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MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016 THULQADA 26, 1437 AH www.kuwaittimes.net

Hasawi: KFA’s next phase is to develop local sports activity

Youth movement: Gazans take up rollerblading

Man City go top with win over West Ham

10,000th Syrian reaches US this week forresettlement

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Govt to settle hospital bills

amid treatment abroad row

11 controllers to be questioned • Paris health office ‘still open’By A Saleh

KUWAIT/PARIS: The government has approved a specialbudget estimated at KD 320 million to pay bills of hospi-tals in countries where citizens are sent for treatment aspart of the state’s overseas treatment program. This stepcame to honor Kuwait’s agreement with foreign hospitalsas part of the program, and to protect the state’s reputa-tion, according to informed sources. The governmentstepped in at a time when the foreign and health min-istries are at odds with regards to delayed payments thatthe latter says are yet to receive approval for from the for-mer. The standoff between the health and finance min-istries has caused Kuwait to struggle to pay dues owed toEuropean and American hospitals where citizens arebeing treated under the treatment overseas program.

Meanwhile, 11 financial controllers will be questionedover accusations of delinquency and irregularities in thetreatment abroad file, said sources familiar with the issue.The finance ministry had accused the health ministry ofmismanagement, which led to squandering in the budg-et allocated for treatment abroad. However, the healthministry responded by saying that all funds were spentafter receiving approval from independent financial con-trollers. As a result, an investigation was opened and 11controllers were identified to be questioned, said thesources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Health ministry officials had warned in earlier reportsthat several hospitals could resort to legal action todemand a total of KD 150 million that Kuwait reportedlystill owes them.

Continued on Page 13

KUWAIT: Sheep are seen in a pen at the livestock market in Shuwaikh. With Eid Al-Adha just around the cor-ner, the market is witnessing an unreasonable hike in prices. — Photo by Joseph Shagra (See Page 4)

Sheep prices up ahead of Eid

DOHA: Qatar’s government will levy a new airport taxon passengers from Tuesday as the country seeks newrevenue streams amid falling oil prices. Every passen-ger leaving Qatar from Doha’s Hamad InternationalAirport, including transit passengers, will be charged35 riyals ($9.61) for using airport facilities, according toa statement by the airport. The charge will apply totickets issued after Aug 30 and for any travel startingon Dec 1 onwards and would be used to “furtherincrease the airport’s capacity and invest in new infra-structure”, the statement said. Children under twoyears old without a seat will be exempted.

Airport fees, while common elsewhere in theworld, have until recently been avoided by Gulf statesas they seek to gain a competitive advantage for busi-ness and become regional hubs. Some 1.33 millionpassengers travelled through Hamad InternationalAirport in June. Airports in the United Arab Emiratesannounced similar taxes earlier this year. Interest ratesare rising in the Gulf as low oil prices pressure govern-ments’ finances, so Qatar has been looking at waysother than borrowing to fund its projects, includingraising local gasoline prices. — Agencies

Qatar to levy

$10 airport tax

on passengers

Iraq requests Saudi envoy be changed

BAGHDAD: Iraq’s Foreign Ministry saidthe government yesterday formallyrequested that the Saudi ambassador inBaghdad be replaced after he claimedthat Iranian-backed militias are plottingto assassinate him. Foreign Ministryspokesman Ahmed Jamal told AP thatthe government sent a formal request toSaudi Arabia to replace the kingdom’sambassador in Baghdad, Thamer Al-Sabhan. Jamal said Sabhan’s reportedcomments are untrue and harm relationsbetween the two countries. He said theallegations are considered interference in

Iraq’s internal affairs and that Sabhan hasnot provided the ministry with any proofor evidence of these claims.

Iran and Saudi Arabia are regionalrivals and broke off diplomatic ties inJanuary after several years of frayed rela-tions. In 2011, US authorities said they haddisrupted an Iranian plot to assassinatethe Saudi ambassador to Washington atthe time. Sabhan was quoted as tellingthe Saudi-owned Al-Hayat newspaperthat Iraqi intelligence provided him withinformation about the assassination plans.

Continued on Page 13

BAGHDAD: Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim Al-Jaafari (right) meets the new SaudiAmbassador to Iraq Thamer Al-Sabhan in the Iraqi capital in this Jan 14, 2016 filephoto. — AFP

DUBAI: Ride-hailing service Uber said yesterdaythat it and competitor Careem have abruptly sus-pended services in the United Arab Emirates capitalof Abu Dhabi due to “unforeseen circumstances”,suggesting potential difficulties with local regula-tors. San Francisco-based Uber described the moveas temporary and said it hopes to have more infor-mation in the next two days. It declined to say whatprompted the suspension.

“We want to let you know that this was a deci-sion taken by both companies, and our goal is toresume operations in Abu Dhabi as soon as possi-ble,” Uber said in a statement. The company hasoperated in the Emirates since 2013. Local regula-tions mean that only licensed limousine drivers inthe seven-state Emirates federation can drive forride-hailing services such as Uber, which let passen-gers users order rides and pay through a smart-phone app.

Christian Eid, vice-president of marketing andcommunications for Careem, a Dubai-based compa-ny, said many of its drivers were being stopped byauthorities in Abu Dhabi, apparently over licensingissues, and as a result had become nervous andwere staying off the roads. This had forced Careemto halt services there, he said.

Continued on Page 13

Uber, Careem

halt services

in Abu Dhabi

DOHA: Kenyan runner Michael Douglas Ongeri poses for a photo on Aug 16, 2016in the Qatari capital. — AFP

DOHA: Kenyan security guard MichaelDouglas Ongeri has a dream - and won’tbe daunted by poverty, a 13-hour work-day or training in Qatar’s searing heat,far from his family. Nor will he let the 11km he has to walk from work to the trackthen back home slow him down. “Youget used to it,” Ongeri tells AFP matter-of-factly. “I have to do it, it is somethingwhich is me, I like running, I have to run.”

While many dream of becoming aninternational track star, the 22-year-oldKenyan may actually have a chance. Sixdays a week, he leaves work around 5pm and heads to Doha’s biggest park,

Aspire Park, in the shadow of the city’sKhalifa Stadium that will host the WorldAthletics Championship in 2019. In tem-peratures of over 40 degrees C and sti-fling humidity, the Kenyan puts on histraining gear and, sweat pouring, runsup to 12 km through Aspire’s greenexpanses.

If it is close to his payday - 1,400Qatari riyals a month ($385) - it is possi-ble Ongeri will go without food as hehas no cash left, sleep for five hours in aroom he shares with five others andthen start all over again.

Continued on Page 13

Qatar security guard

in the race of his life

BEIRUT: Dozens of people were killed inTurkish bombardment in Syria yesterday asAnkara ramped up its unprecedented offensiveinside the country against the Islamic Stategroup and Kurdish militants. The Britain-basedSyrian Observatory for Human Rights said atleast 40 civilians had been killed in Turkishshelling and air strikes on two areas held bypro-Kurdish forces in northern Syria, the firstreport of significant civilian casualties inTurkey’s operation.

But Ankara said its raids had killed 25Kurdish “terrorists” and that the army wasdoing everything to avoid civilian casualties.The bombardments came after Ankara suf-fered its first military fatality in the offensiveagainst IS and the Syrian Kurdish People’sProtection Units (YPG) militia it launched onWednesday. The Observatory said at least 20civilians were killed and 50 wounded in Turkishartillery fire and air strikes on the village of JebEl-Kussa early yesterday. Another 20 were killedand 25 wounded, many seriously, in Turkish airstrikes near the town of Al-Amarneh, it added.

The monitor also said at least four Kurdish

fighters had been killed and 15 injured inTurkish bombardment of the two areas. Aspokesman for the local Kurdish administrationsaid 75 civilians had been killed in both vil-lages. But the Turkish army said it had killed 25Kurdish “terrorists” from Turkey’s outlawedKurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and Syria’s YPG,state-run Anadolu news agency said. “All possi-ble measures are being taken to prevent harmto the civilian population living in the area andthe maximum sensitivity is being shown onthis issue,” the army said, quoted by Anadolu.

The Observatory said the bombardment tar-geted an area south of the former IS borderstronghold of Jarabulus, which Turkish-ledforces captured on the first day of the incur-sion. Turkish-backed rebels say they have cap-tured at least nine towns and villages, includ-ing Jarabulus, from IS and Kurdish forces sinceWednesday. In a statement Saturday, Kurdishforces accused Ankara of seeking to “expand itsoccupation” inside Syria.

The latest fighting is likely to raise deep con-cerns for Turkey’s NATO ally the United States,which supports the YPG as an effective fighting

force against IS. Ankara considers the YPG a“terrorist” group and has fiercely opposed itsbid to expand into areas recaptured from IS tocreate a contiguous autonomous zone. OnSaturday, a Turkish soldier was killed and threemore wounded in a Kurdish attack south ofJarabulus. Turkish media named the dead sol-dier as Ercan Celik, 28, and said a funeral forhim would be held on Sunday in Gaziantep,which Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoganis currently visiting.

Turkish forces carried out their first airstrikes on pro-Kurdish positions on Saturday aspart of what Ankara is calling “OperationEuphrates Shield”. Turkey says that the YPG hasbroken a promise to return across theEuphrates River after advancing west thismonth, despite US guarantees. Ankara’s mili-tary intervention in Syria has added anotherdimension to the country’s complex multi-front war, a devastating conflict that has killedmore than 290,000 people and forced millionsfrom their homes since it began in March 2011.Much of the heaviest fighting this summer has

Continued on Page 13

Turkey ramps up Syria offensive

A man sits in the desert outside Dubai yesterday. — AP

L O C A LMONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh SabahAl-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received, atBayan Palace yesterday, the visiting QatariPrime Minister and Interior Minister SheikhAbdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani andthe delegation accompanying him on the cur-rent official visit to the country. The meetingwas attended by First Deputy Prime Ministerand Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-KhaledAl-Hamad Al-Sabah, Deputy Premier andInterior Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al-KhaledAl-Sabah and the Amiri Diwan Advisor KhaledAbdullah Boudai.

Meanwhile, His Highness the Amir receivedthe visiting former Iraqi president Ghazi Ajil Al-Yawar. The meeting was attended by HisHighness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. His Highness theAmir also received Deputy Prime Minister andForeign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and the visiting ForeignMinister of Equatorial Guinea, Agapito MbaMokuy, who handed His Highness a writtenmessage from his president, Teodoro Obiang

Nguema Mbasogo, inviting His Highness theAmir to the fourth Arab-African Summit due inthe African country ’s capital, Malabo, inNovember.

Also yesterday, His Highness the PrimeMinister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-HamadAl-Sabah met separately with his Qatari coun-terpart, the former Iraqi president as well asForeign Minister of Equatorial Guinea.

Earlier yesterday, His Highness the Amirmet with His Highness the Crown Prince, HisHighness the Prime Minister, the First DeputyPrime Minister and Acting National AssemblySpeaker Mubarak Al-Khurainej. Meanwhile, HisHighness the Crown Prince met with HisHighness Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak, MinisterSheikh Sabah Al-Khaled, Khurainej, DeputyPrime Minister and Minister of Defense SheikhKhaled Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah, Minister ofInformation and Minister of State for YouthAffairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah and Minister of State forCabinet Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Al-Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah. —KUNA

Amir hosts Qatar’s premier, former Iraqi president

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with Qatari PrimeMinister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with former Iraqi presidentGhazi Ajil Al-Yawar. —Amiri Diwan and KUNA photos

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah receives a letter from President of Equatorial GuineaTeodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, presented by EquatorialGuinea’s Foreign Minister Agapito Mba Mokuy.

His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-MubarakAl-Hamad Al-Sabah meets with Qatari Prime Minister andInterior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin KhalifaAl Thani.

KUWAIT: Deputy Prime Minister and InteriorMinister Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah held talks yesterday with thevisiting Qatari Prime Minister and InteriorMinister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al KhalifaAl Thani on regional security issues and meansof boosting mutual cooperation at the securitylevel. The Interior Ministry press office said thetwo sides swapped information on combatingterrorism, emerging and organized crimes andmeans of enhancing mutual cooperation atthese levels.

Minister Sheikh Mohammad stressed duringthe meeting on depth of the ties between thetwo brotherly countries and Kuwaiti and Qatarileaders’ keenness on overcoming hurdles facingmutual cooperation as well as unifying viewstoward regional and international affairs ofcommon concern.

The Qatari minister expressed gratitude forthe warm reception in the State of Kuwait andsatisfaction at outcome of his talks with MinisterSheikh Mohammad Al-Khaled. The official state-ment added that the meeting was held withinframework of “executive measures according tothe resolutions of the GCC leaders to bolstercoordination among the Council’s memberstates to solidify regional security.”

Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khaled held a lunch-eon in honor of the Qatari minister and his dele-

gation. It was attended by Deputy Premier andDefense Minister Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah and Deputy Premier and Finance Ministerand Acting Oil Minister Anas Al-Saleh.

The formal lunch was also attended by the

Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs SheikhMohammad Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah andother ranking officials. The Qatari delegationconcluded the visit to the country later in theday. —KUNA

Kuwait, Qatar discuss boosting

security coordination

KUWAIT: Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al-KhaledAl-Hamad Al-Sabah holds talks with Qatari Prime Minister and Interior MinisterSheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al Khalifa Al Thani yesterday. —Interior Ministry photos

Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Qatari Prime Minister and InteriorMinister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al Khalifa Al Thani, senior Kuwaiti government officials and members of the Qatari delegationattend a luncheon held in the guests’ honor.

MANAGUA: Kuwaiti Ambassador to Mexicoand Non-resident Ambassador toNicaragua Sameh Johar Hayat conveyed tothe Nicaraguan President Daniel OrtegaSaavedra the greetings of His Highness theAmir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, wishing the Nicaraguan people fur-ther progress and prosperity.

Hayat discussed during his meetingwith Ortega at his presidential palace onthe prospective visit of the NicaraguanPresident to Kuwait. The two men also tack-

led means of boosting bilateral ties at alllevels, Nicaragua’s Presidential AdvisorMohamed Lashtar said.

Ortega then presented the Kuwaitidiplomat in a ceremony held later at theheadquarters of the Foreign Ministry withan Order of Merit and Excellence emblemin recognition of his fruitful efforts in devel-oping the relations between both nations.The Kuwaiti ambassador was also decorat-ed with the state’s highest gold medal onthe occasion of ending his tenure. —KUNA

Nicaraguan President

to visit Kuwait

Chief of the National Security Bureau Sheikh Thamer Al-Ali Al-Sabah meets with the Ambassador-Head of Delegation of theEuropean Union to Kuwait Adam Kulach. —KUNA photos

KUWAIT: First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister SheikhSabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah meets with Ambassador-Headof Delegation of the European Union to Kuwait Adam Kulach.

KUWAIT: First Deputy Prime Minister andForeign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah received at Bayan Palace yes-terday the outgoing Ambassador-Head ofDelegation of the European Union to KuwaitAdam Kulach on the occasion of ending histenure. The minister hailed efforts exerted bythe European official during his tenure in thecountry.

Chief of the National Security Bureau SheikhThamer Al-Ali Al-Sabah also met Kulach, andhailed his efforts during his tenure in Kuwait inenhancing the relation between Kuwait and EU.

Sheikh Thamer wished him the best in hisfuture ventures, the statement concluded.

On Saturday, Sheikh Sabah Khaled met withthe visiting Foreign Minister of EquatorialGuinea Agapito Mba Mokuy. During the meet-ing, the two sides discussed ways to boost thebilateral relations between the two countries,and exchanged views on overall regional andinternational issues. They also reviewed ongo-ing preparations for the Fourth Arab-AfricanSummit, set to take place in Malabo, EquatorialGuinea, on November 23rd. Meanwhile, SheikhSabah Al-Khaled held a banquet in honor of the

visiting guest, which was attended by seniorofficials from the Kuwaiti foreign ministry, andMokuy’s accompanying delegation.

The meeting was attended by AmbassadorWaleed Al-Khubaizi, Acting Deputy ForeignMinister, Ayham Al-Omar, Assistant ForeignMinister of the Deputy Foreign Minister’s OfficeAffairs, Ambassador Aziz Al-Daihani, AssistantForeign Minister for Arab Affairs, AmbassadorHamad Al-Mashaan, Acting Assistant ForeignMinister for African Affairs, and AmbassadorSaleh Al-Loughani, Acting Assistant for ForeignMinister office. —KUNA

FM receives outgoing EU envoy to Kuwait

MANAGUA: Kuwaiti Ambassador to Mexico and Non-resident Ambassadorto Nicaragua Sameh Johar Hayat meets with Nicaraguan President DanielOrtega Saavedra. (Right) The Order of Merit and Excellence emblem pre-sented to the Kuwaiti diplomat. —KUNA photos

L O C A LMONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

KUWAIT: The Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Kuwait Yoo Yeonchuldiscussed matters of mutual concern with Kuwait Times Editor-in-Chief AbdAl-Rahman Al-Alyan over the weekend. —Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat

KUWAIT: Kuwait FootballAssociation (KFA) Chairman FawazAl-Hasawi said yesterday that thefocus during the next phase willbe on developing local activityand address all the flaws as a firststep to work on lifting the suspen-sion imposed on the Kuwaitisports.

Hasawi announced in a state-ment that the first step is to cancelthe reserve league that is currentlyin place and to adopt the ‘in andout’ system in the premier leagueas of the next season consisting ofpremier and first.

He continued, “We will work tostrengthen the league andincrease the level of its perform-ance by increasing and diversify-ing bonuses for the sake ofincreasing competition betweenthe clubs and contribute to raisingthe general technical level.”

“We will also work to imple-ment privatization in the clubswhich will be the first step to liftthe suspension and develop sports

image sought by all Kuwaiti ath-letes,” he added. Hasawi stressedthe need to benefit from the priva-tization as desired and as is thecase in various regional, continen-tal and global countries in order toachieve the desired renaissance ofthe game and restore its glory invarious forums.

He expressed confidence in thecapabilities of all employees of the

Association to achieve the firststep in “our quest towards liftingthe suspension imposed on theKuwaiti sports and restore its pastglories in all forums.”

The Publ ic Author i t y forSports (PAS) had earlier decidedto dissolve the Kuwait FootballAssoc iat ion and the Kuwait iOlympic Committee, assigningtwo interim commissions-allud-ing the measure to f inancia lirregularities.

Improving sportsMeanwhile, Sheikh Fahad Jaber

Al-Ali Al-Sabah, Chairman of aninterim committee tasked withrunning Kuwait National OlympicCommittee (NOC), said Saturdaythe committee sought primarily tosee Kuwaiti flags hoisted in inter-national competitions. Committeemembers wil l exer t effor ts toimprove sport in Kuwait at local,regional and international levels,Sheikh Fahad said in a statement.He said their aim was to ser ve

Kuwaiti youth “because they arethe future of the country.”

Sheikh Fahad said the commit-tee was keen creating suitableenvironment for the improvementof sport in Kuwait, thus reflectinginterest of His Highness the AmirSheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-JaberAl-Sabah, His Highness the CrownPrince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highnessthe Prime Minister Sheikh JaberMubarak Al-Hamad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in youth.

Sheikh Fahad expressed grati-tude for the political leadership,and Minister of Information andMinister of State for Youth AffairsSheikh Salman Al-Sabah forassigning him to chair the NOC.Sheikh Salman, who BoardChairman of the Public Authorityfor Sport (PAS), announced threedays ago the dissolution of NOCand appointed Sheikh Fahad tochair an interim committee for sixmonths, and to represent Kuwaitlocally and abroad. —KUNA

Hasawi says KFA’s next phase isto develop local sports activityNOC to improve sport locally, abroad: Interim chair

KFA Chairman Fawaz Al-Hasawi

KUWAIT: First Deputy Prime Minister andForeign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah yesterday left for Switzerlandleading a delegation to a ceremony that marksthe 50th anniversary of Kuwaiti-Swiss diplo-matic ties.

Today, the Swiss capital of Bern will be thescene of several political, economic and cultur-al activities marking the occasion, to demon-strate the deep historical ties of friendshipbetween the two friendly countries.

The high ranking delegation also includesCEO of the Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA)Bader Mohammad Al-Saad, Assistant ForeignMinister for European Affairs AmbassadorWalid Al-Khubaizi, Director General of theKuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority(KDIPA) Sheikh Dr. Meshaal Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Acting Assistant Foreign Minister forSheikh Sabah Al-Khaled’s Office AffairsAmbassador Saleh Salim Al-Loughani, Directorof Operations at the Kuwait Fund for ArabEconomic Development (KFAED) Marwan Al-Ghanim and a host of the Foreign Ministry’ssenior officials.

The delegation was seen off by ActingDeputy Foreign Minister Ambassador Jamal

Abdullah Al-Ghanim, Assistant ForeignMinister for Protocol Affairs Ambassador DhariAl-Ajran, and senior officials from the ministry.

New phaseKuwait ’s Ambassador to the Swiss

Confederation Ambassador Badr Al-Tunaibsaid meanwhile that the Foreign Minister’sofficial visit aims at launching a new phase ofrelations between the two countries andmarks the fiftieth anniversary of the establish-ment of diplomatic relations between the twocountries.

Tunaib said that Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaledwill conduct high-level talks with the head ofthe Federal Governing Council, ForeignMinister and President of the Swiss parliament.The two sides will also sign an MoU on signifi-cant issues between the two countries, headded. A grand ceremony on this occasion willbe held in the presence of a large number ofKuwaiti and Swiss personalities, the ambassa-dor said..

Tunaib added that the distinguished rela-tions between Switzerland and Kuwait werelaunched since independence of Kuwait in1961, due to the importance of emergence of

Kuwait at that time as the first democratic,constitutional and parliamentary country aswell as being a state of institutions in theregion and due to its commercial position inthe Arabian Gulf.

The Ambassador pointed out that bilateralrelations between Kuwait and Switzerland infact date back to the pre-independence erawhere Kuwaiti traders were among the mostsignificant suppliers of precious pearl to the

Swiss market. He said that Kuwaiti traderswere also among those who contributed tothe opening of Gulf markets for Swiss prod-ucts in the first quarter of the last century.

Kuwaiti venturesThe ambassador noted that this business

relationship has evolved with the advance-ment of Kuwaiti infrastructure ventures thathave benefited from the expertise of Swisscompanies in the technical field, promptingthe Swiss side to open an Embassy in the Stateof Kuwait in 1975, stressing that cooperationbetween the two countries is still witnessingmany achievements in various fields and proj-ects.

The ambassador recalled the noble roleplayed by Switzerland during the Iraqi inva-sion of Kuwait in 1990 describing it as “remark-able” because not only Switzerlanddenounced and condemned the invasion, butfor hosting Kuwaitis who were in Switzerlandduring the invasion until the end of the crisis.He also praised Switzerland’s efforts throughthe International Committee of the Red Crossto prisoners and missing persons’ cases duringthat crisis. —KUNA

Foreign Minister leaves for Switzerland on official visit

KUWAIT: First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah leaves for Switzerland yesterday. —KUNA

KUWAIT: Kuwait needs highly skilled workersfor executing mega development projects,affirmed the Minister of Social Affairs and Laboryesterday. Dr Hind Al-Subaih, also the Ministerof State for Planning Affairs and Development,made the affirmation during a meeting with avisiting delegation from Malawi, headed byHenry Mussa, the minister of labor.

Minister Subaih added that the manpowerauthority would operate a hot-line soon to

receive complaints from the diplomatic mis-sions concerning the working expatriates.Minister Subaih also affirmed necessity of bol-stering the bilateral ties between the State ofKuwait and the friendly republic, as well as look-ing into avenues for optimal benefit from theskilled personnel in that country.

The meeting was attended by DirectorGeneral of the Public Authority for ManpowerAbdullah Al- Mutawtah. —KUNA

Kuwait needs skilled labor formega ventures: Minister Subaih

L O C A LMONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

By Attorney Fajer Ahmed

Legalese

As I have mentioned previously, it is not easy trav-eling to another country that has a vastly differ-ent culture, environment, language, way of life

and so on. So I can only imagine how hard it is to showup to your new job and not get paid your salary, or nothave a residency, or do not have a contract and so on.Therefore I have put together questions from expatemployees that are of concern. I would also like to men-tion that these cases are more common than you think.

No contractQuestion: I have been working for a company for a

few months and I have not been given any contract tosign so far. My work visa was stamped in February. InSeptember, it will be three months since I joined thisclinic. I have not been paid a single month’s salary yet. Ihave been asking about this to my employer almostevery other day, but they just ask me to wait. In July,they only gave me KD 200 after I mentioned my diffi-culties at home. The salary mentioned in my shuoon(Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor) paper is KD 1,200KD. I also have a salary account with a private bankhere, but with no salary deposited so far. I find it verydifficult to wait any longer and I wish to get my releasefrom here and also my pending salary. Can you pleaseadvise me what I must do?

Fajer: It is so unfair that you are being treated thisway and it is unfortunate that so many others are beingtreated the same way as well. Since you have alreadymentioned your salary amount in your work permit(others really do not know what their salary amount is),you know you have a work visa and a bank accountand yet you are not receiving any salary. I suggest yougo straight to the Ministry of Social Affairs and Laborand file a complaint. I should also mention thatbecause you have not been paid your salary in a timelymanner and you have the proof, you can cancel yourwork permit!

Probation periodQuestion: I found your email address on the inter-

net and I have a question if you can answer it please. Iam working as a teacher in a private high school. Theystamped my residence last year, which expires inNovember this year. Every year, a contract is made forone year. It includes a two-month probation period.Can I find another job in those first two months, termi-nate the contract and transfer my residence too?

Fajer: Usually, if your contract is being renewed withthe same employer, then there is no probation period,but since your contract includes a probation periodand since the law allows differences with the Kuwaitlabor law to the benefit of the employee, then you canuse this clause to your benefit and terminate your con-tract if you want to. Just make sure you check otherclauses in your contract.

Held against her willQuestion: I would like to ask regarding my sister’s

situation with her employer. If she has only completedone year of her two-year contract, does she need topay her employer for not completing the contract?Also, can her employer hold her against her will if shedoes not want to continue working with them? Lastmonth, they had an agreement that my sister will beable to leave after this month, and they told her thatthey will not give her salary for this month because themoney will go towards buying her a ticket back to ourcountry, which is the Philippines. But then last nightthey told her that they will not let her go and told herto stay longer, but my sister refuses to work with them.One of her coworkers tried going back home, but theywould not give him back his passport and also tell himto pay KD 1,000. Is this right? I hope for your kind con-sideration regarding my questions about the law herein Kuwait. Thank you.

Fajer: First of all, I have a policy against answeringconcerns for someone else. I need to speak to your sis-ter personally because I need to know more informa-tion, like does she work for the private sector or not? Iwill assume she works for the private sector and try toanswer your concerns.

It depends on her contract and what it says. Theremay be a three-month notice clause. If it is for a fixedterm like you say, she needs to continue or pay dam-ages, and by damages, I mean 3-months’ notice or hersalary for the amount of months it takes them to find areplacement. I must make it clear that the amount isnot something either party can assess by themselves. Itis something done in court, and common practice is 3-months’ notice. You say that your sister had an agree-ment with them last month - was it on paper? If so,then it can be used in court to her benefit, and there-fore she should not be worried.

For any legal questions or queries, emailask@fajerthelawyer.com

Employment law

By Faten Omar

KUWAIT: With Eid Al Adha just around the corner, the live-stock market is seeing an unreasonable hike in prices.Demand for sheep has pushed the price of Nuaimi sheepto KD 120-150, while Iranian sheep prices have reached KD60-80, depending on the breed, source, age and size.During Eid Al-Adha, Muslims who have the means arerequired to sacrifice an animal, usually a sheep, cow, goat,buffalo or camel. Kuwait Times visited the sheep market tofind out the price trends.

“The price of sheep ranges from KD 60 to KD 150, withNuaimi sheep the most expensive,” said Badri, a trader at themarket. He told Kuwait Times that prices are expected to goup as Eid approaches. “The price of Nuaimi sheep is KD 140 toKD 150 for large animals and KD 120 for small ones, Shafalisheep sell for KD 75 to KD 90, Australian KD 55, Jordanian KD110, Arabian hybrid from KD 75 to KD 80, Iranian for KD 80,and Saudi for KD 120 to KD 130,” he said. Badri said buyersshould be aware that Muslims should only sacrifice healthysheep and they can know this from its teeth.

Mohiuddeen, a Bangladeshi seller, said the price ofsheep is determined by type and weight and most cus-tomers prefer bigger sheep for sacrifice.

“Local sheep is in more demand and they weigh up to20 kilos. We have other sheep that weigh 20 kg to 25 kg, inaddition to Nuaimi and Saudi sheep that are known fortheir large size,” he said.

Mohiuddeen predicted that prices will remain thesame. He asked people to check if the sheep they buy issick or not by looking at the way it stands and if its headis down. He advised buyers to pay attention to thesheep’s horns too.

“Prices of Kuwaiti sheep range from KD 90 to KD 120,Iranian sheep KD 60 to KD 65, and Saudi and the Syriansheep KD 120 to 150. There are no Australian sheep in themarket now,” said Hussain, another seller. He added thatsheep for Eid are not ready yet. Hussain said that the mostpopular sheep varieties now are Shafali, Syrian, Jordanian,and Iranian, apart from the local ones. “We maintain thesame prices on all days because we don’t want to exploitour customers,” he said.

KUWAIT: Sheep pictured at the sheep market yesterday. — Photo by Joseph Shagra

Sheep prices

up ahead of Eid

Int’l groups ask

assembly to drop

cross-dressing

criminalization

By A Saleh and Meshaal Al-Enezi

KUWAIT: Some MPs said international human rightsorganizations have asked the National Assembly tocancel a law criminalizing impersonating the oppo-site sex, or cross-dressing, and asked to discuss theissue during the upcoming term. They said the organ-izations believe the law contradicts human rights andgeneral freedoms of individuals, and this harmsKuwaiti democracy. Sources said MPs will ignore therequest and seek stricter punishment for this offence.

Labor transferDeputy Director General for foreign labor recruit-

ment and employment at the Public Authority forManpower (PAM) Ahmad Al-Mousa issued a circularregarding a previous condition that limits transferringwork permits for workers on government contracts toother government contracts. The new circulationrequired inspecting the last two work permits that aworker obtained before his or her transfer transactionis carried out.

Labor grievancesAssistant Undersecretary for Administrative Affairs

at the Ministry of Education Fahd Al-Ghais said theperiod to file grievances over lack of rewards of out-standing performance or financial discrepancies start-ed yesterday. These can be filed on the ministry’s web-site for 60 days. He said the site is:http://www.moe.edu.kw/employee/pages/bonus.aspx

New patentKuwaiti doctor Abdelmohsen Abdelredha Al-

Sahaf succeeded in receiving a patent for his Q80innovation in the US, and by giving it this name, hewanted to have Kuwait’s name mentioned when it isused. Sahaf said the innovation can be used in mostorthopedic and surgical intervention operations totreat pain. “We are in the preliminary stage ofdesign, followed by production and marketingworldwide,” he added.

NewsI n B r i e f

Medical team for Kuwaiti hajjexpedition sets foot in holy lands

JEDDAH: The first batch of the Kuwaiti medical missionassigned to care for the hajj expedition arrived in holyMakkah yesterday, an official of the group said. The van-guard team will start equipping and preparing makeshiftclinics, a pharmacy and housing for the whole team, sec-ond group of which is expected to arrive next Thursday,said Mughir Al-Shemmari, the deputy chief of the Kuwaitihajj expedition for medical services, in a statement. Thefirst team that has already arrived includes pharmacistsand managers. The second one will comprise doctors, nurs-es, health examiners and emergency units. — KUNA

Elderly careKUWAIT: The Elderly Care Depar tment of theMinistry of Social Affairs and Labor said yesterdaythe ministry deals with all 25 cases of senior citizensthat have been sent by the Ministry of Health.General Director of the Elderly Care Department ofthe Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor, Amani Al-Tabtabai said in a press statement that the effortsthat have been made in the elderly service depart-ment in cooperation with the Ministry of Healthresulted in treating eight elderly persons in multiplehospitals and were later discharged. She pointed outthat Kuwait provides the elders with all forms ofsocial, psychological and health support in coopera-tion with the health ministry. — KUNA

Kuwaiti graduatesKUWAIT: President of Kuwait Industries Union Huda Al-Baqshi has affirmed that the federation primarily seeks toencourage young citizens to work in the key sector for sakeof the broad goal of attaining the society’s security. Baqshiwas speaking at conclusion of two training programs foracademic graduates, one themed “makers of the future”and the other “knights of the industry.” The first one aims attraining 20 freshly graduated job seekers and the secondone at boosting the industrial education among students.She stressed on the necessity of harmony between thepublic and private industrial sectors for sake of achievingsecurity of the society, creating new jobs and resources forthe national economy. — KUNA

Low oxygen levels

blamed for fish kill

KUWAIT: The Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research(KISR) said yesterday its scientists gathered samples ofdead fish along with samples from deep and offshorewaters at the Kuwait Bay area and the northern area.

In a press statement, KISR stated that the researchershave gathered the data from those two areas to calcu-late oxygen ratio in the waters and in the marine sedi-ments where they also identified the current environ-mental status and its future effect on the Marine life.

The statement added that all collected data isshared with the Environment Public Authority (EPA)after conducting full survey in cooperation of thePublic Authority of Agriculture Affairs and FishResources (PAAAFR).

The results showed a decrease of oxygen concen-tration in the seawaters with less than four milligramsin one liter in coherence with the increase of the watertemperature and high humidity, in addition to theincrease of Salinity which affected the oxygen in water,the statement said.

Conclusions of the recent survey and researchesshowed that the oxygen was below 1mg for each literand the marine sediments in the southern area had anotable increase in the marine organisms in the areawhich increased the consumption of oxygen anddecreased its condensation in the waters.

The bay witnessed occurrences fish death, latest ofwhich was in June 2015 and September 2014, wherethe oxygen concentration was below average withfour mg in the liter, the statement concluded. — KUNA

KUWAIT/KHARTOUM: Kuwait Red CrescentSociety (KRCS) started yesterday collectingdonations for a charitable educational proj-ect for the children of needy families inKuwait under the slogan (Give Them aChance). KRCS’ Head of Media and PublicRelations Khalid Al-Zaid stressed KRCS’keenness to serve community through edu-cating needy people and make them effec-tive elements in the society. He alsoaffirmed the importance of supporting thecharitable educational project which wouldhave a positive impact on the children of

needy families to pursue their schoolingcareers. Zaid invited all to contribute andinteract with the campaign in favor of theproject, whether citizens, residents, busi-nesses and all private and governmentagencies for the sake of relieving the needyfamilies who are in dire need of assistance.He said the KRCS is ready to receive materialdonations at its headquarters starting fromtoday for five days from 9:00 am to 12:00pm and in the evening from 5:00 pm to 8:00pm. Donations through KRCS’ website willcontinue for a longer period, he concluded.

Aid distributedSeparately, KRCS began yesterdaySunday

distributing relief aid for victims of floodsthat hit Sudan during the current rainy sea-son with an unprecedented record rate.Head of the KRCS’ delegation AhmedAbdullah Al-Faqaan said that the distribu-tion started from the suburb of Suba in eastof the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, as one ofthe affected areas where 300 families havebenefited from such aid.

He said the relief supplies included blan-kets, bed sheets, mattresses and mosquito

nets, indicating that the distribution opera-tions will continue to other regions affectedby the floods in cooperation with theSudanese Red Crescent Society.

He expressed hope that aid would con-tribute to alleviating the suffering of allneedy people as a result of this natural dis-aster in Sudan.

Two months of torrential rain have killedmore than 76 people in Sudan, and morerain is forecast. More than 160,000 peoplehave been affected and 14,000 housesdestroyed. — KUNA

KUWAIT: The FarwaniyaMunicipality’s emergency teamhas removed 97 percent ofencroachment crippling the fifthring road expansion project,Kuwait Municipality said yester-day. The removal came uponrequest from the Ministry ofPublic Works for the constructionand maintenance of roads on thewestern part of the fifth ringroad, said team leader Khaled Al-Radaan. The team will continueits work until removing allencroachment on state property,he added. — KUNA

Municipality removes encroachments

crippling road expansion

KRCS’ charitable campaign for needy families kicks off

Aid distributed to flood-stricken people in Sudan

KUWAIT: A man donates for a charitable educational project for the children ofneedy families, launched by Kuwait Red Crescent Society yesterday. — KUNA

KHARTOUM: A truck carrying KRCS relief aid to be distributed to victims of floodsthat hit Sudan during the current rainy season.

F r o m t he A r a bic pr e s sMONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

Shooting godfather

Salman Al-Humoud

Al-Anbaa

By Thaar Al-Rashidi

CrimeR e p o r t

Maid beats employerAn Egyptian woman was beaten by her Nepalese

maid with a broomstick that left her with variousbruises. The woman sought her husband’s help totake her to hospital, then went to the police stationand told them that she was attacked by her hystericalmaid. Police are looking for the maid, who escaped.

Smuggling foiledAbdaly customs officers foiled an attempt by two

Iraqis to smuggle a firearm and 2,000 Captagon pillsinto the country. Both were arrested in two separateincidents. While officers were inspecting a bus com-ing from Iraq with Bahraini plates, they found 2,000pills with a passenger, who was sent to DCGD. In thesecond case, they found a pistol in the suspect’s bag,so he was arrested and sent to criminal detectives.

Thief identifiedA thief, who is also an ex-convict, left his ID behind

during his latest theft that targeted a car in Fahd Al-Ahmad. A citizen told police his car was broken intoand KD 1,000 along with personal belongings werestolen, and that he found the ID of a citizen nearby.

Drug possessionA citizen fell asleep inside his car in front of a cafe

in Sulaibiya. Policemen who woke him up found 10envelopes of shabu, and he was detained at the DrugControl General Department (DCGD). Patrols suspecta car at dawn, then noticed a man sleeping in it. Whenthey woke him up, they found him in an abnormalcondition. — Al-Rai

KUWAIT: A one-year-old bedoon child trying to walkdrowned in a pool after falling in it. When his family dis-covered what had happened, he was already dead. Theboy’s body was sent to the coroner and a case was regis-tered at Sulaibiya police station.

Golden champion Fehaid Al-Deehani thankedSheikh Salman Al-Humoud for standing byhim in his sport from A to Z, and as for cham-

pion Abdullah Al-Rashidi, he presented his medal toSheikh Salman in recognition of the man’s support ofhim and the sport of shooting in general. TheOlympic champions did not have to make state-ments about a member of the government, but theygave him and his stand justice, as historically, he isthe true godfather of shooting in Kuwait - that doorwhich opened the medals for Kuwait.

Regardless of the sporting suspension, or otherthings, this unprecedented achievement is not theresult of a one, two or three-year camp that preced-ed the Rio 2016 Olympics - rather it is the result ofaccumulated care that continued for many years,during which shooting in Kuwait was makingachievements one year after another, while Kuwaitistopped the list of champions in this sport regionallyand internationally for many years, to a point whereKuwait champions became major stars and competi-tors over the past 20 years and are the focus in everyshooting tournament.

Sheikh Salman Al-Humoud is the godfather ofshooting in Kuwait, not because he was the presi-dent of the shooting club, and not because he is asheikh from the Sabah family - rather because hewas a shooting champion and won several medals asa shooter in the 1980s prior to becoming an Asianand international official in the International andAsian Shooting Federations.

The testimonies of the two champions areenough, because they know better than all aboutwhat Sheikh Salman has given to the sport of shoot-ing, and that he moved it from the local to the inter-national level, whether by government or his person-al support.

Calculations of the current sports struggles donot require us to ignore or forget the efforts of ashooting sport champion - this sport that was theonly reason in having our country’s name at theOlympics. It is not football, handball, or any athleticsports, or the other individual sports that gave us asa country the honor of competing and gettingmedals - rather it is the shooting sport alone thatgave us this preference.

If we wanted to put things in place, then we haveto speak this way to be fair, away from the calcula-tions of political sports struggle in Kuwait. I said thatthis would not have happened if there was not aman who stood behind this sport and established itin the country in an institutional manner with a far-sighted vision - a shooting athlete called SheikhSalman Al-Humoud.

—Translated by Kuwait Times

Toddler dies after

falling into pool

Prices

Subsidies

Al-Jarida

Driver assaultedA citizen sought the help of her two brothers to beat

an Egyptian man in Hawally following a car accident. Afterthe car accident, the woman called her brothers, whorushed to the accident scene, argued with the other driverand beat him up. A security source said traffic policemenhandled the situation and took those involved to thepolice station for further legal action.

Jahra crackdownA security campaign by Jahra police resulted in arrest-

ing 70 wanted individuals, besides issuing 108 traffic cita-tions. Sixteen cars were impounded for not meeting safetystandards. The detainees were referred to the properauthorities for further action.

Search for harasserA man harassed a woman in Fitnas, then slapped her

and twisted her arm for admonishing him. The woman, acitizen, went to Fintas police station and told them she washarassed by a youth in a mall in front of other shoppers, soshe admonished him and left. But he followed her to hercar and slapped her, twisted her arm, and said: “You can’tspeak like this to me.” The woman gave police the man’slicense plate number and he was charged with incitingimmorality and debauchery. Police are working on arrest-ing him.

KUWAIT: Kuwait Finance House(KFH) has announced granting onekilogram of gold as an award toKuwaiti shooter Abdullah Al-Rashidiin recognition of his triumph in cap-turing the bronze Olympic medal inthe men’s skeet championship at theRio 2016 Olympics.

This recognition emanates fromKFH’s long standing endeavors tosupport and patronize the Kuwaitichampions who raise the name ofKuwait at the international forumsand global events. It also reassuresthe bank’s ongoing commitmenttowards assuming its part in society.

The 1 kg gold award is a token ofappreciation for the remark ableachievement of the OlympicChampion Al-Rashidi at a presti-gious global event. KFH has beenalways committed to its society as itattaches great interest in highlight-ing the achievements of national tal-ent and sponsors their participa-tions which contributes in furthermotivating them, yet comprises animpetus for winning more trophieswhile achieving outstanding globaltitles that raise the Kuwaiti flag highin regional and international com-petitions. It is worth noting that KFHhad previously honored Kuwait i

shooter Fehaid Al-Deehani with 2 kggold for winning the gold medal in

the men’s double trap event at thesame Olympics.

KFH honors shooter Abdullah

Al-Rashidi with 1 kg gold

Rashidi won bronze medal in Rio 2016

Photoo f t h e d a y

KUWAIT: Islamic architecture embodied through designs featured on the Grand Mosque’s interior dome. — KUNA

The testimonies of the two champions are enough,

because they know better than all about what Sheikh

Salman has given to the sport of shooting

WARREN: Hillary Clinton has landed on a very personalcounterpunch to what she says is Donald Trump’scheckered business past: Her dad. As the Democraticpresidential nominee works to undercut Trump’s eco-nomic record and promote her plans for small business-es, she is invoking memories of her late father’s Chicagodrapery business.

Recalling Hugh Rodham hard at work making andprinting curtains for hotels and office buildings, Clintonargues that he would have been “stiffed” in a deal withthe celebrity businessman.”He expected to be paid whenhe showed up,” Clinton said recently during an event inWarren, Michigan. “He did the work. He paid for the sup-plies and the labor he often hired to help him on big jobs.I can’t imagine what would have happened to my fatherand his business if he had gotten a contract from Trump.”

Clinton hopes to remind voters that despite her yearsin public life that have left her a multimillionaire, shecomes from a middle-class background and under-stands the life of a small-business owner. She also wantsto contrast her biography with that of Trump, who wasraised by a successful real estate developer and hasdrawn criticism for his treatment of small businessesduring his career.

Key qualification Trump has promoted his business record as a key

qualification for the White House. But Trump casinosfailed on several occasions. When the Taj Mahal casino inAtlantic City, New Jersey went bankrupt in the early1990s, some contractors who worked on the propertywent under because Trump’s company didn’t pay whatthey were owed, according to interviews with TheAssociated Press.

In a statement to the AP, Clinton said her father’s busi-ness gave her “a sense of responsibility,” adding that shewas “living proof that a successful small business is at thecore of the basic bargain in America, that if you workhard and do your part, you can make your own dreamsand those of your children a reality.” Clinton has beenpitching her plans to support small businesses and to

make it easier to start a company. On a conference callwith small-business owners last week, she proposed anew tax deduction for small businesses and offered fed-eral incentives to encourage state and local governmentsto streamline regulations.

While Clinton has spoken of her father throughout thecampaign, the recent recollections have been moredetailed and intimate. Clinton tends to speak sparinglyabout her family while campaigning and when she does,it is typically to make a broader point. She has referencedher grandfather ’s work in a factory in Scranton,Pennsylvania, and her mother’s troubled childhood.Clinton has also spoken of her granddaughter as anexample of the future generation she is fighting for. MoElleithee, who worked for Clinton’s 2008 presidential bid,said that reminiscing about her

family’s business could put Clinton “in a different light”with voters. Elleithee, now executive director of theInstitute of Politics and Public Service at GeorgetownUniversity, noted that “she’s never done a very good jobof talking about herself.”

Fabric business A Scranton native, Clinton’s father moved to Chicago

after graduating from college. There he worked as a trav-eling salesman before enlisting in the Navy during WorldWar II, Clinton writes in “Living History.” When he returnedfrom the war, he set up a drapery fabric business inChicago, called Rodrik Fabrics, and later started a printplant on the city’s north side.

Rodham largely worked alone, but Clinton writes thatshe and her brothers helped when they were oldenough. The business did well enough for Rodham tobuy a house in the leafy suburb of Park Ridge, where heand wife, Dorothy, raised Clinton and her two brothers.By all accounts, Rodham was a stern man, but he is alsocredited with instilling his daughter’s powerful work eth-ic and encouraging her ambition. Clinton’s childhoodfriend Betsy Ebeling said Rodham “could be gruff but hecould be very loving.”

