Johnson said. Fellow, American Pancreatic Association, The tries, said Sane. —KUNA cations, which are available for download on all Android and IOS devices, and can be found by President of Kuwait Red Crescent Society Society for Surgery of The Alimentary Tract and searching ‘We Guide’. (KRCS) Hilal Al-Sayer, who is also one of the for- The Surgical Outcomes Club. — KUNA LOCAL THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

KUWAIT: Omar Al-Ghanim, CEO of Alghanim Industries, reopens the Safat Home. —Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat Omar Al-Ghanim, Mark Ladham and other officials take a group photo at the ceremony. Safat Home reopens in Shuwaikh after makeover One-stop shop to fulfill customers’ demands

By Nawara Fattahova ative ideas, innovation and services. This was the We also have another Italian brand called ALF Italia, foundation that Safat Home was based on when it specialized in high quality design and range of bed- KUWAIT: Safat Home reopened its doors in was created five years ago - a foundation that con- room and dining room furniture. In addition, we Shuwaikh last week after an extensive makeover. tinues to drive our business to this day. We will nev- also unveiled two new sections that display the lat- Kuwait Times interviewed Mark Ladham, Senior er stop discovering and promoting new product est bathroom and floor tiles from Impronta, one of General Manager of Alghanim Industries’ Home ranges and lifestyles. Our lifestyle area, introduced Italy’s leading tile producers. Division, who expounded on the retailer’s products to give a complete room feeling, started with and plans. Heritage and now covers five global themes Periodic renovation Kuwait Times: Safat Home was established sourced exclusively for us by our buyers. KT: Does Safat Home favor renovating its show- merely 5 years ago, and it is amazing how fast it has rooms periodically in order to match the latest become a well-known brand in the Kuwaiti market. International brands trends? And what’s the new style of presentation Can you briefly elaborate on the reasons that made KT: Speaking of lifestyle themes and brands, that will be displayed in the newly renovated Safat Home brand a fast-growing success? Safat Home offers products from many internation- Shuwaikh showroom? Mark Ladham: If we take a closer look at the fur- al commercial brands. Can you tell what they are Ladham: Renovating the showrooms has been niture market in Kuwait, we see a clear separation and how were they chosen? a long process. For example, the reopening of the between our customers who prefer traditional Ladham: About a year ago, our loyal customers Safat Home Shuwaikh branch, with its exciting new styles and those with modern taste, and we believe brought to our attention their desire to see more format, took 18 months of preparation and plan- that our success stems from our ability to present a collections and more variety, a comment that made ning and executing. Our team outside Kuwait is wide variety of products that satisfy our customers’ us immediately consider two ideas: One, to become always looking for quality and inspiration around needs and lifestyle choices. We have accomplished more like a lifestyle store, where customers can the world as they attend famous exhibitions and Omar Al-Ghanim, CEO of Alghanim Industries (left), Mark Ladham, Senior General this by offering genuine quality furniture and value come to our showrooms and ask for home solutions events while working with expert vendors and fur- Manager of Alghanim Industriesí Home Division (right) and other officials tour the new sourced by our buyers globally as well as by follow- and interior design ideas, ranging from floors, car- niture makers. Because at Safat Home, we are con- showroom. ing the latest market trends and demands. pets, furniture, lighting to curtains. Two, to under- stantly on the lookout for what it is exciting and needs has and will always be our top priority. live cooking sessions in our showroom where cus- At Safat Home, we keep listening to our cus- stand the types of customers in Kuwait as well as new across all the rooms of our customers’ homes. tomers can learn about the latest trends in food tomers, and even from those who don’t always global and local trends. While Kuwait is more of a KT: Are there any future plans for expansion Kuwaiti market preparations and recipes from our expert guest shop with us, that they trust Alghanim Industries traditional market, we nonetheless see a growing and/or opening new branches? KT: On that thought, what are your impressions chefs. In a nutshell, it’s not just about selling our and the value, quality and the range that we offer. trend and interest in global styles of furniture. Ladham: Currently there are two large Safat of the Kuwaiti market and do you think Safat Home products but also offering ideas, inspirations and Basically, what we have created is a one-stop shop Because most of our customers are well-traveled, Home stores in Kuwait in Al-Rai and Shuwaikh. satisfies all of its demands? great service. where customers can easily fulfill all their home they appreciate modern design and aesthetics But we do have plans for expansion. The big Ladham: Our customer base is quite diverse. KT: Your new slogan is “At the heart of every needs while discovering new ideas and inspirations. more and more. So it was our job to discover and question is what the next store should offer. The Our job is to understand their needs - no matter home”. What’s the meaning behind it? For example, our Kuwaiti customers often come to come up with exciting collections like the Heritage great thing about our customers in Kuwait is that how traditional or modern their needs may be - Ladham: We believe that Alghanim Industries us with the idea of building or renovating their Collection or Asian Fusion Collection and offer them they don’t shy away from telling us what they while anticipating the choices and lifestyles of our and Safat Home are already at the heart of every homes, or they are looking for kitchens, bathrooms to our customers. want and desire. This is due to their long-stand- younger customers, who are new homeowners and home in Kuwait. Whether you’re an expatriate or or home furnishings. Expat customers, on the other The brand Natuzzi Editions has a very specific ing relationship with Alghanim and the trust that are making long terms plans. For example, the Kuwaiti, a value-seeking customer or looking for a hand, often look for various lifestyle options and look, luxury functionality and quality. This world is about 80 years old. They come to us for inspira- kitchen is now rapidly becoming the center of specific lifestyle, we are here to help you and make products without stretching their budget. For the famous Italian sofa brand is renowned for its leather tion and we listen to them to be inspired on entertainment in the young owner’s household your life more enriching and colorful. We want to be past 18 months, we have been planning on how we quality and sophisticated style. And Safat Home is what to do next. Because it’s genuinely not just where the family gets much more involved in the at the heart of your home, which, for many of us, is can transform our store format into a hub of cre- the first store in the GCC region to launch this brand. about products - understanding the customer’s kitchen. Thereby we bring kitchen ideas and host where we dream and relax. THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 From the Arabic press

Crime Al-Qabas Report Controlling the Uninspected container public opinion disappears at Shuwaikh Port By Abdellatif Al-Duaij KUWAIT: A 40 foot container left Shuwaikh Port without inspection although authorities suspected the content and s we explained in an earlier column, there is had information about it before it arrived to the port. The no major problem when the government dis- container arrived on May 4 from a Gulf country, reportedly Asolves the board of an NGO - maybe the deci- loaded with ceramics. A company came forward to start the sion is necessary and is a mere appeasement of the clearance procedures, and the company representative wait- government - and it may be right. But for the gov- ed until it was the container’s turn for inspection. But when ernment to dissolve an elected society’s board, the name of the driver was announced to come to the ramp which is like or maybe better than the National he did not respond, and there was no truck or container to Grilling Assembly, then one cannot but see a violation and be found. Inspectors were baffled as they did not know how unjustified maliciousness. the container disappeared. Inspectors asked the company’s Al-Jarida The society’s board that was dissolved by the gov- representative about the container, he said “I do not know. I ernment was legally elected by members of the gen- presented the papers for clearance and I do not know where the driver went or how he disappeared with it.” The repre- eral assembly, so members of the general assembly sentative gave authorities the phone number of the driver and members of the society alone have the right to but no one answered. Upon further investigation, they hold the board members to account and issue rul- found that the driver left the country to Egypt on May 5. ings towards them. Field investigations showed that the truck along with the Human societies develop and advance because container left through an opening in the wire fence of the there are multiple opinions and various dreams - port without being cleared. The source said when the case they compete and fight in a free democratic atmos- papers were sent to the prosecution, the representative was phere, where the people choose whom they want, released after refusing to register a case because there was and this is what we used to do in parliamentary elec- no container. The representative said that his company tions in previous years and decades. People used to received a call from a central prison inmate asking to clear choose the worst, with regret, and the bad choice the container that arrived from Dubai and told them it was Al-Jarida was not due to ignorance, or not only because of loaded with ceramics. Investigations are ongoing. ignorance, but because of the government’s social keenness to restrict and neutralize people’s will, and Decorative NGOs keep this will captive to primitiveness, total agree- Drugs smuggling bid foiled ment and humble government capabilities. Airport customs officers arrested an Indian man with People used to elect “blindly” because of the two kilogram marijuana. The drug was found inside his By Hassan Al-Essa absence of democratic institutions and the domi- luggage. He was sent to concerned authorities. nance of traditional establishments over awareness Meanwhile, Jahra police arrested two Asians with 120 he government finally took the side of lawmak- improve and beautify Kuwait’s image abroad; that is, and information in the society. Traditional society liquor bottles, they said they were selling in Abdali and ers who were negatively affected by the truthful- in fact, one of the jobs of the information and foreign establishments and structures were ruling, deciding Qashaniya farms. Tness of the Kuwait Transparency Society (which ministries. It is not the duty of NGOs, which are being and nominating candidates. Control was by the boldly and openly exposed corruption), and ordered slowly slaughtered by the government. tribe, family, mosque, diwaniya and other traditional dissolving its board of directors. The government also The government’s only excuse in dissolving the establishments, under the total absence of a free Twitter account accused appointed another board for a temporary period; dur- Kuwait Transparency Society is that the society violat- media and private establishments or organizations, ing which time cards could be reshuffled and ed the NGOs’ Law and its interference in politics, A citizen who works for the Interior Ministry filed a com- be it parties or active NGOs that are the bases and rearranged so that the ‘Kuwaiti Democracy’ can beget though the Society defined ‘corruption’ in its Article 2 plaint against a Twitter account user, accusing the uniden- pillars of democratic fights and differences. another ‘freak’ as the government has always done, as “The abuse of powers by individuals in the public tified person of posting insults against the companions of In marketing, we have commercials that present the Prophet (PBUH). A security source said the case was similar to the case when it re-divided the electoral and private sectors with the aim of achieving personal products and convince people, and without these referred to the detectives in the ‘online’ crimes division. constituencies in the 1980s. gains.” So, if we assume that putting this article into commercials, the consumer will be forced to contin- To justify dismissing the Society’s board, the gov- practice would be considered as ‘interference in poli- ue choosing what he is used to and what his fathers ernment used the same old and strange charges of tics,’ what else can the Society talk about? And why and grandfathers chose, which may or may not be Wanted man arrested ‘interference in politics’ and ‘defaming Kuwait’s image was its establishment approved in the first place if the suitable for him and meet the current society’s abroad’, as if this ‘abroad’ group the government uses excuse of interfering in politics was a red flag for it or needs. This is, to a certain extent, the role of civil Capital patrols arrested an Iranian man wanted to as an excuse comprises of deaf and blind people who any other NGO? societies in the democratic society - to help create serve a 10-year jail sentence on drugs charges. The neither see nor hear about the State’s corruption If the government and its supporters wish to only public opinion and place facts in front of the citi- arrest was made in front of Sabah hospital. He was except through the Kuwait Transparency Society’s have nominal boards like the current parliament, it zen. Our government has developed with regret, as sent to central prison. eyes! should have dissolved all other NGOs, subjected them after it suppressed and restricted civil establish- The government went along with its parliament to state official bodies and appointed their members ments, it now runs them directly and decides for and used the lie of ‘defaming Kuwait’s image abroad’ from those ‘dearest and nearest.’ Drunk pair arrested them. —Translated by Kuwait Times as an excuse to knock down an active NGO that has All the government needs to do is practice frankness An Iraqi man and a citizen were arrested for driving while never favored nor ‘buttered’ interest-focused groups with most, if not all NGOs, and declare them subject to it, intoxicated, damaging other people’s property and causing within the parliament - those who ran to the govern- because they already are. They are funded by the govern- a traffic accident. Police found an imported liquor bottle. ment complaining of the society’s bluntness and ment, act under its umbrella and never disobey it. These Al-Watan impoliteness to their tasks, while they themselves turn NGOs are desperate and attempt to beautify the ugliness a blind eye to the widespread corruption within the of the government’s authoritarian face, so there is no Prostitutes caught whole state. need, once they no longer exist, to perform any funeral or ‘We like onions’ It is not the Kuwait Transparency Society’s job to memorial services. — Translated by Kuwait Times Three Chinese women and their madam were arrested in Salmiya for carrying out prostitution activities. The By Dr Shamlan Al-Essa three used to walk streets in Salmiya in skimpy clothes, hunting for clients, then take them to a flat where they carried out their activities, according to investigations. saw a video through social media that showed fans The women were charging KD 50 per session, while if of Al-Qadisiya club singing and shouting, “we smell someone wanted a massage, the madam handles him Ionions” and repeating “who likes onions” with the for KD 40. Detectives raided the flat and arrested the intention of irritate Al-Arabi club fans. Dueling football women. chants between Al-Arabi and Al-Qadisiya fans is his- toric, because the two clubs are the largest and most prestigious sports clubs in Kuwait, and because their ‘football differences’ is normal. But support, for any of the clubs, should be objective and should not go too News far as to throw insults based on ethnic or religious ori- in brief gins. It seems the Arabs’ regional problems with Iran, especially after the regretful events in Yemen, started Housing officials’ to show heinous sectarian trends from the political contracts terminated Islam groups with their partisan Sunni and Shiite ‘Be Dasmani’ runs successfully organizations. These trends are practiced by those KUWAIT: Minister of State for Housing Affairs Yasser who do not have a patriotic sense, so they started Abul recently terminated the contracts of 81 senior offi- including meaningless political dimensions in football cials at the Public Authority for Housing Welfare at Dasman Diabetes Institute chants, especially that those saying them are young (PAHW). They include 20 directors, advisors and engi- Kuwaiti youths. neering supervisors. Abul stopped special financial KUWAIT: The Fitness and I belong to a family with dual football loyalty. Al- incentives that officials were receiving, since they were Rehabilitation Center at Dasman Qanaat neighborhood, now known as Al-Shuwaikh is hired under special contracts, said informed sources. Diabetes Institute, which was estab- in the middle of the city, while we are among the The incentive were paid on monthly basis and started lished by Kuwait Foundation for the founders of Al-Arabi club. Former player Abdelrahman at KD 1,000 each, in addition to their salaries. In total, Advancement of Sciences, has com- Al-Doulah was among the founders of the club, and this situation costs the state budget KD 250,000 pleted the comprehensive educational was a member of the board of directors for a long monthly and around KD 3 million a year, the sources program under the slogan ‘Be Dasmani’ time. His maternal uncle, the late Saud Al-Yousuf Al- explained. —Al-Jarida on the 11th of April 2015. This program Mutawa, was one of the founders and fan of Kuwait was designed with the purpose of edu- sports club, and remained as such until his death. cating type 2 diabetic patients about Now, because of the fame of Al-Qadisiya club player Islamic studies’ curricula the importance of leading a healthy Bader Al-Mutawaa, the family youth are now fans of lifestyle in order to manage diabetes KUWAIT: Minister of Education and Higher Al-Qadisiya, though the elderly are still committed to and prevent its complications. being loyal to Al-Arabi. Education Dr Bader Al-Essa announced the start of Participants in this program What I am trying to say simply is that dual loyalty in reviewing all curricula, including Islamic education undergo a comprehensive assess- to tackle extremism and destruction of social val- ment that includes a full clinical football is normal and not strange. It is the same rea- ues. In an answer to a question by MP Humoud Al- examination as well as blood and son why some youths from Sharq and Kuwait Shiites Hamdan, Essa said the ministry’s educational urine tests, electrocardiogram, body support other clubs, and some Sunnis are still avid Al- research, curricula and technical guidance sector composition testing, and fitness Arabi supporters. began ‘purifying’ the Islamic education subjects in assessment. The participants also design a safe and effective exercise oration with the nutrition depart- Personally, I support every good team, but I lean all educational stages. He said the focus will be on receive nutritional counseling with program for each participant. ment and the Education and towards Real Madrid, while my sons support instilling centrism, loyalty, peaceful living and the dietician who assess their Be Dasmani Program participants Training Department. All individual Barcelona; and this is something I consider ordinary human rights. —Al-Qabas dietary programs individually and attend lectures that aim to raise and group sessions were delivered and normal. provides them with healthy eating awareness about diabetes, its acute by a highly skilled cadre of health The abnormal thing is to inject politics or to move guidelines. A diabetes educator and chronic complications, blood care professionals, nurses, dieticians, around it in sports. The talk about onions and onion ‘Fintas Group’ assesses their knowledge about dia- glucose monitoring, healthy eating, and exercise specialists. lovers refers to residents of Sharq, and because the members questioned betes and ability to manage their and exercise. In addition, the pro- The Fitness Center at Dasman Iranian people love onions like the rest of the nations condition effectively, and provides gram includes daily group exercise Diabetes Institute urges people with who know its importance and health benefits. KUWAIT: The Interior Ministry referred members of the classes and workshops in which the Type 2 diabetes to capitalize on this ‘Fintas Group’ to the public prosecution after its prelimi- advice tailored to the needs of each Iranians who immigrated to work in Kuwait had their participant. participants learn the basic princi- great opportunity and exceptional meal consisting of bread, onions and yogurt, a cheap nary investigations were completed. The seven mem- ples of exercising safely. service for the betterment of their Furthermore, The Fitness Center and healthy meal - fitting for simple and hard working bers, which include lawyers and ruling family members, The program was delivered from health and wellbeing. To find out ensures that every participant people. were referred on charges related to state security receives individual fitness consulta- 7th to 11th of April 2015 and all par- more information about the pro- including undermining public order, encroaching on ticipants were granted full access to gram all are welcome to visit the I am a lover of white, green and Indian onions due tions with the exercise specialists in to its many benefits, and there is no relation to loving authorities of His Highness the Amir, insulting the Amir, order to understand their individual the FRC facilities for a month. ‘Be Fitness and Rehabilitation Center in onions with supporting Al-Arabi club. I reject all cheap inciting internal stability disturbance, spreading rumors, goals, needs, and physical limita- Dasmani’ was coordinated and Dasman Diabetes Institute - the interfering in the judiciary and insulting some judges, tions. The exercise specialist then spearheaded by the Fitness Center at fourth floor or contact us on 2224 and heinous attempts to link Al-Arabi supporters, be sources said. The case began when a lawyer was arrest- uses the information gathered to Dasman Diabetes Institute in collab- 2989. them Shiite or Sunni, with Iran. The people of Sharq, ed participating in an unlicensed demonstration in Sunni and Shiite, are loyal citizens to their country and March, the sources said. A large number of information its political leadership. Some politicians in my country, was discovered during his questioning, including infor- PAAET denies delay in laborers’ pay Sunni and Shiite, are using religion and sectarian affili- mation stored in his phones related to the group, its ations to make political gains and reach the national activities and members. The public prosecution will assembly. KUWAIT: Director of General Services at the Applied nies do not, through liquidation of violating companies’ There is no shame in eating onions and diced fish start questioning the suspects over the charges and Education and Training Authority Eng Mohammad Al-Yaseen deposits. Each company that signs a contract with the PAAET to us Al-Arabi supporters, because onions made Al- expects the number of those involved to increase, after denied any delay in paying salaries of laborers, saying that the must deposit an amount of money that PAAET can use as an Arabi players strong to compete for the top prize other aspects are revealed, the sources said. They department makes sure that at the start of each month that insurance in the future. Yaseen said the PAAET has lists of salary expect details of other cases, most importantly the the laborers’ previous month salaries are paid for through offi- transfers for all previous months, and is keen not to violate the regardless of the nature of provocation some fans “Fintas tapes,” its goals, how they were prepared, and cial and sealed lists by the banks. right of any worker for humanitarian reasons and to safeguard stir up. Translated by Kuwait Times their succeeding alternative steps, in case the fake tapes He said PAAET, in coordination with the Ministry of Social Kuwait’s reputation abroad as a country that respects its inter- — fail to achieve its intended goals. —Al-Rai Affairs and Labor, pays the workers’ salaries, and in case compa- national commitments towards laborers. —Al-Qabas THURSDAY, MAY 14 , 2015

N Korea executes Hezbollah, Syrian army make big gains in border battle defense chief with anti-aircraft gun Page 8 Page 12

KARACHI: Pakistani security personnel escort ambulances carrying the bodies of Shiite Muslims following an attack by gunmen in Karachi yesterday. At least 43 members of Pakistan’s Shiite Ismaili minority were killed when gunmen opened fire on their bus in Karachi. — AFP Gunmen kill 43 Shiites in Karachi

KARACHI: Pistol-wielding gunmen in itant faction, which has claimed sever- come to collect the body of my young Pakistan’s biggest city Karachi yester- al major attacks in the past including son. He was a student preparing for day stormed a bus carrying members one on a church in Peshawar that his first year exams at college.” The bus of the Shiite Ismaili minority, killing at killed 81 Christians in 2013, said his itself, which had been driven after the least 43 in the second deadliest mili- group was responsible for storming attack to the hospital, was blood- tant attack in the country this year. The the bus. Speaking over the phone drenched and riddled with bullet Jundullah militant faction, a splinter of from an undisclosed location, Ahmed holes. Yesterday’s attack was the sec- the Pakistani Taleban, later said it was Marwat said four, not six fighters, had ond deadliest in Pakistan this year responsible for the massacre while participated, adding: “Shiites and after 62 Shiite Muslims were killed in a police said they also found leaflets at Ahmadis are unbelievers, they are suicide bombing in late January. the scene claiming the attack on apostates and deserved death.” Little Anti-Shiite attacks have been behalf of the Islamic State group. is known about Jundullah, its increasing in recent years in Karachi Pakistan has experienced a rising strength, or its organizational struc- and also in the southwestern city of tide of sectarian violence in recent ture, but it is believed to be based out Quetta, the northwestern area of years, particularly against Shiites, who of the country’s tribal areas and parts Parachinar, and the far northeastern make up around 20 percent of the of Karachi. town of Gilgit. Around 1,000 Shiites country’s predominantly Muslim pop- A security official at the scene also have been killed in the past two years ulation of 200 million. “According to showed AFP a copy of a torn and in Pakistan, with many of the attacks the initial information which we have blood-stained pamphlet claiming claimed by the hardline Sunni group received from hospitals, 43 people responsibility on behalf of the Islamic have been killed and 13 wounded,” State group-the second time in as Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) who view Ghulam Haider Jamali, police chief of many months that such material has them as heretics. There have also Sindh province told reporters at the been discovered at the scene of an been concerns about the IS group site in the eastern district of Malir. attack in Karachi. Police handed over tapping support in Pakistan, a country “Six terrorists came on three motor- similar leaflets to reporters after the awash with dozens of militant groups. cycles, they entered the bus and shooting of US national Debra Lobo, a Leaflets calling for support of IS began firing indiscriminately. They member of faculty at the city’s Jinnah jihadists have been seen over recent used 9mm pistols and all those killed Medical and Dental College, on April months in parts of northwest Pakistan and injured were hit by the 9mm pis- 16, but analysts remain doubtful over and pro-IS slogans have appeared on tols,” he said. Prince Karim Aga Khan, their authenticity. The leaflets, seen by walls in several cities. Some disaffect- the spiritual leader of the world Ismaili AFP, are plain printed text documents ed Pakistani Taleban cadres have also community, confirmed the toll in a with no IS emblems or insignia and said they have switched allegiance to statement sent by his office in France. there has been no confirmation from IS, but the true extent of links to the “This attack represents a senseless act the group’s leadership in the Middle group’s Middle East operations of violence against a peaceful commu- East that it has carried out any attacks remains unclear. Karachi, a sprawling nity,” the philanthropist and business inside Pakistan. city of roughly 20 million, has long magnate said. The killings were also had a reputation for high crime rates condemned by Prime Minister Nawaz Anguished relatives as well as ethnic, political and sectari- Sharif and army chief Raheel Sharif, At the city’s Memon Hospital an violence. But the violence has fall- while the provincial government Institute, where most of the wounded en significantly since 2013 after police announced a day of mourning were rushed, crying relatives formed a and paramilitary rangers launched a Thursday. human chain outside the main build- crackdown that rights activists say has Multiple claims ing to keep onlookers away. A sob- led to extra-judicial killings of suspect- A spokesman for the Jundullah mil- bing middle-aged man said: “I have ed criminals and militants.— AFP Dozens feared dead in Philippines factory fire MANILA: Dozens of people were Ariel Barayuga told local GMA televi- spark caused by welding at the build- feared dead after a fire swept through sion in a live interview on the scene. ing’s main entrance that reached flam- a footwear factory in the Philippine However, by early evening investiga- mable chemicals stored nearby, the capital Manila yesterday, with rescuers tors have yet to pull them out from mayor added. A distraught factory reporting “piles” of bodies inside. under the collapsed roof and walls of worker Nedy Neverio, 35, joined other Sixty-five people were unaccounted the building, an AFP reporter on the relatives gathered outside, anxiously for after the blaze destroyed the fac- scene said. “It’s still hot up there and awaiting word on her elder sister Nora tory in the industrial suburb of there is thick smoke,” Barayuga said. Verenzuela, 42, and two nephews. Valenzuela, but firemen and investiga- “Our investigators have to clear the “Someone told us no one escaped tors had yet to establish the death toll, debris first before we can give an offi- from the area where she was Rex Gatchalian, the mayor of the dis- cial body count.” Fire engines lined the assigned” packing flip-flops into bags, trict said. “I’m hoping against hope street outside as night fell, with fire- Neverio told AFP. “My sister’s work- that they’re still alive,” he added. He men continuing to direct their water place was near the chemicals. She was had earlier told wailing relatives out- cannons at the blackened building, not able to get out because the side the burning flip-flop factory that which was bathed with beams from flames had spread,” Neverio added. none of those caught inside had sur- search lights. The reek of foul-smelling Injured survivor Emma Santa Agata vived the fire, although it was not chemicals hung in the air. told ABS-CBN television many of her clear how many may have been fellow workers were trapped at their trapped. ‘No one escaped’ work stations on the second floor of The bodies of three people were City officials drew up an official list the building. “My boss and I were run- pulled out in the afternoon, but fire- of potential victims from the accounts ning out when we were blocked by men on the scene later told an AFP of relatives who said they had yet to fire and smoke,” Santa Agata said. photographer there were “piles of locate family members who were on “There was a sudden explosion and bodies” on the second floor. “Our peo- duty at the factory at the time the he got hit on the arm,” said the ple discovered skulls on the second blaze struck before noon (0400 GMT). woman, whose hair was singed floor,” Bureau of Fire Protection chief The fire apparently started from a according to the network.—AFP THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 INTERNATIONAL Iraqi refinery may be destroyed in battle to save it Islamic State dig trenches around natural gas tanks

BAGHDAD: Islamic State militants have dug several fronts whilst holding ground they is mainly symbolic, although the group may source. Baiji is flanked to the west by open refinery, but have not managed to reach the trenches around natural gas and hydrogen have retaken. “We don’t sleep that much,” be able to siphon off some crude oil and fuel desert all the way to Syria, making it easy for centre. The mayor of Baiji said the govern- tanks at Iraq’s largest refinery, raising the said Mohanad, one of the policemen trapped from storage tanks, analysts and officials say. Islamic State to re-supply. The Hamrin moun- ment forces were no match for the resources stakes in a battle where the price of victory inside the refinery. They are fending off two The latest fighting has inflicted damage that tain range to the east is a militant stronghold. Islamic State had committed to the battle. may be the refinery itself. The Baiji refinery or three attacks a day from the militants, who will take years to repair, rendering the refin- Military commanders say the key to retak- “What we see on the ground is a modest remains contested despite more than 300 are using snipers, mortars and heat-seeking ery idle at a time when Iraq is short of cash ing the refinery this time is to control the number of forces compared within the ongo- coalition air strikes in the vicinity since the missiles. “They (Islamic State) have dug due to plummeting oil prices. Michael nearby towns of Baiji and Siniya. “We have to ing build-up of Islamic State inside the town Islamist insurgents overran the area last June. trenches near the hydrogen and natural gas Knights, fellow at the Washington Institute retake Siniya and Baiji towns to cut all supply and also the refinery,” said Mohammed The militants launched their fiercest attack tanks. Aircraft cannot hit them because it is for Near East Policy, said it would be difficult routes coming from Anbar province and used Mahmoud al-Jubouri. on the installation last month and now con- very dangerous and we could get killed too.” to salvage the refinery as a functioning facili- by Daesh to send reinforcements whenever Military officials also complain of poor trol large parts of the complex in which 200 Islamic State’s fixation on the refinery ty. “It’s regrettable we have to lose the refin- they need,” said a source in the Salahuddin coordination between regular forces and Iraqi security forces are trapped. invites comparisons with the Syrian town of ery but now that ISIS has committed itself to Operations Command. Daesh is another paramilitary groups organized under the The Pentagon last week said the outcome Kobani, which the militants spent months another one of these anvil type battles-the name for Islamic State. “What’s the point of umbrella of the Hashid Shaabi (Popular of the battle-in which Iraqi security forces trying to take from lightly armed Kurdish hammer’s in the air-they’ve done it Kobani retaking a location and suffering casualties Mobilization). “Hashid fighters are not report- backed by coalition warplanes are fighting to guerrillas. The insurgents were eventually and they bled themselves white”. while nearby areas and supply routes are still ing to the military command, and their local retake the refinery from Islamic State mili- defeated after hundreds of US air strikes, but controlled by Daesh?” Coalition planes have leaders normally take decisions without con- tants- could not be predicted but warned it the town was ruined. “They are maintaining Supply routes dropped ammunition and aid to the forces sulting the army commanders,” said a was going in “the wrong direction”. Islamic their momentum just like Kobani; they keep The battle for Baiji however could have inside the refinery, but troops have so far colonel whose regiment is fighting near the State appears to have committed itself to an throwing people at the refinery,” said an Iraqi the effect of delaying the much anticipated failed to reach the complex. refinery, describing the situation as “chaotic”. all-out fight there, proving it can still seize security source speaking on condition of operation to retake the city of Mosul from Government forces started a military The head of the Salahuddin Operations the initiative after being ejected from the city anonymity. “The only difference is that Islamic State. The refinery was liberated once operation last week from the west, but Command was recently replaced - a move of Tikrit further south in early April, military Kobani is a city and Baiji is an industrial facili- before in November, but security forces failed encountered strong resistance from Islamic one source within the command said had officials and experts say. ty, and it’s difficult to manage a fight inside to secure the area and deployed to other State snipers and roadside bombs. further weakened the chain of command. The battle highlights the disordered state an area that is surrounded 360 degrees.” fronts, leaving the refinery a soft target. “They Meanwhile federal police, army and a small “This decision created divisions within the of the security forces, which partly disinte- For Islamic State, the value of the refinery, handed it over to weak army units that crum- contingent of Shiite paramilitaries are trying operations command and affected every- grated last summer and must now fight on which has not been working since last June, bled under pressure,” said the Iraqi security to advance into the town of Baiji south of the thing else on the ground”. —Reuters 48 killed as Islamic State fights Syria army in Homs Hezbollah, Syrian army make big gains in border battle

BEIRUT: The Islamic State jihadist adding that clashes continued yes- where the capital is located. It is backed Shi’ite group with a power- group has seized large parts of a terday. The group said at least 28 also home to the key Shaar gas ful militia, has been a crucial ally for strategically located town in Syria’s regime forces-soldiers and pro-gov- field, which is now back in govern- Assad in the four-year-long war central Homs province in clashes ernment militants-and 20 IS fight- ment hands after IS fighters over- that has become a focal point for that killed 48 soldiers and militants, ers had been killed in the battles. ran it last year, reportedly slaugh- the struggle between Tehran and a monitor said yesterday. The Syrian More than 100 fighters from both tering several hundred government Sunni Saudi Arabia that has backed Observatory for Human Rights said sides were wounded, the monitor troops there. the insurgency. the extremist group had captured said. Located in central Syria, con- Hezbollah fighters and the army areas of Al-Sukhnah and its sur- trol of Homs province is divided. Big gains along the border seized Talat Moussa, the highest roundings in fighting that began The provincial capital is almost In another development, peak in the border area, the group’s overnight. The town lies on the completely under regime control, Lebanon’s Hezbollah and the Syrian Al-Manar TV and sources briefed on highway that leads from eastern but opposition forces and IS control army made big advances against the situation said, securing control Deir Ezzor province, an IS strong- large parts of the surrounding insurgents in the region north of of the area. Syrian state TV credited hold, to the ancient town of countryside and desert. Damascus yesterday, Hezbollah the advance to the army and “the ADEN: Yemenis purchase goods in the Sheikh Othman area, in the southern Lebanese resistance”, an unusual Yemeni port city of Aden yesterday. King Salman doubled Saudi Arabia’s public acknowledgement of Yemen aid commitment to $540 million. —AFP Hezbollah’s role in the battle for an area used by the insurgents to ferry supplies between Syria and Aid flows in Yemen as Lebanon. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based group that tracks the conflict, has ceasefire takes hold reported that the intensity of SANAA: Aid agencies began delivering help to Hodeidah said. Hezbollah’s bombardment had desperate civilians yesterday as a temporary The country has been suffering from severe forced many of the insurgents to ceasefire took hold in Yemen after nearly seven fuel shortages-grinding humanitarian operations withdraw. weeks of Saudi-led air strikes against Iran-backed to a halt-and news of the deliveries prompted The offensive, in areas some 50 rebels. The five-day humanitarian pause-which motorists to start queuing at petrol stations in km north of Damascus, had been began at 11:00 pm (2000 GMT) on Tuesday-is the Sanaa, residents said. The head of Doctors Without expected for some time but was first break in the air war in support of exiled Borders (MSF) in Yemen, Marie-Elisabeth Ingres, awaiting the end of winter. It President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi since its told AFP that her group was hoping to “take addresses one of the risks facing launch on March 26 and has strong backing from advantage of the truce that seems to be holding”. Assad, who has lost control of wide Washington. A plane carrying medical aid and MSF personnel parts of the north and east in the The Houthi rebels and their allies have indicat- was expected to arrive in Yemen later, she said, conflict estimated by the United ed they will abide by the ceasefire but Riyadh has with a second aircraft set to follow today. But the Nations to have killed 220,000 peo- warned it will punish any attempt to exploit it for five-day truce is “not sufficient given the needs of ple. Since March, Assad has lost military advantage. As aid agencies said they were the population,” Ingres said, insisting on the need wide areas of Idlib province in the starting to deliver assistance, residents of the for “permanent access” to all regions affected by northwest at the border with rebel-held capital Sanaa said the ceasefire came as the conflict. Turkey, another supporter of the a much-needed relief. “We hope this truce insurgency against him. becomes permanent. We finally managed to sleep Iran warns on aid ship He also lost the Nasib crossing peacefully last night,” said 25-year-old Mohammed Iran has also announced it is sending an aid with Jordan to rebels. Islamic State, al-Saadi. ship to Yemen, prompting a fresh war of words the single most powerful insurgent Saudi Arabia’s King Salman also used the first with Washington. Iranian Brigadier General group in Syria, has also been launch- day of the pause to announce the doubling of the Masoud Jazayeri warned the United States against ing attacks on both government- kingdom’s aid commitment to Yemen to some stopping the ship, after Washington said it was and rebel-held areas in central Syria, $540 million. More than 1,500 people have been tracking its movements. Jazayeri said that if Saudi QALAMUN: A Hezbollah fighter aims his weapon on the Syrian side of the Qalamun hills close to as it steps up efforts to expand the Lebanese borders. —AFP killed since mid-March in the air campaign and Arabia or the United States “continue to create beyond its strongholds. Islamic State fighting between rebel forces and Hadi loyalists, obstacles on Iran’s aid delivery, a fire might start fighters killed around 30 govern- according to the United Nations. The Houthi that would definitely be out of their control.” It Palmyra. Palmrya is controlled by IS has a significant presence in and Syrian state media said, ment troops in an attack on Syrian rebels, allied with army units loyal to ex-president took several hours for the ceasefire to take hold the regime and home to spectacu- the desert region in the east of the shoring up President Bashar Al- army-held areas in Homs province Ali Abdullah Saleh, have taken control of large fully, with residents and loyalists reporting contin- lar Greco-Roman ruins that are list- province bordering Deir Ezzor, Assad’s grip on a crucial border overnight, the Observatory report- parts of Yemen including Sanaa and were advanc- ued skirmishes in the southern provinces of Daleh ed as a World Heritage site by which is a stronghold of the jihadist zone. The gains in the mountainous ed. At least 20 Islamic State fighters ing on Hadi’s southern stronghold of Aden when and Shabwa, as well as in third city Taez and the UNESCO. group and forms part of its self-pro- Qalamoun region against groups were also killed in and around the Riyadh launched the air campaign. Saudi Arabia eastern oil province of Marib. “The Islamic State managed to claimed Islamic “caliphate” in Syria including the al Qaeda-linked town of Al-Sukhna, some 300 km has accused regional rival Iran of arming and fund- But by yesterday morning the guns appeared advance in Al-Sukhnah and take and Iraq. Homs is Syria’s largest Nusra Front come at a time when northeast of Damascus. Syrian ing the rebels, a charge Tehran denies. to have largely fallen silent. “Sanaa had a quiet control of large parts of the town province and is particularly impor- Assad has suffered significant troops repelled the attack in places The weeks since the start of the air war have night,” resident Tawfiq Abdulwahab said. “The and the surrounding areas,” the tant for the government as it also defeats elsewhere, notably in Syria’s and were still fighting in others, a seen repeated warnings of a dire humanitarian cri- noise of bombs and anti-aircraft fire that had terri- Britain-based Observatory said, neighbors Damascus province, northwest. Hezbollah, an Iranian- military source said.—Agencies sis, with shortages of food, water, fuel and medical fied everyone came to a halt.” The newly appoint- aid. UN agencies and private aid groups had been ed UN envoy to Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh preparing to boost their efforts since the ceasefire Ahmed, arrived in Sanaa on Tuesday for talks on was announced last week and yesterday began restarting a collapsed political dialogue. “We are Life and opportunity in the taking steps. A ship chartered by the United not ready to announce a date for talks but that Nations World Food Program (WFP), which arrived remains the goal,” UN spokesman Stephane in Yemen last week, began distributing its ship- Dujarric said, adding that “the fact that he got into world biggest refugee camp ment of much-needed fuel to areas across the Sanaa and is meeting with the Houthis today is a country, an industry official in the port city of sign in the right direction.” —AFP DADAAB: Soon after dawn Bashir Bilal sat outside on available for college education. “Children here in Dadaab have the privilege of better his usual plastic jerry can surrounded by young girls Uprooted and dispossessed, life as a refugee is education,” said Bilal. “They will bring change in and boys chanting Quranic verses. Each child tough. But for the Somalis who have for years, or even Somalia when they go back.” Shooting spree leaves clutched a worn plank of wood instead of an exercise decades, called Dadaab home there are opportuni- Just when they will go back is contentious. Kenya’s book, writing on it in Arabic script with ink made from ties too. Bilal, 47, used to live in Afgoye, a breadbasket government has hosted refugees from Somalia since charcoal and water. In Somalia the Islamic madrassa is town 30 kilometers northwest of the capital 1991 when civil war tore the country apart. Since 2 dead in South Korea often the only education on offer, but here in the Mogadishu. When he came to Dadaab five years ago then Dadaab has grown into the world’s largest Dadaab refugee camps it is just the start. Later in the he found better schooling options than at home refugee settlement, with over 350,000 residents. SEOUL: A South Korean reserve soldier went on a service and that he received medical treatment for day the children are able to attend, for free, primary where fees were high and children would often Kenya now wants the camps shut down claiming shooting spree during a mandatory training ses- depression. The Defense Ministry and the army and even secondary school while scholarships are spend their days helping out on the family farm. they are a security threat used by members of the sion in Seoul yesterday, killing a fellow reservist couldn’t immediately confirm the report. Shebab, Somalia’s Al-Qaeda branch, for recruitment, and injuring three others before killing himself, Shootings by soldiers at South Korean military bar- training and downtime. Albert Kimathi, the area’s top officials said. The 24-year-old soldier, surnamed racks have happened with some frequency in government official who, as deputy county commis- Choe, abruptly turned around after firing one recent years, raising concerns about bullying and sioner is responsible for security, called Dadaab “the round during shooting training and fired seven mental health conditions in the country’s armed breeding ground, the training ground” for Shebab. rounds with a K-2 rifle at his fellow reservists, army forces. “They use the camps as safe havens,” he said. “I’m not and defense officials said on condition of But a shooting spree involving a reservist is branding anyone a terrorist, but quite a number of anonymity because of office rules. He then used unusual. Last year, a South Korean soldier threw a these terrorists come from Somalia. These people are the ninth of the 10 bullets he’d been given to com- grenade and opened fire on colleagues, killing five one and the same,” said Kimathi. mit suicide, they said. and wounding seven others. He later told investiga- In an odd twist, South Korean pop star PSY, tors that he shot fellow soldiers after seeing a draw- Hopes and dreams who is also a reservist, received about an hour of ing they made of him that he considered insulting. People living in the camps find such allegations training at the site before leaving about 20 min- All able-bodied South Korean men must serve perplexing. Yakub Abdi left the southern city of utes before the shooting occurred because of per- about two years of compulsory military service Kismayo in 2011 after Shebab gunmen accused his sonal business, according to an official from the under a conscription system aimed at coping with father of being a spy, and then executed both his rapper’s agency YG Entertainment. The official, threats from rival North Korea. Past rampages raised parents. He hates and fears the militants and so vol- who refused to be named, citing office rules, said questions about the discipline and readiness of unteered to chair a neighbourhood watch group in the singer was allowed to leave after moving his South Korea’s military. After finishing their military one of Dadaab’s five camps. “This is not the place remaining training hours to another date. It was duties, South Korean men are required to take they are recruiting,” said the 29-year old father of not immediately known why Choe opened fire. annual military training as members of the coun- two. His 260 fellow volunteers in the Community But Yonhap news agency, citing the army, report- try’s reserve force for eight years and their training Peace and Protection Team keep tabs on new ed that Choe was put in a group of soldiers who involves shooting drills for the first six years, accord- DADAAB: Photo shows an overview of part of the eastern sector of the IFO-2 camp in needed special attention when he was on active ing to the Military Manpower Administration. —AP the sprawling Dadaab refugee camp, north of the Kenyan capital Nairobi. —AFP arrivals to their camp, reporting anyone suspicious to police. —AFP THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 INTERNATIONAL One veteran, one Pentagon weighs sending planes rookie: Saudi princes and ships near disputed sea reefs tag-team US summit US move would challenge China in Spratlys WASHINGTON: The Pentagon is considering Risk of confrontation lest the massive reclamation results in the de RIYADH: The tag-team of princes rep- Mohammed bin Nayef studied poli- sending US military aircraft and ships to assert The practice of sending ships and aircraft facto control by China of the South China resenting Saudi Arabia at a summit tics in the United States and had several with President Barack Obama in military training courses, including freedom of navigation around rapidly growing near the artificial islands would be in line Sea,” Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said Washington have relatively little in under the Central Intelligence Agency, Chinese-made artificial islands in the disputed with regular US military “Freedom of at the Center for Strategic and International common-except their extreme power. according to experts on the Saudi royal South China Sea, a US official said. Defense Navigation” operations, which it conducted Studies think tank in Washington. He said he Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, family. He spent years in the interior Secretary Ash Carter requested options that last year to challenge maritime claims of 19 was in Washington to see what more the two the kingdom’s 55-year-old interior min- ministry, personally overseeing the include sending aircraft and ships within 12 countries, including China. China drew con- allies could do. Recent satellite images have ister, is a known quantity in kingdom’s crackdown on Al-Qaeda nautical miles of reefs that China has been demnation from Japan and the United States shown that since about March 2014, China Washington, a longtime security chief which waged a campaign of shootings building up in the Spratly island chain, the offi- in 2013 when it imposed an Air Defense has conducted reclamation work at seven praised for efforts against Al-Qaeda and bombings that killed foreigners cial said. Such a move would directly challenge Identification Zone (ADIZ) in the East China sites in the Spratlys and is constructing a mili- that saw the jihadist group try to assas- and Saudi security personnel between Chinese efforts to expand its influence in the sinate him. 2003 and 2007. maritime heart of Southeast Asia. “We are con- But Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef himself sidering how to demonstrate freedom of navi- Mohammed bin Salman is a virtual became a target, narrowly escaping gation in an area that is critical to world trade,” unknown, a favored son of King with superficial injuries in 2009 when a the US official said, speaking on condition of Salman elevated to the defense min- suicide bomber blew himself up while anonymity, adding that any options would istry after his father assumed the pretending to surrender. The bespecta- need White House approval. throne earlier this year. Even cled Mohammed bin Nayef “is held in Carter’s request was first reported earlier on Mohammed bin Salman’s exact age high regard” in the United States for his Tuesday by the Wall Street Journal, which said has not been disclosed. Some esti- success against Al-Qaeda, according to one option was to fly Navy surveillance aircraft mates put him in his early 30s. King David Ottaway, a senior scholar at the over the islands. It quoted US officials as saying Salman’s pull-out of the two-day sum- Wilson Center in Washington. “He’s a there was now growing momentum within the mit of Gulf leaders in Washington and known quantity,” Wehrey said. “He has Pentagon and the White House for taking con- at Camp David has prompted wide- strong personal relationships with many crete steps in order to send Beijing a signal that spread speculation. in Washington.” That is not yet the case the recent build up in the Spratlys had gone too Some called it a snub connected with for the dark-bearded Mohammed bin far and needed to stop. The Pentagon and Saudi concerns over a nuclear deal with Salman. According to a biography from White House did not immediately comment Iran. But analysts said Salman could not the MiSK Foundation, which the prince but the South China Sea is likely to be a topic of have sent more powerful men in his established for youth development, he discussion when US Secretary of State John stead. Their presence at the summit is “as had “a professional career of 10 years” Kerry visits China this weekend. good as if the king was attending per- before becoming in 2009 a special Part of Kerry’s trip will focus on preparations sonally,” said Jamal Khashoggi, an analyst adviser to his father and later head of his for the annual US-China Strategic and and head of the Alarab News Channel court when Salman became crown Economic Dialogue scheduled to be held in who has close links with the royal family. prince. Washington in late June. Asked about the And even if Salman had attended, the On January 23 - the day Salman Pentagon plan, China’s Foreign Ministry said on two princes would “probably do most of acceded to the throne-he named his Wednesday that Beijing was “extremely con- the heavy lifting,” a Western diplomatic son minister of defense. Mohammed cerned” and demanded that the US issued a source said. bin Salman’s picture went up on bill- clarification of the remarks. “Freedom of naviga- PAGASA ISLAND: Philippine soldier Tychico Octobre patrols a beach in Pagasa Island boards around the country alongside tion certainly does not mean that foreign mili- (Thitu Island) at the Spratly group of islands in the South China Sea, west of Palawan. ‘Trying to earn his stripes’ images of the king and Mohammed bin tary ships and aircraft can enter another coun- The Spratlys are considered a potential Asian flashpoint, and claimant nations have Mohammed bin Nayef is in charge of Nayef. Just weeks after taking charge of try’s territorial waters or airspace at will,” said expressed alarm as China has embarked on massive reclamation activity. —AFP the kingdom’s security matters while the kingdom’s armed forces, the prince ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying at a reg- Mohammed bin Salman heads defense assumed huge responsibility when the ular briefing. “We demand the relevant side Sea, in which aircraft are supposed to identify tary-sized air strip on Fiery Cross Reef and issues, including oversight of the Saudi- Saudi-led coalition on March 26 began talks and acts cautiously and does not take any themselves to Chinese authorities. The possibly a second on another reef. led military campaign against Iran- its air war against the Yemeni rebels. actions that are risky or provocative to maintain United States responded by flying B-52 A senior US military commander familiar backed rebels in Yemen. “I think they’re Bruce Riedel, a former CIA officer who regional peace and stability.” bombers through the zone. Rory Medcalf, with the situation in Asia said he believed obviously viewed as the rising stars” in directs the Brookings Intelligence Beijing claims sovereignty over most of the head of the National Security College at the the runway would be finished as early as the Saudi hierarchy, said Frederic Wehrey Project in Washington, wrote that South China Sea, through which $5 trillion in Australian National University, said if the key the year-end and would be capable of han- of the Middle East Program at the Mohammed bin Salman “has a reputa- ship-borne trade passes every year. The policy response being considered to Beijing’s dling a wide array of military aircraft. This Carnegie Endowment for International tion for being aggressive and ambi- Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and reclamation in the Spratlys involved a show would allow China to extend its air cover- Peace in Washington. Both princes were tious, as might be expected”. Wehrey Brunei also have overlapping claims. News of of force, it suggested Washington and its age for patrols and while an ADIZ was not promoted by King Salman, 79, to the said Washington is “a bit more leery” of the possibly tougher US stance came as a key allies did not have many good options. “The inevitable, it was likely China would even- positions of heir and second-in-line to the inexperienced younger prince, who pillar of President Barack Obama’s rebalance to risk of this is that China may use such deploy- tually declare one in the South China Sea, the throne late last month, although they is “trying to earn his stripes” and whose Asia in the face of China’s rising power suffered ments as a reason to try to challenge or con- said the commander, who declined to be already held powerful posts after Salman Yemen campaign has “given a lot of a major blow at the hands of Democrats in the front US forces,” he said. identified. China has said it had every right was crowned following the death of King people pause” because of civilian casu- US Senate, who blocked debate on a bill that The Philippines, a US treaty ally, said to set up such zones but that current condi- Abdullah in January. alties and other concerns. —AFP would have smoothed the path for a 12-nation urgent action was needed. “We are taking the tions in the South China Sea did not war- pan-Pacific trade deal. position that we must do something quickly rant one. —Reuters INTERNATIONAL THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 Crowds celebrate as Burundi general ‘overthrows’ president Presidential aide says declaration ‘a joke, not a coup’

BUJUMBURA: A Burundian general said yes- Weeks of protests terday he had deposed President Pierre More than 20 people have been killed since Nkurunziza for seeking an unconstitutional street protests erupted in the impoverished third term in office, and was working with civil central African state more than two weeks society groups to form a transitional govern- ago, according to an unofficial count by ment. But as cheering crowds streamed into activists. Diplomats in New York said the the streets of the capital Bujumbura, sporadic United Nations Security Council would discuss gunfire was heard in the city centre, and it was Burundi during a monthly lunch with not immediately clear how much support Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon yesterday. Major General Godefroid Niyombare had. With When asked about the events in Burundi, Ban President Pierre Nkurunziza abroad at an told reporters: “We’re checking.” The demon- African summit in Tanzania to discuss strators say Nkurunziza’s bid for another five years in office violates a two-term limit in the Burundi’s crisis, the presidential office swiftly constitution and the Arusha peace deal, which rubbished the declaration by Niyombare, who ended an ethnically fuelled civil war in 2005 had been fired as Nkurunziza’s intelligence that killed 300,000 people. chief in February. A constitutional court ruled that the presi- “We consider it as a joke, not as a military dent could run again because his first term, coup,” presidential aide Willy Niyamitwe told when he was picked by lawmakers rather than Reuters, while a statement on the presidency’s elected by popular vote, did not count. Facebook page said the attempted coup had Opponents said the court was biased. been “foiled”. Niyombare made his declaration Niyombare, also a former ambassador to to reporters at a barracks in Bujumbura after Kenya, said he was working with civil society more than two weeks of street protests groups, religious leaders and politicians on against Nkurunziza’s attempt to win a third forming a transitional government. East term. It was not immediately clear who was in African leaders and a top official from conti- control. The state broadcaster, often a primary nental heavyweight South Africa were meet- target during state takeovers in Africa, was ing in Tanzania’s commercial capital Dar es surrounded by troops. An employee inside Salaam to discuss the crisis, which has already told Reuters that soldiers were trying to enter spilled over into a region with a history of eth- while others were resisting. nic conflict. South Africa said it was monitor- But that did not deter crowds of people ing the situation closely but that it was too dancing and singing in the streets. Some sat early to determine whether the move amount- on top of cars. A Reuters witness said there ed to a coup. Western donors, including the was little sign of the police, hated by protest- United States and the European Union, have ers for breaking up demonstrations by force, criticized Nkurunziza’s decision to stand again. and widely considered loyal to Nkurunziza’s The European Union and Burundi’s former party. “Regarding President Nkurunziza’s arro- colonial ruler Belgium had said they were sus- gance and defiance of the international com- pending some aid, particularly support for the munity, which advised him to respect the con- elections, due to the violence. Belgium had no stitution and Arusha peace agreement, the immediate comment on the statement from committee for the establishment of the the general. More than 50,000 people have national concord decide: President Nkurunziza fled to neighboring states. The UN refugee is dismissed, his government is dismissed too,” agency UNHCR said the crisis was heading Niyombare said, surrounded by several other towards a “worst case scenario” that could see BUJUMBURA: Demonstrators celebrate what they perceive to be an attempted military coup d’etat in the capital Bujumbura, Burundi yes- senior army and police officers, including a for- 300,000 people fleeing, some to other parts of terday. Police vanished from the streets of Burundi’s capital as thousands of people celebrated a rumored coup attempt against President mer defense minister. Burundi and others abroad.—Reuters Pierre Nkurunziza. — AP News At least six killed in US train derailment In brief PHILADELPHIA: Rescuers yesterday bleeding travelers were seen limping from people. My mother flew into me and I literal- passengers had to kick out windows to combed through the mangled wreckage of a the wreckage, while rescue teams with flash- ly had to catch her. People were bleeding escape. Jeremy Wladis, 51, was on the last car 3 Yemenis beheaded in derailed train in Philadelphia after an acci- lights searched the seven derailed cars of the from their head. It was awful.” Hydraulic tools of the train when he felt the jolt. Saudi - 83th execution dent that left at least six dead, as the difficult train, one of which was completely flattened. had to be used to remove passengers from He said he saw “phones, laptops, every- RIYADH: Saudi Arabia beheaded three Yemenis for drug search for possible survivors continued. Wheels from the train cars lay scattered some of the most badly damaged train cars, thing flying”, the Inquirer reported. Train trafficking yesterday, bringing to 83 the number of execu- Mayor Michael Nutter said the death toll by the tracks. The cause of the crash, which firefighters said. “I’ve never seen anything so services between Philadelphia and New York tions in little more than four months, compared with 87 all could rise from the derailment on the busy came as the train negotiated a long bend, devastating. They are in pretty bad shape,” were likely to be suspended for the rest of of last year. The condemned men, Eisa Ali Ahmed Hajri, northeast US rail corridor as some of the 243 was not immediately known, although there said Fire Commissioner Derrick Sawyer, refer- the week, the mayor said. A team from the Mohammed Ali Saifi and Majid Gasim al-Ahdal, were con- people on the train had not been accounted was been no indication that it was a terrorist ring to the train cars. National Transportation Safety Board was to victed of trying to smuggle hashish into the kingdom, the for. He gave the injury toll as 65 but local attack. Nutter refused to speculate on arrive in Philadelphia. Heavy equipment to interior ministry said in a statement carried by the official media said it had risen to more than 140, whether it was going too fast. “It is an Chaotic scenes lift the train cars would also be deployed in Saudi Press Agency. They were executed in Jazan province based on a tally of people sent to local hos- absolute disastrous mess,” Nutter told Former US Congressman Patrick Murphy daylight, the mayor said. The train had so which borders Yemen. The ministry has cited deterrence as pitals. reporters. “I have never seen anything like of Pennsylvania, who was on the train, said much force at the time of the crash that it a reason for its use of the death penalty despite criticism Herbert Cushing, the chief medical officer this in my life.” Max Helfman, 19, was with his he was sitting in the cafe car when it began bent the sturdy rail tracks in at least one area. from human rights watchdogs. London-based Amnesty at Temple University Hospital, told reporters mother in the last car of the train, which had to topple. “It went to my right, then to my Train 188, a Northeast Regional rail service International ranked Saudi Arabia among the world’s top the death toll rose to six after a patient died no seatbelts, when they suddenly felt it left. Everyone who was on the left side of the train, left Washington shortly after 7 pm three executioners of 2014. On a visit to Riyadh this month, during the night. Witnesses said the front of shake and the car then flipped over. “People car, where I was sitting, just got thrown com- (2300 GMT) and was due to arrive in New French President Francois Hollande said capital punish- Amtrak Train 188, heading from Washington were thrown to the ground,” Helfman told pletely over to the right side.” Murphy said York at 10:34 pm. Train operator Amtrak and ment “should be banned”, and his country is campaigning DC to New York, shook as it went into a turn the Philadelphia Inquirer. the train seemed to be going 60-70 miles per various agencies, including the US around the world for its abolition. and crashed at about 9:30 pm on Tuesday “Chairs inside the train became hour (around 100-110 kilometers per hour) Department of Homeland Security, were (0130 GMT Wednesday). Shell-shocked and unscrewed and suitcases were falling on when it suddenly derailed and rolled. Some investigating the cause of the crash.—AFP Taleban gunmen storm Afghan mosque; 6 dead KANDAHAR: Two heavily armed Taleban gunmen EU’s migration plan stormed a mosque in southern Afghanistan yesterday, officials said, killing at least six people in a fight with BRUSSELS: The European Union yesterday unveiled its plan to security forces that lasted several hours and ended confront the challenge posed by a massive influx of migrants with their deaths. The incident took place in Lashkar fleeing war and poverty in Syria, Eritrea and elsewhere. EU bor- Gah, the capital of the volatile poppy-rich province of der guards are struggling to deal with a boat-borne exodus that Helmand, the latest attack in the militants’ annual has seen more than 10,000 people plucked from the spring offensive that they have waged since being Mediterranean off Libya in the last month. No one knows exact- ousted from power in late 2001. “Six people including ly how many have drowned, but around 1,700 are feared dead. three police were killed and 12 wounded,” Mohammad The agenda sets the migration priorities of the EU’s execu- Jan Rasolyar the deputy provincial governor said. tive Commission. It lays out a calendar for new action and pro- Padsha Gul Bakhtyar, the province’s deputy police chief posals for mobilizing funds, resources and EU border, police and confirmed the toll and said the attackers, who were dis- asylum agencies. Key parts of the agenda require agreement guised in police uniform, had arrived by motorcycle. from member nations and are unlikely to be endorsed. These “They first tried to enter the governor’s building, but include setting up a real European border guard system and after police prevented them they entered a mosque imposing country-by-country quotas for taking in migrants. An and started firing at religious scholars who were anti-smuggler operation and creation of a new Frontex returns attending a meeting in a nearby building,” he said. He department must also be rubber stamped but are less contro- said at least two of the victims were members of the versial. The Commission can move independently on most oth- Ulema Council of Helmand, a top religious authority in er items. The plan’s main points: the province.

Intercept Japan’s city defends Start advance planning, possibly next week, for an operation UNESCO listing plan to “systematically identify, capture and destroy” boats used by TOKYO: The mayor of a Japanese city that wants to register smugglers to ferry migrants. The aim is to launch it next month. letters written by World War II kamikaze pilots as important Implement better intelligence sharing, with police agency global heritage yesterday defended the plan, despite criti- EUROPOL helping EU countries to break up trafficking net- cism it was glorifying war. The city of Minami-Kyushu last works. year filed an unsuccessful application to include farewell letters written by the suicide fighters on a United Nations Save lives A landing craft prepares to dock onto HMS Bulwark after rescuing around 100 migrants from an inflatable boat world memory list. That outraged China, which con- Provide new assets and resources and a wider operational around 40 miles off the coast of Libya. — AFP demned it as “an effort to beautify Japan’s history of mili- area for the Frontex border agency missions involved in search taristic aggression”. Mayor Kampei Shimoide told reporters and rescue work. Longer-term, set up a real European border in Tokyo on Wednesday that he believed the notes-lodged guard system to improve coast guards, share assets and con- in the spot from which many of the suicide missions were duct joint exercises. EU ‘to distribute’ 20,000 launched-bore testament to the brutality of World War II. “Our project is in no way whatsoever being undertaken in Process migrants an attempt to glorify, romanticize, or otherwise rationalize Send European asylum agency experts to help identify, reg- migrants across Europe the historical legacy of tokko (kamikaze pilots),” he said. ister and fingerprint migrants as sheer numbers currently make “We believe that our project... represents a significant step that difficult. Offer emergency funds to front-line nations like in the direction of realising world peace.” Italy, Greece and Malta to improve reception capacities and Britain, Ireland, Denmark given opt-outs health care. Create new avenues for legal migration based on job skills. Overhaul a Blue Card scheme for highly qualified for- BRUSSELS: The European Union’s Claude Juncker said on his Twitter part of the EU’s policy and that Texas executes a eigners. executive proposed yesterday taking account after the proposals were pub- Britain’s May “can rest assured” that triple murderer in 20,000 refugees over two years and lished. Under a quota scheme based not all refugees will be granted asy- WASHINGTON: The state of Texas late Tuesday execut- Share the burden distributing them across Europe but on country size, economic output and lum. ed a man convicted in the triple murder of his girl- Set afoot a scheme to resettle up to 20,000 migrants in need giving Britain, Ireland and Denmark other measures, Germany would take Britain, Denmark and Ireland have friend, her mother and her grandfather, officials said. of international protection. Only five countries handled almost the option not to accept any. Shocked the most migrants followed by France exemptions on matters concerning Derrick Charles, 32, was put to death by lethal injection three quarters of asylum demands in 2014. Activate temporary by the deaths of migrants from North and Italy, assuming Britain opts out. asylum, immigration, visas and exter- at the state penitentiary in Huntsville at 6:36 pm (2236 protection laws to provide help people from conflict zones like Africa trying to reach Europe across Hours before the plans were nal border controls based on proto- GMT), according to spokesman Jason Clark. His last Syria. Propose legislation in the summer to turn this into a bind- the Mediterranean, the European unveiled, British interior minister, cols agreed in the EU’s Lisbon treaty. words before being injected with the lethal drugs were ing quota system establishing maximum migrant limits for each Union is trying to put in place a fairer Theresa May, criticized the EU’s With only 25 countries of the EU’s 28 “I’m ready to go home,” Clark said. The US Supreme country based on population, GDP and employment rate. Act way to resettle asylum-seekers at a approach, saying that by not sending member countries likely to take part, Court earlier on Tuesday denied a last minute appeal by the condemned man, allowing the execution to pro- against countries ignoring asylum laws. time when anti-immigrant parties are economic migrants back, the bloc was Germany will take 18.42 percent of on the rise. encouraging them to come. But refugees, followed by 14.17 percent in ceed. Charles was just 19 at the time of the murders, which anti-death penalty activists had hoped would be Return Italy and other southern European Juncker said in a video to accompany France, and 11.84 percent in Italy. taken into account in appeals that sought to spare his Monitor decisions refusing migrant entry and ensure these countries are clamoring for EU help to the Commission’s proposal that Spain will take just less than 10 per- life at trial. His attorneys also argued in vain that a fami- people are sent home. Only 39 percent of return decisions deal with the influx but, while Italy, Europe needed immigrants as its cent. Sweden, which after Germany Germany and Austria back a quota workforce will dwindle by 2060 and received the most asylum applications ly history of mental illness should have been taken into were respected in 2013. Build capacity in member countries to account. Charles’ execution comes as a growing num- better manage returns and provide information and awareness system, some EU states are opposed. that Europe needed to show solidari- in Europe in 2014, will take about 3 “No country should be left alone to ty. His right-hand-man, Frans percent. The Commission’s formal pro- ber of Americans say they opposed capital punish- campaigns. Shift focus for returns to home countries instead of address huge migratory pressures,” Timmermans, told a news conference posal to EU governments will come at ment, and with an increasing number of US states mak- transit countries. Create a special Frontex department to help European Commission President Jean- that returning some migrants was still the end of the month.— Reuters ing the decision to end the practice. coordinate and smooth deportation.— AP THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 INTERNATIONAL Protest in Bangladesh over blogger’s ‘evil’ murder Sweden slammed for denying visa to murdered blogger DHAKA: Secular activists marched Washington on Tuesday calling on and Hinduism. through the Bangladeshi city of Sylhet Dhaka to bring perpetrators of the latest New York-based Human Rights Watch yesterday to demand justice for a blog- killing to justice. said the latest killing was part of an ger hacked to death this week, the third The activists had called for a strike in “alarming” trend of violent intolerance of such attack by suspected Islamists since Sylhet yesterday, although police said religious freedom and speech in February. Scores of activists, mostly uni- offices and schools were mostly open Bangladesh. “This pattern of vicious versity students, peacefully protested and traffic was running almost as nor- attacks on secular and atheist writers not through the northeastern city, accusing mal. “Scores of young protesters held only silences the victims but also sends a the government of failing to protect free two marches in support of the strike,” chilling message to all in Bangladesh thinkers and urging authorities to halt deputy commissioner of police Faisal who espouse independent views on reli- “this evil force”. Wielding machetes, a Mahmud said. Mahmud said police sus- gious issues,” said Brad Adams, Asia masked gang killed Ananta Bijoy Das, 33, pected Islamist militants were behind director at HRW. Bangladesh is an offi- a banker, editor and blogger, on Tuesday Tuesday’s killing although there have cially secular country but more than 90 as he headed to work in Sylhet, an attack been no arrests so far. He said Das’s percent of its 160 million population are that fellow writers said highlighted a cul- brother filed a criminal case against four Muslim. The country has seen a rise in ture of impunity. unidentified people over the killing, say- attacks by religious extremists in recent “Murder won’t silence our mouths,” ing Das was murdered by an “extremist years. the protesters chanted as they marched fanatic group”. A free speech group also launched a along a key highway and through Sylhet blistering attack on Sweden after it university, a secular bastion. “We want Sweden slammed over visa denied Das a travel visa before the attack. justice for Ananta and the other blog- Fellow writers have said Das had been Swedish PEN slammed the refusal as “hor- gers who have been murdered by on a hit-list drawn up by militants who rific” and said it would demand an expla- Islamist militants. The government must were behind the recent killing of blogger nation from the authorities, claiming Das crush this evil force,” Debashish Debu, a Roy. Friends said Das was an editor of a would still be alive if the visa had been secular activist who joined the protest magazine called Jukti (Logic) and head- granted. “We want to know where the said. Das was the third blogger killed in ed the Sylhet-based Science and directive came from,” Swedish PEN official the Muslim-majority nation since Rationalist Council. They said he had Elnaz Baghlanian said. Swedish PEN had February when Bangladeshi-born US citi- received threats from Islamists after he invited Das to Stockholm to speak on May zen Avijit Roy was hacked to death in the regularly blogged for a website called 3, World Press Freedom Day, about the DHAKA: Bangladeshi students and social activists participate in a capital Dhaka. The deaths have sparked Mukto-Mona, founded and moderated deteriorating situation in Bangladesh for protest against the killing of blogger and author Ananta Bijoy Das, in international condemnation, with by Roy, which criticizes aspects of Islam journalists and writers. —AFP Dhaka. —AP Squalor and misery await Afghan returnees forced out of Pakistan Thousands return after Pakistan’s ‘mini 9/11’

BEHSUD: Like thousands of Afghan Pakistan-including elderly people in media officer Matthew Graydon deported.” But Imtiaz Qureshi, the returnees, Neik Mohammad became need of medical assistance and said. “It’s a humanitarian challenge law minister of Pakistan’s Khyber unwanted in Pakistan after a Taleban unaccompanied minors, IOM said. at the border to assist people who Pakhtunkhwa province bordering massacre at a Peshawar school, forc- Around three-quarters of them come back, who have nothing and Afghanistan, said “no Afghan ing him to return home to a life of settled near Jalalabad, the largest who have been outside the country refugee had been expelled by force” misery and fear in a squalid refugee city in southeastern Afghanistan, for decades.” There are an estimated from his region. “Only those Afghans settlement. More than 65,000 while others returned to Kabul and three million Afghan refugees living were expelled who had been stay- Afghans have returned since the other central provinces. Many just in Pakistan either officially or unoffi- ing illegally in Pakistan and did not start of the year after coming under set up encampments wherever they cially, most of whom left their coun- have any valid ID or any legal docu- intense scrutiny following the could in villages on the fringes of try to escape conflict in the 1980s ment on them,” Qureshi said. December massacre-billed as Jalalabad such as Behsud, pitching and 1990s. They are viewed with Qureshi said there had been a Pakistan’s “mini 9/11”. The figure, tents on dusty plots of land or build- deep suspicion inside Pakistan and “marked difference in security” in which eclipses the 25,000 Afghans ing mud-brick shelters. Most strug- routinely accused by authorities of the province since the expulsion of who returned from Pakistan over gle to find jobs in Afghanistan, harboring militants. illegal Afghan refugees gathered the whole of last year, was a result of whose economy remains crippled by The Peshawar attack-which killed pace. “There is a visible reduction in the breakdown in relationships decades of war and as international 153 people, mostly children-mount- the crime rate and incidents of tar- between the migrants and their aid fast evaporates. “These returnees ed further pressure despite a lack of get killings, kidnappings and rob- host communities following the car- are in urgent need of shelter, flood, evidence linking the refugees to the beries,” he said. IOM, one of the nage. education and health facilities,” Taleban-claimed attack. “There is major foreign aid agencies in “We were happy there (Pakistan), Rahim Gul Amin, the emergency certainly a correlation between the Afghanistan, says it is able to help NEW DELHI: A young Indian laborer packs bidi cigarettes into packets at the New we had our own houses and we response coordinator for aid agency terrible incident in Peshawar last only a fraction of Afghan returnees Sarkar Bidi Factory in Kannauj, some 200 km south-east of New Delhi. —AFP owned our own businesses,” Norwegian Refugee Council said. December,” Graydon said of the crossing the border due to limited Mohammad said outside his tent in surge in returnees. “After that there international funding. The war-bat- a fetid relief settlement near the ‘Humanitarian challenge’ was a change in the climate in tered nation has seen an inexorable eastern city of Jalalabad. “There is no “We have never seen such a Pakistan which lead to a number of exodus of aid and investment as India to toughen house, no business for us in surge in returns like we have since Afghans feeling that they would NATO’s 13-year combat mission in Afghanistan, we live in tents,” said January 2015,” IOM’s Kabul-based either decide to return or were Afghanistan winds down. —AFP Mohammad, who returned two child labor laws months ago with 16 members of his family, including five children. Hundreds of thousands of people NEW DELHI: India’s government moved children work as domestic servants and fled Afghanistan during the last yesterday to toughen child labor laws in a in factories, mines and many other areas, three decades of war, with a majori- country where millions of youngsters according to aid agencies and govern- ty of them taking refuge in neigh- work long hours, often in poor conditions, ment figures. Activists warned that the boring Pakistan. Said Ahmad, a 63- but activists slammed the steps as inade- proposed changes could be exploited by year-old Afghan with a wispy white quate. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unscrupulous employers and would be beard, fled to Pakistan some 20 cabinet approved a ban on all children difficult to enforce in a country with a years ago to escape the civil war but was forced to return recently to a under the age of 14 from working, except huge number of backyard industries. volatile country still battling a if employed in family businesses or in the “There have been many discussions resilient Taleban insurgency. sports and entertainment industry. around providing vocational training to “The local people of Pakistan The current law prohibits children children but we think that this is regres- were very nice to us, but the govern- under 14 from working only in haz- sive,” Sreedhar Mether, advocacy and ment was giving us a hard time. ardous jobs, although even this is not policy manager with Save The Children Government officials were constant- properly implemented, according to said. ly raiding our houses, bothering us, activists. The government defended the “Enforcement of these points is really dishonoring us,” he said. The number decision to allow some forms of labor difficult and opens the possibility of chil- of Afghans who crossed the border after school hours or during vacations dren being exploited in bangle or gar- in the first four months of the year, saying some children needed to learn ment industries where work is often out- fleeing “pressure” exerted by traditional skills. “In a large number of sourced to home-based units,” he said. Pakistani officials, was nine times families, children help their parents in Cabinet also approved higher fines of higher than the same period last their occupations ... and while helping between 20,000 rupees ($300) and year, according to the International parents, children also learn the basics,” 50,000 rupees and jail terms of between Organization for Migration (IOM). the government said in a statement. The six months and two years for employers Aside from 60,000 “spontaneous” cabinet also needed to “keep in mind the hiring children under 14. The approved returnees, who chose to return vol- country’s social fabric and socio-eco- amendments still need to be approved untarily, nearly 6,000 undocument- nomic conditions”. by both houses of parliament. The ed Afghans were expelled by JALALABAD: A toddler sleeps in a hammock at a refugee camp in Jalalabad. —AFP Some argue that outlawing child changes are meant to bring India’s child labor altogether is impractical in India labor law into line with its landmark Right where almost a quarter of the 1.2 billion to Education law, which was passed in population lives on less than $1.25 a day, 2010 and provides free, compulsory Hunt for missing Malaysia plane according to the World Bank. Millions of schooling to children up to 14. —AFP uncovers uncharted shipwreck NATO and Afghanistan agree SYDNEY: The hunt for missing Malaysia Images clearly showed an anchor, along indicate the plane went down in the Indian on military-civilian mission Airlines Flight MH370 has uncovered a previ- with other objects the searchers said were Ocean after mysteriously diverting. “Expert ously uncharted shipwreck deep underwater, man-made as well as what are thought to be advice is that the highest probability of locat- ANTALYA: NATO and Afghan leaders yes- new mission by the autumn. It is not yet leading officials to say that if the plane is in lumps of coal. “Obviously, we’re disappointed ing the aircraft is within the 120,000-square- terday agreed on a framework for a immediately clear when the Resolute their search zone they will find it. The that it wasn’t the aircraft, but we were always kilometre search area,” JACC said. “Beyond that, future joint military-civilian presence in Support mission will end and the new Australian-led team is scouring the southern realistic about the likelihood,” added Foley in it is not possible to refine the search area to Afghanistan when the alliance’s current mission could start.”The aim will be to Indian Ocean seabed in hope of finding the a statement. “And this event has really one of greater likelihood.” Several vessels are mission ends, NATO’s Secretary General advise Afghan institutions to help them final resting place of MH370, which vanished demonstrated that the systems, people and taking part in the hunt, although the onset of Jens Stoltenberg said. While the new mis- become self-sufficient and help them on March 8, 2014 en route from Kuala the equipment involved in the search are poor weather has seen the autonomous sion would have a military component it build on what they have done so far,” he Lumpur to Beijing. No wreckage from the working well. It’s shown that if there’s a underwater vehicle withdrawn following the would notably be led by a civilian, said. He said NATO and the Afghan gov- flight, which was carrying 239 people, has debris field in the search area, we’ll find it.” sonar scan. “The deteriorating weather has Stoltenberg said after a session of the ernment had succeeded yesterday to ever been found in one of aviation’s greatest brought sea conditions which are beyond the NATO foreign ministers meeting in the agree to the “guidelines” of the new mis- mysteries. Expanded search underway safe launch and recovery limitations of the Turkish city of Antalya attended by sion. In a search update, the Australian The search for the aircraft has been a com- autonomous underwater vehicle,” the centre Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Without giving precise figures, Transport Safety Bureau said it spotted “mul- plex undertaking, with Australia concentrating said, but added that it would remain available Rabbani. NATO is currently leading the Stoltenberg said the numbers would be tiple small bright reflections” on the other- on a remote area of the southern Indian Ocean at short notice if needed. Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan smaller than the present number of per- wise featureless seabed which warranted far off its west coast, originally focusing on a JACC said the shipwreck was found after to train Afghan security forces after the sonnel, which comprises around 12,500 closer inspection. Data from a high-resolu- 60,000 square kilometers zone. But with more high-resolution data revealed a large number International Security Assistance Force troops. With deadly Taleban attacks on tion sonar scan using an autonomous under- than 75 percent searched without success so of sonar contacts lying very close to the (ISAF) wound up late last year. the security forces a regular occurrence, water vehicle revealed spots worth probing, far, the hunt has now been expanded into a seabed. “The majority of the contacts were “We took a major decision,” Stoltenberg acknowledged that mostly about the size of a cricket ball but 120,000 square kilometer area as announced comparatively small-around the size of a crick- Stoltenberg told reporters. “We will main- Afghanistan remained a “dangerous some larger, at 3,900 meters down. While the by Malaysia, Australia and China in April. Most et ball-interspersed with a few larger items, the tain our presence in Afghanistan even place”. He said the Afghan security objects appeared to be of man-made origin, of those on board MH370 were Chinese. The biggest being box shaped and approximately after the end of our current mission.” forces hade made “enormous sacrifices” they failed to have all the characteristics of a Joint Agency Coordination Centre (JACC), man- six meters in its longest dimension,” it said. “Unlike our present mission, our future and NATO allies and partners “will stay typical aircraft debris field so authorities sent aging information on the search, said it was Poor weather conditions then prevented presence will be led by civilians.” He said the course.” ISAF was established by UN in an underwater camera which discovered widening now to take advantage of the weath- searchers from sending down an underwater the future mission “will have a light foot- Security Council resolution in 2001 in print but will have military component.” the wake of the US invasion of the coun- the shipwreck. “It’s a fascinating find,” said er ahead of expected worsening conditions camera for several days, before it ultimately Stoltenberg said NATO offices had been try to provide security and fight the Peter Foley, director of the operational search during the southern hemisphere winter. revealed the wreck, with the imagery provided tasked with working out a plan of the Taleban.—AFP for MH370. “But it’s not what were looking The search zone has been determined by to marine archaeologists for possible identifi- for.” analyzing data from satellite signals which cation. —AFP INTERNATIONAL THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 Fears for migrants as SE Asia refuses safe haven

LANGKAWI: Malaysia joined Indonesia yesterday in International Organization for Migration (IOM) in vowing to turn back vessels bearing a wave of Bangkok, said authorities were playing “maritime migrants, drawing warnings that the hardline policy ping-pong”. “What we want is for governments to could be a death sentence for boatloads of people at allow people to disembark so they can be treated risk of starvation and disease. As the UN’s refugee and policy can be worked out later,” he said. agency accused regional authorities of playing with Otherwise, “people are going to die in the hundreds lives, more grim accounts emerged from among and thousands on the sea”. hundreds of ethnic Rohingya refugees from The UNHCR says about 25,000 people Myanmar and impoverished Bangladeshi migrants embarked from Bay of Bengal ports in January- who have endured weeks of torment at sea. March, double last year’s rate. Thousands of them Mizanur Rahman, a 14-year-old Bangladeshi boy, are feared left in the lurch by the crackdown in said he and a friend spent two agonizing months Thailand, which began after the discovery of crammed aboard a boat with an estimated 600 other dozens of dead migrants in jungle graves along its people. They subsisted on a single plate of rice per southern border earlier this month. Rohingya, a day, but were given nothing to eat in the final two Muslim ethnic group denied citizenship by weeks, Rahman said. Others aboard that vessel said Buddhist-majority Myanmar, flee by the thousands they saw at least six people die of sickness or annually to escape discrimination and sectarian hunger, only to have their bodies tossed overboard, violence that has targeted them in recent years. and that some passengers were beaten by gun-tot- The IOM has called for search-and-rescue opera- ing smugglers. They spoke in the northern tions to find stricken migrant boats. The inter- Indonesian region of Aceh, where survivors from the governmental group has also demanded a coordi- ship washed up this week after traffickers told them nated and sympathetic response by Europe as the to “swim to shore if we wanted to stay alive,” accord- continent grapples with its own migration crisis ing to Rahman. LANGKAWI: Migrants ride on a truck as they are transferred from a temporary detention facility to a naval base originating in North Africa. on Langkawi island, Malaysia yesterday. — AP A US embassy spokesman in Bangkok called No going back Asia’s refugee problem “a regional challenge that “We wanted to go to Malaysia, dreaming of a bet- increase” in migrant arrivals. with hundreds of abandoned migrants. needs to be addressed regionally through a coordi- ter future for our families. After everything that hap- But Malaysia-where more than 1,100 migrants nated international effort.” Thai authorities said they pened to us, I would now prefer to die here rather came ashore this week-said it would turn away boats ‘Maritime ping-pong’ were searching for a one-time senior provincial offi- than go back home,” Rahman said. Migrant-rights entering its waters unless they were about to sink. Vivian Tan, Bangkok-based spokeswoman for the cial in the south who they called the “mastermind” of advocates are warning that thousands more men, “The policy has always been to escort them out of UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), said trafficking along the Thai-Malaysian border, a key women and children are believed stuck at sea and at Malaysian waters after giving them the necessary the policy was “really worrying”.”We continue to link in the chain. Police said they had seized millions risk of abandonment by smugglers since a Thai provisions” including fuel, water and food, First appeal for countries in the region to share responsi- of dollars worth of assets belonging to Pajjuban police crackdown disrupted people-smuggling Admiral Tan Kok Kwee of the Malaysian Maritime bility and avert a humanitarian crisis,” she said. “The Aungkachotephan-who is known colloquially at “Ko routes. Thailand has called for a May 29 regional Enforcement Agency told AFP. The Indonesian navy first priority should be to save lives and provide Tong”, or “Big Brother Tong.” He is believed to have summit to address what it called an “unprecedented already has turned away at least one vessel packed humanitarian aid.” Joe Lowry, spokesman for the fled abroad. — AFP

North Korea executes defense How Southeast Asia chief with anti-aircraft gun created ‘own crisis’ BANGKOK: The waters off some of Southeast Asia’s most pristine beaches The latest in a series of high-level purges are the focal point of a regional humanitarian crisis. Yet nobody is rushing to solve it. More than 1,600 migrants and refugees have landed on the SEOUL: North Korea executed its defense chief by last month that, according to satellite images, the good reasons to believe it is true, but we cannot be shores of Malaysia and Indonesia in the past week and thousands more are putting him in front of an anti-aircraft gun at a firing range was likely used for an execution by ZPU-4 100 percent sure yet,” said Andrei Lankov, a North believed to have been abandoned at sea, floating on boats with little or no range, Seoul’s National Intelligence Service told law- anti-aircraft guns in October. The target was just 30 Korea expert at Kookmin University in Seoul. Last food after traffickers literally jumped ship fearing a crackdown. These aren’t makers, which would be the latest in a series of meters away from the weapons, which have a range month, Hyon travelled to Moscow, where he spoke just any migrants; they are the pariahs of Asia. Many are Rohingya Muslims high-level purges since Kim Jong Un took charge. of 8,000 metres, it said. at a security conference. He was reported by North fleeing persecution in Myanmar along with some Bangladeshis. By some Hyon Yong Chol, who headed the isolated nuclear- Korean state media to have appeared at an event in estimates there are still 6,000 out at sea, but no country appears willing to capable country’s military, was charged with trea- Insular, opaque late April - shortly before the NIS told lawmakers he take them in. A look at the role of nations in Southeast Asia and elsewhere: son, including disobeying Kim and falling asleep Hyon was said to have shown disrespect to Kim was executed - an outward indication that all was during an event at which North Korea’s young by dozing off at a military event, the Seoul lawmak- normal. Myanmar leader was present, according to South Korean law- ers said, citing the agency briefing. Hyon was also North Korea is one of the most insular - and The crisis stems from Myanmar’s decades-long persecution of its 1.3 mil- makers briefed in a closed-door meeting with the believed to have voiced complaints against Kim and unpredictable - countries in the world and its power lion Rohingya, a Muslim minority who are denied citizenship by law, mean- spy agency yesterday. had not followed his orders several times, according structure is highly opaque. The current leader is the ing they are effectively stateless. Rohingya have endured violence at the His execution was watched by hundreds of peo- to the lawmakers. He was arrested in late April and third generation of the Kim family that has ruled hands of the military and extremist Buddhists, who in the last three years ple, according to NIS intelligence shared with law- executed three days later without legal proceed- with near-absolute power since the country was chased tens of thousands of people from their homes in the western state makers. It was not clear how the NIS obtained the ings, the NIS told lawmakers. “When the NIS is talk- formed in 1948. Kim Jong Un’s father, Kim Jong Il, of Rakhine. The Rohingya have limited access to education and medical information and it is not possible to independently ing officially, they are relatively reliable. There are was appointed successor to the North Korean care. They cannot move around or practice their religion freely. The govern- verify such reports from within secretive North throne two decades before coming to power in ment refuses to recognize them, even by name, saying they are illegal Korea. “The NIS official said it had been confirmed 1994, during which time he was able to purge and migrants from neighboring Bangladesh even though many of their families by multiple sources. It is still just intelligence, but he alienate potential political challengers. Kim Jong arrived generations ago. The Rohingya have been fleeing Myanmar by boat said they were confident,” Shin Kyoung-min, a law- Un, by contrast, has had few years to consolidate for years, but threats of deportations and lingering questions about citizen- maker and member of the opposition New Politics power. ship have sparked one of the biggest exoduses the region has seen. Since Alliance for Democracy, who attended the briefing In 2013, Kim Jong Un purged and executed his mid-2012, an estimated 100,000 Rohingya have fled aboard ships, accord- said. uncle, Jang Song Thaek, once considered the sec- ing to the UN refugee agency. Even two Muslim-majority countries willing Experts on North Korea said there was no sign of ond most powerful man in Pyongyang’s leadership, to quietly accept them in the past are now pushing them away. instability in Pyongyang, but there could be if for factionalism and committing crimes damaging purges continued. Kim had previously ordered the to the economy, along with a group of officials close Thailand execution of 15 senior officials this year as punish- to him. Lankov said that the purges in Pyongyang Thailand has been at the center of Southeast Asia’s human trafficking ment for challenging his authority, according to the did not necessarily point to instability. “The com- industry for years. Syndicates have used the country as a transit stop to NIS. In all, some 70 officials have been executed mon assumption is that it’s bad for stability, but I’m offload migrants at hidden jungle camps before moving them onto third since Kim took over after his father’s death in 2011, not so sure,” he said, adding it could be Kim consoli- countries, including neighboring Malaysia. The industry thrived thanks to Yonhap news agency cited the NIS as saying. “There dating his power base and removing people who corrupt officials who turned a blind eye for pay. But on May 1, things is no clear or present danger to Kim Jong Un’s lead- had not sufficiently proved their loyalty. started to change. Thai authorities found more than 30 corpses buried at ership or regime stability, but if this continues to Pyongyang’s military leadership has been in a the traffickers’ abandoned jungle camps bordering Malaysia and happen into next year, then we should seriously state of perpetual reshuffle since Kim Jong Un took launched the crackdown. A flurry of arrests sounded an alarm to traffick- start to think about revising our scenarios on North power. He has changed his armed forces chief four ers, who promptly abandoned their ships and left their human cargoes at Korea,” said Michael Madden, an expert on the times since coming to power, while his father, Kim sea without fuel, food and clean water. Thailand says it cannot solve the country’s leadership who contributes to the 38 Jong Il, who ruled the country for almost two problem alone. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha reiterated Tuesday North think tank in Washington. decades, replaced his chief just three times. The what has become his mantra: “Thailand is a transit country. Their destina- Koh Yu-hwan, a North Korea specialist at South Korean spy agency told lawmakers that Ma tion is not Thailand, so this has to be solved by other countries.” Thailand will host a one-day meeting on “irregular migration in the Indian Ocean” Dongguk University in Seoul, said the regime could File photo shows North Korean Defense Minister Won Chun, known as North Korea’s chief architect of with representatives from 15 affected countries - but not until the end of “reach its limit” if Kim’s purges continued. “But it’s Hyon Yong-Chol directing a military exercise at an new infrastructure under Kim, was also purged or May. still too early to tell,” said Koh. The lawmakers said unspecified location in North Korea. North Korean punished, the lawmakers said. Ma had also once Hyon, 66, was executed at a firing range at the Defense Minister Hyon Yong-Chol has been executed served as vice director of the secretive Finance and Indonesia Kanggon Military Training Area, 22 km north of by anti-aircraft fire for disloyalty and showing disre- Accounting Department in the ruling Workers’ Party Boats with nearly 600 Rohingya and Bangladeshis washed ashore on Pyongyang, according to the NIS. The US-based spect to leader Kim Jong-Un, South Korea’s intelli- and, until recently, was effectively the regime’s mon- Sunday in Aceh, in western Indonesia, and those on board were given Committee for Human Rights in North Korea said gence agency said yesterday. — AFP ey man. — Reuters medical care and shelter. But a day later, the Indonesian navy stopped another boat from entering the county’s waters. It turned back the boat, crammed with hundreds of hungry migrants, saying it gave the passen- Japan hosts first gers food, water and directions to Malaysia - their original destination. In the past, Indonesia has been fairly welcoming to Rohingya who have reached the country, many of them by accident after their boats failed to global arms fair land in Malaysia. Many Indonesians in the mostly Muslim country have sympathized with their plight, staging protests to condemn Rohingya TOKYO: Japan yesterday began its first ever military trade fair, with a par- persecution in Myanmar. The former president and foreign minister also ticular focus on maritime security at a time of rising regional tensions openly pushed the Myanmar government to stop discriminating against over territorial squabbles. The three-day fair, organized by a private the Rohingya. British company with the backing of Japan’s defense and trade ministries, comes as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pushes to boost the role and capa- Malaysia bility of his well-equipped military. Amongst other things, that means re- More than 1,000 migrants came ashore on Malaysia’s Langkawi Island thinking their rules of engagement to allow them to fight to defend an in recent days, but the country has bluntly said it will turn away any more ally-something most administrations have said was impossible under of the crowded vessels unless they are sinking. “We won’t let any foreign Japan’s pacifist constitution. boats come in,” Tan Kok Kwee, first admiral of Malaysia’s maritime enforce- The government has also moved to lessen restrictions on the home- ment agency, said Tuesday. In a policy that appears to echo Indonesia’s, grown weapons industry, allowing it to sell more hardware abroad in an he said that boats deemed seaworthy would be given provisions and sent effort to boost the sector. The new rules could allow Tokyo to supply away. If the boat is sinking, they would rescue it, he said. Although the HOHHOT: The brother of Huugjilt, a wrongly executed man, holds his grieving mother dur- weaponry to nations that sit along important sea lanes to help them Rohingya are Muslims, the overwhelmingly Muslim countries of Indonesia ing a visit to Huugjiltís tomb in Hohhot in northern China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous fight piracy-an important strategic consideration for resource-poor and Malaysia appear to be putting their national interests ahead of reli- Region. Huugjilt, who was 18 when he was convicted and executed in 1996 on charges of Japan. “This is a great opportunity for us as a small company to promote gious solidarity with actions that send the message - it is not in their rape and murder, was formally exonerated by the Chinese government in Dec 2014, and the our name and products,” said Susumu Kasai, an official with ShinMaywa interest to welcome this potentially massive wave of boat people. police officer who oversaw the original case has been charged with using torture to coerce a Industries Ltd. which manufactures US2 Amphibious Planes for Japan’s confession. — AP Marine Self-Defense Force. United Nations Reports have said US2 is likely to become the first export of Japanese- The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, has appealed to the governments of made military equipment under the new rules. “Currently the govern- Southeast Asia to step up search-and-rescue efforts, to keep their borders Torture, abuse of suspects ments of Japan and India are negotiating the issue and if the govern- open and allow any boats at sea to bring passengers ashore. The agency ments agree, we will be able to export our products,” Kasai said. “This is a itself has no mandate to carry out its own rescue mission but is working widespread in China: NGO maritime security fair and as maritime security is important for Japan, with governments and agencies “to channel information to the right peo- which is surrounded by seas, the government supports the event,” said HONG KONG: Chinese police carry out The use of ruthless “cell bosses”-fellow defense ministry official Toru Hotchi. Under Japan’s new arms export ple who can do something about it,” said Vivian Tan, a spokeswoman in “appalling” torture of criminal suspects, cam- detainees who oversee detention centers for rules, weapon sales are still banned to conflict-plagued countries that Bangkok. paigners said yesterday, as they released a the police-was also widespread, the report could undermine international peace and security. Any sale must con- report detailing Beijing’s failure to combat said. Suspects are sometimes strapped into tribute to international peace and boost pacifist Japan’s security. United States abusive interrogations. Despite China saying metal “tiger chairs” for days, deprived of sleep Abe is readying to submit new security bills to parliament that will The US has been a key international player in pushing for an end to the it has addressed the issue of forced confes- and food as their legs and buttocks become underwrite last year’s cabinet decision on broadening the scope of so- region’s trafficking problems. US Embassy of Thailand spokeswoman sions through a series of reforms, prosecutors swollen, according to the report, titled ‘Tiger called collective defense, which gives the military freer rein to protect Melissa Sweeney said yesterday that Washington was “following the situa- and judges “ignore clear evidence of mistreat- Chairs and Cell Bosses: Police Torture of Japan’s allies. While Washington, which has long called for Japan to take tion closely” and was “concerned” by reports of thousands of stranded ment” while police are covering up abuse, the Criminal Suspects in China’. “We heard on more of the burden of its own defense, has warmly welcomed the migrants who may need help. US officials are in contact with affected report from Human Rights Watch (HRW) said. appalling stories of detainees being hung by moves, Abe faces considerable domestic opposition from a public deeply governments and UN agencies, Sweeney said, without elaborating. Last The New York-based campaign group said the wrists, shackled for years, and terrorized wedded to the country’s pacifist constitution. He also faces regular June, the US blacklisted Thailand and Malaysia for failing to meet mini- police manipulate video interrogations so by cell bosses, yet having no real means to rebukes from China, which hints ominously at what it says is a deep-seat- mum requirements in fighting human trafficking. It downgraded the two that confessions are made on camera, while hold their tormentors to account,” Sophie ed desire on Japan’s nationalist right to up-end the post-World War II set- countries to the lowest level -”Tier 3” - in the annual US rankings of gov- torture-using methods that leave no visible Richardson, HRW’s China Director, said in the tlement and return to the militarism of last century. Abe and his support- ernments’ anti-trafficking efforts. Its new report is due out this June.—AP injuries-takes place out of sight. report.—AFP ers deny the charge.— AFP NEWS THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

Emergency personnel work at the scene of a deadly train derailment yesterday in Philadelphia. The Amtrak train, headed to New York City, derailed and crashed in Philadelphia on Tuesday night, killing at least six people and injuring dozens of others. — AP Gulf leaders gather to push Obama on Iran Mexico gripped by custody Continued from Page 1 Britain today to attend a horse show at Windsor would like to see a binding in a mutual defense Castle and meet Queen Elizabeth II. “There have treaty like that agreed between NATO members. The Gulf states will be seeking assurances from been disagreements under this administration and Such a pact would be difficult to pass through a pro- case after identity mix-up Obama that he is ready to push back against Iranian under the previous administration about certain Israeli Congress, but in any case it is a non-starter for proxies, in particular in Syria, even if it causes turbu- policies and development in the Middle East, but I the White House, which relies less and less on Gulf MEXICO CITY: In a custody case grip- telling me and God is letting me know, lence in sensitive nuclear talks. They will also want think on a set of core interests, we continue to have oil, and which sees asymmetric threats and internal ping Mexico, a Texas woman had an I’m going home holding my daughter by assurances the nuclear deal does not represent a a common view about what we aim to achieve,” said unease at closed political systems as a greater secu- emotional reunion with a teenager the hand.” broader “grand bargain” with Iran. “What they fear, Ben Rhodes, Obama’s deputy national security rity priority. believed to be her daughter after above all, is that, for one reason or another, adviser. Since the Arab Spring, President Obama has authorities forcibly sent the wrong girl ‘Missing Mother’s Love’ American policy is beginning to ‘tilt’ towards Tehran Despite close ties stretching back decades, the pointedly warned that closed Gulf monarchical sys- and away from traditional US allies in the region,” United States and the conservative Gulf monarchies tems must reform if they are to survive. With to the United States. Dorotea Garcia, The custody battle began in 2007, said Hussein Ibish of the Arab Gulf States Institute. have never been easy allies. In 1980, in the wake of reduced attendance and hoped for deals on security who flew in from Houston on Tuesday, when Alondra’s father brought her to But Obama has invested too much in the Iran nego- crippling oil shock precipitated by Iran’s Islamic and the sale of advanced US weapons like the F-35 said she embraced 13-year-old Alondra Mexico from the United States. Garcia tiations to let Gulf concerns upend his legacy-build- Revolution, President Jimmy Carter pledged to stealth fighter in doubt, Obama will have to scram- in the western state of Michoacan, eight requested help from Mexican authorities ing bid for a deal. “My guess is that the summit is come to the defense of vital oil-producing Gulf ble to salvage the summit. Officials will likely push years after her then husband took her to get her back. The father, Reynaldo going to leave everybody feeling a little bit unsatis- states. That policy was made manifest a decade later for progress on ballistic missile defense, joint military fied,” said Jon Alterman, the Middle East director at when president George Bush sent troops to Kuwait exercises and cyber and maritime security initiatives, daughter away. “It was great, the best Diaz, brought the girl to her aunt’s house the Center for Strategic and International Studies. when it was invaded by Saddam Hussein’s Iraq. followed by a likely trip to the region by a team of chemical response. We couldn’t help but in Michoacan this week so she could King Salman’s conspicuous absence comes amid Today the US fifth fleet is based in Bahrain and a US US arms sales experts. feel the impulse to run into each other’s finally be reunited with her mother. “I’m indisputable signs of strain in the long relationship military command center with substantial troops is Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir told arms,” Garcia told reporters after leaving sad for everything that has happened,” between the US and Saudi Arabia, driven not only stationed in Qatar. reporters on Monday that he expected deeper, for- a Michoacan court early yesterday. Alondra Garcia told the US Spanish-lan- by Obama’s Iran overtures, but also the rise of But the Gulf states are now asking for the “Carter malized discussions on speeding up work on an They met in court in Los Reyes to see guage network Univision this week. “I Islamic State militants and a lessening US depend- Doctrine” to be more than a “gentlemen’s agree- integrated missile defense system and expediting ency on Saudi oil. Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al- ment”. With one eye on the $100 billion-plus wind- transfers of weapons to GCC members. Jubeir said the same judge who erroneously sent was happy with my dad. But at the same Khalifa, who also skipped the summit, will be in fall that Iran could receive when sanctions end, they GCC countries had already received many sophisti- another child to Houston in April, even time I felt like something was missing. I cated US weapons, but those transfers could be though the girl and her real parents was missing my mother’s love,” she said eased by elevating the status of Gulf countries to insisted she was making a mistake. DNA with tearful eyes, adding that she was that of “major non-NATO allies” or other measures, tests later proved it was the wrong not angry at her father. Dorotea Garcia including executive agreements. “When we have the policy in place, which I think we will ... then we Alondra and she returned to her family said she would withdraw charges can look at the instruments .. to ensure the policy in the central state of Guanajuato after against her ex-husband at their daugh- objectives are going to be met,” he said. spending four days in Texas. Garcia had ter’s request. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and United Arab Emirates are identified the wrong black-haired girl Michoacan prosecutors and the already upgrading their existing Raytheon Co Patriot because she shared a scar between the National Human Rights Commission missile defense systems to incorporate new PAC-3 missiles built by Lockheed Martin Corp. UAE is also eyebrows with her real daughter. have opened separate investigations buying Lockheed’s longer-range Terminal High Seeking to avoid another embarrass- into the actions of authorities after the Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system. Qatar could ing mix-up, Judge Cinthia Elodia wrong Alondra was sent to Texas. wrap up a similar deal worth up to $6.5 billion by ear- Mercado said a DNA test is being con- Alondra Luna’s family has threatened to ly next year, and Saudi Arabia may follow suit in com- ducted, even though the family and the take legal action following their ordeal. ing years, according to sources familiar with the dis- girl herself say it was the right Alondra Police had dragged the girl out of her cussions. Saudi Arabia is also considering a multibil- lion-dollar project to modernize its eastern naval fleet, this time. The mother and girl plan to school and put her in a patrol car in a a project that could include new MH-60R helicopters travel to Houston together once the video that went viral. “They took me built by United Technologies Corp and Lockheed, and DNA tests confirm her identity. Results away from my parents. An injustice was smaller ships based on the US Navy’s Littoral Combat are expected by tomorrow. “There is committed,” Luna, 14, told Excelsior Ship. Initial announcements about the Saudi naval nothing definitive yet, but for me, it’s a newspaper’s television channel. “It’s very WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama meets Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin program could come in late summer, although the Nayef (center) and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the Oval Office at the exact timing of foreign arms sales is often hard to pre- temporary triumph, for a few days,” hard to forget everything that hap- White House yesterday. — AP dict, said one of the sources. — Agencies Garcia said. “But I am sure. My heart is pened.” — AFP THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 ANALYSIS