“Her dad was one that, as Hillary likes to say, he was a

EU’s Refugee crisis simmers despite efforts to solve it

Page 10

Online charities give shady millions to OrlandoPage 9

MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

Clinton lands personal counterpunch on Trump Nominee invokes father’s memory to hit him on business

NEW YORK: In this July 1992 file photo, Hillary Clinton’s father Hugh watches as her mother Dorothy Rodham adjustsher daughter’s clothing in a New York Hotel room during the Democratic National Convention. — AP

chief petty officer, both in the Navy and at home,” Ebelingsaid. “He’d sit at the dinner table and he’d throw out theseconversation things and wait for us to go: ‘No way.’ Wereally did learn to debate at his feet.” Of course, parentalanecdotes may not win over all of those on the fenceabout Clinton, who has struggled with historically highunfavorability ratings. Still, Republican Rick Tyler, who

served as an adviser to Texas Sen Ted Cruz’s presidentialbid, said Clinton’s family-focused hit on Trump was effec-tive. “She’s got a message that’s relatable,” Tyler said.“There’s literally no one on our side who has been able toarticulate a counter message. And Donald Trump embod-ies Hillary Clinton’s message that the rich get rich off thebacks of the poor.” — AP

WASHINGTON: Republican presidential nominee DonaldTrump linked illegal immigration and employmentSaturday, pledging to start deporting offenders as soon ashe is sworn in should he become the White House’s nextoccupant. Trump all the while courted the black vote, claim-ing that the shooting of basketball star Dwyane Wade’scousin will make African Americans support him, but themove instead triggered a firestorm of criticism.

“On Day One, I am going to begin swiftly removing crim-inal illegal immigrants from this country - including remov-ing the hundreds of thousands of criminal illegal immi-grants that have been released into US communities underthe Obama-Clinton administration,” Trump told supportersin Des Moines, Iowa. Trump’s Democratic rival HillaryClinton served as secretary of state during President BarackObama’s first term in office. The next president will besworn in on January 20.

“I am going to build a great border wall, institute nation-wide e-verify, stop illegal immigrants from accessing wel-fare and entitlements and develop an exit-entry trackingsystem to ensure those who overstay their visas are quicklyremoved,” Trump warned. The billionaire real estate mag-nate and former reality TV host-in a white baseball cap-saidthat “If we don’t enforce visa expiration dates, then we havean open border. It’s as simple as that.” “A vote for Trump is avote to have a nation of laws, a vote for Clinton is a vote foropen borders,” he stressed. Details of Trump’s immigrationpolicies remain scant. He rallied much of his primary sup-port with a controversial hardline tone against illegal immi-grants and his plan to build a wall on the Mexican border.

Some of his advisors are now reportedly urging him to tonedown his signature policy priority.

Trump also made appeals to black voters, promising tohelp African Americans find jobs. “Every time an AfricanAmerican citizen, or any citizen, loses their job to an illegalimmigrant, the rights of that American citizen have beentotally violated,” he argued. Hours before, Trump had tweet-ed: “Dwayne Wade’s cousin was just shot and killed walkingher baby in Chicago,” initially misspelling the basketballplayer’s first name before correcting it later. “Just what Ihave been saying. African-Americans will VOTE TRUMP!”

He was referring to the shooting death on Friday ofNykea Aldridge during an exchange of gunfire betweentwo men as she pushed a baby stroller in Chicago. Trump’scomments unleashed a torrent of criticism spearheaded byactor Don Cheadle, who has starred in such films as “HotelRwanda” (2004), denouncing the bombastic billionaire fortrying to score political points on the back of a murder.

“He doesn’t give a fkk. More red meat to his alt-righttroglodytes,” Cheadle wrote on Twitter, referring to an ultra-conservative movement largely seen as white supremacistand anti-Semitic.”You don’t get to cherry pick. All the archi-tects on left and right have failed that city. But Drumpf ain’tthe ansr.” Cheadle lambasted the 2016 presidential electionfor being “like a Shakespearean farce except it could end ina mushroom cloud.” Several hours after firing off his firsttweet on Wade, Trump offered a more somber and contritemessage: “My condolences to Dwyane Wade and his family,on the loss of Nykea Aldridge. They are in my thoughts andprayers.” — AFP

Trump vows he will begin deportations immediately

DES MOINES, Iowa: Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump speaks at the 2nd annual Joni Ernst Roast andRide event. — AP

I N T E R N AT ION A LMONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

SANAA: Yemen’s Houthi-run governing council saidyesterday it was ready to restart peace talks with thecountry’s exiled government provided a Saudi-ledcoalition stopped attacking and besieging Houthi-held territories. UN-sponsored negotiations to end18 months of fighting in the impoverished countryon Saudi Arabia’s southern border collapsed earlierthis month and the dominant Iran-allied Houthimovement there resumed shelling attacks into the

kingdom. At its weekly meeting at Sanaa’s presiden-tial palace, the council said that its willingness torestart peace talks was contingent on the “total ces-sation of the aggression and lifting of the unjustsiege on the Yemeni people”. In talks in Jeddah thisweek, US Secretary of State John Kerry said the con-flict had gone on too long and needed to end. Hesaid the Houthis must cease shelling across the bor-der with Saudi Arabia, pull back from the capital

Sanaa, cede their weapons and enter into a unitygovernment with their domestic foes.

Yemen’s internationally recognized government,based in Saudi Arabia, has made similar demandsbut insisted that the Houthis fulfill all those measuresbefore any new government was formed. HoweverKerry suggested they could move ahead in parallel.The exiled government suggested in a statementcarried by the Saba news agency that it was pre-

pared to consider the ideas outlined by Kerry. It said:“The government is prepared to deal positively withany peaceful solutions ... including an initial welcom-ing of the ideas resulting from the meeting in Jeddahthat included the foreign secretaries of the US, theUnited Kingdom and Gulf states.” The Yemen war haskilled more than 6,500 people and displaced some 3million. Saudi Arabia has launched thousands of airstrikes on the country. — Reuters

Houthis say they are ready for fresh talks

SIRTE: Forces loyal to Libya’s UN-backed unitygovernment yesterday pushed into the lastareas of Sirte held by the Islamic State group inwhat was the jihadists’ coastal stronghold.Loyalists to the Tripoli-based Government ofNational Accord have for more than threemonths been pressing an offensive to retakethe city from the jihadists. IS captured Sirte-which had been the hometown of Libya’s slaindictator Moamer Kadhafi-in June 2015, spark-ing fears the extremists would use it as alaunch-pad for attacks in Europe.

Pro-GNA forces earlier this month made a sig-nificant breakthrough by seizing a conferencecentre where IS had set up base, pinning downthe jihadists in a small downtown area near thesea. “Our forces entered the last areas held byDaesh in Sirte: district number one and districtnumber three,” a spokesman for the pro-GNAforces said on Sunday, using an Arabic acronymfor IS. “The final battle for Sirte has started,” RedaIssa said of the city 450 kilometers east of Tripoli.About 1,000 pro-GNA fighters were taking partin the offensive, he said. Eighteen loyalists hadbeen killed and 120 others wounded in clashessince the start of yesterday’s offensive, a fieldhospital for the pro-GNA forces said. An AFPphotographer saw several tanks and armed vehi-cles move towards district number one andheard gunfire and rocket explosions as theyentered the northern neighborhood.

US air strikes The pro-GNA forces said on their Facebook

page that the offensive came “after air strikesovernight”. US warplanes have been backingthe assault to expel IS from Sirte, launched inmid-May, since August 1. As of August 24, USwarplanes had carried out a total of 82 strikes,according to the United States AfricaCommand.

The pro-GNA forces fought their way intoSirte on June 9 and seized the jihadists’ head-quarters at the Ouagadougou conference cen-tre on August 10. Since entering the city, theyhave faced a barrage of sniper fire, suicidebombings and booby traps. Pro-GNA forces aremostly made up of militias from western citiesthat have sided with the unity government ofprime minister-designate Fayez al-Sarraj andthe guards of oil installations that IS has repeat-edly tried to seize. For several days beforeSunday’s assault, these fighters had been gath-ering on the outskirts of Sirte and around dis-trict number one and district number three,troops told an AFP journalist in the city.Fighters armed and prepared their tanks forinspection, while other soldiers disassembledand cleaned their guns.

“I’m cleaning my weapon... and getting itready for the decisive battle” against IS, saidone soldier. “We hope that God will help usdefeat them,” Osama Mohammad Mosbah said.Fighting broke out on Saturday on the edges ofdistrict number one between the jihadists andpro-GNA fighters armed with machineguns androcket launchers, the AFP reporter said, afterrelative calm since late Thursday.

Snipers on roofs Pro-GNA snipers deployed onto the roofs

of buildings whose facades were still paintedwith the jihadists’ black flag, using binoculars toscan their surroundings for IS fighters. Anotheranti-IS fighter, Ali Faraj Ben Saeed, said: “Ofcourse the main weapons of the IS group arebombs. They rely on booby-traps and suicidebelts mainly.” More than 370 pro-GNA fightershave been killed and nearly 2,000 wounded inthe battle, according to medical sources. IScasualty figures are unavailable. Analysts saythat ousting the jihadists from their formerNorth African stronghold would be a symbolicboost for Libya’s fragile unity government, butit could also set the stage for further conflict.They say the loss of IS’s main stronghold couldprompt the group to launch more scatteredattacks across the country, which remains animportant recruitment base for the jihadists. IShas taken advantage of chaos in Libya since the2011 uprising that toppled and killed Kadhafi,where rival militias and authorities have viedfor control of the oil-rich country. A UN-bro-kered deal struck in December led to Sarraj’sunity government taking office in the capital,but it has since struggled to fully assert itsauthority. The presidential council headed bySarraj said on Wednesday it would present anew cabinet line-up in an attempt to secure thebacking of parliament. The legislature, whichrejected a previous unity government in a votetoday, gave the council a “final chance” and 10days to propose a new cabinet. — AFP

Libyan forces advance into

last IS-held areas of Sirte

1,000 pro-GNA fighters taking part in offensive

SIRTE: Members of the forces loyal to Libya’s UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) fire their weapons at enemy positions in thecoastal city of Sirte, east of the capital Tripoli, during their military operation to clear the Islamic State group’s (IS) jihadists from the city. — AFP

PARIS: A woman wearing a Muslim headscarf, right, and who refused to be identified,stands outside the Conseil d’Etat, France’s top administrative court. — AP

PARIS: The national identity crisis exposedby France’s burkini controversy is threaten-ing to set the tone for the country’s presi-dential campaign. Along with the econo-my, the relationship between France’sMuslims and non-Muslims has been arecurring theme as presidential hopefulskick off campaigning for the April-Mayelection. Some leftists say the far right isusing the issue to encourage racism inFrance. A top French court ruling Fridayagainst banning the burkini didn’t put anend to the debate.

Some mayors are refusing to rescindtheir bans, arguing that the head-to-ankleswimwear could disrupt public order after asummer marred by Islamic extremistattacks. The burkini bans by some Frenchcoastal towns drew international condem-nation after images circulated online ofpolice appearing to require a Muslimwoman to disrobe.

Former President Nicolas Sarkozy andother some other conservative candidateswant a national law banning burkinis.Sarkozy’s chief rival for the conservativenomination, former Prime Minister AlainJuppe, struck a more conciliatory tone, say-ing on Europe-1 radio Sunday that suchrhetoric “throws oil on the fire.” But at acampaign event Saturday in Chatou west of

Paris, Juppe suggested putting limits onhow far religious practices can reach intopublic life, calling for a special accordbetween the state and Muslim leaders tolay out clear rules for respecting Frenchsecularism.

“It is legitimate to ask them to have aknowledge of the principles of the organi-zation of the republican state, especiallyFrench-style secularism,” he said. The econ-omy and security issues are likely to domi-nate the French campaign for the April andMay presidential elections, after years of 10percent unemployment and a string ofdeadly Islamic extremist attacks.

While many on the French left criticizethe burkini as oppressing women, they alsofear the issue feeds into the agenda of far-right candidate Marine Le Pen of theNational Front. Benoit Hamon, a formerSocialist government minister seeking theleftist presidential nomination, tweetedSunday that the burkini debate “is target-ing Muslims once again.”

Hamon crit ic ized Pr ime MinisterManuel Valls, a fellow Socialist, for sup-porting burkini bans. Socialist PresidentFrancois Hollande, who hasn’t announcedwhether he will seek a second term, hasremained cautious in comments on theburkini. — AP

Burkinis, economy top items in

French presidential campaign

BEERSHEBA: An Israeli court yesterday post-poned a hearing for a UN worker accused ofaiding the Islamist movement Hamas after adispute over whether he should be immunefrom prosecution. Waheed Borsh, wearing abrown prisoner’s uniform, appeared briefly incourt in the southern Israeli city of Beersheba.His lawyer Lea Tsemel said the 38-year-old wasinnocent and that they had requested moretime to be able to prove it. Borsh declined com-ment when approached by AFP.

The hearing was rescheduled for September29. The engineer from Jabaliya in northernGaza who worked for the UN DevelopmentProgram (UNDP) was arrested on July 16. Hewas accused by Israel of being recruited by aHamas member to “redirect his work for UNDPto serve Hamas’s military interests”. He wascharged with diverting 300 tons of rubble froma UNDP project in the Gaza Strip, run by Hamas,to build a jetty for the Islamist movement’snaval force.

After reviewing the charge sheet, the UNDPchallenged Israel’s allegations and said Borshdiverted the rubble under instructions from thePalestinian Authority. UN officials have arguedthat Borsh, as a UN employee, may qualify forimmunity from prosecution and have request-ed that they be allowed to visit him in jail. Theyhave also called for his release into UN custodyuntil they can determine whether they should

press for his immunity. Israel has rejectedclaims Borsh can benefit from immunity, saying“whoever assists a terror organization cannothide behind a claim of immunity.” Israel andPalestinian militants in the Gaza Strip have

fought three wars since 2008. More than two-thirds of the population of the enclave-whichIsrael has blockaded for a decade-are reliant onsome form of aid, according to the UnitedNations. — AFP

CAIRO: Egyptian authorities yesterdayreleased a renowned human rights lawyerarrested after protests against PresidentAbdel Fattah Al-Sisi’s decision to handover two islands to Saudi Arabia. MalekAdly had been held in pre-trial detentionsince being arrested by plainclothes policeon May 5. His defense team confirmed hisrelease. “The case has not been referred totrial yet,” Tarek Khater, one of Adly ’slawyers, told AFP.

Adly had supported protests in Aprilagainst the decision to hand over twoRed Sea islands to Saudi Arabia, whichprovoked outrage in Egypt and accusa-tions that Sisi “sold” them in return forSaudi investments. Pol ice arresteddozens of activists ahead of an April 25protest, after more than 1,000 peoplehad chanted for “the fall of the regime” inan earlier demonstration in Cairo. Thepolice dispersed the April 25 protest

before raiding the Journalists’ Syndicateto arrest two reporters who are part ofthe same case as Adly.

The three were accused of “attempt-ing to topple the ruling system” and“spreading false news”, a prosecutionofficial had said.

An Egyptian administrative court ruledin June that the islands of Tiran andSanafir, strategically situated at the mouthof the Gulf of Aqaba, must remain underEgyptian sovereignty. But the governmenthas appealed the decision. Sisi hasdefended the move, saying the islandswere Saudi to begin with and were leasedto Egypt in the 1950s.

The former army chief come to powerafter toppling his Islamist predecessorMohamed Morsi in 2013, unleashing acrackdown on his supporters that killedhundreds of protesters and imprisonedthousands. — AFP

ISTANBUL: Turkey destroyed an arsenaland command post belonging to “terrorgroups” in strikes on Syria Saturday, theAnadolu news agency said, amid accusa-tions Turkish jets had bombed Kurdish mili-tia positions. The state-run agency did notsay if fire was from artillery or war planes orwhich groups were targeted. It said the firehit targets south of the town of Jarabulus,which was taken from jihadists by pro-Ankara rebels on Wednesday.

As well as fighting Islamic State (IS)jihadists, Turkey’s offensive in Syria is aimedat countering the Kurdish DemocraticUnion Party (PYD) and its People’sProtection Units (YPG) militia. Pro-Kurdishrebels in Syria had earlier said that they hadbeen the target of Turkish air strikesSaturday morning, which followed shellinglate on Thursday.

“Turkish jets have this morning bom-

barded our positions in southern Jarabulusand the Til-Emarne village,” said theJarabulus Military Council which is linkedto the pro-Kurdish Syrian DemocraticForces (SDF) dominated by the YPG. “Withthis aggression, a new conflict period willbegin in the region,” it said. A monitoringgroup and Kurdish sources have also saidKurdish-backed fighters clashed withTurkish tanks on the Syrian side of the bor-der on Sunday.

Turkey sees the YPG and PYD as “terrorgroups” intent on carving out anautonomous Kurdish region in Syriaalthough the United States works withthem in the fight against IS. Ankara saysthat the YPG has failed to stick to a promisemade by its US allies that the militia wouldmove back east across the Euphrates fol-lowing the seizure of the town of Manbijfrom IS earlier this month. — AFP

Israel court postpones hearing for UN worker

Beersheba, Israel : Palestinian Waheed Borsh (C), a UN Development Programme employee inGaza who is accused of aiding the Islamist movement Hamas, looks on during his indictmentat a district court in the southern Israeli city. — AFP

Turkey destroys ‘terror groups’

targets in Syria: State media

Egypt authorities release

renowned rights lawyer

AMMAN: The US will reach its targetthis week of taking in 10,000 Syrianwar refugees in a year-old resettle-ment program, the US ambassador toJordan said yesterday, after meetingfamilies headed to California andVirginia. The resettlement programhas emerged as an issue in the USpresidential campaign, withRepublican nominee Donald Trumpalleging displaced Syrians pose apotential security threat. Alice Wells,the US ambassador to Jordan, saidyesterday that keeping Americanssafe and taking in some of the world’smost vulnerable people are not mutu-ally exclusive.

“Refugees are the most thoroughlyscreened category of travelers to theUnited States, and Syrian refugees aresubject to even greater scrutiny,” she

said. Wells said the target of resettling10,000 Syrian refugees in the US in the2016 fiscal year will be reachedMonday, as several hundred Syriansdepart from Jordan over 24 hours. TheJouriyeh family, which attendedSunday’s short ceremony, is headed toSan Diego, California. Nadim FawziJouriyeh, 49, a former constructionworker from the war-ravaged Syriancity of Homs, said he feels “fear andjoy, fear of the unknown and our newlives, but great joy for our children’slives and future.”

Jouriyeh, who suffers from heartproblems, will be traveling with hiswife, Rajaa, 42, and their four children.Their oldest son, 14-year-oldMohammed, said he is eager to signup for school in San Diego and hopesto study medicine one day. The reset-

tlement program focuses on the mostvulnerable refugees, including thosewho were subjected to violence ortorture or are sick. Close to 5 millionSyrians have fled civil war since 2011.Most struggle to survive in tough con-ditions in neighboring countries,including Jordan, which hosts close to660,000 Syrian refugees.

Only a small percentage of Syrianrefugees have been resettled tothird countries. Instead, donor coun-tries are trying to invest more in jobcreation and education for refugeesin regional host countries to encour-age them to stay there instead ofmoving onward, including toEurope. Wells said the US has takenin more refugees from around theworld over the years than all othernations combined. — AP

I N T E R N AT I O N A LMONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

ORLANDO: The more than 430 fundraisers postedon the GoFundMe website after the mass shootingat a gay nightclub in Orlando have exposed weak-nesses inherent in these popular do-it-yourself char-ity campaigns: Waste, questionable intentions andlittle oversight. The fundraisers - an average of morethan four for each of the 49 killed and 53 wounded -include travelers asking for cash, a practitioner ofancient healing, a personal safety instructor whosells quick loaders for assault rifles, and even con-victed identity impostors. “There was a deluge,” saidHolly Salmons, president of the Better BusinessBureau for Central Florida. “It was almost impossiblefor us or anyone else to be able to vet.”

The crowdfunding sites operate outside tradi-tional charitable circles and often beyond the reachof government regulation. Appeals can be createdin minutes by almost anyone and shared around theworld. The officially sanctioned Equality Florida cam-paign raised more than $7 million via GoFundMe,but another $1.3 million went to smaller appeals -mostly set up by people with little or no charityexperience. The Associated Press examined 30 cam-paigns chosen from throughout the lengthy list pro-duced by a GoFundMe search for “Orlando shoot-ings.” Within a month of the June 12 shootings, theyhad raised more than $265,000.

Failure to launch Half said donations would be used for legiti-

mate-sounding purposes: to cover funeral, medicaland other costs. Some campaign organizers wererelatives of the dead or wounded. A high school bas-ketball coach raised $15,297 for the family of AkyraMurray, a star player who had just graduated beforedying in the attack. But most campaigns lacked key

details, such as exactly what the donations wouldcover or even who was asking for them. Only nine ofthe 30 organizers agreed to interviews.

One man wanted money for travel costs toOrlando to shoot independent news video. Hehadn’t raised anything two months later. Anotherorganizer raised just $25 for travel money to hold acommunity healing ceremony inspired by ancientshamanic rituals. She dropped that plan in favor ofsending painted rocks with an inspiring word ofsupport. Jackson Yauck of Victoria, British Columbia,put up a lighthearted appeal to let the highestdonor burn a pair of skimpy gold-colored shorts hewore to gay-pride events. He had created the appealon Jan. 1 on behalf of other charities and when hetried to switch it to benefit the Orlando victims,

GoFundMe froze his account for at least a week,he said. He agreed to transfer the donations toEquality Florida, and GoFundMe let the appeal goforward. Yauck said he knew all but one of his 11donors personally and didn’t feel a need to tell themof the switch. “It was just for fun. If you look at thebigger picture, we raised $600 off a pair of under-wear,” he said. Several businesses asked for contribu-tions. One appeal raised $1,375 from 14 donorswithin two months to keep open a hair salon run bypartners killed in the attack. A counseling centerraised $150 to subsidize services to victims butclosed its campaign when it found grant moneyelsewhere. GoFundMe helps make refunds whencontributions go unused.

Weapons-accessory dealer Craig Berberich, ofBradenton, Florida, proposed holding public class-es on personal safety. He posted a link to his busi-ness at the bottom of his appeal. He said he “wasn’ttrying to promote my business.” Then he added: “I

hope we didn’t give the impression that we were acharity.”

He said he was shutting down his appeal. Itremained online over a month later - but with only$100 in donations. Among his store products: ahigh-speed loader for assault weapons. Efe Atalay,of Clermont, Florida, raised $1,145 from 81 donorsto buy security wands for nightclub entrances, butdidn’t say which clubs and spoke vaguely of lobby-ing politicians to require such security measures.He didn’t respond to emails sent to his GoFundMeaddress.

Patchwork of laws Florida charities law generally requires no filings

by crowdfunding campaigns meant for particularvictims or their families or in support of other estab-lished charities. That accounts for the vast majorityof appeals. Other states apply a patchwork of laws.Yet, crowdfunding campaigns can distribute aidmore quickly than large bureaucratic funds. Andthey have less overhead than traditional charities,with only 8 percent of donations on GoFundMegoing to the website and credit card fees.

Bobby Whithorne, a GoFundMe spokesman, saidthe website’s staffers were vetting the Orlando cam-paigns before releasing funds, and only a small frac-tion of a percent of past appeals involved outrightfraud. GoFundMe froze funds from entertainmentcompany manager David Luchsinger’s campaignwhen donations piled up quickly. Luchsinger saidhe was asked for more details of his plans to replacethe ruined equipment of one of his deejays whowas working at the club during the attack.Luchsinger set an initial goal of $5,000, and raised$8,742 in one month. — AP

ORLANDO: In this June 18, 2016 file photo, demonstrators show their support during the funeral service for Christopher Andrew Leinonen, oneof the victims of the Pulse nightclub mass shooting, outside the Cathedral Church of St Luke. — AP

DURANT: Friends and colleagues whoknew two nuns killed in their Mississippihome are gathering yesterday to remem-ber them, as authorities continue to inves-tigate the harrowing crime that shockedpeople in the small communities wherethe women committed their lives to help-ing the poor. Rodney Earl Sanders, 46, ofKosciusko, Mississippi, has been arrestedand charged in the deaths of SisterMargaret Held and Sister Paula Merrill. Thecounty sheriff said Sanders confessed tothe killings although many people arestruggling to comprehend why anyonewould want to take the two women’s lives.

A wake is scheduled to be held yester-day at the St Thomas Church in Lexingtonwhere the women led Bible study. Thatwill be followed by a mass Monday inJackson. The women’s bodies were foundin their Durant, Mississippi, home afterthey failed to show up for work Thursdayat a health clinic in Lexington, about 10miles away. Willie March, the sheriff ofHolmes County where the killingsoccurred, said Saturday that police workand tips from the community led police toSanders. Authorities have said Sanderswas developed as a person of interest ear-ly in the investigation.

He said he had been briefed by Durantpolice and Mississippi Bureau ofInvestigation officials who took part inSanders’ interrogation and was told thatSanders confessed to the killings and gaveno reason for the crimes. The sheriff saidthe investigation is ongoing. Durant policecould not be reached for commentSaturday. Warren Strain, a spokesman forthe Department of Public Safety whichincludes the Mississippi Bureau ofInvestigation, said the organization wouldneither confirm nor deny that Sandersconfessed. Sanders had a criminal record.

He was convicted last year of a felonyDUI, said Grace Simmons Fisher, a spokes-

woman for the Mississippi Department ofCorrections. He was later released fromprison and is currently on probation.Sanders was also convicted of armed rob-bery in Holmes County, sentenced in1986 and served six years, Fisher said.People who knew the nuns, known fortheir generosity and commitment toimproving health care for the poor, havebeen grappling with why anyone wouldwant to kill them.

Murky intentions Dr Elias Abboud, the physician who

oversees the clinic in Lexington where thenuns worked, said Saturday that Sanderswas not a patient there. The Rev GregPlata, sacramental minister at St ThomasCatholic Church in Lexington where thewake is to be held, said he does not thinkpeople at the church knew Sanders.Authorities said Sanders was being held inan undisclosed detention center pendinga court appearance. They have not givenany details on why they think Sanderskilled the women or whether he knewthem but they do say they believe he act-ed alone. Strain said he does not know ifSanders has an attorney.

Merrill’s nephew, David Merrill, speak-ing by telephone from Stoneham,Massachusetts, said Saturday the familywas “thankful” Sanders is off the streets.But the family still has to deal with theloss. Merrill said he agrees with the idea offorgiveness and that is something his auntwould want for whoever killed her but he’snot sure if he’s capable of completely for-giving. Merrill said he would not supportthe death penalty if Sanders were to beconvicted but that decision will ultimatelybe made by the people in Mississippi. Thecapital murder charge leaves open thepossibility Sanders would face the deathpenalty but that determination would bemade by prosecutors later. — AP

Friends to remember slain Mississippi nuns

Scams loom as online charities give shady millions to Orlando Waste, questionable intentions and little oversight

10,000th Syrian reaches US in resettlement program

AMMAN: In this photo taken yesterday, five members of the Jouriyeh family, Syrian refugees headed to the US aspart of a resettlement program, pose for a photo in the Amman, Jordan office of the International Organizationfor Migration. — A P

WASHINGTON: Hurricane Gaston picked upstrength yesterday as it swirled in the Atlanticeast of Bermuda, the US National HurricaneCenter (NHC) reported. Gaston has sustainedmaximum winds of 90 miles per hour, theMiami-based NHC said in its 0900 GMT bulletin.The center of Gaston was located 620 mileseast of Bermuda and was moving towards thenorthwest at a speed of six miles per hour.

Gaston became the third named hurricaneof the Atlantic season on Thursday, but quicklyweakened to a tropical storm. It then strength-ened and regained its hurricane status lateSaturday. The hurricane was forecast to turnnorth on Monday, and the NHC’s five-day fore-cast cone has Gaston then moving northeastand into the open Atlantic by Thursday. TheNHC issued no coastal watches or warnings,though it did say that Gaston was expected tostrengthen during the next 48 hours.

Gaston’s hurricane-force winds extend out-ward up to 15 miles from its center, and itstropical-storm-force winds extend outward upto 140 miles. Although the Atlantic hurricaneseason officially runs from June 1 to November30, this year’s first hurricane-Alex-formed inJanuary during an unusual weather event. TheClimate Prediction Center of the NationalOceanic and Atmospheric Administration(NOAA) initially estimated the Atlantic wouldsee between 10 and 16 storms this year, butrecently updated its prediction to 17. Theeight-week stretch between mid-August andmid-October is the most active period forstorms and hurricanes in the Atlantic, accord-ing to the NHC. “The statistical peak day of thehurricane season-the day you are most likelyto find a tropical cyclone somewhere in theAtlantic basin-is September 10th,” the NHCwebsite says. — AFP

Hurricane Gaston gains strength in the Atlantic

I N T E R N AT ION A LMONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

TEHRAN: French EnvironmentMinister Segolene Royal met withher Iranian counterpart in Tehranyesterday to announce plans for anumber of joint projects address-ing energy, water shortages andpollution. Royal held talks with thehead of Iran’s EnvironmentalProtection Organisation,Massoumeh Ebtekar, and said theywould build several key partner-ships by February. “Several highlyoperational subjects were dis-

cussed,” Royal told reporters. TheFrench minister is travelling forthree days with senior businessfigures from environmental andrenewable energy firms specializ-ing in water, pollution and energyefficiency-including the boss ofmultinational Engie.

“They were chosen by Iran onthe basis of the challenges theyface,” said Royal. “Since we face thesame type of challenges in France,this is a terrific opportunity for

cooperation.” Royal said she wouldreturn in February to discussprogress on the partnerships.Ebtekar, who is also a vice-presi-dent of Iran, said the visit “showsthe important international coop-eration on the environment, andsends a strong message to theglobal community that countriescan cooperate strongly on theirshared interests and issues in thefield of environment.”

Royal, who was wearing the

headscarf that is obligatory in Iran,appeared reluctant to take toomany questions from journalists inthe wake of the recent uproar overthe banning of burkini swimsuitsin France. On Monday, she is dueto visit Iran’s largest saltwater lake,Orumiyeh in northwestern Iran, aUNESCO heritage site that has lost90 percent of its surface water inthe past two decades as a result ofover-farming, dams and climatechanges. — AFP

LIBREVILLE: Gabon’s President Ali Bongo and hisonly serious rival have both claimed victory in thisweekend’s presidential election, and accused eachother of cheating. Barely had the last ballots beencast Saturday evening before the incumbent’sspokesman declared: “Bongo will win... we arealready on our way to a second mandate.” Bongo,57, has been in power since a disputed electionheld in 2009 after the death of his father, OmarBongo, who had ruled the oil-rich Central Africancountry for 41 years.

Yesterday, the campaign manager of Bongo’srival Jean Ping told reporters that the former headof the African Union Commission had won 60 per-cent of votes counted so far, just under half of thetotal, against 38 percent for the president. He alsoaccused Bongo of “trying to push his way through,”with the backing of the army. “That’s totally crazy,”countered Bongo’s spokesman. “It’s tight, but weare ahead.” Interior Minister Pacome MoubeletBoubeya has insisted that only results from the

election commission cleared by his ministry hadany validity. Before polling began Boubeya saideverything was “in place to guarantee a transparentand impartial election”.

The results of the poll, which is decided by sim-ple majority, should be declared at around 1600GMT on Tuesday, Boubeya said in a later statement.“More than ever we appeal for calm and recall thatit is illegal to declare results before the relevantauthorities do,” added the minister. Observers fromthe African Union and European Union have saidthat aside from some delays, the poll itself, in whichsome 628,000 people were eligible to vote, passedoff without serious incident.

But the acrimony that had marked the campaignperiod continued into the weekend with each ofthe main rivals accusing the other of mischief. “Wehave observed massive fraud, in particular in areaswhere opposition representatives arrived in pollingstations first,” said Bongo’s spokesman. As he casthis own ballot Saturday morning, Ping told

reporters, “We know the other side is trying tocheat. It is up to you to be vigilant.” His team hadsaid that a Friday court ruling would allow soldiers,who tend to support Bongo, a former defense min-ister, to “vote several times in several polling cen-ters”.

Streets deserted On Sunday, the streets of the capital, Libreville,

were almost deserted. Fearing a repeat of the vio-lence that followed Bongo’s victory in 2009, manyresidents, who had stocked up on food, stayedindoors. Even those shops and stalls usually openon Sundays were shuttered. “There is no trouble inthis district for now but we want to get the resultssoon,” said Honore, a watchman. “We’ll see how thecandidates react. I hope it won’t be like last time,” headded. In the clashes that followed the 2009 victo-ry, several people were killed, buildings were lootedand the French consulate in Port Gentil, which sawthe words of the violence, was torched.

Until shortly before polling day, Bongo was theclear favourite, with the opposition split by severalprominent politicians vying for the top job. But ear-lier this month, the main challengers pulled out andsaid they would all back Ping. Both candidates havepromised to break with the past. Faced with repeat-ed charges of nepotism, Bongo has long insisted heowes his presidency to merit and years of govern-ment service.

His extravagant campaign made much of theslogan “Let’s change together”, and of roads andhospitals built during his first term. Ping describedBongo’s attempts to diversify the economy awayfrom oil as window dressing. One third of Gabon’spopulation lives in poverty, despite the countryboasting one of Africa’s highest per capitaincomes at $8,300 (7,400 euros) thanks to pump-ing 200,000 barrels of oil a day. There has beengrowing popular unrest in recent months, withnumerous public sector strikes and thousands oflayoffs in the oil sector. — AFP

Rivals both claim victory as Gabon waits for vote results

BERLIN: Faced with more than 1 millionmigrants flooding across the Mediterranean lastyear, European nations tightened border con-trols, set up naval patrols to stop smugglers,negotiated an agreement with Turkey to limitthe numbers crossing, shut the Balkan routeused by hundreds of thousands, and tried tospeed up deportations of rejected asylum-seek-ers. Yet many issues still remain.

European nations continue to squabbleabout whether, and how, to share the newcom-ers between them and the issues that droverefugees to Europe in the first place - such asSyria’s unrelenting war - are unresolved. Overall,

2,901 people have died or disappeared crossingthe Mediterranean in the first six months of2016, most along the dangerous central route toItaly - a 37 percent increase over last year’s firsthalf, according to the International Organizationfor Migration. Here’s where things stand in keycountries:

TURKEYTurkey is hosting some 3 million refugees,

including more than 2.7 million Syrians. Mostrefugees there don’t get government support,but the agreement with the EU calls for the blocto provide up to 6 billion euros ($6.8 billion) tohelp Syrian refugees in Turkey. The deal also pro-vides for one Syrian refugee from Turkey to berelocated to EU countries for each Syrian whoarrives illegally in Greece and is sent back. So faronly 1,152 have been resettled under the pro-gram - more than half of them to Germany andSweden.

GREECEThe numbers of migrants arriving in Greece

have dropped dramatically since the Marchagreement with Turkey, but several thousand amonth still make the journey, some 160,000 inthe first half of this year. Over 58,000 peopleremain stuck in the financially struggling coun-try, most hoping to continue north to nationslike Germany or Sweden. The majority haveapplied for asylum, hoping to be relocatedamong EU nations - but the program is movingat snail’s pace amid fierce resistance from east-ern and central European countries.

So far, only around 4,400 people have beenrelocated from southern Europe under a plan

that’s supposed to see 160,000 moved over twoyears through September 2017. Yet there’s littleBrussels can do to force any nations to comply.New arrivals now are insignificant compared to2015, but they have increased since the July 15attempted coup in Turkey, topping 2,300 in thefirst three weeks of August. This is strainingresources on the eastern Aegean Sea islands andthe government has promised to build morehousing on the mainland. Fears are also growingthat the EU-Turkey deal might fall apart asAnkara presses for the 28 nation bloc to allow itscitizens visa-free entry.

ITALYAbout 70,000 migrants crossed the

Mediterranean into Italy from January to Junethis year, similar to the same period last year. Butwith routes northward now restricted, there’snowhere for them to go and, as smugglers resortto more dangerous practices, more migrants aredying en route. Migrants are sleeping in hotels,homeless shelters, train stations and tent camps.The Tuscan city of Capalbio is putting them infancy villas and Milan is readying a jail to take insome. Nigerians make up the biggest group ofnewcomers to Italy, followed by Eritreans,Gambians, Ivorians and Sudanese, according tothe UN refugee agency. The wave of arrivals istesting Italy’s social services and Premier MatteoRenzi’s patience as he faces domestic resistancefrom the anti-immigrant Northern League andreluctance from Italy’s EU partners to resettleasylum-seekers. To date, only 961 would-berefugees have moved out of Italy, according tothe IOM. Earlier this month, France returned toItaly some 200 migrants who plunged into thesea at the Ventimiglia border crossing. The latesthotspot is Como on the Swiss border. Thereauthorities have approved a tent camp to housethe estimated 300-500 migrants who havecamped out at the train station after takingtrains daily into Switzerland, only to be returned.

GERMANYGermany has seen a much-reduced number

of newcomers this year after taking in hundredsof thousands in 2015, the majority of thoseentering Europe. Up to the end of July, 238,424new arrivals were recorded - 92,000 of them inJanuary, before the Balkan route was shut down.

The figure has since leveled out at around16,000 per month. Chancellor Angela Merkelhas stuck to her insistence that Germany willgive shelter to those who need it and thatGermany “will manage” the refugee crisis. Thatmantra has fueled ongoing strife in her conser-vative bloc, and benefited the nationalist, anti-immigration Alternative for Germany party. Twoattacks this summer by asylum-seekers thatwere claimed by the Islamic State group havealso fueled concerns.

Meanwhile, Germany has moved to tightenasylum rules, deport more rejected asylumapplicants and turn more people back at theborder Merkel has criticized other Europeancountries’ unilateral moves to shut the Balkanmigration route at Greece’s expense but was aleading advocate of the Turkey-EU agreement.She insists the deal remains necessary, despitetensions with Ankara over visa-free travel.

AUSTRIAThe discovery of 71 suffocated people in the

back of a smuggler’s truck in Austria a year agotriggered an outpouring of support for refugees.That now seems a distant memory. Then-Chancellor Werner Faymann urged Austrians toopen their arms to the migrants, but facedincreasing concerns that the country couldn’tcope. Faymann changed course early this year,suddenly backing calls to shut Austria’s border.He resigned in May amid falling support.

His successor, Christian Kern, has continuedon the restrictive path welcomed by mostAustrians, even as he urges them to be open-minded toward new arrivals. Austria was themain force in the shutdown early this year of theBalkan route. After accepting more than 80,000migrants last year, the country stands ready toturn back the first would-be refugee over the37,500 limit it has set as a quota for 2016.

SERBIA & HUNGARYThe flow of migrants into Serbia has dimin-

ished drastically but not dried up entirely.Instead of thousands a day registering at organ-ized centers, hundreds a day now try to enterillegally. Illustrating the dangers, a 20-year oldAfghan migrant crossing illegally from Bulgariawas shot and killed this week by a hunter in anapparent accident. Human Rights Watch saysmigrants and refugees at Hungary’s border withSerbia are being forced back, in some cases vio-lently. UNHCR estimates that some 4,400 asy-lum-seekers are now stranded in Serbia, mostlysince Hungary started enforcing new regulationsin July that allow authorities to “escort” migrantsand refugees caught within 8 kilometers (5miles) of the border back to Serbia. Two “transitzones” on the Serbian side now process around30 asylum applications a day, while 1,000 ormore people are waiting in poor conditions tofile asylum claims, most of which are rejected.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban hascalled migrants “poison” and said Friday thatHungary will build a new, “more massive” fenceon its southern border to defend against a possi-ble surge in numbers. A government-initiatedreferendum on Oct. 2 is meant to rally politicalsupport against any EU plan to resettle migrantsamong the bloc’s members.

FRANCEMigrant numbers in Calais have soared this

month, even though authorities shut down halfof the city’s wretched camp earlier this year, andthe British and French governments erectedsecurity fences and announced measures todeter new arrivals. The French government saysthe number of migrants in the makeshift Calaiscamp known as the “jungle” has reached itshighest official level yet: 6,901. Aid groups sayit ’s closer to 9,000. This week, a Sudanesemigrant died after a clash between groups ofSudanese and Afghans, the 11th migrant to diein Calais this year. — AP

EU’s refugee crisis simmers

despite efforts to solve it

A look at where things stand in key countries

Sira, 9, a migrant from Nigeria, smiles as she rides aboard a boat of the Proactiva Open ArmsNGO, after being rescued during an operation in the Mediterranean sea, about 17 miles northof Sabratah, Libya. — AP

L’AQUILA: Seven years after being devas-tated by an earthquake that killed morethan 300 people, L’Aquila’s abandoned citycentre is a stark reminder of the strugglefacing Italian towns hit by a quake lastweek. Scaffolding still covers the city’sBaroque buildings, the skyline is dominat-ed by cranes, most of the dusty streets aredeserted and many areas remain cordonedoff. “This place is one big building site,” saidLuca Dioletta, the owner of Bar Duomo inthe L’Aquila’s main square, dominated bythe neoclassical cathedral which is one offew buildings not shrouded in protectivetarpaulins.

Bar Duomo, which opened just a monthago, is the only bar or restaurant in the squarewhich used to teem with life before thequake struck on April 6, 2009. Prime MinisterMatteo Renzi’s promise to rebuild Amatriceand other mountain towns ravaged by lastweek’s tremors echoed pledges made by for-mer premier Silvio Berlusconi to some 80,000people who lost their homes in and aroundL’Aquila in 2009.

Many errors In power since February 2014, Renzi will

be determined to prove himself a moreable leader than Berlusconi and avoid themany errors made in L’Aquila, which liesjust 56 km south of Amatrice.Reconstruction here has been held up bybureaucracy and corruption, while billionsof euros were spent on unpopular housingprojects, or “new towns”, with rows of iden-tical dwellings built on special quake-proofplatforms. Residents say that while thesebrand new estates are comfortableenough, they lack any sense of community.

“Look around you, there are no services,no bars, no restaurants, no newsstands, justhouses surrounded by nothing,” saidOttavio Masciovecchio, 60, who lives in thePaganica new town some 10 km outsideL’Aquila.

Masciovecchio, who was born in thenearby village of Paganica, says he has lostall hope of ever returning to his formerhome and speaks bitterly as he walksaround the boarded up houses and debrisin the narrow streets where he used to live.

“They say Paganica is being rebuilt butit’s a lie. I’d like to show this mess to thewhole world,” he said. Renzi’s ministers saythey will not let the communities aroundAmatrice die, but they have not explainedhow they can speed up Italy’s rebuildingefforts and have declined to speculatewhen the reconstruction might be com-plete. “This is not about setting challengesand making promises. We need the pace ofa marathon runner,” Renzi said on Thursday.

Organized crimeSome 21 billion euros ($23 billion) was

earmarked for L’Aquila’s reconstruction,but so far only 7 billion euros has beenspent. Local residents say the project hasbeen snarled by inefficient use of theresources and cloying red tape, scourgesthat repeatedly trip up the euro zone’s third

largest economy. The housing projectswere expensive, costing 2,000-3,000 eurosper square metre, and residents and archi-tects say the money could have been bet-ter spent on demolishing and rebuildingold houses or on more modest but tempo-rary dwellings.

The new towns were strongly supportedby Berlusconi himself, who made his firstfortune as a construction magnate. MarcoMorante, an architect from L’Aquila whohas worked with the town council and pri-vate contractors, described the failure toinvolve the local community in decisionsover reconstruction as a mistake. “Nearlyeverything was dictated by the central gov-ernment, with a sort of military occupationof the area by the Civil ProtectionDepartment which alienated the towns-people,” he said.

Masciovecchio said reconstruction con-tracts in L’Aquila went to firms from abroador other parts of Italy and few local residentshad been hired. His son, who had worked ina local bakery, left to seek work abroad andnow lives in Finland. Morante, who estimat-ed that only 5-10 percent of the centre ofL’Aquila had been rebuilt, said bureaucracywas mainly to blame, with a bewilderingseries of changes in the rules on project allo-cation and construction permits.

Some of these changes were triggeredby evidence that another Italian plague-organized crime-had infiltrated the recon-struction effort. In 2014 seven buildingcontractors were arrested on allegationsthey had collaborated with the Naplesmafia, the Camorra, to obtain cheap labor.Morante said Amatrice and the other townshit by this week’s earthquakes could learnfrom L’Aquila’s experience, but there wereimportant differences.

For example, only an estimated 2,500people had been made homeless in the lat-est disaster, far fewer than in L’Aquila.However, a higher proportion of the houseswere levelled and will have to be complete-ly rebuilt. The risk for Amatrice and the sur-rounding towns is that if the rebuildingtakes too long, the local youngsters willdrift away, dealing a potentially fatal blowto communities where pensioners alreadymake up a large proportion ofinhabitants.”I’m afraid our village and oth-ers will just die,” said Salvatore Petrucci, 77,who lost his house in Trisunga onWednesday. “We may be the last people tohave lived (here).”

After an earthquake hit southern Italynear Naples in 1980, some survivors hadto wait more than 20 years before theirdamaged proper ties were restored.Leonardo Innocenzi, 62, who was bornand brought up in the centre of L’Aquila,lives in a “new town” 5 km away and sayswith resignation that he hopes he can getback to his old home within “two or threeyears, maybe four.” “I think it will needanother 8-10 years for this city to return toanything like it was, and we will have tosee if it ever become the community thatit used to be.” — Reuters

L’Aquila: The struggle facing

Italy’s earthquake-hit towns

RIO: Firefighters retrieve a crucifix from a church in the small town of Rio, nearAmatrice, central Italy, yesterday. — AFP

French environment minister

announces Iran partnerships

I N T E R N AT I O N A LMONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

DHAKA: Bangladesh police said yester-day they were hunting more extremistleaders after shooting dead the sus-pected mastermind of a deadly cafeattack, on the eve of US Secretary ofState John Kerry’s first visit. Securityforces stormed a militant hideout out-side Dhaka on Saturday, killing threesuspected Islamists including theBangladesh-born Canadian accused oforganizing last month’s attack thatkilled 22 people, mostly foreigners.

Authorities say that after returningfrom Canada in 2013, TamimChowdhury led a faction of the bannedmilitant group Jamayetul MujahideenBangladesh (JMB), blamed for a seriesof recent attacks on religious minorities.The Islamic State group claimed respon-sibility for the July 1 seige of the upmar-ket Dhaka cafe in which gunmen heldhostage mainly Western diners includ-ing one American, before killing them.But police say the homegrown JMB,which has pledged allegiance to the ISgroup, was behind the raid. They denythe presence of international jihadistgroups. “We’re hopeful we can now cap-ture and eliminate other extremistsincluding Zia,” assistant inspector gen-eral of police, MohammadMoniruzzaman, told AFP.