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Focus Future presidency and vision of COP21

rench Ambassador to Kuwait Christian Nakhle gives more details about the Paris Climate Conference to be held later Fthis year. What is the COP21, known as “Paris Climate 2015”, confer- ence? The United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP21, known also as “Paris Climate 2015”is the 21st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change - UNFCCC COP21 which will be held in Paris from 30th November to 11th December, under the umbrella of the General Secretary of the United Nations and the Presidency of France. Seven months away from the Paris Climate Conference, France is pleased to already observe a broad mobilization to Christian Nakhle address the challenge of climate change, whose scale and urgency have been confirmed scientifically by Uncertainty could choke Asian investment the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). This yearly conference is a crucial international meeting and a top priority on France’s diplomatic agenda.The aim is to reach a By Hiroshi Hiyama ing as one of the Asian giant’s top investment destina- as a European business and financial hub, and could legally binding and universal agreement on climate change and tions, according to the China-Britain Business Council. choke investments from Asia and the US,” the paper preservation of the planet and also to reach an agreement to ncertainty over Britain’s future in Europe is unset- Bernard Aw, market strategist at IG Markets in intoned. The reputation of London as - along with New reduce the greenhouse effect and contain global warming within tling Asian investors, analysts say, warning if vot- Singapore, said Asian business managers will pay close York - the city of choice for the financial sector, would the limit of 2 degree C, above which the impacts would be diffi- Uers opt in a referendum to leave the EU, the attention to political events in Britain over the coming take a hit if Britain chooses to step into the political cult to control. United Kingdom would lose a major drawcard for months, with Cameron’s progress on renegotiating unknown, said Wuttke of the EU Chamber of Commerce As the future presidency, France has a particular responsibility attracting foreign money. The United Kingdom - a gate- thorny aspects of EU membership-particularly around in China. and undertakes to support negotiations in accordance with three way to the lucrative European market, with an educated immigration - front and foremost. “If these negotiations watchwords: listening, ambition and the spirit of compromise. workforce and business-friendly laws - has long been an proceed well...(the) UK is likely to vote to stay in the EU, Dubai of Europe This involves taking into account the positions of the 196 signato- attractive destination for Asian businesses looking to which will substantially ease jitters,” said Aw. “I think that London will always remain special ry states placed on an equal footing, bringing viewpoints closer spread their wings. because it has a global language, it has an established together and enabling the unanimous adoption of an agreement, Japan alone has around 900 companies with opera- ‘Attraction Would Disappear’ financial system, so to replace London is going to be, in and the formation of a real “Paris Alliance”. tions there - including car giant Nissan - worth $8 billion But if Cameron is unable to squeeze sufficient conces- the medium to long term, very difficult,” he said. “But a year and accounting for a third of all Tokyo’s European sions from his European partners, and his testy elec- (foreign investors will) possibly wait until the decision in In practice, France is working with its partners on the four compo- investment, according to government figures. But after torate votes to leave, Britain would lose one of its chief 2017 with big money decisions because they want to nents of the Alliance: the surprise victory of the Conservative Party in last attractions for Asian investors, warned Kazuyo Yamazaki, have some certainty - is England going to remain in l negotiation of a universal, legally binding agreement; week’s general election, Britain is now headed, by 2017, senior economist at the Daiwa Institute of Research in Europe or are they going to decide to turn into a finan- l submission by all countries of their national contributions, in for a simple “in-out” vote on remaining part of the Tokyo. “If Britain exits the EU, it would cause businesses cial Dubai of Europe.” the first quarter of 2015 if possible and in all cases prior to European Union, fulfilling a pre-election pledge Prime to think again” about making fresh investments there, Any move to jump into the abyss and go it alone COP21; Minister David Cameron made as he looked to out-flank she said. “A major reason for investors to choose Britain would not automatically cause a sudden capital flight l strengthening of the multi-partner initiatives of the Action agenda ; his Euro-sceptic rivals. was that it is within the EU. If Britain leaves that, the from Britain, said Daiwa Institute’s Yamazaki. As the home l the financial component, which should enable funding of the While Downing Street has signalled it will look to attraction would disappear.” of the international lingua franca and a place that has a transition towards low-carbon, resilient economies. bring the vote forwards, a possibly lengthy debate will Analysts and opinion formers in Asia are largely unit- foot in both the mega markets of Europe and the United These four components are complementary and mutually worry any company planning on spending money there, ed in the view that Britain - and Europe - would be the States, an EU-less Britain would doubtless continue to supportive, committing all countries to a transition towards low- commentators say. “We have two years of uncertainty on poorer for a split. Japan’s leading Nikkei business daily have its draws. But longer-term trends could be exacer- carbon economies. investment climate in Britain, and uncertainty is the last used a weekend editorial to urge Cameron to draw clos- bated if Britain turns in on itself, she said. “Western What are Paris Climate’s expectations from a bilateral side? thing business wants,” Joerg Wuttke, President of the EU er to his continental partners, while finding a way to Europe has had a long history of attracting investment, The previous conferences about climate, namely Lima’s out- Chamber of Commerce in China, told AFP in Beijing. pour balm on the burning nationalism of parts of including from Japan. But we are seeing a tide of money come, confirmed the commitment of all States, with no distinc- Between 2008 and 2014, Chinese investment in the UK England, and the Scottish pull towards independence. A going into Eastern Europe, where the labour is cheap and tion between developed and developing countries, to submitting surged from $800 million to $12 billion with Britain rank- split - the so-called “Brexit” - would “shake Britain’s status there are good tax incentives.” —AFP intended nationally determined contributions (iNDC) to strength- en the mitigation efforts already underway.The information sup- porting the contributions will be an essential component to ensure the clarity and transparency that are needed for them to Obama bets US-Gulf alliance can survive be understood and aggregated. It is important that national contributions are submitted well By Matt Spetalnick and Warren Strobel make peace with Palestinians. deliveries. In return, the United States with their criticisms ahead of a June 30 in advance of COP21 by the vast majority of countries, and in the The summit started yesterday with Oval hopes that Gulf governments, who are deadline for a final deal under which Iran first quarter of 2015 for those capable of doing so, especially S President Barack Obama may fail Office talks with the Saudi crown prince skeptical of any nuclear deal with Iran, will would agree to restrict its nuclear program major emitters. From Kuwait, we are working with all our partners. to pacify Gulf Arab fears over his Iran and deputy crown prince followed by a hold off in exchange for relief from crippling sanc- The goal of Paris Climate conference is that all countries submit Unuclear diplomacy at a summit this leaders’ dinner and then a full day of talks tions. the most ambitious contributions possible in the light of their week, following a pointed Saudi snub of at Camp David today. US officials say it Arab complaints, together with fierce capacities and responsibilities. the event. But a bigger question looms for will reaffirm a strategic relationship Israeli opposition, could make it harder for As far as the Arab countries, by adopting a resolution during Washington: how much does it matter? that has served for more than Obama to win Congress’s approval for an the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the League of Arab Obama appears confident Washington has half a century as a corner- Iran deal. This seems unlikely to satisfy the States on 28 and 29 March in Sharm El Sheikh, member States enough leverage to fend off Sunni Arab stone of US Middle East pol- Gulf states, especially regional power Saudi expressed their interest and commitment in the face of the conse- pressure to do more to stop arch-rival icy. US counter-terrorism Arabia. Riyadh believes Washington is not quences of climate change and environmental deterioration. Shiite Iran from intervening in conflicts strategy, they add, con- taking seriously enough Iranian support for France welcomes these efforts and the solidarity towards the across much of the region, underlining tinues to rely heavily on militias in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen, French Presidency of COP21 with a view to ensuring the success diverging interests between the United cooperation with which it says are aggravating sectarian ten- of the Paris Conference for the future of all. States and its long-standing Gulf allies. powerful Arab coun- sions. The White House says a nuclear- By resisting a push by some Gulf Arab tries. But some of the armed Iran would be even more dangerous What is the “Green Climate Fund”? nations for new formal security guarantees, mutual interests that to its neighbors and this is why the The Copenhagen Conference set an objective: Developed for instance, Obama is gambling that the brought them nuclear issue must be tackled first. Tehran countries are to raise $100 billion a year in public and private close but often uneasy alliance can weath- together, such as denies it is seeking a nuclear weapon. financing by 2020. This financing will be the expression of all er current differences, especially given restraining Iran and a Marwan Muasher, a former Jordanian countries’ solidarity and responsibility on a global scale. It will long-time Arab reliance on the US military heavy US depend- foreign minister, said the Obama adminis- come from both public and private sources. Part of this financing umbrella and advanced weapons supplies. ence on Gulf oil, tration “is not interested in over-indulging” will be channeled to the Green Climate Fund (GCF), which will Obama may be further bolstered by appear to have the Gulf states on issues that concern serve as a catalyst for project creation. $10.2 billion have been col- America’s increasing energy independence, begun to fray. them. “Are they (the Gulf states) going to lected so far including $1 billion from France. Initial projects are which has made Gulf oil less critical to the Lowering go back feeling reassured? I don’t think so,” expected to be adopted in Oct 2015. US economy. Expectations he told reporters in Washington. But the “The leverage is much more in Obama initially Gulf states may have little recourse but to How to be united for climate action from Kuwait? Washington than in the Gulf,” said Karim raised hopes in the stick with Washington. Many have spent “Acting from Kuwait for climate” is the French Embassy’s main Sadjadpour, a senior associate at the region when he billions of dollars on US military hardware, initiative to be implemented through actions (debates, exhibi- Carnegie Endowment for International announced last month, just rely on American military advisers and have tions, workshops) in all fields (political, scientific, academic, civil), Peace think tank in Washington and former after world powers reached found few reliable partners elsewhere. from April to December 2015, to grow awareness about climate chief Iran analyst at the International Crisis a framework agreement with Even if Obama sends an implicit mes- issues in Kuwait. Thus “Acting from Kuwait for climate” aims at cre- Group. Some experts say a new generation Iran, that he would convene a sum- sage that Gulf countries need the United ating solidarity movements within Kuwaiti society (students, gov- of Saudi leaders could respond with further mit with the Gulf Cooperation States more than the United States needs ernment, and individuals) to make Paris Climate conference military assertiveness in the Gulf, where the Council, made up of Saudi Arabia, them, he still must address fears that COP21 a success. kingdom is currently leading an Arab coali- Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Washington is abandoning them at a time tion in Yemen against Iran-allied Houthi Emirates (UAE) and Oman. But this of regional upheaval. Also, the two sides rebels. Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states week the White House has played down remain interdependent, militarily and eco- have been important sponsors of the anti- expectations for the outcome of the nomically. While a boom in domestic US oil All articles appearing on these government insurgency in Syria. gathering. While Gulf officials had sig- and gas has fed the perception US strategic Most of the region’s ruling Sunni mon- naled a desire for firm new security guar- interests in the region might be on the pages are the personal opinion of archs, including Saudi King Salman, antees, US officials say there will be no wane, it has not altered Washington’s core the writers. Kuwait Times takes no declined to attend the summit, sending actual defense treaty and have cast doubt strategic interest of secure oil supplies to responsibility for views expressed lower-level officials in what is seen as a on the prospect for any kind of new written feed the global market. therein. Kuwait Times invites read- diplomatic snub. Two of the leaders were commitment. “If there were instability in Saudi Arabia never expected to attend due to ill health, The Obama administration is wary of this would have great global ramifications,” ers to voice their opinions. Please and the Saudi government denied that anything legally binding that could draw said Brenda Shaffer, an energy security send submissions via email to: opin- their new king’s no-show was intended as a the United States into future Middle expert at Georgetown University. And as [email protected] or via snail slight. Still, the absence of many top Arab Eastern conflicts. Instead, US officials said the Obama administration presses allies leaders is seen as a reflection of frustration Obama would offer reassurances mostly in like Riyadh to take on a bigger defense bur- mail to PO Box 1301 Safat, Kuwait. not only with Obama’s engagement with the form of a joint statement and more den, the United States continues to stay The editor reserves the right to edit Iran in pursuit of a nuclear deal but over a modest announcements for integrating involved, providing logistical support, for any submission as necessary. perceived US failure to support opposition ballistic missile defense systems, increasing instance, for the Saudi-led campaign in fighters in Syria and to push Israel harder to joint military exercises and easing arms Yemen. —Reuters THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 SPORTS

Robben to miss qualifier Spain court to rule ‘England right on Pietersen’ AMSTERDAM: The Netherlands will be a much weaker force without an on league strike LONDON: Dressing room harmony is crucial if England are to have a chance of reclaiming the injured Arjen Robben when they play Latvia in a key UEFA 2016 qualifier MADRID: A Spanish court said it would rule today whether Ashes even if it means discarding the country’s most destructive batsman, according to for- next month, conceded coach Guus Hiddink. “With the absence of Arjen footballers can legally push ahead with a strike which threat- mer England rugby skipper Lawrence Dallaglio. Robben, the team will lose 30 to 40 percent of its quality and production. ens to shut down the country’s top league this weekend. The As the fall-out over Kevin Pietersen’s failed bid to return to the international fold continues, That’s the impact he has shown over the last year and a half. “It’s a loss for National Court in Madrid made the announcement yesterday Dallaglio offered his support to England’s new director of cricket and former Ashes-winning the Dutch national team, but also very annoying for him and Bayern after hearing arguments by lawyers for the AFE players’ union captain Andrew Strauss. “I think culture is really important in a team, particularly Munich. I can complain about it long and hard, but that will not help. We and the league, which alleges the threatened strike is illegal. in a sport like cricket,” Dallaglio, 42, said yesterday at the Daily Telegraph must go on,” Hiddink told Wednesday’s edition of the Dutch daily newspa- The AFE has joined the RFEF federation, which controls refer- Business of Sport event in London. per De Telegraaf. Robben recently recovered from an abdominal ees, in threatening a stoppage to demand a bigger share of “These guys spend a huge amount of time together and trusting each muscle injury only to suffer a calf tear, which has ended his television broadcast revenues for smaller clubs. other is very important. “I know from my own experience both at club lev- season. He was missing for Bayern over the two legs of their Top players from Real Madrid and Barcelona have joined el with Wasps and with England that we spent an enormous amount of Champions League semi-final loss to Barcelona over the last the protests demanding a bigger share of broadcast revenue time putting together a culture and certain values and certain ways of seven days. The Dutch play Latvia away in Riga on June 12. be channelled to smaller clubs. If the stoppage goes ahead it behaving, both together and outside of the team environment.” Dallaglio, They beat Latvia 6-0 in Amsterdam in October with two will halt the clash between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona on a key member of the team that won the Rugby World Cup in Australia in goals from the 31-year-old but without Robben, lost to Sunday which could seal the championship for Barca. It could 2003, said current England rugby coach Stuart Lancaster had been faced Czech Republic last September and were held at home also disrupt the last league matches on May 23 and the Copa with dressing room issues when he took over but had worked hard to estab- by Turkey in March. del Rey final on May 30 between Barcelona and Athletic lish a new team ethos. He said it was the way forward for English cricket. The setbacks means the Netherlands trail the Bilbao. In Wednesday’s open hearing, lawyers for the two sides “When Stuart took over he had to reconnect the players with their Czechs and Iceland in the Group A standings. argued over whether the players had the right to go on strike responsibilities and what it means to play for England,” said They have seven points from five matches to 13 against a new law that redistributes broadcast revenues from Dallaglio. “He had to relocate the moral compass of the team and for the Czech Republic and 12 for Iceland, who the identity of the team, that was the first criteria.—Reuters upset the Dutch 2-0 in October.—Reuters the lucrative Liga.—AFP Cardinals thrash Indians, Dodgers roll

CLEVELAND: Lance Lynn pitched six scoreless innings and Matt Holliday had four RBIs, including a three-run homer, to lead the St. Louis Cardinals past the Cleveland Indians 8-3 on Tuesday night. Lynn (2-3) held Cleveland to four hits and struck out nine. He received plenty of help from his offense, which scored all of its runs with two outs. Holliday, who has reached base safely in each of his 30 games, had an RBI single in the fifth inning and put the game away in the eighth with his three-run blast off Scott Atchison. Cardinals third baseman Matt Carpenter, returning after missing three games because of fatigue, was 2 for 5, including an RBI single Carlos Carrasco (4-3) allowed four runs in 6 2-3 innings as the Indians failed again to win consecutive games. Cleveland has won two straight once, the second and third games of the season.

DODGERS 11, MARLINS 1 Andre Ethier went 5 for 5 with a homer and three MANILA: Filipino boxing hero Manny Pacquiao, wearing a black shoulder brace and RBIs, and Los Angeles easily overcame a mammoth arm sling, waves during a welcome motorcade in Manila. —AP home run by Giancarlo Stanton that left the stadium to beat Miami for a fifth straight victory. Howie Kendrick had four hits and also went deep as the Dodgers Pacquiao returns roughed up recent teammate Dan Haren in his return to Los Angeles. The two-time defending NL West champions (22-10) pounded out a season-high 21 hits to the Philippines and improved to 15-2 at home. Every starting position player for the Dodgers had a hit by the sixth inning. Just recalled from the minors, Mike Bolsinger (1-0) MANILA: Manny Pacquiao returned home nor or senator. pitched 5 2-3 effective innings for the win. He allowed to the Philippines yesterday nursing his “I know what you are thinking, that five hits and one run. right shoulder after surgery and weighing hopefully there would be a rematch. I like up whether to retire or push for a rematch that. I want that,” Pacquiao told the hotel ROYALS 7, RANGERS 6 with Floyd Mayweather Jr. crowd. “But for the moment, I am thinking Alex Gordon homered on the first pitch of the 10th Pacquiao, wearing a black shoulder of focusing on this shoulder, on my work CLEVELAND: St. Louis Cardinals Jhonny Peralta hits a RBI double during the seventh inning of inning and Kansas City beat Texas. Gordon greeted brace and arm sling, said his immediate and my family.” a baseball game against the Cleveland Indians. —AP reliever Stolmy Pimentel (0-1) by pulling a ball into the priorities were recuperating from surgery Pacquiao later visited President seats down the right-field line. and his duties as congressman and family Benigno Aquino III, who congratulated him Goins had three hits for the Blue Jays, who scored the ANGELS 5, ROCKIES 2 Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas also homered for man. He said he injured his shoulder dur- “for bringing honor to the country by game’s final 10 runs. Buehrle (5-2) gave up two runs in Albert Pujols stole second base and scored the the AL Central leaders, who had gone ahead on an RBI ing training for the May 2 fight which fighting with courage and skill,” presiden- beating the Orioles for the third time this season. The tiebreaking run on Johnny Giavotella’s single in the groundout by Lorenzo Cain in the ninth. Adrian Beltre’s Mayweather won on a unanimous deci- tial spokesman Herminio Coloma said. left-hander is 3-0 with a 3.50 ERA against Baltimore eighth inning as Los Angeles sent Colorado to a 10th two-out RBI single in the bottom half tied the game sion. Pacquiao and his family arrived early Coloma said Pacquiao gave Aquino two and 2-2 with a 9.00 ERA against everyone else. consecutive defeat. Matt Joyce drove in three runs and again. After Greg Holland (1-0) took over in the ninth Wednesday and rested briefly in his man- black jackets as souvenirs from the fight. had a two-run double in the eighth for the Angels, and blew his first save in seven chances this year, the sion in the Forbes Park residential enclave Pacquiao also asked whether he and the GIANTS 8, ASTROS 1 who have won five of seven. CJ Wilson (2-2) pitched right-hander returned to throw a perfect 10th. It was of Manila. He later joined fans, supporters president, who is a gun enthusiast, could Chris Heston’s first career complete game was a eight innings of five-hit ball for the Angels, striking out his first outing this season that lasted more than one and politicians for breakfast at a nearby again practice shooting at a firing range two-hitter and he struck out 10 as San Francisco won six and walking one to end his five start winless streak. inning. hotel before a motorcade around the after he recovers from surgery in about six for the third time in four games. Matt Duffy had three Huston Street pitched the ninth for his 11th save. Philippine capital. months, and the president nodded in hits and drove in five runs for the Giants. It was the Corey Dickerson had an RBI double for the Rockies, TIGERS 2, TWINS 1 Thousands lined the streets as his approval, Coloma said. Pacquiao lost the most RBIs by a Giants rookie since Buster Posey had six who have lost 16 of 20 since their 7-2 start. Pujols Ian Kinsler’s RBI single in the bottom of the 10th motorcade passed, waving, applauding 12-round “Fight of the Century” and is fac- July 7, 2010, at Milwaukee. Heston (3-3), a rookie right- snapped his 0-for-13 skid with an eighth-inning leadoff inning lifted Detroit to victory. Anthony Gose hit a one- and taking pictures of the 36-year-old for- ing several legal suits in the United States hander who retired the last 22 batters, has allowed two single against Rafael Betancourt (0-1). out double off Ryan Pressly (1-1), and Kinsler followed mer champion. seeking damages over the non-disclosure runs or fewer in five of his seven starts this season. with a flare that dropped into shallow center field. Sidewalk vendor Mary Jean Borgonia of his shoulder injury before the bout. Duffy, had a 3-run double in the second inning and REDS 4, BRAVES 3 Angel Nesbitt (1-1) pitched the 10th for his first career held up a white shirt with the words “Long The fight broke the pay-per-view record added a 2-run single as part of a 5-run fifth. Angel Devin Mesoraco doubled home the winning run win. JD Martinez homered for the Tigers in the fourth Live, Manny” in the Filipino language print- with 4.4 million buys that generated more Pagan had three hits for San Francisco, which had a with one out in the ninth, sending Cincinnati to a victo- inning, and Minnesota tied it in the eighth on a sacri- ed in red letters. “Even if he lost, for us he is than $400 million in revenue. With a live season-high with the eight runs. ry over slumping Atlanta. The Reds snapped a three- fice fly by Torii Hunter. Alfredo Simon allowed a run still a winner,” Borgonia said. gate of nearly $72 million and other rev- game losing streak with a late comeback. The Braves and six hits in 7 2-3 innings for the Tigers. He struck out ATHLETICS 9, RED SOX 2 Pacquiao said when he recovers he’ll enue, the bout grossed more than $600 let a 3-2 lead slip away in the seventh with the help of six and walked one. Minnesota’s Kyle Gibson was Josh Reddick had four hits with a homer and three make an “announcement for continuing million. Mayweather was guaranteed 60 Mike Foltynewicz’s throwing error, and wound up los- impressive as well, allowing a run and five hits in seven RBIs and Stephen Vogt also homered to help Oakland my career or announcement for retire- percent of the net revenue to the promo- ing for the fourth time in five games. innings. He struck out six. snap a six-game losing streak. Marcus Semien home- ment.” tion and Pacquiao the remaining 40 per- red and Eric Sogard drove in three runs to help the A’s The boxer is also going into the last year cent. PIRATES 7, PHILLIES 2 RAYS 4, YANKEES 2 snap their longest losing streak since the 2012 season. of his current term as congressman of In an interview with Philippine broad- AJ Burnett pitched seven strong innings in his Evan Longoria hit a tiebreaking sacrifice fly during a Drew Pomeranz (2-3) faced the minimum 15 batters southern Sarangani province. He did not caster ABS-CBN, Pacquiao said he reviewed return to Philadelphia, Andrew McCutchen homered two-run eighth inning and Tampa Bay rallied late to through five innings and matched the longest outing indicate his plans for next year’s elections, a video of the fight several times and and Pittsburgh won for the fourth straight time. beat New York. Kevin Kiermaier drew a one-out walk in of his career. He allowed two runs and four hits in sev- which could include running for his last believed he won, though narrowly, against Burnett (2-1) gave up two runs, one earned, and six the eighth from Nathan Eovaldi (3-1) and went to third en innings to win for the first time since his opening term as congressman, or provincial gover- Mayweather.—AP on Steven Souza Jr.’s single. Dellin Betances entered start of the season April 10 against Seattle. Justin hits. The 38-year-old right-hander led the majors with and gave up Longoria’s sac fly. Souza scored on Masterson (2-2) failed to make it out of the third inning 18 losses for the Phillies last year, and then declined a Betances’ wild pitch to make it 4-2. in his own personal house of horrors. He allowed six $12.75 million player option to pitch in Philadelphia Honda’s oval package could Tampa Bay tied it at 2 on David DeJesus’ two-run runs and six hits in 2 1-3 innings and fell to 0-6 with a this season, opting for a one-year, $8.5 million deal single in the seventh. Kevin Jepsen (1-2) pitched a 7.26 ERA in eight appearances at the Coliseum. with the Pirates. Josh Harrison broke out of a 2-for-27 make Indy 500 different race scoreless eighth before Brad Boxberger got the final slump that landed him on the bench Monday, con- three outs for his ninth save. The Yankees loaded the MARINERS 11, PADRES 4 necting for a three-run shot against Sean O’Sullivan (0- bases with no outs in the first, but scored just twice on Nelson Cruz hit his league-leading 15th home run, 2) in the fourth. INDIANAPOLIS: Honda may finally have in the top 10 even though the Chevy drivers consecutive RBI singles by Brian McCann and Carlos Mike Zunino homered twice, and Seattle hit a sea- found a way to catch Chevrolet in the IndyCar took seven of the top eight spots on the speed Beltran off Chris Archer. Eovaldi gave up four runs and son-high six home runs in a rout of San Diego. Cruz’s WHITE SOX 4, BREWERS 2 Series. Racing on ovals. After watching rival chart. Brazil’s Helio Castroneves, a three-time six hits over 7 1-3 innings. homer came in the eighth inning off San Diego Chris Sale struck out 11 in eight solid innings in his Chevrolet dominate the first five races this sea- 500 champion, led the field at 227.514. His reliever Frank Garces, who had already given up return from suspension to lift Chicago to a victory over son-all on road and street courses-the switch teammate with Team Penske, France’s Simon CUBS 6, METS 1 homers to Zunino and Justin Ruggiano an inning Milwaukee. Chicago ended a seven-game road losing to Indianapolis’ historic 2.5-mile oval is giving Pagenaud, was second at 227.382. New Jake Arrieta pitched eight sparkling innings, Kris earlier. The six homers were tied for the most ever hit streak despite another modest offensive effort. It didn’t Honda a chance to restart with new aero kits Zealand’s Scott Dixon, the 2008 Indy champ, as Bryant homered for the second straight day and by the Mariners in their home park, the last coming matter with Sale (3-1) on the mound, as the lanky left- that could spur a turnaround. third at 226.769 for Target Chip Ganassi. Chicago spoiled Noah Syndergaard’s anticipated in 2004 against Kansas City. Zunino hit a 439-foot hander made every run count before David Robertson “I hope it will make a difference,” said England’s Justin Wilson, an Andretti driver, debut. Arrieta (4-3) had a season-high 10 strikeouts solo shot leading off the sixth inning then added a converted his sixth save to end it. Milwaukee’s Elian Graham Rahal, who has finished second in was fourth, at 226.688 but finished the day and allowed one run and three hits. The right-hander two-run homer in the seventh. Zunino began the Herrera homered for the third straight day, but Brewers each of the last two races with a Honda-pow- getting a ride back to the garage after his car had dropped each his last two starts. night hitting .159, but finished with three hits - his reliever Michael Blazek (3-1) faltered late. Sale looked ered car for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. started smoking at the end of practice. He said Bryant had three hits, including his first major first three-hit game of the season - and the second nothing like the pitcher who’d given up 13 runs over “We’re only a couple days into this, so it’s hard he felt a vibration, heard a clunk and then saw league triple. The rookie star hit a leadoff shot against multi-homer game of his career. Seattle starter James his previous two starts against Minnesota and Detroit to say, but it looks like it will be (more competi- smoke. Hansel Robles in the eighth, sending a towering shot Paxton (1-2) threw six shutout innings for his first vic- in returning from a five-game suspension for his role in tive).” Of course, there’s no telling whether the to the back of the bleachers in left. tory, as the Mariners won their fourth straight. an April 23 brawl with Kansas City. —AP Nobody knows what to expect from these fastest drivers caught a draft or who was work- distinctly different-looking cars. Honda has ing on the faster qualifying setups versus race DIAMONDBACKS 14, NATIONALS 6 opted to go with two center pillars that loop setups. Mark Trumbo homered twice to drive in four runs, MLB results/standings around the wing and with a narrow carbon But most expect the Honda cars to perform Stephen Strasburg had one of the worst starts of his fiber strip on each side that connect each side better at Indy. “I know Honda has had a lot of career and Arizona emphatically snapped St. Louis 8, Cleveland 3; Toronto 10, Baltimore 2; Pittsburgh 7, Philadelphia 2; Detroit 2, Minnesota 1 (10 Innings); of the outer wing to the rear wheel guard. concentration, a lot of focus, at least publicly, Washington’s five-game winning streak. Beaten by the Cincinnati 4, Atlanta 3; Tampa Bay 4, NY Yankees 2; Chicago Cubs 6, NY Mets 1; Kansas City 7, Texas 6 (10 Innings); San Chevrolet is using a more traditional-looking on the Indianapolis 500,” said Charlie Kimball, Francisco 8, Houston 1; Chicago White Sox 4, Milwaukee 2; Arizona 14, Washington 6; Oakland 9, Boston 2; LA Angels Nationals 11-1 in the series opener Monday, the 5, Colorado 2; Seattle 11, San Diego 4; LA Dodgers 11, Miami 1. but smaller, more efficient rear wing to make who drives for Chip Ganassi’s Chevy team. “I do Diamondbacks turned the tables. Bryce Harper hit his the cars faster. have a lot of confidence in the Chevy as far as seventh home run in the last six games game, a two- American League National League Eastern Division Eastern Division So far, Chevrolet has been almost flawless. roads and streets, and we really need to work run shot. But not much else went right for Washington. It has claimed all five poles, won four of the to understand what we need to be doing to W L PCT GB NY Mets 20 13 .606 - The 14 runs were the most allowed by the Nationals NY Yankees 21 13 .618 - Washington 18 16 .529 2.5 first five races, swept the top 10 starting spots get the most out of it (the new aero kits) on since they moved to Washington in 2005 and were one Tampa Bay 18 16 .529 3 for Saturday’s Grand Prix of Indianapolis and ovals.” Chevy isn’t exactly dialing back its plans. Atlanta 15 18 .455 5 shy of the most given up when they were the Montreal Toronto 17 17 .500 4 Miami 15 19 .441 5.5 then had eight of the top 10 finishers. It might “When we took on this challenge, we priori- Expos. Trumbo’s mammoth three-run homer into the Boston 15 18 .455 5.5 Philadelphia 11 23 .324 9.5 not be the same in the first oval race of the tized the speedway package because we’re second deck in left field ended Strasburg’s night with Baltimore 14 17 .452 5.5 Central Division Central Division season, the Indianapolis 500. very interested in winning the Indy 500,” said St. Louis 23 9 .719 - one out in the fourth inning. Kansas City 21 12 .636 - In Monday’s rain-shortened practice, Marco Chris Berube, the chief engineer for Chevy’s Chicago Cubs 17 15 .531 6 Andretti, who drives for his Andretti Autosport, IndyCar department. Detroit 20 13 .606 1 BLUE JAYS 10, ORIOLES 2 Minnesota 18 15 .545 3 Pittsburgh 17 16 .515 6.5 had the fourth fastest lap of the day and was A more competitive manufacturer’s race Edwin Encarnacion homered twice and drove in Chicago White Sox 13 17 .433 6.5 Cincinnati 16 17 .485 7.5 the top Honda finisher at 225.184 mph. That’s would add another element to IndyCar’s three runs, Mark Buehrle threw six innings of four-hit Cleveland 11 20 .355 9 Milwaukee 12 22 .353 12 Western Division a big jump for a team that had four cars qualify biggest race. Honda had been the sole ball and Toronto defeated Baltimore. Western Division LA Dodgers 22 10 .688 - start Saturday-with none qualifying higher engine supplier for IndyCar from 2006 Encarnacion tied the game with a solo shot in the Houston 20 13 .606 - than 18th and none finishing higher than 11th. through 2011 and began the month with 11 LA Angels 16 17 .485 4 San Francisco 17 16 .515 5.5 sixth inning and capped a four-run seventh with a Seattle 15 17 .469 4.5 San Diego 17 17 .500 6 On Tuesday, Andretti’s cars fared slightly wins in the last 12 IndyCar races at the drive off Tommy Hunter. It was his 19th career two- better in colder, windier conditions. Justin Brickyard, including a sweep of the Indy GP Texas 14 19 .424 6 Arizona 15 17 .469 7 homer game and second this season - both against Oakland 13 22 .371 8 Colorado 11 18 .379 9.5 Wilson, Andretti and Carlos Munoz all finished and the 500 in 2014.—AP Baltimore. Josh Donaldson also homered and Ryan THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 SPORTS

Stylish Canada braced for tougher test at worlds

PRAGUE: Canada have won all seven games.” Olympic winners from going to be our biggest test so far,” said only conceded ten goals, of which five clash pitting the tournament’s top scor- games in the group stage of the ice Vancouver 2010 and Sochi 2014, Canada Spezza. Spezza himself is one of the were in the opening game against the er, Nashville prodigy Filip Forsberg, hockey world championships in style, have put together an extremely strong tournament’s top offensive stars so far USA, and Nashville goalie Pekka Rinne against the potent St Petersburg line of but past editions have taught them that team for the tournament which is typi- with four goals and seven assists, the has managed three shutouts and set a Vadim Shipachyov, Evgeni Dadonov and the play-offs are a brand new competi- cally shunned by top players who play same as his teammate Matt Duchene new record of 238 minutes with a clean Artemi Panarin. tion. the NHL playoffs or prefer to heal their and Russia’s Evgeni Dadonov. sheet at the worlds. Pittsburgh star Evgeni Malkin and for- In today’s quarter-finals, Canada will wounds from the season. The USA won Group B with their Propelled by an enthusiastic crowd in mer NHLer Ilya Kovalchuk add spirit to face Belarus in their quest for a first In the group, the team comprising young team after beating defending Prague’s 17,000-seater O2 Arena, the Russia’s offensive efforts, which will be a medal since 2009 — and possibly the NHL icons Sidney Crosby, Claude Giroux champions Russia and Finland, and they Czech Republic have had a few good serious test for Sweden’s defence lean- first gold since 2007. or Tyler Seguin scored 49 goals and only face Switzerland in the quarter-finals. moments up front but their offensive ing on NHL players including the “We’ve felt all along that we have a conceded 14, humiliating minnows Led by New York Islanders forward Brock strength may be hurt by the absence of acclaimed Oliver Ekman-Larsson of chance to win the tournament if we play Germany and Austria with ten-goal wins. Nelson, who has scored seven goals at 43-year-old NHL veteran Jaromir Jagr. Arizona fame. well and we’ve done what we came to But Belarus, leaning on players from the tournament so far, the US attacking The Florida Panthers wing, who has The USA and Switzerland will face off do in the group stage,” said Dallas for- the Russian-based Continental Hockey lines will look for ways to beat a solid scored four goals at the tournament, is in Ostrava today. Canada’s game against ward Jason Spezza. League, might turn out to be a different Swiss defence backed by Colorado doubtful for Thursday after limping off Belarus starts an hour later. Russia will “Now it’s the most difficult part of the story, having beaten a strong US team. goalie Reto Berra. the ice early into Tuesday’s game with take on Sweden in Ostrava and Finland tournament, we know we’re going to “They can be a tricky team to play Finland, who have the best defence Switzerland, probably with a pulled face the Czech Republic in Prague. The get tested more than we have lately and against, there’s lots of skill and some at the tournament, will take on hosts the muscle. semi-finals are scheduled for Saturday we have to be ready to play some tight good offensive players... it’s probably Czech Republic in Prague. Finland have Russia face Sweden on Thursday in a and the finals for Sunday. —AFP

Pakistan blame game in full flow after Bangladesh debacle

KARACHI: Pakistan’s cricket chiefs face a fared worst of late-with the African side battle to address the reasons behind their keen to upset the hosts. disastrous tour to Bangladesh as they gear No Test-playing team has toured up for their first home series against Test Pakistan since militants attacked the Sri opposition in six years. Lankan team bus in Lahore in March 2009, Pakistan slumped to ninth in the ICC leaving eight people dead and seven visit- one-day international table-their lowest ing players injured. since rankings were introduced in 2002 — Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq, who retired after losing the ODI series to minnows from one-day cricket after World Cup in Bangladesh 3-0, threatening their partici- March, called for a united effort to arrest pation in the 2017 Champions Trophy in the decline. England where only top eight teams will For decades Imran has blamed a flawed feature. The tourists also suffered their first first-class system as being detrimental to ever Twenty20 defeat against Bangladesh. the national side, but analysts counter that Although they managed to win the two- it produced players in the past of the cali- Test series 1-0 with victory in the second bre of Javed Miandad, Wasim Akram, Waqar Test last week, the national pastime of Younis and Inzamam-ul-Haq. inquisition and blame game is back in full That argument doesn’t wash with for- flow. Legendary paceman and 1992 World mer Test captain Inzamam. “Look, with the Cup-winning captain Imran Khan termed passage of time our first-class system didn’t the Bangladesh one-day series defeat as get better,” he told AFP. “The lack of ‘A’ team “unimaginable” while former captain Ramiz tours hurt us badly, because that is the Raja described it as “the lowest point in stage where we can mature our fringe play- country’s cricket history”. ers.” The absence of any international crick- As a bewildering number of former play- et on Pakistan soil since a terrorist attack on ers and captains line up to have their say, the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in 2009 those who currently govern the game are has also been detrimental. pointing their fingers towards the system PCB officials say countries refuse even to over which they preside. send ‘A’ teams because of security fears. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Such tours are normally arranged on a Shaharyar Khan promised a “serious review” reciprocal basis meaning no Pakistan ‘A’ Nikita Kucherov in action in this file photo and labelled the first-class system as “com- team has played outside the nation’s pletely flawed” and fitness of the players as adopted ‘home’ grounds in the United Arab “worst in the world.” Emirates for five years. A procession of players withdrew with Fast bowler Wahab Riaz and batsman Lightning oust Canadiens injuries from the Bangladesh tour, high- Umar Akmal rose to senior level after the lighting the lack of a fitness regime and the last Pakistan ‘A’ tour to Australia in 2009 and mistakes made in allowing players to come Inzamam said until fringe players tour TAMPA: Nikita Kucherov scored two goals and since the Canadiens did it in 1993. Tomorrow is a new opportunity for the team back to the rigours of international cricket abroad they cannot make the step up to set up another as the Tampa Bay Lightning Meanwhile, the New York Rangers weren’t here, so you have to be in the moment. You without proper match practice. Test and ODI level. “We need to send our advanced to the NHL Eastern Conference wasting any time on Alexander Ovechkin’s can’t think about the last year and whatever. The post-mortem comes as Pakistan players to countries like England, Australia finals with a 4-1 victory over the Montreal prediction of a Game 7 win for the Washington That doesn’t really matter, You stay in the prepare to face Zimbabwe in a mini-series and South Africa. If we don’t then we will Canadiens on Tuesday. Capitals in the Eastern Conference semifinals. moment.” of Twenty20s and three one-day interna- not be able to groom them for higher lev- Steven Stamkos scored his third goal of the Ovechkin said it on Monday and the Lundqvist expects to have butterflies tionals-the formats where the team has els,” said Inzamam.—AFP playoffs for the Lightning, who closed out the Rangers didn’t care Tuesday. The only thing before the game. He gets them every game, second-round series in six games after they talked about after practice was being whether it’s the season opener or the playoffs. Montreal fought off elimination in Games 4 prepared for winner-take-all game tonight at “When you start the playoffs, I talked about, and 5. Madison Square Garden. you have to see it happen, you have to see “This was our Game 7 tonight,” Stamkos The Rangers usually are. They have won good things happen to you and your team, For Pakistan, it’s not said. “This is the biggest game of the playoffs their last five Game 7s dating to 2012, includ- and then you have to go out there and work for us and we responded.” Kucherov finished ing a win in Pittsburgh last season that for it,” Lundqvist said. “It starts with believing. just about cricket with six goals in the series. capped a rally from a 3-1 deficit and the last We were in a tough spot in this series and we Ondrej Palat also had a goal and assist for two series against Washington (2012 and ‘13). believed we could force another game, and ISLAMABAD: Zimbabwe touch down next performance in front of their home fans.” Tampa Bay, which played without forward In the 2013 series, the Rangers overcame another game, and now are here.” Lundqvist week, the first test-playing cricket team to The drop in the rankings has put Pakistan’s Ryan Callahan, who had an emergency appen- deficits of 2-0 and 3-1 to win. They are one win refused to comment on Ovechkin’s prediction, visit Pakistan in more than six years. The place in doubt for next year’s Champions dectomy on Monday night. away from overcoming a 3-1 deficit in this other than to say he was just trying to get anticipation is building, heightened by a Trophy, as only the top eight ranked teams Ben Bishop stopped 18 shots to outperform series. While the Capitals have Ovechkin lead- himself ready for Game 7. The Capitals were delay in selling tickets until Friday for all will compete. Carey Price, who finished with 24 saves. The ing the way, the Rangers have Henrik doing to same thing in Washington. five limited-overs games at 27,000-seat The team is in rebuild mode. Senior pros Lightning, who won nine of 11 meetings Lundqvist. The goaltender is 5-0 with a 0.80 “We’re just going in there to concentrate Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Misbah-ul-Haq and Shahid Afridi quit ODIs against the Canadians this season including goals-against average and a .973 save percent- for three periods, maybe four, maybe five,” The desire of Pakistan fans starved of after the Cricket World Cup exit in the quar- playoffs, will face either the New York Rangers age in his last five Game 7 appearances. Ovechkin said. “Whatever it takes.” History is internationals on their home grounds terfinals, and seasoned batsman Younis or Washington Capitals in the conference “His focus and his preparation are by far working against the Capitals. In all previous should sell out the three one-day interna- Khan was rested from the three-match finals. one of the best I have seen in this game,” series that they led 3-1, they have been tionals and two Twenty20s from May 22-29. series against Bangladesh. Those teams meet in Game 7 of their sec- Rangers coach Alain Vigneault said. “For him pushed to Game 7 four times and they’re 0-4. The International Cricket Council is not Latif was critical of the decision to ele- ond-round series late yesterday night. Price, a and, I can say our group, these are moments Since Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and expected to send its match officials for a vate Azhar Ali to captain, and still wasn’t a leading candidate for league MVP, played well to play for and I think everybody is looking Mike Green made their playoff debuts in 2008, tour in which the security has been fan even after the new skipper scored a in helping the Canadiens climb back in the forward to it.” this is the ninth time in 11 playoff series that deemed “unmanageable” by the interna- century against Bangladesh. series after losing the first two games at home Game 7s are the dream of children playing Washington has gone to a Game 7. The team is tional players’ body. “Look, we need an aggressive captain and watching Game 3 slip away in the closing hockey, with hopes of scoring the winning 3-5 in the previous eight. That core group has While the tour is more about proving to who could bat with a good strike rate, and seconds for a 3-0 deficit. The Montreal star goal or coming up with the big save. When never made it out of the second round of the the other test-playing nations that Pakistan Azhar Ali is, for sure, not one of them,” Latif stopped several shots from point-blank range they get older, it’s a job, no matter how well playoffs. “There’s an opportunity here and is safe to play in again following the 2009 said. Injuries also dented Pakistan’s plans - but Bishop was better for Tampa Bay. you have done. “The past is the past,” that’s the key word - opportunity,’ Green said. attack on the Sri Lanka team convoy, the against Bangladesh, and board chairman Montreal’s loss means the last of five Lundqvist said. “You don’t think about it, you “None of us wants that to go to waste. We home team will also use Zimbabwe to try Shaharyar Khan last week termed the fit- Canadian-based teams that reached the post- just go in there and you focus the same way want to create something special here, espe- to improve its credibility after a woeful run ness of the team as the “worst in the world.” season is eliminated from the playoffs. A you focused the game before. It’s great memo- cially with his group of guys. It’s been a lot of of limited-overs results. Under coach Waqar Younis, the team has Canadian-based team hasn’t won the Cup ries to have to win important games. fun and it’s not over yet.” —AP Pakistan slipped to its lowest ever ODI lost its five most recent ODI series; New world ranking of No. 9, two above Zealand (home and away), Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, after a shambolic 3-0 first-ever Australia, and Bangladesh. defeat in Bangladesh recently. “Had I been in Waqar’s place, I would Derby winner’s Triple bid could be derailed “The focus is, of course, on organizing a have resigned after what happened in series without any security problems, but Bangladesh,” Latif said. “Pakistan needs a BALTIMORE: To spoil or not to Kaleem Shah, a Baffert client and most recently the 2013 Preakness finishing third in the Belmont. it’s hard to swallow the defeat against local coach who knows the strength of spoil. That is the question. The the owner of Dortmund. with Oxbow, said. “It’s so difficult to More recently, after trainer Todd Bangladesh, too,” former Pakistan captain domestic cricketers and not someone like Preakness Stakes on Saturday will “Am I concerned Dortmund can win these races. Bob has said, ‘If Pletcher won his first Derby with Rashid Latif said on Wednesday. Waqar, who hardly knows which cricketer is present a rare, but not unprece- step up? Of course you are,” Zayat Dortmund wins it then so be it.’ Super Saver in 2010, he also sent “Pakistan should not repeat the same performing on the domestic circuit.” —AP dented, story line that could see said. “You are concerned with all of That’s kind of the way it is.” A simi- out Aikenite in the Preakness. The the trainer of Kentucky Derby win- them. But I think we’re better than lar plot developed for Lukas after difference was Aikenite was the ner American Pharoah upend his all of them. I think we are a cut Charismatic won the 1999 Derby. longest shot on the board at 30-1. chance at a Triple Crown if stable- above.” And if Dortmund wins? The trainer also sent out top con- Neither won; it was Baffert claim- mate Dortmund avenges his Derby “It’s not happening. We have a tender Cat Thief in the Preakness, ing his fifth Preakness with Lookin defeat. “My job is to try to win all much better horse,” Zayat said, not but Charismatic prevailed before At Lucky.—AP three races and to win every race as a boast but in his way of exud- I’m entered,” trainer Bob Baffert ing confidence “I have tremendous said in trying to explain his unique faith in that horse. It’s just not hap- predicament. pening.” Two decades ago, it did While the post-position draw is happen. To another Hall of Fame later Wednesday at Pimlico Race trainer, D. Wayne Lukas. Course, the field will include the Two weeks after Thunder Gulch first three Derby finishers, won the 1995 Derby, Lukas won American Pharoah, Firing Line and the Preakness with Timber Country Dortmund. (Thunder Gulch was third). Three “If you’re going to be a Triple weeks after that, Thunder Gulch Crown winner,” the Hall of Fame came back and won the Belmont trainer continued, “... he’s going to Stakes (Timber Country was have to beat his stablemate. He’s scratched with a fever). got to beat Firing Line, and proba- For his part, Lukas said he felt bly some other horses in there.” no pressure from either of his high- Ahmed Zayat, the owner of profile owners in running back American Pharoah, understands Timber Country - who incidentally Baffert’s situation. The two are was the beaten Derby favorite and close friends. Their families are the top choice in the Preakness. close. Both are fiercely competitive. “Look, when this kind of thing And Zayat welcomes another happens, you just do the best job LOUISVILLE: Exercise rider Jorge Alvarez gallops Kentucky Derby win- opportunity to show off his “dream with both of them,” Lukas, who has ner American Pharoah at Churchill Downs. The colt is preparing for a DHAKA: Pakistan’s Yasir Shah (left) celebrates with teammates in this file photo. —AP horse,” especially in taking on rival won a record 14 Triple Crown races, start in the 140th Preakness Stakes in Baltimore. —AP THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 SPORTS F1 revamp on agenda at ‘crucial’ strategy meet

LONDON: Formula One bosses and top McLaren, Williams and Force India-as well teams will meet on Thursday to discuss a as the governing FIA and commercial revamp of the sport, as well as technical rights holder. “Every meeting is crucial,” concerns, but with considerable doubt FIA president Jean Todt told Reuters at the over how much they can actually agree. Spanish Grand Prix last weekend. “We Past Strategy Group meetings, each billed know there are some things to assess. And as increasingly ‘crucial’, have rarely lived up I hope we will be able to have a good to even modest expectations. “We might agenda and come with good proposals change the date of the next meeting. and decisions to submit to the F1 commis- Possibly. I’m not sure. It’s not easy to get sion and then to the world council. decisions made,” commercial supremo “I hate reacting to ‘this one says this, Bernie Ecclestone told Reuters when this one says that’,” he added when the asked what might be achieved this time. various standpoints were put to him. “So Leaving aside the 84-year-old’s cyni- we will have all the different stakeholders cism, Formula One has major challenges around the table and it will be a proper to address including soaring costs, strug- opportunity to speak about everything. gling teams, falling viewing figures in “A lot of work has been done, we have some regions and a failure to engage a been doing some working groups, an younger audience. Ferrari are among enquiry with an external consultant, with those to have called for a rules ‘revolution’ the technical and sporting people, so I from 2017, with bigger, louder and more think we will have a quite clear situation affordable engines in faster and more fear- to discuss about.” some cars. The increased engine allocation pro- More immediately, there will be a vote posal already looks doomed, however, on whether to increase the engine alloca- with Mercedes-powered Williams and tion for this season from four per driver Force India against it on grounds of cost back to the five they had last year-with and a reluctance to help Renault-powered some teams opposed. rivals Red Bull in the championship battle. The Strategy Group meeting at Biggin Red Bull and McLaren, whose partners Hill in southern England includes six Honda have also had reliability problems, teams-Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull, are in favor. —Reuters Harden’s triple double keeps Rockets alive Danica Patrick in action in this file photo. HOUSTON: Houston’s James Harden shook the bench with 12 points. “I just wanted to off illness to record a triple double and lead shake things up a bit and ... see if we could the Rockets to 124-103 win against the Los get more ball movement,” McHale said. Angeles Clippers on Tuesday that kept the In Cleveland, James scored 38 points and Patrick to F1? Haas not ruling it out series alive and trimmed the deficit to 3-2. Kyrie Irving added 25 as the Cavaliers held off Harden lived up to his superstar billing, as did Chicago’s charge in the fourth quarter. LONDON: NASCAR team co-owner Gene Haas the season-opening Daytona 500. Recent events LeBron James, who led Cleveland to a 106- Showing no ill effects from a sprained left has no desire to fuel speculation but neither will may make it easier, however. PREMIUM BRAND 101 win against Chicago which put the ankle, James added 12 rebounds, six assists he rule out entirely the possibility of Danica Haas said the team had acquired no equip- Cavaliers up 3-2 and within one win of and didn’t have a turnover in 41 minutes to Patrick racing for his new Formula One team HIGHLY MARKETABLE ment from auctions of the failed Caterham and advancing in the playoffs. ensure the Cavs will again play at home this next year. Patrick’s long-term backer, internet domain Marussia teams, other than the latter’s super- Harden had 26 points, 11 rebounds and 10 season. “If the right sponsor came along, then any- name service GoDaddy Inc, announced last computer, preferring instead to buy big ticket assists and Dwight Howard added 20 points “LeBron was just outstanding, every ele- thing is possible,” the California-based business- month they were leaving NASCAR at the end of items such as trailers new. He added that the and 15 rebounds as the Rockets bounced ment of the game,” Cavs coach David Blatt man told Reuters when asked whether the the year and that has left her future in doubt team had about 90 employees with another 50 back from two lopsided losses. said. “You can’t pick a thing he didn’t do at the world’s best-known female racer might make a although Haas sounded positive on that score. or 60 to be hired, and would reflect the ‘premi- “I’m all right,” Harden said when asked highest level.” Cleveland can wrap up the sensational switch from ovals. Even as he spoke, “Danica Patrick is highly marketable and if um brand’ of his machine automation business. about his health. “We won, so that’s all that best-of-seven series with a win in Game 6 on on a visit to the grand prix paddock in Spain last anything we’re very lucky that GoDaddy is giv- “Right now we’re in that slow period of just matters.” The Rockets hadn’t lost three Thursday back at United Center in Chicago, weekend, his F1 team principal Guenther Steiner ing us enough time to find a sponsor that she’ll kind of building things, putting things together,” straight all season, and with their season on where the teams exchanged buzzer-beating grimaced. fit with, because she can sell anything,” he said. said the 62-year-old. “Our goal is to actually the line they ended their skid to send it back victories last weekend. “Don’t put anything in that Danica is coming “She has as much attention at the race track show that you can survive in F1 without the dra- to Los Angeles for Game 6 today. The drama wasn’t quite as high in Game 5, to F1,” laughed the Austrian, mindful of all the as any of the drivers so she’s a very valuable per- ma that some of the other teams go through. I Houston used a 36-point second quarter but it was close and it was intense. Jimmy stories written since Haas Formula One con- son.” Haas F1 will be the first American-based think, from everything that I’ve seen, we’re to take a commanding lead and withstood a Butler scored 29 and Mike Dunleavy 19 for firmed they would be making their grand prix team in Formula One since 1986 and will com- going to be fine,” he added. Haas said he was third-quarter surge by Los Angeles to lead by Chicago. Derrick Rose scored 16, 12 in the first debut in 2016. pete with Ferrari engines in a close tie-up with aiming to make the most of “NASCAR efficien- 14 entering the fourth. quarter, but the star guard shot just 2 of 15 in “We’ve been down that path last year,” agreed the Italian team. cies”, buying in technology from different com- Blake Griffin had 30 points and 16 the final three quarters and aggravated a Haas, who nonetheless left no doubt that his They have already secured a European base panies rather than doing it the traditional F1 rebounds, and Chris Paul added 22 points shoulder “stinger” he sustained in Game 1. Stewart-Haas NASCAR driver would be given in central England, buying the old Marussia fac- way. and 10 assists for the Clippers. “They were Fueled by an altercation that led to the ejec- serious consideration if the deal was right and tory in Banbury, and are making steady progress “We really don’t have any urgent need for more focused,” Clippers coach Doc Rivers said. tion of Chicago’s Taj Gibson, the Cavs led by she wanted to do it. Formula One has not had a even if no driver announcement is expected for sponsors but we’d certainly like to have some. “They played like they were the desperate 17 with 6:09 left and then had to hold off a woman driver start a race in nearly 40 years and months. But our goal is we’re going racing, whether team and we didn’t play very desperate.” furious comeback by the Bulls, who got with- Patrick, who nearly tested for Honda in 2008, has “We kind of have to wait until mid-summer we’re sponsored or not,” he added. With the Harden’s triple-double was Houston’s first in 101-99 on Butler’s 3-pointer with 1:18 left. been through the rumour mill many times and really see who’s available. Obviously prospect of adding a Formula One schedule to in the postseason since Steve Francis in 2004, Cleveland, though, got a huge offensive already. Formula One cars are a little unique; you proba- the time needed to run his business and and earned the respect of his teammates. rebound by Iman Shumpert before Irving, “We don’t want to sit there and say no to any- bly have to have someone with relative experi- attend NASCAR races, Haas could be short of “This is win or go home and I’m pretty sure playing on a sprained right foot and sore left thing but the probabilities... obviously when ence of driving these cars,” said Haas. “It would sleep next year but he laughed that off. “I have he wants this as bad as we all do and he knee, made four free throws in the final 17 she’s in NASCAR, it’s very difficult to participate be a home run to put an American driver in an no idea how I’m going to make all this work,” showed that tonight,” Howard said. Trevor seconds. in F1,” said Haas of the 33-year-old who in 2013 American Formula One team, but it takes a lot of he smiled. “It is fun, might as well do it before Ariza added 22 points for Houston and Corey The Bulls were missing big man Pau became the first woman to take pole position for alignment of the stars for that to happen.” you’re dead.” —Reuters Brewer had 15. Gasol, who sat out his second straight game McHale toyed with the starting lineup with a strained left hamstring and didn’t after losses by 25 and 33 points, inserting sound confident before Game 5 that he’d be Josh Smith in place of Terrence Jones. Smith ready by today. They also played the final finished with nine points and seven 10:25 without Gibson, ejected for kicking California golf courses tee rebounds, while Jones provided a spark off Cavs guard Matthew Dellavedova. —AP up water-saving measures