Major blowPolice suspect Zia, a former army

major whose full name is Syed ZiaulHaque, heads another local extremistgroup called Ansar al Islam, blamed forthe machete murders of a dozen secularwriters and two gay activists. Kerry is setto arrive in Bangladesh on Monday onhis first official visit to try to deepencooperation on counter-terrorism and

other issues. He will meet PrimeMinister Sheikh Hasina and hold talkswith his counterpart Mahmood Ali “on abroad range of issues including democ-racy, development, security and humanrights”, a senior State Department offi-cial said.

Kerry will then head to India to co-chair the regular US-India Strategic andCommercial Dialogue and hold talkswith Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Bangladesh police hailed Saturday’sraid as a major blow to extremists in theMuslim-majority country, which hasbeen reeling from the recent killings.The cafe attack has prompted foreign-ers, including potential investors, toleave Bangladesh-sparking worries forits garment industry, the world’s secondlargest after China. A series of policeraids on suspected militant hideoutshave killed at least 24 extremists sincethe cafe attack.

Police have announced a reward of$25,000 for information leading to thearrest of Zia, who was sacked from thearmy in 2011 for an aborted coup bidagainst Hasina. Experts welcomedSaturday’s police raid but said the coun-try, with its history of political instability,faces a long fight against Islamistextremism. Critics say Hasina’s adminis-tration has been in denial about thenature of the threat posed by extremistsand accuse her of trying to exploit theattacks to demonize her domestic oppo-nents. “Definitely Tamim’s death is amajor setback for the terrorists, especial-ly in the short term,” said Abdur Rob, pro-fessor of politics and security issues atthe private North South University. “(But)The incentives for regrouping will remainunless we can fix our politics.” — AFP YANGON: Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi faces what

could be the toughest test of her leadership yetwhen she opens a major ethnic peace conferenceWednesday aimed at ending wars that have blight-ed the country since its independence. The five-day talks will bring hundreds of ethnic minorityrebel leaders to the capital, along with military topbrass and international delegates such as UNSecretary-General Ban Ki-Moon. The conference isSuu Kyi’s flagship effort to quell the long-runningrebellions rumbling across Myanmar’s impover-ished frontier states, fuelled in part by the illegaldrugs, jade and timber trades.

Historical suspicions Myanmar is home to more than 100 ethnic

groups and many minorities harbor deep seatedhistorical suspicions of the Bamar majority group-which includes Suu Kyi-complaining that they haveendured decades of discrimination. Suu Kyi,a NobelPeace Prize winner, has made ending the nearly 70years of fighting the first priority of her newly mint-ed government, which took over from the militaryin March after sweeping the first free election ingenerations.

“If you ask me what my most important aim isfor my country, that is to achieve peace and unityamong the different peoples of our union,” she saidduring a recent visit to China. “Without peace,there can be no sustained development.” The 71-year-old is hoping to expand a shaky ceasefiresigned last year between some rebel armies and

the military-backed government. This week’s con-ference will include both signatories to the cease-fire agreement and non-signatories, althoughsome groups are still locked in intense fightingwith government forces and their role in the talksremains unclear.

Success also depends heavily on the military,which controls key levers of government andwhose leaders are thought to have made billionsfrom the vast natural resources of Myanmar’s bor-derlands. “Anyone who is suggesting there couldbe any sort of agreement in the coming days orweeks is dreaming,” said Anthony Davis, a securityanalyst and writer for IHS-Jane’s, predicting thenegotiations could take “many years”. The confer-ence has nevertheless been hailed as an importantfirst step and one loaded with symbolism in anation emerging from a dark military past.

It is dubbed the ‘21st Century Panglong’-a refer-ence to a 1947 agreement signed by Suu Kyi’s inde-pendence hero father that granted a level of auton-omy to major ethnic groups. The deal collapsedafter Aung San was assassinated months later, pre-cipitating half a century of brutal junta rule. Suu Kyihas followed in her father’s footsteps with similarpledges to form a federalist state-though she hasnever spelt out the details.

‘Grand opening ceremony’ A spokesman for the UNFC, one of the rebel

coalitions attending the talks whose 11 ethnicgroups include both ceasefire signatories and non-

signatories, said the conference would be “like agrand opening ceremony”. Ethnic groups will beallowed to give brief speeches, but there will be notime for follow-up debates and plans are already inthe works to hold more talks every six months. Onerebel leader, who asked not to be named, put itmore frankly. “We will not get a solution from thisconference because there will be no discussion ordebate,” he told AFP, adding that it will however bea rare chance to “talk openly” with the government.

Myanmar’s Muslim minority Rohingya popula-tion, who are subject to state-sponsored discrimi-nation, have never taken up arms against the stateand therefore are not included in Suu Kyi’s peaceprocess. The country’s diverse patchwork of ethnicgroups make up a third of the population, but thegovernment and military have long been dominat-ed by members of the majority Bamar ethnicity.Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) —also mostly Bamar-surprised observers when itwon a strong support from ethnic minority votersin November’s polls.

Yet distrust of the military runs deep in rebelregions where there have been many documentedcases of torture, rape and forced labour by statetroops. Hundreds of thousands have fled toThailand and China, while those that remain live incommunities devastated by drugs, forbidden fromteaching in their own language and stigmatised fornot being Buddhist. Experts say the military’s limit-ed ceasefire pact has also driven a wedge betweengroups that signed and those that did not. — AFP

Myanmar’s Suu Kyi faces test at ethnic peace conference‘Without peace, there can be no sustained development’

Bangladesh police hunts more extremists ahead of Kerry visit

NAYPYIDAW: In this photograph taken on May 27, 2016, Myanmar State Counselor and Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi (C background)chairs a meeting in Naypyidaw in preparation for the ethnic peace conference attended by representatives of ethnic armed organizations,members of parliament and military officials. — AFP

ABUJA: Nigerian PresidentMuhammadu Buhari said yesterdaythat Boko Haram leader AbubakarShekau is “wounded”, in his first com-ments on military claims that the jiha-di leader was injured in an attack.Nigeria’s armed forces said on Tuesdaythat Shekau had been wounded in an

air strike on Boko Haram’s foreststronghold, but released no furtherstatement or evidence confirming hiscondition.

“We learnt that in an air strike bythe Nigeria Air Force he was wound-ed,” Buhari said in a statement fromNairobi, where he is attending a

development conference. “Indeedtheir top hierarchy and lower cadrehave a problem,” Buhari said. “Theyare not holding any territory and theyhave split to small groups attackingsoft targets.”

Buhari said that Shekau had been“edged out” of the group, adding cre-dence to claims that Islamic State (IS)-appointed Abu Musab al-Barnawi wasnow in charge of the insurgency.Signs of a power struggle in the topechelons of the jihadi group appearedearlier this month when Shekaureleased a video denying he had beenousted. Barnawi is believed to be the22-year-old son of Boko Haramfounder Mohammed Yusuf and wasannounced as the group’s leader inAugust by IS.

Buhari made his remarks fromNairobi this weekend where he isattending the Tokyo InternationalConference on African Development,a summit designed to boost tiesbetween Africa and Japan. The presi-dent also said he “is prepared to talkto bona fide leaders of Boko Haram” tonegotiate the release of 218 Chibokgirls captured by the militants in 2014.Boko Haram has ravaged northeastNigeria in its quest to create a funda-mentalist Islamic state, killing over20,000 people and displacing 2.6 mil-lion from their homes. — AFP

Nigeria’s Buhari says Boko Haram leader is ‘wounded’

DHAKA: Bangladeshis gather near a shooting scene in Narayanganj. — AP

LAHORE: Pakistani officials said yester-day that four Islamic extremists allegedlyinvolved in a 2009 attack on the visitingSri Lankan cricket team were killed in ashootout with police. The attack on thecricket team killed six police and twobystanders, and wounded six cricketplayers. The Pakistani Taleban andLashkar-e-Jhangvi, an affiliated extremistgroup, claimed the attack, which was car-ried out by 10 gunmen.

The shootout erupted late Saturdayon the edge of Lahore when other gun-men tried to break the militants out ofpolice custody, a counterterrorism official

said. Another senior official confirmedthe account. Both spoke on condition ofanonymity, fearing retribution. Pakistanhas stepped up its fight against extremistgroups over the past two years, includingwith a military offensive in NorthWaziristan, a tribal region near theAfghan border and longtime strongholdof al-Qaida and other militants.

Yesterday, security forces raided a reli-gious seminary on the outskirts of thesouthwestern city of Quetta, where a sui-cide bomber killed more than 70 peopleearlier this month, and sealed it when theyfound nearly 100 illegal Afghan immi-

grants residing there, provincial govern-ment spokesman Anwarul Haq said. Othersuch raids netted another 228 Afghans,said paramilitary spokesman Khan Wasey.It was unclear if the raids were linked toterrorism suspicions. Quetta is the capitalof the southwestern Baluchistan province,which has long been the scene of a low-level insurgency by separatists groups.Islamic extremist groups also operate inthe region. Six alleged recruiters for al-Qaida and the Islamic State group havebeen arrested in the province in recentdays, according to provincial home minis-ter Sarfaz Bugti. — AP

Pakistan: Militants behind 2009 cricket attack killed

BEIJING: China’s ruling CommunistParty appointed a new senior officialyesterday to run Tibet, considered oneof the country’s most politically sensi-tive positions due to periodic anti-Chinese unrest in the devoutlyBuddhist Himalayan region. The officialXinhua news agency named Wu Yingjieas Tibet’s next party secretary. Newleaders were also appointed in twoother key provinces, part of a broadreshuffle ahead of an important partymeeting next year.

Wu has worked almost his entirecareer in Tibet, according to his officialresume, having previously served as adeputy governor and propagandachief, among other roles. Wu, like hispredecessor Chen Quanguo, belongsto China’s majority Han Chinese ethnicgroup. Xinhua said Chen would be tak-

ing another position, without givingfurther details. Communist troopsmarched in and took control of Tibet in1950 in what Beijing calls a “peacefulliberation”. Tibetan spiritual leader theDalai Lama fled to India in 1959 follow-ing a failed uprising against theChinese. China says its rule has boughtprosperity and stability, rejectingclaims from Tibetan exiles and rightsgroups of widespread repression.Xinhua said new party bosses had alsobeen appointed to serve in the strategi-cally located southwestern province ofYunnan and the populous southernprovince of Hunan. In Yunnan, whichsits of the borders of Myanmar, Laosand Vietnam, Chen Hao replaced LiJiheng, while in Hunan, Du Jiahao hasassumed the party’s top job, Xinhuasaid. — Reuters

China names new chief for Tibet party reshuffle

MANILA: Philippine Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) work at the scene where two suspects were shot dead following an encounter andshootout with police at a checkpoint along a highway in Manila yesterday. — AFP

I N T E R N AT I O N A LMONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

ILIGAN: Muslim extremists carrying Islamic Stategroup insignia have staged a daring jailbreak in thesouthern Philippines, freeing 28 detainees in thelatest in a series of mass escapes, officials said yes-terday. About 50 heavily armed members of theMaute group raided the local jail in the southerncity of Marawi on Saturday, freeing eight comradeswho had been arrested barely a week ago, policesaid. Twenty other detainees, held for otheroffences, also escaped in the raid, provincial policechief Senior Superintendent Agustine Tello said.

The freed members of the Maute group werearrested on August 22 after soldiers manning anarmy checkpoint found improvised bombs and pis-tols in the van they were driving. The Maute groupis one of several Muslim gangs in the southernregion of Mindanao, the ancestral homeland of theMuslim minority in the largely Catholic Philippines.The group has carried out kidnappings and bomb-

ings and is believed to have led an attack on anarmy outpost in the Mindanao town of Butig inFebruary. The fighting there lasted a week, leavingnumerous fatalities and forcing tens of thousandsto flee their homes as helicopter gunships foughtoff the attackers.

The gunmen attacking the jail Saturday wereseen carrying black flags of the Islamic State group,and bandanas bearing the jihadists’ insignia werelater found in their base, the military said.Authorities said they were investigating why thejail’s guards did not resist the raid or why securityhad not been increased after high-risk suspectswere brought in. The jailbreak is just the latest massescape from poorly secured Philippine jails, with theincidents often involving Muslim extremists. In 2009,more than 100 armed men raided a jail in the strife-torn southern island of Basilan, freeing 31 prisoners,including several Muslim guerrillas. — AFP

Philippine extremists stage mass jailbreak

MANILA: Pedicab driver Reyjin dives into a neigh-bor’s house for a quick meth fix, fearful of taking abullet to the head in Philippine President RodrigoDuterte’s brutal war on drugs but unable to quit.More than 2,000 people have died violent deathssince Duterte took office two months ago andimmediately implemented his scorched-earth plansto eradicate drugs in society, ordering police toshoot dead traffickers and urging ordinary citizensto kill addicts.

The bloodbath has seen unknown assailants killmore than half the victims, according to police sta-tistics, raising fears that security forces and hiredassassins are roaming through communities andshooting dead anyone suspected of being involvedin drugs. Armed police constantly circle in Reyjin’sManila slum community, but he continues to snortthe fumes of the highly addictive methampheta-mine known as “shabu” that Duterte has warned isdestroying the lives of millions of poor Filipinos. “It’sscary because I could be next,” said the gaunt, gap-toothed 28-year-old, speaking to AFP on the condi-tion his identity not be revealed for security reasons.

The father-of-three said two masked motorcyclegunmen riding in tandem on a motorcycle had shotdead a woman who sold small amounts of drugs tohim and other residents. “She was sitting in the alleywhen she took two bullets to the head,” he said.Such riding-in-tandem murders are one of the mostcommon forms of killings by the shadowy assassins.

‘Cardboard justice’ Often a piece of cardboard, with “drug peddler”

or “drug addict” written on it, is placed on the

corpse. This has led to the war on crime becomingknown as “cardboard justice”. Meanwhile, policehave reported killing 756 people they have brand-ed drug suspects. National police chief Ronald delaRosa has repeatedly defended his officers, insistingthey only kill when their own lives are in danger.However two policemen have been charged withmurder over the jailhouse deaths of a father andson, who autopsies showed to have been beatenso badly before being shot that their limbs werebroken.

The United Nations, the US government andhuman rights groups have expressed alarm at thebloodshed, with some critics warning thePhilippines is in the midst of a reign of terror asauthorities act with no regard for the law. Duterteand Dela Rosa have repeatedly insisted they are act-ing within the boundaries of the law, while accusingtheir critics of siding with the drug traffickers andignoring the devastating consequences of whatthey describe as a national shabu crisis. They saymost of the unexplained deaths are being carriedout by drug syndicates waging war on each other.

Yet on the day he was sworn into office,Duterte gave a speech to a crowd in a Manila slumin which he called on them to kill drug addicts intheir own community. And in an address to agroup of drug addicts who had surrendered topolice last week, Dela Rosa called on them to killtheir suppliers and burn down their homes. DelaRosa later apologized for the comments, sayingthey were made because he was angry, but theynevertheless added to an atmosphere of a dramat-ic breakdown in the rule of law.

Resilient drug trade In Reyjin’s Manila slum, the violence and security

presence has slowed the drug trade and madeshabu more expensive. But lots is still available, inwhat could be a worrying sign for Duterte whovowed during the election campaign that he couldcompletely wipe out the trade within six months. “Ifyou want to buy, you just go stand there on thestreet and somebody will approach you,” said Reyjin,who took his first hit of shabu when he was 13. “Youhand over the money and he will tell you to wait andhave somebody else deliver the drugs to you.”

Even the shabu “dens”, in which people rent outtheir huts for addicts to take a hit, are still operating,according to Reyjin. Reyjin said he earned about400 pesos ($8.50) a day, taking passengers on shortpedicab trips and occasionally doing odd jobs. Hesaid he was spending about one quarter of his earn-ings on shabu. It used to be a 50-peso-a-day habit,but the price of shabu had doubled because of thedrug war, according to Reyjin.

Neighbors told AFP the eldest of Reyjin’s threechildren, a grade-schooler, looked malnourishedand often went to school hungry. The two other sib-lings looked dirty and were forced to wear hand-me-down clothes in their one-room house, theyadded. The neighbors said they also suspected himof stealing small items from their homes to fund hishabit. Reyjin said he was aware of the toll his habittook on his family. But, even compounded by thethreat of his children being orphaned in the drugwar, he said he could not stop taking shabu.“Sometime I tell myself I have to stop,” he said. “Butmy body craves it.” — AFP

MANILA: Philippine President RodrigoDuterte, who is waging a bloody war oncrime, has justified the large-scale killingof drug users by suggesting the victimswere not human. Duterte, who has seenabout two thousand people killed sincehe was elected in May, made theremarks late Friday as he shrugged offthe United Nations’ concerns overhuman rights in his country.

“Crime against humanity? In the firstplace, I’d like to be frank with you: Arethey humans? What is your definition ofa human being?” he told soldiers whilevisiting an army camp, according totranscripts of his speech released after-wards. “Human rights? Use it properly inthe right context if you have the brains,”he added. “You cannot wage a war with-out killing,” Duterte said, adding thatmany drug users were beyond rehabili-tation. His remarks came after variousUN officials, including Secretary-GeneralBan Ki-moon in June condemned hisapparent support for extra-judicialkillings.

The UN special reporter on summaryexecutions, Agnes Callamard, said earlierthis month that his directives “amount to

incitement to violence and killing, acrime under international law”. Duterte’scomments come after his national policechief Ronald Dela Rosa on Friday urgeddrug users to kill their traffickers andburn their homes. “Why don’t you givethem a visit, pour gasoline on theirhomes and set these on fire to registeryour anger,” Dela Rosa said. He laterapologized for his remarks. But Dutertedefended Dela Rosa, saying “that’s mystyle. He is following it”.

Duterte also taunted the UnitedNations, saying “they want me to goprison? Do those idiots think I will becaptured alive. My God, we will betogether in hell.” Earlier this week, DelaRosa told senators that over 750 peoplehad been killed by police in anti-drugoperations while more than a thousandhad been slain by shadowy figures.Since then, even more people have beenkilled. Duterte, 71, won May elections ina landslide on a promise to kill tens ofthousands of suspected criminals to pre-vent the Philippines from becoming anarco-state. He has vowed to protectpolicemen who may be charged as partof the campaign. — AFP

MEDAN: People carry an unconscious friend to an ambulance in front of a churchafter a would-be suicide bomber failed to detonate explosives during Sundayservice. — AP

Drug users aren’t human: Duterte

Addict risks everything in Duterte’s drug war

‘It’s scary because I could be next’

MARAWI CITY: A jail guard walks past a prison cell at the provincial jail yesterday, a day after mem-bers of Maute group, a Muslim extremist inspired by the Islamic State movement, rescued theirjailed colleagues. — AFP

TOKYO: Japan’s new passenger jet yesterdayaborted a test flight to the United States for thesecond time in two days because of an air con-ditioning defect, its maker said. On Saturday a

Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) left Nagoya air-port in central Japan for the US but soon turnedback due to air conditioning problems. Theplane took off again yesterday but problems “in

the same air conditioning monitoring system”caused it to return, Mitsubishi Heavy and itssubsidiary Mitsubishi Aircraft said in a jointstatement.

“After the jet returned yesterday, we checkedthe system and changed parts. After confirmingthat there was no problem in a test on theground, today we launched the flight again, butthe same problem occurred,” companyspokesman Yuji Sawamura told AFP. The devel-opment of the MRJ, Japan’s first domesticallyproduced passenger jet for over half a century,has suffered a series of delays.

In December Mitsubishi Heavy said it waspostponing delivery of the planes by one year tothe second quarter of 2018 for system softwareupgrades and other design changes. The twin-engine MRJ marks a new chapter in the coun-try’s aviation sector, which last built a commer-cial airliner in 1962 — the YS-11 turboprop thatwas discontinued about a decade later. Japan’sMRJ will compete with other regional passengerjet manufacturers such as Brazil’s Embraer andCanada’s Bombardier. Mitsubishi Heavy unveiledthe jet-which is about 35 meters long and seatsabout 80 passengers-in October last year andhas received more than 400 orders. — AFP

Japan jet returns againafter taking off for US

MEDAN: A knife-wielding man stabbed aCatholic priest and tried to set off an explo-sive device at a church in Indonesia yester-day, police said, the latest attack on religiousminorities in the mainly Muslim country.Priest Albert Pandiangan was holding amass in the city of Medan on the westernisland of Sumatra when a young manapproached him and stabbed him in his leftarm, said local chief detective Nur Fallah.The attacker was carrying a homemadeexplosive device, said Fallah.

“Somebody tried to kill the priest by pre-tending to attend the church service and atthat time tried to explode something, like afirecracker, but the firecracker didn’texplode, it only fumed,” Fallah told reporters.The priest suffered slight injuries and hasbeen taken to hospital for treatment. A pic-ture of the attacker’s ID card circulating

online said he was Muslim. In recent yearsthere have been a number of attacks on reli-gious minorities and others in Indonesia,the world’s most populous Muslim-majoritycountry.

A suicide attack in the Indonesian capitalin January killed four attackers and fourcivilians, including a Westerner, and injured19. In July a suicide bomber linked to theIslamic State group blew himself up outsidea police station in Central Java. Churchgoersyesterday quickly caught the attacker andcalled the police. An eyewitness, MarkusHarianto Manullan, said the assailant wore ajacket and carried a bag. “He sat in the samerow as I did... I saw him fiddling with some-thing in his jacket, and then I heard a smallexplosion and he immediately ran to thepodium,” Manullan said. Police are stillinvestigating the man’s motive. — AFP

Indonesian priest injured in church ‘terror’ attack

This picture taken on November 11, 2015 shows Japan’s first domestically produced passengerjet, the Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ), taking off from Nagoya airport. — AFP

SYDNEY: The father of a Briton fighting forhis life after a deadly stabbing at anAustralian backpacker hostel said yesterdayhe was proud of his son, who has beenhailed as a hero by police. Tom Jackson, 30,suffered critical head injuries in the attack byFrenchman Smail Ayad, 29, at the hostel inHome Hill, a rural town in the north ofQueensland state. Fellow Briton Mia Ayliffe-Chung, 21, died in the incident late Tuesday,while a 46-year-old Australian man had non-life threatening wounds.

“There are many and varied reasons whywe are, and always will be, immensely proudof Tom,” Les Jackson said in a statementreleased by Townsville Hospital where hisson is being treated. “His actions in responseto this horrific attack only add to that sense

of pride.” Queensland police had said thatJackson’s actions to help Ayliffe-Chung were“completely selfless... (and) led to the injuriesthat he now has”. Ayad has been chargedwith the murder of Ayliffe-Chung and is alsofacing two counts of attempted murder forthe attacks on Jackson and the Australianman. He remains in police custody, with hiscase adjourned until October 28.

Police had said Ayad said “Allahu Akbar”(God is greatest) during the attack andagain when arrested, but have also saidthere were no signs of radicalization. TheAustralian government has been increas-ingly concerned about extremism and inparticular about home-grown radicaliza-tion, keeping the terror threat alert level athigh since September 2014. — AFP

Father proud of Australia backpacker stab victim

N E W SMONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

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The total amount of monthly allocations sent topatients abroad is KD 40 million, after being approved bya joint committee from the health and finance ministries.KD 300 million has been spent on treatment aboard dur-ing the period between Jan 1 and Aug 15, 2016, while KD550 million was spent last year, Al-Qabas daily reportedlast week, adding that more than 12,000 citizens are sentfor treatment abroad through the health ministry. Thegovernment had approved only KD 150 million for treat-ment abroad in the 2016/2017 fiscal year’s budget as partof austerity measures taken to offset the effects of a

deficit as a result of a drop in oil prices.Meanwhile, the head of Kuwait’s health office in

Paris Dr Fahd Al-Rashidi refuted news reports on socialmedia that claimed that the office has been closed,stressing that the office is still serving Kuwaiti citizensin Paris. The office’s doors are open to all Kuwaitipatients undergoing treatment in France, Rashidi toldKuwait News Agency (KUNA) yesterday, expressing histhanks to the Kuwaiti Embassy in Paris for its relentlessefforts. Furthermore, he said that the office hasexpanded its cooperation with French medical institu-tions in 13 different French cities to ensure better serv-ices for Kuwaiti patients.

Govt to settle hospital bills amid treatment...

Continued from Page 1

“Until we have further clarification on the situation,Careem has decided to temporarily limit services in AbuDhabi to avoid any inconvenience this may cause,” thecompany said.

The Abu Dhabi government’s Centre for Regulation ofTransport by Hire Cars, which manages the taxi and trans-

port sector, did not respond to queries. The center over-sees about seven taxi operators and 18 limousine opera-tors, some of which are partly government owned.Officials at the Abu Dhabi Department of Transport couldnot be reached for comment too. The companies’ opera-tions in the Emirates’ largest city of Dubai, which has a dif-ferent transport regulator, were unaffected by the suspen-sion. — Agencies

Uber, Careem halt services in Abu Dhabi

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He said this was happening as Iran tries to block reformefforts in Iraq and other Arab countries.

Sabhan was also quoted by the Saudi-owned Al-Arabiyanews channel saying “sectarian radical groups” are behindthe threats. The channel, quoting unnamed sources, allegedthat Iranian-backed senior figures in Iraq’s PopularMobilization Committee are among those behind the assas-sination plots and that they had given the Iraqi ForeignMinistry a deadline to expel Sabhan. In the Saudi-ownedAshraq Al-Awsat newspaper, an unnamed Iraqi official wasquoted as saying militias were planning to attack the ambas-sador’s armored cars with rocket-propelled grenades.

In an interview aired on Iraqi channel Wesal TV, Aws Al-Khafaji, who heads the Iraqi militia group Abu al-Fadhl Al-Abbas, said many factions in Iraq want to target Sabhan. “If

Sabhan was killed in Iraq, any factions involved would admitit, especially because he is wanted ... We clearly stated thatwe do not want Sabhan in Iraq.” he said, before adding that ifhe were assassinated, “it will be an honor and will be proudlyadmitted.”

Sabhan, responding to messages expressing solidaritywith him after the Iraqi announcement, tweeted: “I am a ser-vant of this (Saudi) leadership which is seeking to assist thetruth and the wellbeing of Muslims, may God preserve it.” Inthe interview on Al Arabiya, he said Saudi Arabia’s policieson Iraq would not change. “We have a very amicable rela-tionship with Iraqi politicians that the media does notdepict,” he added.

Sabhan, whose credentials were received in Jan 2016,became the first Saudi ambassador to Iraq in a quarter centu-ry, after relations were cut following ex-president SaddamHussein’s invasion of Kuwait. — Agencies

Iraq requests Saudi envoy be changed

Continued from Page 1

“He is talented and I think he could achieve hisdream as a 1,500metre/5,000m runner,” says formerathlete Liz McColgan who with her husband, JohnNuttall, founded and runs the Doha Athletics Club(DAC).The couple help Ongeri train twice a week.

And as a former 10,000m world champion, silvermedallist at the 1988 Seoul Olympics and winner of theNew York and London Marathons whose husband com-peted in the 1996 Olympics and whose daughter justran in the 5,000m final in Rio, McColgan’s opinion car-ries weight. “He has a really good running style so Icould see him being a better track runner,” saysMcColgan who has been based in Qatar for the pasttwo-and-a-half years. “I met Michael when he sent mean email to the DAC website but I had seen him train-ing alone at the park where we train, as it was unusualto see someone running so fast on his own,” saysMcColgan.

On the night AFP watches him train, Ongeri is sur-rounded by younger members of the club as Nuttallbarks out instructions. “Come on Michael! Stop beingso lazy!” he jokes as the security guard speeds at a pacethat marks him out from the other runners. “MadameLiz”, as Ongeri calls McColgan, worries that any hopeshe has of competing professionally could be scuppered

by his lack of time to train. “Unfortunately he worksridiculous hours so can only run once a day,” she says.“If he wanted to race internationally you need twice aday.”

Ongeri grew up poor in Kenya’s Nyanza Provinceand always loved running. But as the oldest son of fivesiblings, his duty was to his family, not his passion. “Mybackground wasn’t good, I faced hardship. I had to feedmy family,” he says. He ended up working on the samefarm as his father and mother but word of a job inQatar offered a chance to earn more money and to runas well. To secure his passage to the Gulf he paid anagent around $1,000 - cash he did not have but bor-rowed from an Italian boss at a shop where he workedin Kenya.

Three years on and he has just repaid the loan andwith the cash he sends to his family Ongeri survives inDoha on around $100 each month. “Of course, noweverybody (back home) is looking at me -’Please, I needthis. Please I need that.’ It’s difficult, Doha is a veryexpensive place.” As the temperature finally dips below40 degrees C, Ongeri has an hour’s running behind himand a three kilometre walk home ahead. It may be ashort distance from Aspire Park to Khalifa Stadium butwould represent a lifetime’s ambition if Ongeri one dayends up running there. “This is my dream, I will make it,”he says. — AFP

Qatar security guard in the race of his life

Continued from Page 1

focused on second city Aleppo, which is roughly dividedbetween rebel forces and President Bashar al-Assad’s troops.

Global powers have been pushing for 48-hour human-itarian ceasefires in the embattled city and UN Syriaenvoy Staffan de Mistura has urged warring parties toannounce by yesterday whether they will commit to apause in the fighting. The UN says it has “pre-positioned”aid to go to the city for some 80,000 people. Russia,which backs Assad’s forces, has endorsed the proposal.But some rebel groups have rejected the plan unless aidpasses through opposition-held areas and the ceasefire

applies to other areas of Syria under siege.Opposition groups have repeatedly called for an end

to regime sieges of rebel-held areas, accusing Assad’sgovernment of using “starve or surrender” tactics. OnSaturday, the last rebel fighters were evacuated from thetown of Daraya just outside Damascus, under a deal thatfollowed a brutal four-year government siege. Hundredsof fighters and their families were bused north into rebel-held territory in Idlib province, with other civilians trans-ferred to government territory near Damascus for reset-tlement. The Syrian army said it was in complete controlof the town, from which roughly 8,000 civilians were dueto be evacuated. — AFP

Turkey ramps up Syria offensive

A Kashmiri man holding an umbrella fishes from a weed covered portion of the Dal Lake standing on a wooden bridge as it rains in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, yesterday. — AP

By Tim Sullivan

The hero, a police inspector, prowls a cityknown more for its political malevo-lence than its street crime. If you read

the local newspapers, you could think it’s acity with almost no crime at all. There havebeen no murders reported there for years, nobank robberies, no muggings, no rapes. Thecity is Pyongyang, the North Korean capital,which has long hidden so many realitiesbeneath layers of propaganda and isolation.

The hero is Inspector O, a policeman whoknows those realities. And so, in many ways,does the policeman’s creator, the beardedman in the crowded Manhattan restaurantwho calls himself James Church. Churchdoesn’t want you to know his real name, hisnationality or the name of the organizationwhere he worked for so many years. All he’llsay is that he was raised in California, that hespent decades watching North Korea as anintelligence officer for a Western country, andthat he traveled there dozens of times.

Church has also, in novels about a tor-mented Pyongyang police inspector wholoves his country despite its many failings,found a way to write about the country hestudied for so long. Inspector O - his firstname is never given; his surname is commonin Korea - is a hard-boiled, old-school investi-gator, a Raymond Chandler character tryingto do the right thing in a brutal world. But heis also quick to defend that world, especiallywhen outsiders criticize it.

“We know how the world sees us,” he tellsa Swiss intelligence official in “Bamboo andBlood,” the third Inspector O novel. “But weare not as weak as people think - or hope.”Inspector O is “a good, solid police detectivewho just wants to do his work,” said Church,whose sixth book in the series, “ TheGentleman from Japan,” will be released latethis year. “He really doesn’t care about poli-tics. He knows it gets in the way, that it’sannoying. He knows that sometimes he hasto bow to it.”

But O still refuses to wear one of the smalllapel pins, decorated with portraits of NorthKorea’s leaders that are ubiquitous in thecountry. Church’s books often center aroundoutsiders - an Israeli spy, a Scottish policeman,that Swiss intelligence guy - thrust into aNorth Korea they constantly misunderstand. “Icouldn’t pretend that I was writing from theinside. I couldn’t pretend that I was a NorthKorean,” said Church, whose first Inspector Onovel was released a decade ago, and whosework has been warmly received by critics.

Now retired from government work, he was inNew York recently for a visit. “What interestedme was the point at which the North Koreanreality and our reality meet. Because I have alot of experience with that, and that’s where itilluminates what they think.”

Cliches The world has spent years misunder-

standing the North Korean reality, Churchsays, reducing it to cliches of goose-step-ping soldiers, brain-washed people, and dic-tators waiting for the chance to reduce theworld to a smoldering, radioactive pulp. Butmuch of what Inspector O encounters wouldbe familiar anywhere. Church’s North Koreais a place of squabbling relatives, office bul-lies, bureaucratic turf wars and bitter spous-es. It’s a place where most people quietly goalong with the government, but a few findways to quietly push back. It’s a place wherepolitics is a constant presence, something tobe extremely wary of, but where most peo-

ple are more worried about office politics ortroublesome children.

“We’ve seen time after time, when authori-tarian countries fall, that people pretty muchlive normal lives,” he said. “Some aspects of lifeare exaggerated in North Korea in many ways.But I think that when the end finally comesand we understand more fully how peoplelive their lives, we’ll be surprised.”

Still, North Koreans do face myriad dan-gers, from arrests by the country’s web ofsecurity agencies to powerful bureaucratswho can upend a person’s life in a moment.“There are always storm clouds on the hori-zon,” said Church. “There is a thunderstormthat could break at any moment.” O regularlyhints at those storms. “We all knew that wewere drifting, and we knew where,” the police-man reflects in “Bamboo and Blood,” whichtakes place during North Korea’s brutal mid-1990s famine. “A nation of shriveled leavesfloating on a doomed river toward the falls. Awinter of endless sorrow.”

Church’s real name and his background arewidely known in the small community ofNorth Korea watchers, where he is seen as oneof the most insightful analysts of the isolatednation. Inspector O also has plenty of fans. “Ifyou want to understand North Korea then youneed to read Inspector O,” said MichaelMadden, who has spent years studying theNorth Korean leadership. Church “is giving youthe conversations that these people have, thebureaucracy there and just the North Koreanmood and attitude. He gets that culture. Notmany people do.”

Church also understands that, beyond thepropaganda, North Korea pulls powerfully atits people, including Inspector O. “We hadsomething to believe in, a way to order exis-tence,” O says angrily in one book, when aSouth Korean derides North Korea’s entire his-tory. “Maybe people didn’t have much, mostof them had very little, but for practically allof those years they felt they belonged tosomething.” — AP

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A N A L Y S I SMONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

Focus

Brazil’s Temerbeset by risks

By Damian Wroclavsky

Michel Temer expects to become Brazil’s fullpresident if his rival Dilma Rousseff getsimpeached this week. If he trips up, the

country will fall deeper into crisis, analysts warn.Here are some of the economic, political, social andlegal challenges facing him if he secures the job ofdragging Latin America’s biggest economy out ofrecession.

Political Minefield Center-right PMDB party leader Temer, 75, was

leftist Rousseff ’s vice-president and stepped up toreplace her during the impeachment process. TheSenate is widely expected to vote to remove herfrom office next week. Temer would then have toavoid Rousseff’s fate of falling prey to internal politi-cal divisions. “Temer is supported by conservativesectors and saw an opportunity to become presi-dent. But he has a conciliatory style,” said RobertoRequiao, a PMDB senator who opposes theimpeachment.

Temer is planning business-friendly economicreforms but Requiao said he is not as economicallyliberal on certain issues as some of his right-wingallies. “If he does not carry out that radical program,he will not resist the demands of those conservativegroups. And if he does, another crisis will break out.”

Economic Storm Brazil is suffering

its worst recession indecades. Temer hasvowed to cut spend-ing and pushthrough controver-sial labor and pen-sion reforms. But todo so, he will needto push constitution-al reforms throughCongress. “Now hehas to prove what hecan do. The level ofpublic spending isunsustainable andthere is no way tosolve it withoutreforms,” said Carlos

Kawall, an economist and former head of theBrazilian treasury. “The key is structural changes. Ifhe doesn’t achieve them, we will enter an evendeeper crisis.”

Social Protests With his all-male, all-white cabinet, Temer is seen

as an establishment figure. Rousseff’s Workers’ Party(PT ) is fighting to mobilize unions and protestgroups in its favor, defending its record of generouswelfare spending. “Economic cuts will mean lessfunding for the social movements that were veryclose to power under the PT governments. Now theymay regroup,” said Luiz Alberto de Souza, a sociolo-gist at Candido Mendes University in Rio de Janeiro.Kawall added: “When there are reforms, the laborunions will mobilize.”

Corruption Stain Senior figures in Temer’s political camp, as well as

Rousseff ’s, are implicated in a scandal over corrup-tion in state oil firm Petrobras. Three of the ministersin Temer’s interim government resigned after beingimplicated. Some suspects mentioned Temer’s ownname in plea bargains. He is not being formallyinvestigated in the case, though separately thecourts are probing allegations of campaign financeirregularities against him. “The government has nomargin for error. They have to be very, very careful,”said Ramon Aracena, chief economist for LatinAmerica at the Institute of International Finance.“The Petrobras corruption scandal is still lingering.That’s a risk.” — AFP

Michel Temer

A hardboiled (and fictional) cop keeps watch

By Sebastien Blanc

Even as Donald Trump vacillates betweentoning down his harsh anti-immigrantrhetoric and reaching out to minorities,

he remains unshakable on one central cam-paign promise: Building a wall on America’ssouthern border with Mexico. “We are going tobuild a great border wall to stop illegal immi-gration, to stop the gangs and the violence,and to stop the drugs from pouring into ourcommunities,” the Republican presidential can-didate said as he accepted his party’s nomina-tion last month.

It’s an idea experts say is as useless as it isunrealistic. Though that has hardly givenTrump pause. “I will build the greatest wall thatyou have ever seen,” he elaborated at a recentrally. “That’s a Trump wall, a beautiful wall!”“And who’s going to pay for it?” he asks at hisevents. “Mexico!” his energized supportersroared back. Trump says his success as a con-struction magnate guarantees he can buildsuch a wall but has provided few details.

The 3,200-km US-Mexico border runs from

the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific, crossing arid,sparsely populated territory as well as urbancenters thick with inhabitants. After initiallypromising to build a new barrier running theentire length of the border, Trump now saysonly half actually needs to be covered becausethe physical terrain acts as a natural barrieralong the rest. But if he’s clear about thelength, what about the height? Trump has var-iously mentioned 35 feet (10.5 m), 40 feet, 55feet and even 90 feet.

“The wall just got 10 feet higher!” he’s saidwhen Mexican officials repeated that theircountry has no intention of paying a dime. Heis just as vague about the cost - $4 billion, then“six or seven” billion, “probably eight,” and “10,maybe 12,” before finally settling at “around$10 billion”. However, architects and engineersdismiss that figure as entirely unrealistic giveneven the minimum predictable costs.

Concrete, Steel... Solid! Trump’s plan calls for prefabricated con-

crete panels reinforced with steel rods, heavymaterials that present immense logistical chal-

lenges: Paving roads for access, building multi-ple sites for pouring concrete and hiringarmies of workers over several years. The wallwould require foundations deep enough toensure stability and discourage tunneling. A40-foot concrete wall using a “post and panel”system sunk 10 feet below ground would costat least $26 billion, according to the Texan wallexpert Todd Sternfeld.

Trump dismisses such figures, however,pointing to China’s ancient, 13,000-mile-longGreat Wall. “They didn’t have cranes. Theydidn’t have excavation equipment,” he says.“We need 1,000 miles and we have all of thematerials.” Key differences that make the com-parison irrelevant go unmentioned - thatChina’s wall consists of separate parts builtover centuries at a human cost that’s unthink-able today. Obstacles in the way of the GreatWall of Trump, as he’s called it, don’t stop there.In the vast American South, border areas areoften private property. Securing the land for awall would require multiple expropriation pro-cedures and legal headaches. It has been triedbefore. The border already is bristling with bar-

riers and fences, much of it built through the$2.4 billion Secure Fence Act signed by formerpresident George W Bush in 2006.

30 Foot Wall, 31 Foot Ladders The Rio Grande River, which forms the bor-

der between Mexico and Texas, presentsanother major obstacle. Laws prohibit con-struction that would impede flood manage-ment or interfere with the sharing of resources.A treaty meanwhile prohibits either countriesfrom diverting any flow of water. But beyondthe multitude of intractable obstacles facing aTrump wall, its basic sense remains highlyquestionable. “If you build a 30-foot wall,” thecomedian John Oliver has said, “all it’s going todo is create a market for 31-foot ladders.”

Critics point out that drug traffickers havefound ways of transporting their products overor under border barriers whatever their size.Moreover, as a 2006 study by the Pew HispanicCenter found, nearly half of illegal immigrantsin the United States enter through classic entrypoints such as airports before simply stayingon their expired visas. — AFP

Trump’s wall plan unrealistic and useless

In this June 29, 2016 photo, an author and former intelligence official, who uses the name James Church in public, works on hislaptop in a New York park. — AP

S P O RT SMONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

BERLIN: A back problem has ruled winger Andre Schuerrle out of Germany’s friendly against Finlandand their opening 2018 World Cup qualifier away to Norway. The 25-year-old Schuerrle was outstand-ing in creating Borussia Dortmund’s first goal, then won the penalty which Pierre-EmerickAubameyang converted, in Saturday’s 2-1 home win over Mainz in opening their Bundesliga cam-paign. But the performance has come at a cost as Schuerrle will sit out Wednesday’s friendly inMoenchengladbach, which will be midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger’s final international match, andthe World Cup qualifier in Oslo next Sunday, the German FA (DFB) confirmed. “I took a blow, which

really affected my back,” Schuerrle told German magazine Kicker on Saturday, beforehis withdrawal was announced. The friendly against Finland will be

Schweinsteiger’s 121st and final Germany appearance, having announced hisretirement earlier this month. The 32-year-old has been exiled from theManchester United first-team squad by new head coach Jose Mourinho

and banished to the reserves, but the ex-Bayern Munich star said lastWednesday that he has no plans to leave Old Trafford. Head coachJoachim Loew is expected to name Schweinsteiger’s replacement in

Monday’s press conference. Manuel Neuer, who captained Germany in thefive of their six Euro 2016 matches which Schweinsteiger

started on the bench, is set to inherit the skipper’sarmband on a permanent basis. —AFP

Injured Schuerrle out for first Germany qualifier

GENEVA: FIFA president Gianni Infantino said in an interview published yesterday that he will makeless than two million Swiss francs a year, well below the salary of his disgraced predecessor, SeppBlatter. Infantino has not yet agreed to terms with FIFA but speaking to Switzerland’s Blick newspa-per, he said his salary “will be less than the two million francs ($2 million, 1.8 million euros) peoplehave speculated about.” Blatter, who was mired in scandal before being banned from FIFA, made$3.6 million in 2015. Infantino described past dealings with FIFA’s compensation committee as“insulting” and “completely arbitrary.” During the first two months of Infantino’s tenure, which beganin February, the compensation committee included former FIFA audit and com-pliance chief Domenico Scala, who has emerged as a fierce critic of worldfootball’s new president. Scala dramatically quit FIFA in May, accusingInfantino of trying to compromise the organisation’s independent com-mittees and acting with an authoritarian streak. Infantino said his paycould be finalised when the compensation committee meets again,with Scala no longer in the picture. Reflecting on earlier negotiationswhen Scala was involved, the FIFA chief said: “I expected to talk to thesepeople about my salary based on guidelines and defined processes andnot to face a fait accompli by Mr. Scala without a discussion.” A FIFAinquiry last month cleared Infantino after investigating himover his use of private jets, personal expenses, hiringmethods and the salary dispute. —AFP

PARIS: The French Tennis Federation yesterday slapped a ban onthe country’s top women players following ‘unacceptable’ conductat the Rio Olympics. If the temporary ban is upheld Caroline Garcia,the French number one, and Kristina Mladenovic, the number two,will miss the final of the Fed Cup against the Czech Republic inNovember. The conduct of the women as well as male teammateBenoit Paire was “unacceptable and merits an appropriateresponse,” the federation said, announcing that a final decision willbe released on September 24. In the interim the two women, thereigning French Open doubles champions, as well as Paire, will for-feit financial aid and selection to represent their country.Mladenovic is accused of publicly criticising the federation follow-ing her defeat in the Olympic doubles tournament in which sheteamed up with Garcia. She said in a tweet the federation failed totell the players about tournament rules whereby they had to wearthe same colours on court, forcing Garcia into a last-minute changeof kit borrowed from her teammate. Paire was kicked out of theFrench Olympic team by national coach Arnaud Di Pasquale overallegations of poor conduct in Rio including lengthy absences fromthe Olympic village. —AFP

French ban top women players over Olympic row

Infantino says FIFA salary less than $2m

NEW HAVEN: Top-seeded AgnieszkaRadwanska completed a dominating week atthe Connecticut Open yesterday, beating ElinaSvitolina 6-1, 7-6 (3) in the final then sprayingher coaches and friends with champagne.

The Polish star didn’t drop a set during thetournament, her 19th WTA championship. Shetook control of the final from the start, winning20 of the first 27 points, jumping out to a 5-0lead.

She ran the 21-year-old Ukrainian all over thecourt, chasing down shots and placing her ownwith pinpoint accuracy. Svitolina held off twoset points in the sixth game, but Radwanska wasable to serve out the set in 29 minutes.

“I was really feeling good this week,”Radwanska said. “Everything was working. I wasfeeling very confident on that court.”

The second set was much closer. It includedthree service breaks for each player and a 37-shot rally in the ninth game. Radwanska brokeserve in that game to go up 5-4 and seemed tobe in control, especially after Svitolina turnedher ankle chasing a lob shot.

But the 10th seed rallied, breaking back andgoing up 6-5. Radwanska saved two set pointsto force the tiebreaker, and took five of the lastsix points to win it.

Svitolina committed 36 unforced errors,including a backhand into the net to end thematch.

“Set points, they come and go in five sec-onds,” Svitolina said. “She served two big serves.She placed it really well.”

Radwanska had never before made it past thequarterfinals in New Haven, but had a relativelyeasy trip this year that included a first round byeand straight set wins over Jelena Ostapenko ofLatvia, lucky loser Kirsten Flipkens of Belgiumand a 6-1, 6-1 semifinal victory over two-timechampion Petra Kvitova.

She becomes the first top seed to win sinceCaroline Wozniacki did it in 2011. The title isRadwanska’s second this season after taking theShenzhen Open in China in January.