LAGUNA NIGUEL: At first glance, nothing David Fleming, a golf course architect whose The course still faces a 50 percent cut in supply seems amiss at this lush, members-only golf club business is booming. by June 1 if a local water agency’s plans pass - in one of the priciest communities in Orange El Niguel Country Club applied for rebates likely meaning the rough will go dry. The rebates County. A bubbling fountain gurgles out of an last year to rip up 22 acres, and the final phase is have become so popular with the industry in artificial lake. Emerald-green fairways stretch now underway. The project will save 12 million Southern California that the regional into the distance. Golf carts zoom across the gallons a year, just in time for cuts to the course’s Metropolitan Water District is talking about cre- grass like white ants. water allocation that begin in June, said Brian ating a lifetime rebate cap and taking other But behind the man-made stream and arcing Archbold, golf course supervisor. measures to avoid maxing out its funds. sprinklers, California’s epic drought is reshaping On a recent spring day, golfers playing in a Other courses are investing in wireless soil the course at El Niguel Country Club and dozens charity tournament at El Niguel putted their way probes that can provide real-time feeds to of others statewide. around dozens of orange-shirted landscapers groundskeepers on their cellphones. The read- Pressed by the four-year dry spell and state- who were gouging out dead grass and planting outs indicate exactly where to water and exactly mandated water cuts, some of the finest courses buckets of drought-tolerant species such as fire- how much, to within a fraction of an inch, elimi- in California are taking such steps as tearing out cracker plants, acacias, primavera and golden nating the need for sprinklers that drench large the grass in places where it won’t affect the grass. Golfer Keith Stribling has seen similar areas. Some golf courses are installing liners in game, planting drought-resistant vegetation, redesigns at several courses around Southern their artificial lakes, turning off sprinklers in letting the turf turn brown in spots and California and doesn’t mind it. “The way most areas of less foot traffic and considering on-site installing smart watering systems. “The new courses are doing it, you can see they’re not put- facilities that treat wastewater from the sewers - buzzword in the industry is ‘Brown is the new ting it right in the middle of the golf course,” he a strategy Australian golf courses used to survive green.’ We can’t provide the same kind of prod- said. “They’re just removing turf where you a recent 10-year drought. uct as we’d like to anymore,” said Mike Williams shouldn’t be hitting it over there anyway.” Ed Osann, a water use expert at the Natural of Hidden Valley Golf Club in Norco. “Everybody Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club, down the road in Resources Defense Council, said the golf course LOS ANGELES: Houston Rockets guard James Harden (right) tries to get by Los can’t play on a lush green surface like the San Diego County, tore out almost 19 acres late industry must shift away from using drinkable Angeles Clippers guard Austin Rivers during the second half in Game 4 of a second- Masters.” last year and replaced it with sandy beds dotted water over the next decade or risk its future. round NBA basketball playoff series. —AP It’s a move the golf industry says is necessary with brightly colored yellow, purple and white “We may not be at the most severe part of for its long-term survival as the drought drags desert plants for an eventual water savings of 13 this drought yet,” he said. “This could get worse on. Last week, state regulators ordered a 25 per- million to 15 million gallons a year, Fleming said. before it gets better.” —AP Real aim to end Euroleague wait cent overall cut in the use of drinkable water in California, leaving it up to local water agencies MADRID: European club basketball heavy- defeat by Maccabi Tel Aviv in the final. “If we to decide how to achieve it. Golf courses are weights Real Madrid will be hard pressed to win the Euroleague in an ugly game, I would starting to find out what that will mean for them win their first Euroleague title since 1995 be as happy as if we won it in a great match,” - cuts in their water allocations, tough sprinkler when they host the competition’s Final Four the 47-year old from the Basque city of Vitoria restrictions and perhaps higher water rates. this weekend. told the competition’s official website The showpiece tournament also features (www.euroleague.net). In California, an average 18-hole golf course dark horses Fenerbahce Istanbul, who clash “Fenerbahce are a talented team, hard to sprawls over 110 to 115 acres and conservatively with Real on Friday for a berth in Sunday’s match up against and able to change their uses almost 90 million gallons of water per year, final, as well as CSKA Moscow and rhythm. I have a lot of respect for (Obradovic), enough to fill 136 Olympic-size swimming pools, Olympiakos Piraeus who meet in the other I learnt a lot from him in the two years that I said Mike Huck, a water management consultant semi. Touted as strong favourites to win their spent with him.” who works with golf courses statewide. ninth overall title, Real face a banana skin Heavy investment by Fenerbahce’s owners Some golf courses already are spending up to against Fenerbahce who romped into the paid off in the club’s second season under the $500,000 a year on water to maintain that oasis Final Four under the helm of the Spanish iron-fisted Obradovic, who brushed aside look. Country clubs also realize that the sight of club’s former coach Zeljko Obradovic, who Maccabi 3-0 in their best-of-five quarter-final. great expanses of perfect grass won’t sit well steered them to their last Euroleague trophy Having won five of his eight Euroleague with the public when people are being asked to two decades ago. The 55-year old Serb, who titles with Panathinaikos, the former take four-minute showers, flush less and let their has won a record eight titles in the premier Yugoslavia playmaker will rely heavily on the own lawns wither. club competition with four different clubs, prowess of fellow Serbs Bogdan Bogdanovic As a result, many of California’s more than 860 also mentored Real’s present coach Pablo and Nemanja Bjelica. golf courses have jumped at turf reduction Laso when the Spanish giants won the sec- Driven by Fenerbahce’s newly-found rebate programs run by water agencies. The pro- ond-tier Saporta Cup in 1997. appetite for success and his own hunger for grams offer $2 to $3 for every square foot of turf Known for nurturing a free-flowing attack- silverware, Obradovic said hosting the Final removed. ing game relying on flair and talent, Laso Four was a sword which cuts both ways A golf course can easily tear out up to 25 CALIFORNIA: In this April 25, 2015 photo, a golfer passes succulents and other drought-resis- pointed out he had no qualms about apply- although he acknowledged Real’s experience acres of grass next to the fairways and around tant plants at the El Niguel Country Club in Laguna Niguel. California’s epic drought is reshap- ing a different strategy after last year’s shock could be a telling factor.—Reuters the clubhouse without affecting the game, said ing the course at El Niguel Country Club and dozens of others statewide.—AP THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 SPORTS

RIO DE JANEIRO: US surfer Kelly Slater com- petes in the 2015 Rio Pro World Surf League competition at Barra da Tijuca beach in Rio de Janeiro. —AP Surfing event opens in Rio amid water pollution

RIO DE JANEIRO: Many of the world’s top Rio has poor sewage treatment infrastruc- The event’s organizer, the World Surf safety. The start of competition at the surfing send samples to Switzerland for last year’s surfers were in Rio de Janeiro for a major surf- ture, and much of the sewage from the city of League, recently canceled a backup venue on event coincides with Brazilian President Dilma World Cup in Brazil. Dr. Richard Budgett, the ing competition that kicked off Tuesday amid 12 million people empties untreated into its the neighboring beach of Sao Conrado due to Rousseff’s meetings in Rio with local Olympic medical and scientific director of the persistent worries about the city’s polluted lakes, rivers and beaches. Of the 32 water quali- what the organization deemed “pollution organizers as well as members of the Swiss- International Olympic Committee, said recently waters. ty reports issued this year for Rio, only eight issues.” based International Olympic Committee. that the IOC planned to conduct “roughly the Kelly Slater of the United States and Brazilian found water in the area appropriate for swim- In a statement emailed to The Associated Meanwhile, the World Anti-Doping Agency same number” of tests in Rio as the 5,000 it car- star Gabriel Medina were among those com- mers. Press last week, World Surf League spokesman has lifted the suspension of the drug-testing ried out in London. peting at the Oi Rio Pro event, which is taking Biologist and environmental activist Mario Dave Prodan said the organization was “confi- lab in Rio de Janeiro, clearing the way for its use Rather than increasing the number of tests, place through May 22 on Rio’s Barra da Tijuca Moscatelli has warned that pollution could dent that our primary site at Postinho, Barra da at next year’s Olympics. as the IOC usually does at each games, Budgett beach. The Barra neighborhood is one of the become particularly problematic during low Tijuca will deliver excellent conditions.” WADA revoked the credentials of Rio’s lab in said “we want to move away from a total focus main sites for competitions at next year’s tides at Barra da Tijuca, when the lagoon’s fetid Water quality has become a hot-button 2013 because of “repeated failures” in meeting on numbers” and concentrate on intelligent, Olympics. waters spill out into the ocean. issue ahead of the 2016 Olympics, with state agency standards. “This decision was made targeted and flexible testing. The approval The surfing event’s main venue is near the Winds could potentially push the sewage and local authorities repeatedly acknowledging after the laboratory completed the required removes one stumbling block for Rio organiz- spot where a raw sewage-filled lagoon empties along the beach, contaminating the competi- they will not be able to make good on long- remedial work stipulated in the International ers, who are facing numerous hurdles: severe into the Atlantic. The latest water quality report, tion site, said Moscatelli, who has been flying standing promise to clean up the city’s blighted Standard for Laboratories (ISL),” WADA water pollution at venues for canoeing, rowing issued Tuesday by the state environmental over the area for years as part of an environ- waterways ahead of the games. Olympic sail- spokesman Ben Nichols said yesterday. Nichols and sailing; tight deadlines for finishing many authority, said the area was inappropriate for mental monitoring project. Recent photos tak- ing, canoeing, rowing and other aquatic events said the decision was approved by WADA’s venues; worries about crime and security in a swimming due to the concentration of fecal en by Moscatelli showed a brown stain spread- are slated to take place in the polluted waters, executive committee. city of 12 million; and tight budgets, with Brazil coliforms. ing over much of Barra beach. prompting worries about athletes’ health and The suspension of the lab forced officials to predicted to slide into recession this year. —AP Gatlin wants to ‘dominate on a higher level’ in 2015

DOHA: Guess who Justin Gatlin saw soon ready for that.” after arriving in Doha for the start of the Thing is, it seems the next time Gatlin Diamond League season? Yep, Usain Bolt. will see the Olympic and world champion It was only a poster of the Jamaican in a for real will be in late August, at the world shopping mall, but it’s another reminder - championships in Beijing. Sadly for track as if Gatlin needs any - of what his season is fans, their schedules before then don’t all about. coincide. Still, Gatlin is not getting tired of The posters and pictures of track’s No. 1 the talk surrounding a big-ticket show- star actually help his focus, Gatlin said yes- down in both the 100 and 200 meters in terday, because he doesn’t have to conjure China. Not at all. In Doha for his first 100 of up mental images of the man he wants to the season on Friday night, Gatlin even dethrone this year as sprinting’s king. “His called Bolt out for a 200-meter race before picture’s everywhere,” Gatlin said. “I walk the worlds - a teaser if you like. He also sug- through the mall here and I see him every- gested the venue: Paris. “That would be a where. So I don’t have to imagine him great race to have. I’m definitely up for the everywhere, I see him all the time ... I know challenge, up for the shot,” Gatlin said. He he’s there and when I see him, I have to be said it could be like the Mayweather- Pacquiao fight, only “way more exciting and unfortunately less money.” The American leaned, almost leapt, back in his chair when a reporter asked if Bolt was the reason the meeting probably wouldn’t happen until the worlds. “I would- n’t say (it’s) because of him. Don’t quote me on that,” Gatlin said. Then, a hint of a smile. Gatlin has the performances from last year to justify his swagger and his place as the No. 1 challenger to Bolt. The 33-year- old former Olympic champion won all 18 of his individual races in 2014, 15 in the 100 and three over 200. He also set world-best times of 9.77 seconds in the 100 and 19.68 in the 200. Bolt, meanwhile, took time off for some rest and rehab. So, Gatlin’s taking the ITALY: Alberto Contador, of Spain, wears the pink jersey of the overall leader as he celebrates on the podium after completing the fifth leg of the chance to play himself up as “the man,” at Giro díItalia, Tour of Italy cycling race. —AP one point calling Bolt - maybe unintention- ally - a challenger. “I’m ready. I feel fit. I feel ready to go. So, whoever the challengers are, if it’s Usain or Contador takes Giro lead any other challengers, I’m ready to face them,” Gatlin said, also laying out some pretty big targets on how fast he wants to ABETONE: Alberto Contador claimed the overall crossed third with the same time, with Contador the pink jersey, but to have it is always fantastic. run this year over 100 meters. lead in the Giro d’Italia after the first mountain and Richie Porte right behind. In the overall ... Although the one that counts is the pink jersey “I’m thinking low 9.8 to 9.7 (seconds), stage yesterday, as the race favorites leaped into standings, Contador is two seconds ahead of in Milan, so if someone else takes it tomorrow, it and hopefully 9.6 as well. Hopefully going action on the concluding climb to Abetone. Aru, with Porte 20 seconds behind in third. won’t be a problem.” Contador was the first of out there and running very fast this season Jan Polanc, a 23-year-old Slovene with the Previous leader Simon Clarke dropped far the overall contenders to attack on the climb and dominating on a higher level. Not just Lampre team, won the fifth leg. Polanc got in an behind. and Aru and Porte quickly followed. Aru won a wins, but dominating with fast times.” early breakaway and attacked on the final climb A two-time Tour de France champion, sprint for third, which carried a four-second But caution’s needed too, maybe? - 17 kilometers (10.5 miles) at an average gradi- Contador won the Giro in 2008 and was also tri- bonus. “I’m happy to be in this battle,” Aru Anything other than a win for Gatlin in ent of 5.4 percent. He clocked little more than umphant in 2011 but was stripped of that title said. “They’re great champions and being Doha - the “tone-setter” for his season, he four hours over the 152-kilometer (94-mile) for testing positive in the 2010 Tour. “There’s still among them is unbelievable.” Stage 6 today called it - would cut him down to size. stage across central Italy, which started in La a long way to go,” Contador said. “This was just is a 183-kilometer (114-mile) leg from And he’s now a guy everyone wants to Spezia. an aperitivo. Montecatini Terme to Castiglione Della beat. “I’ve had targets on my back for so French veteran Sylvain Chavanel, another “My attack wasn’t planned. I felt good, looked Pescaia featuring flat sections at the start and breakaway member, finished second, 1:31 around, and went,” Contador added. “I’m happy finish and hills in between. The 98th Giro long in my career that I’m used to it,” he behind, and Italian title hopeful Fabio Aru with the situation after five days. I didn’t expect ends May 31 in Milan. —AP USA’s Justin Gatlin said.—AP THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 SPORTS Qatar cash powers PSG women to new heights

PARIS: The Qatari revolution which has Tight budgets and erratic training to happen.” have never won the Ligue 1 title, finish- national coach Philippe Bergeroo’s 23- pushed Paris Saint-Germain’s men’s sessions have given way to a sleek pro- She added: “In Berlin there won’t be ing runners-up in three of the last four player France squad, with five Frankfurt team to the brink of a third consecutive fessional setup with more backroom just the 25 players and staff, there will years to consecutive nine-time champi- players on Silvia Neid’s Germany roster. Ligue 1 title has also lifted their staff, plush hotels and training camps - be all of PSG behind us, because it’s his- ons Lyon, the 2011 and 2012 Having finished third in the women’s women’s team to new heights. the latest in Qatar just two weeks ago. toric and because people believe in the Champions League winners whom the Bundesliga behind winners Bayern PSG head to Berlin for their first ever “When we arrived in the hotel in women’s team.” Parisians eliminated en route to the final Munich and Wolfsburg, Frankfurt have Women’s Champions League final on Qatar we said to ourselves ‘Wow, what along with two-time defending champi- missed out on qualifying for next sea- Thursday with French hopes high three has happened in four years’,” Delannoy GERMAN DOMINATION ons Wolfsburg. son’s Champions League and want to weeks ahead of the FIFA World Cup in said in an interview with French sports Winning the Champions League The clash should also provide a pre- bow out with a fourth European title Canada. daily L’Equipe. crown would be an exploit for the view ahead of the World Cup between having won the trophy in 2002, 2006 Since being taken over by Qatar “Without the arrival of the Qataris I Parisians against experienced German teams from two countries-top ranked and 2008. Sports Investments (QSI) in 2011 the don’t know where I would be today,” side Frankfurt, winners of a record three Germany and France ranked third by “We want to enjoy the game and are French club has been transformed, and admitted the 28-year-old defender who titles and competing in a sixth final. FIFA who are among the favorites. focused on a fourth title, we want to nowhere more than their previously was at the club for seven years before German clubs have won eight of the Germany are former two-time win- make sure we dominate, ever if our impoverished women’s setup, explains they turned professional in 2012. 13 editions of the elite European tour- ners while France have never won a recovery time has been short,” said PSG captain Sabrina Delannoy who will “I thought we would have a bit more nament and their national team have major tournament but got to the 2011 Frankfurt’s English coach Colin Bell. His be among seven players from the club resources with foreign players beefing been reigning European champions World Cup and 2012 Olympic semi- side drew 1-1 at home to second-placed also competing for France in the World up the group but I didn’t expect a revo- since 1995 as well as lifting two finals. Wolfsburg on Sunday in their final Cup from June 6 to July 5. lution .. I didn’t expect what was going Women’s World Cups. PSG by contrast PSG players make up the bulk of league game of the season.—AP

Former FIFA VP banned in 2022 World Cup case

GENEVA: In a ruling that could lead to the “In all cases, persons bound by this code downfall of more high-level soccer officials, shall not offer to or accept from anyone FIFA banned a former vice president for within or outside FIFA cash in any amount eight years for taking money from or form,” the FIFA ethics code states. Mohamed bin Hammam, one of the key Although the ethics code was updated in backers of Qatar’s successful World Cup bid. 2012, FIFA granted powers to apply it Reynald Temarii breached five sections retroactively. of FIFA’s ethics code when he accepted In October 2010, British newspaper The 305,640 euros ($343,000) to pay legal costs Sunday Times reported widespread corrup- in a fight against FIFA from Bin Hammam in tion and vote-buying offers in the World January 2011, the governing body said yes- Cup contests. The resulting fallout, which terday in announcing its ethics committee’s damaged the reputation of FIFA and the verdict. integrity of the votes, persists today. The length of the ban shows that the Temarii’s colleague at FIFA, Amos FIFA ethics committee could act tough in Adamu of Nigeria, was also barred from the potentially dozens of pending cases of soc- World Cup vote and served a three-year cer officials from Asia and Africa taking ban. Adamu told reporters posing as lobby- cash gifts from the now-disgraced Bin ists it would influence his vote if they paid Hammam. Temarii, then the president of him hundreds of thousands of dollars in the Oceania Football Confederation, was cash, saying it was to create artificial fields originally found guilty of breaking confi- in his home country. Four former FIFA exec- dentiality and loyalty rules by discussing utive committee members also served the World Cup hosting contest with under- bans in the case. cover reporters. He was banned for one Bin Hammam was a leading campaigner year and barred from voting in the 2018 for Blatter in the FIFA president’s first two and 2022 World Cup bid contest. election wins, in 1998 and 2002, but chal- The Tahitian appealed, a move that lenged his former ally in 2011 after Qatar ensured Oceania could not take part in the was awarded the 2022 tournament. bid contest. The regional body was man- The Qatari businessman withdrew days dated to support Australia, one of Qatar’s before the presidential vote when implicat- four rivals in the 2022 contest. ed in bribing voters in the Caribbean. Russia and Qatar, respectively, were Although Bin Hammam overturned a life- picked to host those tournaments by the time ban imposed by FIFA, he was later FIFA executive committee in December expelled in 2012 for mismanagement of 2010. The latest ban comes because Bin Asian Football Confederation finances. KIEV: Napoli players attend a training session at the Olympiyskiy national stadium in Kiev. Napoli will play against Dnipro in a Europa League Hammam agreed to fund Temarii’s legal Last year, The Sunday Times reported it semi-finals, second leg soccer match today. —AP fight. FIFA said yesterday that Temarii met had evidence from a huge cache of Bin with Bin Hammam, then president of the Hammam’s emails that he paid about $5 Asian Football Confederation, in Kuala million to dozens of African soccer offi- Lumpur, Malaysia, in November 2010 cials to further his FIFA ambitions. Sevilla on brink of return before pursuing his appeal. Temarii broke Because the FIFA ethics committee does rules relating to accepting gifts, conflicts of not give details of ongoing cases, it is interest, loyalty, confidentiality and general unclear how many people are under to Europa League final rules of conduct, FIFA said. investigation in that case. —AP

PARIS: Holders Sevilla are on the brink of a return to the Europa League final as they take a 3-0 lead to Italy for the second leg of their semi- Bayern, Guardiola final against Fiorentina today. It would take a remarkable turnaround in Florence for Unai Emery’s side to miss out on at crossroads reaching the final again as they look to retain the trophy they won by defeating Benfica on MUNICH: Bayern Munich and Pep Guardiola stays on to oversee the project penalties in Turin 12 months ago. A brace by Guardiola have reached a crossroads after beyond 2016 or chooses to leave, one thing Aleix Vidal and a Kevin Gameiro strike last week Tuesday’s Champions League exit to is certain-his grace period in Munich ended have the Spanish side in control and Sevilla are a Barcelona, with the team in need of renew- on Tuesday.—Reuters team in form too, having lost just once in 18 al and the Spanish coach under growing games in all competitions, with that loss coming pressure to deliver European silverware. at the hands of Real Madrid 10 days ago. Guardiola’s arrival two years ago was Currently fifth in La Liga with two games left, supposed to herald another great three points adrift of Valencia in the fourth and European era for the Bavarians after their final Champions League qualifying berth, win- 2013 treble. They had reached the ning the Europa League may be their more likely Champions League final in 2010, 2012 and route into the continent’s elite club competition 2013 before signing him. for next season. The 44-year-old has so far failed to take Emery named goalkeeper Beto, who has the side beyond the semi-final stage in his been on the sidelines with a shoulder problem, two seasons in charge, Tuesday’s 3-2 win in a squad of 22 for the match at the Stadio not enough to give them a place in next Artemio Franchi, where Sevilla right-back Coke is month’s final. expecting the hosts to throw the kitchen sink at And while Bayern won the domestic them. ITALY: Sevilla’s coach Unai Emery meets the media during a news conference ahead of today’s double last season and the league this time “It is going to be a long 90 minutes. Despite Europa League second leg semifinal match against Fiorentina. —AP around it was to capture a sixth elite beating them 3-0, Fiore played very well in the European trophy that he was brought to first half and had two or three clear chances,” great inner belief, the fans pushing us on and a Markevych’s side have already played 17 games the club. Coke told the Sevilla website. bit of luck. It is my duty to transmit my belief to in Europe this season with their continental Bayern’s ambitious bosses wanted Winners of the competition in successive the team. It will be a huge task, but I believe we campaign beginning with a 2-0 defeat to FC European glory and they wanted it fast, years in 2006 and 2007 in its former guise as the can do it against Sevilla. Copenhagen in the Champions League third and who better to bring it than the most UEFA Cup, Sevilla are attempting to become the qualifying round in August. sought after football coach in the world? first club to lift the trophy four times. NAPOLI WITH WORK TO DO They will ‘host’ Napoli in Kiev, which is 450 Guardiola has received the full backing “These are historic moments for the club, in The prospect of an all-Italian final appears kilometres further away from the conflict in east- of the Bayern board from the very start. He your professional career. This competition slim, with Napoli also having work to do if they ern Ukraine than Dnipropetrovsk. was even described as an exceptional means a lot to us and you can see the results we are to progress past Dnipro of Ukraine. Nevertheless, Seleznyov is hoping Dnipro can coach after they lost to Leverkusen in the have been getting,” added Coke. The sides played out a 1-1 draw at the San emulate the performance of compatriots league, crashed out of the German Cup, Fiorentina, who are fifth in Serie A, must do Paolo last week, with Yevhen Seleznyov snatch- Shakhtar Donetsk, who won the UEFA Cup in went down 3-0 to Barcelona and were what they have never done in Europe to over- ing an away goal for Dnipro after David Lopez 2009. beaten by Augsburg in the league last turn a 3-0 first-leg deficit if they are to keep alive had given the 1989 UEFA Cup winners the Seleznyov, who was on the books at Shakhtar week to round off their first four-game los- their chances of reaching the final in Warsaw advantage. six years ago but did not play in their 2-1 final ing streak since 1991. and winning a European trophy for the first time While Napoli coach Rafa Benitez is seeking to victory over Werder Bremen, told UEFA.com: “I Guardiola won 14 titles in four seasons since the 1961 Cup Winners’ Cup. win the trophy for the third time after previous didn’t appreciate the importance of that tri- at Barcelona, including two Champions “I think the team did not deserve such a triumphs with Valencia and Chelsea, Dnipro are umph for the city of Donetsk and for Shakhtar. Leagues, but Bayern’s 5-3 loss on aggregate heavy defeat,” Viola coach Vincenzo Montella aiming to reach a first European final. “Winning a European trophy was very significant to the Spaniards has proved to everyone in said of the first leg. Today we will above all need The path has not been easy for them-Myron back then-and that’s still the case.” —AP Munich that he is no magician. “We won the league, now we will rest, we will go on holidays and come back next season stronger,” Guardiola said. “I am not both- Barca’s ‘MSN’ attacking trio in unstoppable form ered about how critics view my work. I am not there for them. I am there for the club.” MADRID: Messi to Suarez to Neymar, goal. Messi to Spanish league and Cup triumphs, the only time a scorer Messi, while Suarez has six. Critics may not be an issue for him but Suarez to Neymar, goal. That devastating and La Liga club have achieved the feat. They have a club-record 114 goals between with one year left on his contract and no increasingly familiar combination served up by After Bayern took an early lead, MSN, who are them in all competitions, while Messi has also pro- talks yet on an extension Guardiola will Barcelona’s attacking trident of Lionel Messi, Luis playing together for the first time this season fol- vided a jaw-dropping 27 assists, with Suarez mak- need to review his options. Suarez and Neymar fired the Catalan giants past lowing the arrival of Suarez from Liverpool, made ing 16 and Neymar six. The squad is in need of a revamp with Bayern Munich into the Champions League final on their decisive contribution in the space of less than Barca have surely assembled one of the most several of the players who carried the team Tuesday. 15 minutes. Argentina captain Messi sent a pin- fearsome forward lines in history and with Suarez to the three finals in four seasons now in Although Barca lost the semi-final, second leg at point pass behind the defence for Uruguay striker the oldest at 28, Messi aged 27 and Neymar 23 the twilight of their careers. the Allianz Arena 3-2, last week’s 3-0 victory in the Suarez, who glanced up to his left and laid the ball they could be rattling in more than 100 goals a sea- Bastian Schweinsteiger, Franck Ribery, first leg at the Nou Camp, with two goals from across for Neymar of Brazil to sidefoot past strand- son for several years to come. Arjen Robben and captain Philipp Lahm are Messi and one from Neymar, meant they pro- ed goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. “We don’t need to talk about the trio’s qualities,” all 30 or older, with Xabi Alonso, who gressed comfortably through to the June 6 show- Barca went 2-1 ahead when Messi flicked the Barca coach Luis Enrique, whose side will play joined this season, also in the 30-some- piece in Berlin 5-3 on aggregate. ball into space for Suarez with his head, who again holders Real Madrid or Juventus in the final, told a thing age group. Tuesday’s match was the latest masterclass from picked out Neymar to his left, before the Brazilian news conference. “They have a solidarity and it is A Bayern rejuvenation is unlikely to be the South American trio, known in Spain as ‘MSN’, controlled with his chest and clipped a shot just extremely difficult to control them,” added the for- completed in just one season. Whether whose goals have put Barca on the brink of repeat- inside the post. It took Neymar’s Champions mer Barca and Spain midfielder, in his first season Bayern’s head coach Pep Guardiola ing 2009’s treble of Champions League and League tally for the season to nine, one behind top in charge at the club. —Reuters Harden’s triple Contador takes double keeps Giro lead Rockets alive

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 17 18

Qatar cash powers PSG women to new heights Page 19

MADRID: Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos tries to score with a bicycle kick during the Champions League second leg semifinal soccer match against Juventus, at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium yesterday. — AP Morata ends Real’s European reign Suarez set for Chiellini, Evra reunion in final

MADRID: Juventus will face Barcelona in the headed over Marcelo’s cross before Karim semi-finals from the spot after James the left and his low cross was sliced wide by in direct opposition to Giorgio Chiellini and Champions League final after Alvaro Morata Benzema blasted off target from a narrow Rodriguez had been felled by Giorgio the Welshman at the near post. Patrice Evra in the Juve defence as the clubs came back to haunt former club and holders angle having turned Stephan Lichtsteiner Chiellini midway through the half. Casillas kept Madrid in the tie as he battle it out to win the greatest prize in Real Madrid with the precious away goal in a brilliantly inside the area. Buffon came to his side’s rescue with two spread himself to make a fine save from European club football. 1-1 draw in the second leg of their semi-final Ronaldo then saw a free-kick deflected more saves from Benzema, whilst Ronaldo Marchisio as the game raged from end to Suarez was banned from football for four yesterday to progress 3-2 on aggregate. With narrowly over, but Juventus were also enjoy- also smashed into the side-netting and end. Bale headed over from Ronaldo’s cross months after biting Italy’s Chiellini during Juventus leading 2-1 from the first leg, ing good spells of possession and Iker wasted a clear opening by trying to square as the European champions grip on the tro- the World Cup in Brazil last year, meaning he Cristiano Ronaldo’s first-half penalty had put Casillas was forced into action on 13 minutes for Isco with the goal at his mercy before phy started to slip away. was unable to make his debut for Barcelona the hosts ahead on away goals. when he turned Arturo Vidal’s effort from half-time. Casillas denied Juventus victory on the until the end of October following his sum- However, Morata, who left Madrid for the the edge of the box to safety. Claudio Marchisio was first to take aim night by getting strong hands to Pogba’s mer move from Liverpool. Italian champions last July, struck the vital Benzema breached the Juventus backline after the break as his driven effort flew just drive. But their captain’s efforts were in vain His controversial spell with Liverpool blow when he volleyed home Paul Pogba’s once more six minutes later, but his pass was beyond Casillas’s right-hand post. Juventus as Madrid’s final realistic hopes of winning a included being found guilty by an FA panel knockdown on 57 minutes to take Juventus behind Ronaldo and the Portuguese did get the all-important away goal just major trophy this season disappeared and of racially abusing Evra during a match at to their first final in 12 years in Berlin on June couldn’t turn the ball into an unguarded net. before the hour mark when Juventus progressed to their eighth Anfield in 2011 when the French defender 6. The unrelenting Madrid pressure continued Madrid failed to fully clear from Andrea European Cup final. was at Manchester United. Soaring temperatures of over 30 degrees as Bale’s piledriver was brilliantly turned Pirlo’s free-kick and Morata was on hand to The Champions League final between Suarez was later handed an eight-match celsius didn’t prevent a frantic start to the behind by Gianluigi Buffon. volley home after Pogba outmuscled Sergio Barcelona and Juventus on June 6 in Berlin ban and fined �40,000 ($63,000) but then match as the hosts went looking for the goal However, there was nothing the Italian Ramos. will see the controversial Luis Suarez come refused to shake hands with Evra when they needed from the off. captain could do to prevent Ronaldo regis- Bale had the chance to silence his critics up against two old enemies. they met again at Old Trafford later that Gareth Bale had the first chance as he tering his 10th goal in Champions League five minutes later as Marcelo stormed down The Barcelona and Uruguay striker will be season. — AFP

Federer, Murray US relay team stripped roll on in Rome of 2012 silver medals NEW YORK: The members of the US men’s 4x100 metres relay team that won silver at the 2012 Olympics have been stripped of their : Roger Federer defeated “I’m happy with how I adjusted to condi- ROME medals following the doping conviction of sprinter Tyson Gay, the Uruguay’s Pablo Cuevas for the second tions, I made it difficult for him to win time this month as the Swiss legend free points. United States Olympic Committee (USOC) said yesterday. began his campaign at the Italian Open “I don’t know how my body will feel Trell Kimmons, Justin Gatlin and Ryan Bailey as well as Jeffery with a 7-6 (7/3), 6-4 win yesterday. over the next days, but I’ll try to spend as Demps and Darvis Patton, who ran a preliminary heat, will lose their The second-round success in 80 min- much time recovering and resting as medals after Gay was banned last year following a positive test for an utes came just over a week after Federer possible.” Nadal, his seeding down to anabolic steroid. “As expected, following USADA’s decision in the Tyson beat the Uruguayan on clay in the final fourth, began his title defence and the Gay case, the IOC today confirmed that the US team has been disquali- in Istanbul. Federer was tested all the quest for a record eighth Rome trophy as fied from the 4x100-metres race that was part of the athletics competi- way by Cuevas, ranked 24th in the world, he crushed Turk Marsel Ilhan 6-2, 6-0 in tion at the London 2012 Olympic Games,” USOC spokesman Patrick with the second seeded 33-year-old win- barely one and a quarter hours. Sandusky said in a statement. “We will begin efforts to have the medals ning a tiebreak to seal the opening set I’m playing better,” said Nadal. “it’s returned, and support all measures to protect clean athletes.” in 45 minutes. true that I’ve not played two weeks in a Twelve months ago, Gay received a one-year suspension by the US A break for 3-2 in the second gave row at the right level yet - but today was Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) after testing positive for a banned ana- Federer-seeking his first title in Rome a good start. The level or today was bolic steroid in 2013. All his results from July 2012 onwards were after losing three times in the final in 14 good. annulled and he returned his relay silver medal to the US Olympic previous appearances-the lead which he “I played without many mistakes and Committee. never surrendered. that gave me the chance to win by this Athletics competitors must follow rules of the International Andy Murray kept his clay-court pur- score.” Japanese fifth seed Kei Nishikori Association of Athletics Federations in the Olympics but the ple patch alive, defeating Jeremy Chardy won his opening test four days after los- International Olympics Committee has the final say on matters 6-4, 6-3 to extend his unbeaten record ing to Nadal in the Madrid semi-finals, including medals. on the surface this season. with Asia’s top player defeating Czech The IOC has varied in the past on stripping medals from relay Murray extended his record to 10 Jiri Vesely 7-6 (7/3), 7-5. wins in 10 matches after making a late Italy’s Fabio Fognini thrilled the home squads. All members of the US men’s 4x400 meters relay at the 2000 decision to see how his body had held fans as he upset tenth seed Grigor Olympics lost their medals after doping cases involving Antonio up after the stunning Madrid Open win Dimitrov 7-6 (11/9), 4-6, 6-0, reaching the Pettigrew and Jerome Young. on Sunday over Rafael Nadal. third round here for the first time. But the Olympic committee allowed US runners in the 2004 Murray, who turns 28 on Friday, Dominic Thiem beat 12th seed Gilles Olympic women’s 4x400 meters relay final to keep their gold medals beat Chardy in 84 minutes with six Simon as the French player quit with even though squad member Crystal Cox, who competed only in the aces and three breaks of the neck pain when trailing 7-6 (7/5), 2-0. preliminary round, was stripped of hers after admitting in 2010 she Frenchman’s serve. “My legs were a bit In the women’s draw, second seed ITALY: Swiss tennis player Roger Federer returns the ball to Uruguay’s had used anabolic steroids. tired at the start but they started to Simona Halep made up for last week’s Pablo Cuevas during the ATP Tennis Open tournament. — AFP The IOC had also stripped the US women’s 4x100 and 4x400 relays feel better after a few games,” said surprise opening round exit in Madrid, of their medals at the Sydney Games after Marion Jones’s doping advancing 6-2, 7-6 (7/2). German ninth seed Angelique Kerber 6- Murray. “I played a good match. defeating American Alison Riske 6-3, 6-0 Russian Daria Gavrilova put out sev- 3, 6-3. admission but the Court of Arbitration for Sport reinstated medals for “He (Chardy) has a big serve, it was for a place in the third round. enth seed Ana Ivanovic 5-7, 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 Canadian Eugenie Bouchard ended a all but Jones after an appeal. The IAAF rule in place in 2012, however, tough for me. But I hung in, moved well Three top 10 seeds lost, with Victoria (9/7) barely a month after upsetting losing streak going back two months stated clearly that all relay members would lose their medals if there and didn’t give him loads of opportuni- Azarenka beating fifth seed Caroline Maria Sharapova in the opening round and six defeats as she held off a late was a doping violation. — Reuters ties. I served well throughout the match. Wozniacki for the third time this season, in Miami. Romanian Irina Begu ousted surge from Zarina Diyas 6-3, 6-4. — AFP Oil rallies in April as US production slows down

Page 22 Business NBK, KOC sign contract to open new branch THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 Page 25 Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Etihad announces new B787 Dreamliner for Singapore announces a new dawn Page 26 Page 23

WASHINGTON: Activists with the ‘SHELL NO! Flotilla’ group watch as the Noble Discoverer oil drilling ship comes in to dock at a Port of Everett, Washington, pier Tuesday evening. Ten kayaktivists met the oil rig, which has a 175-foot- tall oil derrick, to protest its arrival in the Puget Sound. —-AP Oil glut worsens as OPEC market battle rages Saudi pumps record high oil as US boosts shale output: IEA LONDON: A global oil glut is building as OPEC kingpin producers to cut theirs. lion bpd in April year-on-year, the IEA said. into growth in April. More such builds may follow as global Saudi Arabia pumps near record highs in an attempt to win As a result, benchmark Brent oil prices more than halved Beyond high OPEC production, the IEA cited strong per- demand goes through a seasonal soft patch and refining a market-share battle against stubbornly resistant US shale from June 2014 to $46 per barrel in January. They have formance of non-OPEC countries including Russia, Brazil, activity increases worldwide,” it said. production, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said yes- since rebounded to around $65, however, on fears of a China, Vietnam and Malaysia. The IEA lifted its 2015 forecast Adding to the bearishness, the IEA said it saw little sign terday. The West’s energy watchdog said in a monthly steep slowdown in US production growth. “In the supposed for non-OPEC supply growth by 200,000 bpd since last of OPEC curtailing its output in the next month, saying early report that although higher-than-expected oil demand was standoff between OPEC and US light tight oil (LTO), LTO month’s report, saying non-OPEC producers will contribute soundings suggested the producer group will sustain rates helping to ease the glut, growth in global oil consumption appears to have blinked. Following months of cost cutting 830,000 bpd of additional supplies in 2015. at around 31 million bpd during May. was far from spectacular. and a 60 percent plunge in the US rig count, the relentless “Bucking the global trend, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the As a result, signs are emerging that the crude oil glut is rise in US supply seems to be finally abating,” the IEA said. Glut in refined products UAE are all raising their rig count and expanding their shifting into refined products markets, which could make a But it added that the recent oil price rebound was giving The IEA left its 2015 oil demand growth forecast broadly drilling programs. Iraq and Libya, meanwhile, continue to recent rally in oil prices unsustainable. US producers a new lease on life. “Several large LTO produc- unchanged from last month at 1.1 million bpd, to 93.6 mil- raise production against all odds. And Iranian supplies hit “Despite tentatively bullish signals in the United States, ers have been boasting of achieving large reductions in lion bpd, up from 0.7 million in 2014. It said an improving their highest since July 2012,” it said. and barring any unforeseen disruption elsewhere, the mar- production costs in recent weeks. At the same time, produc- economic outlook for Europe was offset by reduced expec- April marked the 12th consecutive month in which OPEC ket’s short-term fundamentals still look relatively loose,” said er hedging has reportedly gone steeply up, as companies tations for oil demand growth in the former Soviet Union, production ran above the group’s self-imposed 30 million the IEA, which coordinates energy policies of industrial took advantage of the rally to lock in profits,” the IEA said. the Middle East and Latin America. bpd supply target and was up nearly 1.4 million on the year nations. Global oil production exceeds demand by around 2 “It would thus be premature to suggest that OPEC has In another bearish sign for oil prices, US product stocks before as top exporter Saudi Arabia held flows above 10 million barrels per day, or over 2 percent, following spectac- won the battle for market share. The battle, rather, has just built counter-seasonally in March, and China posted record- million. The IEA said it cut its call on OPEC crude by 0.3 mil- ular growth in US shale production and OPEC’s decision last started.” Despite a certain slowdown in US oil output high distillate builds, the IEA said. “Preliminary data show lion bpd to 30 million bpd for the second half of 2015 due year not to curtail output in a bid to force higher-cost US growth, global crude supply was up by a staggering 3.2 mil- OECD-wide product stocks stopped drawing and swung to upward revisions to non-OPEC supply growth. — Reuters Qatar, UAE rise, Egypt falls on MSCI review EU faults Britain over

MIDEAST STOCK MARKETS missed deficit targets DUBAI: Index compiler MSCI’s semi-annual agreement yet. The Wall Street Journal reported DUBAI, EGYPT BRUSSELS: The EU said yesterday that Britain what they see as interference by Brussels. review lifted stock markets in the United Arab on Tuesday, citing unnamed sources, that Dubai’s index rose 0.3 percent, thanks in part had failed to meet budget deficit targets and Emirates and Qatar yesterday, but had little Mobily planned to sell its telecommunications to Emaar Malls which, as expected, was added would have to remain under Brussels oversight Britain needs more savings impact on Saudi Arabia and was negative for tower portfolio for up to $2 billion. to MSCI’s index and rose 1.5 percent. The most for another two years to make sure it does. “The excessive deficit procedures have to Egypt. traded stock in the emirate was Gulf Finance The European Commission said Britain, end some day,” Moscovici said. The Commission MSCI published a standalone index for Saudi QATAR, ABU DHABI House , up 2.0 percent after the Bahraini invest- despite tough spending cuts, remained in said Britain’s budget deficit-the shortfall Arabia late on Tuesday which includes 19 stocks Qatar’s benchmark was the best performer in ment firm said it had won a $91 million legal breach of the 28-nation bloc’s deficit rules and between revenue and spending-stood at 5.2 and is largely the same as the provisional Saudi the Gulf and rose 1.0 percent as Ezdan Holding case at the Bahrain Chamber for Dispute gave it another two years, to 2016-17, to put its percent of annual economic output in the cur- index it compiled last year. One addition is Al and Qatar Insurance surged 7.3 and 6.0 percent Resolution against two former executives over fiscal house in order. rent 2014-15 financial year, still way above the Tayyar Travel Group, which rose 0.8 percent yes- respectively. MSCI added both stocks to its their bonuses. “These recommendations are not about EU limit of three percent. terday. The index was released just before the emerging markets index for the first time in its But builder Arabtec dropped 3.5 percent Brussels lecturing governments,” EU The government should accordingly rein in Saudi market opens to direct foreign invest- semi-annual review, although the move sur- after it posted a surprise firs-quarter loss of Commissioner for Economic Affairs Pierre spending further so as to hit a headline deficit ment on June 15. Since Saudi Arabia will not be prised some analysts. VTB Capital and EFG 279.82 million dirhams ($76.2 million), com- Moscovici said. “They are about encouraging figure of 4.1 percent in 2015-16 and 2.7 percent part of the emerging market universe for at Hermes cited data from Qatar’s depository pared with a 137.89 million dirham profit in the national efforts to deliver the jobs and growth in 2016-17, it said. The EU first put Britain under least two years, however, significant inflows of showing three large shareholders together corresponding period of 2014. Global that we collectively need.” surveillance in 2008, giving it until 2009-10 to passive foreign funds are not expected for now. owned 94.1 percent of the company, leaving Investment House had forecast Arabtec would European Union rules adopted since the come into line with the rules. But the global Instead, the kingdom’s market was supported very little room for other investors. make a quarterly profit of 95 million dirhams, 2008 global financial crisis give Brussels financial crisis put government finances every- on Wednesday by stronger oil prices. Brent “It is possible that Ezdan could be dropped while SICO Bahrain had estimated a profit of increased oversight powers to ensure member where under intense pressure and pushed the crude rose above $67 per barrel in Asian trade from the MSCI EM index in short order if passive 20.2 million dirhams. states meet the targets to avoid a repeat of the British deficit to 10.9 percent, with Brussels after jumping 3 percent in the previous session, funds are not, in fact, able to replicate the While it was positive for the Gulf, the MSCI crash which brought the economy to its knees. extending the deadline to 2014-15. supported by bets that US crude stockpiles index,” EFG Hermes said in a note, adding that review spooked investors in Egypt, where the For the 19 euro-zone countries, Brussels can Many EU member states, including power- would fall for a second straight week as produc- Qatar Insurance, according to its calculations, main index fell 1.7 percent in a broad sell-off. impose fines and other sanctions. But while it house Germany, have breached the bloc’s fiscal tion slows. The Saudi stock index climbed 0.5 did not meet MSCI’s liquidity requirements. Telecom Egypt tumbled its daily 10 percent limit cannot go so far for non-euro Britain, keeping rules over the years, but there is a newfound percent to 9,672 points, confirming technical Doha Bank edged up 0.4 percent after its after MSCI excluded the stock from its emerging the country under an Excessive Deficit determination in Brussels to enforce them in support on its 200-day average, now at 9,569 weighting in Qatar’s section of the MSCI markets index, leaving only three Egyptian Procedure may prove politically embarrassing the aftermath of the 2008 crisis. points. benchmark was increased to 4.8 percent from stocks in it - Commercial International Bank for newly re-elected Prime Minister David Croatia, Cyprus, France, Greece, Ireland, The rally in crude prices helped petrochemi- 3.0 percent. Abu Dhabi’s bourse rose 0.4 per- (CIB), Talaat Moustafa Group and Global Cameron. Cameron fought the May 7 election Portugal, Slovenia and Spain are currently on cals giant Saudi Basic Industries jump 2.6 per- cent as Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank surged Telecom - which analysts said was the minimum on his stewardship of the economy, pushing the EU’s EDP list alongside Britain. cent, and this pulled up other Saudi stocks in 5.8 percent; its weighting in the UAE subset of required for a country to stay in the benchmark. through harsh spending cuts and promising The Commission said yesterday it would the sector. MSCI’s index rose to 18.6 percent from 15.3 “The fall to three stocks does indirectly put more to come in order to put the public strike Poland and Malta from the list after they Meanwhile, telecommunications operator percent. But First Gulf Bank and Union National Egypt’s emerging market status at risk: the finances on the sound footing needed for sus- had made progress, while proposing Finland be Etihad Etisalat (Mobily) dropped 3.4 percent Bank fell 1.0 and 2.2 percent respectively after index becomes less diverse -CIB is now 72 per- tainable economic growth. added as its public finances deteriorate. after the firm said on Wednesday that it was MSCI announced no changes for them. Some cent of the MSCI Egypt index - and investor He also promised voters a referendum on The Commission’s findings will be submit- studying the possibility of selling its telecom- market players had expected both stocks to be interest could fall, leading to lower turnover and Britain’s EU membership by 2017, and the ted for approval to the European Council, munications towers but hadn’t reached any upgraded. market cap,” EFG Hermes said. — Reuters Commission’s report may be additional grist to which groups the leaders of the 28 member the mill for anti-EU campaigners who resent states. — AFP BUSINESS THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 Oil rallies in April as US News in brief

Mobily eyes possibility production slows down of telecom towers sale DUBAI: Saudi Arabian telecommunications operator Etihad Etisalat (Mobily) said yesterday it was studying the possibility of selling its telecommunications tow- NBK ECONOMIC REPORT ers but hasn’t reached any agreement yet. The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, citing unnamed KUWAIT: International oil prices rallied in April by more expected to have increased with the ramping up of the sources, that Mobily planned to sell its telecommuni- than 20 percent as data out of the US pointed to a slow- 400,000 b/d Yasref refinery in March. Saudi’s output gains cations towers portfolio for up to $2 billion. Earlier down in US crude oil production growth. By the end of have also come in spite of the prevailing softness in oil yesterday, the Capital Market Authority said it had sus- the April, Dated Brent, the international benchmark, prices, with the kingdom seemingly steadfast in sticking pended trade in Mobily shares for two hours to give closed at $64.9/bbl, a gain of almost $11/bbl or 20 per- to its strategy of preserving market share and shifting the the company time to clarify information related to one cent on the month. Similarly, West Texas Intermediate onus of any production cuts to non-OPEC producers. The of its businesses. The Capital Market Authority did not (WTI), the US crude marker, increased by 25 percent in kingdom’s oil minister, Ali Al-Naimi, expects production provide any more information in its statement. Mobily April to close at $59.6/bbl. Meanwhile, Kuwait Export to continue at around 10 mb/d and oil prices to “improve has not yet started trading for the day. crude (KEC) closed the month at around $60/bbl. April’s in the near future”. Indeed, in early April, Saudi Arabia prices were the highest so far this year. raised the price it sells its crude to its Asian customers for A combination of factors helped boost oil prices. Chief the second month in a row. Qatar April inflation among those were preliminary indications that the falls to 0.9 pct y/y relentless rise in US crude production was beginning to Iran’s potential return to the oil markets later this DOAH: Qatar’s Statistics Authority released the finally slow: the weekly buildup in US commercial crude year raises questions about OPEC’s likely response following April consumer price data yesterday. inventories in the week-ending 24 April had slowed to OPEC’s output in March was above the group’s official The authority changed the base year for the 0.4 percent, or 1.9 million barrels-a significant drop com- ceiling of 30 mb/d for the eleventh consecutive month index to 2013 from 2007 with effect from pared to the 1.1 percent increase of 5.3 million barrels of according to the IEA. And a key question arises over January 2015, but did not provide year-earlier a week earlier. And, the number of active US oil rigs con- OPEC’s management of Iran’s potential return to the oil comparisons for the new index until March. tinued to fall, declining by almost 58 percent by 1 May. markets, in light of Iran’s signing of the preliminary Weightings for consumption categories The prevailing environment of low oil prices has forced nuclear agreement with the P5+1 (the US, UK, France, changed in the new index. Most dramatically, many US energy companies to scale back their spending China, Russia plus Germany) on 2 April. Iran is currently the weighting of housing and utility costs plans on new oil and gas well development. producing around 3.0 mb/d and could theoretically push dropped to 22 percent from 32 percent. Because Moreover, April’s rally was also helped by geopolitical that to 3.6 mb/d within months of the lifting of the housing rents in Qatar have been rising sharply, concerns stemming from the Saudi-led intervention in embargo on the country’s oil exports, according to the this had the effect of lowering the overall infla- Yemen, which markets factored could have threatened IEA. Expanding production capacity beyond that to 4.0 tion rate. In April, housing and utility costs rose crude oil supplies travelling through the Bab El-Mandeb mb/d and higher will likely require considerable invest- 3.0 percent from a year earlier while food and Strait, one of the most important shipping corridors in ment and development in the country’s oil fields and beverage costs gained 0.3 percent year-on-year. the world. The recent weakness in the US dollar was also infrastructure. The participation of international oil com- a factor helping to prop up prices. panies with their technological expertise is thought to be Earlier in April, hedge funds and speculators were crucial. seen placing large bets on a sustained rally in oil prices, Moreover, pending a more conclusive and detailed Abu Dhabi April inflation accumulating record numbers of futures contracts. Many agreement in June, there is little idea of when and at stays high at about 5.3% traders were of the opinion that oil prices had bottomed. what pace sanctions will be lifted. The prospect of addi- ABU DHABI: The Abu Dhabi Statistics Centre released Brent crude futures for delivery in December 2015 tional volumes of Iranian crude hitting already oversup- the following April consumer price data for the Gulf through to December 2017 were ranging between $69- plied markets is bound to pressure international oil prices Arab emirate, showing year-on-year inflation flat from 73/bbl at the end of April. downwards. So OPEC’s response will be crucial. Iran’s oil its March level, which was the highest since at least Colder temperatures in OECD countries and an minister, Bijan Zanganeh, has already called for the group January 2009. The centre did not release a specific improving global economic backdrop have positively to cut output by 5 percent in order to accommodate year-on-year inflation figure for April, or inflation data affected oil demand growth Citing the effect of colder extra Iranian crude. In view of the cartel’s current focus on for individual items in the consumer basket during temperatures in the first quarter of the year and the slow- preserving market share, however, it is not certain that that month. However, the 0.2 percent month-on- ly improving global economic backdrop, the OPEC members and especially Saudi Arabia would be month inflation rate implies thatthe year-on-year rate International Energy Agency (IEA) expects world oil amenable. It is also not beyond the realm of possibility was roughly 5.3 percent in April, according to Reuters demand growth to come in at 1.1 mb/d in 2015, an that OPEC could opt to accept extra Iranian crude or even calculations. increase of 90,000 b/d over its previous forecast, in raise the official production ceiling above the current lev- March. This would bring average total world demand this el as it did in December 2011 when it took on returning year to 93.6 mb/d. Since 2Q14, when global oil demand Libyan and Iraqi crude supplies. Non-OPEC production Egypt’s GDP expected growth dropped to a five year low of 270,000 b/d year- rose further in March led by gains in US output, but the at 3% in H1 of fiscal year on-year, demand has steadily risen every quarter to reach pace is expected to slow in 2015. CAIRO: Egypt’s planning minister said yesterday a peak of 1.1 mb/d in 1Q15. the country’s average economic growth was Saudi Arabia boosted production in March in Non-OPEC production expected to be 3 percent in the second half of response to firmer demand; OPEC output reached a 13- Non-OPEC production, meanwhile, continued to the 2014/2015 fiscal year, compared with 5.6 per- month high of 31.5 mb/d increase in March. Output rose by 100,000 b/d to 57.7 cent in the first half of the year. Ashraf Al-Arabi OPEC supply surged by a sizeable 1.2 mb/d in March mb/d, according to the IEA. This brought the 1Q15 aver- told reporters at a news conference that average toa 13-month high of 31.5 mb/d according to OPEC data. age to 57.5 mb/d, a year-on-year increase of 1.7 mb/d. economic growth for the current fiscal year This was led primarily by Saudi Arabia whose production Once again, the US was the primary driver, with produc- would be 4 percent, or slightly above 4 percent. increase of 650,000 b/d (to 10.3 mb/d) was the kingdom’s tion gaining 1.1 mb/d y/y (or 13.2 percent) to 9.32 mb/d largest monthly gain since November 2011 and Iraq, in March, according to the US Energy Information which took advantage of better weather conditions in Administration (EIA). Approximately 60 percent of this is the south to boost output by 556,000 b/d to 3.3 mb/d. crude from shale/tight oil formations. The IEA’s outlook Libya also enjoyed a rebound in production after four for US crude oil production growth, while still over- Gulf Extrusions sees consecutive months of declines, increasing by 184,000 whelmingly positive at 550,000 b/d, has moderated b/d to 520,000 b/d. somewhat in view of the decline in rig counts and reduc- demand for aluminium tions in capital expenditure announced by US energy Kuwait steady companies in the last few months. products rising Kuwait, meanwhile, held steady at 2.85 mb/d for the Slowing non-OPEC output growth, coupled with ris- third month in a row. ing demand in 2015 have consequently raised the ‘call on Saudi Arabia’s production increase comes in response OPEC crude and stock change’ during the second half of DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates’s Gulf Extrusions, one of to better than expected demand from its Asian cus- 2015 to 30.35 mb/d. This is above the group’s official pro- the largest aluminium product makers in the Gulf, said yes- tomers and ahead of the summer season when energy duction ceiling. For 2015 as a whole, however, the ‘call’ terday it would set up a commercial office in Egypt before demand tends to peak. Domestic refinery runs are also remains at 29.5 mb/d. the end of the year to take advantage of a growing market boosted by housing sector demand. The firm, part of the Al-Ghurair Group, said it could see the market for extruded aluminium products in Egypt ris- Emirates could use European ing from 85,000 tons a year to around 300,000 tons in com- ing years, largely because of the need to build one million housing units a year there until 2020. hubs to expand in Americas “There will be a big leap and it will drive the demand for extruded aluminium products in the region as well,” gener- al manager Modar Al-Mekdad told Reuters on the sidelines DUBAI: Dubai’s Emirates airline could expand its route net- Emirates already does this with a Milan-to-New York flight that fly to the other hemisphere, not just to the United States but of the CRU Aluminium Conference in Dubai. work by using European hubs to fly into North and South it launched in October 2013. also to Mexico, South America, the Caribbean and elsewhere. American cities, its president said, a move that could anger US “Expand further from European hubs into the US? Yes we “We might say to (Delta Air Lines chief executive) Richard “We already sell our products there through our local carriers which accuse it of competing unfairly through state might do that,” Clark said. “The kind of abuse we’ve been get- Anderson that we’re just going to do what the US govern- customers but we want to have a legal set-up so that we subsidies. ting might cause us to do it.” “And after Milan, we can see how ment wanted back in 1999, to go trans-Atlantic and trans- have direct contact with the Egyptian market,” Mekdad Emirates is considering plans to open new routes to US profitable it is. If the Danes or the Swedes were to come to us Pacific with fifth freedom open skies,” said Clark. said. cities from Dubai, as well as flying new routes from European and say ‘we haven’t got enough flights into the US, would you Delta and other US airlines have charged three fast-grow- Gulf Extrusions has output of 50,000 tons a year airports under “fifth freedom” rights linked to Open Skies consider it?,’ yes we might do that.” ing Gulf carriers-Emirates, Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways and through its Dubai plant and another plant is being built in agreements with US authorities, Tim Clark told The National An Emirates spokeswoman confirmed that Clark was quot- Qatar Airways - of receiving more than $40 billion in unfair Abu Dhabi, close to the Emirates Aluminium smelter. The newspaper. ed correctly by The National, an English-language newspaper subsidies, and the US airlines’ unions have urged their govern- new plant is to be operational in the last quarter of 2015, Fifth freedom rights allow an airline to fly between foreign in the United Arab Emirates. ment to halt the Open Skies agreement. The Gulf carriers have taking production up to 75,000 tons a year and 100,000 countries as a part of services to and from its home country. Clark also said “an awful lot” of people in Europe wanted to dismissed the charges as false. — Reuters tons by the end of 2016. — Reuters EXCHANGE RATES

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. GOLD Saudi Riyals 81.524 Asia 20 gram 243.470 Jordanian Dinar 427.257 Bangladesh Taka 0.003547 0.004147 10 gram 124.430 Egyptian Pound 39.596 Chinese Yuan 0.047415 0.050915 ASIAN COUNTRIES 5 gram 62.900 Japanese Yen 2.544 Sri Lankan Rupees 2.262 Hong Kong Dollar 0.036949 0.039699 Indian Rupees 4.755 Indian Rupees 4.770 UAE Exchange Centre WLL Indian Rupee 0.004639 0.005040 Pakistani Rupees 2.977 Pakistani Rupees 2.979 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000019 0.000025 Srilankan Rupees 2.259 Bangladesh Taka 3.886 Japanese Yen 0.002464 0.002644 Philippines Pesso 6.838 Nepali Rupees 3.011 CURRENCIES TELEX TRANSFER PER 1000 Kenyan Shilling 0.003349 0.003349 Australian Dollar 237.10 Cyprus pound 743.019 Singapore Dollar 228.160 Korean Won 0.000272 0.000287 Canadian Dollar 250.71 Japanese Yen 3.524 Hongkong Dollar 39.052 Malaysian Ringgit 0.081325 0.087325 Bangladesh Taka 3.888 Swiss Franc 321.80 Syrian Pound 2.600 Euro 328.14 Nepalese Rupees 3.973 Nepalese Rupee 0.003036 0.003206 Philippine Peso 6.848 Pakistan Rupee 0.002821 0.003101 Thai Baht 9.341 US Dollar 303.00 Malaysian Ringgit 84.142 Sterling Pound 455.35 Chinese Yuan Renminbi 49.190 Philippine Peso 0.006732 0.007012 Sierra Leone 0.000067 0.000073 GCC COUNTRIES Japanese Yen 2.57 Thai Bhat 10.262 Saudi Riyal 80.739 Bangladesh Taka 3.890 Turkish Lira 113.266 Singapore Dollar 0.223986 0.229986 Qatari Riyal 83.180 Indian Rupee 4.816 South African Rand 0.018963 0.027463 Omani Riyal 786.610 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.265 Bahrain Exchange Company Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001878 0.002458 Bahraini Dinar 80.417 Nepali Rupee 3.012 Taiwan 0.009628 0.009808 UAE Dirham 82.443 Pakistani Rupee 2.983 CURRENCY BUY SELL Thai Baht 0.008964 0.0009514 UAE Dirhams 82.37 Europe Bahraini Dinar 804.24 Belgian Franc 0.007898 0.008898 ARAB COUNTRIES Arab Egyptian Pound 39.60 British Pound 0.452542 0.461542 Egyptian Pound - Cash 40.650 Bahraini Dinar 0.796587 0.804587 Jordanian Dinar 430.52 Czech Korune 0.003984 0.015984 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 39.591 Egyptian Pound 0.038276 0.041376 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.413 Omani Riyal 785.82 Danish Krone 0.040038 0.045038 Qatari Riyal 83.44 Euro 0.322966 0.330966 Iranian Riyal 0.000084 0.000085 Tunisian Dinar 156.410 Iraqi Dinar 0.000192 0.000252 Jordanian Dinar 427.230 Saudi Riyal 80.72 Norwegian Krone 0.034886 0.040086 Jordanian Dinar 0.423005 0.430505 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 2.031 Romanian Leu 0.086846 0.086846 Slovakia 0.009023 0.019023 Kuwaiti Dinar 1.000000 1.000000 Syrian Lira 2.158 Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Morocco Dirham 30.883 Swedish Krona 0.031037 0.036037 Lebanese Pound 0.000152 0.000252 Swiss Franc 0.310283 0.320483 Moroccan Dirhams 0.021749 0.045749 Turkish Lira 0.113673 0.120673 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES Rate for Transfer Selling Rate Nigerian Naira 0.001249 0.001884 US Dollar Transfer 302.650 US Dollar 302.700 Omani Riyal 0.780351 0.786031 Euro 331.860 Australasia Qatar Riyal 0.082447 0.083660 Canadian Dollar 249.437 Australian Dollar 0.228324 0.239824 Sterling Pound 462.150 Saudi Riyal 0.080097 0.080797 Sterling Pound 459.617 New Zealand Dollar 0.224132 0.233632 Canadian dollar 249.710 Euro 329.308 Syrian Pound 0.001283 0.001503 Turkish lira 111.130 Swiss Frank 312.600 Tunisian Dinar 0.152318 0.160318 Swiss Franc 319.250 America Bahrain Dinar 801.850 Canadian Dollar 0.243396 0.251896 Turkish Lira 0.113673 0.120673 Australian Dollar 237.730 UAE Dirhams 82.718 UAE Dirhams 0.081446 0.082595 US Dollar Buying 301.450 US Dollars 0.298650 0.303350 Qatari Riyals 83.964 US Dollars Mint 0.299150 0.303350 Yemeni Riyal 0.001368 0.001448 MANSOORI

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 BUSINESS

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars announces a new dawn for super-luxury motoring

DUBAI: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars yesterday Rolls-Royce Dawn is the next step in the ren- anticipatory state, dawn is the world coming to announced the name of its forthcoming new car. aissance of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars which began light from the ethereal dark of the night. The ear- The new model, an exciting and sensuous drop- in 2003 with the launch of Phantom and subse- ly-day chill of dawn provides an erotic tingle on head, will be known as Rolls-Royce Dawn. quent introductions of Ghost and Wraith. It justi- the skin, awakening the senses and passions as The car was unveiled to representatives of the fies the continuing investment of the BMW the day begins. Like Eleanor Thornton, thought marque’s 130-strong global dealer network at Group into the world’s pinnacle super-luxury by many to be the inspiration behind the Spirit the 2015 Rolls-Royce World Dealer Conference in brand. of Ecstasy, the Rolls-Royce Dawn will also prove Los Angeles, California yesterday. The new Rolls-Royce Dawn will revive anoth- itself to be the muse that leads its owner to “Our new Rolls-Royce Dawn promises a strik- er famous and rare Rolls-Royce name first used believe that at the start of the day, anything is ing, seductive encounter like no other Rolls- in 1949, but only ever applied to 28 very special possible. Royce to date,” said Torsten Mueller-Oetvoes, drophead bodies between 1950 and 1954. A The new Rolls-Royce Dawn is beguilingly vis- Chief Executive Officer. “Dawn is a beautiful new new beginning for Rolls-Royce at the time, the ceral. It excites both men and women - they open-top motor car with a name that suggests original Silver Dawn was the first Rolls-Royce to want it, they need it and they want to immerse the fresh opportunities that every new day holds be offered with a factory-built body. The drop- themselves in it. It is languid and beautiful, fresh - an awakening, an opening up of one’s senses head Rolls-Royces that carried the name Dawn and fragrant and awakens the passion of your and a burst of sunshine. It will be the most social continued to be coach-built for individual cus- life. of super-luxury motor cars for those beautiful tomers, ensuring their uniqueness and rarity. New life, new possibilities, fresh horizons - a people who wish to bathe in the sunlight of the ‘Dawn’ perfectly expresses the character of tingling, anticipatory ambience in the air - all sig- world’s social hotspots.” the new Rolls-Royce. In its tentative, inchoate, nified by a new Dawn. KFH pivots to Turkey as it mulls Malaysia exit

SYDNEY/KUALA LUMPUR: Kuwait Finance “Certainly Turkey has a lot of trading links doubled its assets in the last four years. In April, House (KFH) is exploring the possible sale of with the Gulf. There’s an Islamic market there KFH Malaysia appointed its fourth chief execu- assets including its Malaysia unit, as the Islamic that hasn’t been tapped that much. The oppor- tive since 2005. lender looks for a leaner structure while seeking tunities are there, there’s an entry point.” A source at KFH said the review of the greener pastures through its Turkey franchise. Kuveyt Turk, 62 percent owned by KFH, is in Malaysia unit was at an early stage, with options KFH, Kuwait’s second largest lender and one expansion mode: ranging from an outright sale to retaining a pres- of the world’s oldest Islamic banks, is restructur- it plans to launch Germany’s first full-fledged ence focused on a few business lines. ing activities ahead of a planned divestment by Islamic bank in July as a gateway to Europe and The reorganisation could give parent KFH, its largest shareholder, the Kuwait Investment has applied to issue a 1 billion lira ($376 million) rated A-plus by Fitch, a stronger position as its Authority (KIA). Last week, KFH said it had hired Islamic bond as it secures lower-cost financing. credit ratings are underpinned by support from Credit Suisse to advise on its options, including It also plans to establish a wealth manage- the KIA, which said last October it would revive the potential sale of a Malaysia unit launched in ment unit to widen its product range, according plans to sell its 24.1 percent stake in the lender. 2005 that serves as a hub for southeast Asia. KFH to two sources with direct knowledge of the The KIA did not set a date for the sale. BRUSSELS: (Left to right): European Commissioner for Euro and Social did not give further details; a spokesman matter. Kuveyt Turk declined to comment, saying An exit by KFH from Malaysia could reignite Dialogue Vladis Dombrovskis, European Commissioner for Employment, declined to comment. it would disclose expansion plans shortly. consolidation in the country’s Islamic banking Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility Marianne Thyssen and European A shift away from Malaysia, where KFH holds sector, after a proposed merger among three Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs, Taxation and Customs a valuable licence but lacks scale, would help it SUPPORT local lenders was abandoned in January. Pierre Moscovici hold a press conference on the economic governance deci- focus on Kuveyt Turk, the largest Islamic bank in KFH Malaysia is in better shape now than in “The current Islamic finance sector remains sions and the 2015 country-specific recommendations at the European Turkey with over 500 branches. 2009, when it incurred heavy losses in its corpo- competitive with increasing pressures on banks’ Commission, in Brussels, yesterday. —AFP “With looking to leave Malaysia, our view is rate portfolio, although its impaired loan ratio margins, and therefore any M&A deals would that KFH is reviewing all its investments outside remains higher than the industry average. It benefit smaller players,” said Sharidan Salleh, of Kuwait and not just Malaysia,” said Mahin holds a 1 percent share of total bank deposits, assistant vice president of ratings at Kuala- Euro-zone growth outstrips Dissanayake, a director at Fitch Ratings. while the Malaysian Islamic banking sector has Lumpur based rating agency MARC.—Reuters US despite Greek recession LONDON: The euro-zone economy is growing unlikely to remain as favorable.” BoE cuts growth outlook, faster than the US and at its highest tick in nearly The overall first-quarter growth figure masks two years despite a disappointing slowdown in some disappointments, including unexpectedly Germany and recession’s return in Greece. low growth in Germany, Europe’s largest econo- The economy of the 19 countries that use the my. It saw its quarterly growth rate decline to 0.3 backs market view on rates euro grew by a quarterly rate of 0.4 percent in percent from 0.7 percent. The rate was dragged the first three months ahead, Eurostat, the down mainly by a rise in imports, which may not European Union’s statistical agency, said be such a bad thing as it points to a rising LONDON: The Bank of England cut Governor Mark Carney said on away that it does not feel the need February-and approach 1 percent Wednesday. That was up from the 0.3 percent appetite to spend among German businesses its forecasts for British economic Wednesday as the Bank published to micro-manage expectations,” he by late 2016. recorded in the previous three-month period and consumers. growth over the next three years its quarterly Inflation Report. said. Policymakers remained con- and was in line with most expectations in the Greece, which is in the midst of protracted yesterday, and cautiously backed The BoE said a jump in low-paid cerned that bond markets only financial markets. Growth hasn’t been this bailout talks with creditors that many in the mar- bets in financial markets that it will jobs had dampened wage and GRADUAL RATE RISES appeared to be prepared for very strong since the second quarter of 2013 when it kets think could see it leaving the euro this year, only start to raise interest rates in productivity growth but this would After suggesting in April that small increases in global interest also stood at 0.4 percent in the wake of the also saw its economy shrink by 0.2 percent in the around a year’s time. The central lift as new hiring ebbs. Sterling fell markets were too relaxed about rates in the longer term. region’s longest-ever recession. The euro-zone first three months. Following the 0.4 percent bank now expects growth this year against the dollar and British gov- the timing of a rate hike, policy- Global bond yields have also grew far faster than the US, which saw out- contraction in the last quarter of 2014, Greece is of 2.5 percent, down from a 2.9 ernment bond futures briefly rose. makers appeared happier and said jumped since the MPC’s meeting put expand at a paltry quarterly rate of 0.1 per- now technically back in recession barely a year percent projection in February and last week, as investors respond to cent largely because of bad weather in many after it emerged from a downturn as severe as closer to most other economic rising oil prices and the increasing parts of the country. the Great Depression. Uncertainty tends to stifle forecasters’ expectations. likelihood of US interest rates ris- Other plus points include the 0.3 percent investment and spending. Britain was the fastest-growing ing. The BoE has kept rates growth recorded in Italy - its first expansion The biggest headache, according to most since the third quarter of 2013 - and a surprise economists, is Greece. The country’s new left- major advanced economy in 2014, unchanged for more than six years. 0.6 percent rebound in France, the euro-zone’s wing government’s pledge to end the austerity as it made up ground lost during It warned markets a year ago that second-largest economy. Perhaps the most demanded by international creditors has seen the financial crisis, but the recov- they could rise sooner than notable increase was in Spain, which saw output its talks to get more bailout loans from creditors ery has slowed since the start of expected but then oil prices tum- expand by a robust 0.9 percent, confirming its drag on for more than three months. this year. bled and took inflation to a record- current status as the poster child of economic The Greek government is trying to come up The BoE said its growth down- low of zero. reform in the region. The bloc has enjoyed tail with a series of economic and budget reforms grade was because interest rates Carney reiterated that inflation winds such as a fall in oil prices, which acts like a that will convince its creditors from the euro- were likely to increase slightly was likely to turn negative over the tax cut for businesses and consumers, and the zone and International Monetary Fund to pay faster than markets had expected next few months before recover- export-boosting drop in the value of the euro. To out 7.2 billion euros ($8 billion) of bailout cash. three months ago, sterling had ing next year. The Bank lowered cap it all off, the European Central Bank With every passing day, the uncertainty has strengthened and the outlook for projections for British economic launched its long-awaited 1.1 trillion-euro ($1.2 sharpened, to the detriment of the Greek econo- house-building and productivity growth in 2016 and 2017 to 2.6 trillion) monetary stimulus to keep a lid on inter- my. If the bailout talks fail, the country could had weakened. Boosting Britain’s percent and 2.4 percent respec- est rates in the markets, while budgetary policies default on its debts, have to put limits on the dismal productivity performance tively and could slow further if the across the euro-zone are not as stringent as they free flow of money and eventually even exit the since the financial crisis is the crisis Greece intensified. LONDON: Mark Carney, the Governor of the Bank of England were just a year ago. euro. Most economists think that would cause a biggest economic challenge facing It also cut its forecast for wages The increase is a relief for a region that’s massive recession in Greece for at least a year as Prime Minister David Cameron speaks during a press conference for the quarterly inflation which it saw rising by 2.5 percent spent the past few years firefighting crises. Still, the country tries to adjust to a new, weaker cur- after he won a second term of report at the Bank of England in London yesterday. —AFP by the end of 2015, down from its some expected growth to be even stronger due rency. office last week, and one over Economists said the new forecasts the market pricing was consistent February forecast of 3.5 percent to the favorable conditions. And with the global And though the euro-zone has shored up its which the BoE has little sway. did little to change the outlook for with inflation hitting its 2 percent growth, before picking up to 4 per- economy faltering and Greece on the brink of defenses against such a worst-case scenario, a default again, there are worries in the markets Greek exit would stoke jitters in the markets “Productivity ... is not some- rates. target within two years. The BoE’s cent in 2016. Figures released earli- that this may be as good as it gets for a while. about which country could be headed for the thing that monetary policy deter- BNP Paribas economist Dominic forecasts are based on market pric- er yesterday showed wages rose “We do not interpret the good start into the door next. The repercussions of a so-called mines, and ... the timing and Bryant said the BoE was in a hold- ing it will start to raise rates from by an annual 1.9 percent in the year 2015 as the beginning of a sustainable Grexit could be far and wide - a big hit to confi- extent of any prospective pick-up ing operation. “The Bank seems in their record-low 0.5 percent in the first quarter and the jobless rate upturn,” said Christophe Weil, an economist at dence that could limit investment and con- in productivity growth remains our no hurry to raise rates this year, second quarter of next year-three dropped to a near seven-year low Commerzbank. “The economic framework is sumer spending. —AP most difficult judgement,” BoE while next year is sufficiently far months earlier than expected in of 5.5 percent. —Reuters BUSINESS THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 Stocks rise, German yields dip after bond sale

LONDON: Stock markets steadied yesterday, the world’s major bond markets was over. “I Beijing to prevent a sharper slowdown in the commodities denominated in the curren- are set to set the market tone on Wall helped by improved economic growth in don’t think this auction can be seen as a trigger world’s second-largest economy. cy, and after OPEC raised slightly its fore- Street later. The consensus in the markets France and relatively successful sales of the for going back to the trend of lower yields,” said MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares cast for world oil demand growth. is that they grew by about 0.2 percent European government debt at the heart of two Jean-Francois Robin, head of strategy at outside Japan was off session highs but still up increase, providing further evidence that weeks of bond market turmoil. Natixis. “It (the sell-off) is probably not over 0.3 percent. “Expect the pace of easing to be EURO-ZONE ON UP the world’s largest economy has come off Expectations of further monetary stimulus yet.” increased, or at least maintained, by the The economy of the 19 countries that the boil. “A weak number here could well in China kept Asian markets in positive territory Europe’s main stock markets were all higher. authorities through the year, in order for the use the euro grew by a quarterly rate of weaken the dollar further, and raise fur- and stocks futures pointed to Wall Street open- Paris led with a 1.4 percent gain and Germany’s GDP target of 7 percent to be attained,” said 0.4 percent in the first three months ther questions about the US economic ing higher ahead of retail sales numbers later DAX index gained 0.8 percent. Chester Liaw, economist at Forecast Pte in ahead, Eurostat, the European Union’s sta- recovery,” cautioned Michael Hewson, in the day. German 10-year bond yields, which have Singapore. tistical agency, said. That was up from the chief market analyst at CMC Markets. The best French growth reading in two jumped around half a percentage point from The People’s Bank of China cut its bench- 0.3 percent recorded in the previous CHINA COOLING: Earlier, weak years added to signs, including from Spain, record lows hit in mid-April, fell 6 basis points mark one-year lending and deposit rates by 25 three-month period and was in line with Chinese figures added to signs the down- that some of Europe’s weaker southern to 0.62 percent. The euro gained 0.1 percent on basis points on Sunday, the third cut in six most expectations in the financial mar- turn in the world’s second-largest econo- economies are picking up. Germany missed the dollar to $1.1224. Tradition broker Mike months. Economists expect more cuts to fol- kets. Growth hasn’t been this strong since my is deepening. Retail sales growth forecasts, however. Reuter said: “I think between now and Friday low. the second quarter of 2013, when it also slowed to 10 percent, dragged down by Germany and Italy both successfully sold you’ll see the (stock) market up unless there is Japan’s Nikkei stock index erased early loss- stood at 0.4 percent in the wake of the weaker real estate-related sales of home government debt, and yields on the secondary some major piece of news.” es and ended up 0.7 percent, shrugging off a region’s longest-ever recession. The euro- appliances, furniture and construction market fell, but traders were skeptical as to Earlier, Asian shares advanced as investors weak cue from Wall Street. Crude oil added to zone also grew far faster than the US, materials. The Shanghai Composite Index whether this meant three weeks of turmoil on focused on hopes of further stimulus from its overnight gains as the weaker dollar lifted which saw output expand at a paltry ended 0.6 percent lower at 4,375.76 while quarterly rate of 0.1 percent largely Hong Kong’s Hang Seng shed 0.6 percent because of bad weather. to 27,249.28. ASIA’S DAY: Elsewhere in Asia, the ANALYST TAKE mood was far more buoyant, with “This is encouraging when you consid- Japan’s Nikkei 225 closing up 0.7 percent er that the euro-zone economy has at 19,764.72 and South Korea’s Kospi ground to a halt in recent years,” said Craig gaining 0.8 percent to 2,114.16. Sydney’s Erlam, senior market analyst at OANDA. S&P ASX 200 advanced 0.7 percent to US DATA: US retail sales figures for April 5,715.10. — Agencies MANSOORI

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 BUSINESS China April economic data at multi-year lows

BEIJING: Multiple Chinese economic indi- slowing consumption growth could indi- cators missed expectations yesterday, with cate household incomes were being consumption and investment growth fig- squeezed. ures falling to multi-year lows, underlining “The economy is still under rather big sluggish momentum in the world’s second- downward pressure,” Liu wrote in a largest economy. Growth in retail sales, a research note. key indicator of consumer spending, fell to 10.0 percent in April, the National Bureau of ‘Complicated and severe’ Statistics (NBS) said, the weakest for nine Continued April falls in imports and years. exports announced last week added to Fixed asset investment, a measure of concerns over weakening momentum in government spending on infrastructure, China, while persisting mild consumer expanded 12.0 percent in the first four inflation statistics left room for further poli- months of the year, the lowest since 2000. cy loosening. Chinese stock markets have The median forecasts in polls of economists soared in recent months on expectations by Bloomberg News were for retail sales to that authorities will take more measures to rise 10.4 percent and fixed-asset invest- stimulate the economy. ment to climb 13.5 percent. The bourses were mixed yesterday in Industrial output, which measures pro- response to the data release. The bench- duction at factories, workshops and mines, mark Shanghai Composite Index fell 0.58 rose 5.9 percent in April, according to the percent to 4,375.76 while the Shenzhen NBS, improving from a 5.6 percent gain in Composite Index, which tracks stocks on NBK, KOC sign contract March but also weaker than economists’ China’s second exchange, rose 0.82 percent estimate of 6.0 percent. to 2,445.87. The statistics are the latest poor data to NBS spokesman Sheng Laiyun com- emerge in China, a key driver of global mented in a statement posted Tuesday that to open new branch expansion, suggesting that stimulus meas- the Chinese economy was “operating in a ures taken by Beijing have yet to have an reasonable range”. “Positive elements that effect. will help the economy grow steadily con- ANZ economists said the figures indicat- tinued to emerge and accumulate,” he said, KUWAIT: National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) and ed GDP growth may have decelerated to pointing to factors such as accelerating pri- Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) recently signed a con- below the government’s annual target of vate-sector investment and booming tract to open a branch at KOC Head Office and 7.0 percent. “Thus, more growth stabilisa- online retail sales. provide its employees with full services. This con- tion policies could be expected to roll out,” But he cautioned that the “complicated tract comes in line with NBK’s long term relation- they wrote in a note. and severe foreign and domestic environ- ship with KOC and all national oil companies. China’s gross domestic product (GDP) ment for economic development” was Hashem Sayed Hashem, KOC Chief Executive grew 7.4 percent in 2014, the lowest rate in “unchanged”, as reflected by the trade Officer, and Salah Al-Fulaij, NBK-Kuwait Chief 24 years. declines and falling factory gate prices. The Executive Officer signed the agreement at KOC’s Expansion slowed further to 7.0 percent government will strengthen its economic headquarters in Al Ahmadi. Saad Al-Azmi, in the January-March period, the worst fine-tuning to ensure a reasonable growth Deputy CEO for Administrative and Financial quarterly result in six years and down from rate, he added. Julian Evans-Pritchard, an Affairs at KOC, Pradeep Handa, NBK General 7.3 percent in the final three months of analyst with research firm Capital Economics, Manager, Foreign Corporate, Oil and Trade 2014. The central People’s Bank of China on said the effects of government policy moves Finance Group, Ahmed Al-Khader, NBK’s Deputy Sunday announced its third interest rate would become clearer with time. General Manager, Consumer Banking Group, cut since November, and this year has twice “The People’s Bank’s looser policy stance Suweileh Al-Mutairi, Manager for Financial reduced the amount of cash lenders must should begin to shore up activity in the Accounts and Services group at KOC, Khaled Al- keep in reserve, as well as using other coming months,” he said in a report on the Ajmi, Team leader Financial Payments, Financial measures to inject liquidity into the market. latest data. “Policymakers... are likely to Accounts and Services Group at KOC and other Liu Dongliang, a Shanghai-based econo- respond to any further signs of weakness officials representing NBK and KOC were also mist with China Merchants Bank, said the by continuing to step up policy support to present at the signing ceremony. April figures showed debt-laden local gov- ensure that growth doesn’t slip much fur- Under the agreement, NBK will be the only ernments lacked funds to invest while ther,” he said. —AFP bank at the KOC Head Office and will provide four decades. “We are happy to be the present at network, which includes branches, subsidiaries KOC employees with full and exclusive banking KOC to support its employees with all the bank- and representative offices in China, Geneva, services and products tailor-made to meet their ing solutions they need.” London, Paris, New York, and Singapore along- needs and requirements. NBK is the largest financial institution in side its regional presence in Lebanon, Jordan, Commenting on the occasion, Al Fulaij said: Kuwait and has been consistently awarded the Egypt, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Turkey, and the “NBK is the banking partner for all of Kuwait’s oil highest credit ratings in the region from Moody’s, UAE. NBK was founded in 1952 as the first indige- companies. NBK’s relationship with KOC and the Standard & Poor’s, and Fitch Ratings. NBK also nous bank and the first joint stock company in national oil companies extends for more than stands out in terms of its local and international Kuwait and the Gulf Region. US retail sales unchanged as economy struggles to rebound Households cut back on big-ticket purchases

WASHINGTON: US retail sales were Retail sales have trended weaker expanded at a 0.2 percent annual Fed’s 2 percent target. flat in April as households cut back despite households getting a mas- pace in the first three months of Last month, retail sales were on purchases of automobiles and sive windfall from lower gasoline the year. Trade and wholesale curbed by a 0.4 percent drop in other big-ticket items, indicating prices. Consumers appear to have inventory data published last week, receipts at auto dealerships. the economy was struggling to saved much of the money from the however, suggested the economy Receipts at service stations fell 0.7 SHISHI: Chinese workers making jeans at a clothing factory in Shishi, east rebound strongly after barely grow- cheaper gasoline. actually contracted. The govern- percent. Sales at electronic and China’s Fujian province. Retail sales growth in China fell to 10.0 percent in ing in the first quarter. The weak Fed in focus ment will release its GDP revision appliance stores slipped 0.4 per- April, missing expectations and the lowest for nine years, while industrial retail sales report from the The sales data added to employ- later this month. The case for the cent, while receipts at furniture output in the world’s second-largest economy rose 5.9 percent in the same Commerce Department, and other ment and manufacturing reports in central bank to delay raising inter- stores declined 0.9 percent. There month, the National Bureau of Statistics said. —AFP data on Wednesday showing the suggesting that while the economy est rates was strengthened by a were some pockets of strength, 10th straight month of declining was finding its footing at the start separate report from the Labor with receipts at clothing stores up import prices in April, suggest little of the second quarter, it lacked Department showing import prices 0.2 percent, likely as consumers urgency for the Federal Reserve to enough vigor to convince the Fed fell 0.3 percent in April after slip- took advantage of Easter holiday Dassault to raise Rafale start raising interest rates. to tighten monetary policy before ping 0.2 percent in March. discounts. “In terms of the Fed, the slug- the end of the year. The dollar, which has gained Receipts at online stores output if wins new order gish spending and economic The economy was walloped ear- about 11 percent against the cur- increased 0.8 percent, as did sales growth performance will continue lier in the year by a mix of bad rencies of the United States’ main at sporting goods stores. Sales of to argue for a later start to liftoff, weather, disruptions at ports, a trading partners since June, and building materials and garden PARIS: France’s Dassault Aviation will increase Minister Narendra Modi said he had ordered 36 essentially ruling out a mid-year strong dollar and deep spending lower crude oil prices are keeping a equipment rose 0.3 percent. Sales production of the Rafale fighter jet if it signs a “ready-to-fly” Rafale fighter jets in direct talks hike,” said Millan Mulraine, deputy cuts by energy firms. The govern- lid on price pressures. That has left at restaurants and bars increased third export contract and has room to double with the French government, sidestepping chief economist at TD Securities in ment reported last month that GDP inflation running well below the 0.7 percent. —Reuters its current output of 11 planes a year, its chief three years of fruitless efforts to finalise a much New York. executive said yesterday. Dassault recently won larger deal with Dassault. While March’s retail sales were orders for a total of 48 planes from Egypt and The announcement left uncertainty over revised up to show a 1.1 percent Qatar. A third potential deal for 36 aircraft whether India would proceed with the original increase instead of the previously between France and India has yet to be com- tender for 126 aircraft, but Trappier suggested reported 0.9 percent rise, that was pleted. the new government order may push that to not enough to offset the general “There is one production line but we will one side. “India has said it is in a hurry to buy the weak tone of the report. increase output if we sign a third contract,” Eric Rafale and is ready to take 36 now in accelerat- Economists had forecast sales rising Trappier told reporters, asked whether Dassault ed government negotiations. After that we will 0.2 percent in April. planned to add a second assembly line. “For see....There are two parallel routes, and at some Futures markets continued to now we have the first two contracts which fit point you have to decide which route you are show that traders do not expect an into our existing production, because France is taking.” interest rate hike until December at substituting export planes for its own planes,” Trappier said he did not know when the the earliest. The dollar fell to ses- he said. Asked on the sidelines of a Thales share- inter-government contract for 36 planes would sion lows against the euro and holder meeting whether increasing production be signed. After lining up deals worth some 15 Swiss franc, and approached a near would need investment, he said: “Very little. We billion euros for a total of 84 Rafale aircraft, one-week low versus the yen. can double it without any problem”. France now has the United Arab Emirates in its Prices for US Treasury debt rose. Dassault currently produces 11 Rafale jets a sights for dozens more purchases. Retail sales excluding automobiles, year. Earlier this month, Dassault signed a 6.3 Trappier declined to comment on the gasoline, building materials and billion euro ($7.07 billion) deal for the sale of 24 progress of negotiations in the UAE, which has food services were also unchanged Rafale fighters together with MBDA missiles. also studied the Eurofighter Typhoon in recent after an upwardly revised 0.5 per- In February it signed a similar deal with years, occasionally clashing with both manufac- cent increase in March. Egypt following years of negotiations to secure turers. “You will see,” Trappier said. “I won’t com- These so-called core retail sales a foreign buyer. Last month, Indian Prime ment on the UAE”. —Reuters correspond most closely with the consumer spending component of gross domestic product. Economists Turkish lira strongest in two weeks had forecast core retail sales rising 0.5 percent in April after a previously ISTANBUL: Turkey’s lira was at its firmest lira firmed to 2.6485, it firmest since April reported 0.4 percent increase in MIAMI: Shoppers browse at a store in the Bayside Marketplace in downtown Miami. The for two weeks yesterday as confidence con- 29 and well off the record low of 2.7435 hit March. Commerce Department releases retail sales data for April yesterday. —AP tinued to build that the AK Party will win on April 24. It was at 2.6545 by 0855 GMT. enough seats in June elections to retain a Polls over the last few days have sug- single-party government, relieving uncer- gested the ruling AK Party is on course to Ghana power blackouts add to nation’s economic woes tainty that has plagued the currency for achieve the 276 seats needed to form a sin- months. gle-party government, but may fall well ACCRA: Joseph Nyame was doing very well as Economic growth in Ghana, once a favorite of man status and the slang word for power cut in After losing about 13 percent of its val- short of the 367 seats needed to change senior plant operator at the Sha-Sha Natural Fruit investors in Africa, has been slowed by a fiscal cri- the local Twi language, “dumsor”, is the subject of ue against the US dollar, the lira is one of the constitution and usher in a presidential Juice company near Ghana’s capital Accra until a sis that has forced the government to seek comedy skits, protest marches, and a hashtag the worst performing major emerging mar- system with Tayyip Erdogan at the helm. wave of power cuts forced the firm out of busi- International Monetary Fund support and under- campaign, #DumsorMustStop. The blackouts ket currencies this year. Its fall has been so Some market participants have said this ness. mined its reputation abroad for financial man- have become a symbol of Ghana’s abrupt down- severe that Moody’s warned on Tuesday it was seen as the best-case scenario, Now Nyame makes his living on the street, agement. turn just a few years after it started producing oil would hit bank credit profiles, worsening because it returned the ruling party to selling cheap Chinese plates to office workers, a But it is the energy crisis that has most sapped in 2010, making a nation that already exported asset quality and pushing up loan repay- power without handing Erdogan greater victim of the West African nation’s energy crisis. business confidence at home and angered ordi- gold and cocoa one of the hottest growth mar- ments on foreign-currency loans. control. The central bank has been battling His dreams of getting ahead are on hold, he said, nary Ghanaians ahead of elections due next year. kets in Africa. “Investors are discounting election- the lira’s falls to record lows and stubbornly as he unpacked plates in the small house he Blackouts are a failsafe way to raise a nation’s Restoring reliable power is critical for related uncertainties and have decided high inflation for months, but has steered rents with three other families. blood pressure. In Ghana, they last for up to 24 President John Mahama ahead of next year’s that Turkish assets are too cheap,” Istanbul clear of raising rates in the face of political “My heart is not in what I am doing,” Nyame hours, plunging homes into darkness and cutting election. Discontent over power and the econo- Analytics’ Atilla Yesilada said. “We suspect pressure to support a flagging economy told Reuters. “I’m a shift leader at the plant and off fridges, TVs, water pumps and fans. Costs for my could tip the balance in favour of opposition that the pre-election rally has started.” The ahead of June polls. —Reuters that’s what I do best. But I have to look after the those who can afford generators have soared. leader Nana Akufo-Addo, whom Mahama nar- family so anything goes for now.” The frequent outages have acquired bogey- rowly beat in 2012.—Reuters BUSINESS THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

Etihad announces new B787 Dreamliner for Singapore

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Abu Dhabi’ design identity introduced by the airline in Emirates, yesterday announced a significant enhance- late 2014. ment to its Abu Dhabi-Singapore route with the First Class guests will enjoy an enhanced suite with deployment of a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner from 1 a chilled mini-bar, complete privacy and centre seats August 2015. which can be joined to create a double bed. Business The new B787 operation will follow a major Class guests will have the space and comfort of the upgrade for the route on 1 June, which includes the airline’s new Business Studios each offering direct aisle introduction of First Class and a change in schedule access and a fully flat bed of up to 80.5 inches in timings which provides better connections to the air- length. In the Economy Class cabin, the innovative line’s network via its Abu Dhabi hub. Economy Smart Seat provides enhanced comfort with Etihad Airways President and Chief Executive a unique ‘fixed wing’ headrest on each seat. Officer, James Hogan, said the new three-class aircraft Etihad Airways’ order for two variants of the B787 (- - featuring the airline’s revolutionary First, Business 9 and -10), is one of the world’s largest for the type, and Economy Class cabins - and optimized flight totalling 71 aircraft. The airline currently operates the schedule would greatly enhance the guest experience B787-9 to Washington DC and Mumbai, and from June and bolster the airline’s position in the competitive 1, to D¸sseldorf and Brisbane, with more destinations Singapore travel market. being added as it takes delivery of more of the type. “The new schedule timings - with evening depar- The airline will also begin taking delivery of B787s in a tures in both directions - will offer guests in the UAE two-class configuration from 2016. and Singapore more convenient travel times and The wide-body Boeing 787-9 is a stretched version improved connectivity to 35 destinations in the GCC, of the advanced medium to long-range twin engine Middle East, Africa and Europe” B787-8, with a range of up to 8,300 nautical miles and “Most importantly, from a guest experience per- Dhabi and Singapore will experience levels of comfort feature eight First Suites, 28 Business Studios and 199 a cruising speed of Mach 0.85. It is 206 feet in length spective, the dimensions and unique features of the and attention to detail not enjoyed previously by Economy Smart Seats, offering superior levels of com- and has a wingspan of 197 feet. Dreamliner aircraft have enabled us to customize it today’s air traveller or offered by our competitors on fort, entertainment and in-flight connectivity. On- Etihad Airways commenced three weekly flights to with the most innovative and sophisticated cabins. the route.” board dÈcor and lighting is inspired by contemporary Singapore on September 28, 2007 and went daily on This means, from 1 August, travellers between Abu Etihad Airways’ revolutionary new B787 interiors modern Arabian design, complementing the ‘Facets of February 1, 2013.