She takes home just over $130,000 for win-ning in Connecticut, but also earned enoughpoints to clinch the US Open Series bonus chal-lenge. That means a chance for up to an extra $1million, depending on her finish in New Yorknext week, where she will be the No. 4 seed.

“So now it’s everything in my power to dogood in the U.S. Open,” she said with a big grin.“It will be worth it, right?”

Svitolina, who beat Serena Williams in thethird round at the Olympics, is now 4-1 in WTAfinals, but this was her first at a Premier levelevent. She was playing this tournament for thefourth time and had never before made it out ofthe first round.

She said it was a disappointing first set, butan otherwise encouraging week. “There is notime to be sad because US Open is just today,”she said. —AP

Radwanska beat Svitolina to take Connecticut Open title

NEW HAVEN: Agnieszka Radwanska, of Poland, celebrates after defeating ElinaSvitolina, of Ukraine, 6-1, 7-6 (3) in the final match of the Connecticut Open tennistournament in New Haven, Conn., on Saturday. —AP

NEW YORK: Serena Williams speaks during a media availability for the USOpen at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Friday, in New York. —AP

NEW YORK: Serena Williams once againarrives at Flushing Meadows poised torewrite the tennis record books-if herown troublesome right shoulder andincreasingly emboldened rivals allow.The 34-year-old US superstar matchedSteffi Graf’s Open Era record of 22 GrandSlam singles titles with her triumph atWimbledon in July. With a seventh USOpen triumph she can break Graf ’srecord, and continue her march towardAustralian Margaret Court’s all-time markof 24 Grand Slam titles.

She could also break Graf’s record of186 consecutive weeks atop the worldrankings, and surpass Chris Evert formost US Open singles titles won in theOpen Era.

But after seeing a frustrating year goby between her 21st Grand Slam win andNo. 22, Williams said she’d learned to lethistory take care of itself. “At this point,I’m taking it a day at a time,” Williamssaid. “I just am more relaxed, for sure.”

A straight-sets win over AngeliqueKerber in the Wimbledon final may haveeased some of the pressure Williams wasfeeling, but it’s been far from smoothsailing since.

Her bid to retain her Olympic singlestitle ended in Rio de Janeiro when shewas sent crashing out of the third roundby Elina Svitolina. Williams was clearlyhindered by the shoulder injury that hadforced her out of the Montreal WTA tour-nament as she served up eight doublefaults and 37 unforced errors in thestraight-sets defeat.

She then withdrew from her WTA titledefence in Cincinnati, still strugglingwith painful shoulder inflammation.

“I think usually I prefer to play morecoming into the final Grand Slam of theyear,” Williams acknowledged. “But thereis nothing we can do about it. You justhave to make the best of every singleopportunity. That’s all I can do now.”

KERBER CLOSING IN Williams faces a tricky opening

encounter against experienced RussianEkaterina Makarova. She could find fifth-seeded Romanian Simona Halep waiting

in the quarters and elder sister Venus, thesixth seed, in the semis.

Germany’s Kerber, who defeatedWilliams in the Australian Open final inJanuary, is just one of the players with achance to seize the number one ranking ifWilliams falters. Kerber, 28, also boasts atitle at Stuttgart, an Olympic silver medaland finals appearances at Brisbane inJanuary and this month in Cincinnati-where she missed her first chance to sup-plant Williams atop the rankings. Beingviewed as a legitimate threat to Williams,Kerber said, “is really special”. “BecauseSerena is one of the best players and ath-letes in the world,” she said.

Far from feeling stressed by the chanceto topple Williams, Kerber said she is thriv-ing on the race for number one.

“I love this question, I love it,” Kerbersaid. “The pressure for sure is maybe a littlebit higher, but if I’m not doing the pressureon myself, everything is fine.”

Third-seeded Spaniard GarbineMuguruza also has a shot at the top,although the 22-year-old who stunnedWilliams in the French Open final will needher best US Open ever to do so.

In three main-draw appearances shehas won just one match. Turning aroundher Flushing Meadows fortunes would fur-ther her aim of establishing herself as morethan “the girl that beat Serena” at RolandGarros. Fourth-seeded AgnieszkaRadwanska of Poland also has an outsidechance at the world number one ranking ifshe can claim her first Grand Slam title.Notable absentees include 2015 championFlavia Pennetta, who retired at the end oflast year, Victoria Azarenka who is pregnantand former champion Maria Sharapovawho is serving a doping suspension.

Venus Williams, whose seven GrandSlam titles include two US Opens, is amonga handful of former champions among theseeds including 2004 winner SvetlanaKuznetsova of Russia and 2011 champSamantha Stosur of Australia.

“There are a lot of good players rightnow,” Kerber said. “Let’s see how Serena willplay here. Let’s see how the others will play.It’s a new day, new tournament, newmatches-so let’s see.” —AFP

Serena shoulders burden of history at US Open

NEW YORK: Andy Murray admits he’splaying his best ever tennis as he looksto capitalise on the growing frailties ofhis rivals and capture a second US Opentitle. Ahead of today’s start to the sea-son’s final Grand Slam, the 29-year-oldis the sport’s man of the moment.

Since losing the French Open finalto Novak Djokovic in June, Murray haswon Queen’s Club, a secondWimbledon title and successfullydefended his Olympic crown in Rio. Hiscareer-best 22-match win streak cameto a halt at the hands of Marin Cilic inthe Cincinnati final last weekend whenhe simply ran out of gas.

But that hasn’t dented his confi-dence that he can claim a second USOpen, four years after his breakthroughin New York saw him become the firstBritish man in 76 years to win a GrandSlam title.

At 29, three-time major winnerMurray admits he is taking positivesfrom being in the twilight of his career.

“You have to make the most ofevery opportunity. It’s a slightly differ-ent mentality to maybe when you’reyounger and you feel like you have a bitmore time on your side,” said Murray.

Murray has played in all of the firstthree finals of the majors in 2016, losingto world number one Djokovic inMelbourne and Paris before defeatingMilos Raonic in straight sets in theWimbledon final.

The only worry for Murray is his rela-

tively mediocre recent record in NewYork-runs to the quarter-finals in 2013and 2014 were followed by a fourth-round exit to Kevin Anderson 12months ago.

Murray starts his campaign againstfiery Lukas Rosol. The last time they metin Munich in 2015, the Scot describedthe Czech as the most-hated man in thesport.

Murray’s consistency on the tour inrecent weeks is in stark contrast to therollercoaster fortunes of Djokovic, thedefending champion in New York.

After he won a maiden French Opento complete the career Grand Slam, alltalk was of the Serb going on to defendhis Wimbledon and US Open titles andclinch a calendar Grand Slam.

DJOKOVIC BURDEN That’s a feat so rare that only two

men have ever achieved it with RodLaver the most recent in 1969.

The expectations proved too heavya burden when the 12-time major win-ner was dumped out of Wimbledon inthe third round for his earliest loss at amajor in seven years.

Although he then won a record 30thMasters trophy in Toronto, a shock first-round defeat at the Olympics to JuanMartin del Potro and a withdrawal fromCincinnati with a wrist injury suggestedall is not well with the 2011 and 2015US Open winner. “I am not 100 percent.Hopefully on Monday, when it all starts,I will be there,” said Djokovic who facesbig-serving Jerzy Janowicz of Poland inhis opener.

“The wrist has not been ideal forthree weeks. There are different meth-ods of healing. One involved electricitytreatment to enhance the recoveryprocess.”

Outside of the top two, five-timechampion Roger Federer, who hasplayed every US Open since 2000,called time on his season after a five-setsemi-final defeat to Raonic atWimbledon. The 35-year-old aggravat-ed a knee injury in that loss.

Fellow old-stager Rafael Nadal, the2010 and 2013 US Open champion,won gold in doubles at the RioOlympics but lost the singles bronzemedal play-off to Kei Nishikori. —AFP

‘Best yet’ Murray poised to pounce at US Open

NEW YORK: Reigning US Open tennis champions FlaviaPennetta, left and Novak Djokovic, pose with their trophiesduring a media availability at the Billie Jean King NationalTennis Center, Friday, in New York. —AP

NEW YORK: US tennis legend JohnMcEnroe on Saturday called a halt tohis coaching work with Milos Raonic,claiming “it will make life easier”despite helping the Canadian to theWimbledon final last month.

McEnroe made his announcementjust two days out from the start of theUS Open, the season’s final Grand Slamevent where world number six Raonicis ranked as a potential title winner.

Raonic, defeated by Andy Murray inthe Wimbledon final, only startedworking with McEnroe for the grasscourt season but the two men thendecided to extend their agreement.

The 25-year-old will continue towork with full-time coaches Carlos

Moya and Riccardo Piatti.“Milos has two coaches. I came in an

advisory role before Wimbledon. He’sgot a great team around him,” McEnroesaid in an ESPN conference call.

“I think it’s best and easiest at thispoint, this week I was with him, buthaving thought about it, and for Milos’sake, for ESPN and my sake, I think it’sbest that we stop right now.

“So when the US Open starts today,he’s got his people. I’m pulling for himand want him to do well. But it’s bestto sort of separate at this stage. It willjust make life easier for everyone.”Raonic starts his US Open campaigntomorrow against Germany’s DustinBrown. —AFP

McEnroe calls halt to coaching Raonic

S P O RT SMONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

LOS ANGELES: Julio Urias allowed one runover six innings, Corey Seager set a Dodgersfranchise record for a shortstop with his 23rdhome run and Los Angeles beat the ChicagoCubs 3-2 on Saturday to even the seriesbetween NL division leaders. Urias (5-2)pitched better at home than the last time hefaced the Cubs. The rookie left-hander madehis second career start in Chicago on June 2and gave up six runs - five earned - and eighthits in five innings while serving up threehomers. This time, he allowed six hits and tieda career high with eight strikeouts and twowalks. He is 4-0 in six games (four starts) sincethe All-Star break. Kenley Jansen pitched a per-fect ninth for his 38th save a day after allowinga run on a wild pitch in the ninth in a 6-4, 10-inning loss. The Cubs’ four-game winningstreak ended behind the shortest outing of theseason from Jason Hammel (13-7). He gave upthree runs and five hits in 2 1/3 innings. LosAngeles increased its NL West lead to twogames over San Francisco.

BRAVES 3, GIANTS 1Matt Kemp hit a three-run homer and Mike

Foltynewicz pitched 7 2/3 strong innings, lead-ing Atlanta past San Francisco. Foltynewicz (7-4) struck out six and allowed five hits and awalk. His only mistake came in the secondinning, when Brandon Crawford socked an 0-1fastball for his 12th homer. San Francisco fell to13-26 since the All-Star break, the worst recordin the majors over that stretch. Kemp hit hishomer in the fourth to make it 3-1 againstemergency starter Albert Suarez (3-2). Suarezwas called up from Triple-A Sacramento tostart in place of Jake Peavy, who was placed onthe 15-day disabled list with a lower backstrain. Jim Johnson pitched a perfect ninth forhis 13th save.

YANKEES 13, ORIOLES 5Rookie Gary Sanchez kept up a most

remarkable run, homering for the thirdstraight game to help New York routBaltimore. Sanchez hit a drive that bouncedoff the top of the right-center field wall andover in the fourth inning. He reached 11 careerhome runs faster than anyone in major leaguehistory - 23 games, including two hitlessgames last year. After the switch-hitting catch-er connected, the crowd of 38,843 emphatical-ly chanted his name. Mark Teixeira steppedout of the batter’s box, pausing the game andallowing the 23-year-old to tip his batting hel-met to the fans from the top of the dugoutsteps. Starlin Castro and Aaron Hicks alsohomered as the Yankees won their fourth in arow. A day after trouncing the Orioles 14-4,New York moved within 2 1/2 games of themfor the second AL wild-card spot. Chris Davishomered twice and Mark Trumbo hit his bigleague-leading 39th home run for Baltimore.The Orioles have lost three straight. TommyLayne (1-1) pitched a scoreless inning for thewin. Dylan Bundy (7-5) was the loser.

RED SOX 8, ROYALS 3Dustin Pedroia had four hits to extend his

streak to 11 at-bats before bouncing into adouble play with a chance to tie the majorleague record and Boston beat Kansas City.Pedroia’s streak, which stretched over threegames, ended in the eighth inning. JohnnyKling of the Cubs set the record of 12 in 1902,Pinky Higgins of the Red Sox matched it in1938, and Detroit’s Walt Dropo accopmplishedthe feat in 1952. Xander Bogaerts homeredand drove in three runs, and Mookie Betts andHanley Ramirez hit consecutive homers forBoston. David Price (13-8) won his fourthstraight start, giving up two runs in six innings.Danny Duffy (11-2) was the loser, ending apersonal 10-game winning streak. SalvadorPerez hit two solo homers for the Royals.

ROCKIES 9, NATIONALS 4, 11 INNINGSCharlie Blackmon hit two home runs,

including the go-ahead shot in the 11th inning,and Colorado beat Washington to snap a four-game losing streak. NL MVP Bryce Harper wasejected in the 10th after getting called out onstrikes. The Nationals star yelled at plateumpire Mike Winters and threw his helmet tothe ground after being tossed. Blackmon con-nected in the third off starter A.J. Cole, then hita two-run drive off Yusmeiro Petit (3-4).Blackmon has 23 home runs this season andfive multihomer games. Carlos Gonzalez also

hit a two-run homer off Petit, his 24th of theseason and 200th of his career. Jake McGee (1-3) pitched a perfect 10th that included strikingout Harper. Rockies second baseman DJLeMahieu went 3 for 5 to pass the Nationals’Daniel Murphy for the NL batting lead.

METS 12, PHILLIES 1Yoenis Cespedes hit a three-run homer,

Kelly Johnson had a pinch-hit grand slam andNoah Syndergaard pitched two-hit ball overseven innings to help New York routPhiladelphia. Asdrubal Cabrera homered forthe third time in two games, a two-run drivethat put New York ahead against JeremyHellickson (10-8). Neil Walker added his 23rdof the season to match a career high, givingthe Mets four homers for the second consecu-tive night in a blowout of Philadelphia.Alejandro De Aza added a two-run double forthe Mets. They have won six of seven as theyattempt to make a charge in the bunched-upNL wild-card chase. Syndergaard (12-7)chipped in with a long double and won histhird straight start. The only damage againsthim came on Freddy Galvis’ homer in the third.

ANGELS 3, TIGERS 2Detroit stars Victor Martinez and J.D.

Martinez were ejected, along with managerBrad Ausmus and hitting coach Wally Joyner ina series of balls-and-strikes disputes as theTigers’ five-game winning streak ended in aloss to Los Angeles. Kaleb Cowart hit his sec-ond career home run and C.J. Cron added anRBI single for the Angels. Victor Martinezargued with plate umpire Mike Everitt aftertaking strike one in the third inning. Martinezwas tossed after about 30 seconds, then puthis hands behind his back to continue thedebate. He later flipped his helmet onto thefield from the bench. After Ian Kinsler struckout looking in the fifth, Joyner was ejectedfrom the dugout by Everitt. Joyner came outto argue, Ausmus followed and was tossed,too. In the sixth, J.D. Martinez was called out,looked back at Everitt and was ejected.

Jhoulys Chacin (4-6) threw four scorelessinnings and struck out five for the win.Fernando Salas closed for his fifth save. RookieMichael Fulmer (10-5) gave up three runs inthe third.

RANGERS 7, INDIANS 0Mitch Moreland’s grand slam capped a

bizarre, five-run first inning for Texas and A.J.Griffin pitched six strong innings in the victoryover Cleveland. Griffin (6-3) allowed five hitswhile winning for the first time since Aug. 4. Inmaking his first scoreless start of the season,Griffin didn’t allow a home run for the firsttime in 12 starts. Carlos Carrasco (9-7) allowedseven runs - four unearned in the first - andeight hits in four innings while striking outeight. Ian Desmond and Carlos Beltran singledwith one out and moved up a base onCarrasco’s balk. On Adrian Beltre’s sharpgrounder to third, Desmond dove back andbeat Jose Ramirez’s tag to load the bases.Rougned Odor ’s hard grounder to firstbounced off Carlos Santana’s glove for a run-scoring error and Moreland followed with hissecond career slam.

BLUE JAYS 8, TWINS 7Melvin Upton Jr. hit an RBI triple and con-

tinued home on a misplay in the eighthinning, completing AL East-leading Toronto’srally from a five-run deficit. Edwin Encarnacionhomered and had three RBIs to help Torontohand Minnesota its ninth straight loss. TheBlue Jays trailed 7-6 in the eighth when KevinPillar doubled with one out off Ryan Pressly (6-6). Upton followed with a triple past a divingMax Kepler in right. Kepler fumbled the ball ashe chased it down by the wall, allowing Uptonto score standing up as a sellout crowd of47,485 cheered wildly. Jason Grilli (5-3) workedone inning for the win and Roberto Osuna fin-ished for his 29th save. Minnesota led 5-0before the Blue Jays began their comeback.Encarnacion hit his 36th homer and leads theAL with 105 RBIs. Minnesota’s Trevor Plouffehomered for the second straight game.

ATHLETICS 3, CARDINALS 2Khris Davis hustled home on an infield

grounder in the eighth inning and Oakland ral-lied for two runs to beat St. Louis. The Cardinalsfell to 1-8 in interleague games at BuschStadium this season. Oakland trailed 2-1 in theeighth when Davis singled with one out againstMatt Bowman (2-5) and Ryon Healy doubled,extending the longest active hitting streak inthe majors to 13 games. Seung Hwan Ohrelieved and Max Muncy hit a grounder thatBrandon Moss stopped with a dive, but Davisscored the tying run. Brett Eibner followed witha sacrifice fly. Zach Neal (2-4) pitched a career-best six innings. Oakland pitchers held theCardinals without a hit after the fourth inning,retiring the last 17 batters. Daniel Coulombe (2-1) and Liam Hendriks combined for two perfectinnings to set up Ryan Madson who pitched aperfect ninth inning for his 26th save.

REDS 13, DIAMONDBACKS 0Anthony DeSclafani threw a four-hitter and

Scott Schebler homered twice in Cincinnati’sblowout victory over Arizona. DeSclafani (8-2)had nine strikeouts and a walk, needing 108pitches to throw the first complete game of hiscareer. Joey Votto and Schebler homered dur-ing a four-run first inning and Schebler con-nected again in a five-run second, all againstZack Godley (4-3). Schebler had a career-highfive RBIs and three hits in the first multihomergame of his career. Zack Cozart hit his 16thhomer in the fourth inning, and Adam Duvallgot his 29th homer in the eighth.

WHITE SOX 9, MARINERS 3Jose Abreu hit the first of Chicago’s four

runs, and Jose Quintana threw 7 2/3 solidinnings in the White Sox’s victory over Seattle.Avisail Garcia and Alex Avila hit consecutivehomers during a four-run fifth and TylerSaladino added a two-run shot in the seventh,all off struggling reliever Vidal Nuno. Abreuextended his hitting streak to 10 games andhis on-base streak to 23 with a solo shot in atwo-run first against Ariel Miranda (1-1).

Quintana (11-9) allowed a run and five hits andstruck out eight.

PADRES 1, MARLINS 0Ryan Schimpf homered, Clayton Richard

pitched seven innings and San Diego beatMiamito snap a four-game losing streak.Schimpf homered in the fourth inning off JoseUrena (2-5). Schimpf also homered Friday nightand has 16 this season. Richard (1-3) allowedeight hits and walked one. He struck out threeand threw 63 of 94 pitches for strikes. KevinQuackenbush worked the ninth, striking outtwo for his first save since Sept. 22, 2014,against Colorado.

ASTROS 6, RAYS 2Rookie Alex Bregman homered and had

three RBIs, and Dallas Keuchel threw seven sol-id innnins in Houston’s victory over Tampa Bay.Bregman connected off fellow rookie BlakeSnell (4-7) in the third inning to make it 4-0.Keuchel (9-12) allowed nine hits and two runsfor his first career victory over the Rays. YulieskiGurriel added two doubles for Houston andhad the first two RBIs of his career. It was thefifth game for Gurriel, who played in Cuba for15 seasons before signing with the Astros inJuly. Bobby Wilson hit a two-run homer in thefifth inning for the Rays.

PIRATES 9, BREWERS 6Pinch-hitter Gregory Polanco had a tiebreak-

ing three-run double and Pittsburgh overcamea four-run deficit to beat Milwaukee. Polancodoubled off reliever Blaine Boyer (1-3) withone-out in the sixth, giving the Pirates a 9-6.Hernan Perez homered twice for Milwaukee,with a three-run homer during a four-run first,and a solo shot leading off the third that putthe Brewers ahead 5-1. Pittsburgh scored fiveruns in the fourth against Jimmy Nelson to takea 6-5 lead. However, Brewers reliever Tyler Cravyhomered off Jeff Locke (9-7) to open the bot-tom of the inning for his first major league hit.Neftali Feliz got the last three outs for his sec-ond save in four attempts. —AP

Seager sets shortstop record

as Dodgers down Cubs 3-2

LOS ANGELES: Los Angeles Dodgers’ Andrew Toles, bottom, doves back to second as Chicago Cubs shortstop Addison Russell jumps to catch the ball thrown fromhome during the third inning of a baseball game, Saturday, in Los Angeles. —AP

American LeagueEastern Division

W L PCT GB Toronto 73 56 .566 - Boston 72 57 .558 1 Baltimore 70 59 .543 3 NY Yankees 67 61 .523 5.5 Tampa Bay 54 74 .422 18.5

Central DivisionCleveland 73 55 .570 - Detroit 69 60 .535 4.5 Kansas City 67 62 .519 6.5 Chicago White Sox 62 66 .484 11 Minnesota 49 80 .380 24.5

Western DivisionTexas 76 54 .585 - Houston 68 61 .527 7.5 Seattle 68 61 .527 7.5 Oakland 56 73 .434 19.5 LA Angels 55 74 .426 20.5

National LeagueEastern Division

Washington 75 54 .581 - Miami 67 62 .519 8 NY Mets 66 63 .512 9 Philadelphia 59 70 .457 16 Atlanta 48 82 .369 27.5

Central DivisionChicago Cubs 82 46 .641 - St. Louis 68 60 .531 14 Pittsburgh 66 61 .520 15.5 Milwaukee 56 73 .434 26.5 Cincinnati 55 73 .430 27

Western DivisionLA Dodgers 72 57 .558 - San Francisco 70 59 .543 2 Colorado 61 68 .473 11 San Diego 54 75 .419 18 Arizona 54 76 .415 18.5

MLB results/standings

NY Yankees 13, Baltimore 5; Colorado 9, Washington 4 (11 innings); Toronto 8, Minnesota 7; LADodgers 3, Chicago Cubs 2; La Angels 3, Detroit 2; Boston 8, Kansas City 3; NY Mets 12,Philadelphia 1; Pittsburgh 9, Milwaukee 6; San Diego 1, Miami 0; Chicago White Sox 9, Seattle3; Houston 6, Tampa Bay 2; Oakland 3, St. Louis 2; Texas 7, Cleveland 0; Cincinnati 13, Arizona0; Atlanta 3, San Francisco 1.

NEW YORK: Rickie Fowler fired a bogey-free 68, closing with a five-foot birdie puttSaturday for a one shot lead after the thirdround of The Barclays, the first of four PGATour playoff events.

Fowler is at nine-under 204 overall andhas a slim lead over 36-hole leader andfellow American Patrick Reed, who shot a70.

“The short game has been there forme,” Fowler said. “It is nice to see someputts going in. I have been swinging wellfor a long time. I was just waiting for theputter to catch up.”

The 27-year-old California native hasthree career PGA Tour victories, all ofwhich have come after trailing through 36holes. “It has been awhile since I been inthis position but I got a pretty good trackrecord in the past. I just got to take care ofbusiness tomorrow,” said Fowler.

Fowler’s most recent victory came atlast year’s Deutsche Bank Championship,the next event on the playoff schedule,where he earned a one-stroke win over

Swede Henrik Stenson.Aussie Adam Scott posted a 65 that

was the low score of the tournament andis two shots back in solo third at BethpageBlack course in Farmingdale, New York.

Martin Laird of Scotland had a 69 and isanother stroke back on a tie for fourthwith Emiliano Grillo of Argentina.Defending champion and top-rankedJason Day of Australia (70), Justin Thomas(66), Kevin Streelman (67) and GaryWoodland (68) are four shots behind in atie for sixth.

Reigning US Open champ and worldnumber two Dustin Johnson didn’t let anequipment malfunction spoil his round of67. He is in a six-way tie for 10th, five shotsadrift of Fowler.

World No. 3 Jordan Spieth (72) is sixstrokes back and tied for 16th, world No. 5Rory McIlroy (71) of Northern Ireland is ashot back of Spieth and tied for 22nd.

Fowler, who began the day tied for sec-ond, sank a five-foot birdie putt on No. 18to claim sole possession of the lead. He

had three birdies on his bogey-free roundand has only one bogey in 54 holes.

Fowler’s best finish this season was arunner up at the Phoenix Open inFebruary, when he lost to Japan’s HidekiMatsuyama in a playoff.

Reed played an up-and-down frontnine with three birdies and three bogeys.He parred his final nine holes to remain incontention. Scott posted an eagle on thefirst hole, six birdies and two bogeys.

Scott said even though the FedEx Cupplayoffs are in their 10th year, some play-ers are still warming up to the idea. “Newthings take a while to catch on,” the worldNo. 7 said. “Now you’re seeing guys makedecisions to prioritize these events.”

Johnson is still within striking distancedespite playing with a cracked driver. Hesaid the damage might have occurred atthe PGA Championship last month.

“It’s been like that for a while. Any swingnow, it’s going to go,” Johnson said. PhilMickelson (70) and Justin Rose (70) ofEngland are tied for 34th, nine behind. —AFP

Putts start falling for Barclays leader Fowler

PRETORIA: Stand-in captain Faf du Plessisscored a fifth test century before his bowlersripped through the New Zealand top order toleave South Africa firmly in charge after daytwo of the second test at Centurion onSunday. Du Plessis was unbeaten on 112when South Africa declared on 481 for eightbefore reducing New Zealand to 38 for threeat the close with superb fast bowling on awicket that has both sideways movement andvariable bounce. Skipper Kane Williamson isnot out on 15 and will carry the hopes of thetouring side into the third day, along withHenry Nicholls who is unbeaten on four.

South Africa’s opening bowlers, Dale Steynand Vernon Philander, both returning to theside for this series after injury layoffs, used theconditions superbly and were unlucky not tofind more success.

Philander had Martin Guptill (eight) caughtat slip by Stiaan van Zyl before Steyn inducedan edge from Tom Latham that was caught bywicketkeeper Quinton de Kock. With plentyof deliveries beating the bat and the scoringrate slow, Ross Taylor (one) showed signs ofpanic. He took on the arm of the nippy TembaBavuma at midwicket and was run out tocompound the misery for New Zealand. DuPlessis had earlier shown the way with a

patient innings that took 234 balls and washis first test ton in 17 visits to the crease, atimely return to form as he stands in for regu-lar captain AB de Villiers.

JP Duminy, restored to the team in theabsence of De Villiers, missed out on his cen-

tury, though, falling for 88 caught behind off awild hook.

Neil Wagner, who attended primary andhigh school with Du Plessis in Pretoria, wasthe pick of the New Zealand bowlers with fig-ures of 5-89 in 39 overs. —Reuters

S P O RT SMONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

Sri Lanka Innings D. Gunathilaka b Starc 5 T. Dilshan c Bailey b Zampa 42 K. Mendis c Warner b Hazlewood 4 D. Chandimal c Zampa b Faulkner 102 A. Mathews lbw b Zampa 2 D. de Silva c S. Marsh b Faulkner 12 K. Perera b Starc 11 T. Perera c S. Marsh b Hastings 9 S. Prasanna c Bailey b Zampa 3 D. Perera c Warner b Hastings 17 A. Aponso not out 1 Extras (lb-10 w-8) 18 Total (all out, 49.2 overs) 226 Fall of wickets: 1-6 D. Gunathilaka, 2-23 K.Mendis, 3-96 T. Dilshan, 4-103 A. Mathews, 5-133 D. de Silva, 6-154 K. Perera, 7-165 T.Perera, 8-178 S. Prasanna, 9-217 D. Perera,10-226 D. Chandimal.Bowling: M. Starc 10-0-42-2 (w-3), J. Hazlewood 10-0-51-1 (w-1), J. Hastings 10-1-41-2 (w-2), J.Faulkner 9.2-0-44-2(w-2), A. Zampa 10-0-38-3.

Australia Innings: D. Warner c Dilshan b Mathews 10 A. Finch lbw b Aponso 30 S. Marsh c Chandimal b Mathews 1 G. Bailey b Prasanna 70 T. Head b D. Perera 36 M. Wade st K. Perera b D. Perera 42 J. Faulkner c D. Perera b Aponso 4 J. Hastings not out 5 M. Starc c Prasanna b D. de Silva 12 A. Zampa not out 5 Extras (lb-6 w-6) 12 Total (for 8 wickets, 46 overs) 227 Fall of wickets: 1-31 D. Warner, 2-42 A. Finch,3-44 S. Marsh, 4-106 T. Head, 5-187 M. Wade,6-204 G.Bailey, 7-206 J. Faulkner, 8-222 M.Starc.Did not bat: J. Hazlewood.Bowling: A. Mathews 7-0-30-2, T. Perera 2-0-18-0 (w-2), A. Aponso 10-0-44-2 (w-1), D.Perera 10-0-45-2 (w-1), T. Dilshan 4-0-24-0, S.Prasanna 9-0-39-1 (w-2), D. de Silva 4-0-21-1. Result: Australia won by 2 wickets.

SCOREBOARDDAMBULLA: Scoreboard at close of play in the third One Day International betweenSri Lanka and Australia yesterday in Dambulla, Sri Lanka:

South Africa 1st innings (Overnight: 283-3)S. Cook c Williamson b Bracewell 56 Q. de Kock c Boult b Wagner 82 H. Amla c Watling b Wagner 58 J. Duminy c Watling b Southee 88 F. du Plessis not out 112 T. Bavuma c Bracewell b Wagner 8 S. van Zyl c Taylor b Wagner 35 V. Philander b Wagner 8 K. Rabada c Nicholls b Santner 7 D. Steyn not out 13 Extras (b-10 lb-4) 14 Total (for 8 wickets, 154 overs) 481 Fall of wickets: 1-133 Q. de Kock, 2-151 S. Cook, 3-246 H. Amla, 4-317 J. Duminy, 5-342 T. Bavuma, 6-426 S. van Zyl, 7-442 V. Philander, 8-463 K. RabadaDid not bat: D. Piedt.Bowling: T. Southee 35-5-114-1, T. Boult 35.4-7-

107-0, D. Bracewell 30.2-9-98-1, M. Santner 14-1-62-1, N. Wagner 39-8-86-5.

New Zealand 1st innings M. Guptill c van Zyl b Philander 8 T. Latham c de Kock b Steyn 4 K. Williamson not out 15 R. Taylor run out (Bavuma) 1 H. Nicholls not out 4 Extras (lb-1 w-5) 6 Total (for 3 wickets, 16 overs) 38 Fall of wickets: 1-13 M. Guptill, 2-13 T. Latham, 3-26 R. TaylorTo bat: B. Watling, M. Santner, D. Bracewell, T.Southee, N. Wagner, T. BoultBowling: D. Steyn 8-2-18-1, V. Philander 4-1-10-1,K. Rabada 4-0-9- 0 (w-1).

SCOREBOARDScoreboard at stumps on the second day in the second and final Test between South Africa and NewZealand yesterday in Centurion, South Africa.

CENTURION: For the first time in his 23-Test career for New Zealand, Neil Wagnerhad his whole family and many of hischildhood friends watching him duringthe first day of the second Test againstSouth Africa at SuperSport Park onSaturday. “It was a special moment forme,” said the fast bowler, who grew up innearby Pretoria. Wagner is part of what isbecoming an increasingly common phe-nomenon, a born-and-bred South Africanwho has moved to another country andrepresented it in sport.

He was born in Pretoria and went toAfrikaans Boys’ High, the same school as

South African stars AB de Villiers and Fafdu Plessis. “I was two years behind them. Iwent to the same primary school as Fafand we played a lot of backyard crickettogether.”

Wagner, 30, started his first-class careerfor the Northerns amateur side beforemoving to New Zealand at the age of 21.

“I have loved every bit of it. I live inDunedin today and that has played a bigpart of who I am and how I have devel-oped as a cricketer,” he said. But it was atCenturion that he developed his passionfor cricket, which made playing there sucha special moment.

“I had a lot of goosebumps when Iwalked out,” he said. “It’s the first time inmy life that I had my whole family and alot of the friends I grew up with sittingnext to the field and watching a Testmatch. “I remember sitting on that bankand watching Allan Donald and ShaunPollock and those guys, growing up andfalling in love with this game. “Walkingout there today to represent the BlackCaps in a Test match was an amazing feel-ing. I loved every moment of it.”

He said he stayed in touch with his oldschool and his friends from his youngerdays and looked forward to a day off after

the Test to spend some time with them.His home language was Afrikaans and

he still speaks the language when he iswith his family. He took questions inAfrikaans at a press conference butanswered in English.

“It’s just respect for the place where Ilive now. It’s an English-speaking country.I’m a fully converted Kiwi now.”

When he lived in South Africa his sur-name was pronounced in the gutturalAfrikaans way ‘Vargnuh’ but since he start-ed playing for New Zealand it has beenpronounced phonetically, with the ‘Wag’as in a dog with its tail. Now he prefers

that. “I’m in New Zealand now, everyonecalls me that. It’s my adopted country andI’m very happy with that. My nickname isWags. I’m not too fussed about it.” SouthAfrica’s top four batsmen all made half-centuries as New Zealand’s decision tobowl first failed to pay off on the first dayof the series-deciding second Test.

South Africa were 283 for three at theend of a day when New Zealand were onthe wrong end of no fewer than five legbefore wicket decisions, while seambowler Doug Bracewell limped off late inthe day with what appeared to be a ham-string injury. —AFP

Happy homecoming for Kiwi Neil Wagner

Du Plessis ton puts SA on top in second test

PRETORIA: South Africa’s captain Faf du Plessis, right, plays a shot as New Zealand’s wicketkeeper BJ Watling, watches on the sec-ond day of their second cricket test match at Centurion Park in Pretoria, South Africa, yesterday. —AP

DAMBULLA: Australia edged out SriLanka by two wickets to spoilTillakaratne Dilshan’s one-day farewelland go 2-1 up in the five-match seriesyesterday.

Opting to bat first, Sri Lanka were allout for 226 with four balls remaining, atotal built around Dinesh Chandimal’sgutsy 102 in an otherwise poor battingdisplay by the hosts in the third match ofthe series.

Dilshan’s fluent 42 in his one-dayswansong was the second highest scoreand the former Sri Lanka captain quit theformat with 10,290 runs, including 22centuries from 330 matches.

He will play the two Twenty20 match-es against Australia next month beforeretiring from international cricket.

Australia wobbled early in their replybut George Bailey (70) featured in twofifty-plus partnerships as the touristschased down the target with four oversto spare.

Earlier, Dilshan was given a guard ofhonour by his team mates when the 39-year-old went out to bat but the teamlooked in trouble after being reduced to23 for two in the fourth over.

Dilshan joined forces with Chandimal tosteady the ship with a 73-run partnershipbefore he fell to an Adam Zampa full toss.

Australian fielders shook hands withDilshan, who received a standing ovationfrom the sellout crowd at the RangiriDambulla International Stadium.

Zampa dismissed Angelo Mathews inhis next over but Chandimal maintainedhis red hot 50-overs form and broughtup his fourth one-day century beforebeing the last man out, holing out toZampa off James Faulkner.

Chandimal’s last seven one-day scoresare 52, 62, 63, 53, 80 not out, 48 and 102.

Leading the side in absence of regularskipper Steve Smith, who has returnedhome to rest, David Warner marshalledhis bowlers well to restrict the hosts to amodest total.

Mathews dented Australia’s top order,however, cheaply dismissing Warner andShaun Marsh as the touring sideslumped to 44 for three in the ninth over.

Bailey added 62 runs with Travis Head(36) to put Australia’s chase back on trackand put on 81 runs with Matthew Wade(42) to take the side close to victory.

Zampa, who had claimed 3-38 withthe ball, scored the winning run butBailey bagged the man-of-the-matchaward.

The teams stay put in Dambullaf o r t h e f o u r t h o n e - d a y e r o nWednesday. —Reuters

Australia edge out S Lanka in Dilshan ODI farewell

DAMBULLA: Australia’s George Bailey is bowled out as Sri Lanka’s KusalPerera celebrates during their third one day international cricket match inDambulla, Sri Lanka, yesterday. —AP

FORT LAUDERDALE: MS Dhoni (L) of India and Carlos Brathwaite (2L) of West Indies agree with umpires Patrick Gustard (2R) andJoel Wilson (R) to abandon their match due to rain during the 2nd and final T20 between West Indies and India at Central BrowardStadium yesterday in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. —AFP

SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS: German Nico Rosbergsteered clear of the chaos unfolding behind himto cruise to an unchallenged victory in a disrupt-ed Belgian Grand Prix yesterday.

His Mercedes team mate Lewis Hamilton, theworld championship leader, finished third fromthe back row of the grid, behind Red Bull’sDaniel Ricciardo. The pole-sitting Rosberg keptthe lead at the start and was never headed, afterhis main rivals, fellow front-row starter MaxVerstappen and the Ferrari pair of KimiRaikkonen and Sebastian Vettel, collided at thefirst corner. That elevated Ricciardo, startingfifth, to second and the Australian kept thatplace until the end, crossing the line 14.1 sec-onds behind the triumphant Rosberg. The race

was briefly halted with nine of the 44 laps com-pleted after a massive crash for KevinMagnussen, who lost control of his Renault as hecrested the fearsome Eau Rouge. The Dane, whowas taken to hospital for routine checks aftersuffering a small cut to his left ankle, slammedviolently into the barriers.

Officials deployed first the safety car then thered flag as marshals worked to repair the dam-age. Sunday’s win was the 20th of Rosberg’scareer. It was also his sixth win of the season,but first since June’s European Grand Prix, and itcut the deficit to Hamilton to nine points in thestandings.

The Briton’s rise through the order washelped by the first corner chaos that forced both

Ferraris and Verstappen into the pits and by thesafety car and red flag deployed afterMagnussen’s crash.

Nevertheless, the triple champion, who hadgone into the weekend gunning to become onlythe third driver to score 50 career wins, was happyto come away still ahead in the title race.

Nico Hulkenberg finished fourth for Force Indiaahead of team mate Sergio Perez, on a strong dayfor the Silverstone-based team that took themahead of Williams into fourth in the constructors’standings. Vettel fought back to finish sixth aheadof Fernando Alonso who also enjoyed a strongrace having started dead last. Ferrari’s KimiRaikkonen was ninth and Red Bull’s Verstappenfinished a disappointing 11th. — Reuters

WELLINGTON: Australia coach Michael Cheikalaunched a blistering attack on referee Romain Poiteafter his team lost to New Zealand 29-9 on Saturday,saying he was “bitterly disappointed” at theFrenchman’s treatment of Wallabies captain StephenMoore.

Cheika accused Poite of not liking Moore, ignoringthe captain as he questioned rulings during Saturday’smatch in Wellington, and of having “pre-determinedattitudes” towards Australia’s players.

The Australian Rugby Union was also reported tobe planning a complaint to World Rugby that Poiteheld a “secret” meeting with All Blacks coach SteveHansen in the days before the test, and that Cheika

wasn’t offered a similar meeting.Cheika made a similar charge during Australia’s

series against England in June, claiming England coachEddie Jones secretly met with South African refereeCraig Joubert.

Hansen told reporters yesterday that he did notmeet with Poite. He said he and All Blacks scrum coachMike Cron met with assistant referee Jaco Peyper atPeyper’s request to discuss elements of scrum rulesbut he had not met with a match referee before a testfor almost two years.

“It’s quite sad that that’s come out, because it’s nottrue,” Hansen said. “Unless saying ‘g’day Romain’ in themorning (constitutes a meeting). He stayed here at this

hotel.” The All Blacks clinched the three-test BledisloeCup series with a match to play. New Zealand beatAustralia 42-8 in Sydney last weekend, and Saturday’swin extends to 14 years their grip on the Bledisloe Cup.

It was also Australia’s sixth straight loss, includinglast year’s Rugby World Cup final against New Zealandand a 3-0 series loss to England in June. “I was bitterlydisappointed, to be honest,” Cheika said. “I’m on recordwith the referees’ boss Alain Rolland about the treat-ment to our captain and our players, by Romain Poite,and also by Nigel Owens over this last year.

“I’m not quite sure why, but there was a time in thegame in a break in play when the national captain ofAustralia was asking the referee, ‘When might there be

an opportunity for me to talk to you?’ And he absolutely ignored him. “The referee may

not like the captain personally, that might be his pre-rogative, but he has to afford him that opportunity ifhe is affording it to his opponents.

“I don’t know if it’s subconscious or not, but it’sthere, and it’s got to be dealt with because it can’t bethat the opponents can say everything to the refer-ee. No one is saying anything bad to him but ifthey’ve got pre-determined attitudes towards ourplayers. ... I asked Alain Rolland last week when I sawhim in Sydney and he said, ‘No, that’s a surprise tome.’ But it’s pretty blatant to anyone listening to the‘refs’ ears.’” — AP

Wallabies coach attacks referee after loss to New Zealand

Rosberg eases to victory in chaotic Belgian GP

SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS: Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team’s German driver Nico Rosberg (C) celebrates winning next to second placed Red BullRacing’s Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo (L) and third placed Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team’s British driver Lewis Hamilton after theBelgian Formula One Grand Prix at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Spa yesterday. — AFP

VANCOUVER: Demian Maia backed up hiscalls for a welterweight title shot with anearly submission victory over Carlos Conditin the main event of UFC Fight Night atRogers Arena on Saturday night.

Ranked third in the division, Maia saidthis week that with a victory over Condit, heshould be in line for a fight for the title nowheld by Tyron Woodley. And, at 38 years ofage, Maia may get his wish later in the yearafter forcing Condit to tap out at 3:08 of theopening round.

Maia made quick work of the fight,which was scheduled for five rounds. Hebroke down in tears in the middle of theoctagon when it was over. Now he willawait word on when a potential title fightcould take place.

Maia said during a post-fight interviewthat if the UFC gives Stephen Thompson,the No. 2-ranked fighter in the welter-weight division, the next title shot, hewants his opportunity right after that.

“I’m very grateful for everything I’veaccomplished in my life and very gratefulfor my family,” said Maia, who has won sixstraight fights. “My life is complete already.The title shot, that will be omething else,something amazing if it happens.”

Tom Wright, executive vice presidentand general manager for UFC Canada,Australia and New Zealand, called Maia’sperformance “dominant” but said a decisionon a possible title fight for Maia has notbeen made.

Saturday’s fight may have been the lastfor Condit. There has been speculationabout Condit’s future in the UFC, and he

strongly suggested following his loss toMaia that his days as a fighter could be over.He stopped just short of confirming hisretirement, saying he hopes the loss won’tbe his “swan song.”

He said he’ll talk to his managementteam and his wife and make a decision afterthat. But he said possible retirement hasbeen “in the back of my mind for a while.”

“I don’t know if I have business fightingat this level anymore. I’ve been at this for areally long time,” Condit said. “It’s been awe-some. I’ve got to do what I love for a livingfor a very long time, but I don’t know if Ibelong here.”

Anthony Pettis submitted CharlesOliveira in the third round in their feather-weight bout. Pettis, who flirted with aknockout win in the first round, was able toroll Oliveira into a guillotine choke, forcinghis opponent to end the fight at 3:11 of thethird round.

After taking time away from theOctagon to appear on Dancing with theStars, Paige VanZant returned to UFC with asecond-round knockout over Australia’sBec Rawlings. VanZant, who last fought onDec. 10, 2015, when she lost by submissionin the fifth round, was able to land a kick tothe head of Rawlings, driving her opponentto the ground. VanZant continued with aseries of punches before the fight wasstopped. Jim Miller opened the main cardwith a split-decision victory over JoeLauzon in a rematch between the twolightweight combatants following theirbloody, gruesome fight from UFC 155 fouryears ago. — AP

Maia stops Condit in UFC Fight Night

S P O RT SMONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

VANCOUVER: Demian Maia, top, of Brazil, and Carlos Condit, of Albuquerque, fightduring a welterweight bout during a UFC Fight Night event in Vancouver, BritishColumbia on Saturday. — AP

By Abdellatif Sharaa

KUWAIT: President of Kuwait and Arab ShootingFederations Eng Duaij Al-Otaibi attended theclosing ceremony of Sheikh Saad Al-AbdallahShooting Academy season and distributedmedals and prizes to the winners of the tourna-ment in which over 220 shooters participated.

Al-Otaibi gave medals and cups to first placewinners, as Abdelrahman Al-Nimran won theskeet event, Abdelaziz Al-Daihani won the trap,while Mushari Shaheen won the 10 meter airrifle, and Fahad Nouri won the 10 meter air pis-tol.

Shammah Al-Rashiti won the women’s 10mevent, Alkawthar Abdelhussain won the 10m airpistol, while Obaid Abdelwahab won first placein the Olympic archery.

Meanwhile, Eng Duaij Al-Otaibi said thatSheikh Saad Al-Abdallah Shooting Academy sea-son for 2016 comes as a follow up to “shooter2000” project which was launched in 1998 withthe backing of Information Minister, StateMinister for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman SabahAl-Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah in addition toKuwait Shooting Sport Club board members atthe time and continued with boards that fol-lowed, as the academy became more developedand experienced with the best coaches in theworld.

He said the continued efforts of officials who

are supervising Sheikh Saad Academy, had agood effect by graduating a large number ofshooters who formed the basic supply line fornational teams and boosted the national teamwith those who proceeded them.

Al-Otaibi said Kuwait has the skilled andpromising youth in the sport of shooting, as it is

gaining the interest of Kuwait youth and out-standing shooters from both genders are beingattracted through the tournaments. They aretrained at the Olympic shooting under thesupervision of national teams trainers so thatthey can be ready to participate in the upcom-ing tournaments in the 2016/2017 season.

220 shooters participate in Sheikh Saad Al-Abdallah Shooting Academy

SALTA: A late penalty by replacementflyhalf Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias gaveArgentina a 26-24 victory over SouthAfrica in a rollercoaster RugbyChampionship match in Salta onSaturday.