Markaz announces profits of KD 1.31 million for Q1 2015

KUWAIT: Kuwait Financial Centre ‘Markaz’ announced a net profit attributable to shareholders of KD 1.31 million for the quarter end- ing 31st March 2015, an earnings per share (EPS) of 3 fils, com- pared with a net profit of KD2.5 million for the same period in 2014. Markaz’s total asset under management were up 10 percent to reach to 1.12 billion Kuwaiti Dinar in the end of Q1-2015, as compared with the AUM by the end of the same period in 2014. Markaz profits in Q1-2015 declined as compared with Q1-2014 due to the waning of MENA equity markets by an average of 5 percent across all major indices. Losses in MENA Markets during March came after oil prices slid again, and then widened further due to the political situation in Yemen. In this context, Kuwait Stock Exchange declined by 6.7 percent during March 2015 end- ing the first quarter with a decline of 2.7 percent. As a result of its efforts to expand its product range, Markaz recently launched Mawazeen International Fund, a globally diver- sified open-ended investment fund that seeks to achieve capital growth while maintaining a low risk profile by investing in ETFs. Al-Mazaya inaugurates Mazaya Logistics Markaz has also been actively seeking establishing other funds pending regulatory approval. These funds will complement its existing product range, and will give its clients access to global Project in Bahrain Investment Wharf equity markets and GCC shariah compliant equities. Established in 1974, Kuwait Financial Centre KPSC “Markaz” is one of the leading asset management and investment banking MANAMA: Al-Mazaya Holdings yesterday held a press con- sisting of five projects to be distributed in the GCCs and project location, well situated adjacent to Bahrain Airport on institutions in the Arabian Gulf Region with total assets under ference to announce the inauguration of the “Mazaya Middle East region, while strictly adhering to its firm policy of the main highway leading to the Kingdome of Saudi Arabia management of over KD 1.12 billion as of March 31st, 2015. Logistics” project, located in Bahrain Investment Wharf. The meeting the set project deadlines and budgets. serving as a perfect choice for investors and businessmen. Markaz was listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) in 1997. inauguration ceremony was held at the project site,in the Al-Sultan concluded his speech by extending thanks and She added that integrating this project within the Al- presence of the Chairman of the Board Rashid Al-Nafisi, Al- gratitude to the press and media for their continued support Mazaya investment portfolio adds to the diversity of its Mazaya Holding Chairman, Eng Ibrahim Al-Soqabi, Group throughout Al-Mazaya’s success. income generating sources, promising attractive and long- CEO, Amin Al-Arrayed, Managing Director of Majaal Amin Al-Arrayed, Managing Director of Majaal Warehouse term returns to the Company. US set to get more Warehouse Company, and a huge audience of RS, logistics Company, subsequently delivered a speech praising the Al-Mazaya Holdings initiated the development of the proj- specialists and media. unique relationship that prevailed between Al-Mazaya ect in May 2014 and systemically completed it in Dec 2014, accurate oil The ceremony included a tour at the project introducing Holdings and Majaal Warehouse Company while executing pursuing a 7 months execution period -a significant accom- the industrial units ready for lease with contemporary, flexi- “Mazaya Logistics” Project and further praised the Cooperation plishment considering the scale and aspirations of the proj- production data ble designs and at competitive prices. The project is designed Agreement concluded between the two companies, leading to ect. Al-Mazaya is currently promoting the lease of the 42 to serve multiple purposes including warehouses, offices, the successful completion and delivery of the Project. industrial units of the project, divided into different areas industry and workshops. Al-Arrayed added that Majaal Warehouse Company has ranging from 250 - 500 m≤, sometimes extending to 15,250 LONDON: Figures on US oil production are subject to Eng. Abdulla Al Sultan, Chief Project Management wel- previously executed three similar projects in the same loca- m≤/coupon to meet the varied requirements of segments much more uncertainty than the numbers for oil stocks, comed the audience and thanked them for the warm recep- tion which were fully leased, reflecting the Company’s quality wanting the lease. refinery throughput and imports because the Energy tion Mazaya received in the Bahraini market. Al-Sultan further experience in this domain. Malhas added that the project is perfectly designed to fit Information Administration (EIA) has to rely on state-level extended thanks to all the parties that contributed to making He concluded by pointing to the recent agreement final- workshops, industrial activities, offices and company uses. data rather than its own surveys. this project a success, including contractors, suppliers, and ized with Al-Mazaya Holdings covering the Lease, Collection The industrial units of the project have been further licensed, That could be about to change, however, because the engineering offices. and RS Management services. holding independent civil plates qualifying each unit to oper- EIA has received approval from the White House to Al-Sultan elaborated: “Mazaya Logistics” Project interprets During the press conference, Eng Salwa Nabil Malhas, Chief ate a variety of activities offering flexible, secured and well- launch its own mandatory monthly survey of oil and con- the diversity and expansion of the Al-Mazaya investment Business Development & Marketing Officer, delivered a pres- maintained design concepts available on an hourly basis. densate production. portfolio across different sectors, resting on its rooted experi- entation highlighting the latest financial and operational Malhas concluded by extending her thanks and gratitude The first of the new survey forms have gone out and ence in RS, adding logistics to the residential, medical, com- developments Mazaya has fulfilled. Malhas went on to elabo- to Bahrain Investment Wharf for their continuance support respondents are beginning to submit data. It will take a mercial, office, management and accommodation sectors the rate on the detailed features of the “Mazaya Logistics” Project, and for hosting the ceremony event at their head quarter, few months for the agency to vet the results for quality company serves”. Al-Sultan emphasized that Mazaya chose constructed on a 27,605 m≤ span, consisting of industrial Majaal Warehouse Company for successfully developing this but the first survey figures could be published in the next Bahrain to be the first destination to set its logistics project, units of different leased areas exceeding 15,250 m≤ optimally project, Kuwaiti Manager Contracting Company, Unanimi few months. preparing to launch thereafter to additional local, regional located in Bahrain Investment Wharf. “Mazaya Logistics” is one Architects, HAJQuantity Surveyor and BoQs. and international markets, reflecting the company’s vision to of the most viable projects in Bahrain, being an integrated The press conference was concluded with a ribbon cutting DATA COLLECTION introduce quality projects that mirror its registered trademark project system smartly divided into varied sectors designed to ceremony inaugurating the project, announcing the official All the information that the EIA currently collects and and build on its added value in the real-estate market. meet multiple industrial and investment requirements. opening of “Mazaya Logistics” by Al-Mazaya Holding publishes on US oil refining, stocks, natural gas, pipelines, He added that Al-Mazaya has developed a clear plan con- Malhas elaborated on the main strategic features of the Chairman, Group CEO and all attendees. and other energy markets stems from the oil crisis in 1973/74. The Federal Energy Administration (FEA) Act, which established the forerunner of the EIA, became law in May 1974, when the United States was still gripped by a sense KAMCO announces first of crisis over energy shortages caused by the Arab oil embargo. The law granted sweeping powers to the FEA including the authority to “collect, assemble, evaluate and quarter 2015 financial results analyze energy information” to permit monitoring and the formulation of policy (PL 93-275). KUWAIT: KAMCO Investment Company, a quarter, 2014,improvingcore activity profits, the end of the first quarter in Section 13(b) states: “All persons owning or operating leading investment company with one of the though overall profitability declined due to 2015.KAMCO’smanaged equity funds per- facilities or business premises who are engaged in any largest AUMs in the region, and a winner of aforesaid fall acrossGCC markets. formed better than their respective bench- phase of energy supply or major energy consumption the prestigious Kuwait Asset Manager of the Operationally, KAMCO maintained assets marks. shall make available to the administrator such informa- Year Award 2015, announced yesterday its under management at KD 3.47Billion. During Faisal M Sarkhou, KAMCO’s CEO , said, tion and periodic reports, records, documents, and other financial results for the first quarter ended the first quarter, KAMCO launched the KAM- “geopolitical risk combined with the volatile data ... as the administrator may prescribe by regulation March 31, 2015. The company recorded a net CO MENA Plus Fixed Income Fund which and low oil prices have not only affected or order.” profit of KD 109,000 with earnings-per-share aims to achieve relatively high returns as regional GCC equity markets but also nega- The crisis of 1973/74 had taken a complacent public (EPS) of 0.46fils. compared to returns of the bank short term tively impacted the economic and business and politicians by surprise, even though the root causes GCC Equity markets continued to be interest by primarily investing in portfolio of environment in general. This led to a drop in of the shortages long predated the embargo. Many volatile, falling again as a result of geopoliti- MENA conventional bonds and Islamic regional indices, triggering sell-offs, and Americans blamed soaring prices on a perceived conspir- cal issues. Despite the stressed economic Sukuks. Moreover, KAMCO Real Estate Yield affecting performance across GCC markets. acy among the big oil and gas companies to withhold and financial environment, KAMCO achieved Fund successfully distributed cash dividends At KAMCO, we continue to focus on growing supply from the markets.—Reuters a Fee income of KD 1.17million, a growth of of 1.7 percent to investors covering the peri- and enhancing our core operations despite 7 percent over KD 1.09 million earned in first od from the Fund’s initial establishment until the current market conditions.” KAMCO CEO Faisal M Sarkhou Wal-Mart improves lobbying disclosure after shareholder push

CHICAGO: Wal-Mart Stores said it will start disclosing directly to investing at Walden Asset Management, which has backed sever- in state disclosures. But within a few months it plans to start pro- impressive for Wal-Mart to provide that information in one place.” investors what it spends on lobbying on a state-by-state basis, al shareholder proposals seeking improved disclosure. viding a tally for spending in each state with a link to the relevant In 2014 Wal-Mart spent $7 million on lobbying at the federal responding to shareholder pressure to improve transparency on Since the first shareholder proposals targeting lobbying first filing, aiming to make it easier for investors to find the informa- level, making it one of the largest corporate spenders. It was how the retailing giant seeks to influence public policy. The previ- appeared in 2011, there have been 143 resolutions on the ballots tion, Hargrove said. active in targeting issues like labor, tax and trade, including the ously unreported move would make Wal-Mart the first con- at 80 companies, and support has risen to an average of 29.2 per- “We take our commitment to provide additional transparency Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact being pushed by President stituent of the Dow Jones Industrial Average to break out state cent of votes this year, according to proxy adviser Institutional into our political engagement seriously,” Hargrove said, noting Barack Obama, public filings show. expenditures at that level of detail, drawing attention to spend- Shareholder Services. that Wal-Mart already provides links to quarterly federal lobbying The biggest corporate spenders include Comcast and Google ing that in some states reaches hundreds of thousands of dollars. Wal-Mart’s move falls short of what Zevin Asset Management reports on its website, among other steps. at about $17 billion each, according to the Center for Responsive Wal-Mart’s move could chart a course for others, just as rival sought when it submitted a shareholder resolution for wider dis- Politics. States such as California and Wisconsin require relatively retailers followed suit when it raised worker pay earlier this year. closure at Wal-Mart, including any “indirect lobbying” through BYZANTINE DISCLOSURE detailed disclosure including payments to lobbyists and what While federal guidelines are uniform and fairly detailed, dis- organizations like the US Chamber of Commerce. Wal-Mart will The act of aggregating state data into a readable format is a bills were lobbied on. In several states like Georgia the reporting closure at the state level varies widely and information can be dif- not change its disclosure policies on trade associations, significant step because the “Byzantine” manner in which the of lobbyist compensation is not mandatory, meaning only typi- ficult to find, undermining attempts at oversight by outside spokesman Randy Hargrove said. data is captured and made available online effectively buries cally smaller outlays, such as dinners with legislators, are avail- groups. At the same time, gridlock in Congress has shifted the Zevin Director Sonia Kowal said she withdrew the proposal as information at many states, said Denise Roth Barber, managing able. In some cases figuring out what was spent can prove tricky, focus of some corporate lobbying to the states, raising the impor- a sign of “good faith” after Wal-Mart agreed to aggregate state director at the National Institute on Money in State Politics, which requiring digging into reports from multiple lobbyists in formats tance of transparency, disclosure advocates said. disclosures. She said she would resubmit the proposal next year. itself has struggled to build a comprehensive database of state decipherable only to the trained eye. Wal-Mart’s decision to make state lobbying information more Kowal said she has found Wal-Mart to be responsive to share- spending. Filings from California show Wal-Mart paid lobbyists $319,000 accessible is “exceedingly important” because spending at the holder engagement “perhaps because they see disclosure of cor- “Given the wide disparity of disclosure laws and how that last year to advocate on its behalf on various laws, including state level can rival or exceed federal lobbying expenditures and porate involvement in politics as being increasingly important to information is provided to the public it is nearly impossible to some tied to wages and other labor issues. Spending in Texas, also because of the company’s size and influence across the cor- investors and that interest is not likely to diminish.” find this information out on your own,” she said, adding the move which only requires the disclosure of a range, may have been as porate sector, said Timothy Smith, director of socially responsible Wal-Mart will not report any information not already available by Wal-Mart could prod others to disclose more. “It would be high as $315,000, filings show.—Reuters technology THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

China to increase video surveillance in security push

BEIJING: China will ensure that all key public areas are with the authorities, the country’s top economic plan- ment said it would establish a national population including on their religion, language and culture. covered with video surveillance cameras by 2020 to ner, the National Development and Reform database linked to ID information and credit records. Rights activists have criticised the government, saying fight crime and ensure social stability, the government Commission, said in a statement. Local governments will be required to make sure the crackdown only serves to exacerbate tensions and said yesterday, part of a broader push to step up secu- “Building a public security surveillance net is an the cameras work around the clock and can function breed extremism. rity in response to violent unrest. important measure under the new situation to main- effectively, the statement said. Hundreds of people have been killed in resource- China has already taken a series of measures to pre- tain national security and social stability as well as pre- China was rocked last year by a string of knife and rich Xinjiang, strategically located on the borders of vent attacks by extremists, including plans for an anti- vent and combat violent terrorist crimes,” the planner bomb attacks that it has blamed on separatists from central Asia, in violence in the past two years between terrorism law that would give the government broader said. The plan aims to enhance public security moni- the western region of Xinjiang, which has been Uighurs and ethnic majority Han Chinese. surveillance powers and offering to pay for tips about toring, optimise traffic conditions and “improve social plagued by unrest. China has also tightened security at hospitals and violent plots. Places such as roads will be fully covered management”, it added. Xinjiang is home to the Muslim Uighur people, who other health facilities after a spate of violence against by cameras and information their gather will be shared As part of the clampdown, last month the govern- have chafed under growing restrictions from China, doctors and nurses. — Reuters Toyota, Mazda announce partnership in technology Engineers to work together on product development

TOKYO: Toyota Motor Corp. and Japanese rival for Mazda’s design finesse. Kogai said Toyota has Mazda are expanding their partnership to a long- the same Mazda spirit. term one focusing on technologies in the areas of “We both take up challenges,” Toyoda told safety and fuel efficiency. reporters. “I’m excited to think about what kind of Toyota President Akio Toyoda and Mazda Motor chemical reaction will be concocted, what great Corp. President Masamichi Kogai shook hands at a products will be created, when our engineers work Tokyo hotel yesterday, both smiling and decked together.” out in dark suits and red ties. Toyota has repeatedly said it is open to alliances The companies are setting up a joint committee with other automakers. It has worked with General to figure out how best to work together. Both sides Motors, and it announced collaboration on fuel said the goal was to have their engineers work cells with BMW in 2013. together on product development. Mazda used to have a powerful partner in “It’s more an engagement,” Toyoda said, Dearborn-based Ford Motor Co., which bought 25 responding to comparisons to the event as a wed- percent of Mazda in 1979, and raised it to 33.4 per- TOKYO: Japanese actor and musician Pierre Taki (L) tries out the voice search function on ding. The companies aren’t taking stakes in each cent in 1996. But Ford began cutting ties in 2008, Sony’s new 65-inch 4K LCD Bravia television with Sony Marketing president Hiroshi other. Toyoda expressed interest in Hiroshima- and shedding its stake in Mazda. Kawano (R) during a press preview at the company’s headquarters in Tokyo yesterday. based Mazda’s fuel-efficient technology for gaso- Toyota, the world’s No. 1 automaker in global Sony’s new series of the Bravia 4K Android TV will be put on the Japanese market from line engines and diesel vehicles called Skyactive. vehicle sales, is re-embarking on an aggressive next month. — AFP But neither immediately went into specifics, growth drive after taking a hit from massive recalls, such as whether Toyota would license Mazda to mostly in the US, that began in 2009. use its new green technology, such as fuel cells, The tie-up with Mazda is the latest addition to which runs on the energy created when hydrogen Toyota’s sprawling empire, which has Japanese TOKYO: Mazda Motor Corp. President Facebook hooks up combines with oxygen in the air to form water. truck maker Hino Motors and minicar maker Masamichi Kogai speaks during a press confer- Daihatsu Motor Co. as a group company under its ence with Toyota Motor Corp. President Akio Design finesse wing. It is the top shareholder in Fuji Heavy Toyoda in Tokyo yesterday. Toyota and Japanese with publishers Toyota already provides hybrid technology to Industries, the maker of Subaru cars. rival Mazda are expanding their partnership to Mazda. Mazda also makes compact cars for Toyota “Many people assume Toyota is just about mon- a long-term one focusing on technologies in the WASHINGTON: Facebook has teamed up web articles,” Facebook said in a blog at its Mexico plant. ey,” said Toyoda, in explaining why no capital tie-up areas of safety and fuel efficiency. Toyoda with nine news publishers to launch a post on its website. Toyoda and Kogai said the two companies share with Mazda was in the works. “Toyota is trying to expressed interest in Hiroshima-based Mazda’s feature that will allow them to publish It added publishers can sell advertise- a corporate culture based on a determination to be reborn as a company that makes ever better fuel-efficient technology for gasoline engines articles directly on the network’s mobile ments in their articles and keep the rev- pursue quality cars. Toyoda expressed admiration cars.” — AP and diesel vehicles called Skyactive. — AP news feeds. enue, or use Facebook’s Audience Sharing articles on Facebook’s mobile Network to monetize unsold inventory. app is more and more common. But as it Publishers will also be able to track data stands, it takes about eight seconds to and traffic through comScore and anoth- load articles. And this is by far the single er tools. slowest content type on Facebook, it The nine partners are The New York said. Times, National Geographic, The new feature called Instant Articles BuzzFeed, NBC, The Atlantic, The “makes the reading experience as much Guardian, BBC News, Spiegel and Bild, as ten times faster than standard mobile Facebook said. — AFP

Review What to do if phones fill up with photos

NEW YORK: Shoot enough photos and ICLOUD PHOTO LIBRARY videos, and your phone will eventually fill Launched last month, iCloud Photo up. Many phones don’t let you add storage, Library is Apple’s way of unifying your and moving images to a personal computer photo collection online. It works with is complicated for many people. Apple’s Photos app for organizing and Help comes from Yahoo and Apple. editing those images on Mac and mobile Yahoo’s Flickr and Apple’s iCloud Photo devices. Library will automatically transfaer photos Apple keeps a full-resolution version and videos to your online account, so you online while downgrading what’s on your get a backup and more space on your device when space is low. You get the device. original back when you need it. Otherwise, it’s not taking up as much FLICKR space. All this is automatic, so you don’t Flickr offers virtually unlimited online need to mess with deleting originals and storage for free - 1 terabyte, or as Yahoo puts potentially deleting the wrong ones. it, about five photos a day for the next 60 You’re limited to Apple devices - years. For many people, that generosity has iPhones, iPads and Macs - and you’re sat unused, so Yahoo released tools this charged for storage once you hit 5 giga- 44% of GCC companies fell victim of month to automate image transfers. bytes, or roughly 3,000 photos. It costs 99 With Flickr’s app for iPhones, iPads and cents a month for 20 gigabytes, though Android devices, old and new images alike you might need more if your phone is DDoS attacks over the last 12 months are automatically copied to your online already full. account. Free up space by deleting the origi- Unlike Flickr, Apple can sort images nal files from your phone. You’ll still be able DUBAI: According to research conducted by B2B problem. For example, 29% of respondents report- Head of Kaspersky DDoS Protection, Kaspersky Lab. based on specific individuals in them, to edit and share images through Flickr’s International and Kaspersky Lab, 44% of compa- ed that they or their users had faced problems con- Kaspersky Lab’s advanced technologies to pro- though it doesn’t do object recognition, app, and you can retrieve the originals from nies in the GCC respectively providing online serv- ducting online transactions as a result of a DdoS tect against DdoS attacks are integrated in such as automatically identifying a dog in Flickr anytime. ices (such as online shopping, online media, and attack. This problem is especially significant for Kaspersky DDoS Protection solution. If a DdoS a picture. Unlike Flickr, Apple can handle Meanwhile, Flickr’s software for Mac and others) fell victim to DdoS attacks over the last 12 companies working in telecommunications and attack is detected by a special sensor, all traffic sent RAW file formats favored by many profes- Windows computers will continually scan months. It proves that Distributed Denial of Service logistics - 49% and 45% respectively reported it. to the client is redirected to special Kaspersky Lab and upload images, including ones you add sionals with high-end cameras. It’s not an attacks are common online business-related events “Taking down a site or preventing transactions is equipment where “junk” requests are filtered out later. issue, though, if you’re just shooting with rather than just isolated incidents. That’s why it is only the tip of the iceberg. A DDoS attack can lead by sophisticated individual algorithms. These Regardless of the source, all photos and the phone. so important to guarantee business continuity by to reputational losses or legal claims over undeliv- cleaning centers are also monitored by experts videos are viewable in one collection To get this: iCloud Photo Library is built taking steps to protect against DDoS attacks. ered services. To ensure that clients have uninter- who can adjust the algorithms if required, even through a Web browser or Flickr’s mobile into the Photos apps that come with Mac DdoS attacks aim to block access to a compa- rupted access to their online services, companies during an attack. This approach avoids overloading app. The newest images are on top, but you and iOS operating systems. There’s no sep- ny’s online resources by overloading them with need to think in advance about appropriate protec- of the online customer service even during a can use Flickr’s smart sorting tools under its arate download once you have the latest “junk” requests. Today DDoS attacks are easy and tion against DDoS attacks”, said Eugene Vigovsky, sophisticated or previously unknown attack. “Magic View.” Software analyzes and catego- system updates. You simply need to turn cheap for almost anyone to launch: costs are low, a rizes images based on what’s in them, such the feature on when prompted. simple search will find people who can do it for as food and flowers. A search tool lets you you, and cryp to currencies allow everyone to con- filter by such attributes as colors in the pic- AND THE REST ... ceal their identities. This accessibility means that Japan’s high-tech toilet seat ture and the image’s orientation. With Google’s Auto Backup and any company with rivals or opponents of any sort To free up space, you need to delete files Amazon’s Cloud Drive, you have to upload is at risk. TOKYO: Japan is readying to lift the lid on for foreigners in a bid to showcase the comfort from your phone after getting them to photos from PCs manually. Automatic However, research suggests that IT companies what could be its most effective global market- of Japanese toilets ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Flickr, which means you also need to keep transfers are limited to Apple and Android suffer more from DDoS attacks: 49% of IT industry ing gimmick yet: the high-tech toilet seat. Few Olympic Games, the newspaper said. track of which ones have already been trans- phones. representatives worldwide reported that they had foreign visitors make it through their first day in Nearly every household in Japan and most ferred. Also, while Flickr can categorize peo- Google offers free unlimited storage in encountered at least one DdoS attack over the last Japan without singing the praises of this epito- public restrooms are equipped with a seat that ple shots based on whether they contain a reduced resolution. Otherwise, full-reso- year. Other businesses that rely on continuous me of Japanese know-how; a contraption that is plugged into the mains electricity. kids or groups, it doesn’t do face detection. lution images count toward a free allot- online services to make profits also scored highly: offers both comforting warmth and a frighten- At their most basic, they simply get warm, You can’t pull up photos of just your mom or ment shared with Gmail and other Google firms engaged in e-commerce (44%), organizations ingly accurate bidet jet. Now the government while at the other end they boast motion sen- your best friend. services. Amazon’s Cloud Drive is $12 a providing telecommunications services (44%) and appears ready to capitalise on the enthusiasm sors, high-power odour-neutralisers and vari- Flickr is still rolling out the features to all year - waived for members of its $99-a- the media (42%). Financial companies are also and is set to talk up toilet technology as it able water jets, all tailored to conserve energy of its users. I’ve encountered some hiccups, year Prime service. That gives you unlimit- among the most frequently attacked organizations launches a worldwide drive to promote Japan’s and water. including videos not uploading consistently. ed photo storage only. It’s $60 a year if you - 39% of them reported an incident. prowess in innovation for the smallest room, Some helpfully produce audio of flushing And after a few days, Flickr still hasn’t fin- want unlimited videos, too. The consequences of DdoS attacks depend on according to the Yomiuri Shimbun. water for those shy users who don’t want oth- ished transferring all of my photos. If your With all of these services, images are their type and duration, as well as on the field of Clean toilets equipped with various features ers to hear the sound of someone.... using a toi- collection is sizable like mine, it can take kept private - for your eyes only - until you activity and distinctive features of the targeted “will be a plus for tourism”, and will be included let. The nation’s bidet seats have won the days or weeks. specific otherwise. company. The survey showed that 13% of attacks in a growth strategy to be compiled this sum- hearts of the rich and famous, including To get this: Just get Flickr’s app from your Flickr is the only one that’s truly free globally render the target sites totally inaccessible. mer, the newspaper said, citing unnamed Madonna and Will Smith, who have both sung phone’s app store. Go to http://flickr.com/ and compatible with multiple systems. This fate most often befell media sites - 32% of sources. their praises. tools/downloadmac for the Mac software But if you have an Apple device and don’t media organizations reported that their web The government will consider installing The seats are also among the most popular and http://flickr.com/tools/downloadwin- mind paying, iCloud Photo Library is the resources had been completely disabled due to a more high-tech toilets in areas frequented by items targeted by Chinese tourists, ranking dows for Windows. easier one to use. — AP DDoS attack. But even if the attackers failed to com- tourists, such as airports, the Yomiuri said. The alongside high-spec rice cookers and cosmet- pletely block user access to a company’s informa- nation might also produce promotional videos ics. — AFP tion resources, partial inaccessibility is also a serious SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2015 HEALTH & SCIENCE Men in red appear angry and in charge: Study

PARIS: Bulls have known it forever, but tographed in different coloured cloth- winning a sports contest, and is also a look at photos of men dressed in red, tos of those wearing red clothes. scientists are now saying that men ing. “Men wearing red were rated as mark of dominance in other species. blue and grey and asked to rate them Grey and blue on the other hand dressed in red appear angrier and more aggressive and more dominant But the new research shows associa- on how aggressive and authoritarian transmitted no feelings of aggression more dominant than those in blue or and were more often categorised as tions between clothing colour and they seemed to be, as well as their or authority to either the men or the grey. ‘angry’ than targets wearing grey or how a person is perceived, with red apparent emotional state. women in the study. The study published yesterday in blue,” said the researchers from apparently triggering certain mental Both men and women saw anger “This suggests that the colour red the Royal Society journal Biology Durham University in Britain. associations in humans. and aggression in the red-wearing may be a cue used to predict propensi- Letters was based on the reactions of Previous research had shown wear- A hundred people, half of them men. But only the male viewers in the ty for dominance and aggression in both men and women to men pho- ing red could increase one’s chances of male and half female, were asked to study also saw dominance in the pho- human males,” the study said. —AFP Breakup fears for massive Antarctic ice shelf: Study

PARIS: The largest ice shelf in the Antarctic perAntarcticaiAAntarcticantarcticaod, and peninsula is being thinned by warmer seas had lowered by an average of one metre at and air and could catastrophically break up, the surface. scientists said yesterday. Warmer seas are gnawing at it from The loss of the Larsen C ice shelf could below, while a warmer atmosphere is caus- occur within a century but an earlier col- ing air to be expelled from the soft, honey- lapse cannot be ruled out, with major con- comb surface snow, called firn, the sequences for global sea levels, they said. researchers believe. “We now know that two different As a result, the ice on the surface is processes are causing Larsen C to thin and becoming more compact and dense, which become less stable,” said Paul Holland from stresses and weakens the shelf’s internal the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) who led structure. the new research. Despite “considerable” uncertainties, “If this vast ice shelf... was to collapse, it there is cause for concern, said the authors. would allow the tributary glaciers behind it “A collapse could occur within a century, to flow faster into the sea. This would then although maybe sooner and with little contribute to sea-level rise.” warning,” the BAS said in a press statement. Ice sheets are vast floating beds of ice “A crack is forming in the ice which could attached to the Antarctic coast. Hundreds of cause it to retreat back further than previ- metres (feet) thick in places, they are exten- ously observed.” sions of land ice sheets and are fed by gla- Because ice shelves float on water, Larsen ciers. C’s loss would not by itself raise global sea Larsen C is the fourth largest ice shelf in levels. the world, covering around 55,000 square The problem would come from the gla- kilometres (21,235 square miles), or nearly ciers, which would lose the coastal “brake” twice the size of Belgium. on their flow towards the sea. More land ice Two far smaller companion shelves on would reach the ocean and melt, adding to the eastern side of the peninsula-the tongue its volume. that juts from Antarctica towards South “When Larsen A and B were lost the gla- America-have collapsed in the last two ciers behind them accelerated and they are decades. now contributing a significant fraction of the sea-level rise from the whole of Assault from above and below Antarctica Antarctica,” said the BAS’ director of science, HONDURAS: A boy is vaccinated against Influenza during the Vaccination National Campaign in Tegucigalpa. —AFP The first, Larsen A, was lost in 1995. In David Vaughan. “Larsen C is bigger, and if it 2002, this was followed by Larsen B-at 3,250 were to be lost in the next few decades, sq. km. the size of the US state of Rhode then it would actually add to the projections Island. of sea-level rise by 2100.” Bird flu outbreak hits The Larsen B event had no precedent The UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on since the end of the last Ice Age, around Climate Change (IPCC) reported in 2013 that 12,000 years ago, according to glaciologists. ice loss from Antarctica probably increased It tallied shockingly with the discovery that from 30 billion tonnes a year in the decade Nebraska poultry farm the peninsula is one of the fastest-warming to 2001 to 147 billion tonnes annually in the places on the planet. following decade. Temperatures there have risen by around It projected that warmer seas and ice loss US tally of birds to die will be 32 million 2.5 degrees Celsius (4.5 degrees Fahrenheit) would drive up the global mean sea level by over the last 50 years, several times the between 40 and 63 cm by 2100, but as NEBRASKA: The fast-spreading avian flu virus than 24 million birds from 39 farm sites have tions in birds and curtail the virus’ spread. world average. much as 82 cm at the top end of scenarios was confirmed for the first time in Nebraska, at been affected. But the outbreak has shown few signs of Published in the journal The Cryosphere, for greenhouse-gas emissions. a commercial egg-laying farm that housed a The worries recently prompted one waning so far. On Monday, a strain of avian flu the new study combined data from satellite For coastal-dwellers, the implications of flock of 1.7 million chickens, the US Nebraska landfill owner to turn down business that had previously been found only in the measurements and eight radar surveys over sea-level rise are many, and none is good. Department of Agriculture said on Tuesday. from a poultry farm in Iowa, whose owners Western United States cropped up in an 15 years, from 1998 to 2012. They include flooding from storm surges, The case in Dixon County, Nebraska, brings were seeking a place to dispose of a culled Indiana backyard poultry flock. It found Larsen C had lost an average of loss of farmland and salt intrusion into the number of states affected by the outbreak flock due to avian influenza, said Brian The H5 strains in the current US outbreak four metres (13 feet) of ice during this groundwater. —AFP to 16, and the US tally of birds that have either McManus, spokesman for the Nebraska pose a low risk to human health, experts say, died or will be killed to 32 million. Department of Environmental Quality. and no human infections have been identified The US poultry and egg industry has been “Some people from our agency met with the so far. There have been three strains of H5 iden- grappling for months with the biggest out- landfill owner. We had voiced some concerns tified in North America in this outbreak. break on record of avian influenza in the United about the hazards of transporting poultry car- In addition to Nebraska, other states with States. Authorities do not know how the H5N2 casses right now, because of the risk of spread- the H5N2 virus are Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, virus reached the Nebraska farm. The property ing the virus,” said McManus, who declined to Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, has been quarantined and the flock will be identify the name of the landfill. “Right now, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, culled, USDA said. transporting those birds is an option we dis- Washington and Wisconsin. The virus has also “Unfortunately, Nebraska has joined a long courage.” been identified on farms in British Columbia list of states currently dealing with highly path- and Ontario, Canada. ogenic avian influenza,” said Greg Ibach, direc- Heightened concerns The highly pathogenic H5N8 strain had been tor of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture. The continuing spread of the highly conta- found in California, Idaho, Indiana, Oregon and Nebraska farmers and state regulators have gious H5 virus is worrying to farmers and inves- Washington. The Canadian authorities also voiced growing concern about the virus tigators, who have hoped that warmer spring have confirmed the H5N1 strain was found in spreading from neighboring Iowa, where more weather would help lower the number of infec- British Columbia, Canada. —Reuters How DNA is transforming the hunt for new drugs PORTLAND: In this Nov. 12, 2014 file photo, the HealthCare.gov website, where people can buy health insurance, on a laptop screen, is seen in CHICAGO: Drug manufacturers have begun amassing down from $20,000 five years ago. Regeneron Pfizer Inc, Roche Holding AG and Biogen Inc are Portland, Ore. If the latest health overhaul case before the Supreme Court enormous troves of human DNA in hopes of signifi- Pharmaceuticals Inc, which signed a deal with working on similar projects that use DNA and patient gets decided the way most Republicans want, it could have a politically cantly shortening the time it takes to identify new Pennsylvania’s Geisinger Health System in January health data to find new drug targets or predict the painful unintended consequence for GOP lawmakers. —AP drug candidates, a move some say is transforming the 2014 to sequence partial genomes of some 250,000 effects of drugs. Their investments have been inspired development of medicines. The efforts will help volunteers, is already claiming discoveries based on by early successes in cancer with drugs such as Pfizer’s researchers identify rare genetic mutations by scan- the new approach. Company executives told Reuters lung cancer treatment Xalkori, which was approved in ning large databases of volunteers who agree to have they have used data from the first 35,000 volunteers 2011 and targets mutations in tumors driving the dis- Sick in winter but healthy in their DNA sequenced and to provide access to to confirm the promise of 250 genes on a list of tar- ease. More recently, Vertex Pharmaceuticals has detailed medical records. It is made possible by the gets for drugs aimed at common medical conditions, changed the treatment of cystic fibrosis with summer? Blame your genes dramatically lower cost of genetic sequencing - it took including high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. Kalydeco, which targets the disease’s underlying government-funded scientists $3 billion and 13 years Regeneron says it has also identified “several dozen” genetic cause. “All of a sudden, it all opened up,” as PARIS: Nearly a quarter of our genes change the samples were taken. to sequence the first human genome by 2003. As of new gene targets, including a novel gene that plays a companies recognize the potential for drugs targeting how active they are according to the season, There were also seasonal differences in last year, the cost was closer to $1,500 per genome, role in obesity. genetic glitches, Dr. Eric Topol, a genomics expert at which may explain why people are more the types of blood cells. the Scripps Translational Science Institute. “It’s starting prone to illness in winter rather than sum- The “seasonal genes” displayed opposing to really become a new preferred model for drug mer, scientists said Tuesday. levels of expression in the samples taken development.” In a study published in the journal Nature from the northern and southern hemisphere. In the past, discovering such genes was a painstak- Communications, the researchers said they The difference was most marked among ing process, often involving years of research into iso- were stunned by just how much of our donors from Iceland, where there is nearly 24 lated populations. In 1991, for example, researchers genetic code is affected by the time of year. hours of daylight in summer and nearly 24 discovered a rare mutation in a gene called Angptl3 Out of 22,822 genes the researchers hours of darkness in winter. that caused very low levels of artery-clogging choles- analysed, 5,136 operated at higher or lower There were also variations, but far less terol and triglycerides among families in the remote levels depending on the season, with some pronounced, from samples taken from peo- Italian village of Campodimele. It took nearly two more active in winter and others more active ple in equatorial regions, where the seasons more decades and several groups of scientists to fully in summer. Our immune system could be are less distinct. understand the potential cardiovascular benefits one of the many mechanisms that would be In samples from the west African country linked to mutations in that gene. Since last autumn, subtly affected by “seasonality,” the Gambia, genes in immune cells in the blood the Regeneron Genetics Center has sequenced the researchers said. Lead scientist John Todd, a were more active during the rainy season DNA of more than 35,000 Geisinger patients and is on professor of medical genetics at the from June to October, when mosquito-borne track to sequence 100,000 by year end. Already, the University of Cambridge, said the discovery diseases such as malaria are on the rise. company has identified 100 people carrying similar was both “really surprising” but also “obvious.” One discovery is that a gene called ARNTL cholesterol-affecting mutations to those first “It helps explain why so many diseases, that plays a part in inflammation-the defen- observed in Campodimele and elsewhere. from heart disease to mental illness, are sive process that is also implicated in many “You no longer have to find that one rare family in much worse in the winter months,” he said. auto-immune diseases-is seasonally influ- Italy, because it’s just in the database,” said Dr. George “But no one had appreciated the extent enced. Another is that vaccination may be Yancopoulos, chief scientific officer of Regeneron. to which this actually occurred. more effective in winter than in summer, “The implications for how we treat dis- because a key set of “seasonal genes” in the Precision medicine eases like Type 1 diabetes, and how we plan immune system are primed to deliver a Identifying target genes is just a first step, though, our research studies could be profound.” stronger response. The work will boost and does not guarantee that a drug can be developed The team looked at blood samples and understanding of how light and ambient on a genetic lead, or that it will ultimately be safe and fatty tissue provided by 16,000 people living temperature can affect physical and mental PARIS: Environmental group Greenpeace activists stand in front of the main entrance effective enough to be used. Experts also differ on in the northern and southern hemisphere health, the researchers hope. of French agricultural cooperative group Invivo headquarters they have blocked approach. Regeneron is sequencing exomes, the pro- and in equatorial Africa. The “circadian clock” has been highlighted with containers to protest against pesticide on May 13, 2015, in Paris. Boards read tein-making genes that comprise 1 to 2 percent of the The activity-in scientific parlance, the by a slew of studies in recent years showing names of the company˘s heads called “Poisoners” by Greenpeace. They denounce genome, a search that costs roughly $700 per person. “expression”-of thousands of genes in the fat- the toll of night shifts and jetlag on factory the consequences of pesticide on farmers’health. —AFP Others favor looking at the whole genome, which ty tissue varied according to the time of year workers and long-haul flight crews. —AFP costs the $1,500 per person. —Reuters THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 HEALTH & SCIENCE

Cerner celebrates 25 years in transforming health care in ME

DUBAI: Twenty-five years ago, Cerner caregivers who can access, integrate and them into their respective health commu- tory. It was the first facility throughout the health system and are currently working began its collaboration with its first client share information in a single, easy-to-use nities.” Middle East, Europe and Africa to earn this on the next stage, which is population in the Middle East, King Faisal Specialist patient record with unique content and Cerner Middle East is proud of its clients title. health management. We thank our clients, Hospital and Research Center (KFSH & RC) workflows derived from its years of experi- achieving inpatient Stage 6 on the Commenting on this achievement, Dr. users, partners and staff for their unwaver- in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Cerner is ence in the region. In the Middle East, Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model Osama Alswailem, chief information officer ing dedication and efforts to support our honored to be in use at more than 200 there are currently over 10 million people (EMRAM) by HIMSS Analytics Middle East, at KFSH & RC said, “This recognition is the pursuit of impacting health care delivery client sites in five countries in the Middle with their health information stored in which is one of the highest grades of result of a joint effort by KFSH & RC and and the health of our communities. We are East. Cerner’s electronic health records. award for their use of clinical IT systems Cerner to develop best-practice health honored to celebrate their accomplish- Cerner, a global leader in health care “We understand that health care is per- and advanced safety features to enhance care solutions in the region, while building ments over the past 25 years and look for- information technology, works together sonal and believe that advancing technol- the patient care experience. Tracking their on our joint missions to deliver the highest ward to the next 25 and beyond,” said with our clients to implement solutions ogy will significantly help providers to progress on a scale of 0 (lowest) to 7 (high- quality of patient care and being at the Pomerance. that help reduce medical errors, improve proactively manage the health of their est), hospitals can review their implemen- forefront of electronic health record adop- Cerner Middle East hosted a 25th outcomes and increase quality of care in populations,” said Michael Pomerance, vice tation and utilization of IT applications. tion.” anniversary gala dinner for more than 200 over 18,000 health care facilities around president and managing director, Cerner In 2012, KFSH & RC was the first facility Currently, 83 percent of all HIMSS 6 staff and their families on May 7 in Dubai the world. Middle East and Africa. “We are honored to in the Middle East to achieve this presti- inpatient sites in the Middle East are and plans to celebrate with its clients at Today, Cerner Middle East is used by work with our clients to help them with gious inpatient Stage 6 recognition. Three Cerner clients. “We started our client col- the 2015 Middle East Regional User Group, 48,000 active Cerner Millennium(r) users, their goal of ensuring the highest standard years later, KFSH&RC marked an additional laborations with a single laboratory solu- which will take place in Dubai, UAE, on including physicians, nurses and other of care for patients and further connecting achievement of HIMSS Stage 6 for ambula- tion, moved to a fully integrated electronic June 1-2. Yoga promotes physical and mental well-being

ilhouettes in calm light stretch into strange shapes, The numbers don’t lie, and they seem to point in the toward the sky. The key, Bleier says, is to keep your shoulders reminiscent of bygone days in human history. Except opposite direction of such possible naysayers. And even if in line with the base of your neck, moving the back of the Sfor the soft rhythm of breaths, the people are quiet. the numbers were a bunch of liars, that still wouldn’t stand shoulders together so the shoulder blades are close. Lift your Rare white rhino Each pattern of inhalation followed by exhalation is in the way of the scientific truth of yoga’s benevolence. chest towards your chin and your chin away from your chest, unique like a fingerprint, defined by the level of exertion Additionally, a 2014 article by The Huffington Post said so the upper trapezius muscles flow away from the head. undergoes veterinary by an individual as well as the level of skill. These people, that not only is yoga good for people physically as well as 3. Boost Sexual Performance like so many in America and across the world, are practic- being a way to meditate, it can also boost one’s immunity, Studies have found that 12 weeks of yoga can improve treatment in California ing yoga. ease migraines, boost sexual performance, help people sleep sexual desire, arousal, performance, confidence, orgasm and Yoga is a layered discipline. Participants practice medi- better and fight food cravings. satisfaction for both men and women. How? Physically, yoga LOS ANGELES: A rare northern white rhinoceros, one of tation, mindful breathing and elastic poses. So here’s the deal: yoga helps a person out physically - increases blood flow into the genital area, which is impor- just five left on Earth, is undergoing treatment at the It is a mental, emotional and physical exercise. One and in more ways than just stretching. Yoga has roots in old tant for arousal and erections, says Bleier, and strengthens San Diego Zoo Safari Park for what veterinarians believe could even say that it is a spiritual workout - spirituality religions that promote good spiritual health, and yoga can the “moola bandha,” or pelvic floor muscles. Mentally, the is an abscess under its skin, a park spokeswoman said being a person’s connection with their personal philoso- cleanse your emotions like a therapist or a pill, albeit a bit breathing and mind control involved with the practice can on Tuesday. phy of ethics and metaphysics. more naturally. also improve performance. The 41-year-old female rhino, named Nola, was Yoga can trace its roots back to India, where religions Yoga is healthy, no matter how you look at it. It is impor- Strike A Pose: Bound Angle Pose (Baddha Konasana) found last week to have swelling on her right hip that such as Hinduism and Buddhism began to take form. As a tant for people to have something - whether it is yoga, medi- Sit with your feet together and your knees bent and grew larger until veterinarians on Saturday lanced the facet of these spiritual philosophies, yoga goes deep, tation, praying, etc. - that helps them stay centered and reaching toward the floor. Slowly fold over your feet while site to drain and flush it with saline solution, spokes- beyond the tight muscles of 21st century people; it delves focused on their path toward physical health, mental well- trying to bring your knees closer to the ground while mov- woman Darla Davis said. into the soul of mankind. being and spiritual enlightenment. The beautiful thing about ing the groin back and engaging the pelvic floor muscles. Samples of tissue and pus taken from the site are In Hinduism, branches of philosophy such as Ashtanga yoga is that all three can be accomplished while performing “It’s a great hip opener, plus the pelvic floor engagement being tested, with results expected in a matter of days, (or Raja) Yoga and Hatha Yoga emphasize the importance one practice. Yoga is comprehensive and can only lead to tones the muscles for orgasm,” says Bleier. though vets do not believe a tumor exists, Davis said. In of yoga in developing one’s soul. Buddhism even has a tra- prosperity in life. 4. Sleep Better the meantime, Nola has been put on a course of antibi- dition called Yogacara. Five surprising health benefits of Yoga Researchers from Harvard found that eight weeks of daily otics as a precaution. The meaning of all this is that yoga - while still being a Yoga increases flexibility and reduces stress, but the prac- yoga significantly improved sleep quality for people with Davis said the entire procedure was performed in the great way to increase physical health, stay active and meet tice can do more than help you twist your body into pretzel insomnia. And another study found that twice-weekly yoga field where Nola was grazing, inside the 65-acre exhibit people - is much more than it appears. shapes and find inner peace. These hidden benefits will help sessions helped cancer survivors sleep better and feel less she inhabits inside the sprawling park, without the use Developing simultaneously with the thoughts and you in the kitchen, office and bedroom-and will give you five fatigued. This can be attributed to yoga’s ability to help peo- of anesthesia. ethics of these Eastern philosophies, yoga is as essential to new reasons to show off your yoga skills (plus recommended ple deal with stress, says Bleier. “Sleep issues are like anxiety. one’s spirituality as proper ethics and proper thought. poses for each one!). Your head can’t stop spinning, you don’t know how to relax,” Vets were able to approach the animal, lance the The Yoga Sutras by Patanjali are an ancient text, as well 1. Boost Immunity he says. “Breathing and mental exercises allow the mind to swollen area and flush it as they walked along beside as being the literary core of Raja Yoga. Patanjali, like all who A recent Norwegian study found that yoga practice slow down, so you’re going to start to see yourself sleep bet- her. developed Yogic ideas, took the practice of yoga much far- results in changes in gene expression that boost immunity at ter.” “She has such a great relationship with the keepers ther than his mat. a cellular level. And it doesn’t take long: The researchers Strike A Pose: Corpse Pose (Savasana) With and vet staff that she would allow them to do things The Yoga Sutras are an essential work for understanding believe the changes occurred while participants were still on Diaphragmatic Breathing that other rhinos wouldn’t,” Davis said. this realm of religion while also containing thoughts on the mat, and they were significantly greater than a control Savasana is the final pose in a yoga class and is meant to Though considered elderly by rhino standards, with a how to better oneself. group who went on a nature hike while listening to soothing restore the body. Lay on your back with your legs slightly touch of arthritis, Nola has been fairly healthy other- “The goal is the full consciousness of the spiritual man, music. Yoga also helps to boost immunity by simply increas- apart and your arms extended at your side and your hands wise, and has exhibited no signs of illness since recover- illumined by the Divine Light,” Patanjali said. “Nothing ing overall health, says Mitchel Bleier, a yoga teacher of 18 on your belly. Inhale and exhale through your nose, follow ing from a sinus infection in January, according to Davis. except the obdurate resistance of the psychic nature keeps years and owner of Yogapata in Connecticut. “As you breathe the breath and feel the belly rise and fall under your hands. Another, older male northern white rhino at the park us back from the goal ... The psychical powers are spiritual better, move better and circulate better, all the other organs The breath, muscles and mind should be completely died in December, leaving Nola as the only living mem- powers run wild, perverted, drawn from their proper chan- function better.” relaxed. ber of her kind in the Western Hemisphere. nel. Therefore our first task is to regain control of this per- Strike A Pose: Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskar) 5. Fight Food Cravings There are three in a reserve in Kenya and a fourth in a verted nature, to chasten, purify and restore the misplaced This sequence of eight poses performed in a row can be Researchers from the University of Washington found that zoo in the Czech Republic, though like Nola all are past powers.” found in almost any yoga class. It creates great circulation regular yoga practice is associated with mindful eating, an breeding age or have reproductive issues. Patanjali took this stuff seriously - that much is obvious. and tone, plus sweat, says Bleier. awareness of physical and emotional sensations associated DNA from northern whites has been stored in hopes The practice of yoga was, in his mind as in the minds of 2. Ease Migraines with eating. By causing breath awareness, regular yoga prac- that new reproductive technologies might allow scien- many other “spiritual men,” a detoxification of all the scum Research shows that migraine sufferers have fewer and tice strengthens the mind-body connection, Bleier says. The tists to bring them back from the brink of extinction. that leeches upon the brain and the soul. less painful migraines after three months of yoga practice. awareness can help you tune in to emotions involved with Studies are under way to determine if southern white According to the National Center for Complementary The cause of migraines isn’t fully understood, but Bleier says certain cravings, and yoga breathing exercises can help you and Integrative Health, approximately 21 million it could be a combination of mental stressors and physical slow down and make better choices when cravings strike. rhinos, of which some 20,000 remain in the wild, are Americans practice yoga, which is about 9.5 percent of the misalignment that create migraines and other issues. Strike A Pose: Meditation close enough genetically to serve as maternal surro- population. Hunching over a computer or cell phone with your shoulders Sit or lay in any comfortable position and bring attention gates for implanted white rhino sperm. Perhaps there are naysayers in the world who classify up and head forward causes overlifting of your trapezius and to the natural breath moving in and out through your nose. Scientists remain unsure whether northern and yoga as a fad and deny its benefits. Perhaps these same tightening of the neck. This pulls the head forward and cre- Next, bring attention to the triangular area around the tip of southern whites are two distinct species or subspecies people believe that yoga is “magic” or some other kind of ates muscle imbalances that can contribute to headaches your nose and upper lip, paying attention to your breath hit- of each other. mumbo jumbo that merely wastes time, but this isn’t true. and migraines. ting this space as you exhale, the temperature of your Southern white rhinos, like their northern cousins, According to a 2013 article by The Huffington Post, “stu- Strike A Pose: Bridge Pose (Setu Bandha Sarvangasana) breath, and which nostril you’re breathing through. Try this have been decimated by poaching for their horns. They dents, stressed-out young professionals, CEOs and retirees Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet hip- for two minutes, working up to five or more. “The key is to are now being killed off in South Africa at the rate of are among those who have embraced yoga, fueling a $27 distance apart on the floor. With your hands resting on the try and be still and focus just on the breath,” Bleier says. “No about one every eight hours, Davis said. —Reuters billion industry.” floor, begin to press down into your legs and draw your hips moving, no reacting, just stay present.” WHAT’S ON THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

Engineering Day at Australian College of Kuwait

or the second time in a row the School of to present their innovative concepts, reflecting Yousif Abu Daqar, from Electrical department Mohammad Gaith. ACK proudly integrates project-based Engineering at the Australian College of their knowledge, competency and special Anwar Abdel-Qader, from the Mechanical On this occasion, Dr. Gaith, said: “I am learning (PBL) into its unique mix of vocational FKuwait (ACK) organized its “Engineering technical skills acquired during their studies at department Abdullah Ali, Salah Al-Attar, extremely pleased with the success of our sec- and theoretical curriculum. The “Engineering Day” exhibition, whereby students from the the School of Engineering. Hussain Ameer and Anood Ghareeb as well as ond Engineering Day exhibition. It was a bril- Day” was a direct reflection of this approach, College’s four Engineering programs - In total, there were 32 projects presented to Abdulrahman Hawas, Khaled Saif, liant showcase of our students’ creative capa- representing ACK’s students’ abilities in con- Mechanical, Electrical, Civil and Oil & Gas / by 74 Engineering students. The top 4 projects Mohammed Shamran, Mohammed Al-Nesef bilities and knowledge in the field of engineer- ceptualizing and executing complex projects Petroleum - showcased their final graduation were then chosen as winners from each and Hamad Hindawi from Petroleum ing, and I am extremely confident that they from start to finish, preparing them for real projects. The exhibition was developed as a department. Winners from Civil Engineering Engineering department were awarded by the will be of great value to Kuwait’s growing world experiences in the competitive field of platform to provide students the opportunity department were Nora El-Nakhal, Qais Zreiq, Head of School of Engineering, Dr. labor market.” engineering. Swiss Belhotel Plaza to host Judo Asian Cup Competition 2015

wiss Belhotel Plaza Kuwait the 4 stars interna- tional chain hotel is keeping up the race to host Smore big sports events taking place in town due to its strategic location in the middle of Kuwait city and its continues eager to provide the best serv- ices to meet and exceed the challenging competition with the surrounding lodging supply Swiss Belhotel Plaza Kuwait was selected with only 5 big hotels in Kuwait city to host the teams of Judo Asian cup champion 2015. Ten teams from all over Asia India, Vietnam, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, Yemen, Thailand, Mongolia are accommodated at the hotel with the best service provided to keep the image of hotel as it used to be one of the basic hotels to host big events reflecting also the image of Kuwait gen- erosity and hospitality within two months we were honored to host two big champions the ice hockey Asian champion and now the Judo Asian champion said hotel public relation manager Mohamad Jawhar The origin and development of Judo as a combat- ive sport demonstrates the superiority of technique over strength. The evolution of modern judo, was Judo Indian team with Swiss Belhotel Plaza Kuwait public relation manager Mohamad Jawhar, senior sales manager Jolly moon, sales & Marketing executives based on high ethical standards, and always gave due Karim Al Sawaf and Rayzel Zamura. respect to its technical system and combative method. Summer Charity Bazaar a colourful success

call for those in need. That’s the banner under which local expat women got together to help raise funds for charity Aduring the Summer Charity Bazar in Mishref. Vendors selling quality hand-made products, such as arts and crafts, jew- elry, art and design items and bags gathered for a morning dur- ing which money was raised for Nepal, Syria and a project in Sri Lanka. The money collected will be given as a private donation to the Kuwait Red Crescent Society for projects in Nepal and also in Syria. Funds also will be donated to Children’s Hope, a charity in Sri Lanka. The organisers had appealed to local businesses to give prizes that helped to raise money for the charities. Companies who participated included Movenpick, Sheraton, Crown Plaza, Jumeirah, Mercedes, Al Corniche Club, Porsche, Regency hotel, British Academy of International Arts, SaveCo, Dar al Ithar Al lslamiyya, Mezzan Group, Holiday Inn, Red Paddle Boards and SJ Photography and many more. “This was a fantastic event where women from all walks of Group photo of some of the ladies in the bazaar: Briana, Victoria, Maryanne, life joined up to have fun while at the same time raising funds Mona, Maj, Ruth and Hind. for worthwhile causes, said Maryann Home, one of the organis- ers. The British mother of two says it is humbling to be doing this while Nepal has been struck by the second earthquake in less Home-made produce on display. than two weeks.

Bam College Thurithicad elects office bearers he first general body of BAM College Old Students Kuwait Chapter elected the office Tbearers for the period of 2015-2016 on 8th May 15 at United Indian school Abbassiya in the presence of Prof Jacob M Abraham. Binu K John was elected as the president and Rajeesh C Nair as general sec- Marryann Horne of Arabesque designs retary, the othe office bearers are Ninan Joseph (Biju) (trea- surer) Philips Mathew (vise president), Thomaskutty Joseph (Joint Secretary). Executive Committee Q7 KPL season 5 finals Members - Laji Issac, Charls P George, Thomas Chacko, Sunil P V, Saji Abraham, Rajendran, Binu K John to be held on May 15 Tiju, John Thomas, Binu Joseph, 7 KPL season 5 winners will be Earlier Desert Bulls maintained their Alina. The decided on May 15th in Abbasiya in record of beating Wrong XI in the knock official inau- Qmuch awaited grand final clash out stages to gain the third position in the guration of between Four times semi-finalists Winners league. Another successful season of Q7 the chapter International & The New Sensation Oriental KPL with 40 teams & over 180 matches is will be held Cricketers. coming to Final stage and the committee today at Winners overcame the season 3 finalist expressed their gratitude to all teams who High-dine Wrong XI to reach the finals & Oriental participated in the event for their wonder- Auditorium Cricketers defeated Desert Bulls the Season ful sportsman sprit showed during the Abbassiya. Ninan Joseph Rajeesh C Nair 3 winners to reach the ultimate final. course of the league. Women buying items at the Charity Bazaar. —Photos by Yasser Al Zayyat WHAT’S ON THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

IIT-IIM Alumni Association launches ‘Engineering your future’ initiative IT-IIM IIT- Alumni Association in Kuwait kicked off its new initiative - Engineering Your Future”, an aware- Iness program aimed at exposing the young students to various career options in the fields of engineering and technology, thereby helping them make an informed career decision. An inaugural session was conducted on Sunday 26th April at the Indian Central School, Jleeb Al-Shyoukh, and was attended by students of 9th, 10th and 11th Standards from the school. The event start- ed with a brief introduction by Ashish Verma, an IIT Bombay alumnus and General Secretary of the Association, who explained the program’s objectives. Sharing his own journey as an engineer who transitioned into a management role, Siddartha Prasad, anIIM Ahmedabad alumnus, delivered an eloquent presenta- tion highlightingthe various career options and the associated rewards that a career in engineering entails, and the specific areas that a student shouldfocus on. Ashish Jain, an IIT Madras alumnus and the initiative’s chief organizer, responded to various queries from the students and shared anecdotes from his own personal experience. The presentation, which the young audience appre- ciated a lot and hopes to benefit from, was designed based on the feedback from the association’s members who themselves have had rewarding careers in the fields of engineering and technology. Dr. Shantha Maria James, ICS principal, provided her full support to the initiative and thanked the association members for their efforts. The initiative has been possible due to the untiring behind the scene efforts of Ramanjit Anand (IIT Bombay, IIM Bangalore), Abhinav Daharwal (IIM Bangalore) and Imran Shaik (IIM Calcutta). The association plans to con- duct similar sessions in other Indian schools in near future. Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and Indian Institute of Management (IIM) are globally renowned premier ilippino- Australian Actress Anne Curtis presents 1 kg of gold to Ms Rasia Shajahan, the 5th raffle draw winner of ‘The Great Gold Rush’ - festive cam- Indian institutions of higher education in the fields of paign of Malabar Gold & Diamonds, in the presence of Shamlal Ahamed M P, Managing Director-International Operations; Ranjith K V, Regional Head; Engineering Technology and Management, respectively. Fother officials from Malabar Gold & Diamonds and well wishers. Safir Hotel & Residences Kuwait organizes donation campaign to aid Nepalese residents n the consequences of Earthquake that devastated Nepal, with thousands killed and millions left without the most basic Inecessities including families of Safir Hotel & Residences Kuwait - Al Fintas, the hotel organized a donation campaign for its associates in coordination with the hotel’s management and all departments. Saif Eddin Mohammed, General Manager said, “Our hearts are touched and go out daily to associates’ families and all of those who have suffered in Nepal due to the devastating Earthquake. The Safir Hotel & Residences Kuwait family would like to express its support and solidarity especially to all its Nepali associates in this time of great need”. The amount of financial contributions have been distributed to all concerned employees through a consolidated get-together headed by the Human Resources Department hoping the peace of mind remains with all the hotel’s associates.

IWA holds ‘Compassionate Care’ health camp

rue to its mandate of lending a helping hand, the The specialists included cardiologists, neurologists, who can, shy away due to lack of resources or language special needs children, basic necessities to needy individu- Indian Women’s Association (IWA) held its ninth gynecologists, gastroenterologists, dentists and psycholo- barriers. Sensing a need to assist these individuals, IWA als, etc. Their assistance also transcends geographic Tannual ‘Compassionate Care’ health camp at the Holy gists. Patients came in with a host of ailments, some of organizes this camp each year. boundaries with support provided to different countries in Family Cathedral last week in cooperation with the Indian which were diagnosed by the doctors to be serious condi- The Indian Women’s Association, a voluntary organiza- times of natural disasters. Doctors Forum and the church volunteers. tions such as hypertension, diabetes, etc. Some of these tion, just entered its 18th year of existence. Through the In the last nine years since Compassionate Care was Over 60 doctors, nurses, volunteers and IWA members cases were undetected or even left untreated for long peri- years, they have conducted several projects in Kuwait and launched, close to 2000 individuals have received medical attended to over 400 individuals at the health camp. All the ods of time. India targeting the lesser privileged individuals especially attention from over 120 doctors volunteering their time. attendees went through blood sugar and pressure testing Most of the attendees at the camp were individuals that children. Their activities include scholarships for children, IWA takes this opportunity to thank the doctors from and got to address their health related issues with general work all week and do not get regular days off; leaving medical assistance, health awareness seminars, support to the Indian Doctors Forum for their valuable contributions physicians and specialists at the camp. them with little or no time to seek medical attention. Those special needs children and individuals, spending time with in providing healthcare to those in needs.

Colours’ Day celebrated at ICSK Amman

t was a dazzling day at the Indian Community School Kuwait, Amman, on 7th class UKG-A on the theme - “Cleanliness and Colours Day”.It was a wonderful The Principal of ICSK Amman Rajesh Nair C addressed the gathering. Music May, 2015, as the pre-primary students celebrated ColoursDay. Different moment for the studentsas the purpose of this day was to make the children was played again and all the children danced together and enjoyed the Icolourslike red, blue, green, yellow, orange, purple and pinkwere given to aware of different colours. Students spoke a few sentences about cleanliness Colours’Day. Class wise group photos were taken along with the Principal and each class. The classrooms were decorated withthe specific colours and stu- and the importance of colours followed by a colourful Hat Dance performed by teachers. dents came dressed up in that colour. A special assembly was conducted by the students and a solo song sung by Slania of UKG - A The colorful celebration made the day a memorable one. THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 TV PROGRAMS

18:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 22:40 Caught In The Act 12:00 The Package 19:00 Chopped 23:30 Monster Fish 14:00 Marvel’s Doctor Strange 20:00 Guy’s Grocery Games 16:00 Kill Em All 21:00 Rev Run’s Sunday Suppers 18:00 Justice League: War 21:30 Siba’s Table: Fast Feasts 20:00 The Package 00:20 Fast N’ Loud 22:00 Farm Kings 22:00 The Recruit 01:10 Deadly Dilemmas 23:00 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 01:35 Deadly Dilemmas 23:30 Chopped 00:30 The Daily Show With Jon 02:00 What Happened Next? Stewart 02:25 What Happened Next? 01:00 The Nightly Show With Larry 02:50 Man vs Weird Wilmore 03:40 Storage Hunters 01:30 Web Therapy 00:00 Trespass-PG15 04:05 Backroad Bounty 02:00 Web Therapy 02:00 Ender’s Game-PG15 05:00 How It’s Made 02:30 You’re The Worst 04:00 Befriend And Betray-PG15 05:30 How Do They Do It? 03:00 Hot In Cleveland 06:00 Kill Em All-PG15 06:00 Alaska: The Last Frontier ITV CHOICE HD 03:30 The Goldbergs 08:00 Befriend And Betray-PG15 06:50 Fantomworks 00:35 The Jonathan Ross Show 04:30 The Tonight Show Starring 10:00 The Package-PG15 07:40 Fast N’ Loud 01:30 Paul O’Grady: For The Love Jimmy Fallon 12:00 Marvel’s Doctor Strange-PG 08:30 Storage Hunters Of Dogs 06:00 Men At Work 14:00 Kill Em All-PG15 08:55 Backroad Bounty 02:00 Emmerdale 06:30 Two And A Half Men 16:00 Justice League: War-PG15 09:45 How It’s Made 02:25 Emmerdale 07:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 18:00 The Package-PG15 10:10 How Do They Do It? 02:55 Coronation Street 09:00 Hot In Cleveland 20:00 The Recruit-PG15 10:35 Deadly Dilemmas 03:25 Foyle’s War 10:30 Two And A Half Men 22:00 Bad Country-18 11:00 Deadly Dilemmas 05:15 The Chase: Celebrity 11:00 The Tonight Show Starring 11:25 What Happened Next? Specials Jimmy Fallon 11:50 What Happened Next? 06:10 The Jonathan Ross Show 12:00 Men At Work 12:15 Close-Up Kings 07:05 Paul O’Grady: For The Love 14:00 The Goldbergs 13:05 Storage Hunters Of Dogs 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon 00:00 Struck By Lightning 13:30 Backroad Bounty 07:30 Foyle’s War Stewart 02:00 The Smurfs 2 14:20 Alaska: The Last Frontier 09:15 Eggheads 16:00 The Nightly Show With Larry 04:00 The Life Aquatic With Steve 15:10 Fantomworks 09:45 Eggheads Wilmore Zissou 16:00 Fast N’ Loud 10:15 Cook Me The Money 16:30 Men At Work 06:15 She-Devil 16:50 How It’s Made 11:10 Emmerdale 17:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 08:00 Anywhere But Here 17:15 How Do They Do It? 11:35 Emmerdale 18:00 Hot In Cleveland 10:00 Struck By Lightning 17:40 The Island With Bear Grylls 12:00 Coronation Street 18:30 The Goldbergs 12:00 Ghost Dad 18:30 Treehouse Masters 12:30 The Chase: Celebrity 19:00 Black-Ish 13:45 The Life Aquatic With Steve 19:20 Tanked Specials 19:30 Community Zissou 20:10 Backroad Bounty 13:25 Cook Me The Money 20:00 The Tonight Show Starring 16:00 Anywhere But Here 21:00 Treehouse Masters 14:20 Paul O’Grady: For The Love Jimmy Fallon 18:00 Friends With Kids 21:50 The Pool Master Of Dogs 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon 20:00 Grown Ups 2 22:40 Tanked 14:45 The Jonathan Ross Show Stewart 22:00 Go 23:30 Fast N’ Loud: Demolition 15:35 Big Star’s Little Star 21:30 The Nightly Show With Larry Theater 16:30 Murdoch Mysteries Wilmore 17:25 Murdoch Mysteries 22:00 Family Guy 18:20 The Chase: Celebrity 22:30 Brickleberry Specials 23:00 You’re The Worst 19:05 Coronation Street 23:30 Late Night With Seth Meyers 01:00 Stolen Child-PG15 19:35 Big Star’s Little Star 03:00 The Factory-PG15 20:30 Murdoch Mysteries 05:00 Playing For Keeps-PG15 00:00 House Of DVF 21:25 Murdoch Mysteries 07:00 The Trouble With Bliss-PG15 00:55 Extreme Close-Up 22:20 Coronation Street 09:00 Inescapable-PG15 22:50 Emmerdale 01:25 Keeping Up With The 00:00 Outlander 11:00 Playing For Keeps-PG15 Kardashians 23:15 Emmerdale 13:00 The Butler-PG15 23:45 Cook Me The Money 01:00 The Strain 02:20 E! News 02:00 The Voice 15:15 Dawn Rider-PG15 03:15 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 03:00 The Strain 17:00 Inescapable-PG15 03:40 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 04:00 Marvel’s Agents Of 19:00 Prisoners-PG15 04:10 The E! True Hollywood Story S.H.I.E.L.D. 21:30 Celeste And Jesse Forever 05:05 E!ES 05:00 Marvel’s Agents Of 23:30 Crawl-PG15 06:00 Keeping Up With The S.H.I.E.L.D. Kardashians 00:00 Doomsday Preppers 06:00 Parenthood 06:55 Keeping Up With The 01:00 Battleground Brothers 07:00 The Fosters Kardashians 02:00 Britain’s Greatest Machines 08:00 Graceland 07:50 Style Star 03:00 Shark Men 09:00 Marvel’s Agents Of 08:20 E! News 04:00 Caught In The Act S.H.I.E.L.D. 01:30 The French Connection II 09:15 Giuliana & Bill 05:00 Brain Games 10:00 Marvel’s Agents Of 03:30 Dead Poets Society 10:15 Giuliana & Bill 05:30 Brain Games S.H.I.E.L.D. 06:00 Jobs 11:10 House Of DVF 06:00 Evolutions 11:00 The Voice 08:30 Hyde Park On Hudson 12:05 E! News 07:00 Star Talk 12:00 Emmerdale 10:30 August: Osage County 13:05 Fashion Police 08:00 Doomsday Preppers 12:30 Coronation Street 12:45 My Last Day Without You 13:35 E!ES 09:00 Battleground Brothers 13:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 14:30 Jobs 14:30 Style Star 10:00 Britain’s Greatest Machines 14:00 Graceland 17:00 Hyde Park On Hudson 15:00 Kourtney And Khloe Take 11:00 Great Migrations 15:00 Parenthood 19:00 Hoffa The Hamptons 12:00 Helicopter Wars 16:00 Emmerdale 21:30 Gravity 16:00 Kourtney And Khloe Take 13:00 Situation Critical 16:30 Coronation Street 23:30 The Wolf Of Wall Street The Hamptons 14:00 Is It Real? 17:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 17:00 Christina Milian Turned Up 15:00 Lords Of War 18:00 Graceland 17:30 Christina Milian Turned Up 15:30 Lords Of War 19:00 White Collar 18:00 E! News 16:00 The Border 20:00 The Flash 19:00 Beyond Candid With 17:00 80s Greatest 21:00 American Idol 01:00 At Any Price-PG15 Giuliana 18:00 Traveler’s Guide To The 23:00 The Strain 03:00 Percy Jackson: Sea Of 20:00 House Of DVF Planets Monsters-PG 21:00 House Of DVF 19:00 Lords Of War 05:00 Peeples-PG15 22:00 E! News 19:30 Lords Of War 07:00 Epic-PG BAD COUNTRY ON OSN MOVIES ACTION HD 23:00 The Soup 20:00 The Border 09:00 Need For Speed-PG15 23:30 The Grace Helbig Show 21:00 80s Greatest 11:15 Belle-PG15 23:00 Live MSNBC Now With Alex 22:00 The Simpsons Randy Knows Best 11:35 Limon And Oli 22:00 Traveler’s Guide To The 13:00 Parkland-PG15 Wagner 22:30 Wayward Pines 21:50 Say Yes To The Dress 11:45 Loopdidoo Planets 15:00 Horizon-PG15 23:30 The Simpsons 22:40 Long Island Medium 12:00 Handy Manny 23:00 Great Migrations 00:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 01:00 Good Morning America 16:45 Need For Speed-PG15 23:05 Last Chance Salon 12:15 Sofia The First 03:00 The Newsroom 19:00 Baggage Claim-PG15 23:55 Oprah: Where Are They 12:45 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 21:00 Neighbors-18 Now? 13:10 Sheriff Callie’s Wild West 04:00 True Blood 07:00 Golfing World 00:30 Guy’s Big Bite 05:00 Good Morning America 23:00 Anchorman 2: The Legend 13:35 Zou 01:00 Chopped Continues-PG15 12:00 This Is The President’s Cup 13:50 Jake And The Never Land 07:00 Emmerdale 12:30 Live PGA European Tour 02:00 The Next Iron Chef 07:30 Coronation Street Pirates 03:00 Guy’s Big Bite 14:30 Golfing World 14:15 Doc McStuffins 00:20 Ultimate Animal Countdown 08:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 00:00 Pawn Stars 03:30 Guy’s Big Bite 16:30 Live PGA European Tour 14:45 Henry Hugglemonster 01:10 Built For The Kill 09:00 Switched At Birth 00:30 Pawn Stars 04:00 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 20:00 Sevens World Series 15:10 Sofia The First 02:00 How Big Can It Get 10:00 Emmerdale 01:00 Swamp People 03:00 Deadly Women 04:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives Highlights 15:35 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 02:50 Cobra Mafia 10:30 Coronation Street 02:00 The Curse Of Oak Island 03:45 Couples Who Kill 05:00 Chopped 01:00 The Legend Of Secret Pass 21:30 This Is PGA Tour 16:00 Cars Toons 03:45 Animals Gone Wild 11:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 03:00 American Pickers 04:30 Blood Relatives 06:00 Guy’s Grocery Games 02:45 Soccer Dog: European Cup 22:00 Live PGA Tour 16:05 Lilo & Stitch 04:40 Planet Carnivore 12:00 How To Get Away With 04:00 Ice Road Truckers 05:20 Nightmare Next Door 07:00 Man Fire Food 04:30 The Secret Of NIMH 16:30 Adventures Of The 05:35 How Big Can It Get Murder 05:00 Counting Cars 06:10 True Crime With 07:30 Man Fire Food 06:00 Imaginum Gummi Bears 06:30 Cobra Mafia 13:00 Crisis 05:30 Counting Cars Aphrodite Jones 08:00 Chopped 08:00 A Turtle’s Tale 2: Sammy’s 17:00 Chip n Dale Rescue 07:25 Animals Gone Wild 14:00 Live Good Morning America 06:00 American Restoration 07:00 Nightmare Next Door 09:00 Barefoot Contessa Escape From Paradise Rangers 08:20 Unlikely Animal Friends 16:00 Switched At Birth 00:00 HSBC Sevens World Series 06:30 American Restoration 07:50 Fatal Encounters 09:30 Amazing Wedding Cakes 10:00 The Nut Job 17:25 Ducktales 09:15 Mystery Of The Wolf 17:00 How To Get Away With 09:00 Golfing World 07:00 Counting Cars 08:40 I Almost Got Away With It 10:30 The Pioneer Woman 11:30 Jack And The Cuckoo Clock 18:00 Art Attack 10:10 Alaskan Killer Shark Murder 10:00 HSBC Sevens World Series 07:30 Counting Cars 09:30 I Was Murdered 11:00 The Pioneer Woman Heart 18:30 Sofia The First 11:05 Caught In The Act 18:00 Crisis 18:00 Golfing World 08:00 The Curse Of Oak Island 09:55 Stalked: Someone’s 11:30 Man Fire Food 13:00 Soccer Dog: European Cup 18:55 Cars Toons 12:00 Monster Fish 19:00 Switched At Birth 19:00 WWE NXT 09:00 Swamp People Watching 12:00 Chopped 14:30 Unstable Fables: Goldilocks 19:00 The Adventures Of Disney 12:55 I, Predator 20:00 How To Get Away With 20:00 WWE SmackDown 10:00 American Pickers 10:20 Forensic Detectives 13:00 Guy’s Big Bite & The Three Bears Fairies 13:50 Anaconda: Silent Killer 22:00 Golfing World 11:00 Pawn Stars 11:10 On The Case With Paula 13:30 Guy’s Big Bite 16:00 Shark Bait 19:30 Jake And The Neverland 14:45 Animals Gone Wild 23:30 PGA European Tour 11:30 Pawn Stars Zahn 14:00 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 18:00 The Nut Job Pirates 15:40 Unlikely Animal Friends 12:00 Storage Wars 12:00 Blood Relatives 14:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 20:00 Catch That Kid 19:45 Doc McStuffins 16:35 Snake Underworld 12:30 Storage Wars 12:50 True Crime With 15:00 Man Fire Food 22:00 Unstable Fables: Goldilocks 20:00 Adventures Of The 17:30 Catching Giants 13:00 Big Rig Bounty Hunters Aphrodite Jones 15:30 Man Fire Food 00:00 World War Z & The Three Bears Gummi Bears 18:25 Caught In The Act 13:30 Big Rig Bounty Hunters 13:40 Who On Earth Did I 16:00 Chopped 02:00 Trespass 23:30 Shark Bait 20:30 Sofia The First 19:20 Animals Gone Wild 04:00 Ender’s Game 14:00 Big Rig Bounty Hunters Marry? 17:00 The Pioneer Woman 00:00 Indian Premier League H/L : 20:55 Cars Toons 20:10 Unlikely Animal Friends 06:00 Befriend And Betray 14:30 Big Rig Bounty Hunters 14:05 Who On Earth Did I 17:30 The Pioneer Woman KXIP v RCB 21:00 Chip n Dale Rescue 21:00 Snake Underworld 08:00 Kill Em All 15:00 Big Rig Bounty Hunters Marry? 18:00 Barefoot Contessa 21:50 Catching Giants 01:00 ICC Cricket 360 14:30 On The Case With Paula Rangers 10:00 Befriend And Betray 15:30 Big Rig Bounty Hunters 21:30 Ducktales 16:30 Indian Premier League H/L : 16:00 Big Rig Bounty Hunters Zahn 00:00 Friends With Kids-PG15 KXIP v RCB 15:20 I Was Murdered 22:00 Lilo & Stitch 16:30 Big Rig Bounty Hunters 22:25 Art Attack 02:00 The Grandmaster-PG15 17:30 Live Indian Premier League : 17:00 Big Rig Bounty Hunters 15:45 Stalked: Someone’s 04:00 House Of Versace-PG15 MI v KKR Watching 22:55 Limon And Oli 17:30 Big Rig Bounty Hunters 23:05 Zou 06:00 In A World...-PG15 18:00 Big Rig Bounty Hunters 16:10 Fatal Encounters 08:00 A Family Reunion-PG15 17:00 Blood Relatives 23:20 Mouk 18:30 Big Rig Bounty Hunters 23:35 Jungle Junction 10:00 Rio 2-FAM 19:00 Swamp People 17:50 I Almost Got Away With It 12:00 The Monuments Men-PG15 18:40 Forensic Detectives 23:50 Art Attack 20:00 The Curse Of Oak Island 00:15 Julius Jr. 14:00 Planes: Fire And Rescue-PG 21:00 Storage Wars 19:30 True Crime With 16:00 A Family Reunion-PG15 Aphrodite Jones 00:30 Calimero 00:00 A Good Man In Africa 21:30 Storage Wars 00:45 Henry Hugglemonster 18:00 Snitch-PG15 01:30 Her Husband’s Betrayal 22:00 Ultimate Wheels 20:20 The Will 20:00 Endless Love-PG15 21:10 Who On Earth Did I 01:00 Zou 02:45 Brave 23:00 American Restoration 01:15 Jungle Junction 22:00 Sin City: A Dame To Kill For 03:00 Owning Mahowny 23:30 American Restoration Marry? 21:35 Who On Earth Did I 01:25 Art Attack 04:45 Secret Liaison 01:50 Julius Jr. 06:15 Brave Marry? 22:00 Unravelled 02:00 Calimero 07:45 Love Potion No.9 02:15 Henry Hugglemonster 09:30 Her Husband’s Betrayal 22:50 Disappeared 23:40 Couples Who Kill 02:25 Zou 11:00 Thorne: Scaredycat 02:40 Mouk 13:00 Last Orders 00:30 Deadly Devotion 00:00 Live MSNBC The Ed Show 01:20 Stalked: Someone’s 01:00 Live MSNBC Politicsnation 14:45 A Good Man In Africa 16:15 Inside Out 00:45 Outrageous Births Watching 02:00 Live NBC Nightly News 01:35 Long Island Medium 01:45 Stalked: Someone’s 02:30 ABC World News With David 18:00 The Limits Of Control 20:00 Ironclad 02:00 Last Chance Salon Watching Muir 02:50 Say Yes To The Dress 02:10 Unravelled 03:00 Live MSNBC All In With Chris 22:00 Barricade 23:30 Stalked At 17 03:15 Something Borrowed, Hayes Something New 06:00 Kid vs Kat 04:00 Live MSNBC The Rachel 03:40 What Not To Wear 06:10 Zeke & Luther Maddow Show 04:30 Cake Boss 06:35 Kickin’ It 05:00 Live MSNBC The Last Word 05:00 Little People, Big World 07:00 Phineas And Ferb W/ Lawrence O’Donnell 05:30 Extreme Couponing 07:25 Lab Rats 06:00 NBC Nightly News 06:00 19 Kids And Counting 07:50 Supa Strikas 06:30 ABC World News With David 00:00 Lost 06:25 The Next Great Baker 03:00 Art Attack 08:15 The 7D Muir 01:00 Masterchef: The 07:15 Say Yes To The Dress 03:25 Julius Jr. 08:40 Kirby Buckets 06:57 NBC Nightly News Professionals 07:40 Something Borrowed, 03:35 Calimero 09:05 Ultimate Spider-Man 07:18 ABC World News With David 02:00 Private Practice Something New 03:50 Henry Hugglemonster 09:30 Kickin’ It Muir 03:00 The Block 08:05 The Next Great Baker 04:00 Zou 09:55 Phineas And Ferb 07:39 Live ABC Nightline 04:00 The Secret Life Of The 08:55 Extreme Couponing: Black 04:15 Mouk 10:20 Boyster 08:06 MSNBC The Rachel American Teenager Friday Blitz 04:25 Jungle Junction 10:45 Zeke & Luther Maddow Show 05:00 The Simpsons 09:45 Cake Boss 04:35 Art Attack 11:10 Lab Rats 09:00 MSNBC The Last Word W/ 05:30 The Simpsons 10:10 Little People, Big World 05:00 Julius Jr. 11:35 Phineas And Ferb Lawrence O’Donnell 06:00 Dirt 10:35 Extreme Couponing 05:10 Calimero 12:00 Pair Of Kings 10:00 Live ABC World News Now 07:00 The Great State Of Georgia 11:00 Toddlers & Tiaras 05:25 Henry Hugglemonster 12:30 Supa Strikas 10:30 Live ABC World News Now 07:30 The Great State Of Georgia 11:50 Oprah: Where Are They 05:35 Zou 12:55 Kickin’ It 11:00 Live NBC Early Today 08:00 Lost Now? 05:50 Mouk 13:20 Phineas And Ferb 11:30 Live ABC America This 09:00 Masterchef: The 12:40 The Next Great Baker 06:00 Jungle Junction 13:40 Mighty Med Morning Professionals 13:30 Extreme Couponing: Black 06:10 Art Attack 14:05 Zeke & Luther 12:00 Live ABC America This 10:00 The Simpsons Friday Blitz 06:35 Julius Jr. 14:30 Kickin’ It Morning 10:30 The Simpsons 14:20 My Big Fat Fabulous Life 06:45 Calimero 14:55 Ultimate Spider-Man: Web 12:30 Live ABC America This 11:00 Private Practice 14:45 My Big Fat Fabulous Life 07:00 Jungle Junction Warriors Morning 12:00 The Block 15:10 Cake Boss 07:15 Zou 15:20 Boyster 13:00 Live ABC America This 13:00 The Secret Life Of The 15:35 Little People, Big World 07:30 Calimero 15:45 Phineas And Ferb Morning American Teenager 16:00 Toddlers & Tiaras 07:45 Loopdidoo 16:10 Pair Of Kings 13:30 MSNBC First Look 14:00 The Great State Of Georgia 16:50 Say Yes To The Dress 08:00 Limon And Oli 16:35 Supa Strikas 14:00 Live NBC Today Show 14:30 The Great State Of Georgia 17:15 Something Borrowed, 08:10 Jake And The Never Land 17:00 Kirby Buckets 17:57 MSNBC Hardball W/ Chris 15:00 Dirt Something New Pirates 17:30 Mighty Med Matthews 16:00 Lost 17:40 19 Kids And Counting 08:35 Doc McStuffins 18:00 Kickin’ It 18:38 MSNBC The Rachel 17:00 Masterchef: The 18:05 Extreme Couponing 09:05 Art Attack 18:25 Lab Rats Maddow Show Professionals 18:30 What Not To Wear 09:30 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 18:50 Supa Strikas 19:19 MSNBC The Last Word W/ 18:00 Private Practice 19:20 Oprah’s Next Chapter 10:00 Sofia The First 19:15 Phineas And Ferb Lawrence O’Donnell 19:00 The Block 20:10 The Next Great Baker 10:25 Henry Hugglemonster 19:40 Phineas And Ferb 20:00 Live MSNBC Live With 20:00 Da Vinci’s Demons 21:00 Say Yes To The Dress: 10:55 Calimero 20:05 The 7D Thomas Roberts 21:00 Happy Endings Randy Knows Best 11:10 Jake And The Neverland 20:30 Ultimate Spider-Man: Web NEIGHBORS ON OSN MOVIES HD 22:00 Live MSNBC The Cycle 21:30 Happy Endings 21:25 Say Yes To The Dress: Pirates Warriors Classifieds

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

Kuwait KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (14/05/2015 TO 20/05/2015)

SHARQIA-1 MAD MAX: FURY ROAD - 3D 5:15 PM SWORD OF VENGEANCE 12:00 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 12:00 PM MAD MAX: FURY ROAD 7:45 PM THU AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON 2:15 PM MAD MAX: FURY ROAD - 3D 10:15 PM MAD MAX: FURY ROAD 2:30 PM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON 5:00 PM MAD MAX: FURY ROAD 12:45 AM NO THU ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 7:45 PM SWORD OF VENGEANCE 2:30 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 10:00 PM FANAR-1 THU ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 12:15 AM BACKCOUNTRY 11:30 AM MAD MAX: FURY ROAD 5:00 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 1:30 PM MAD MAX: FURY ROAD 7:30 PM SHARQIA-2 ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 3:45 PM MAD MAX: FURY ROAD 10:00 PM MAD MAX: FURY ROAD - 3D 11:45 AM BACKCOUNTRY 6:00 PM MAD MAX: FURY ROAD 12:30 AM NO THU ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 8:15 PM A MOUSE TALE 11:45 AM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 10:30 PM MARINA-3 THU BACKCOUNTRY 12:45 AM GOOD KILL 11:30 AM MAD MAX: FURY ROAD - 3D 2:30 PM MAD MAX: FURY ROAD - 3D 1:30 PM NO THU FANAR-2 NO THU A MOUSE TALE 2:30 PM THE BLOOD LANDS 12:45 PM GOOD KILL 1:30 PM THU THE BLOOD LANDS 2:45 PM THU MAD MAX: FURY ROAD 4:45 PM THE BLOOD LANDS 4:30 PM MAD MAX: FURY ROAD - 3D 3:45 PM MAD MAX: FURY ROAD 7:15 PM SWORD OF VENGEANCE 6:15 PM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON 6:15 PM MAD MAX: FURY ROAD - 3D 9:45 PM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON 8:15 PM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON -3D 9:00 PM MAD MAX: FURY ROAD 12:15 AM THE BLOOD LANDS 11:00 PM MAD MAX: FURY ROAD - 3D 11:45 PM THE BLOOD LANDS 1:00 AM SHARQIA-3 AVENUES-1 MAD MAX: FURY ROAD 12:30 PM FANAR-3 PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 12:45 PM NO THU AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON 12:30 PM A MOUSE TALE 3:00 PM THE BLOOD LANDS 12:30 PM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON 3:30 PM PIKU - HINDI 5:00 PM THU LION - Telugu 3:30 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 7:45 PM THE BLOOD LANDS 2:45 PM LION - Telugu 6:30 PM BOMBAY VELVET - Hindi 9:45 PM THE BLOOD LANDS 4:30 PM THU+FRI+SAT+MON BACKCOUNTRY 12:45 AM MAD MAX: FURY ROAD 6:15 PM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON 6:30 PM THE BLOOD LANDS 8:45 PM SUN+TUE+WED AVENUES-2 MAD MAX: FURY ROAD 10:30 PM LION - Telugu 9:30 PM GOOD KILL 11:30 AM THE BLOOD LANDS 1:00 AM THU+FRI+SAT+MON THE BLOOD LANDS 1:45 PM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON 9:30 PM GOOD KILL 3:45 PM MUHALAB-1 SUN+TUE+WED THE BLOOD LANDS 6:00 PM MAD MAX: FURY ROAD 1:00 PM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON 12:30 AM GOOD KILL 8:00 PM NO THU THE BLOOD LANDS 10:15 PM GOOD KILL 1:00 PM FANAR-4 GOOD KILL 12:30 AM THU MAD MAX: FURY ROAD - 3D 12:15 PM GOOD KILL 3:15 PM NO THU AVENUES-3 GOOD KILL 5:15 PM SWORD OF VENGEANCE 12:15 PM HOT PURSUIT 12:00 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 7:15 PM THU HOT PURSUIT 2:00 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 9:30 PM MAD MAX: FURY ROAD - 3D 2:30 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 4:00 PM SITUATION WANTED MAD MAX: FURY ROAD 11:45 PM NO THU NO FRI SWORD OF VENGEANCE 2:30 PM LION - Telugu Senior Management level MUHALAB-2 THU LION - Telugu 7:00 PM IT Engineer (B.Tech.-VCAP5- THE BLOOD LANDS 12:00 PM MAD MAX: FURY ROAD 4:45 PM THU+FRI+SAT+MON THE BLOOD LANDS 2:00 PM MAD MAX: FURY ROAD - 3D 7:15 PM LION - Telugu 10:00 PM VCP5 cloud / DCV, CCNA- BOMBAY VELVET - Hindi 4:00 PM MAD MAX: FURY ROAD 9:45 PM THU+FRI+SAT+MON CCNP-MCP-PMP-BS7799- NO FRI MAD MAX: FURY ROAD - 3D 12:15 AM FAST & FURIOUS 7 7:00 PM Security-Lead Auditor), 14 LION - Telugu 4:00 PM SUN+TUE+WED Years experience, technical FRI FANAR-5 FAST & FURIOUS 7 10:00 PM expert in entire IT functions LION - Telugu 7:00 PM MAD MAX: FURY ROAD 11:30 AM SUN+TUE+WED including infrastructure THU+FRI+SAT+MON NO THU THE BLOOD LANDS 1:00 AM storage, network, systems, AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON 7:00 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 11:30 AM virtualization & cloud pio- SUN+TUE+WED PIKU - HINDI 1:45 PM 360º- 1 LION - Telugu 10:00 PM MAD MAX: FURY ROAD 2:00 PM MAD MAX: FURY ROAD - 3D 12:30 PM neer with transferable Visa THU+FRI+MON BOMBAY VELVET - Hindi 4:15 PM NO THU is looking for urgent Job. AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON 10:00 PM PIKU - HINDI 7:15 PM HOT PURSUIT 12:30 PM Contact 99154727 or SAT+SUN+TUE+WED BOMBAY VELVET - Hindi 9:45 PM THU [email protected] THE BLOOD LANDS 1:00 AM MAD MAX: FURY ROAD 12:45 AM MAD MAX: FURY ROAD - 3D 3:00 PM (C 4982) NO THU 10-5-2015 MUHALAB-3 MARINA-1 HOT PURSUIT 3:00 PM MAD MAX: FURY ROAD - 3D 12:15 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 11:45 AM THU NO THU GOOD KILL 2:00 PM MAD MAX: FURY ROAD - 3D 5:30 PM CHANGE OF NAME AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON 11:45 AM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 4:00 PM MAD MAX: FURY ROAD - 3D 8:00 PM THU ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 6:15 PM MAD MAX: FURY ROAD - 3D 10:30 PM LION - Telugu 1:30 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 8:30 PM MAD MAX: FURY ROAD - 3D 1:00 AM I, Ameena Khalifa Belal, FRI GOOD KILL 10:45 PM holder of Passport No. MAD MAX: FURY ROAD 2:45 PM GOOD KILL 12:45 AM 36º- 2 K7039654 have changed NO THU+ FRI ACCIDENTAL LOVE 11:30 AM my name to Ameena AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON 2:30 PM MARINA-2 GOOD KILL 1:45 PM Sayyed Burhanuddin. THU MAD MAX: FURY ROAD 12:00 PM ACCIDENTAL LOVE 4:00 PM (C 4983)

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

Arrival Flights on Thursday 14/5/2015 QTR 1078 Doha 14:05 Departure Flights on Thursday 14/5/2015 MSR 611 Cairo 14:00 Airlines Flt Route Time KNE 460 Riyadh 14:10 Airlines Flt Route Time THY 767 Istanbul 14:10 QTR 1084 Doha 00:05 FDB 057 Dubai 14:20 AIC 976 Goa/Chennai 00:05 UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 KAC 564 Amman 00:05 GFA 221 Bahrain 14:20 BBC 044 Dhaka 00:10 KAC 741 Dammam 14:40 THY 772 Istanbul 00:15 SVA 500 Jeddah 14:30 JAI 573 Mumbai 00:25 QTR 1079 Doha 15:05 JZR 239 Amman 00:20 KAC 538 Sohag 14:55 FDB 072 Dubai 00:30 GFA 222 Bahrain 15:05 JZR 267 Beirut 00:30 RJD 135 Abu Dhabi 15:00 KLM 411 Amsterdam 00:55 FDB 058 Dubai 15:05 DLH 637 Dammam 00:35 KAC 788 Jeddah 15:00 JZR 502 Luxor 01:10 KNE 481 Taif 15:10 FDB 068 Dubai 00:55 OMA 645 Muscat 15:05 DLH 637 Frankfurt 01:35 KAC 617 Doha 15:15 JAI 574 Mumbai 01:30 ABY 127 Sharjah 15:35 THY 773 Istanbul 02:05 KAC 673 Dubai 15:20 JZR 539 Cairo 01:30 UAE 857 Dubai 15:45 SAI 442 Lahore 02:35 JZR 188 Dubai 15:50 SAI 441 Lahore 01:35 NIA 251 Alexandria 15:50 JAI 525 Abu Dhabi/Chennai 02:55 KAC 773 Riyadh 15:55 PGT 858 Istanbul 01:40 RJA 640 Amman 15:55 PGT 859 Istanbul 02:55 KAC 613 Bahrain 16:00 RJA 642 Amman 01:45 JZR 535 Cairo 16:05 KKK 6508 Istanbul 03:10 SVA 505 Jeddah 16:00 KKK 6507 Istanbul 02:15 FDB 051 Dubai 16:10 MSC 404 Sohag 03:30 OMA 646 Muscat 16:05 GFA 211 Bahrain 02:15 QTR 1072 Doha 16:20 OMA 644 Muscat 03:35 RJD 136 Abu Dhabi 16:10 UAE 853 Dubai 02:25 JZR 125 Bahrain 16:25 UAE 854 Dubai 03:45 ABY 128 Sharjah 16:15 MSC 403 Sohag 02:30 KAC 118 New York 16:30 FDB 068 Dubai 04:00 NIA 252 Alexandria 16:50 OMA 643 Muscat 02:35 KNE 476 Jeddah 16:40 ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:05 RJA 641 Amman 16:55 QTR 1076 Doha 03:05 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 16:50 QTR 1077 Doha 04:05 JZR 266 Beirut 17:05 ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 03:05 KAC 562 Amman 17:00 MSR 613 Cairo 04:15 FDB 052 Dubai 17:10 FDB 067 Dubai 03:15 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15 JZR 560 Sohag 05:00 JZR 512 Sharm el-Sheikh 17:15 MSR 612 Cairo 03:15 UAL 982 IAD 17:25 MSC 406 Sohag 05:00 QTR 1073 Doha 17:25 KAC 1544 Cairo 03:35 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 THY 765 Istanbul 05:05 KNE 477 Jeddah 17:30 MSC 401 Alexandria 04:00 JZR 177 Dubai 17:45 QTR 1085 Doha 05:20 UAE 858 Dubai 17:40 JZR 555 Alexandria 04:15 KAC 742 Dammam 17:45 QTR 8646 Doha 06:20 ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 17:40 THY 770 Istanbul 04:40 JZR 777 Jeddah 17:50 RJA 643 Amman 06:35 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15 QTR 8646 Doha 04:50 KAC 678 Muscat/Abu Dhabi 17:55 GFA 212 Bahrain 06:50 JZR 184 Dubai 18:20 DHX 170 Bahrain 05:10 FDB 065 Dubai 18:05 THY 771 Istanbul 06:50 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 KAC 412 Manila/Bangkok 06:15 KAC 176 Geneva/Frankfurt 18:20 JZR 240 Amman 07:05 KAC 563 Amman 18:30 BAW 157 London 06:35 JZR 483 Istanbul 18:20 FDB 070 Dubai 07:05 JZR 156 Dubai 18:35 JZR 503 Luxor 07:20 KAC 786 Jeddah 18:35 JZR 164 Dubai 07:15 KAC 287 Dhaka 18:35 IRA 673 Ahwaz 07:30 KAC 502 Beirut 18:35 KAC 537 Sohag 08:20 JZR 538 Cairo 18:40 KAC 382 Delhi 07:30 KAC 542 Cairo 18:55 JZR 778 Jeddah 08:30 UAL 982 Bahrain 18:40 KAC 206 Islamabad 07:45 AXB 393 Kozhikode 18:55 BAW 156 London 08:30 FDB 066 Dubai 18:55 SVA 512 Riyadh 07:50 QTR 1080 Doha 18:55 IRA 672 Ahwaz 08:30 JZR 238 Amman 19:15 FDB 053 Dubai 07:50 KAC 618 Doha 18:55 FDB 054 Dubai 08:30 GFA 218 Bahrain 19:50 KAC 204 Lahore 07:50 KAC 104 London 19:00 SVA 513 Riyadh 08:50 FDB 064 Dubai 19:50 QTR 1086 Doha 07:55 UAE 875 Dubai 19:05 TAR 327 Dubai/Tunis 08:50 QTR 1081 Doha 19:55 KAC 302 Mumbai 07:55 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:05 QTR 1087 Doha 08:55 AXB 394 Kozhikode 19:55 TAR 327 Tunis 08:05 FDB 063 Dubai 19:10 JZR 534 Cairo 09:15 KAC 361 Colombo 20:00 KAC 352 Kochi 08:15 KAC 614 Bahrain 19:10 KAC 671 Dubai 09:25 ABY 124 Sharjah 20:00 UAE 855 Dubai 08:25 ABY 123 Sharjah 19:20 JAI 572 Mumbai 19:35 KAC 787 Jeddah 09:30 UAE 876 Dubai 20:35 KAC 362 Colombo 08:30 KAC 774 Riyadh 19:40 JZR 482 Istanbul 09:45 JAI 571 Mumbai 20:35 KAC 332 Trivandrum 08:30 FDB 061 Dubai 19:50 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:45 FDB 062 Dubai 20:35 IRA 667 Esfahan 09:00 AGY 684 Sohag 19:50 UAE 856 Dubai 09:50 KAC 351 Kochi 20:45 ABY 125 Sharjah 09:05 OMA 647 Muscat 20:00 KAC 101 London/New York 10:00 AGY 681 Alexandria 20:50 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 09:10 KAC 674 Dubai 20:00 IRA 668 Mashhad 10:00 KAC 1543 Cairo 20:55 KAC 284 Dhaka 09:25 KNE 480 Taif 20:10 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:00 KAC 333 Trivandrum 20:55 RJA 648 Amman 09:30 MEA 402 Beirut 20:15 IZG 4162 Mashhad 10:30 KAC 343 Chennai 20:55 IZG 4161 Mashhad 09:30 ABY 121 Sharjah 20:20 RJA 649 Amman 10:30 OMA 648 Muscat 21:00 FDB 055 Dubai 09:40 DLH 634 Frankfurt 20:20 FDB 056 Dubai 10:40 ABY 122 Sharjah 21:00 KAC 350 Kochi 09:40 JZR 189 Dubai 20:25 KAC 677 Abu Dhabi/Muscat 10:50 KNE 461 Riyadh 21:10 QTR 1070 Doha 10:00 MSR 618 Alexandria 20:30 QTR 1071 Doha 11:00 JZR 554 Alexandria 21:15 SYR 341 Damascus 10:05 KLM 417 Amsterdam 21:05 KAC 501 Beirut 11:00 MEA 403 Beirut 21:15 KNE 470 Jeddah 10:30 ALK 229 Colombo 21:10 SYR 342 Damascus 11:05 MSR 619 Alexandria 21:30 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 UAE 859 Dubai 21:15 KNE 471 Jeddah 11:20 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 UAE 873 Dubai 10:40 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:15 KAC 561 Amman 11:25 KLM 417 Dammam/Amsterdam 22:05 MEA 404 Beirut 10:55 FDB 073 Dubai 21:30 KAC 165 Rome/Paris 11:25 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:05 MSC 405 Sohag 11:20 QTR 1074 Doha 21:30 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:35 FDB 074 Dubai 22:10 JZR 561 Sohag 11:25 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:45 MEA 405 Beirut 11:55 ALK 230 Colombo 22:20 RBG 553 Alexandria 11:30 THY 764 Istanbul 22:10 KAC 541 Cairo 12:05 KAC 381 Delhi 22:20 AGY 680 Alexandria 11:40 ETD 309 Abu Dhabi 22:10 UAE 874 Dubai 12:10 UAE 860 Dubai 22:25 JZR 165 Dubai 11:50 AIC 981 Chennai/Ahmedabad 22:25 RBG 554 Alexandria 12:10 KAC 349 Kochi 22:30 FDB 075 Dubai 12:25 UAL 981 Bahrain 22:40 JZR 776 Jeddah 12:15 KAC 301 Mumbai 22:30 JZR 241 Amman 12:40 FDB 059 Dubai 22:50 MSC 402 Alexandria 12:20 QTR 1075 Doha 22:40 UAE 871 Dubai 12:45 JZR 185 Dubai 22:55 AGY 685 Sohag 12:40 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:45 MSR 610 Cairo 13:00 JZR 157 Dubai 22:55 KAC 785 Jeddah 13:00 ETD 310 Abu Dhabi 23:00 THY 766 Istanbul 13:10 JAI 526 Chennai/Abu Dhabi 23:00 JZR 176 Dubai 13:10 KAC 205 Islamabad 23:05 JZR 779 Jeddah 13:50 JZR 513 Sharm el-Sheikh 23:30 FDB 076 Dubai 13:10 KAC 411 Bangkok/Manila 23:25 KAC 672 Dubai 13:55 FDB 071 Dubai 23:35 JZR 124 Bahrain 13:30 KAC 415 Kuala Lumpur/Jakarta 23:50 DIAL161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION stars34 THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 CROSSWORD 902 STAR TRACK

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

Productive work and good interactions between co-workers are possible. Your This is a vital day with lots of action. You may feel very focused and in sync with talents in the workplace are in high focus. Your inner resources and emotions move toward the all the happenings in the workplace. Be prepared to be in the limelight-the way you communi- positive and you seek to keep it that way. You can be serious if you have to but it is good that you cate and get yourself across to others is the necessary ingredient for a successful day. After work create a sense of humor to make life situations work well. When you need it, you can expect a you may find yourself surrounded with young people. You have lots of physical energy and this sense of goodwill from those around you. You may find that you enjoy your job or the responsi- afternoon would be a good time to involve yourself with some fun activity that involves these bility it entails more than usual. There is a strong sense of justice and fair play today when you young people. Being out of doors can be most stimulating now. This evening you may find your help someone understand and uncover the real problem-help is available. There is an opportuni- energies involve a move to self-improvement. You may search long and hard to find ways in ty to come to the aid of a friend this evening. Writing is fun . . . Try the experience again. which to improve yourself and your way of living. Faith will take you far.