Both sides scored two tries as thePumas, who led 13-3 at halftime, beatthe Springboks for the second time in24 meetings and the second in as manyseasons.

It was Argentina’s third win in thechampionship since joining the elitesouthern hemisphere tournament in2015, having also beaten Australiaonce.

The Springboks, for whom wingerBryan Habana grabbed a record 65thtry on Saturday, came from behind tobeat the Pumas in Nelspruit last week-end and were within minutes of doingit again.

Argentina dominated the first halfdespite losing prop Ramiro Herrera tothe sin bin for a foul tackle in the 20thminute.

The Pumas took a 6-3 lead whiledown to 14 men with flyhalf NicolasSanchez’s second penalty on the halfhour and they scored their first try rightafter Herrera rejoined the fray, havingcome very close with two earlier efforts.A sweeping attack from inside thePumas’ 22 with several players involvedin a slick passing movement down theleft wing ended with fullback JoaquinTuculet touching down to put thehome side 13-3 ahead at the interval.

South Africa began the second half

much better and a good attackingmove brought their first try after flankerFrancois Louw’s slick pass behind hisback to Habana sent the wing away forhis 20th championship try.

Fullback Johan Goosen converted tolevel at 13-13 and Sanchez, who tooka nasty knock to the head trying todefend the attack, had to be replacedwith centre Juan Martin Hernandezmoving inside to take his place.

Hernandez, who mastermindedArgentina’s win in Durban last year,engineered a fine second Pumas trywith a neat crossfield kick to the farright corner where flanker JuanLeguizamon beat Habana to the balland scored.

Argentina were seven points upagain but with 13 minutes remainingthey lost Hernandez to injury and SouthAfrica smelt blood.

Replacement forward Pieter-Stephdu Toit went over from a scrum close tothe Argentine line and the Springbokslooked like they might once again ben-efit from a stronger bench and snatchvictory.

Veteran back Morne Steyn, who hadcome off the bench looking to helpSouth Africa with his place kicking fromlong distance, missed the conversionand also a later drop goal attempt. Buthis second successful penalty hadSouth Africa two points ahead goinginto the last six minutes before an off-side decision against the visitorsallowed Gonzalez Iglesias to snatch thevictory. — Reuters

Argentina down South Africa with late penalty

BARCELONA: Toni Kroos’ late score ensuredReal Madrid won its home opener over a feistyCelta Vigo 2-1 on Saturday, while Atletico Madridstumbled in a second straight round of theSpanish league.

Atletico was frustrated by a newly promotedside for the second time in a week after DiegoSimeone’s bunch drew at Leganes 0-0. That fol-lowed its 1-1 stalemate with Alaves in its opener.

Combined with Madrid’s two wins, Atleticotrails its crosstown rival by four points from thestart of what it hoped could be another three-team title race along with defending championBarcelona.

Atletico forward Antione Griezmann wasscathing with his criticism of the team’s start tothe season. “If we continue like this we will befighting to avoid relegation,” Griezmann said.“We are angry. We have to get our act togetherbecause this is slipping away from us. We mustwork to get back to being ourselves.”

Kroos drilled a long-range shot along the turfand in off the post for the 81st-minute winner atthe Santiago Bernabeu. Playing without theinjured Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema,Madrid took an hour to break through whenAlvaro Morata scored a rebound from a save bygoalkeeper Sergio Alvarez.

Celta midfielder Fabian Orellana respondedwith an equalizer seven minutes later. “Webelieved until the end and pulled it off,” Madrid

coach Zinedine Zidane said. “We played a so-somatch. Celta was a very good team.”

While Madrid’s Luka Modric, Gareth Bale, andMorata all hit the woodwork, Celta squandereddangerous moves that it continued to mountuntil the final whistle. The visitors only lackedthe scoring touch that new Manchester City for-ward Manuel “Nolito” Agudo provided for theprevious three seasons.

“We played one of our best matches at thisstadium,” Celta manager Eduardo Berizzo said.“I liked our attitude. We were able to take thegame to them. This is an example to otherswho face opponents that belong to anothercategory.”

Elsewhere, Valencia slumped to a second con-secutive loss after falling at Eibar 1-0, while RealSociedad got on track by winning at Osasuna 2-0. Valencia’s latest defeat comes with the clubclose to selling Germany defender ShkodranMustafi to Arsenal, and Barcelona negotiating tosign away striker Paco Alcacer. Neither playerwas on Valencia’s team at Eibar.

Celta’s five-man midfield led by Orellanacaused Madrid unrelenting trouble. TheoBongonda went the closest to scoring for Celtain the first half when he won possession, hur-dled a tackle, and fired into the side netting ofKiko Casilla’s goal. Missing firepower up front,Zidane turned to Luka Modric for Madrid’sbiggest threat. The Croatia midfielder tested

Alvarez with long strikes, hitting the bar a half-hour in. To start the second half, Celta mountedthree attacks in a row that lacked only a final,precise pass to put Casilla under pressure. That’swhen Bale took a step forward, blasting a freekick that Alvarez pushed onto his bar beforeMorata put the hosts ahead.

Modric cued the opening goal by intercept-ing a poor pass by Alvarez, who then blockedMarco Asensio’s weak effort. Morata was there tofire in the rebound for his first goal since return-ing from Juventus this summer.

Celta’s equalizer went through PabloHernandez, Daniel Wass and John Guidettibefore Orellana beat Casilla from distance with aright-footed shot into the corner of the net.

Kroos got the decisive strike, but Celta wentclose to grabbing a second goal in a back-and-forth exchange in the dying minutes. Zidanealso said Colombia midfielder James Rodriguez,who has lost his starting role, will remain at theclub despite rumors of his exit.

A minute of silence was held before kickoff inmemory of the earthquake victims in Italy. AtLeganes, Atletico could go no closer than shotsby Griezmann, Kevin Gameiro and YannickCarraso saved by goalie Jon Serantes, whoseLeganes remained unbeaten in its debuttopflight campaign.

Barcelona visits Athletic Bilbao on Sundayseeking a second league win. — AP

Kroos lifts Real Madrid to win, Atletico stumbles again

MADRID: Real Madrid’s Marco Asensio, right, challenges Celta’s defenders during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid andCelta Vigo at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, yesterday. Real Madrid won 2-1. — AP

LONDON: Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp expressedoptimism about his team’s progress despite the frus-tration of a 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur atWhite Hart Lane.

James Milner put Liverpool ahead with a 43rd-minute penalty in Saturday’s game, but the visitorscould not make their superiority count and concededa 72nd-minute equaliser to Danny Rose.

Having beaten Arsenal and then lost at Burnley,Klopp’s men have only four points after three games,but he felt their display against Spurs demonstratedthey are on the right track.

“This game showed again what we can do, how wecan play. It was not only about pressing and things likethis,” Klopp told his post-match press conference.

“We did it really good, but we’re really flexible inoffensive defending. We had wonderful momentswith passing and all that stuff, the direction in ourgame.

“I wish we could have won it, but now we have toaccept a point and that’s no problem because it’s

Tottenham. They scored a goal and they could havewon too.

“We have to accept it. We showed again that we canbe really good and that’s what we have to show in eachgame and then everything will be good.”

Milner directed a nerveless penalty into the bot-tom-left corner after Erik Lamela had been penalisedfor clipping Roberto Firmino right on the edge of theSpurs box.

With Spaniard Alberto Moreno still to convince in aLiverpool shirt, Milner is being asked to fill in at left-back and Klopp suggested there could be a long-termfuture for him in the role.

“We’re going to need more players for differentpositions. We decided that Milly can play (there), espe-cially with the style of play we think we should play,”said the German.

“Full-back is not only a winger in offensive situa-tions. It’s something like an eight in different moments,so that’s a really good position for Milly.

“Of course he still has to adapt and learn a little bit,

because he has 500 games (of experience), but not inthis position. So we have to work on it, as we work withevery player.

“We were convinced that he can play the position-that’s why we didn’t make a transfer in this positionwith another player.”

POCHETTINO TIGHT-LIPPED ON ZAHA Spurs striker Harry Kane is yet to score this season,

but having taken seven games to open his account lastterm-which ended with him winning the Golden Boot-manager Mauricio Pochettino is not worried.

“I think it’s a good signal that he didn’t score yet,”said the Argentine.

“Because last season he scored in game 10 and wasthe top scorer in the league. I sign again to do thesame.” Pochettino was the more satisfied of the twomanagers afterwards and hailed the “fantastic charac-ter” shown by his players as they fought to establish afoothold in the match.

Spurs goalkeeper Michel Vorm produced a series of

alert interventions to keep Liverpool at bay early in thegame.

The hosts were then forced into a first-half reshufflewhen right-back Kyle Walker went off due to illness.

After Liverpool winger Sadio Mane had seen a goaldisallowed for offside, Spurs equalised when auxiliaryright-back Eric Dier’s cross was flicked on by Lamela toRose, who drilled home.

Pochettino refused to comment on Crystal Palace’sclaim that they have rejected a bid from Tottenham fortheir winger Wilfried Zaha.

To date Spurs have made just two major signings-Victor Wanyama and Vincent Janssen, both of whomplayed against Liverpool-and Pochettino admitted thetransfer window had been trying.

“I’m very happy with my squad. I never complainabout my squad,” he said.

“We always try to find different types of players thatcan help us and mix with different characteristics. Butthe market is never easy and for us it’s difficult. But I amvery happy with my squad.” — AFP

Klopp confident Liverpool are on right track

S P O RT SMONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

LEICESTER: Leicester City manager ClaudioRanieri played down fears over the fitness ofKasper Schmeichel after the goalkeeper wasinjured during the Premier League champions’2-1 win over Swansea City.

Ranieri’s side secured their first win of theseason on Saturday as Jamie Vardy ended hiswait for a first goal of the campaign and then,in an added bonus, Claudio Ranieri allayed con-cerns about Schmeichel. The Leicester ‘keeperlimped off in the second half, prompting con-cerns that he could miss the club’s first ever for-ay into the Champions League, which startsnext month with a trip to Club Brugge.

However, Ranieri believes the Dane will beback well before that historic game, and proba-bly in time to face Liverpool at Anfield inLeicester’s next Premier League assignment onSeptember 10, with surgery planned forMonday on a hernia.

“Kasper played in the last month with a littlehernia,” said Ranieri, who saw Schmeichel sig-nal to the touchline that his game was overafter diving bravely at the feet of FernandoLlorente. “On Monday he will have an opera-tion. Four or five days later he will be ready forthe next match.

“It was scheduled for Monday. He wanted toplay today of course and he felt something so itchanged.” Schmeichel’s likely speedy recoveryleft a missed penalty from Riyad Mahrez-histhird in four attempts in the Premier League-asthe only reason for regret at the King PowerStadium. But the sight of Vardy back in thegoal-scoring groove was the undoubted high-light of a pleasing day for Leicester, whose first-half performance warranted more than the 1-0lead they took into half-time.

THORN IN THE SIDE Vardy, who scored 24 times in last season’s

title triumph, had started the new campaignslowly but looked like his old self as he was aconstant thorn in the side of the Swans.

“A goalscorer always scores goals,” Ranierisaid. “Of course some seasons it is a little more,some seasons a little less, but never does thegoalscorer forget the way to goal.“Of course it’simportant to score a goal for strikers becauseit’s their life.

“But I think the first half was outstanding forus and we had to score more than one goal. “Atthe beginning of second half it was good butafter we missed a penalty maybe the opponentgot more confident and we complicated ourlife a little. “It was tough. The rain was unbeliev-able. It was like water polo.

“But three points is good from the first vic-tory. I’m very, very happy.” Swansea managerFrancesco Guidolin admitted his side were sec-ond best, even though they pulled a goal backthrough Leroy Fer after Vardy had opened thescoring and Wes Morgan had doubledLeicester’s advantage. “The result was correctbecause Leicester played very well and playedbetter than us overall,” Guidolin said.

“In the first half they played very, very well.They were strong like last season. I saw a teamplay good football with intensity and aggres-sion. “We prepared another kind of game butin the first half we didn’t play well. “In the sec-ond half something changed after a little meet-ing in the dressing room and although theyscored another goal we began to play withmore aggression and intensity. “At the end wehad the possibility to draw the game butLeicester deserved to win.” — AFP

Leicester’s Ranieri plays down Schmeichel injury fears

MILAN: A second-half winner from SamiKhedira made it two wins from two forJuventus as Napoli edged nine-man ACMilan in a dramatic 4-2 win on Saturday.

Juventus, who started their title defencewith a 2-1 win over Fiorentina last week,were kept on a tight rein by Lazio through-out a first half of few chances at the StadioOlimpico.

But less than a minute after record sum-mer signing Gonzalo Higuain came off thebench to replace Mario Mandzukic midwaythrough the second period, Germany mid-fielder Khedira was set up by Paulo Dybalaand beat Federico Marchetti at the ‘keeper’sfar post.

It was enough to see Juve go provisionaltop ahead of the remaining fixtures onSunday, but after a busy summer transferperiod Massimiliano Allegri was quick tocalm fans’ expectations.

“Given the heat in Rome and the factLazio are a well organised side we were nev-er going to dominate this game, althoughwe were the better side by the end of theopening period,” said Allegri.

“But we had a much better second half:let’s say we’ve started better than we didlast year.” Juventus had a disastrous start tolast season before fighting back into con-tention around the new year.

But having signed Napoli’s most impor-

tant asset in Higuain last month, the cham-pions now have no excuses as they go insearch of a record sixth straight title. WithHiguain still lacking fitness, the Argentinestriker started on the bench for the secondconsecutive week, just as Allegri had indi-cated on Friday, replacing Mandzukic with25 minutes to play.

The effect was immediate, but unlike lastweek-when Higuain came off the bench tohit the winner with his maiden goal for hisnew club-the spotlight fell on Khedira.

The German held off his marker to col-lect Dybala’s smart chip, turned inside andbeat Marchetti at his far post with a crisp,angled shot. Higuain celebrated like he hadscored himself, but with later attempts thatcame to nothing the 28-year-old showed heis still lacking the zip that helped him to arecord 36 goals in Serie A for Napoli last sea-son. Napoli made amends for Higuain’sshock departure by signing Arkadiusz Milik,and the Poland striker made sure fans got toknow his name by hitting a first-half bracein a thrilling 4-2 win at the San Paolo.Napoli had amends to make after a 2-2 drawat promoted Pescara last week but Milikgave them a 2-0 lead by the 33rd minuteafter he tapped home Dries Mertens’ shotwhen it came off the post then rose to beatGianluigi Donnarumma with a glancingheader.

Milan looked to have fought their wayback when M’Baye Niang, with a fine indi-vidual effort from a tight angle, and Spanishstriker Suso, with a spectacular curling shot,pulled the Rossoneri level on 55 minutes.But Juraj Kucka saw red soon after for aneedless challenge on Mertens, his secondbookable offence, and when Mertens sawDonnarumma save his angled drive with 16minutes to play Callejon ran in to convertthe rebound. It went from bad to worse forVincenzo Montella’s men as Niang saw redfor a second bookable offence when hebarged into Reina with two minutes on theclock.

Despite proclaiming his “satisfaction”with the result, Montella admitted no newreinforcements are likely to join Milan, thesubject of a takeover by a Chinese consor-tium, after club CEO Adriano Galliani toldGazzetta dello Sport the market was “over”.

“When I saw the papers this morning Ithought for a minute the Chinese had for-got to make a payment,” he told Sky Sport.“But our spending power was pretty limitedand I knew that at the start.

I’m happy to coach the players I have.” Inadded-on time, Callejon should have scoredhis second but saw his goalbound shotpulled out of the net by the hand of defend-er Alessio Romagnoli, who was attributedthe own goal. — AFP

Khedira winner for Juve as Napoli beat nine-man Milan

MADRID: Real Madrid boss ZinedineZidane closed the exit door on Colombianplaymaker James Rodriguez despite leav-ing the 2014 World Cup’s top scorer on thebench once more for Real’s 2-1 win overCelta Vigo on Saturday.

Rodriguez has fallen down the peckingorder at the Bernabeu since Zidane tookcharge in January with Madrid’s latest sen-sation Marco Asensio joining the likes ofIsco, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric ahead ofhim for a place in Real’s congested midfield.

However, Zidane insisted Rodriguez willremain in the Spanish capital beyond thetransfer deadline on Wednesday with eventhe Premier League’s cash-rich clubs unlike-ly to match the reported 80 million euros($90 million, £68 million) Real paid for himafter the World Cup two years ago.

Rodriguez only came on for the final 21minutes as Kroos’s fine long-range effort 10minutes from time salvaged all three pointsfor the hosts despite the absence ofCristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema fromZidane’s starting line-up through injury.

“I thought James played well. It is noteasy to come and have to make the differ-ence,” said Zidane. “He is going to stay

here.” Kroos’s strike maintained Madrid’s14-match winning run in La Liga, but victo-ry disguised a sub-standard Real display.

Without Ronaldo and Benzema, GarethBale failed to build on his fine start to thecampaign with two goals in a 3-0 win atReal Sociedad to start the season.However, Zidane highlighted the need towin even without shining, particularly witha two-week international break to come.

“It is true that we didn’t shine. In somegame we can’t play as we want,” saidZidane. “We can improve, but I feel calmwith how we have started the season. Twoleague games won and another officialgame (UEFA Super Cup) won.

“Now there are the international gamesand many players will leave, but that issomething we can’t change.” And Zidanehailed his players belief to keep going untilthe end despite being far from their best.

“I am left with the fact the playersbelieved until the end and we achievedwhat we wanted.” Spanish internationalLucas Vazquez started alongsideRodriguez on the bench and was intro-duced before his teammate in search of awinner. — AFP

Zidane expects James to remain at Madrid

ROME: Lazio’s Bastos, right, and Juventus’ Gonzalo Higuain go for the ball during a Serie A soccer matchbetween Lazio and Juventus at Rome’s Olympic stadium, Saturday. — AP

15Radwanska beat Svitolina to take Connecticut Open title

MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

18Rosberg eases to victory in chaotic Belgian GP

Kroos lifts Real Madrid to win, Atletico stumbles again Page 19

MANCHESTER: Manchester City's English midfielder Raheem Sterling scores his second goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and West Ham United at the Etihad Stadium inManchester, north west England, yesterday. —AFP

MANCHESTER: Manchester City, PremierLeague champions in 2012 and 2014, wentto the top of the table with a 3-1 victory overWest Ham United yesterday. Superior goaldifference took them above Chelsea andneighbours Manchester United, who have

also won their three opening games.Having scored twice in the first 18 min-

utes through Raheem Sterling and Brazilianmidfielder Fernandinho, Pep Guardiola’steam appeared set for an easy three points,only to be pegged back as the London sideimproved after halftime. Michail Antonioreduced the deficit in the 58th minute butSterling scored his second goal in stoppagetime from an acute angle.

City could have leading scorer SergioAguero banned for the derby match againstUnited next month if retrospective action istaken after he appeared to swing an arm at

West Ham’s Winston Reid, who had to go offafter taking a blow to the throat.

“I did not see the incident,” Guardiola toldreporters and neither did West Ham’s manag-er Slaven Bilic. “Reid got a little injured so wetook him off,” Bilic said. For his third leaguegame in charge of City, the former Barcelonaand Bayern Munich manager again pickedWilly Caballero in goal rather than Joe Hart,and the Argentine was not troubled foralmost an hour until Antonio’s unexpectedintervention. In the meantime, Sterlingscored his first goal of the season following afine move and Fernandinho added his first in

the league since the same weekend last year. He was left completely unmarked to head

in Kevin de Bruyne’s free kick as goalkeeperAdrian glared at his defence. Bilic’s side,again weakened by injuries and unable touse new loan signing Simone Zaza fromJuventus, employed three centre halves pluswing backs, but defended poorly againstCity’s fluent attacking.

In the second half, Bilic pushed Antoniofurther forward and he headed in a cross byArthur Masuaku. City briefly looked nervousbut in the last few minutes David Silva hit apost and Sterling made the victory safe. “You

have to win 3-0 or 4-0 to think the game isover,” Guardiola told Sky Sports.

“We played a good game. Our fansenjoyed it and we are happy. “I don’t knowhow many shots we had but the perform-ance in general was real good.” West Hamstayed 12th in the table after their seconddefeat.

“I wasn’t happy at halftime,” Bilic said. “Iasked the guys to show character and spiritand a different mentality which they did.Praise for the team for the second-half per-formance. “A few will be back after the inter-national break.” — Reuters

Man City go top with win over West HamMan City 3

West Ham 1

WEST BROMWICH: West Bromwich Albion andMiddlesbrough scrapped their way to a goal-less draw in a Premier League game of fewchances at The Hawthorns yesterday.

The point apiece saw newly-promoted Boroclimb into sixth place, with West Brom movingup to tenth in the table. But this was a match totax even the patience of the most loyal sup-porters, with visitors Boro not managing a shoton target until 17 minutes from time and theBaggies offering little more in attack.

The draw was some consolation for WestBrom after they were knocked out of the EFLCup on penalties by third-tier in Northamptonon midweek, but Sunday’s match helpedexplained why Baggies manager Tony Pulis hasbeen calling for several new players to join hissquad by the close of the transfer window onWednesday. West Brom manufactured some-thing close to an early chance when JamesMcClean saw an 11th-minute effort smotheredby Boro goalkeeper Brad Guzan.

Salomon Rondon, West Brom’s record £12million ($16 million, 14 million euros) buy, thenheaded two half-chances well wide.Meanwhile Alvaro Negredo ploughed a lonelyfurrow up front for Boro.

Eight minutes before half-time, a rare attackby either side saw Brendan Galloway, makinghis Premier League debut for Albion after aloan move from Everton, produce a low save

from Guzan.But it was a far from threatening effort and

Gaston Ramirez replied in kind early in the sec-ond half before the Baggies’ Craig Dawsonheaded wide of the target.

West Brom substitute Jonathan Leko lastedjust five minutes before he himself limped offinjured and he was replaced by want-away for-

ward Saido Berahino.At the other end, Boro’s Cristhian Stuani

shot straight at Ben Foster in the 73rdminute before the visitors saw Stewar tDowning shoot wide. West Brom almost gota lucky break in the closing stages whenDaniel Ayala’s shot struck Guzan beforebouncing away from goal. — AFP

Baggies and Boro in goalless stalemate

West Bromwich 0

Middlesbrough 0

WEST BROMWICH: West Bromwich Albion’s Northern Irish defender Gareth McAuley (L) vieswith Middlesbrough’s Spanish defender Antonio Barragan during the English Premier Leaguefootball match between West Bromwich Albion and Middlesbrough, yesterday. —AFP

BERLIN: Julian Schieber scored the secondof two injury-time goals to give HerthaBerlin a dramatic 2-1 win over promotedFreiburg, while Leipzig secured a 2-2 drawon its Bundesliga debut yesterday.

Freiburg captain Nicolas Hoeflerthought he’d salvaged a draw for his sideon its return to the Bundesliga after oneseason away when he scored with a head-er from a corner in the 93rd minute.

But there was still time for Schieber’swinner from a difficult angle after GenkiHaraguchi’s initial effort was blocked.

Hertha’s Vladimir Darida opened thescoring against his former side in the 61st.Darida, who joined after Freiburg’s relega-tion in 2015, fired inside the right postafter some clever interplay betweenHaraguchi and Vedad Ibisevic, who laidthe ball back.

“In the end, we’re just happy to win thething,” Ibisevic said. High temperaturesplayed a role as both sides struggled forchances. Sky Germany reported that theon-pitch temperature reached 44 degrees

Celsius (111.2 degrees Fahrenheit) duringthe first half.

Later yesterday, Marcel Sabitzer struckin the last minute to earn a 2-2 draw forLeipzig at Hoffenheim.

Mark Uth looked to have won it for thehome side when he scored in the 83rdminute after a breakaway led by captainSebastian Rudy. But Benno Schmitzcrossed for Sabitzer at the far post to claimLeipzig’s first point. Lukas Rupp openedthe scoring in the 55th for Hoffenheim, fir-ing home the loose ball with the aid of adeflection after a corner. Three minuteslater, Leipzig captain Dominik Kaiserequalized when Hoffenheim goalkeeperOliver Baumann let his strike slip throughhis fingers.

Leipzig’s ascent to the Bundesliga hasbeen controversial among opposing fanswho object to its backing by energy-drinkmanufacturer Red Bull, which purchasedthe playing rights of fifth-tier side SSVMarkranstaedt and rebranded the club in2009. — AP

Hertha gets dramatic win,Leipzig draws on debut

BERLIN: Berlin's forward Julian Schieber (3rd L) scores against Freiburg's mid-fielder Onur Bulut (L), Freiburg's midfielder Nicolas Hoefler (2nd L) andFreiburg's goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow (R) yesterday — AFP

BERLIN: Free trade talks between theEuropean Union and the United Stateshave failed, Germany’s economy ministersaid yesterday, citing a lack of progress onany of the major sections of the long-run-ning negotiations.

Both Washington and Brussels havepushed for a deal by the end of the year,despite strong misgivings among some EUmember states over the Trans-AtlanticTrade and Investment Partnership, or TTIP.

Sigmar Gabriel, who is also Germany’sVice Chancellor, compared the TTIP nego-tiations unfavorably with a free trade dealforged between the 28-nation EU andCanada, which he said was fairer for bothsides. “In my opinion, the negotiationswith the United States have de facto failed,even though nobody is really admitting it,”Gabriel said during a question-and-answersession with citizens in Berlin.

He noted that in 14 rounds of talks, thetwo sides haven’t agreed on a single com-mon item out of 27 chapters being dis-cussed. Gabriel accused Washington ofbeing “angry” about the deal that the EUstruck with Canada, known as CETA,because it contains elements the US does-n’t want to see in the TTIP. “We mustn’tsubmit to the American proposals,” saidGabriel, who is also the head of Germany’scenter-left Social Democratic Party.

Gabriel’s ministry isn’t directly involvedin the negotiations with Washingtonbecause trade agreements are negotiatedat the EU level. But such a damning verdictfrom a leading official in Europe’s biggesteconomy is likely to make further talksbetween the EU executive and the Obamaadministration harder.

Gabriel ’s comments contrast withthose of Chancellor Angela Merkel, whosaid last month that TTIP was “absolutelyin Europe’s interest.” Popular oppositionto a f ree trade agreement with the

United States is strong in Germany.Campaigners have called for nationwideprotests against the talks on Sept 17 -about year before Germany’s next generalelection. — AP

KUWAIT: Recurring withdrawal of companiesfrom Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) hasbecome an alarming issue that requiresremedies, particularly after six companieswith an overall capital amounts to KD 125million have declared taking such a move,according to analysts.

The 2008 global economic crisis and itsramifications have impacted negatively onthese withdrawing companies, they say, fore-casting the trend will persist till the yearend,unless prime solutions and stimulants arefound to discourage stumbling ones fromgetting out of the market too.

Maitham Al-Shakhs, the Chief ExecutiveOfficer of Al-Arabi Brokerage Company,affirmed that the companies’ pullout from theKSE is alarming, noting that the enlistedonce, in 2008, reached 224, as compared to198 currently.

Most of the companies that declared pull-

out are small cap companies, however thestep remains largely substantial, partially dueto other factors such as the Capital MarketAuthority ’s declaration about starting toenforce governance rules, viewed largely asadditional burdens on these firms.

These companies have apparently failed inincreasing their capitals through subscriptionand coping with the additional liabilities,warranted for enlisting.

Hamad Al-Hajri, also a financial expert,mentioned some factors that prompted com-panies to get out, such as this year’s KSE gen-eral atmosphere with regard of technical fac-tors and incentives, absence of market mak-ers, liquidity shortage which has been rang-ing between KD 7 to 10 million. He opinedthat in case this situation persisted in 2017,other companies would take an identicalmove. Al-Hajri expressed particular concernat intention of major companies such as

Kuwait United Poultry Company (KUPC) topull out of the bourse. Such a step is quitealarming for other companies of major oper-ating status and a large base of stakeholdersmay follow suit, he said.

Another company that has expressed sucha plan is Kuwait Company for MedicalServices with a capitalization of KD 7.6 mil-lion. The company, listed in 2009, requestedoptional withdrawal from the parallel stockmarket by September 14.

Meanwhile, Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE)ended yesterday ’s trading in the redzone.The price index was down 17.94 pointsto stand at 5,410.97 points, the weightedindex was also down 1.96 points to read346.41 points, and the KSX 15 index shed5.69 points reaching 803.27 points.Value oftrade was at KD 5,523,525.633 while the vol-ume was 54,667,677 shares done through1,366 deals. — KUNA

BusinessMONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

Egypt’s govt complicit in wheat corruption: Report Page 22

KUWAIT: The Kuwait Stock Exchange building in downtown city. Continuing withdrawal of companies from KSE has unnerved investors and policy experts alike calling for immediate solutions. — KUNA

Gender inequalitycosts Africa $95bn ayear: UN

Page 23

DUBAI: Net foreign assets at SaudiArabia’s central bank fell to $555 billion inJuly, down $6 billion from the previousmonth, as the government drew onreserves to cover a budget deficit causedby low oil prices, official data showed yes-terday. Assets shrank by 16 percent from ayear earlier to their lowest level sinceFebruary 2012. They reached a record highof $737 billion in August 2014 beforestarting to fall.

The assets are believed to be mainlydenominated in US dollars, in the form ofsecurities such as US Treasury bonds and

deposits with banks abroad. Thosedeposits fell by $8 billion from the previ-ous month to $125 billion in July, but hold-ings of foreign securities rose by $2 billionto $371 bil l ion after shrinking for 10straight months. The central bank did notdisclose details of its securities purchases.

The government has also been borrow-ing domestically and abroad to cover partof its deficit, which totalled nearly $100billion last year. Bankers expect it to con-duct its first international bond issue toraise about $10 billion or more by the endof October. — Reuters

Saudi central bank’s foreign assets drop

Case for higher interest rates has strengthened

Page 25

BCG includes 5 GCC companiesin list of 100 global challengers

Page 26

EU-US trade talks have failed: German minister

Alarm as companies pull out of KSEStill reeling from 2008 crisis, firms seek quick remedies

Saudi, Qatar rebound, rest of region weak

MIDEAST STOCK MARKETSDUBAI: Stock markets in Saudi Arabia and Qatarpartially recovered yesterday from last week’s loss-es, while other Gulf markets dropped in quiet tradeand Egypt sank as the government was hit by a cor-ruption scandal in the wheat industry. SaudiArabia’s index, which had dropped 4.0 percent lastweek because of concern about the country’s eco-nomic slowdown, rose 1.6 percent as many stocksreliant on domestic demand rebounded.

Nevertheless, trading volume remained thin -among its lowest levels this year - which suggestedmany investors remained wary of the market andthat it might not be starting an extended rally.

Builder Abdullah Abdul Mohsin Al-Khodari andSons climbed 8.6 percent after it renewed a 132million riyal ($35.2 million) Islamic credit facility,allowing it to obtain working capital for projects,and won a 69 million riyal contract from the waterministry. Investors have been concerned about theSaudi construction industry’s access to financingbecause of a sharp slowdown in the sector andtightening liquidity at banks. Utility SaudiElectricity added 5.3 percent and Al Jazira Bankrose 3.1 percent. The biggest petrochemical com-pany, Saudi Basic Industries, dropped 0.3 percentas it went ex-dividend.

Qatar ’s index rose 0.6 percent in modestturnover as top lender Qatar National Bankrebounded 1.5 percent. Drilling rig provider GulfInternational Services added 0.8 percent after theQatar exchange said index compiler FTSE hadadded GIS to the list of companies eligible for itssecondary emerging markets index.

FTSE’s original list of 20 companies did notinclude GIS, sending the stock 1.4 percent lower onThursday. FTSE will publish a confirmed list ofstocks to be included in its index after the marketcloses on Wednesday. Dubai edged 0.1 percent

lower although courier firm Aramex climbed 3.9percent in unusually heavy trade. Abu Dhabislipped 0.4 percent in a broad-based decline, witheight of the 10 most heavily traded stocks falling.

In Egypt, the index fell 1.0 percent to a three-week low after the Minister of Supply KhaledHanafi resigned amid the highest-profile corrup-tion case since President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi cameto power in 2014. A parliamentary fact-findingcommission’s report into corruption in Egypt’swheat industry found the government played a keyrole in “wasting public funds” in its costly food sub-sidy program. The controversy could destabilise thecabinet or distract its attention from economicreforms needed to secure a $12 billion loan fromthe International Monetary Fund. It could also com-plicate an international bond issue which the coun-try plans in late September or early October.

HIGHLIGHTS:SAUDI ARABIA• The index rose 1.6 percent to 6,071 points.DUBAI• The index edged down 0.1 percent to 3,490points.ABU DHABI• The index dropped 0.4 percent 4,500 points.EGYPT• The index fell 1.0 percent to 8,052 points.QATAR• The index rose 0.6 percent to 11,197 points.KUWAIT• The index slipped 0.3 percent to 5,411 points.OMAN• The index fell 0.2 percent to 5,809 points.BAHRAIN• The index dropped 0.6 percent to 1,139 points.— Reuters

HANNOVER: A man walking on stilts and dressed like the Statue of Liberty attends aprotest against the planned Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, TTIP,ahead of the visit of United States President Barack Obama in Hannover. — AP

B U S I N E S SMONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

EXCHANGE RATES

Bahrain Exchange CompanyAl-Muzaini Exchange Co.

Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd

ASIAN COUNTRIESJapanese Yen 3.011Indian Rupees 4.500Pakistani Rupees 2.882Srilankan Rupees 2.080Nepali Rupees 2.816Singapore Dollar 223.790Hongkong Dollar 38.950Bangladesh Taka 3.850Philippine Peso 6.496Thai Baht 8.748

GCC COUNTRIESSaudi Riyal 80.576Qatari Riyal 83.001ani Riyal 784.823Bahraini Dinar 802.440UAE Dirham 82.266

ARAB COUNTRIESEgyptian Pound - Cash 29.975Egyptian Pound - Transfer 34.395Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.213Tunisian Dinar 138.410Jordanian Dinar 426.370Lebanese Lira/for 1000 2.013Syrian Lira 2.0153Morocco Dirham 31.590

EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIESUS Dollar Transfer 302.000Euro 342.320Sterling Pound 399.400Canadian dollar 234.290Turkish lira 102.550

CURRENCY BUY SELL

EuropeBritish Pound 0.390957 0.405957Czech Korune 0.004591 0.016591Danish Krone 0.041713 0.046713Euro 0.0335322 0.0344322Norwegian Krone 0.032658 0.037858Romanian Leu 0.076291 0.076291Slovakia 0.008986 0.018986Swedish Krona 0.031911 0.036911Swiss Franc 0.306466 0.317468Turkish Lira 0.097722 0.108022

AustralasiaAustralian Dollar 0.221221 0.233221New Zealand Dollar 0.213431 0.222931

AmericaCanadian Dollar 0.227967 0.236967Georgina Lari 0.136374 0.136374US Dollars 0.297850 0.302550US Dollars Mint 0.298350 0.302550

AsiaBangladesh Taka 0.003298 0.003880Chinese Yuan 0.043733 0.047233Hong Kong Dollar 0.036852 0.039602Indian Rupee 0.004294 0.004683Indonesian Rupiah 0.000018 0.000024

Japanese Yen 0.002920 0.003100Kenyan Shilling 0.002973 0.002973Korean Won 0.000259 0.000274Malaysian Ringgit 0.071125 0.077125Nepalese Rupee 0.002802 0.002972Pakistan Rupee 0.002662 0.002952Philippine Peso 0.006315 0.006615Sierra Leone 0.000050 0.000056Singapore Dollar 0.217752 0.227752South African Rand 0.016618 0.024118Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001637 0.002217Taiwan 0.009373 0.009553Thai Baht 0.008306 0.008856

ArabBahraini Dinar 0.794360 0.802860Egyptian Pound 0.024588 0.029706Iranian Riyal 0.000084 0.000085Iraqi Dinar 0.000180 0.000240Jordanian Dinar 0.421721 0.430721Kuwaiti Dinar 1.000000 1.000000Lebanese Pound 0.000150 0.000250Moroccan Dirhams 0.019545 0.043545Nigerian Naira 0.000312 0.000947Omani Riyal 0.777866 0.783546Qatar Riyal 0.082127 0.083577Saudi Riyal 0.079433 0.080733Syrian Pound 0.001279 0.001499Tunisian Dinar 0.134791 0.142791Turkish Lira 0.097722 0.108022UAE Dirhams 0.080784 0.082484Yemeni Riyal 0.001364 0.001444

Rate for Transfer Selling RateUS Dollar 302.200Canadian Dollr 232.515Sterling Pound 397.778Euro 339.193Swiss Frank 296.575Bahrain Dinar 798.885UAE Dirhams 82.505Qatari Riyals 83.720Saudi Riyals 81.310Jordanian Dinar 425.825Egyptian Pound 33.934Sri Lankan Rupees 2.077Indian Rupees 4.499Pakistani Rupees 2.879Bangladesh Taka 3.845Philippines Pesso 6.517Cyprus pound 159.280Japanese Yen 3.960Syrian Pound 2.400Nepalese Rupees 3.810Malaysian Ringgit 75.555Chinese Yuan Renminbi 45.660Thai Bhat 9.690Turkish Lira 102.950

Swiss Franc 314.580Australian Dollar 231.030US Dollar Buying 300.800

GOLD20 Gram 268.86010 Gram 137.3505 Gram 69.520

QNB gets go-ahead to open branch in India

DOHA: Qatar National Bank (QNB) has been givenapproval to open a branch in India offering bankingservices, the Gulf region’s largest lender said yesterday.The bank, which in June completed the 2.7 billioneuro purchase of Turkey’s Finansbank, has a presencein more than 30 countries across Europe, the MiddleEast, Africa and Asia. In a statement, QNB said itobtained the approval of India’s regulatory authoritiesto conduct operations in that country, adding themove would help towards achieving its goal of strate-gic global expansion.

NewsI n b r i e f

US dollar stable against KD at 0.301

KUWAIT: The US dollar ’s exchange rate against theKuwaiti dinar was stable at 0.301, while the euro’s ratewent down to KD 0.337 compared to Thursday’s exchangerates, said the Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) yesterday. Therate of the pound sterling went down to KD 0.396, as wellas the Swiss Franc to KD 0.307. The Japanese yen went upto KD 0.003.

Qatar’s Barzan gas project to start in Nov

DOHA: Qatar will begin operations at its Barzan gas proj-ect in November, two people close to the matter toldReuters yesterday, as the Gulf state strives to meet risingdomestic energy demand as it prepares to host the soccerWorld Cup in 2022. The $10 billion project, a RasGas-oper-ated joint venture between Qatar Petroleum and ExxonMobil, was originally expected to come online in 2014. Itwill boost Qatari gas production by up to 2 billion cubicfeet per day when it reaches capacity in the first half of2017, the sources said on condition of anonymity becausethe information was not public. RasGas and Exxon Mobilrepresentatives were not immediately available to com-ment. Qatar, the world’s leading LNG exporter, faces grow-ing domestic energy needs as it pursues a $200 billioninfrastructure upgrade ahead of the World Cup tourna-ment as well as expansion of its national airline QatarAirways. Much of the production from Barzan, located inthe North Field gas reservoir off the coast of Qatar, will bedirected to the power and water sector, RasGas has said.Qatar declared a moratorium in 2005 on development ofNorth Field, which it shares with Iran, to give Doha time tostudy the impact on the reservoir from a rapid increase inoutput. — Reuters

CAIRO/ABU DHABI: A parliamentary fact-finding commission’s report into corruptionin Egypt’s wheat industry finds that thegovernment played a key role in “wastingpublic funds” in its costly food subsidy pro-gram. Reuters reviewed a copy of thereport that will be presented in parliamenttoday. It states that government entitiesneglected their own storage facilities infavour of less regulated private sites, madecontracts with “fake entities,” and oversawflawed reforms that caused subsidy spend-ing to increase rather than decrease aspublicly stated.

Meanwhile, an official at Egypt’s agri-culture ministry said yesterday the primeminister had been consulted on the latestdecision to return to a zero tolerance policytowards ergot, a common grain fungus, inimported wheat. “The decision was done incoordination with the prime minister,”Ahmed Abu Al-Yazeed, head of the servicescentre at the ministry, said at a press con-ference. Abu Zeid added that in the latestperiod a total of two imported wheat ship-ments out of 15 had been rejected due toergot contamination. From silo contracts tobudgetary analysis to testimony fromindustry officials, the more than 500-pagefact-finding report into wheat corruptionpoints to government involvement in mis-managing, and at times facilitating graft in,subsidies intended to encourage agricul-ture and feed tens of millions.

“There are obvious flaws that rise tothe level of complicity in the supply min-istry and all of its bodies supervising thewheat procurement system,” the reportsaid. The supply ministry spokesman saidhe had resigned from his post and could nolonger comment on the issue when con-tacted by Reuters. Egypt, the world’s largestimporter of wheat, has been mired in con-troversy in recent months over whethermuch of the roughly 5 million tons of grainthe government said it procured in this har-vest exists only on paper, the result of localsuppliers falsifying receipts to boost gov-ernment payments.

Industry officials have estimated thatupward of 2 million tonnes could be miss-ing from silos, a deficit that could forceEgypt to import large quantities of addi-tional grains to meet local demand even asit faces an acute hard currency shortage.

A Reuters special report earlier this yeardetailed how the government’s wheat sup-ply chain was riddled with corruption -fromfraudulent wheat purchases by local suppli-

ers to hacked smart cards that allowed bak-ers to steal flour - that has cost the countryhundreds of millions of dollars per year.

LAX OVERSIGHTThe parliamentary report provides

new insight into how government bodiesmay have played a direct role in many ofthe corrupt practices, particularly byawarding contracts to private supplierswho had lax oversight of their storage facil-ities, while leaving government sitesunused. The supply ministry’s HoldingCompany for Silos housed over 1 milliontons of wheat in less-regulated private sec-tor storage this season while leaving700,000 tons of its own storage capacityunutilized - a violation of regulations thatrequire government spaces to take priority,the report found.

The holding company used just 29.7percent of the silo capacity it had available,it said. “Despite that (unused storage), thecompany contracted with private sectorcompanies to rent 16 silos and 35 shounas(open air sites) to store a total of 1,147,319tons of wheat.” “Not using the full storagecapacity owned by the (government) com-pany caused it to bear huge losses...andmade it take on the cost of paying to rentfrom the private sector.”

The report also called into questionthe legality of many of the contracts made

with the private sector sites. Governmentfirms contracted with “storage sites thathad legal actions taken against them previ-ously but which had since changed theircommercial names”, and with those that“did not have a commercial registration or atax identification.”

“This means that contracting was donewith fake entities,” the report stated. Lastweek Supplies Minister Khaled Hanafiresigned amid growing criticism of hismanagement of the subsidies. His exit wasthe biggest fallout from the wheat scandalto date. Hanafi repeatedly said that breadsystem reforms introduced under his watchin 2014 have saved Egypt in terms of bothmoney and strategic commodities, anassertion the report undermines. He wasnot immediately available for commentabout the parliamentary report when con-tacted by Reuters. Government spendingon bread subsidies rose by 3.91 billionEgyptian pounds ($440.32 million), or 15.9percent, in the 2014-15 financial year, andby an additional 1.89 billion ($212.84 mil-lion), or 6.6 percent, in 2015-16, the reportstates, citing Finance Ministry documents.

“Subsidies increased, and did notdecrease as a result of the bread system asthe supply ministry continuously claims.”

ZERO TOLERANCEEgypt will no longer permit wheat ship-

ments with even trace levels of ergot, andwill apply the decision retroactively, theagriculture minister said yesterday. Thedecision reverses an earlier decree that hadallowed for 0.05 percent, a common inter-national standard, of the fungus in importsand which had put to rest a months-longstandoff that saw suppliers boycott stategrain tenders and raise prices.

“The ban will be applied to every grainof wheat entering the country. As of nowno infected wheat will enter either fromupcoming tenders or previous ones,”spokesman Eid Hawash said. Egyptianquarantine authorities’ refusal to permitwheat shipments infected with even traceamounts of ergot-which can lead to halluci-nations in large quantities but is consid-ered harmless at minor levels-created hav-oc in the market earlier in the year afterseveral shipments were rejected.

Last month’s decree to begin applyingthe 0.05 standard was welcomed by grainstraders, who have participated in largernumbers at GASC’s state tenders since itwas issued. A Food and AgricultureOrganization (FAO) risk assessment con-ducted earlier this year concluded thatergot poses no threat to Egyptian crops,but the agriculture ministry said at thetime it would reinstate zero tolerance iffuture studies showed ergot affectingcrops. — Reuters

DUBAI: OPEC’s share of the oil market is at a good level,United Arab Emirates energy minister Suhail binMohammed Al-Mazroui said as the producer group con-tinues to contend with low crude prices.

“Regardless of the different views on the oil mar-ket, we see that the OPEC current market share is at agood level,” Mazroui said on his official Twitter accounton Saturday. Mazroui also said he believed that anyfuture decision on oil production would require fullparticipation from all members of the Organization ofthe Petroleum Exporting Countries plus other majorproducers.

“We acknowledge and understand the market chal-lenges, but in my view our sector is resilient to overcomeit and achieve stability soon,” Mazroui added withoutelaborating.

OPEC members will meet on the sidelines of theInternational Energy Forum (IEF), which groups producersand consumers, in Algeria on Sept. 26-28. Saudi ArabianEnergy Minister Khalid Al-Falih told Reuters last week thathe does not believe significant intervention in oil marketsis necessary at this time.

Venezuela and Iran continue to seek consensus onways to stabilize oil markets and strengthen OPEC,Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Saturday,following a meeting with Iranian Foreign MinisterMohammad Javad Zarif. “We continue to build commonground and a new consensus on stabilizing oil markets,strengthening industries, strengthening OPEC,” Madurosaid in a ceremony broadcast on state television.

He said Venezuela’s oil minister and foreign ministerwould make announcements in the coming weeks, butdid not provide details on concrete actions. Zarif arrivedin Venezuela after visiting other Latin American nationsincluding Bolivia and Ecuador.

Venezuela since the collapse of oil prices in 2014has sought to rally support among OPEC and non-OPEC nations to boost crude prices by limiting pro-d u c t i o n . T h e O r g a n i z a t i o n o f t h e Pe t r o l e u mExporting Countries, however, has remained morefocused on retaining market share, with heavyweightSaudi Arabia showing little interest in backing outputcuts. — Reuters

MADRID: Spain’s economy grew strongly in the secondquarter as consumer spending stayed robust and demandfor exports rose, though there were signs that a vibrantinvestment climate may be starting to cool after months ofpolitical uncertainty.

An economic recovery has retained momentumthrough eight months without a functioning government,as the country has continued to notch up one of the fastestgrowth rates in the euro zone this year. Quarter on quarterGDP growth reached 0.8 percent, keeping pace with thefirst quarter and up a tenth of a percentage point from apreliminary estimate, Thursday’s final data from nationalstatistics agency INE showed.

Consumer spending grew 3.6 percent year on year aspeople who kept their jobs through a recession that endedin 2013 took advantage of better times to buy big-ticketgoods like washing machines. Exports of services also per-formed well, INE said, even outside the tourism sectorwhich has been boosted by record numbers of visitors thissummer.

Spain’s acting economy minister, Luis de Guindos, saidhe expected the economy would eventually be impactedby the lack of a government.

However “from what we can tell there is no slowdown inthe third quarter, it will be similar to the second and first,”

he told reporters. After two inconclusive national electionsin December and June, the spectre of a third looms.

Politicians last week inched closer to ending theimpasse when the People’s Party of acting Prime MinisterMariano Rajoy agreed terms to negotiate a pact with asmaller rival, Ciudadanos.

If the agreement is sealed, Ciudadanos will back Rajoyin a parliamentary confidence vote on Aug. 31 on forminga government. But even then Rajoy would still be short ofthe majority he needs, raising the possibility of third ballotin December unless others also agree to back him orabstain.

CHALLENGING AUTUMNWhile fallout for gross domestic product so far has been

slight, the political deadlock has triggered concerns thatcompanies might delay expansion plans. A slowdown inmanufacturers’ investment in equipment and machineryextended into the second quarter, the INE data showed,when it grew at 7.8 percent year-on-year against 9.3 per-cent in the previous three months and almost 11 percentin the last quarter of 2015.

Analysts from Barclays said they expected investmentgrowth to continue to decelerate, hit by declining businessconfidence. However, they raised their 2016 growth fore-

cast by 0.3 percentage points to 3.1 percent, citing strongexports. In a sign of the possible impact on governmentinvestment, spending on public works contracts slumpedby a fifth in the first quarter, separate data showed onTuesday, as decisions on infrastructure projects like roads,ports and trains were deferred.

On an annual basis the economy grew by 3.2 percent inthe second quarter, INE said - below the 3.4 percent growthrate of the first but in line with a preliminary estimate.

The acting government expects the economy to expand2.9 percent this year - one of the fastest rates in the euro-zone - though scrutiny is growing over whether that will beenough to reach deficit targets without spending cuts.Gross debt rose to a record high 1.1 trillion euros ($1.24 tril-lion) in June, Bank of Spain data showed on Wednesday,which the economy ministry said was equivalent to 100.9percent of national output - well above 2016 goals.

Further delays to forming a government would bringSpain up against the EU’s deadline of mid-October to sub-mit a 2017 budget. Missing that would damage investorconfidence and raise the possibility of sanctions. “Spain isheading towards a challenging autumn as a late govern-ment formation would mean delays to the budget, theexpenditure ceiling and the new path of deficit targetapproval,” the Barclays analysts said in a note. — Reuters

Spanish economy powers

ahead as politicians dither

Egypt’s govt complicit in

wheat corruption: Report Egypt’s PM consulted on wheat policy decision

CAIRO: Rida Ibrahim, 62, harvests wheat on his farm in Qalubiyah, North Cairo. —AP file photo

OPEC’s market share

at a good level: UAE

B U S I N E S SMONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

Entrepreneurship offers respondents personalfulfillment, freedom to choose a work-life bal-ance and the ability to be their own boss,

according to Bayt.com and YouGov report DUBAI: Entrepreneurship is a source of econom-

ic growth in all parts of the world, and in manyMiddle Eastern countries it is one of the main eco-nomic drivers. Bayt.com, the Middle East’s leadingjob site, teamed up with YouGov, a pioneer inonline market research, to ascertain the current lev-els of understanding and interest in entrepreneur-ship throughout the Middle East and North Africa(MENA) region. The ‘Entrepreneurship in the MENA’report found that a vast majority of MENA profes-sionals (71 percent) would prefer to be self-employed, citing ‘personal fulfillment’ (58 percent)and ‘freedom to choose work-life balance’ (41 per-cent) as the primary reasons for this preference.

On the other hand, close to a quarter of respon-dents (23 percent) said that they would prefer toseek employment in a company, as opposed to set-ting up their own business. The main reason for thisdecision is the security of a ‘regular income’ (44 per-cent), followed by the interest in ‘learning new skills’(41 percent), ‘employment stability’ (35 percent), ‘ben-efits and perks’ (31 percent), and ‘fixed working hours’(28 percent). For 28 percent of MENA professionals‘lack of finances to start their own business’ was themain reason they chose to seek employment in acompany rather than set up their own business.

The state of entrepreneurship in the MENAFor employed MENA professionals, almost three

in five are contemplating starting their own busi-ness (59 percent), while 17 percent have alreadyattempted to do so in the past but either “could notdo so” or “failed to do so”.

As for MENA professionals who are currentlyself-employed, 75 percent have taken the first stepsto establish their business within the last 6 years.Respondents who are self-employed said that ‘gain-ing greater independence in what they wanted to

achieve’ (39 percent), ‘feeling the time was right’ (34percent) and ‘wanting to do what they love’ (34 per-cent), were the main reasons behind their decision.Achieving a larger income was also a reason for athird of the respondents.

For active entrepreneurs surveyed, 37 percentrevealed that they are at the start-up stage of theirbusiness, while approximately a quarter claim thattheir business is established and performing well(24 percent). However, nearly one in five (19 per-cent) disclosed that their business is not perform-ing well. When asked about their business ambi-tions, almost a third stated that they have theirsights set on obtaining more growth and profitabil-ity in their country of residence (30 percent), whilealmost three in 10 respondents (28 percent) wantto see their business become an important regionalplayer in the future. Around one in five hope togrow their business into an important internationalplayer (22 percent) or a major international group(19 percent).

The route to entrepreneurial successWhen it comes to the best time to start a busi-

ness, professionals in the MENA are divided. Itseems that ‘at any time’ and ‘mid-career’ are themost popular times, both at 37 percent. Otherrespondents believe the right time to set up a busi-ness is either ‘right after college’ or ‘after a lengthycareer’, both at 12 percent.

Regardless of the best time to start a business,‘not being afraid of failure’ is by far the best adviceto give to aspiring entrepreneurs (42 percent).Other important advice include; ‘perform an exten-sive amount of market research’ (12 percent), ‘havea great business plan’ (11 percent), ‘have a greatmarketing plan’ (9 percent), and have a greatfounding team’ (8 percent).

As for the best industries for entrepreneurship,the report ’s respondents feel that‘Communications/ Information Technology’ (18 per-cent) and ‘Advertising/Marketing/Public relations’(17 percent) are the most favorable options foraspiring entrepreneurs, followed by ‘Hospitality andLeisure’ (14 percent), ‘Architecture and Engineering’(12 percent) and ‘Finance/Insurance/Real Estate’ (10percent). To ensure business continuity and suc-cess, respondents cite five key factors, including‘innovation’ (31 percent), ‘being close to clients orcustomers’ (22 percent), ‘employing the right peo-ple’ (21 percent), ‘access to funding’ (19 percent),and ‘access to advice and mentorship’ (8 percent).

Challenges faced by entrepreneurs in the MENAProfessionals in the MENA who have tried to

start a business in the past but couldn’t or failed todo so faced certain challenges which preventedthem from success. These reasons were mainly cit-ed as ‘inability to obtain financial support’ (52 per-cent) and ‘inability to self-finance the start-upphase of the company’ (51 percent).

Finances are a common theme amongst respon-dents when it comes to listing their business con-cerns. 56 percent claim that ‘procuring the financesto start’ is a top concern, followed by ‘hiring thewrong people’ (41 percent), the ‘uncertainty of prof-it/ income’ (35 percent), and ‘making a loss’ (30 per-cent).More than half of the employed respondents(54 percent) claim that it is difficult to start a busi-ness in their country of residence, and the majoritybelieve that government intervention could easethe business set up process in a number of ways.The vast majority (60 percent) agree that easing thelaw and regulations for setting up a business wouldimprove the entrepreneurial landscape in theircountry immensely. This is followed by ‘reducingtaxation’ (12 percent), ‘regulating competition

among businesses’ (12 percent), and ‘facilitatingaccess to skilled labor’ (10 percent).

“Entrepreneurship has been a proven driver ofboth economic activity and innovation across theMiddle East and North Africa region, which is whygovernments should take note of the fact that lawsand regulations with regards to starting a businessare amongst the top concerns for entrepreneurs inthe region,” said Suhail Masri, VP of EmployerSolutions, Bayt.com. “We believe collaboration is atop priority for the public and private sector, aswell as professionals looking for a job. In an effortto provide a channel for cooperation andexchange, Bayt.com offers Bayt.com Specialities, aplatform where established business owners andaspiring entrepreneurs can share knowledge andinteract before making the decision to worktogether. The website also provides special hiringpackages to new business owners looking to hiretop talents.”

Masri continued: “Our database of more than25.7 million job seekers enables us to offer newstart-ups access to the best and most varied pool ofcandidates in the Middle East to help them meettheir hiring needs and grow their business.”

“Despite many challenges, Entrepreneurship isfast emerging as a transformational megatrend inthe Middle East providing both a personal sense offulfilment and the ability to be your own boss. Italso plays a vital role in the economic developmentas a key contributor to innovation and new jobopportunities. There is a long way to go to reach amature entrepreneurial landscape in the MiddleEast, but the opportunities are sufficiently large andwith better support from the government it will fur-ther accelerate the trend,” said Arleen Gonsalves,Associate Research Manager.

Data for the Bayt.com ‘Entrepreneurship in theMENA’ report was collected online from May 30 toJuly 24, 2016, with 715 respondents from the UAE,KSA, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Lebanon, Syria,Jordan, Algeria, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia.

Bayt.com and YouGov Survey

71% of MENA respondents prefer to be self-employed

NAIROBI: The UN yesterday urged Africannations to close a gender gap that is cost-ing an estimated $95 billion (84 billioneuros) a year in lost economic potential.“Where there are high levels of genderinequality, societies are missing out,” UNDevelopment Fund (UNDP) director HelenClark told AFP.

“They are not harnessing the full poten-tial of women, and that costs economically,at the family level, community level andthe national level.” Citing agriculture as anexample, Clark said that in many Africannations, women are banned from owningor inheriting land, making it hard for themto borrow money.

“They then don’t have the finance tobuy the best seeds, the best fertilizers. Sowomen, despite working very, very hard,end up producing less, being less produc-tive,” she said in Nairobi, where she wasattending the Tokyo InternationalConference on African Development.Deeply-rooted structural obstacles such asunequal distribution of resources and polit-ical power, combined with social institu-tions that sustain inequality are holdingback African women, and the continent,said the Africa Human DevelopmentReport 2016 by UN Development Program.

The UNDP said in a statement that male-female inequality in sub-Saharan Africa

costs the continent some $95 billion eachyear in lost economic potential. In 2014, thecost was higher, at $105 billion, it said.“Gender equality is a good thing in its ownright, and it’s the right thing to do, butoften it’s not until you start talking abouteconomics that people think my goodness,it has implications if we don’t do some-thing about this,” said Clark, former NewZealand prime minister and a candidate forUN Secretary General.

Clark meanwhile noted the progressmade in some nations, including inRwanda, where 65 percent of elected MPsare female.

Kenya’s civil society is pushing parlia-ment to ensure that a third of elected postsare occupied by women in accordance withthe 2010 constitution. Parliament rejecteda government-sponsored bill seeking toturn the constitutional requirement intolaw. Rwanda is the most gender equalcountry in Africa and sixth out of 145countries, according to the 2015 GlobalGender Gap Index, by the World EconomicProgram. While 61 percent of Africanwomen are working they still face eco-nomic exclusion as their jobs are under-paid and undervalued, and are mostly inthe informal sector, states the UNDPreport. “Social norms are a clear obstacle toAfrican women’s progress, limiting the

time women can spend in education andpaid work, and access to economic andfinancial assets. For instance, Africanwomen still carry out 71 percent of watercollecting translating to 40 billion hours ayear, and are less l ikely to have bank

accounts and to access credit,” the reportsaid. African women’s health is also severe-ly affected by harmful practices such asunder-age marriage and sexual and physi-cal violence, and high maternal mortality, itsaid. — Agencies

Gender inequality costs

Africa $95bn a year: UN

Rwanda is the most gender equal country in Africa

NAIROBI: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (left) speaks during the TokyoInternational Summit on African Development at the Kenyatta InternationalConference Centre in Nairobi yesterday. —AP

It is the time of the yearwhen suddenly investorsare waiting for the

Federal Reserve decisionson interest rates. Will it raiserates or not? This questionhas been asked since thelast time it raised rates backin December last year. I per-sonally expect no actionfrom the Federal Reserve,as the economic funda-mentals do not justify a rateraise yet. Even if theydecide to raise rate it will be the last one and expectthem to keep rates low for a long time. Last time itraised rates back in December it came out andassured the market that future hikes will be grad-ual and will be dependent on economic data. Itseems that the central bank hasn’t changed itsposition.

In deciding the future timing and the size ofany rate raise, the Federal Reserve Committee willassess the present and actual economic condi-tions relative to its objective of maximum employ-ment and 2% inflation. Well, with employment hit-ting record lows and inflation still below the 2%,t h e Fe d e r a l R e s e r ve i s f a c i n g a d i l e m m a .Although, unemployment is below 5%, wagegrowth has been very slow. There is no wage pres-sure in the system. Most of the job creation hasbeen part timers or new comers to the job marketthat are offered the minimum wages. The US eco-nomic conditions haven’t changed much since thelast rate hike.

Changes in monetary policies are dependenton pure economic conditions that are influencedheavily by inflation, economic growth and wagegrowth. Obviously, there are other issues that turnup suddenly that influences central banks deci-sions on interest rates changes i.e. global eco-nomic conditions, financial crises, geopoliticaltensions etc.

InflationInflation is no longer a big threat neither in the

US nor around the world. The Federal Reserveneeds to decide clearly that inflation will hit its tar-get of 2 percent before deciding on any rateincrease. Also, it should make sure where the threatof inflation is coming from, if there is one. If infla-tion is coming from wage growth then it has a case.But as I mentioned earlier wage growth has notbeen a problem in the US economy. Cheap oil andcollapse in commodity prices have kept inflationextremely low, and that isn’t going to change any-time soon. I think the Federal Reserve has to waitfor further evidence of wage growth and a reversalin energy and commodity prices before taking anyaction.

Economic growthThis is one of strong reason, why any central

bank changes its monetary policy. Central bankstend to raise rates when their economy is overheat-ing and is running out of control. They graduallyraise rates to cool it down and avoid any build upin inflationary pressure. The US economy has beengrowing just around the 2 percent, which is waybelow its historical trend. Surprisingly, it has notgrown much more even though rates are near zeroand unemployment is running at record low. I don’tthink the Federal Reserve is going to ignore thisweak economic growth.

Weak wage growthUs consumer spending has been the driving

force behind the economic growth. US consump-tion as percentage of GDP is the highest in theworld. It is around 70 percent. US wage growth hasbeen stagnant for years. Well before the 2008financial crises. In fact, adjusted for inflation, theaverage yearly wage for American workers has notincreased since the 1970s. A big reason for thewage stagnat ion is the dramatic increase inemployer-sponsored healthcare costs-while totalcompensation is rising, the take-home paychecksare not. This explains why employees do not pushfor higher wages. All of this will likely deter theFed from raising rates any further. —@Rasameel

By Hayder Tawfik

Why rates will stay

low for a long time

MOSCOW: Four months after taking the helm of strugglingRussian automobile giant Avtovaz, Renault executiveNicolas Maure has set his sights on returning the Ladamaker to profit by 2018.

Maure, who headed Romanian carmaker Dacia for justover two years before taking on his new position, took overAvtovaz, which is majority-owned by the Renault-NissanAlliance, in April amid major losses in the Russian autoindustry struggling with recession. Hit hard by Russia’seconomic crisis, Avtovaz earlier this year was battling bank-ruptcy fears after its net losses almost tripled in 2015. Thatyear the Russian car market slumped 36 percent amidinternational sanctions over Ukraine and the crash in oilprices took its toll on the economy. “I arrived at a tryingtime,” Maure, 56, told AFP this week on the sidelines of theMoscow International Automobile Salon.

“The market was slumping and I was arriving in a trou-bled company.” Maure’s predecessor, Swedish executive BoAndersson, had been on a drive to improve efficiency atAvtovaz’s Soviet-era facilities and slashed thousands ofjobs from the bloated workforce in 2014.

But the measures did not yield any significant financialsuccess, and the company made a loss of 620 million euros

($680 million) on the French carmaker’s accounts last year.But an uptick in sales, which grew 4 percent last month incomparison to the same period last year, and its growingmarket share has made Maure upbeat about Avtovaz’sprospects.

“The situation is more favourable than when I arrived,with steady demand,” he said. “We are doing everythingnecessary to be in profit from 2018.”

Weak market in 2017 Despite Maure’s optimism about the future, Renault is

still set to recapitalise Avtovaz by the end of the year. TheLada maker suffered losses of 27 billion rubles ($416 mil-lion) in the first half of 2016.

When the Renault announced plans for recapitalizationearlier this year, Avtovaz said it would further “optimise theworkforce” as part of its “anti-crisis plan” to improvefinances in 2016, having already switched all of its employ-ees and management to a four-day week from February toAugust.

Maure said that in light of high demand for the LadaVesta — 30,000 of which have been sold in Russia since thebeginning of the year-the company would further study

the market and could cancel its four-day work week at itsfactory in the city of Togliatti on the Volga River some 800kilometres east of Moscow. Despite signs of the Russianeconomy stabilizing, the Association of EuropeanBusinesses predicts that auto sales will drop more than 10percent this year, a figure up from the five percent dropthat had been previously predicted.

“We are working with a scenario of a weak market in2017,” Maure said. “We have to keep fighting for our shareof the market (and) increase our profitability as we developour exports, which fell to a historical low in the first quar-ter.” Maure said Avtovaz is now seeking foreign markets inthe Middle East and Africa.

The company has lost the Ukrainian market as tensionslinger between Moscow and Kiev over Russia’s annexationof Crimea in March 2014 and its support of a pro-Russianinsurgency in eastern Ukraine.

Maure said that the corporate culture at the companyhas changed since he took charge. “The atmosphere wastense from a managerial, social and political standpoint,” hesaid. “The first months consisted of calming things down,to make people gain confidence again, to tell them thatAvtovaz has a future.” —AFP

Russia’s Lada maker boss eyes profits

despite struggling auto industry

MOSCOW: This file photo shows AvtoVAZ CEO French businessman Nicolas Maure posing in front of a Lada Vesta car at a motor show in Moscow, a day before its opening forpublic. — AFP

B U S I N E S SMONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

WALL STREET WEEKLY OUTLOOK

Jobs data to be a big deal for record-high stocks

SAN FRANCISCO: Wall Street will fixate on awave of US economic data next week, crested bypayrolls data on Friday that could sway expecta-tions about the timing of future interest ratehikes and spark volatility in record-high stockprices. Fresh data about employment and con-sumer confidence could help investors solidifyexpectations for a December interest rate hikefrom the U.S. Federal Reserve, or lend weight toa minority of strategists predicting a rate rise as

early as next month. Fed Chair Janet Yellen saidthe case for a rate hike is strengthening, but sheleft open the timing of what would be the firstincrease since December 2015.

“She did put the market on notice that she’dlike to raise rates, which means the payrolls dataout on Friday is very important. The wage com-ponent, length of the workweek and types ofjobs, all are crucial in order to extrapolate toinflation,” said Quincy Krosby, market strategist

at Prudential Financial in Newark, New Jersey.Following Yellen’s speech, prices for fed funds

futures implied investors see roughly a 60 per-cent chance of a December hike, up from justabove 50 percent on Thursday. Investors seechances of a September hike at 36 percent, upfrom 21 percent.

Almost a decade of ultra-low interest rateshas helped propel stock prices to record highs,even as the economy expands at a lukewarm

rate and U.S. largecaps struggle with over ayear of declining earnings.

Expectations for higher interest rateswould likely continue a recent trend ofinvestors selling high-dividend payers likeutilities and telecoms, in favor of sectorstied to economic expansion like financialsand industrials. Underscoring the impor-tance of the upcoming jobs report, Yellenpointed to a recent rebound in employ-ment and said in her speech at a sympo-sium in Jackson Hole, Wyoming that theFed expects the economy to continueexpanding.

“Chairwoman Yellen put a magnifyingglass on next Friday’s jobs report. That real-ly I do believe is going to be a determiningfactor of the market’s direction for its nextleg,” said David Schiegoleit, managingdirector at US Bank Private Client Reserve in

Los Angeles. The August jobs report isexpected to show the US economy created180,000 jobs this month after rising by255,000 in July, according to a Reuters poll.The forecast is for the unemployment rateto dip one-tenth of a percentage point to4.8 percent. Other data in investors’crosshairs next week include personal con-sumption on Monday, consumer confi-dence on Tuesday, and car sales and factoryactivity on Thursday.

The S&P 500 fell Friday for the fifth timein six sessions, but is just 1 percent belowits record high set earlier this month. “Anypotential strength in consumer and jobsdata could be very helpful to support equi-ty prices where they are right now,” saidJon Adams, senior investment strategist atBMO Global Asset Management inChicago. — Reuters

B U S I N E S SMONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

NBK MONEY MARKETS REPORT

WASHINGTON: In this angry election year,many American voters are deeply skepticalabout free trade - or downright hostile to it.

The backlash against trade threatens a pillarof US policy since World War II: Through tradepacts and institutions like the World TradeOrganization, the United States has sought torip down barriers to global commerce, includ-ing quotas and taxes on imports.

Economists argue that the benefits of freetrade outweigh the costs. Imports cut prices forconsumers, and exposure to foreign competi-tion makes American firms and the overall U.S.economy more efficient. There’s a geopoliticalangle, too: Countries that do business witheach other are less likely to go to war. Freetrade, it seemed, paid off.

But doubts lingered, especially as Chinaemerged as an economic power. China over-whelmed the world with hundreds of millionsof low-paid factory workers who could crankout products for less than just about anybodyelse. And critics charge that China doesn’t playby the rules - unfairly subsidizing exporters,manipulating its currency to give them a com-petitive edge and condoning the theft of UStrade secrets. Whatever the reasons, the UnitedStates last year ran a $334 billion trade deficitwith China - a big chunk of America’s $500 bil-lion total trade deficit.

Even economists are having second

thoughts. David Autor of the MassachusettsInstitute of Technology, Gordon Hanson of theUniversity of California, San Diego, and DavidDorn of the University of Zurich looked at theAmerican workers most exposed to competi-tion from China. They got an unpleasant sur-prise. Instead of finding jobs in newer, growingindustries, as economic theory dictated,Americans thrown out of work by the “Chinashock” bounced from job to job and suffered adrop in lifetime pay. China’s rise has “chal-lenged much of the received empirical wisdomabout how labor markets adjust to tradeshocks,” they concluded.

WHERE THEY STANDPresidential candidates Donald Trump and

Hillary Clinton oppose the trade agreementsthat are a hallmark of US economic policy.Clinton has broken with President BarackObama by opposing the Trans-PacificPartnership, an agreement that Obama’sadministration hammered out with 11 PacificRim countries (excluding China) and thatawaits congressional approval. Awkwardly forClinton, she had called the agreement the“gold standard” for trade deals when she wasObama’s secretary of state.

Trump vows to tear up existing trade deals,such as the North American Free TradeAgreement with Mexico and Canada, and to

slap huge tariffs on Chinese imports. He tracesAmerica’s economic problems to bad tradedeals reached by clueless US negotiators out-foxed by craftier foreigners. The author of “TheArt of the Deal” says he can do better.

WHY IT MATTERSForeign competition is one reason America

has lost 3.4 million factory jobs since Chinajoined the World Trade Organization andbecame a bigger part of global trade in 2001.It ’s also partly responsible for stagnantAmerican wages. Adjusting for inflation, UShouseholds earn less than they did in 1997.

But trade isn’t the only culprit: Technologyallows factories to cut jobs and still increaseproduction. Despite the campaign rhetoric,trade deals have far less impact on jobs thanforces such as automation and wage differ-ences between countries.

The controversial Pacific deal, for instance,probably would have a negligible impact onAmerican employment, the International TradeCommission concluded.

Trump’s plans to impose punitive tariffswould risk setting off a trade war and drivingup prices for American consumers. Pulling backfrom trade agreements could also reduceAmerica’s diplomatic influence. The Pacificagreement, for instance, is aimed partly atcountering China’s clout in Asia. —AP

After weeks of markets anticipating theJackson Hole speech, main points raisedby Fed chair Yellen were the fact that the

case for the next rate increase has “strength-ened” in recent months as the US economy hasapproached the central bank’s goals on fullemployment and stable prices. Although she didnot give specific timing of the next move, shementioned that the FOMC continues to antici-pate that gradual increases in the federal fundsrate will be appropriate over time to achieve andsustain employment and inflation near ourstatutory objectives. Subsequently, marketsrepriced the odds of the Fed moving interestrates higher to 42 percent in September and 65percent in December.

Subsequently, the puck was passed to Bankof Japan’s Kuroda who mentioned the BoJ willact decisively as we move on and will carefullyconsider how to make the best use of the policyscheme in order to achieve the price stability tar-get. The “zero lower bound is no longer insur-mountable” as a policy constraint “in practice”; “Itis natural to assume another lower bound exists,”and the current rate is “still far from such a lowerbound.”

Benoit Coeure added that the EuropeanCentral Bank will fulfill the price stability man-date given to them by the Treaty”; “But if otheractors do not take the necessary measures intheir policy domains, they may need to divedeeper into our operational framework andstrategy to do so

Equity markets were initially hit on the backof concerns about a Fed hike in September, butrecovered a bit of the losses by the close of themarket on Friday to finish the week on averagedown less than one percent.

On the currency front, the US dollar index ini-tial move was a spike higher. Then on inspection,the dollar reversed, however managed to endthe week higher at 95.59 after Yellen’s speech.Market confusion continues demonstrating thedivision of opinions amongst the FOMC mem-bers. Esther George continues to push her dis-senting view for a hike, having voted for a movein July. Meanwhile, Robert Kaplan said the Fed

should raise interest rates “patiently, and gradu-ally, and cautiously”.

The euro opened the week at 1.1302 againstthe US dollar and managed to reach a short livedhigh at 1.1354. The pair slowly weakened asspeculations heightened over further stimulusmeasures by the ECB and the strong coming USdata. The currency closed the week at 1.1200.

The pound sterling opened the week at1.3058 and reached a low of 1.3026 against USD.However, the pound quickly recovered as UK Q2GDP second estimate, confirmed solid growth in

the Brexit quarter. The currency closed the weekat 1.3140 on the back of a stronger dollar.

In Asia, the Japanese yen remains as a safehaven for investors and keeps on extending itsvalue compared to the other currencies. Theoutperformance on the yen continues to pres-sure Japanese equities as it takes its toll onexports. The USDJPY opened the week at100.41 and managed to reach a low of 99.91.The pair c losed the week at 101.85 afterYellen’s speech perceived as relatively hawkish.

On the commodities side, oil extended its

WASHINGTON: Long-term US mortgagerates didn’t budge this week, remaining athistorically low levels that continue to lureprospective home buyers.

Mortgage giant Freddie Mac said thatthe average for the benchmark 30-yearfixed-rate mortgage was 3.43 percent,unchanged from last week. The averagerate is down from 3.84 percent a year ago,and is close to its all-time low of 3.31 per-cent in November 2012. The 15-year fixedmortgage rate stayed at 2.74 percent.Financial markets appeared unhappy aftera speech by Federal Reserve Chair JanetYellen Friday at an annual conference ofcentral bankers although she gave someclues on a possible interest-rate increase. Tocalculate average mortgage rates, FreddieMac surveys lenders across the country atthe beginning of each week. The averagedoesn’t include extra fees, known as points,which most borrowers must pay to get thelowest rates. One point equals 1 percent ofthe loan amount.

The average fee for a 30-year mortgagerose to 0.6 point this week from 0.5 pointlast week. The fee for a 15-year loan was

unchanged from last week at 0.5 point.Rates on adjustable five-year mortgagesaveraged 2.75 percent, down from 2.76percent last week. The fee remained at 0.4point. Lawyers for accounting giantPricewaterhouseCoopers and a defunctmortgage company ’s creditors andinvestors have reached a settlement in alawsuit involving audits at a failedAlabama bank.

Attorneys from both sides confirmed viaemail Friday that the case involving the $5billion lawsuit was settled “to the mutualsatisfaction of the parties.” The case went totrial in Miami earlier this month and wasexpected to last six weeks. The lawsuitclaimed PricewaterhouseCoopers shouldhave detected massive fraud at ColonialBank of Montgomery, Alabama. It claimedthe estimated $21 billion fraud was orches-trated by top executives at the shutteredmortgage firm Taylor, Bean and Whitaker ofOcala, Florida.

Six Taylor Bean senior executives andtwo Colonial employees were convicted offederal fraud crimes and sent to prison.Colonial was shut down in 2009. — AP

Why it matters: Free trade

Average US 30-year

mortgage rate

unchanged at 3.43%

Case for higher interest rates has strengthened

SAN PEDRO: With some cargo loading cranes in the upright and idle position, are seen in this view from the San Pedro area of LosAngeles. In this angry election year, many American voters are skeptical about free trade, or hostile to it. The backlash threatens a pillarof US policy. —AP

losses as US crude and gasoline inventoryunexpectedly rose to 2.5 million barrelsversus a forecast of -0.5 million.Furthermore, analysts claimed that the oilprice rally in August was over exaggeratedand proposed oil production freeze at cur-rent near-record levels would not helpdecrease an oversupplied market.Moreover, gold stands at a one month lowas investors remain vigilant after Yellen’sspeech. Gold prices are highly sensitive torising US interest rates, which increases the

opportunity cost of holding a non-yieldingasset. Gold prices reached a low of$1317.46

US new home sales New home sales in the US surged to the

highest in nearly eight years in July ashome builders picked up the pace whilebuyer demand remained strong. Newhome sales jumped tremendously by 12.4percent to 654,000 in July to the highest innearly eight years as the demand for newhomes remained resilient. The new figuresare 31.3 percent higher than a year ago andeasily beat the forecasts of a 581,000.

US existing home sales lost momentumin July and decreased by 3.2 percent m/mto 5.39 million (annualized) after reaching apost-recession high of 5.57 million in June.Sales dropped for the first time sinceNovember 2015, as a lack of inventory lim-ited the choices for buyers. On the otherhand, a rise in prices suggests the housingmarket remains on solid ground. Sales ofsingle-family homes fell by 2 percent m/mto 4.82 million. However, the marketremains in short supply, which is keepingpressure on home prices. Median pricesadvanced by 5.3 percent y/y, up from a 4.8percent pace in June.

US durable goods Orders for business equipment climbed

in July for a second month, which indicatesthat US companies are willing to investmore in the economy. Durable goodsorders impressed with sharp gains of 4.4percent, compared to the forecast of 3.4percent. This marked the strongest gainsince January. The positive readings pointto stronger demand for durable goods,which translates into an increase in newjobs in the near future of the business sec-tor. Moreover, core durable goods ordersrebounded after two declines, posting anexcellent gain of 1.5 percent. The latestdata easily beats the market forecast of 0.4percent.

The number of Americans who appliedfor unemployment benefits last week

dropped by 1,000 to 261,000 and remainednear post recession lows, indicating ahealthy labor market in which few peopleare losing their jobs. The average of newjobless claims over the past monthdropped by 1,250 to 264,000, the LaborDepartment said. There were no specialfactors impacting this week’s initial claims.Claims fell below the key 300,000 thresh-old in early 2015 and have remained therefor 77 straight weeks, the longest streaksince 1970.

The US economic growth was a bitmore sluggish than initially thought inthe second quarter. US growth expandedat a 1.1 percent annual rate in its secondestimate of GDP. That was slightly downfrom the 1.2 percent rate reported lastmonth. The revision also reflected weakspending by state and local governmentsand the economy has struggled to regainmomentum since output started slowingin the last six months of 2015. The thirdquarter data so far has been mixed astrong labor market should continue tosupport consumer spending and growthin the coming quarters.

Europe & UKThe eurozone service Purchasing

Managers’ Index inched up to a seven-month high to 53.1 in August, from a 52.9in July, concluding that the Euro economycontinues expanding at a steady pace. Onthe other hand, the manufacturingPurchasing Managers’ Index fell to 51.8 inAugust from a 52 in July. The strong growthin France helps the Euro zone stay steadybut growth rates is slow in Germany,although it is still expanding.

German business sentiment surprisinglyfell to the lowest level in six months inAugust in a sign that companies are stillweighing the consequences of Brexit onfuture demand. The Munich-based Ifo insti-tute’s business climate index dropped to106.2 in August from 108.3 in July. That’sthe lowest since February. The market fore-cast was for an increase to 108.5. With theUK acting as Germany’s third-largest exportmarket, weaker demand there has thepotential to damp output in Europe’slargest economy.

UK economy grows The UK GDP rose to 0.6 percent in the

second quarter of 2016 from a 0.5 percentin the first quarter, aligned with the expec-tations of analysts and up by 2.2 percenty/y. British consumers and businessesshowed no signs of weakness in theirspending ahead of the country’s Brexit votein June, although It is still too early to seethe effects of Brexit on the UK and its busi-ness partners. Meanwhile, business invest-ment unexpectedly climbed up by a sea-sonally adjusted 0.5 percent in the secondquarter versus a forecasted decline of 0.8percent. Year-on-year, business investmentfell by 0.8percent in Q2, compared to aforecasted drop of 1.4percent as foreigninvestors are taking advantage of newinvestments after Brexit which led to aweaker Sterling pound.

Japan’s consumer prices index droppedin July for a fifth consecutive month at anannualized 0.4 percent pace, following a0.4 percent drop the previous month. Thisincreased the pressure on the central gov-ernment to follow through with PrimeMinister Shinzo Abe’s promise of morestimulus. Although the government keptits assessment of the economy unchangedin August and offered a slightly moredownbeat view on consumer inflation thanlast month, as prices slid on weak house-hold spending and a strong yen pusheddown import costs. The Bank of Japanexpanded its ETF purchase program at itsJuly 29 policy meeting, but stopped shortof reducing interest rates. The BOJ’s nextmeeting is scheduled for 21 September.Analysts widely expect the BOJ to increasethe stimulus package.

KuwaitKuwaiti dinar at 0.30155The USDKWD opened at 0.30155 yester-

day morning.

b u s i n e s sMONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

DUBAI: A new study by The BostonConsulting Group (BCG) highlights100 companies from emergingmarkets that have stood the test oftime, moved into the global spot-light, and reshaped the landscapeof their industries - and of key geo-graphic markets.

The report titled Global Leaders,Challengers, and Champions: TheEngines of Emerging Market marksthe ten-year anniversary of the firstpublication of BCG’s list of globalchallengers.

Remarkably, the 2016 editionhas the highest number of compa-nies from the Middle East ever, fiveof which include GCC firms such asEmirates Global Aluminum, EtihadAirways, Etisalat, Qatar Airways, andSABIC.

“The global challengers are theleading edge of a much largergroup of companies from emergingmarkets that, despite economicuncertainty, are powering aheadwith confidence and ambition,” saidCristiano Rizzi, Partner andManaging Director in BCG’s Dubaioffice.

From 2009-2014, the 2016 glob-al challengers from the Middle Easthave grown about 1.5 times in rev-enue size - and some companiessuch as Emirates Global Aluminumand Qatar Airways have even dra-matically doubled in size. Overall,global challengers from the regionhave witnessed their revenues risefrom approximately $80B to $133B- which constitutes nearly 6 percentof the Middle East ’s $2.2T GDP(2014). Moreover, they have man-aged to maintain higher gross mar-gins and revenue CAGRs than manyemerging markets such as LatinAmerica and Africa.

“Challengers from the MiddleEast have been particularly success-ful in delivering growth and prof-itability - and most have also man-aged to create exceptional share-holder value, especially comparedto their local and global peers,”added Mirko Rubeis, Partner andManaging Director in BCG’s Dubaioffice. “In fact, in terms of profits,between 2005 and 2014, globalchallengers from the regionachieved a growth rate approxi-mately 1.5 times greater than S&P500 companies and global peers.”

In that very time frame, MiddleEast challengers generated an earn-ings before interest and taxes (EBIT)margin of 16 percent; in parallel,S&P 500 companies and globalpeers, achieved a margin of 12 per-cent and 11 percent, respectively.

In addition, challengers from theregion have also effectively keptpace with local stock indices.

MIDDLE EAST CHALLENGERS Among the Middle East chal-

lengers identified by BCG overyears, 12 percent are graduates, 59

percent remain global challengersand 28 percent continue to be suc-cessful (they were either acquiredor have gone local). In short, noneof them declined in size.

This year, the Middle East is alsohome to two ‘graduate’ companies,Saudi Aramco and EmiratesAirlines. These international players- both of whom were featured inthe 2014 roster of ‘graduates’ - arebecoming true global leaders intheir respective fields. These gradu-ates share five key attributes thatinclude having an ambitious globalvision, global culture, and commit-ment to global standards; a global-ly scalable operating model with anoptimized footprint; globally com-petent leaders and a powerfulglobal talent acquisition and devel-opment strategy; a go-to-marketmodel with a clear globalizationmarket plan; and the ability toplace innovation and reinvention atthe core of their business.

For example, Emirates Airlineshas, since its founding, stronglyemphasized innovation and globalbranding. It has become a world-class airline by providing a superiorpassenger experience. And it hasreported a remarkable record of 26consecutive profitable years. As forSaudi Aramco, it is, today, thelargest integrated global petroleumenterprise in the world, with ven-tures all over the globe.

The challengers from the GCCalso all made it into the 2014 list.Saudi Arabian chemicals giantSABIC is the largest public companyin the Kingdom operating in chemi-cals, polymers and fertilizers - itboasts more than 100 offices world-wide. This year marks the fifth timethat SABIC achieved the status of‘global challenger’.

Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways andQatar Airways, two of the fastest-growing airlines in the Middle Eastalso made both the 2013 and 2014lists. In recent years, both airlineshave succeeded in leveraging theregion’s favorable geostrategiclocation as a transportation hub atthe crossroads of Asia-Pacific,

Europe, and Africa. Etisalat, the region’s largest

telecommunications operator, andEmirates Global Aluminum, thefifth-largest aluminum company,were included in BCG’s 2014 list of100 Global Challengers. Etisalat isone of the largest corporations inthe GCC; the company servesapproximately 11 million cus-tomers in the UAE and operates in17 countries. Looking ahead,Emirates Global Aluminum’sgrowth shows no sign of abating;the company has actually rolled outinternational expansion plans.

SPOTLIGHT ON THE AIRLINE MARKET

Over the past decade, the list ofchallengers from the GCC indi-cates that air carriers from theregion have a positively dispropor-tionate share of the airline sector,especial ly compared to otheremerging markets. The reality is, inthe last ten years, Middle East car-riers have led RDE revenue growthin the airline market.

“In the last decade, RDE carriershave increased their share fromone fifth to one third of the globalmarket - and from 2005-2014, theyhave essentially tripled their rev-enue from $80B to $240B,”explained Pablo Martinez, Partnerand Managing Director at BCGMiddle East. “This is all thanks toMiddle East carriers who havelargely benefitted from their hubs,which serve long-haul marketsthat were less affected by theglobal financial crisis,”

Today, Middle Eastern carriersmake up a staggering 67 percent -versus 60 percent in 2013 and 50percent in 2011 - of BCG’s airline-specific list of global challengers

There are three main reasonswhy Middle East carriers haveremained on a solid growth path:

l Middle East airlines have acost competitive structure: theybasically have signif icant costadvantages in major categories asa result of the absence of incometax and access to cheap labor.

l They are committed to qualityser vice and are consistentlyranked among the top 10 in vari-ous airline rankings.

l They implement power fulmarketing plans or campaigns andleverage sports sponsorship dealsto increase brand awareness,boost loyalty and promote newdestinations.

THE CHAMPIONS BEGIN THEIR RISE

As global challengers look togrow in a slower-growth world -one facing slowing economies andrising geopolitical risks - they willface increasing competition notjust from multinationals but alsofrom homegrown rivals.

BCG identified an impressive103 companies based in theMiddle East that, while not qualify-ing as global challengers, are stillsuccessful, growing, high-profitcompanies. These companies - the‘champions’ - tend to be smallerthan the challengers but still high-ly profitable and fast-growing.

From 2005-2014, these MiddleEast champions have doubled theirgrowth in revenue from $69B to$177B - which represents about 6percent of the region’s overall GDP.Interestingly, in terms of annualrevenue growth rates, these cham-pions have also outperformed S&P500 companies and global peers. Inthose nine years, they achieved anannual revenue growth rate of 11percent versus 6 percent for S&P500 companies and 4 percent forglobal peers.

Fur thermore, Middle Eastchampions have managed tomaintain exceptionally high profitmargins; between 2005-2014, theygenerated an EBIT margin of 29percent.

These champions represent thenext frontier of competition andvalue creation in emerging mar-kets. If the last decade has beenabout the global challengers com-ing of age, the next decade will seea much broader range of compa-nies arising as economic engines.

BCG includes 5 GCC companies

in list of 100 global challengers

The 2016 BCG Global Challengers report highlights 100 companies from emerging mar-kets - including Emirates Global Aluminum, Etihad Airways, Etisalat, Qatar Airways andSABIC - that are rapidly expanding and globalizing; this year’s list features the highestnumber of companies from the Middle East since the inaugural edition in 2006

Pablo Martinez, Partner andManaging Director, BCG ME

Mirko Rubeis, Partner andManaging Director, BCG ME

Cristiano Rizzi, Partner andManaging Director, BCG ME

KUWAIT: Ford Motor Company, along withits distributors in the Middle East region,has revamped the Ford Protect Programoffering customers the choice to upgradetheir existing maintenance plans toenhance vehicle performance.

The program which helps minimizefuture repair costs and ensures maximumpeace of mind for Ford customers, hasintroduced the Severe Duty Maintenanceplan exclusively to the region, offeringmore frequent servicing of the auto trans-mission fluid, coolant and plugs due toharsh climate conditions. Customers withvehicles 2013 to current model year cannow upgrade from their existing 3-year/60,000km or 3-year/ 64,000kmPremium Maintenance Plan to 5-years/100,000km, 5-years/160,000km or 5-years/200,000km plans respectively.

Serving the needs of high mileage driv-ers, two new additions have been made tothe PremiumCARE Plan. Covering parts andlabor costs needed to repair thousands ofkey components such as engine, transmis-sion, steering, brakes, front suspension,electrical and more, customers can nowchoose between a 6-years/200,000km or 7-years/ 200,000km plan.

“After-sales service support is a key fac-tor in gaining customer confidence andensuring continued trust in the Fordbrand,” said Nerishinie Ragaven, FordProtect Sales manager. “ The exclusive

offering of the Severe Duty Maintenanceplan and additions to the PremiumCAREPlan sets us apart from the competitionand demonstrates our commitment to theregion.”

Ford Motor Company is a global auto-motive and mobility company based inDearborn, Michigan. With about 203,000employees and 67 plants worldwide, the

company’s core business includes design-ing, manufacturing, marketing, financingand servicing a full line of Ford cars, trucks,SUVs and electrified vehicles, as well asLincoln luxury vehicles. At the same time,Ford aggressively is pursuing emergingopportunities through Ford SmartMobility, the company’s plan to be a leaderin connectivity, mobility, autonomousvehicles, the customer experience, anddata and analytics. The company providesfinancial services through Ford MotorCredit Company.

Revamped Ford Protect Program

allows Ford customers to

upgrade maintenance plan

KUWAIT: Kuwait Automotive Imports Co WLL (AlShaya & Al Sagar) -KAICO launched a campaign toraise the awareness of the danger of fake partsand encourage customers to buy genuine ones tokeep their vehicles’ performance at optimum lev-el and safer at all times.

A huge number of road accidents are attrib-uted to cars fitted with fake parts.

Ashish Tandon, General Manager of KAICO

stated: buying genuine parts ensures the bestperformance of your vehicle in all conditions. Itensures better re sale value and a happier owner-ship experience. Even when the car is sold itfetches a better re sale value.

Gopal, Parts Manager , KAICO stated - Weensure that we provide our customers over 95percent Parts availability at all times and providea 6 months guarantee on Parts and Workmanship

at our Service Centres. (Mazda - 6 months to10,000 Km; Peugeot: 1 year from the date ofinvoice and Geely; 12 months or 20000 km).

Genuine Parts should be used for your car toprotect not only the car, or better performancebut also the safety of your loved ones. KAICO isthe exclusive dealer of Mazda, Peugeot, Geely andEicher vehicles and it provides warranty on gen-uine parts for all its brands.

Genuine parts ensure safety

KUWAIT: Burgan Bank announced yesterday thenames of the lucky winners of its Yawmi accountdraw, each taking home a prize of KD 5,000.

The lucky winners for the daily draws tookhome a cash-prize of KD 5,000 each, and they are:

1. Jaber Haneef Jaber Haneef2. Qais Mostafa Mahyoub3. Saad Owayed Mekhlef Al-Mutairi4. Anthony Bernard Jones5. Awadh Ghayadh Obaid Al-Enezi In addition to the daily draw, Burgan Bank

also offers a quarterly draw with more chances towin higher rewards, entitling one lucky customerto win KD 125,000 every three months. TheYawmi Account offers daily and quarterly draws,the quarterly draw requires customers to main-tain a minimum amount of KD 500 in theiraccount for 2 months prior to draw date.Additionally, every KD 10 in the account, will enti-tle customers to one chance of winning. If theaccount balance is KD 500 and above, theaccount holder will be qualified for both thequarterly and daily draws.

Burgan Bank encourages everyone to open aYawmi account and/or increase their deposit tomaximize their chances to becoming a winner.The more customers deposit, the higher thechances they receive of winning.