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

You may feel pulled in several different directions at one time today. A little reor- This is a day to enjoy positive vibrations all around. Business meetings are upbeat ganizing of your schedule will help to create a better balance in your day. A client may call at the and many things are accomplished. The next project worth considering just now is perhaps more last minute to cancel an appointment and you would be wise to remind him or her about your and better advertising. Think logically when considering different ways that an advertising proj- charges for canceling an appointment. Change is a constant and this is as good a time as any to ect can be improved. You may decide to carry through with a business product promotion. Your create some changes that would generate a better understanding between you and your client. ideas are traditional and can be quite successful. There is a passion for details, with the desire to Telephone conversations may need more time than usual and could be a slowdown this after- organize and create this afternoon-a burning desire to have a place for everything and every- noon. If there have been health problems, you will soon see improvements. People that you’ve thing in its place is strong. This can be hard on the digestion if taken to extremes! Your thoughts lost touch with call to visit-social times are fun tonight. Keep a camera handy. will have greater meaning and form just now. Close relationships take on depth.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Communication is your strong point now. You can say what you think in very clear You cherish personal freedom and may have the urge to go exploring during terms. You have often thought you would be better in the political field than some your lunch hour. You may even come across a superb investment idea. This afternoon, you may of the choices of late. You may have times of introspection when you will be feeling a bit self-critical. ACROSS DOWN channel your energies in the direction of completing the uncompleted. You have a great desire Okay, be fair about it . . . Make a list of your wishes and turn them into goals. On the other side of the 1. A health resort near a spring or at the seaside. 1. A package of several things tied together for to understand the motivations and actions of your friends or co-workers. You are inspired to lend paper, list three activities for each goal that you can do now to culminate the success of each goal. 4. A religious adviser (not necessarily a priest) in carrying or storing. a helping hand to whoever needs help. You possess a penetrating mind that will help sway oth- Separate them out into time importance and copy the schedule onto a calendar. You have the ers to positive ways of thinking. Your analytical powers are superb and you enjoy looking for new the Eastern Orthodox Church. 2. Pepsi Cola is a trademarked cola. potential for much success at this time; now you have the focus for where you want to concentrate avenues of inner growth, particularly today. This afternoon provides plenty of opportunities to that success. You are determined to change or adjust and improve the difficult-congratulations. 11. A closed sac that develops abnormally in 3. A purgative made from the leaves of aloe. involve yourself with activities that include children and your home and surroundings. some body structure. 4. Leap. jerk, bang (dialectal). 15. Goddess of the dead and queen of the 5. A light strong gray lustrous corrosion-resis- underworld. tant metallic element used in strong light- 16. Small voraciously carnivorous freshwater weight alloys (as for airplane parts). Cancer (June 21-July 22) Capricorn (December 22-January 19) fishes of South America that attack and destroy 6. A genus of tropical Asian and Malaysian palm living animals. trees. You may spend a great deal of time designing and thinking about ways in which You are at your most practical when it comes to dealing and working with others. to beautify your surroundings. You could base many of your decisions on hunches. It is, however, You have developed a knack for organizing things and people, as a sense of ambition takes hold. 17. An island of central Hawaii (between 7. A unit of absorbed ionizing radiation equal to a good idea to check all the facts and listen to others, before acting on any hunches. There are Work, achievement and ambition are the things that mean a lot to you-it is the expression of ideas Molokai and Kauai). 100 ergs per gram of irradiated material. many times that our hunches could be telling us something totally different from what we think that matter for you. You may be a bit perplexed at others who do not operate at this level; easy 18. (possibly Roman) Goddess of horses and 8. A postulated biochemical change (presum- we hear. Later today, a loved one has good news. If you accept loved ones for who they truly are, does it. Family matters of co-workers may come to your attention. You have the ability to inspire mules and asses. ably in neural tissue) that represents a memory. you will greatly enjoy their companionship. The power of attraction and the desire for love is and lead others through your attitude and your actions. Surprises in your own personal relation- ship, however, may bring you great pride. You are good at creating many opportunities for family 20. A person who puts finishing edges on a gar- 9. A proposition deducible from basic postu- great, but you should exercise caution before entering a new relationship during this time. This afternoon you may enjoy physical activities, like sports, especially with the opposite sex. members to excel and be enthusiastic goal-oriented achievers. ment. lates. 21. According to the Old Testament he was a 10. (Old Testament) The wife of Abraham and pagan king of Israel and husband of Jezebel mother of Isaac. Aquarius (January 20- February 18) (9th century BC). 11. Of or relating to a coast. Leo (July 23-August 22) 22. An association of nations dedicated to eco- 12. A member of an extinct North American There is a tendency to work hard today. You may insist that whatever does not Administrative ability comes easily this morning-you are able to coordinate people nomic and political cooperation in southeast- Indian people who lived in the Pit river valley in contribute to your work is trivial. Ambition is intensified and you aim for better organization. and events. You are able to influence and guide others in matters of importance. Do not be afraid ern Asia. northern California. Keep an ongoing, updated calendar handy for your use-you will find it helpful. There is excite- to ask questions today. You may seek guidance with regard to your own work from higher-ups. 23. Edge of a way or road or path. 13. Bony flesh of herring-like fish usually caught ment today surrounding the opportunity to meet new and interesting people through unusual You make practical decisions and may feel awkward asking questions; not to worry. There may be some insight regarding new techniques from your co-workers as well as those you might consider 25. An implement with a shaft and barbed during their migration to fresh water for spawn- means. You may find a new friend when you least expect it. Your relationships with others, espe- cially women, will be most harmonious today. On a more practical level, this is a good time to under you. A great person shows his or her greatness by the way he or she treats others. This after- point used for catching fish. ing. effect subtle changes in your social life. You have deep feelings and sympathies for others and noon you could find yourself interacting with many young people. It pleases them that you are 26. A Buddhist who has attained nirvana. 14. Conduit consisting of a long hollow object you may go out of your way to understand what is bothering a friend or relative at this time. interested in their ideas and feelings. You make a positive difference. 27. The highest level or degree attainable. (usually cylindrical) used to hold and conduct 29. A dialect of Chinese spoken in southeastern liquids or gases. China. 19. A member of any of various Indian peoples Virgo (August 23-September 22) 33. Chief deity of Zoroastrianism. of central Mexico. Pisces (February 19-March 20) 37. English Pre-Raphaelite painter (1829-1896). 24. Tropical woody herb with showy yellow Your energy is magnanimous but fortunately this Sunday you have learned to Being more closely involved with another person may become your highest priori- 39. An investment trust that owns and man- flowers and flat pods. limit your passion unless asked to expand upon your information. There is something essential ty. Interior design or some similar type of job will draw you close to the customer in order to match ages a pool of commercial properties and mort- 28. A state of extreme confusion and disorder. that starts or causes something else to happen-a reaction or response when you promote a and complement their needs. Contracts and partnerships are pathways to success and they have gages and other real estate asssets. 30. A high-crowned black cap (usually made of product, instruct or give a lecture. Others will benefit from your experience. You could be pre- plenty of lessons to teach you. If you have a business proposition or a plan on your mind, do not for- 40. (Babylonian) God of storms and wind. felt or sheepskin) worn by men in Turkey and sented with the unexpected this Monday; however, your lawyer-type mind will be able to quickly get to consult with your partner to gain any insight you may not have considered. Your friends may size up most any problem in order to find a solution. Using your mind to negotiate obstacles and keep you busy this afternoon and through the interactions with your friends, you may find your spir- 42. The smallest multiple that is exactly divisible Iran and the Caucasus. handle dilemmas-whether they are yours or not-is a great talent. Expect delays this Tuesday and its boosted. There is an opportunity to share some time with loved ones-perhaps an evening get- by every member of a set of numbers. 31. A member of a Caddo people formerly liv- pace your steps-all will work out for the positive. This evening your friends may just want to chat- together. You exercise your own bright and witty sense of humor. 43. A telephone connection. ing in north central Texas. one after another. 44. An awkward stupid person. 32. The capital of Eritrea. 46. A ridge that forms a seam between two 34. A long noosed rope used to catch animals. parts. 35. The capital of Lombardy in northern Italy. WORD SEARCH PUZZLE Yesterday’s Solution 48. A reptile genus of Iguanidae. 36. A light touch or stroke. 50. Someone who works (or provides workers) 38. Being nine more than ninety. during a strike. 41. Small European freshwater fish with a slen- 52. A Chadic language spoken in northern der bluish-green body. Nigeria. 45. The syllable naming the fourth (subdomi- 53. The capital and largest city of Yemen. nant) note of the diatonic scale in solmization. 56. Any of various spiny trees or shrubs of the 47. Any of numerous ornamental shrubs grown genus Acacia. for their showy flowers of various colors. 58. God of the sky. 49. The British system of withholding tax. 61. Using speech rather than writing. 51. An aggressive remark directed at a person 62. A throne that is the official chair of a bishop. like a missile and intended to have a telling 65. Any of various orchids of the genus Bletia effect. having pseudo-bulbs and erect leafless 54. Be compatible or in accordance with. racemes of large purple or pink flowers. 55. Utter with a gurgling sound. 69. American novelist (1909-1955). 57. West Indian tree having racemes of fragrant 70. Growing old. white flowers and yielding a durable timber 73. American professional baseball player who and resinous juice. hit more home runs than Babe Ruth (born in 59. (Babylonian) A demigod or first man. 1934). 60. The main city of ancient Phoenicia. 74. British artist and writer of nonsense verse 63. Advanced in years. (1812-1888). 64. A bluish shade of green. 75. A tricycle (usually propelled by pedalling). 66. A slow pace of running. 77. A member of the Siouan people inhabiting 67. A tiny or scarcely detectable amount. the valleys of the Platte and Missouri rivers in 68. Sweet pulpy tropical fruit with thick scaly Nebraska. rind and shiny black seeds. 78. Not in action or at work. 71. Horny projecting mouth of a bird. 79. A state in the southeastern United States on 72. Aircraft landing in bad weather in which the the Gulf of Mexico. pilot is talked down by ground control using 80. Of a light yellowish-brown color n 1. precision approach radar. 76. Before noon.

Yesterday’s Solution

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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. 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Gossip

Kanye West praises Lewis Hamilton’s ‘really good’ music anye West thinks Lewis Hamilton’s music is “really everybody’s like: ‘What is this music?!’ and I’m like ‘It’s many people as possible.” However, the current Formula good”. The Formula One driver has been teasing Lewis Hamilton’s music.’ They’re like: ‘Oh my god, I One World Champion previously confessed he only got Kthe launch of his music career for several months, thought it was gonna sound like...’ and I’m not gonna say into making music because he created a home studio for and now 37-year-old rapper Kanye has confessed he’s a the names of who they thought it was gonna sound like, his then-girlfriend, ‘Poison’ hitmaker Nicole Scherzinger, huge fan of the tracks he has been working on. Speaking but it’s good. It’s really, really good.” Although the 30- from whom he split in February after seven years of dat- at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Kanye said: year-old Mercedes driver has not yet unveiled any of his ing. He said: “I actually built the studio in my house for “It’s so weird, so Lewis Hamilton’s over at my house, songs to the public, he recently admitted he has been someone else and ended up using it. “I built it so we right? And he starts playing music. “We’re having an playing them to other influential artists to gain advice. could be in the same place all the time ... but now I use it Easter brunch and all of the family’s there, my wife’s fami- He said: “I have played it for Pharrell Williams as well as all the time instead.” ly, my friends, everything. And he’s playing music, and Timbaland and Drake because I want feedback from as

Portman ‘cast as Delevingne cast in Valerian and a spiritualist the City of a Thousand Planets in Planetarium’ ara Delevingne has been cast in the Luc ry about time travel. Cara’s casting comes atalie Portman has reportedly been cast as a spiritualist Besson-directed ‘Valerian and the City shortly after she revealed that she much in ‘Planetarium’. The Oscar-winning actress will star Cof a Thousand Planets’. The 22-year-old prefers acting to modeling, even though she Nalongside Lily Rose Depp, the daughter of Hollywood model-turned-actress, who recently starred in made her name as a catwalk star. The superstar Johnny Depp, in the Rebecca Zlotowski-directed ‘The Face Of An Angel’, is set to appear along- London-born beauty said: “I’ve always wanted drama set in the 1930s, Variety reports. ‘Planetarium’ will mark side American actor Dane DeHaan in an to be an actress, more than anything in the the first time Portman, 33, has worked with a French director adaptation of the French comic book series world.” Even though she’s walked for a num- since the 1994 crime thriller ‘Leon’ and she’s reportedly been ‘Valerian and Laureline’. Luc, who directed the ber of top fashion brands, Cara confessed it improving her language skills in preparation for the role. The 1997 blockbuster ‘The Fifth Element’, tweeted: fails to ignite her “fire”. She said: “Modeling plot of the movie centers on two sisters who are thought to “My first tweet ever! Let’s share a real news! was never a passion of mine. It wasn’t some- possess the ability to connect with ghosts. While in Paris, they My next film is a big sci-fi: #Valerian and the thing that made my heart beat and built a fire meet a visionary French producer - a character inspired by City of a Thousand Planets.” His message was inside of me.” Jewish producer Bernard Natan, who was among the most soon retweeted by Cara, who’s been cast as influential figures in the film industry in the 1920s and 1930s 11th century peasant girl Laureline in the sto- before he was killed in a Nazi concentration camp. ‘Planetarium’ is expected to debut in May 2016. Meanwhile, Portman was recently linked to a role in ‘The Basis Of Sex’. She is reportedly wanted to play Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a real-life Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, in the film, while ‘Diary Of A Teenage Girl’ director Marielle Heller is in negotiations to helm the project. Smith gets mum’s support for operation am Smith’s mum is flying to the US for his vocal surgery. The 22-year-old singer is set to have an operation on his Svocal cords this week, and his mum has jetted over to the US to support him during his recovery. Posting on Instagram, he wrote: “Wagamama night. Pre-op tomorrow then op the next day. My mum is flying over tonight, so excit- ed to see her x hope you’re all good x (sic).” The chart-topping star revealed he had suffered a haemorrhage on his vocal cords last month, and had been forced to cancel several Australian tour dates and banned from speaking as a result. He wrote on Instagram: “Just to let all my beautiful fans know, I’m ok. I am insanely relaxed and am somewhere in the middle of Australia with no phone, no laptop and I haven’t spoken a word in three days. Trying my absolute best to be back on my feet and singing for next week.” However, the ‘Lay Me Down’ hitmaker was later informed he needed surgery in the US to repair the damage, meaning he has had to pull out of his planned performances for the next two months. And while the four-time Grammy winner knows the operation is vital for him to continue singing, he confessed it is going to be tough being away from his fans for such a long period of time while his voice recovers. He wrote: “I miss you all so much. This next 7 weeks is going KILL ME. (sic)”

Gomez is ‘happy’ Redmayne for lead role in Fantastic Beasts with curves and Where to Find Them elena Gomez is “happy” with her figure. The myself, take care of my work, fans, family and ‘Come & Get It’ hitmaker recently came under friends...And I do work out. It’s not your place to tell ddie Redmayne has reportedly been offered the role Sfire from social media users, who speculated anyone what they should or should not do.” of Newt Scamander in ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to she had gained weight after she showed off her cur- Meanwhile, Draya, who designs for label Mint Swim, EFind Them’. Last month it was reported the 33-year-old vaceous figure in a series of revealing photographs has shared her top tips for finding the perfect bikini actor was in talks to feature in the ‘Harry Potter’ spinoff film, from her holiday in Mexico on Instagram. However, in time for summer and believes it’s important to and Variety has now revealed he is set to play the lead role. according to her swimwear designer, Draya Michele, dress to suit your shape rather than “kill yourself” hit- The website claims the ‘Theory of Everything’ star wanted to the 22-year-old star doesn’t care what her critics ting the gym. She told InStyle magazine: “Everyone is read a finished script before committing to the part and is have to say and loves the way her body looks. Draya so fixated on looking really good in a swimsuit, and I now moving forward with the project after admitting he is said: “I love how she didn’t let people being critical think that is the first step to being wrong. First, you pleased with the final story. The movie - which is being get to her. I love that she wanted to let people know have to find the swimsuit that looks good on you, directed by David Yates and is expected to be released in that she’s happy with the size that she is, regardless instead of working so hard to look good in a swim- November 2016 - will be set in New York, and follows the of who thinks it’s fat or who thinks it’s skinny, she was suit. It’s just easier to find a swimsuit that fits your adventures of the ‘Fantastic Beasts’ Hogwarts textbook’s happy with it. Knowing her and knowing the size body. You don’t have to make any changes, or go on author, Newt, several decades before the ‘Harry Potter’ saga. that she is, she’s really not overweight at all.” Selena strict diets, or kill yourself in the gym. It’s just a mat- The ‘Harry Potter’ author, JK Rowling - who will make her defended herself over the comments in a series of ter of shopping, fit, and style. Sometimes it doesn’t screenwriting debut with the project - previously explained posts on the picture sharing site which have since hurt to do a little bit of altering or tailoring if some- although the film will be set in the same magical world, it is been deleted. She wrote: “IM IN the business and I thing doesn’t fit you quite the way you’d like it to.” not a “prequel nor a sequel” to her famous series of books, could care less about what ‘they’ or you said I should which were turned into eight films from 2001 to 2011. She look like. I don’t need to do anything other than love said: “Although it will be set in the worldwide community of witches and wizards where I was so happy for 17 years, ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’ is neither a pre- quel nor a sequel to the ‘Harry Potter’ series but an exten- Take That play bingo between shows sion of the wizarding world.” ake That play bingo between their Scotland. He explained: “We were in Scotland shows. The three-piece group - featur- the other day staying on Loch Lomond. The Ting Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and hotel let us go up in their little seaplane. Mark Owen - are currently on tour around the Scotland is the most beautiful place.” And 47- UK, and revealed they have been keeping year-old Howard admitted they are taking their 20 dancers, eight-piece band and much better care of themselves nowadays numerous crew members entertained back- and abide by strict diets while touring. He stage by organizing “little events” including told Free Radio: “We have our own chef who quizzes and games of bingo. Gary explained: makes us our own food. Which is kind of “On days off we organize little events. “We’ve gluten free, very energizing stuff, very healthy got a big cast with us. We’ll do a quiz night - nothing fattening that’s gonna make you one night, just nice communal events to get weighed down.” everyone together. We did bingo and it went down a storm.” The 44-year-old frontman - who worked as a bingo caller before finding fame with the group - continued to say they aren’t the party animals they once were, and instead prefer to take exciting trips while on the road, as they did on their day off in lifestyle THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

Features

The benefits of sleep

leep plays a vital role in your well-being and mental reason, I instantly feel sleepy after a workout. So, what I start- pile up, meaning the less sleep you get the more hours of health. It is extremely important to get enough rest and ed to do is to schedule my workouts to be later during the sleep you will need to compensate your body for being Ssleep in order for your muscles, brain and blood vessels day, and sometimes late night to come back home and crash. exhausted. to repair themselves. Obviously, if you’re sleep deficient it A warm shower or bath is also another good suggestion I would be harder for you to work properly, make decisions or tried out. The warm water is good for your blood circulation, Exhausted skin control your emotions. We can only expect so much from our- its also known to relax you. Exhaustion can really cause long term effects, such as tired selves and our bodies, and we have to make sure we rest, and Try to set a regular time to go sleep every day, this will or exhausted skin. You will start having a darker under-eye sometimes pamper ourselves to feel better, or else how are help you function better and be in-sync with your biological area, and can even result in dehydration, slower hair and nails we going to get everything we want to get done with an clock. You will also figure out how many hours of sleep your growth. Your body starts overworking itself, you burn more overworked brain and exhausted body? It’s not fair. body will need, because not everyone can function off of 6- fat and you start loosing weight. Keep in mind, losing weight I’ve always had trouble with my sleep, ever since I was 8hours of sleep as we all know. due to exhaustion is not cute. It seriously shows when a young. I could never sleep whenever I was supposed to, I I read up about the issue online, and found this table that woman looses weight due to exhaustion, where she would don’t sleep enough hours and what’s even weirder is that I shows how many hours of sleep is recommended for each look tired and ill, whereas loosing weight due to a healthier would function better off of less sleep rather than getting age group. lifestyle and workout routine, where she would look healthi- enough sleep. All through university years it was pretty Recommended amount of sleep: er, fit and energetic. much the same pattern; however, now that I work around 12- Newborns: 16-18 hours a day We carry our bodies with us throughout our lifetime, it has 14 hours a day it started to really get to me and my body. I Preschool-aged children: 11-12 hours a day the right to be taken care of. So does your soul, brain and started to watch shows to fall asleep, or listen to “sleep School-aged children: At least 10 hours a day heart. These vital organs really do play an essential role in our music”. With time, these tricks start to fade and not work any- Teens: 9-10 hours a day happiness, confidence and outlook on life. Some things are more. Adults (including the elderly): 7-8 hours a day just not worth it for us to get worked up on or exhausted. Learn how to let things go, and prioritize what really matters Biological clock Keep in mind, this table doesn’t necessarily work for every- to you like yourself, family and partner. Listen to your body, Few things I started to change in my daily routine, which one. Personally, I get less sleep than is recommended. and taking time off or canceling on plans to pamper yourself is working out. Working out really exhausts you and your Sometimes I wake up feeling energetic and sometimes I wake is never a bad idea, because that is what will help you work muscles will need good sleep to repair themselves. For some up feeling like a walking zombie. However, lost sleep tends to better and harder.

Don’t let the slobber fool you, Works by Rothko, Lichtenstein your dog could be a brainiac hen her muscles locked and left her unable to series “Is Your Dog a Genius?” airing May 15-17. “People will move or speak, Wallis Brozman was glad she had learn about and come to a new understanding of their best at New York art auction Wa genius for a service dog. Brozman, who has a friends,” said host Brian Hare, who helped develop the movement disorder called dystonia, had taken her golden- assessment as an associate professor of evolutionary Labrador retriever mix, Caspin, outside for a potty break anthropology and member of the Center for Cognitive ajor works by Mark Rothko and Roy without attaching the pulling harness he wears to guide Neuroscience at Duke University in North Carolina. Lichtenstein lead Sotheby’s auction of con- her. Suddenly, she couldn’t move. “I couldn’t talk or yell. I It costs $19 to get the list of games to play with your Mtemporary art on Tuesday. Rothko’s “Untitled had no phone to text a message. I thought I would be dog at www.dognition.com. After you record the results, (Yellow and Blue)” is estimated to sell for $40 million to stranded until someone found us,” said Brozman, who lives Duke puts together your pet’s profile. A dog will be $60 million. The 8-foot-tall abstract painting of large on her own in Santa Rosa, California, with a wheelchair and dubbed an Ace, Charmer, Socialite, Expert, Renaissance yellow and blue planes hung at the National Gallery in Caspin, who understands English and sign language. Dog, Protodog, Einstein, Maverick or Stargazer. For exam- Washington for 10 years while it was owned by the Caspin put his neck under her hand until she got a fin- ple, “Aces” are problem-solvers, socially elite, bond well and late Rachel “Bunny” Mellon. She acquired it directly ger looped on his collar. “Then, very slowly, he started to are good at almost everything. They also try to get away from Rothko’s estate shortly after his death in 1970. pull me forward. He pushed the door open. Then he stayed with bad behavior and then rely on a sweet face or some His “Orange, Red Yellow” holds the auction record, by me until I could function enough to get into bed,” she nuzzling to get themselves out of a pickle. selling for almost $87 million in 2012. Lichtenstein’s said. Caspin ranks as a Protodog, a spontaneous pooch that “The Ring (Engagement),” executed in his signature bonds easily and can solve problems on its own or with A rocket ship comic book style, shows a ring being placed on a fin- people, according to dog intelligence measures created by “Einsteins” are the brainiacs. They can solve new prob- ger. The 1962 work could fetch about $50 million. It is scientists and trainers. The Dognition Assessment uses 20 lems by looking at the facts in front of them, a key attribute being sold by philanthropist Stefan Edlis, who is games to determine a dog’s level of empathy, communica- of a genius. However, like brilliant people, Einstein dogs donating a group of 42 pop and contemporary art- tion, cunning, memory and reasoning. can be socially awkward. The games show dog brainpower works valued at about $40 million to the Art Institute isn’t measured like man’s - with an IQ test. “We don’t deal in of Chicago. Problem-solvers numbers,” Hare said. “In the animal world, we recognize The record for Lichtenstein is his “Woman With People believing they have a smarty pants for a pet can there are lots of kinds of intelligence, and they vary widely. Flowered Hat,” which sold for $56 million in 2013. see if their dog fits the bill on Nat Geo Wild’s three-part You can be a genius in one area but not in another.” In one Another highlight of Sotheby’s auction is Gerhard of the games, you put down two overturned paper cups, Richter’s “Abstract Painting,” with a presale estimate of allowing the dog to watch as you put a treat under one. $30 million. The auction record for the German artist is You point to the empty cup and see where your pet $46 million, set this year. Sigmar Polke’s “Jungle” has a goes. Both show a kind of genius: If Fido goes to the empty presale estimate of $20 million. The same painting cup, he’s good at following orders and bonding. If he goes sold in 2011 for $9.2 million, a record for the German the other, he’s able to rely on his own devices - and gets artist. Andy Warhol’s “Superman” silkscreen is estimat- the treat. Brozman and her dog will be guests on the show, ed at $6 million to $8 million. The 1981 work is one of and she says there’s no question 8-year-old Caspin is smart 10 iconic images in his Myths series that included in many ways. His problem-solving skills make him most Mickey Mouse and Howdy Doody. — AP valuable to Brozman, but she says she doesn’t ask the impossible. “No matter how many times I ask him to build me a rocket ship, he won’t build me a rocket ship,” she said. “He’ll bring me the parts, but building the rocket ship depends on me. So it’s a collaborative relationship, and you have to A Mark Rothko painting be realistic about what your dog is capable of doing.” — AP titled ‘Untitled (Yellow and Blue)’.

Dr Brian Hare kneels with Finley the dog in Durham, NC.

This undated image provided by Sotheby’s shows a Roy Lichtenstein painting titled ‘The Ring (Engagement),’ Wallis Brozman is aided by her service dog, Caspin, while Wallis Brozman sits with her service dog, Caspin, outside a Tuesday, May 12, 2015, by Sotheby’s. — AP photos going through a shopping mall. shopping mall in Santa Rosa, Calif. —AP photos lifestyle THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 MUSIC AND MOVIES

Nicole Kidman Kidman in talks to star in romantic comedy ‘How to Talk to Girls at Parties’

icole Kidman is in negotiations to of Montagues and Capulets, it is punks and co-star in “How to Talk to Girls at aliens. NParties,” re-uniting with John This is the story of the birth of punk, the Cameron Mitchell (“Hedwig and the Angry exuberance of first love, and the universe’s US directors and Presidents of the Feature Film jury Joel Coen and Ethan Coen pose during a photocall ahead of the opening of the 68th Cannes Inch”), who directed her in “Rabbit Hole.” greatest mystery of all: how to talk to girls Film Festival.—AFP Ruth Wilson (“Locke,” “Luther”) and Matt at parties. Howard Gertler will produce Lucas (“Alice in Wonderland,” “Bridesmaids”) alongside Iain Canning and Emile Sherman will join Elle Fanning (“Maleficent,” Super of See-Saw Films. Michael Werner and 8”), who was previously announced, in the Winnie Lau will executive produce. Filming Coen brothers look at film cast. Based on a short story by Neil will start in the autumn in the UK. HanWay Gaiman (“Coraline”) from his collection Films will be handling international sales “Fragile Things,” the screenplay has been with CAA handling the US Hanway will con- from other side as Cannes judges written by Philippa Goslett (“Little Ashes”) sult with Fortissimo Films for Asian territo- with John Cameron Mitchell. The film is in ries.—Reuters ilmmaker brothers Joel and Ethan Coen Asked what it would be like to be sitting in been asked in a sense to pass judgment on it or the spirit of “Romeo and Juliet,” but instead said yesterday it would be a new experi- judgment on other directors’ work, Joel Coen, analyze it and you have to defend your opinions Fence for them to be watching movies who did most of the talking on the brothers’ to a group of people,” he added. Gyllenhaal said rather than having a film in competition as the behalf, said he would try to watch the films “sim- jokingly that after only one meeting, the jury first co-presidents of the main Cannes ply as an audience member and somebody who had been broken up into the Ethan camp and International Film Festival jury. The Coens, isn’t involved”. But he said it would not be possi- the Joel camp. “We’re not allowed to talk about responsible for “Fargo”, “No Country for Old Men” ble to remain completely neutral, given his role who’s in what group but after a while you’ll and 1991 Cannes top-prize winner “Barton Fink”, on a jury which must eventually award the probably start to understand who’s in what head up a jury comprising directors Guillermo Palme d’Or top prize on May 23. group and that was purely based on personality del Toro and Xavier Dolan, actors Rossy de “When you’re asked to watch something as a and we had no choice,” he told a press confer- Palma, Sophie Marceau, Sienna Miller and Jake jury member it may affect the way you watch it, ence.—Reuters Gyllenhaal, and singer-songwriter Rokia Traore. it has to, to a certain extent, because you’ve Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz Starring in Pablo Escobar Movie

avier Bardem and Penelope into chaos. Vallejo’s memoir Cruz are starring in describes her romantic relationship JEuropaCorp’s Pablo Escobar with Escobar along with origins of biopic, “Escobar,” with shooting the rebel organizations in starting later this year. EuropaCorp Colombia, reasons for the growth announced Wednesday at Cannes of the cocaine industry, the horrors Singer Jennifer Lopez arrives at the Latin Billboard Awards, in Coral Gables, Fla.—AP that it will finance, distribute and of narcoterrorism during 1988-1993 co-produce with Pinguin Films and and the links of the Medellin and Dean Nichols Productions. The film Cali cartels with Caribbean dicta- will be based on Virginia Vallejo’s tors and Colombian presidents. She Lopez heading to Las Vegas 2008 best-selling Spanish language testified in 2008 in the reopened memoir “Loving Pablo, Hating case of the 1985 Palace of Justice Escobar.” Spanish director Fernando siege in which more than 100 peo- for residency next year Leon de Aranoa (“A Perfect Day”) ple died and was granted asylum in enny from the Block is heading to Sin range from $59 to $219. Lopez, 45, follows will direct from his own script. the US in 2010. City. The pop star announced Tuesday in the footsteps of contemporary pop stars Producers for the film are Dean Escobar was portrayed by Jnight on “American Idol” that she’s like Mariah Carey, 45, and Britney Spears, Nichols, Javier Bardem and Benicio Del Toro in “Escobar: heading to Las Vegas next year for a resi- 33, who also launched Vegas residencies. EuropaCorp CEO Christophe Paradise Lost,” the directorial debut dency at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Lopez once dominated the pop and R&B Lambert. Executive producers are of Italian actor Andrea Di Stefano. It Casino. Jennifer Lopez’s stint at the AXIS charts with back-to-back singles, but has Jere Hausfater, Dany Boon and combined the true story of the Theater will begin Jan. 20, 2016. The first 20 struggled musically in the last decade. Her Todd Nichols. International sales for drug king with a love story performances go on sale Saturday. star power, though, has gotten a boost the film will be launching in between a young Canadian surfer, She has live shows set for January, thanks to “Idol.”—AP Cannes. Bardem and Cruz teamed played by “Hunger Games” star Josh February, May and June. Tickets prices previously on “Vicky Cristina Hutcherson, and Escobar’s niece Barcelona,” for which Cruz won a (Claudia Traisac). Radius had sched- best supporting actress Oscar. uled “Escobar: Paradise Lost” for Bardem worked with Leon de release in the US in January but Aranoa on “Mondays in the Sun.” pulled the film out its slot without “A Perfect Day,” the Spanish giving a reason and has not re- director’s first English-language scheduled the release. The film film, will premiere as part of the received positive notices at Cannes Film Festival’s Directors Telluride and Toronto Film Fortnight. “Escobar” will follows the Festivals.—Reuters rise of Pablo Escobar, the ruthless Colombian drug king who died in a shoot out in 1993 after his reign had helped plunged his country Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz Music Review: ‘Pitch Perfect 2’ soundtrack not so perfect

here is such a thing as being too clever. The Barden Bellas and the TTreblemakers, who return in the film “Pitch Perfect 2,” have found a way to cram even more songs per square airwave in their mash-ups. Although the tunes are neatly stacked and folded into each other, they don’t always work outside a visual medium. The reason is their brevity, two lines and they’re on to the next song. Thus listening turns into a race to recognize the song. The tunes span decades and genres and are deftly mashed into new entities. Some take flight, like the pleasant “Back to Basics” Actors Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny attend David Duchovny in concert.—AFP sequence that includes a cappella versions of “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” “Lady Marmalade” and “Mmmbop.” However, “Riff Off” starts with an enjoyable rendition of the Duchovny, Anderson “Thong Song” and cycles through a dizzying array of booty-praising tunes in a short span, losing its head to its own ingenuity. sing together onstage The song that everyone keeps on coming back is Jessie J’s “Flashlight,” written by Sam Smith and Sia. The ballad, poignant and hey starred together on “The X Files,” Duchovny gave Anderson a light kiss on memorable, is one of the album’s highlights, but David Duchovny and Gillian the lips after the performance and whis- while singer-songwriter Ester Dean brings a TAnderson played like they were on pered in her modern EDM feel to the comedy with “Crazy “The X Factor.” “The X Files” stars sang ear as she left the stage. The musical col- Youngsters.” And the unexpected Snoop together onstage in New York City Tuesday laboration comes ahead of the duo repris- Dogg rendition of “Winter Wonderland” feels night, performing Neil Young’s “Helpless” ing their roles on “X Files” for a six episode like a good gamble in an otherwise pre- on the day Duchovny released his first run airing on Fox this summer. The hit dictable sound. For fans of a cappella, this album. The Golden Globe-winning actor series lasted nine seasons after debuting in will be a treasure trove of inspiration; for sang lead while Anderson harmonized with 1993. Duchovny also sang songs from his fans of the film, a serviceable memento; and his background singers and band. debut album, “Hell or Highwater.”—AP This CD cover image released by Universal Music Enterprises shows the original motion picture for the rest of us, just an OK album.—AP soundtrack for “Pitch Perfect 2.”—AP lifestyle THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 MUSIC AND MOVIES

US directors and Presidents of the Feature Film jury Ethan Coen (center) and Joel Coen (4th right) jury members Rossy de Palma, Sienna Miller, Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, Rokia Traore and Sophie Marceau pose for photographers US actor Jake Gyllenhaal (left), Mexican director Guillermo del Toro (2nd left), French actress Sophie Marceau (3rd during a photo call for members of the jury, at the 68th international film festival, Cannes, southern France yester- left), Malian singer/songwriter Rokia Traore (4th left), Spanish actress Rossy de Palma (3rd right), Canadian direc- day.—AP photos tor Xavier Dolan (2nd right) and British actress Sienna Miller during a photocall ahead of the opening. Women take spotlight as curtain rises on Cannes film fest he Cannes Film Festival marks a change from the normally making her the first woman to them contradictory orders, and then eschewed its usual blockbuster flashy opening hits such as “Moulin receive an honorary Palme d’Or. see what happens,” Ethan joked. Topening yesterday to give its Rouge!” or “The Fifth Element”. The Oscar winner Natalie Portman is “That’s exactly what we do on the set coveted first slot to a film by a pace will pick up quickly over the presenting a special screening of her of our films,” his brother Joel added. woman director for only the second coming 12 days, with a number of directorial debut “A Tale of Love and “Up to now it’s worked pretty well. time. But it is another woman, Cate high-octane extravaganzas, includ- Darkness” about the early years of Order comes from chaos.” They will Blanchett, who stole the headlines ing “Mad Max: Fury Road” starring Israel. Blanchett told Variety however judge a typically eclectic selection with revelations about her past rela- Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron, that mid-range films with women at that includes Matthew tionships. The Oscar-winning actress Taiwan’s “The Assassin” and Japan’s the centre were still “tricky to McConaughey in “The Sea of Trees”, appears alongside Rooney Mara in “Yakuza Apocalypse”. finance”. “There are a lot of people and Michael Fassbender risking the “Carol”, a Todd Haynes film in the France is particularly well-repre- labouring under the misapprehen- cursed role of Macbeth. running for the top Palme d’Or prize, sented in this year’s race for the top sion that people don’t want to see Among the highlights appearing which tells the story of a love affair prize, making up five of the 19 Palme them, which isn’t true,” she said. outside the competition are Woody between two women in New York in d’Or entries. There are some grum- Allen’s latest, “Irrational Man”, and a the 1950s. When asked by Variety blings in the French press, however, ‘Order comes from chaos’ new Pixar animation called “Inside magazine ahead of the premiere if over the increasing anglophone The jury is led this year by US Out”. The festival is also the biggest this was her first turn as a lesbian, dominance, with several European indie favorites Joel and Ethan Coen, film industry get-together of the she replied with a smile: “On film-or auteurs using Hollywood stars and who won the Palme in 1991 for year, with about 12,000 delegates in real life?” the English language to boost their “Barton Fink” and the runner-up from 116 countries expected to Pressed on whether she had had chances in global markets. Having Grand Prix for “Inside Llewyn Davis” attend, hawking their movies and past relationships with women, come under fire in recent years for a two years ago. “We love Cannes and closing deals. Insiders say this year’s Blanchett said: “Yes. Many times,” lack of female representation, the the festival. We have come here very marketplace has a number of inter- Actress Cate Blanchett arriving at the 2015 Independent Spirit Awards in without elaborating, the magazine festival also appears to be putting a often,” Ethan Coen told France’s Le esting upcoming projects. There’s Santa Monica, California.—AFP reported. Director Emmanuelle greater focus on women this year. Figaro newspaper in an interview particular interest in “The Circle” star- Bercot becomes the first woman Although only two women are up for published yesterday. ring Tom Hanks about a dangerously finance a new $50 million project, “Where are the Bruce Willises?” since 1987 to open the world’s most the top prize, the festival will cele- They promised to try to confuse powerful Internet company. trade magazine Variety reported. bemoaned one distributor in yester- famous film festival with her film brate legendary director Agnes their jury, which includes stars Jake And Aardman animator Nick Park, But industry insiders say there’s a day’s Variety—AFP “Standing Tall”, starring French icon Varda-who made her name during Gyllenhaal, Sienna Miller and Sophie the man behind “Wallace and shortage of massive blockbusters Catherine Deneuve. The gritty drama the French New Wave of the 1960s- Marceau. “We fully intend to give Gromit”, is also in town, looking to that can prop up the industry. Cannes film review: ‘Standing Tall’ t takes the entire juvenile justice system to will become the only stable and recurring Deneuve says at one point, and yet, the film away stare, but in time, even he starts to meld raise a child in “Standing Tall,” French location the kid can find over the course of an clearly views it as a public duty for society to with his more naturalistic surroundings, earn- Idirector Emmanuelle Bercot’s earnest adolescence spent in and out of detention step in where the parents fall short-a ques- ing his heroism not through a single dramatic homage to the unflagging dedication Gallic facilities, counseling centers and, at one tion of simple human rights, as viewed act, but rather by refusing to back down even social workers put into ensuring that no child point, even prison. Though not as rigorously through the prism of a more socialism- when Malony makes his life hell. gets left behind. Less group-huggy than such conceived as 2014 Cannes breakout “Gett: inclined country like France, which expends Bercot’s inspiration to make the film came inspirational pics as “Lean on Me” and “Stand The Trial of Viviane Amsalem” (which depicted as much as EUR800 per day to rehabilitate from an uncle, who worked coaching delin- and Deliver,” yet every bit as respectful of the a drawn-out five-year Israeli divorce proceed- such kids, regardless of color. (Paradot may be quent youth for years, and spent long hours pros who step in to educate and elevate dis- ing entirely from the confines of a rabbinical white, but the supporting cast introduces a observing juvenile coaches and judges alike advantaged youth, this atypically non-glam before writing the script (on which Marcia Cannes opener centers around young discov- Romano collaborated). The research shows in ery Rod Paradot, a serious-looking wood- both its dramatic detail and the dialogue working student whom Bercot convinced to itself, which is dense with technical terms and French actress Catherine Deneuve poses during a pho- play her volatile teenage lead. Though solid, legal slang. Apart from a romantic subplot tocall for the film “Standing Tall” (Tete Haute) ahead of this low-key drama seems unlikely to cause involving a girl named Tess (Diane Rouxel, the opening of the 68th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, much of a stir outside of France, tracking 10 first seen in Larry Clark’s “The Smell of Us”), southeastern France, yesterday.—AFP years in the life of a troubled child, beginning nearly everything that happens could have the moment his birth mother gives up and been lifted from a real kid’s case file: the serial sticking close as a juvenile judge (Catherine carjackings, the spontaneous outbursts, the Deneuve, whose matronly turn provides little brother also remanded to a children’s Deneuve sad at the some export appeal) and her team refuse to home after his mom’s pot habit results in sec- throw in the towel. ondhand intoxication. death of glamour So much depends on the look of utter helplessness and confusion on young Volatile and inconsistent rench acting icon Catherine Deneuve is a cinema Malony’s face, as seen in the opening scene: Taking a page from the Dardenne broth- supernova. And she says they don’t make stars like Described by his birth mother (Sara Forestier) ers’ brand of social realism without going so Fthey used to. Deneuve told reporters in Cannes yes- as a “little monster,” Malony is clearly too inno- far as to attempt such documentary natural- terday that glamour needs mystery, and that’s hard cent to understand what’s happening. (From left) French producer Denis Pineau-Valencienne, screenwriter Marcia Romano, ism, the film unashamedly leans on music to achieve now that social media has blurred the Looking convincingly overwhelmed with her actor Benoit Magimel, actress Catherine Deneuve, director Emmanuelle Bercot, actor (the overused Arvo Part, for example, or a boundary between private and public. Deneuve said the greasy hair and gnarly overbite, Forestier’s Rod Paradot, actress Sara Forestier and producer Francois Kraus attend a press con- heavy-handed Bach cantata) to underscore all-revealing nature of celebrity culture doesn’t “let people character abandons her son in the care of ference for their film ìStanding Tallî (Tete Haute) ahead of the opening of the 68th emotions, while keeping things pseudo-real- dream anymore” about celebrities. Florence Blaque (Deneuve), a sympathetic yet Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southeastern France yesterday.—AFP istic via discreet handheld lensing. Despite “The private lives of actors and actresses are displayed stern magistrate who will come to serve as a such crutches, Bercot studiously avoids the around the globe,” she said. “People even post up their own sort of foster mother to him over the coming court), “Standing Tall” feels similarly process- sense of real diversity.) sort of catharsis-oriented pop psychology private photos on these social networks, and I find that a decade-not in a traditional adoptive sense, oriented, finds continuity in Malony’s visits the genre so often peddles: She doesn’t pre- pity. “That isn’t conducive to dreams.” Deneuve’s message but by virtue of her ongoing commitment to before judge Blaque. Naturalistic surroundings tend that there’s some secret trick that can fits with the mood of a Cannes festival that is trying to his case. Films like this tend to fall in two camps, In addition to Blaque, this system supplies “fix” kids like Malony, allowing the character eradicate selfies - another symbol of our over sharing age - either centering directly on the child charac- a small army of civil servants to guide Malony to be volatile and inconsistent. One from the red carpet. Process-oriented ters themselves (like last year’s “Boyhood,” along the way, led by Yann (Benoit Magimel), moment, we glimpse the promising soul Deneuve made her Cannes debut in 1964 in multicol- It’s not quite clear what becomes of which invited auds to reflect on their own a brooding, blue-eyed counselor who may hidden behind his furrowed brow and want ored musical “The Umbrellas of Cherbourg.” The 71-year- Malony in the years immediately following adolescence) or privileging the courageous have gone through similar trauma in his own to help, the next, he’s erupting into a feral old star plays a family-court judge trying to tame a teenage this scene, as the film leaps forward to find adults who work to steer them back on youth. The least convincing member of a cast rage, as the movie dares us not to declare tearaway in this year’s festival opener, Emmanuelle Bercot’s the young man (now played by Paradot) course (a la “Short Term 12,” playing more to that rarely seems to be acting, Magimel him a lost cause.—Reuters “Standing Tall.” The 68th Cannes Film Festival runs to May joyriding without a driver’s license-a stunt our nurturing instincts). “We lay down the comes on like a young Sean Penn, overplay- 24.—AP that lands him back in Blaque’s offices, which tracks, but we can’t drive the train for them,” ing the character’s leather-jacket chic and far- Behind the glitz, Cannes casts a tight security net audy, glamorous Cannes is a bubble inside a southern city of Nice, about 20 miles (32 kilome- search bags and wield metal-detecting wands. ring of steel. France is on heightened terror- ters) miles from Cannes. French law-enforcement There have still been occasional security breaches. Gist alert after deadly attacks in Paris, and the authorities say they don’t know of any specific In 2013 a man with a knife and a starter’s pistol dis- monied French Riviera offers rich pickings for crimi- threat to Cannes, but they regard the festival - a rupted a live beachside television broadcast. Last nals. That means the world’s glitziest film festival, magnet for the world’s media - as a potential tar- year, Ukrainian prankster Vitalii Sediuk managed to which opens yesterday, is the focus of an intense get. The streets of the seaside town are guarded by get on the red carpet and dive under the dress of security operation to try to keep disaster and dra- hundreds of municipal and national police, backed actress America Ferrera. ma confined to the screen. “It’s not a subject we up by riot squads, and overlooked by almost 500 The French Riviera, with its extravagant displays want to talk about,” said festival chief Thierry surveillance cameras of wealth, is also a criminal target - especially at fes- Fremaux, sitting on a sun-baked terrace overlook- tival time, when the town’s population of 75,000 ing Cannes’ yacht-filled harbor. Security breaches triples. “It seems to be a magnet for all the poten- “Since Sept 11 - since always - Cannes is a place Philippe Castanet, the official in charge of secu- tial criminals from the south of France,” said film which is very well protected,” he added. “The secu- rity at the festival, told Europe 1 radio that there is publicist Charles McDonald, a longtime Cannes- rity measures are very, very, very important here.” also an invisible layer of agents “assessing risk with goer. “They seem to gravitate here. No surprise, Security has been tightened across France since eyes and ears,” analyzing the Internet and social really.” The Croisette, Cannes’ beachfront main drag, Islamic extremist attacks on satirical magazine media for signs of trouble. An inner security cordon is lined with upscale boutiques: Prada, Bulgari, Charlie Hebdo and a kosher supermarket in Paris in surrounds the festival itself. Access to the Palais des Hermes, Gucci. Major jewelers set up temporary January left 20 people dead, including three gun- Festivals, where screenings, photo-calls and press shop in luxury hotel suites to supply the stars for In this photo taken Tuesday, May 12, 2015, municipal police officers patrol outside men. In February, a knifeman attacked three sol- conferences are held, is controlled by a phalanx of the red carpet.—AP the Palais des Festivals ahead of the 68th international film festival, Cannes, south- diers outside a Jewish community center in the polite and dapper security guards who scan passes, ern France.—AP Deneuve sad at the death of glamour

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US artist Nathan Sawaya poses next to his artwork at the exhibition ‘The Art of the brick’ in Paris. — AFP Kokedama: Japanese moss balls an easy alternative to bonsai okedama is sometimes called “poor man’s Indoors for the winter Outdoors, kokedama shouldn’t be in direct sun bonsai,” and the two do share some features: The string that secures the moss around the ball where they will dry out, and if you live in a cold cli- KThey’re both small displays of plants and can either be purely functional or part of your mate they’ll need to come indoors for the winter. moss. But “lazy person’s bonsai” might be a better design. “I use regular twine, but I’ve seen it done So choose plants with those factors in mind. “We description, because it’s far easier and less of a with rubber bands, colored wire, basically anything go for hardy plants that are tried and true, that in An employee of Sotheby’s auction house poses with ‘The Sunrise Ruby’. commitment and you can find everything you you can wrap around the ball,” says Hill. “You can a the summer can handle being outdoors, then can need to make them at any home and garden store. wrap a bunch of times so you can see it and add come indoors and handle low light conditions,” “Kokedama takes off from the bonsai concept,” says color, or just enough to hold it in place.” Kokedama says Chad Washburn of the Naples Botanical Kanako Yamada, who makes them at her business, should be hung in a way that’s easy to take it down Garden in Florida. He recommends plants such as Burmese ruby sells for Kodama Forest, in San Diego. “The difference is, for watering, because you’ll need to soak the whole philodendron, pothos, anthurium and miniature bonsai is usually for outdoors - they are brought in ball. Hill soaks them for 15 minutes or so and then orchids, and says, “One of my favorites is parlor when a guest comes, but regularly they will be out- lets them sit till they’re not dripping. palms. You can buy quite small ones, relatively record $30m at auction side.” Kokedama, by contrast, were made to be inexpensively, and they’ll stay small in this setting. 25.59 carat “pigeon blood” ruby sold cut, is believed to have been part of the col- enjoyed indoors all the time. for a world record $30.33 million at lection of Princess Mathilde, niece of French Westernized kokedama (which means “moss Same technique auction in Geneva Tuesday while a Emperor Napoleon I, according to the balls”) give this concept a few twists. One is that They do beautifully indoors and out.” Plants that A rare pink diamond believed to have once Gemological Institute of America. instead of just displaying them on pretty dishes, don’t rely as much on getting moisture from the belonged to Napoleon’s niece fetched $15.9 Another of its former owners was the we’re hanging them up; the other is that we’re tak- soil are particularly easy. “Anything with that epi- million, Sotheby’s said. After competitive bid- reclusive American heiress and philanthro- ing them outdoors as well. The basics couldn’t be phytic growing style - things that naturally grow ding, the ruby went to an anonymous tele- pist Huguette Clark, who died in 2007. It only simpler: Put a plant in a ball of soil, wrap it in moss attached to bark and trees - those kinds of plants phone bidder for 26.25 million Swiss francs recently reappeared after having been kept and tie string around it. In Japan, kokedama are tolerate it really well because they naturally absorb (27.3 million euros), with costs. The “Sunrise in the safe of a bank since the 1940s. The ori- made with bonsai soil, but that’s not necessary or moisture from the air,” says Hill. Like any container Ruby” from Myanmar, part of a collection of gins of the stone remain unclear. The techni- even a good idea in some climates. “I have tried it plant, your kokedama will eventually need repot- Cartier jewels up for auction, had been cal characteristics of the stone and the fact and it works fine, but I didn’t see a big difference, ting. Yamada says you can cut off the moss, prune expected to sell for between $12 million and that it is so old suggest it may have been so I don’t bother spending the money,” says Lauren the roots and put new moss on, the same tech- $18 million. found in the famous Golconda mines of Hill, senior gardener at Longwood Gardens in nique used in bonsai to keep the trees small. But, It set a record for a ruby and was also a India, according to Bennett. Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. she says, after a few years she usually likes to move record for a Cartier jewel at auction, The market for colored diamonds and She uses about two-thirds potting soil and one- the plant to a pot and let it spread. Sotheby’s said. “The Sunrise Ruby sold for just precious stones has never been so dynamic, third another kind of soil with more clay as a bind- Hill says that for many people, kokedama may not over $30 million, $30.3 million, which is I according to Sotheby’s, with pink diamonds ing element, then adds water and adjusts the mix be a long-term way to grow plants in any case. “I think over three times the previous record, among the rarest. In October 2014, Sotheby’s as necessary. “You want to mix till you get the con- think most people get impatient with how much which was for the Graff Ruby,” said David sold a 8.41 carat pink diamond, which was sistency of a meatball,” she says. In Southern watering they require, but for like a summer, or six Bennett, head of Sotheby’s international jew- cut differently, for $17.8 million. At Tuesday’s California, Yamada says that bonsai soil or any soil months to a year, they’re super fun to have around elry division, referring to a stone sold in auction, a pair of Cartier earrings with sap- with too much clay will dry out too much, so she the house.” Still, kokedama provide some of the November. The large, pigeon-blood red ruby phires from Myanmar and diamonds sold for simply uses the soil the plant is potted in, adding pleasures that Yamada learned about from her uncle, “is amongst the rarest of all gemstones”. “I 3.4 million Swiss francs ($3.9 million). Rival peat moss if necessary. a bonsai artist in Japan who inspired her. “He said, in mean, in 40 years I’ve ever only seen one this auction house Christie’s will be hosting its Another difference from the Japanese style is a small pot he can make a small forest, and make color, this size, so they are beyond rare,” spring jewels auction in Geneva today. It said that instead of live moss, dried sheet moss is used, people have a peaceful mind, a tranquil feeling,” she Bennett said. that among the 351 pieces to go under the which you can buy packaged at craft and garden says. “I wanted to pass that on to people.” — AP Another “extremely rare” stone, a fancy hammer is the Maria Christina Royal stores. Soak it in water and you get a green-brown vivid pink diamond weighing 8.72 carats sold Devant≠de≠Corsage diamond brooch, a sheet you can wrap. (Don’t confuse this with for 14.8 million Swiss francs ($15.9 million, wedding gift from Spanish king Alfonso XII to sphagnum moss, which is silvery-gray and stringy 14.3 million euros) at the spring Magnificent his wife, Austrian archduchess Maria and falls apart.) Stylist kokedama in Kyoto, Japan. Jewels and Nobel Jewels auction. The stone, Christina in 1879. — AFP known as “The Historic Pink” and mounted on a ring with a classic non-modified cushion

Buyers agent applauses after ‘The Sunrise Ruby’. This photo provided by Naples Botanical Garden shows kokedama in the Naples Botanical Garden in Naples, Fla. — AP photos

This photo provided by Naples Botanical Garden shows kokedama in the Naples Botanical Garden in Naples, Fla. — AP photos