For more information on opening a Yawmiaccount or about the new quarterly draw, cus-tomers are urged to visit their nearest BurganBank branch and receive all the details, or simplycall the bank’s Call Center at 1804080 where cus-tomer service representatives will be delighted to

assist with any questions on the Yawmi accountor any of the bank’s products and services.

Established in 1977, Burgan Bank is theyoungest commercial Bank and second largest byassets in Kuwait, with a significant focus on thecorporate and financial institutions sectors, aswell as having a growing retail, and private bankcustomer base. Burgan Bank has majority ownedsubsidiaries in the MENAT region supported byone of the largest regional branch networks.

The Bank has continuously improved its per-formance over the years through an expandedrevenue structure, diversified funding sources,and a strong capital base. The adoption of state-of-the-art services and technology has posi-tioned it as a trendsetter in the domestic marketand within the MENA region. Burgan Bank’sbrand has been created on a foundation of realvalues - of trust, commitment, excellence andprogression, to remind us of the high standardsto which we aspire. ‘People come first’ is the foun-dation on which its products and services aredeveloped.

The bank was re-certified with the prestigiousISO 9001:2008, making it the first bank in theGCC, and the only bank in Kuwait to receive suchaccreditation for the third consecutive year. TheBank also has to its credit the distinction of beingthe only Bank in Kuwait to have won the JPMorgan Chase Quality Recognition Award fortwelve consecutive years.

Burgan Bank, a subsidiary of KIPCO (KuwaitProjects Company), is a strongly positionedregional Bank in the MENA region.

Burgan Bank announces

winners of Yawmi account

KUWAIT: Commercial Bank of Kuwait held theAl-Najma Account daily draw yesterday. Thedraw was held under the supervision of theMinistry of Commerce & Industry representedby Abdulaziz Ashkanani.

The winners of the Al-Najma daily draw are:Mirza Awais Baig Mirza Idrees Baig — KD

7000, Ahmad Ghuloum Ahmad Mohammad —KD 7000, Amal Adnan Al-Baloul — KD 7000,Nelover Aziz Al-Rahman Mahmoud MansourAmeer — KD 7000, Eid Metib Al-Khurainej — KD7000.

Al-Najma awards are now brighter and big-ger than ever

With the revamped Al-Najma account, allyour dreams will be turned to reality. On top ofoffering the highest daily prize in Kuwait for KD7,000, now our Mega prize draws got bigger toreach KD 250,000.

The new prizes scheme for Al-Najma accountDaily draw to win KD 7000Quarterly draws to win great prizes that

would start from KD 100,000 to KD 250,0001st quarter — KD 100 000, 2nd quarter — KD

150 000, 3rd quarter — KD 200 000, 4th quar-

ter— KD 250 000.With Al-Najma you have more chances to

win greater prizes* Each KD 25 kept in your account gives you

one chance to win * Each KD 25 kept in your account for one

week will give you a chance to enter the dailydraw.

* Each KD 25 kept in your account for 3months will give you chance to enter the quar-terly draw.

Additional features* ATM card* Issue a credit card against your account* Obtain all CBK banking servicesYou deserve to win! Open an account now

with just KD 500 and you will enter all draws.

Al-Tijari announces winners

of Al-Najma Account

MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

T E C H NOLO G Y

EMC Corporation (NYSE:EMC) announced new prod-ucts and support that optimize the protection ofVMware workloads across the spectrum of VMwareenvironments to enable protection everywhere. Arecent survey of over 2700 business and IT profes-sionals in Europe, the Middle East and Africa under-taken for EMC by Arlington Research reported that80% of CIOs believe a scalable, flexible convergedinfrastructure will provide the platform for growth.The survey revealed an increased interest in con-verged and hyper converged infrastructure to helpCIOs address concerns about the readiness of cur-rent IT infrastructure and skills to meet long termneeds as technology becomes embedded acrossmore aspects of the business.

The integration between EMC’s data protectionportfolio and VMware software empowers vAdminsto provision, monitor and manage the protection oftheir virtual workloads through the standardVMware interface. This includes enhanced supportfor VMware Virtual SAN, VMware vSphere andexpanded data protection options for VCE(r) VxRailAppliances. EMC Data Protection and VCE VxRail

Appliances As IT organizations increasingly look tohyper-converged infrastructure appliances (HCIAs)to simplify and improve operational efficiency formore and more use cases, they need a wider rangeof additional capabilities and more cost effectivescaling to support those workloads VCE VxRailAppliance customers can now expand on its built-inprotection capabilities and leverage a wider range ofEMC data protection products to provide applicationconsistency for backups as well as comprehensivemonitoring, reporting and backup file search capa-bilities. With the EMC Data Protection Suite forVMware and EMC Data Domain Virtual Editionannouncements, EMC is making the extended pro-tection of Virtual Machines on VxRail Appliances:Simple Simplified management makes of data pro-tection for VMs fast and easy Centralized monitor-ing, analysis, reporting and search of backup datagives users one place to find out everything theyneed to know A single vendor approach offers a uni-fied point of contact for sales and support from hard-ware to software to protection and enables manage-ment through a single native interface FastBackup

times can be reduced by up to 50%? Recovery times are up to 30x faster when com-

pared to traditional image-level restores? By deploying solutions that are built to work

together, data protection for VMs on VxRailAppliances can be up-and-running in minutesEfficient Protection storage requirements can bereduced by up to 30x Up to 1,000 virtual machinescan be continually protected for zero RPO?

Software-defined protection storage offers sim-ple deployment Support for mission-critical applica-tions, including Exchange, SAP, SQL, SharePoint,Oracle, DB2, Sybase, and IBM Domino for backupand replication EMC Data Protection and VMwareVirtual SAN and VMware vSphere APIs for IO FilteringFor organizations leveraging VMware Virtual SAN,the Data Protection Suite for VMware also providesindustry-leading Disaster Recovery support forVirtual SAN through EMC RecoverPoint for VMs.Having announced at VMworld 2015 that EMC wouldbecome VMware’s first replication design partner, thisyear, EMC becomes the only VM replication vendor tosupport VMware vSphere APIs for IO Filtering, as it

brings a fully integrated virtual replication data servic-es through RecoverPoint for VMs.

Availability:EMC Data Protection Suite for VMware is available

today. EMC Data Domain Virtual Edition is availabletoday. EMC RecoverPoint for VMs supports VMwarevSphere APIs for IO filtering integration today. EMCUnity and EMC VMAX support Virtual Volumes cur-rently.

Executive Quotes:Beth Phalen, Senior Vice President and GM of

Data Protection and Availability Solutions, EMC“Businesses need data protection everywhere - andthat’s as true with virtual machines and convergedappliances as it is for traditional storage arrays. EMC’sportfolio approach to data protection, and deepintegration with VMware, means that we’re able tooffer solutions that can protect data wherever it isand empower our customers to manage their dataprotection through the native VMware managementconsoles.

EMC expands ‘data protection everywhere’

BARCELONA: Newfound enthusiasm for the lat-est technologies, such as drones and smart-phones, to improve the way aid is provided topeople in disasters may be overblown, expertswarned on Thursday.

The annual World Risk Report from theUnited Nations University (UNU) highlights thegrowing interest in new technologies toimprove emergency response - from dronesthat can survey crisis-hit areas to social medianetworks that allow survivors to communicatewith the wider world. These can provide impor-tant information to the logisticians who organ-ize aid delivery or health workers trying to trackdeadly diseases like Ebola in no-go areas, thereport said.

But Matthias? Garschagen, a risk manage-ment expert with the UNU Institute forEnvironment and Human Security (UNU-EHS),said it could not substitute for the basic infra-structure some countries have lacked fordecades. “Too many people see technology asthe main panacea for solving all the problemsyou have after disasters strike,” he told theThomson Reuters Foundation. “A lot of develop-ment experts put too much emphasis on tech-nology.”

In Africa, for example, there are just 65 kilo-meters of paved road per 100,000 inhabitants,compared to 832 km in Europe or 552 km in the

Americas. In heavy rain, dirt roads soon becomeimpassable, which hampers the delivery of aid,the report said. “No smartphones in the worldare going to significantly change this state ofaffairs,” Garschagen said in the report producedwith the University of Stuttgart and B¸ndnisEntwicklung Hilft, an alliance of German aidagencies.

After the Nepal earthquakes last year, aidagencies used drones to find out the extent ofdamage, but their uncontrolled flying was aheadache for the government, which intro-duced restrictions. And in many cases, helicop-ters were not available to bring in aid to meetthe needs identified by aerial surveillance.

Drones themselves cannot be expected tocarry out aid deliveries any time soon, becausethey cannot carry big enough loads and theiruse is subject to so many rules, said KathrinMohr, who heads Deutsche Post DHL Group’s“GoHelp” team. “Some suggest that drones couldeven carry medicine supplies to remote villages.I think this is complete nonsense,” she said in thereport. “Just realize what one of these drones cancarry: Not more than one to three kilograms.This really is an extremely limited amount.”

Humans matterGarschagen said sound infrastructure - from

transport to telecoms and power networks -

must be built with disaster risks in mind andproperly maintained. An early warning system,installed in Indonesia after the 2004 IndianOcean tsunami, malfunctioned in October 2010when a 3-metre (10 ft) wave crashed into theremote Mentawai islands, taking residents bysurprise and killing several hundred people.“Too often we think infrastructure means build-ing a nice road, a nice bridge or a tsunami earlywarning system,” Garschagen said. “But we don’tpay sufficient attention to the humans and insti-tutions that need to be trained, educated andbuilt around the technology in order to main-tain or run it properly.”

Planners and builders of infrastructure -whether companies, governments or develop-ment banks - should also consider the risks fromclimate change, such as worsening floods, headded. That is particularly so in Southeast Asiaand Africa, where much essential infrastructureis not yet in place, he said. But pressure frominvestors in growing cities like Lagos or Ho ChiMinh City can make it difficult to think longterm, raising the risk of buildings or transportbeing located in disaster-prone areas.

An index ranking the risk of disasters for 171countries, contained in the report, shows theworld’s hot-spots l ie in the Pacific Ocean,Southeast Asia, Central America and Africa’ssouthern Sahel region. —Reuters

Don’t count on technology

to save you in a disaster

Overblown expectations

TALLINN: People gather around a bonfire during the Night of Ancient Bonfires, a cen-turies-old maritime tradition also focused now on environmental awareness, onAugust 27, 2016. —AFP

TALLINN: Hundreds of bonfires dotted theBaltic Sea coast of Estonia Saturday night, acenturies-old maritime tradition to guideseafarers now celebrated with a tech-savvyenvironmental twist.

Summer revellers from as far as Finland,Sweden, Latvia and Russia also signed upto be part of the event on the interactiveAncient Bonfires website set up byMairold Vaik.

The popular Estonian blogger told AFPthat while the site registered hundreds ofhits this year, he aims to close a ring of bon-fires around the Baltic Sea by 2018, all in abid to draw attention to its serious environ-mental challenges.

According to the World Wildlife Fund,

the Baltic is one of the most threatenedmarine ecosystems on the planet. Scientistssay that the shallow and closed body ofwater is particularly vulnerable to overfish-ing and agricultural fertilisers.

Once washed into the sea, nitrate andphosphate-rich farm run-off triggers oxy-gen-depleted zones where no marine lifecan exist. Encircled by nine countries,including Estonia, Denmark, Finland,Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russiaand Sweden, the Baltic has an estimated 16million people living along its shores.

“We hope that people in other Baltic Seastates like Denmark, Germany, Lithuaniaand Poland will join us in the coming years,”Vaik told AFP. —AFP

Bonfires light up Baltic

coast, with tech-savvy twist

By Stephen Fernandes, Executive VicePresident - TransSys Solutions

Rapid onslaught of digital technologies andgrowth in digital communities haveprompted IT managers to look beyond tra-

ditional ERP frameworks to what is next.Business and enterprise applications have

relied on databases to store information andprocess it for results and inferences. But thearchitecture of databases used over the lastdecade have been used with certain limitations.Most databases have been built to use with spe-cific applications and for specific purposes. Inother words, applications and databases areconfigured to match each other to generate spe-cific results for end users. Change the require-ment and the database needs to be configuredto match the purpose. In the present era of digi-tal transformation and business agility, thebiggest hurdles remain managing the complexdatabases and the enormous growth in duplica-tion of data.

However, till recently businesses had nooption but to wade through large, sprawling,complex and limited database structures, lockedto legacy applications that generated predeter-mined reports and dashboards. Changing therequirements of the management dashboardhas meant recreating the database, a long anddemanding process.

While the basic core ERP engine still remains,the driver of enterprise transaction processingcannot be ignored. The associated ecosystem oftools and interfaces to engage and access thisengine, are in the process of being transformed.Creating and replicating databases to meet newrequirements, the significant lead times associat-ed with the process, the limited benefits andgains at the end of it, has led to the emergenceof next generation ERP.

While duplication and complexity of databas-es structures are offshoots of traditional inwardfacing IT investments, the challenges of data del-uge are coming from another source. Sensorgenerated data, data from social media applica-tions, consumer data generated from mobileand other connected devices, are generatingexponential volumes of data, that are in anunstructured format. For any business, the exter-nal unstructured data needs to be linked tointernal structured databases to be brought intocontext and generate business friendly conclu-sions. Many of the open source datawarehousesare limited in their ability to integrate with inter-nal, structured application databases.

The limitations of ERP applications to meet

the increasing demands of business to competein real time, the increasingly long lead times tomake modifications, the inability to managenew sources of data generation, have pushedbusiness managers to independently test thewaters of cloud based applications available onmultitude of connected devices. And questionthe longer term viability of expensive and cum-bersome ERP systems.

IT managers are now faced with answeringtwo fundamental questions. How can they lever-age previous investments in ERP systems whilemeeting the requirements of business managersfaced with the onslaught of digital transforma-tion? How can they rapidly integrate existingERP systems with newer, more open, agile digitalapplications? The primary objective of such ini-tiatives being to transform and rebuild the busi-ness into one adapted for change and to per-form as a high velocity enterprise.

The transformation process leading to build-ing next generation ERP systems and architec-ture typically involves the following:.Leveraging the core ERP and extending itto meet new data requirements.Incorporating new technology enhance-ments such as open APIs, hybrid cloud deploy-ment, in-memory computing, real time analytics,IoT interfaces.Bringing in new models of user engage-ment such as managed services, consortiumbuilding, risk-sharing.Interconnectivity and integration with mul-tiple and growing data sources and data streamsthrough open interfaces, aggregating resultsand intelligence.Migrating to a new architecture that isopen to integration, agile in delivery, and is in amode of continuous innovation and improve-ment.Revamping user experience and navigationhelping them get visibility into data and action-able intelligence leading to smart decision mak-ing .Realigning with business processes whileadding additional granular information, realtime analytics, in-contextual support, aidingimproved decision making, agility, velocity

The most significant aspect of Modern ERPsolutions is simplification at every level. Thisincludes system architecture, program structure,data model, user interface, intuitiveness, dataresults, data dashboards, data interpretations,amongst others.

Other characteristics of Modern ERP applica-tions include inbuilt-modularity of solutions,hybrid approach of deployment, extensive inter-

operability through open APIs, backward andforward platform compatibility, intrinsic opensource approach, and flexible architecture forfuture product expansion.

Another question that arises for end users ishow to migrate into next-generation ERP solu-tions. A ray of sunlight here - vendors are offer-ing all possible migration paths. End users canopt for on premise or hybrid migration options.If it is on premise they can opt for greenfield, all-new environment migration. Or they can opt forupgrading selected hardware, and a phased-wise approach for improvement. For a hybrid ITmigration, the optimal mix of private and publiccloud deployments are selected.

It has been decades since the first databaseswere used by enterprises, the IT industry maynow be on a fresh and revamped path of win-win relationships with their eco-system of endcustomers.

Generation of modern ERP begins

Stephen Fernandes - Executive Vice President- TransSys Solutions

LAS VEGAS: A pair of DJI Phantom 4 drones are flown during an AviSight DroneAcademy training class at the South Point Hotel & Casino on August 25, 2016. —AFP

BRUSSELS: Websites such as Google’sYouTube, DailyMotion and Pinterest couldbe required by the European Union to seeklicenses or revenue-sharing deals withartists for content that is uploaded by theirusers. The music industry has long com-plained that services such as YouTube donot pay artists enough for their music andhas urged regulators to close what it callsthe “value gap”. They say that Alphabet Inc’sGoogle makes vast sums from ad-support-ed services such as YouTube, but only asmall share of the money goes to the musicindustry.

The European Commission, the EU exec-utive, is looking at imposing an obligationon platforms hosting user-uploaded con-tent-such as YouTube, Vimeo andDailyMotion-to seek agreements withrights holders “reflecting the economic val-ue of the use made of the protected con-tent”, according to a draft paper, seen byReuters, listing the preferred options forthe EU’s copyright reform.

The agreement could take the form ofa copyright license or a monetizationagreement such as sharing of revenue, anoption that is already widely used. TheCommission also wants online sharingplatforms to put in place “appropriate andproportionate measures, such as contentidentification technologies, to ensure thefunctioning” of the agreements withrights holders.

The proposal is still being discussed and

the final version is expected in lateSeptember. Google says that YouTubealone has generated more than $2 billionfor rights holders by striking licensingagreements with music labels and publish-ing societies around the world. YouTubeuses Content ID, which automatically iden-tifies an artist’s content, to give rights hold-ers the choice of whether to leave it up,block it or monetize it through a revenue-sharing deal.

Google says that more than 98 percentof all YouTube copyright removal claimsuse Content ID and the music industrychooses to monetize 95 percent of itsContent ID claims. But rights holders saythey do not have enough bargaining pow-er and are presented with a “take it or leaveit” deal since the online platforms have noobligation to negotiate with them.

The draft paper said its proposals arelikely to increase revenues for rights hold-ers but did not estimate by how much.Google declined to comment. The musicindustry says that Content ID does notwork well enough and subscription-basedservices such as Spotify generate more rev-enue for the industry despite a smaller userbase. The Commission also wants to givenews publishers a new exclusive right cov-ering the online use of their content to givethem more bargaining power vis-‡-vissearch engines such as Google whendemanding payment for showing snippetsof their articles. — Reuters

EU may require YouTube, DailyMotion

to seek deals with music industry

JERUSALEM: Israeli technologycompany Shellanoo is planning toraise at least 100 million shekels($26.5 million) in an initial publicoffering (IPO) on the Tel Aviv StockExchange in late September orOctober, it said yesterday.

Shellanoo, founded in 2014and whose backers includeRussian bi l l ionaire Roman

Abramovich and popstars will.i.amand Nick i Minaj, focuses onmobile applications, online servic-es and interactive artificial intelli-gence.

The company said it has beenvalued at $177 million by consult-ing firm BDO. By staying local,Shellanoo is bucking a trend ofIsrael i technology companies

choosing to list on foreign mar-kets such as Nasdaq.

Company spokesman DavidStrauss said that Shellanoo hopesits plans wil l encourage moretechnology businesses to stay inTel Aviv. Among Shellanoo’sinvestments, i ts website l istsabout two dozen mobile apps anddigital platforms, some available

and some in development.One of those programmes is

anonymous messaging appBlindspot, which has come underf i re f rom some parents andpoliticians who say it is beingused as a weapon for cyber-bul-lying. The IPO is being underwrit-ten by Israeli investment bankPoalim IBI. —Reuters

Israeli tech group Shellanoo plans Tel Aviv IPO

H E A LT H & S C I E N C E

MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

DAR ES SALAAM: One of the biggest tests of JustineMichael’s job as a community health worker is not thedistances he must travel along remote dirt roads to visitpatients in Tanzania’s Mkuranga district, but rather thesuspicion he often encounters.

Many villagers are wary when they are approachedby a stranger dressed in trousers and a shirt, rather thanthe crisp white coats favoured by doctors all over theworld, he said. “Some people don’t trust the services weprovide. When I visit a family, the people are sometimesvery hostile or say, ‘what do these hospital sweepers(cleaners) want?’,” Michael said. “We want them tochange this mindset and know we are trained to do thiswork,” he added.

Michael is one of more than 5,000 communityhealth workers the Tanzanian government hasdeployed to provide essential life-saving services inrural areas where 70 percent of the country’s popula-tion of 49 million live.

The initiative was introduced a year ago to addressgaps in healthcare in the East African country wherethere are only 0.1 doctors and 2.4 nurses and midwivesfor every 10,000 people, according to 2014 data fromthe World Health Organization.

In Tanzania, healthcare is considered a luxury espe-

cially in remote, rural parts where, according to theWorld Bank, only 9 percent of the nation’s doctors arebased. “Our plan is to have at least two communityhealth workers in each village,” said Otilia Gowelle,director of human resources and development at theministry of health, referring to the government’s five-year plan.

CourageIn Bagamoyo district housing one of the most

important trading ports along the East African coastduring the slave trade, community health workers makeregular visits to Fatma Abdul as she progresses throughher third pregnancy.

Using simple messages with pictures, they stress theimportance of breastfeeding for the first six months andoffer advice on how to keep babies warm or identifysigns of illness. But the health workers have done morethan provide antenatal care, they have also broughthope to the HIV-positive mother of two.

“I got a lot of courage when they told me being HIV-positive is not a death sentence,” Abdul said, sitting out-side her mother ’s thatch-roofed house not farBagamoyo town where houses with doors of intricatelycarved wood line the dusty streets.

Shame over her status stopped Abdul from attend-ing appointments at the local hospital, but she soonstarted receiving home visits from community healthworkers instead. “They taught me how to stay healthyand protect my baby from being infected with HIV,” saidthe heavily pregnant 35-year-old. “When I give birth Imight feed my baby with infant formula to avoid pass-ing the infection,” she added.

Maternal mortalityEireen Darlington says the community health work-

ers she trains at a nursing and midwifery school inTanzania’s commercial capital Dar es Salaam, are taughtto promote nutrition, basic hygiene, family planningand immunization.

They are also trained to tackle domestic violence andalcohol abuse, provide counseling and care for HIV/AIDSpatients and give special attention to expectant moth-ers. “They detect and handle risky pregnancies as well asassisting women during labor and child birth,”Darlington said.

According to the World Health Organization, only 47percent of births in Tanzania are attended by a skilledhealth worker of any kind - a reality that contributes tohigh maternal mortality rates. “While Tanzania has

reduced child mortality, mothers and new born are stillat high risk of untimely death,” said Keith Hansen, WorldBank Vice President for Human Development, at thelaunch of a report on service delivery data in Tanzania inMay. Tanzania’s maternal mortality rate was 432 deathsper 100,000 live births in 2014, an improvement on 790deaths per 100,000 live births in 2008. But the rate stillfalls short of northern neighbors Kenya, which had amaternal mortality rate of 495 deaths per 100,000 livebirths and Uganda, which had 438 deaths per 100,000live births in 2014, World Bank data showed.

Although the use of community health workers iswidely seen as an effective way of addressing Tanzania’sshortage of health professionals, critics of the schemesay health workers do not always provide quality servic-es. “For community health workers to be able make aneffective contribution, they must be carefully selected,adequately trained and continuously supported,” saidAnastacia Kileo, a public health expert at KCMC medicaltraining centre.

She also worries that the government does not havethe budget to pay a larger health workforce. “If we can-not even pay our doctors decently, where will the mon-ey to pay this army of community health workers comefrom?” she said. — Reuters

Tanzania’s army of community health workers face mistrust

WASHINGTON: With the hourglass running outfor his administration, President Barack Obama’shealth care law is struggling in many parts of thecountry. Double-digit premium increases andexits by big-name insurers have caused some towonder whether “Obamacare” will go down as afailed experiment.

If Democrat Hillary Clinton wins the WhiteHouse, expect her to mount a rescue effort. Buthow much Clinton could do depends on findingwilling partners in Congress and amongRepublican governors, a real political challenge.

“There are turbulent waters,” said KathleenSebelius, Obama’s first secretary of Health andHuman Services. “But do I see this as a deathknell? No.”

Next year’s health insurance sign-up seasonstarts a week before the Nov. 8 election, andthe previews have been brutal. Premiums areexpected to go up sharply in many insurancemarketplaces, which offer subsidized privatecoverage to people lacking access to job-based plans.

At the same time, retrenchment by insurersthat have lost hundreds of millions of dollarsmeans that more areas will become one-insurermarkets, losing the benefits of competition. Theconsulting firm Avalere Health projects that sev-en states will only have one insurer in each oftheir marketplace regions next year.

Administration officials say insurers setprices too low in a bid to gain market share,and the correction is leading to sticker shock.Insurers blame the problems on sicker-than-expected customers, disappointing enrollmentand a premium stabilization system that failedto work as advertised. They also say some peo-

ple are gaming the system, taking advantage ofguaranteed coverage to get medical care onlywhen they are sick.

Not all state markets are in trouble. What ismore important, most of the 11 million peoplecovered through HealthCare.gov and its state-run counterparts will be cushioned from premi-um increases by government subsidies that risewith the cost.

But many customers may have to switch toless comprehensive plans to keep their monthlypremiums down. And millions of people whobuy individual policies outside the governmentmarketplaces get no financial help. They willhave to pay the full increases or go without cov-erage and risk fines. (People with employer cov-erage and Medicare are largely unaffected.)

Tennessee’s insurance commissioner saidrecently that the individual health insurancemarket in her state is “very near collapse.”Premiums for the biggest insurer are expectedto increase by an average of 62 percent. Twocompetitors will post average increases of 46percent and 44 percent.

But because the spigot of federal subsidiesremains wide open, an implosion of healthinsurance markets around the country seemsunlikely. More than 8 out of 10 HealthCare.govcustomers get subsidies covering about 70 per-cent of their total premiums. Instead, the dam-age is likely to be gradual. Rising premiumsdeter healthy people from signing up, leaving aninsurance pool that’s more expensive to covereach succeeding year.

“My real concern is 2018,” said CarolinePearson, a senior vice president with Avalere. “Ifthere is no improvement in enrollment, we

could see big sections of the country withoutany plans participating.”

If Republican Donald Trump wins the WhiteHouse, he’d start dismantling the AffordableCare Act. But Clinton would come with a long listof proposed fixes, from rearranging benefits tointroducing a government-sponsored “publicoption” as an alternative to private insurers. Notall her ideas would require congressional action.

“She is going to find it important to continueto expand health care,” said Joel Ario, a formerObama administration official who’s now withthe consulting firm Mannatt Health.

People in the Clinton camp say she recog-nizes that as president she’d have to getObama’s law working better, and is taking noth-ing off the table.

A look at some major ideas and theirprospects:

Public optionClinton’s primary rival, Vermont Sen. Bernie

Sanders, advocated “Medicare for all” and thatpushed Clinton to a fuller embrace of govern-ment-run insurance. But Democrats could notget a public option through Congress evenwhen they had undisputed control. Whicheverparty wins the Senate in November, the balanceis expected to be close and Republicans arefavored to retain control of the House.

While a new national insurance programseems a long shot, Obama’s law allows states toexperiment. “I think the public option is morelikely to be tested at a state level,” Sebelius said.

Sweetening subsidiesClinton has proposed more generous subsi-

dies and tax credits for health care, which mightalso entice more people to sign up. But she’dhave a tough time selling Republicans. It may bedoable in the bargaining around budget and taxbills, but Democrats would be pressed to give upsome of the health law’s requirements, includinga premiums formula that tends to favor olderpeople over young adults.

Incremental changesWhether it’s fixing a “family glitch” that can

prevent dependents from getting subsidizedcoverage, requiring insurers to cover more rou-tine services outside the annual deductible, orreworking the premium stabilization programfor insurers, incremental changes seem to offer apresident Clinton her easiest path.

Medicaid expansionExpect a Clinton White House to tirelessly

court the 19 states that have yet to expandMedicaid for low-income people. She’d askCongress to provide the same three full years offederal financing that early-adopting states gotunder the health law. GOP governors woulddemand more flexibility with program rules.

“I’m just hoping that reality begins to sinkin when she is inaugurated,” Sebelius said. “Ifthe law is not going to go away, then let’smake it work.” — AP

Can Clinton save health overhaul from its mounting problems?

Hourglass running out for Obamacare

WILLIAMSON, WEST VIRGINA: In this May 2, 2016 file photo, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton listens to Dr. Christopher Beckett,CEO of Williamson Health and Wellness Center during a tour an exam room of the facility. — AP

LOME,TOGO: Togolese authorities saidon Saturday they had slaughtered11,500 chickens in response to an out-break of H5N1 bird flu at two farms inthe capital Lome and the town ofAdetikope, about 25 km north of Lome.“We are in the presence of the H5N1virus,” Agriculture Minister Ouro-KouraAgadazi said on public radio, after thestrain was confirmed by laboratorytests in Italy.

Highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu hasspread across a number of West Africancountries in the past two years, hittingpoultry farms in Niger and Cameroon.The outbreaks across West Africa haveraised fears of transmission to humans,given poor health infrastructure in theregion and a number of human H5N1deaths since the virus first infectedhumans in 1997 during a outbreak inpoultry in Hong Kong. — Reuters

Togo slaughters 11,500 chickens after H5N1 bird flu outbreak

BERLIN, VERMONT: In this Jan. 8, 2013 file photograph, Gov. Peter Shumlin,fourth from right, joins other officials in a ground breaking ceremony for a newhospital. — AP

MONTPELIER, VERMONT: Five years afterflooding from Tropical Storm Irene forcedthe closing of the Vermont State Hospital inWaterbury, much of the system has beenrebuilt, but challenges remain.

Most of the 54 beds available to themost severely mentally ill that were lost inthe closing of the state hospital have beenreplaced. The 25-bed Vermont PsychiatricCare Hospital in Berlin is now in operation,

there are 14 beds at the Brattleboro Retreatand six at the Rutland Regional MedicalCenter.

But others say patients are waiting toolong in hospital emergency departments toget the treatment they need. Some arguemore beds are needed. Vermont MentalHealth officials say there are enough acutebeds, but not enough beds for people whoare ready to leave top level treatment. — AP

After Irene forces reckoning, mental health care rebuilt

MANAGUA: Nicaragua has confirmed itsfirst case of a baby born with micro-cephaly linked to the Zika virus, authori-ties said on Friday. “The girl was born veryunderweight, at less than four pounds(1.81 kg) and with confirmed micro-cephaly,” said Rosario Murillo, governmentspokeswoman and the country’s first lady.

The mosquito-borne Zika virus wasfirst detected in Brazil last year and hassince spread across the Americas. Thevirus poses a risk to pregnant womenbecause it can cause severe birth defectssuch as microcephaly. It has been linkedto more than 1,800 cases of microcephalyin Brazil. — Reuters

Nicaragua confirms firstmicrocephaly birth linked

to the Zika virus

BERLIN: The head of an alternative cancertreatment centre in Germany is under investi-gation after three patients died there in sus-picious circumstances, German prosecutorssaid on Friday.

The non-medical practitioner, identified asKlaus R., is suspected of manslaughter inthree cases and negligent injury in the caseof two more patients who remain in seriouscondition, said Axel Stahl, senior prosecutorin the Krefeld prosecutor’s office.

Investigators are looking into allegationsthat the suspect treated patients with 3BP,an experimental drug that has not beenclinically tested or approved for use as acancer treatment. It is, however, used inalternative medicine, and the suspect wasauthorized to administer the drug on thatbasis. He has denied any wrongdoing.

“These are people who received treatmentshortly before July 19 ... and immediatelyfollowing this treatment had a dramaticdecline in health”, Stahl said.

The investigation will mainly focus onwhether a causal link existed between thedeaths of the patients and their treatment,Stahl said. I t wi l l probably be severalweeks unt i l prosecutors had the f i rstresults, he said.

Investigators would look into whether thechemical composition of the drug was incor-rect and whether the dosage could havebeen wrong, he said.

The alternative treatment centre, locatedin the West German city of Brueggen nearthe Dutch border, was an outpatient practice.“The patients came mostly from Belgium andthe Netherlands,” Stahl said. — Reuters

German practitioner suspected of killing patients

with experimental drug

CAMPINAS, BRAZIL: Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are seen inside Oxitec labora-tory. — AP

KINSHASA, CONGO: A vaccination campaignagainst yellow fever in Congo’s capital is almostcomplete, but the gains may be reversed by thelooming rainy season and the spread of the dis-ease to areas where people have not yet been vac-cinated, the World Health Organization (WHO) saidon Friday.

Health officials began a campaign to vaccinate7.5 million people in Kinshasa last week to combatthe worst outbreak in decades of the hemorrhagicvirus. More than 400 people have died in Congoand neighboring Angola since December.

In all, health authorities aim to vaccinate 14 mil-lion people in the two countries by the end ofAugust to halt the spread of the disease before therainy season next month.

As of Thursday, 6,925,276 people, or 91.3 percentof the target population, in Kinshasa were vaccinat-ed in the latest campaign, WHO said in a weeklyreport. About 2 million people were vaccinated inKinshasa during campaigns in May and July.

The campaign wrapped up on Friday, but healthworkers will continue over the coming days to seekout individuals they missed, said WHO’s Congospokesman, Eugene Kabambi. “We had to resolvethis before the rains ... It’s a big success,” Kabambisaid, adding that additional preventive measuresneed to be taken to definitively stop transmission.

WHO’s report warned that the outbreak risksspreading to areas not previously touched by yel-low fever. So far, eight of the country’s 26 provinceshave reported suspected cases. — Reuters

H E A LT H & S C I E N C EMONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

SINGAPORE: Singapore authorities have confirmed41 cases of locally-transmitted Zika virus, which inBrazil has been linked to a rare birth defect, and saidmore cases were expected to be identified.

Those infected include 36 foreign constructionworkers employed at a site near Aljunied in thesoutheast of the island, the health ministry and theNational Environment Agency (NEA) said in a jointstatement on Sunday.

On Saturday, authorit ies had confirmedSingapore’s first case of a local transmission of thevirus, to a 47-year-old Malaysian woman, alsofrom the Aljunied area. “MOH (the ministry ofhealth) cannot rule out further community trans-mission in Singapore since some of those testedpositive also l ive or work in other par ts ofSingapore,” the statement said. “We expect toidentify more positive cases.”

The authorities said they have tested 124 people,primarily construction workers. Seventy-eight testednegative and five cases were pending. Thirty-fourpatients have fully recovered. It was not immediate-ly clear where the foreign workers were from, butSingapore hosts a large contingent of workers fromthe Asian sub-continent.

“All the cases are residents or workers in theAljunied Crescent/Sims Drive area. They are notknown to have travelled to Zika-affected areasrecently, and are thus likely to have been infected inSingapore. This confirms that local transmission ofZika virus infection has taken place,” the statement

said. Dozens of NEA staff cleaned drains and sprayedinsecticide in the mainly residential area early onSunday, and volunteers and contractors handed outleaflets and insect repellent. The NEA workers hadaccessed more than 1,800 premises of a total of6,000 in the area to check for mosquito breeding.

Local residents welcomed the clean-up. “I’m veryscared of mosquitoes because they always seem tobite me, they never bite my husband,” Janice, 31,who gave only her first name, told Reuters. “Thisconcerns me because maybe in a couple of years Iwant to have another (child).”

Zika was detected in Brazil last year and has sincespread across the Americas. The virus poses a risk topregnant women because it can cause severe birthdefects. It has been linked to more than 1,600 casesof microcephaly in Brazil.

Regional riskThe Singapore government said there were

“ongoing local transmission” cases in Indonesia,Thailand and Vietnam. Other countries in the regionto have detected the Zika virus since 2013 includeBangladesh, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives andthe Philippines, according to the World HealthOrganisation (WHO).

Malaysia said on yesterday that it stepped up sur-veillance at main transit points with Singapore.

Health director-general Noor Hisham Abdullahsaid leaflets on Zika prevention were being handedout and paramedics were at entry points to handle

visitors with potential symptoms. As of this month,Malaysia said it has screened more than 2 millionvisitors at air, sea and land entrances, and found noZika infections.

In Thailand, where close to 100 cases of Zikahave been recorded across 10 provinces this year,the Department of Disease Control (DDC) wasscreening all athletes returning from the OlympicGames in Brazil, but was not otherwise changingits prevention measures. “Every country in thisregion has Zika transmission cases,” said PrasertThongcharoen, an adviser to the DDC. “Thailandhas, however, managed to contain the problemthrough early detection.”

Indonesian foreign ministry spokesmanArmanatha Nasir said the country was “followingdevelopments”. Oskar Pribadi, a health ministry offi-cial, said there have been no recent Zika cases.

Vietnam has to date reported three cases oflocally-transmitted Zika infection. The current strainof Zika that is sweeping through Latin America andthe Caribbean originated in Asia, where peoplecould have built up greater immunity.

UShealth officials have concluded that Zikainfections in pregnant women can cause micro-cephaly, a birth defect marked by small head sizethat can lead to severe developmental problems.The WHO has said there is strong scientific consen-sus that Zika can also cause Guillain-Barre, a rareneurological syndrome that causes temporaryparalysis in adults. — Reuters

Yellow fever vaccination drivein Congo’s capital hits target

SINGAPORE: A contractor fogs a condominium garden in Singapore in an effort to kill mosquitoes, September 5, 2013. — AFP

Singapore confirms 41 cases oflocally-transmitted Zika virus

More cases were expected to be identified

VIENTIANE: “Look at me, stay with us,” theparamedics shout as a barely consciousmotorcyclist is bundled into a volunteerambulance in the Laotian capital Vientiane,where rampant drink driving brings nightlycarnage to the roads.

It is a grim scene familiar the world over.But in Laos, an impoverished and authoritari-an communist country with almost no state-funded medical services, these kind of vitallifesavers are volunteers and entirely fundedby donations.

And they have never been more in demand.By the time the crew arrive at a nearby hospital,the Japanese donated ambulance-a right handdrive vehicle in a left hand drive nation-haspicked up two more injured on the way. Freshcalls for help are coming in all the time.Founded in 2010 by a group of foreigners,“Vientiane Rescue” is a much needed lifeline forthose in need of urgent medical care.

“Before we launched this service, after anaccident the wounded were simply left on theroadside or taken away in tuk-tuks. That’s obvi-ously disastrous for those with fractures or trau-ma,” explained SÈbastien Perret, a Frenchnational and former firefighter who helpedfound the group. Poorly maintained roads,dilapidated vehicles, an increase in motorcycleuse and the widespread prevalence of drinkdriving makes Vientiane one of Asia’s most pre-carious capitals for road deaths.

Years of rapid growth The government keeps few statistics, but

Perret’s group says demand for their serviceshas jumped 30 percent in the last year alone.“We undertake around 20 to 30 call outs a day.And in 90 percent of cases it is road accidents,”he said. There was a time when Vientiane wasfamed for its lack of cars. Backpackers passing

through the city in the 1990s would marvel atthe wide, French-built boulevards devoid ofheavy traffic, bicycles and tuk-tuks the mainform of transport.

But years of rapid growth has seen the samestreets filled with vehicles in recent years, manyof them brand new SUVs and luxury cars drivenby the country’s communist party elite.

That wealth-and the volunteer ambulancesscooping victims up from the road-are both astark illustration of how public services in com-munist Laos are largely nascent or non-existentdespite being one of Asia’s fastest growingeconomies over the last decade. In the 1990sthe country’s rulers abandoned free healthcarealtogether, meaning ordinary citizens mustfend for themselves when they get ill.

Minimal health spend Since 2000, Laos’ GDP has increased 12

times, reaching $12.3 billion in 2015. But thecountry currently has one of the world’s lowestspends on healthcare. In recent years it hasaveraged just 0.5 percent of GDP according tothe World Bank. In contrast, similarly impover-ished Cambodia spends 1.3 percent while fel-low communist nations Vietnam and Cubaspend 3.8 percent and 10.6 percent of GDPrespectively.

The Health Ministry in Laos, a countrywhere all foreign journalists must be accompa-nied by a government minder, declined an AFPinterview but did issue a brief statement viaemail. In it they admitted there was a shortageof good healthcare. “The main problems forhospitals in Laos is the lack of qualified staff,equipment, coaching and financial resources,”the statement said. But the ministry did not saywhether there were any plans to increasehealthcare spending or to tackle the issues inthe coming years. — AFP

VIENTIANE, LAOS: This picture taken on May 30, 2016 shows Vientiane Rescue vol-unteers taking a person involved in a road accident to a hospital. — AFP

Volunteers give kiss of lifeas Laos road tolls mount

GOMBE, CONGO: Congolese people queue to receive vaccination against yellow fever in Gombe dis-trict, of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s capital Kinshasa on August 17, 2016. — AFP

W H AT ’ S ONMONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

Kuwait Triskelion Alumni Organization Sport fest and Raffle for a cause. Sebamed sponsored the event along with other companies.

Koyilandy Koottam Facebook GlobalCommunity - Kuwait Chapter SecondYear Annual Celeberation “Koyilandy Fest

2016” Coupon has been launched by Mr.AfsalKhan, Malabar Gold Country Head by handedover to Mr. Hamza Payyannur, Metro MedicalGroup Vice Chairman. Koyilandy Fest 2016scheduled to be held on 28th October, 2016 at

Community Hall, Abbasiya. The “Koyilandy Fest2016” is chartered with variety of programsincluding Food Festival and Musical Nightleading by Saleem Kodathur ( Mappila SongFame) with famous artists hails from Kuwait.

First Coupon been received by GafoorKappad, Rajab Cargo Chief from Mr. Vibin,Malabar Gold Marketing Head.

The function was presided over byPresident Illyas Bahassan. Sainudheen,K.Aboobacker, Manoj Kumar Kappad, PVNajeeb Kollam, Nikhil Pavoor delivered thefelicitation speeches.

Gen. Secretary Shahul Beypore welcomedthe members and Musthafa Mythri casted voteof Thanks.

Koyilandy Koottam Kuwait chapter

Announced ‘Koyilandy Fest 2016’

On August 15, 1975, theNational Mourning Day,Father of the Bengali nation

and the founding premier of thePeoples Republic of BangladeshBangabandhu Sheikh MujiburRahaman along with most of his fam-ily members was brutally murderedon this darkest episode in 1975.

Commemorating the NationalMourning Day Awami VolunteerLeague Kuwait City Committee hasmet on a discussion meeting andprayer mahfil at Kuwait City on 15August 2016. Jakir Hossain GeneralSecretary of Awami Volunteer LeagueKuwait City Committee presentedthe program and MohammedShahadat Hossain the president ofAwami Volunteer League Kuwait CityCommittee presided the program.

Mohammed Masud KarimPresident of Awami VolunteerLeague Kuwait Central Committeewas the chief guest in the event.Among the special guests BelalUddin General Secretary of Awami

Volunteer League Central CommitteeKuwait, Vice-President MohammedYousuf, Abu Taher, Abdul Mabud,Mohammed shamim, OrganizingSecretary Anisul Hoque Sumon,Rashedul Islam, Ashraful Azam,Sports Secretary Md.Sumon.Education Secretary HiruKhan. Mohammed Mithu. AbdudusSalam. The program commencedwith the recitation of verses from theholy Quran, recited by MonirHossain.

The one minute silence wasobserved in honor of the martyrs of 15August 1975. Awami Volunteer LeagueKuwait City Committee PresidentShahadat Hossain, Chief guest MasudKarim, All of Special guests Deliveredspeeches highlighting the gloriousachievements of the Father of theNation Bangabandhu Shaikh MujiburRahaman. Special prayer was offeredseeking divine grace for the departedsoul of Bangabandhu Shaikh MujiburRahaman and all the martyrs of August15, 1975.

Awami Volunteer league Kuwait City committee

Observes National Mourning Day

After the grand success of our firstever IIK Diwali Mela, IIK is onceagain proud to announce for the

5th time - IIK DIWALI MELA 2016. As partof our continuous endeavour to bringthe Indian Community together to cele-brate the most popular Indian Festival,IIK is organizing the Diwali Mela onFriday, 21st October 2016 at Al ZumeridaHall, Al Bida’a, Opp Salwa, Kuwait from10 AM to 8 PM.

The whole day program comprises ofall round entertainment for the entirefamily and all age groups. Visitors canenjoy the various Indian Association cul-tural programs, Kids fashion show, fancydress, Dandiya Ras, Lantern competition,Mithai Contest, Rangoli Competition, foodat different Indian Stalls as well as shop-ping of Indian Goods like clothes, handi-crafts, novelties, gifts and others. TheCarnival atmosphere is a source of amuse-ment for one and all.

The Mela focussed to bring all IndianAssociations together in a common plat-form, helps them to showcase their richculture through various programs andstalls. Previous years Diwali Mela wasenjoyed by people from all walks of life inthe Carnival atmosphere with plenty ofFood, Entertainment, Diwali Gifts shoppingand games.

Various Indian Associations can be partof this Mega Carnival by having Stalls forselling food, clothes, gifts stalls, ethnicIndian products, services, promotional,fun, recreational or any other purposes.Association members can also participatein the cultural programs, Fancy Dress,Rangoli Competition, Kids Fashion Showwhich will showcase traditional culture.This is an invaluable opportunity to extendyour wishes to the Indian community andbe part of this mega program. Come andenjoy a fun filled day-long event with lotsof festivity and games.

IIK Diwali Mela 2016

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Please send them tonews@kuwaittimes.net

What’s On - Submission Guidelines

W H AT ’ S ONMONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

In pursuance of the announcement made on March14, 2015 by Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, ShriNarendra Modi, the Embassy of India is pleased to

inform that the e-Tourist Visa (eTV) scheme is extend-ed to nationals of 45 countries with effect fromTuesday, April 15, 2015. e-Tourist Visa Facility is avail-able for holders of passport of following countries:Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Cook Islands, Djibouti, Fiji,Finland, Germany, Guyana, Indonesia, Israel, Japan,Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Laos, Luxembourg, MarshallIslands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Myanmar,Nauru, New Zealand, Niue Island, Norway, Oman,Palau, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Philippines,Republic of Korea, Russia, Samoa, Singapore, SolomonIslands,Sri Lanka,Thailand, Tonga, Tuvalu, UAE,Ukraine, USA, Vanuatu & Vietnam. Kuwaiti nationalsare not included in eTV facility.2. The new scheme will be in addition to the existing

visa services. Foreign nationals of above 45 coun-tries holding Diplomatic / Official passports can-not avail of the eTV scheme. InternationalTravellers having Pakistani passports or ofPakistani origin are not eligible for this facility.

3. The eTV can be utilized by all foreign Nationalsholding ordinary passports whose sole objectiveof visiting India is recreation, sightseeing, casualvisit to meet friends or relatives, short duration

medical treatment or casual business visit. Theapplicant should not have a residence or occupa-tion in India. The applicant should hold a passportwith at least six months validity from the date ofarrival in India.

4. It may be noted that visa will not be issued onarrival without ETA. Applicants have to apply andobtain ETA online prior to undertaking travel toIndia. This process will take a minimum of 4 work-ing days.

5. The eTV will be for single-entry and valid foronly 30 days stay from the date of arrival inIndia. The eTV will be non-extendable, non-con-vertible and not valid for visiting Protected/Restricted and Cantonment Areas. Entry intoIndia must be through any of the following 9designated airports only - Bengaluru, Chennai,Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbaiand Thiruvananthapuram. However, exit can bethrough any authorized Immigration Check Post(ICP) in India. Entry into India must be undertak-en within 30 days from the date of approval ofETA. The eTV facility cannot be availed of morethan twice in a calendar year.

6. The applicant should carry a printed copy of ETAalong with him / her at the time of travel. He /she should have a return / onward journey tick-

et, with sufficient money to spend duringhis/her stay in India.

7. Biometric details of the applicant will be cap-tured at Immigration on arrival in India.

8. There is a special fee of US$ 60 per person (plusan interchange charge of US$ 2 for credit / debitcards) for the new scheme. This fee must be paidbefore the application can be processed, andonce paid, the fee is non-refundable.

How to apply for ETA9. Applicants should apply online at:https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.htmlEach applicant must have a separate passport (inter-

national travel documents shall not be accept-ed). Applications by individuals endorsed onparent’s/ spouse’s passport shall not be accept-ed.

10. The application process requires uploading thescanned page of the passport containing thephoto and personal details like name, date ofbirth, nationality, expiry date, etc., in PDF format(10 KB to 300 KB).

11. The application process also requires theuploading of a recent front-facing digital photo-graph with plain white background, in JPEG for-mat (10 KB to 1 MB). The head should be centred

within the frame and present the full head, fromtop of hair to bottom of chin. The photographshould not have any shadow on the face or onthe background, and should not have any bor-der. The height and width of the photographmust be equal.

12. The application is liable to be rejected if theuploaded document and photograph are notclear and as per specification.

13. The fee can be paid through Credit or Debitcard. If there are more than three unsuccessfulpayment attempts, the application ID would beblocked & the application has to be madeafresh, with a new application ID.

14. A decision on the application will be conveyedby email. Applicants are advised to ensure thatcorrect e-mail address is provided. Applicantscan track the status of their application onlineby clicking visa status.

15. For any assistance call 24 x 7 visa support centerat +91-11-24300666 or send email to indi-atvoa@gov.in

16. The process of ETA issuance is completely onlineand the Embassy of India will be unable to assistin expediting the issuance of ETAs. However, incase the eTV application is rejected, the appli-cant may apply afresh for issue of a regular visa.

India e-Tourist visa facility

Gulf University for Science andTechnology, in collaboration withFAWSEC Educational Company, organ-

ized the annual welcome to Kuwait dinner onits campus last week for over 300 new interna-tional teachers joining the private schoolworkforce for the 2016/2017 academic year.The event gave the teachers an opportunity to

meet, connect, and receive valuable informa-tion to help them as they settle in Kuwait.

GUST President, Professor Donald Bates,said: “GUST is honored to have hosted such avibrant group of educators to help ease theirtransition in to their new roles. Our universityis renowned for its connection to the commu-nity, and this event highlighted one of our

main objectives in giving back.”The event was attended by many private

school teachers and administrators. It gave theattendees an outlet where they could meeteach other, learn about various aspects on lifein Kuwait including: culture, strategies forteaching locally, Kuwait history, networking,and leisure activities.

FAWSEC Professional DevelopmentCoordinator, Ms. Lynda Abdulraheem, said:“Easing educators into their new environmentis vital to ensure that they are able to do theirbest work and provide a superior educationalexperience for our students.”

The event also provided an opportunity forthem to interact with different local educa-

tional vendors, such as the differentembassies, Teacher’s Cellar Supply Store,AWARE Center, One World Actors Center,Toastmasters, and more.

GUST was able to strengthen its relation-ship with local private schools and theiradministrations, and allowed the university toshowcase how much it values educators.

GUST & FAWSEC host ‘Welcome to Kuwait’ dinner

Marina Hotel Kuwait announced its much awaited summerpackage and special vacation getaway to experience sum-mer fun at its best. Guests are offered absolute pampering

and leisure with a resort-feel ambience through its facilities awayfrom the city’s busy routine.

The all-inclusive Marina Hotel package guarantees real joyunder the sun with its secluded private beach and three pools: lappool, kids’ pool and family pool with the Marina Waves pool bar.Guests can relax in their rooms, all overlooking the beautifulArabian Sea, at a rate starting from KD 88 for a double SuperiorRoom per night, buffet breakfast included. The package providesfree access to the hotel’s many facilities: the Coral Reef Health Club& Spa, the squash court, beach and pool area.

Well known for its delicious international cuisine, guest can gofor first-rate dining at the hotel’s two celebrated restaurants: ‘TheSix Palms’ and the ‘Atlantis.’ For mouth-watering delicacies, indulgein international, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes from ascrumptious array of menu choices in a tranquil setting.Additionally guests availing the summer package can take advan-tage of the 20% discount on buffet lunch and dinner at the AtlantisRestaurant.

With a walking distance to the Marina Mall and Marina Crescent,one can enjoy a complete holiday with easy access to their favoriteshopping destinations.

Make sure you book your room at the award winning MarinaHotel Kuwait for a unique getaway experience and excellent stan-dard of quality service.

For more information, please visit our website: www.marinaho-tel.com

Pamper your family at the Marina Hotel Kuwait with a special summer package

T V PR O G R A M SMONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

INTERSTELLAR ON OSN MOVIES HD

THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES ON OSN MOVIES HD ACTION

03:15 The Hobbit: The Battle OfThe Five Armies06:00 Wrath08:00 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles09:45 Justice League: Gods AndMonsters11:30 Into The Storm13:15 The Hobbit: The Battle OfThe Five Armies16:00 Wrath18:00 Into The Storm20:00 Edge Of Tomorrow22:00 Green Street 3: Never BackDown00:00 Smiley02:00 Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No!

04:00 Interstellar07:00 Miss You Already09:00 Hot Pursuit10:30 Taken 312:30 Dawn Of The Planet Of TheApes14:45 Pixels16:30 The Walk18:30 Divergent21:00 Oliverʼs Deal23:00 American Heist00:45 The Lazarus Effect02:15 Divergent

03:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives03:30 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives04:00 Chopped05:00 Man Fire Food05:30 Man Fire Food06:00 Man Fire Food06:30 Man Fire Food07:00 Chopped08:00 Barefoot Contessa: Back ToBasics08:30 Barefoot Contessa: Back ToBasics09:00 The Kitchen10:00 The Pioneer Woman10:30 The Pioneer Woman11:00 Chopped12:00 Guyʼs Big Bite12:30 Guyʼs Big Bite13:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives13:30 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives14:00 Man Fire Food14:30 Man Fire Food15:00 Chopped16:00 The Kitchen17:00 The Pioneer Woman17:30 The Pioneer Woman18:00 Chopped19:00 Guyʼs Grocery Games20:00 Restaurant Takeover21:00 Mystery Diners21:30 Mystery Diners22:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives22:30 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives23:00 Iron Chef America00:00 Restaurant Takeover01:00 Mystery Diners01:30 Mystery Diners02:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives02:30 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives

05:00 Good Morning America07:00 Bones08:00 Once Upon A Time11:00 Bones12:00 Once Upon A Time13:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show14:00 Live Good Morning America16:00 The Family17:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show18:00 Once Upon A Time19:00 The Flash20:00 The Family21:00 Wicked City22:00 Heartbeat23:00 Empire00:00 Bones01:00 Wicked City02:00 Heartbeat

UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN ON OSN MOVIES COMEDY

03:20 Call The Midwife04:15 Doctors04:45 Eastenders05:15 Dickensian06:00 Doctors06:30 Doctors07:00 Eastenders07:30 Casualty08:25 Death In Paradise09:20 Call The Midwife10:15 Dickensian11:00 Doctors11:30 Eastenders12:00 Death In Paradise12:55 Call The Midwife13:50 Dickensian14:35 Doctors15:05 Eastenders15:40 Death In Paradise16:35 Call The Midwife17:30 Dickensian18:15 Casualty19:05 Death In Paradise20:00 Doctor Foster21:00 Doctor Foster21:55 Silent Witness22:55 Orphan Black23:45 Casualty00:40 Doctor Foster01:35 Doctor Foster02:30 Silent Witness

03:40 Auction Hunters: Pawn ShopEdition04:05 Storage Hunters04:30 Dallas Car Sharks05:00 How Stuffʼs Made05:30 How Do They Do It?06:00 Alaska: The Last Frontier06:50 Kindig Customs07:40 Fast Nʼ Loud08:30 Auction Hunters: Pawn ShopEdition08:55 Storage Hunters09:20 Dallas Car Sharks09:45 How Stuffʼs Made10:10 How Do They Do It?10:35 Fast Nʼ Loud11:25 Sharks Among Us12:15 Shallow Water Invasion13:05 Auction Hunters: Pawn ShopEdition13:30 Storage Hunters13:55 Dallas Car Sharks14:20 Alaska: The Last Frontier15:10 Kindig Customs16:00 Fast Nʼ Loud16:50 How Stuffʼs Made17:15 How Do They Do It?17:40 Gold Divers18:30 Yukon Men19:20 Running Wild With BearGrylls20:10 Storage Hunters20:35 Dallas Car Sharks21:00 Gold Divers21:50 Tba22:40 Sharks vs Dolphins: Face Off23:30 Fast Nʼ Loud00:20 Kindig Customs

03:15 The Hive03:20 Sabrina Secrets Of ATeenage Witch03:45 Sabrina Secrets Of ATeenage Witch04:10 Hank Zipzer04:35 Binny And The Ghost05:00 Violetta05:45 The Hive05:50 Mouk06:00 Hank Zipzer06:25 Jessie06:50 Disney Mickey Mouse06:55 Miraculous Tales Of LadybugAnd Cat Noir07:20 Dog With A Blog07:45 Bunkʼd08:10 Austin & Ally08:35 Shake It Up09:00 Hannah Montana09:25 Hannah Montana09:50 Wizards Of Waverly Place10:15 Wizards Of Waverly Place10:40 Good Luck Charlie11:05 Good Luck Charlie11:30 Jessie11:55 Disney Mickey Mouse12:00 The 7D12:15 Miraculous Tales Of LadybugAnd Cat Noir12:40 Hank Zipzer

13:05 Star Darlings13:10 Austin & Ally13:35 Austin & Ally14:00 Liv And Maddie14:25 Liv And Maddie14:50 Dog With A Blog15:15 Hank Zipzer15:40 Bunkʼd16:05 Star Darlings16:10 Gravity Falls16:35 Miraculous Tales Of LadybugAnd Cat Noir17:00 Backstage17:50 Girl Meets World18:15 Austin & Ally18:40 Mako Mermaids19:05 Liv And Maddie19:30 Jessie19:55 Violetta20:45 Good Luck Charlie21:10 H2O: Just Add Water21:35 H2O: Just Add Water22:00 Binny And The Ghost22:25 Sabrina Secrets Of ATeenage Witch22:50 Sabrina Secrets Of ATeenage Witch23:10 Hank Zipzer23:35 Binny And The Ghost00:00 Violetta00:45 The Hive00:50 Sabrina Secrets Of ATeenage Witch01:15 Sabrina Secrets Of ATeenage Witch01:40 Hank Zipzer02:05 Binny And The Ghost02:30 Violetta

03:10 Henry Hugglemonster03:20 Calimero03:35 Zou03:45 Loopdidoo04:00 Art Attack04:25 Henry Hugglemonster04:35 Calimero04:50 Zou05:00 Loopdidoo05:15 Art Attack05:35 Henry Hugglemonster05:50 Calimero06:00 Zou

12:10 Pair Of Kings12:35 Lab Rats: Bionic Island13:00 Lab Rats: Bionic Island13:30 Phineas And Ferb13:55 Phineas And Ferb14:20 Kickinʼ It14:45 Pokemon Bw: Adventures InUnova15:10 Disney Mickey Mouse15:15 Supa Strikas15:40 Supa Strikas16:05 Lab Rats: Bionic Island16:30 Danger Mouse S116:55 Kirby Buckets17:25 K.C. Undercover17:50 Annedroids18:15 Gamerʼs Guide To Pretty...18:40 K.C. Undercover19:05 Counterfeit Cat19:10 Gravity Falls19:35 Pickle And Peanut20:00 Lab Rats: Bionic Island20:25 Supa Strikas20:55 K.C. Undercover21:20 Gamerʼs Guide To Pretty...21:45 Guardians Of The Galaxy22:10 Marvel Avengers Assemble22:40 Disney Mickey Mouse

04:00 Se Puder... Dirija!06:00 Bubble Boy08:00 Indian Summer10:00 Se Puder... Dirija!12:00 Under The Tuscan Sun14:00 Spy Hard16:00 Indian Summer18:00 The Bounty Hunter20:00 Thank You For Smoking22:00 Horrible Bosses 200:00 A Long Way Down02:00 The Bounty Hunter

03:00 Nathan For You03:25 Nathan For You03:50 Impractical Jokers UK04:15 Impractical Jokers UK04:40 Ridiculousness05:05 Ridiculousness05:30 Tosh.005:55 Tosh.006:20 Frankenfood06:50 Frankenfood07:15 Catch A Contractor08:05 Ridiculousness08:30 Ridiculousness08:55 Nathan For You09:20 Nathan For You09:45 Impractical Jokers UK10:10 Impractical Jokers UK10:35 Key And Peele11:00 Impractical Jokers UK11:25 Catch A Contractor12:15 Nathan For You12:40 Nathan For You13:05 Impractical Jokers UK13:30 Impractical Jokers UK13:55 Ridiculousness14:20 Ridiculousness14:45 Hungry Investors15:35 Catch A Contractor16:30 Nathan For You16:55 Nathan For You17:25 Lip Sync Battle17:50 Impractical Jokers UK18:15 Impractical Jokers UK18:39 Key And Peele19:03 Brotherhood19:27 MLE Championship20:13 Catch A Contractor21:00 The Daily Show With TrevorNoah21:30 Owen Benjamin: High FiveTil It Hurts

22:18 Frankenfood22:42 Tosh.023:05 I Live With Models23:30 The Daily Show With TrevorNoah00:00 Tosh.000:25 Another Period00:50 Broad City01:15 Tosh.001:40 The Daily Show With TrevorNoah02:05 TUT

01:10 Gold Divers02:00 Tba02:50 Sharks vs Dolphins: Face Off

03:00 Smash Lab03:48 Smash Lab04:36 Smash Lab05:24 Smash Lab06:12 Smash Lab07:00 How Do They Do It?07:26 Smash Lab08:14 How The Universe Works09:02 Mega Builders09:50 How Do They Do It?10:14 Food Factory10:38 Race To Escape11:26 Smash Lab12:14 How The Universe Works13:02 How Do They Do It?13:26 Food Factory13:50 Mega Builders14:38 Race To Escape15:26 Smash Lab16:14 How The Universe Works17:02 Mega Builders17:50 Smash Lab18:40 Moon Machines19:30 Meteorite Men20:20 How Do They Do It?20:45 Food Factory21:10 Extreme Engineering22:00 Meteorite Men22:50 Moon Machines23:40 Smash Lab00:30 How Do They Do It?00:55 Food Factory01:20 Meteorite Men02:10 Moon Machines

03:15 Botched04:10 Botched05:05 Botched06:00 Fashion Bloggers06:25 Keeping Up With TheKardashians07:20 Keeping Up With TheKardashians08:20 E! News09:15 Keeping Up With TheKardashians10:15 Keeping Up With TheKardashians11:10 Keeping Up With TheKardashians12:05 Keeping Up With TheKardashians13:05 E! News14:05 Hollywood Medium WithTyler Henry15:00 Botched16:00 Botched17:00 Keeping Up With The

Kardashians18:00 Keeping Up With TheKardashians19:00 E! News20:00 WAGs21:00 WAGs22:00 LA Clippers Dance Squad23:00 E! News00:00 Hollywood Medium WithTyler Henry00:55 Hollywood Medium WithTyler Henry01:50 New Money02:20 E! News

03:40 Third Reich05:20 Decoding The Past06:10 The Universe07:00 Missing In Alaska08:00 Ancient Aliens09:00 Ultimate Guide To ThePresidents

03:40 Big Rig Bounty Hunters04:05 Big Rig Bounty Hunters04:30 Pawn Stars05:00 Mankind The Story Of All OfUs06:00 Shipping Wars06:25 Shipping Wars06:50 Swamp People07:40 Mountain Men08:30 American Restoration08:55 Big Rig Bounty Hunters09:20 Big Rig Bounty Hunters09:45 American Restoration10:35 Ice Road Truckers11:25 Mankind The Story Of All OfUs12:15 American Pickers13:05 Storage Wars13:30 Storage Wars13:55 Pawn Stars14:20 Pawn Stars14:45 Counting Cars: Best Of15:10 Car Hunters15:35 Shipping Wars16:00 Ax Men16:50 Mountain Men17:40 Swamp People18:30 Mankind The Story Of All OfUs19:20 American Pickers20:10 Pawn Stars20:35 Pawn Stars21:00 Storage Wars21:25 Storage Wars21:50 American Pickers22:40 Search For The Lost Giants23:30 Storage Wars23:55 Storage Wars00:20 American Pickers01:10 Storage Wars Miami01:35 Storage Wars Miami02:00 Swamp People02:50 Mountain Men

03:25 Autopsy: The Last HoursOf...04:20 Donʼt Tell The Bride05:15 Eggheads05:45 Ant & Decʼs Saturday NightTakeaway07:05 The Chase: CelebritySpecials08:00 Autopsy: The Last HoursOf...08:55 Donʼt Tell The Bride09:50 Murdoch Mysteries10:45 Eggheads11:15 The Chase: CelebritySpecials12:10 Ant & Decʼs Saturday NightTakeaway13:25 Emmerdale13:50 Coronation Street14:20 Coronation Street14:45 Murdoch Mysteries15:35 The Chase: CelebritySpecials16:30 Tonight At The LondonPalladium17:25 Donʼt Tell The Bride18:20 Emmerdale18:45 Coronation Street19:10 Coronation Street19:35 The Chase: CelebritySpecials20:30 Tonight At The LondonPalladium21:25 Donʼt Tell The Bride22:20 Coronation Street22:50 Emmerdale23:15 Murdoch Mysteries00:10 The Chase: CelebritySpecials

01:00 Ant & Decʼs Saturday NightTakeaway02:30 Murdoch Mysteries

03:45 When Sharks Attack04:40 Dead Or Alive05:35 Croc Ganglands06:30 Planet Carnivore07:25 When Sharks Attack08:20 Dead Or Alive09:15 Worldʼs Weirdest Brains AndBabies10:10 Animal Intervention11:05 Animal Armory12:00 Shark Men12:55 Game Of Lions13:50 Planet Carnivore14:45 Hunt For The Giant Squid15:40 Making Panda16:35 Worldʼs Weirdest Brains AndBabies17:30 Bears Of Fear Island18:25 Ninja Shrimp19:20 Hunt For The Giant Squid20:10 Making Panda21:00 Worldʼs Weirdest Brains AndBabies21:50 Bears Of Fear Island22:40 Ninja Shrimp23:30 Shark Men00:20 Game Of Lions01:10 Planet Carnivore02:00 Swamp Lions02:50 Fatal Attraction

03:00 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles03:24 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles03:48 Harvey Beaks04:12 Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn04:36 The Haunted Hathaways05:00 Max & Shred05:24 Henry Danger05:48 Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn06:12 SpongeBob SquarePants06:36 SpongeBob SquarePants07:00 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles07:24 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles07:48 Winx Club08:12 Harvey Beaks08:36 Breadwinners09:00 Get Blake09:24 Rabbids Invasion09:48 Henry Danger10:12 Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn10:36 The Haunted Hathaways11:00 Winx Club11:24 SpongeBob SquarePants11:48 SpongeBob SquarePants12:12 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles12:36 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles13:00 Breadwinners13:24 The Loud House13:48 Harvey Beaks14:12 Rabbids Invasion14:36 Henry Danger15:00 Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn15:24 SpongeBob SquarePants15:48 SpongeBob SquarePants16:12 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles16:36 The Loud House17:00 Sanjay And Craig17:24 Harvey Beaks17:48 Breadwinners18:12 Henry Danger18:36 Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn19:00 100 Things To Do BeforeHigh School19:24 Game Shakers19:48 SpongeBob SquarePants20:12 SpongeBob SquarePants20:36 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles21:00 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles21:24 Breadwinners21:48 Breadwinners22:12 Sanjay And Craig22:36 Sanjay And Craig23:00 SpongeBob SquarePants23:24 SpongeBob SquarePants23:48 Henry Danger00:12 Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn00:36 Max & Shred01:00 The Haunted Hathaways01:24 Sanjay And Craig01:48 Sanjay And Craig02:12 SpongeBob SquarePants02:36 SpongeBob SquarePants

03:00 Flubber05:00 Garfieldʼs Fun Fest07:00 Earth To Echo09:00 Up11:00 Race To Witch Mountain13:00 Bolt15:00 The Boxtrolls17:00 Big Fat Liar19:00 Turner & Hooch21:00 Three Men And A Little Lady23:00 The Boxtrolls01:00 Turner & Hooch

06:20 Loopdidoo06:35 Art Attack07:00 The Hive07:10 Zou07:25 Loopdidoo07:40 Jungle Cubs08:05 Sofia The First08:30 Miles From Tomorrow08:40 PJ Masks09:10 Doc McStuffins09:40 Doc McStuffins09:55 Minnieʼs Bow-Toons10:00 Sofia The First10:30 Sofia The First11:00 The Lion Guard11:30 Jake And The Never LandPirates12:00 Jake And The Never LandPirates12:30 Gummi Bears13:00 Sofia The First13:30 Doc McStuffins14:00 The Lion Guard14:30 Aladdin14:55 Jake And The Never LandPirates15:05 Goldie & Bear15:30 Miles From Tomorrow16:00 Doc McStuffins16:25 Doc McStuffins16:55 Sofia The First17:25 Sofia The First17:50 The Lion Guard18:15 Jake And The Never LandPirates18:45 Jake And The Never LandPirates19:00 PJ Masks19:30 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse20:00 Doc McStuffins20:30 Sofia The First21:00 PJ Masks21:30 Aladdin22:00 Jungle Cubs22:25 Gummi Bears22:50 Zou23:05 Henry Hugglemonster23:20 Calimero23:35 Zou23:50 Loopdidoo00:05 Art Attack00:30 Henry Hugglemonster00:45 Calimero01:00 Zou01:15 Loopdidoo01:30 Art Attack02:00 Calimero02:15 Zou02:30 Loopdidoo02:45 Art Attack

06:00 Boyster06:10 Super Matrak06:35 Super Matrak07:00 Pokemon Bw: Adventures InUnova07:25 K.C. Undercover07:50 Supa Strikas08:15 Danger Mouse S108:40 Phineas And Ferb09:05 Counterfeit Cat09:10 Gravity Falls09:35 Lab Rats: Bionic Island10:00 Rocket Monkeys10:25 Ultimate Spider-Man10:50 Boyster11:20 Boyster11:45 Pair Of Kings

10:00 Third Reich12:00 Decoding The Past13:00 Missing In Alaska14:00 Ancient Aliens15:00 Ultimate Guide To ThePresidents16:00 Third Reich18:00 Decoding The Past19:00 Patton 36020:00 Cities Of The Underworld21:00 The Universe22:00 Missing In Alaska23:00 Monster Quest00:00 Ancient Aliens01:00 Patton 36002:00 Cities Of The Underworld02:50 The Universe

03:50 Wicked Tuna04:45 Alaska Wing Men05:40 Yukon Gold

06:35 Wild Congo07:30 Ultimate Survival Alaska08:25 Yukon River Run09:20 Alaska Wing Men10:15 Mygrations11:10 Hazenʼs Wild Survival Guide12:05 Wicked Tuna13:00 Yukon River Run14:00 Ultimate Survival Alaska15:00 Wild Congo16:00 Mygrations17:00 Hazenʼs Wild Survival Guide18:00 Wicked Tuna19:00 Wild Congo20:00 Mygrations20:50 Hazenʼs Wild Survival Guide21:40 Wicked Tuna22:30 Wild Congo23:20 Yukon Gold00:10 Mygrations01:00 Hazenʼs Wild Survival Guide02:00 Wicked Tuna02:55 Wild Congo

04:00 Life In Pieces04:30 The Tonight Show StarringJimmy Fallon07:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers08:00 Life In Pieces11:00 The Tonight Show StarringJimmy Fallon12:30 Life In Pieces15:30 Fresh Off The Boat16:00 Grandfathered17:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers18:30 Black-Ish19:00 The Last Man On Earth19:30 Crowded20:00 The Grinder20:30 The Grinder21:00 Fresh Off The Boat21:30 Grandfathered22:00 Baskets22:30 Man Seeking Woman23:00 Family Guy

05:00 Mood Indigo07:15 Memorial Day (2011)09:00 Escape (2012)11:00 Streetdance: All Stars13:00 Experimenter15:00 Odd Thomas17:00 Escape (2012)19:00 Rosewater21:00 Dark Places23:00 The Devilʼs Violinist01:15 Fading Gigolo

ClassifiedsMONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

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

DIAL161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATIONArrival Flights on Monday 29/8/2016

Airlines Flt Route TimeMSC 415 Sohag 00:10THY 772 Istanbul 00:10JZR 239 Amman 00:20JZR 267 Beirut 00:30FDK 803 Damascus 00:35FDB 069 Dubai 00:55DLH 635 Doha 01:00QTR 1086 Doha 01:15JZR 539 Cairo 01:20KAC 1802 Cairo 01:30PGT 858 Istanbul 01:40ETH 620 Addis Ababa 01:45RJA 642 Amman 01:45THY 1464 Istanbul 01:50MSC 501 Alexandria 02:00KKK 6506 Istanbul 02:00GFA 211 Bahrain 02:15CEB 018 Manila 02:20UAE 853 Dubai 02:25THY 1404 AYT 02:30THY 768 Istanbul 02:50ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 03:05OMA 643 Muscat 03:05RJA 644 Amman 03:10FDB 067 Dubai 03:15MSR 612 Cairo 03:15QTR 1076 Doha 03:25PGT 860 Istanbul 03:30KAC 544 Cairo 03:40MEA 406 Beirut 04:10JZR 555 Alexandria 04:15FEG 933 Sohag 05:00DHX 170 Bahrain 05:10THY 770 Istanbul 05:15JZR 529 Asyut 06:00PAL 668 Manila/Dubai 06:25KAC 412 Manila/Bangkok 06:30BAW 157 London 06:40JZR 563 Sohag 06:55JZR 1541 Cairo 07:10FDB 5061 Dubai 07:15KAC 382 Delhi 07:30KAC 206 Islamabad 07:40KAC 302 Mumbai 07:50FDB 053 Dubai 07:50KAC 156 Istanbul 08:00KAC 354 BLR 08:00KAC 362 Colombo 08:20KAC 352 Kochi 08:20UAE 855 Dubai 08:25ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 09:00KAC 284 Dhaka 09:00ABY 125 Sharjah 09:05IRA 667 Esfahan 09:15QTR 1070 Doha 09:20JAV 621 Amman 09:25FDB 055 Dubai 09:40UAE 873 Dubai 10:40GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40AXB 890 Mangalore/Bahrain 10:55MEA 404 Beirut 11:00JZR 561 Sohag 11:25JZR 165 Dubai 11:50FDK 801 Damascus 12:15FDB 075 Dubai 12:25MSC 401 Alexandria 12:30JZR 241 Amman 12:30UAE 871 Dubai 12:45FEG 953 Asyut 12:55

MSR 610 Cairo 13:00THY 766 Istanbul 13:10KAC 672 Dubai 14:00QTR 1078 Doha 14:05FDB 057 Dubai 14:20GFA 221 Bahrain 14:20SVA 500 Jeddah 14:30KAC 540 Sharm el-Sheikh 14:50KAC 742 Dammam 14:55KAC 788 Jeddah 15:00OMA 645 Muscat 15:10ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 15:10ABY 127 Sharjah 15:35UAE 857 Dubai 15:45NIA 251 Alexandria 15:50RJA 640 Amman 16:00FDB 051 Dubai 16:10QTR 1072 Doha 16:15JZR 535 Cairo 16:20JZR 257 Beirut 16:25KAC 562 Amman 16:55KAC 118 New York 17:00SAW 705 Damascus 17:05SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30JZR 177 Dubai 17:45JZR 777 Jeddah 17:50QTR 1080 Doha 17:55JZR 483 Istanbul 18:20MSR 620 Cairo 18:30KAC 774 Riyadh 18:35KAC 502 Beirut 18:35KAC 786 Jeddah 18:35KAC 542 Cairo 18:55KAC 618 Doha 18:55KAC 104 London 19:00UAE 875 Dubai 19:05GFA 217 Bahrain 19:05KAC 614 Bahrain 19:10FDB 063 Dubai 19:10ABY 123 Sharjah 19:15JAI 572 Mumbai 19:35KAC 154 Istanbul 19:45KAC 674 Dubai 19:45FDB 059 Dubai 19:50DLH 634 Frankfurt 20:05MEA 402 Beirut 20:15OMA 647 Muscat 20:20JZR 189 Dubai 20:25MSR 618 Alexandria 20:30QTR 1088 Doha 20:35KNE 231 Riyadh 20:50FDB 5053 Dubai 20:55KAC 174 Munich 21:00ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:05UAE 859 Dubai 21:15ALK 229 Colombo 21:20THY 764 Istanbul 21:30QTR 1082 Doha 21:55GFA 219 Bahrain 22:00ETD 919 Abu Dhabi 22:05ETD 309 Abu Dhabi 22:10JZR 125 Bahrain 22:15AIC 975 Chennai/Goa 22:25BBC 143 Dhaka 22:40JZR 185 Dubai 22:55JAI 574 Mumbai 23:05RBG 555 Alexandria 23:15MSR 614 Cairo 23:30FDB 071 Dubai 23:35KLM 411 Amsterdam/Dammam 23:40

Departure Flights on Monday 29/8/2016Airlines Flt Route TimeAIC 982 Ahmedabad/Chennai 00:05BBC 044 Dhaka 00:10JAI 573 Mumbai 00:10JZR 1540 Cairo 00:20MSR 615 Cairo 00:30FDB 072 Dubai 00:30JZR 562 Sohag 00:30PIA 206 Lahore 00:40MSC 416 Sohag 01:05FDK 804 Damascus 01:35THY 773 Istanbul 01:40DLH 635 Frankfurt 02:00ETH 621 Addis Ababa 02:45THY 765 Istanbul 02:45PGT 859 Istanbul 02:55THY 1465 Istanbul 06:00FEG 954 Asyut 06:00RJA 643 Amman 06:25QTR 1087 Doha 06:30THY 771 Istanbul 06:45GFA 212 Bahrain 06:50JZR 240 Amman 06:55FDB 070 Dubai 07:05JZR 164 Dubai 07:15FDB 5062 Dubai 07:55BAW 156 London 08:25FDB 054 Dubai 08:30KAC 173 Munich 08:35KAC 539 Sharm el-Sheikh 08:50JZR 256 Beirut 09:05KAC 671 Dubai 09:15KAC 787 Jeddah 09:30JZR 534 Cairo 09:30JZR 482 Istanbul 09:40ABY 126 Sharjah 09:45UAE 856 Dubai 09:50ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:05IRA 666 Esfahan 10:15ETD 920 Abu Dhabi 10:20JAV 622 Amman 10:25QTR 1071 Doha 10:35FDB 056 Dubai 10:40KAC 153 Istanbul 11:00KAC 501 Beirut 11:00KAC 561 Amman 11:20KAC 165 Rome/Paris 11:25KAC 741 Dammam 11:35GFA 214 Bahrain 11:35AXB 890 Mangalore 11:55MEA 405 Beirut 12:00KAC 541 Cairo 12:05KAC 103 London 12:10UAE 874 Dubai 12:10JZR 776 Jeddah 12:15KAC 785 Jeddah 13:00FDB 076 Dubai 13:10JZR 176 Dubai 13:10FDK 802 Damascus 13:15MSC 402 Alexandria 13:30FEG 934 Sohag 13:55MSR 611 Cairo 14:00THY 767 Istanbul 14:10

UAE 872 Dubai 14:15PAL 669 Dubai/Manila 14:45KNE 382 Taif 14:55KAC 773 Riyadh 15:00GFA 222 Bahrain 15:05FDB 058 Dubai 15:05KAC 673 Dubai 15:05QTR 1079 Doha 15:15KAC 617 Doha 15:15SVA 501 Jeddah 15:45JZR 188 Dubai 15:50KAC 613 Bahrain 16:00OMA 646 Muscat 16:10ABY 128 Sharjah 16:15ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 16:20NIA 252 Alexandria 16:50RJA 641 Amman 16:55FDB 052 Dubai 17:00JZR 266 Beirut 17:10QTR 1073 Doha 17:25UAE 858 Dubai 17:40SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15SAW 706 Damascus 18:20GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20JZR 184 Dubai 18:20JZR 538 Cairo 18:30JZR 238 Amman 18:45KAC 1801 Cairo 18:55QTR 1081 Doha 19:05JZR 124 Bahrain 19:20MSR 621 Cairo 19:30GFA 218 Bahrain 19:50FDB 064 Dubai 19:50ABY 124 Sharjah 19:55KAC 361 Colombo 19:55FDB 060 Dubai 20:30KAC 283 Dhaka 20:30UAE 876 Dubai 20:35JAI 571 Mumbai 20:35KAC 331 Trivandrum 20:45DLH 634 Doha 20:50KAC 353 BLR 20:55KAC 543 Cairo 21:00KAC 351 Kochi 21:00MEA 403 Beirut 21:15OMA 648 Muscat 21:15JZR 554 Alexandria 21:15MSR 619 Alexandria 21:30QTR 1089 Doha 21:45DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 21:55ALK 230 Colombo 22:20FDB 5054 Dubai 22:25UAE 860 Dubai 22:25THY 1413 TZX 22:25KAC 381 Delhi 22:25KAC 301 Mumbai 22:30KAC 345 Ahmedabad 22:55GFA 220 Bahrain 23:00KAC 205 Islamabad 23:00ETD 310 Abu Dhabi 23:05QTR 1083 Doha 23:20KAC 411 Bangkok/Manila 23:25RBG 556 Alexandria 23:55

PRAYER TIMINGS

Fajr: 04:01

Shorook 05:24

Duhr: 11:49

Asr: 15:23

Maghrib: 18:14

Isha: 19:34

X

KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (25/08/2016 TO 31/08/2016)

SHARQIA-1MONKEY KING: HERO IS BACK 11:30 AMMONKEY KING: HERO IS BACK 1:30 PMTHE SECRET LIFE OF PETS 3:30 PMTHE SECRET LIFE OF PETS 5:30 PMMONKEY KING: HERO IS BACK 7:30 PMJAHEEM FI ILHIND 9:45 PMTHE BFG 12:05 AM

SHARQIA-2MECHANIC: RESURRECTION 11:45 AMMECHANIC: RESURRECTION 1:45 PMMECHANIC: RESURRECTION 3:45 PMMECHANIC: RESURRECTION 6:00 PMMECHANIC: RESURRECTION 8:00 PMMECHANIC: RESURRECTION 10:00 PMMECHANIC: RESURRECTION 12:05 AM

SHARQIA-3MECHANIC: RESURRECTION 12:30 PMMECHANIC: RESURRECTION 2:30 PMMECHANIC: RESURRECTION 4:30 PMSKIPTRACE 6:30 PMSKIPTRACE 8:45 PMMECHANIC: RESURRECTION 11:00 PMSKIPTRACE 1:00 AM

MUHALAB-1MECHANIC: RESURRECTION 11:45 AMMONKEY KING: HERO IS BACK 1:45 PMTHE SECRET LIFE OF PETS 3:45 PMMONKEY KING: HERO IS BACK 5:45 PMTHE SECRET LIFE OF PETS 7:45 PMSKIPTRACE 9:45 PMMECHANIC: RESURRECTION 12:05 AM

MUHALAB-2SKIPTRACE 1:00 PMSKIPTRACE 3:15 PMSKIPTRACE 5:30 PMJAHEEM FI ILHIND 8:15 PMJAHEEM FI ILHIND 10:30 PMSKIPTRACE 12:45 AM

MUHALAB-3MECHANIC: RESURRECTION 12:30 PMMECHANIC: RESURRECTION 2:30 PMMECHANIC: RESURRECTION 4:30 PMMECHANIC: RESURRECTION 6:45 PMMECHANIC: RESURRECTION 9:00 PMMECHANIC: RESURRECTION 11:15 PMMECHANIC: RESURRECTION 1:15 AM

FANAR-1THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS 11:45 AMTHE SECRET LIFE OF PETS 1:45 PMMONKEY KING: HERO IS BACK 3:45 PM

THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS 5:45 PMJAHEEM FI ILHIND 7:45 PMJAHEEM FI ILHIND 10:00 PMJAHEEM FI ILHIND 12:15 AM

FANAR-2SKIPTRACE 12:45 PMHUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE 3:00 PMHUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE 5:15 PMHUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE 7:30 PMSKIPTRACE 9:45 PMSKIPTRACE 12:05 AM

FANAR-3MECHANIC: RESURRECTION 1:00 PMMOHENJO DARO - Hindi 3:00 PMA FLYING JATT-Hindi 6:00 PMA FLYING JATT-Hindi 9:00 PMMECHANIC: RESURRECTION 12:05 AM

FANAR-4MECHANIC: RESURRECTION 11:30 AMMECHANIC: RESURRECTION 1:30 PMMECHANIC: RESURRECTION 3:30 PMMECHANIC: RESURRECTION 5:45 PMMECHANIC: RESURRECTION 8:00 PMMECHANIC: RESURRECTION 10:15 PMMECHANIC: RESURRECTION 12:45 AM

FANAR-5GENIUS 1:00 PMGENIUS 3:15 PMTHE BFG 5:30 PMGENIUS 8:00 PMGENIUS 10:15 PMGENIUS 12:30 AM

MARINA-1MONKEY KING: HERO IS BACK 11:30 AMMONKEY KING: HERO IS BACK 1:15 PMMONKEY KING: HERO IS BACK 3:15 PMTHE SECRET LIFE OF PETS 5:15 PMTHE SECRET LIFE OF PETS 7:15 PMSKIPTRACE 9:30 PMTHE BFG 11:45 PM

MARINA-2MECHANIC: RESURRECTION 11:30 AMMECHANIC: RESURRECTION 1:30 PMSKIPTRACE 3:45 PMJAHEEM FI ILHIND 6:15 PMJAHEEM FI ILHIND 8:30 PMSKIPTRACE 10:45 PMMECHANIC: RESURRECTION 1:00 AM

MARINA-3MECHANIC: RESURRECTION 12:00 PM

MECHANIC: RESURRECTION 2:00 PMMECHANIC: RESURRECTION 4:00 PMMECHANIC: RESURRECTION 6:00 PMMECHANIC: RESURRECTION 8:00 PMMECHANIC: RESURRECTION 10:00 PMMECHANIC: RESURRECTION 12:05 AM

AVENUES-1MONKEY KING: HERO IS BACK 12:45 PMMONKEY KING: HERO IS BACK 2:45 PMMONKEY KING: HERO IS BACK 4:45 PMHUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE 6:45 PMHUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE 9:15 PMHUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE 11:30 PM

AVENUES-2MECHANIC: RESURRECTION-2D-4DX 12:15 PMMECHANIC: RESURRECTION-2D-4DX 2:30 PMTHE BFG -3D- 4DX 4:45 PMMECHANIC: RESURRECTION-2D-4DX 7:15 PMMECHANIC: RESURRECTION-2D-4DX 9:30 PMMECHANIC: RESURRECTION-2D-4DX 11:45 PM

AVENUES-3SKIPTRACE 12:30 PMSKIPTRACE 2:45 PMSKIPTRACE 5:15 PMSKIPTRACE 7:30 PMSKIPTRACE 9:45 PMSKIPTRACE 12:05 AM

AVENUES-4SKIPTRACE 11:30 AMTHE SECRET LIFE OF PETS 1:45 PMA FLYING JATT-Hindi 4:00 PMSpecial Show “MIN 30 SANA 4:00 PMSpecial Show “SKIPTRACE” 4:00 PMSKIPTRACE 7:00 PMJAHEEM FI ILHIND 9:15 PMSKIPTRACE 11:30 PM

AVENUES-5MECHANIC: RESURRECTION 11:45 AMMECHANIC: RESURRECTION 1:45 PMMECHANIC: RESURRECTION 3:45 PMMECHANIC: RESURRECTION 5:45 PMSpecial Show “MECHANIC: RESURRECTION”6:00 PM SUNMECHANIC: RESURRECTION 8:00 PMMECHANIC: RESURRECTION 10:00 PMMECHANIC: RESURRECTION 12:05 AM

AVENUES-6MECHANIC: RESURRECTION 1:00 PMMECHANIC: RESURRECTION 3:00 PMMECHANIC: RESURRECTION 5:00 PM

MECHANIC: RESURRECTION 7:00 PMMECHANIC: RESURRECTION 9:00 PMMECHANIC: RESURRECTION 11:00 PMMECHANIC: RESURRECTION 1:00 AM

360º 1THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS 12:30 PMTHE SECRET LIFE OF PETS -3D 2:30 PMTHE SECRET LIFE OF PETS 4:30 PMTHE SECRET LIFE OF PETS -3D 6:30 PMTHE SECRET LIFE OF PETS 8:30 PMMECHANIC: RESURRECTION 10:45 PMMECHANIC: RESURRECTION 1:00 AM

360º- 2JAHEEM FI ILHIND 11:30 AMJAHEEM FI ILHIND 1:45 PMJAHEEM FI ILHIND 4:00 PMJAHEEM FI ILHIND 6:15 PMJAHEEM FI ILHIND 8:30 PMJAHEEM FI ILHIND 10:45 PMRIOT 1:00 AM

360º- 3MONKEY KING: HERO IS BACK 12:00 PMMONKEY KING: HERO IS BACK 2:00 PMMONKEY KING: HERO IS BACK 4:00 PMMONKEY KING: HERO IS BACK 6:00 PMLIFE ON THE LINE 8:00 PMWAR DOGS 10:00 PMWAR DOGS 12:15 AM

AL-KOUT.1MECHANIC: RESURRECTION 1:00 PMMECHANIC: RESURRECTION 3:00 PMMECHANIC: RESURRECTION 5:00 PMMECHANIC: RESURRECTION 7:00 PMMECHANIC: RESURRECTION 9:00 PMMECHANIC: RESURRECTION 11:00 PMMECHANIC: RESURRECTION 1:00 AM

AL-KOUT.2SKIPTRACE 12:30 PMSKIPTRACE 2:45 PMGENIUS 5:00 PMSKIPTRACE 7:15 PMGENIUS 9:30 PMSKIPTRACE 11:45 PM

AL-KOUT.3THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS -3D 11:45 AMTHE BFG 1:45 PMTHE SECRET LIFE OF PETS -3D 4:15 PMTHE SECRET LIFE OF PETS 6:15 PMJAHEEM FI ILHIND 8:15 PMJAHEEM FI ILHIND 10:30 PMJAHEEM FI ILHIND 12:45 AM

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MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

Gathering and exchanging information is part and parcel of solving prob-lems you will be experiencing. You could be most persuasive with others and now maybe a good time to deal with any difficulties that you might have with people that serveyou, including the medical field. Facts to show regarding any corrections you mightwant to make would be a good move. There could be challenges but this only helps tofine-tune the details of a particular project. Your ambition is intensified as the day pro-gresses. Easy does it . . . Take your breaks and allow others to contribute toward the out-come of the day. This afternoon you may find yourself being put to good use by yourfriends-it could be that someone is moving.

Aries (March 21-April 19)

STAR TRACK

There is an emotional seriousness to becoming better focused and youwork quickly. With your practical awareness of the nature of time, you could make avery good leader or teacher. There could be a tendency to be too strict with yourself.Your ambition is intensified. Study and research could enter into your work at this time.Real estate or home and family planning also take on a greater importance. You maynot feel that time is slipping away, but you do have that strong urge to build your sup-port group and have roots. This is a very nice day, perhaps filled with some appreciationfor all that is beautiful. Tonight favors writing, reading, messages, etc. If you do not havea computer in the home, now would be a good time to consider one.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

You will feel yourself working easily with the flow of work this day. This maybe the day you pick up a little extra money as a driver. You enjoy this job

and look forward to the interaction with your customers. Circumstances can throw youinto positions where you must deal with communications, service or enclosed hiddeninterests when you least expect it. You make your way through ideas, concepts and yourability to communicate and express the ideas to others. This may be a good time to con-sider a continuing education class or tutoring. Everyone may be away for the evening,allowing you many opportunities to relax. This evening is a wonderful time to catch up on

phone calls or perhaps some personal paperwork that needs to be completed.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

Today is a particularly successful day. Great headway can be made soon. Attimes you may feel as though you are in a stuck situation without really

understanding why. When you sense you are right with your insights and understanding,you can move in a most positive direction in order to be helpful or for your own develop-ment. Read about meditation styles-find and stay with one method. Use this often to gaina focus when you need to solve a problem. This is almost like an exercise technique,wherein each person requires his or her own method to gain his or her preferred endresult. You may be solving problems through psychic insight. It will help to write out thethinking on how to succeed in reaching your goals. Writing will help your mindset.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

Leo (July 23-August 22)

You know from the way that your projects are stacked up, you will be abusy person this sunday. Some of your friends or family may have other ideas for youon this special day. It might be that someone will volunteer to help you get one or twoprojects completed before it is time to ready yourself for a party gathering of sorts latertoday. A gift to enjoy a spa or have a massage may be most appreciated. You neverknow where some of the ideas come from but this is a most enjoyable day. Your friendsgather during one part of the day and your family gathers at another time of the day.You wouldn’t mind if they decided to combine their efforts. Whatever the case there ismuch laughter and fun times.

Virgo (August 23-September 22)

Shortcuts are out . . . There could be many corrections as well as sometechnical changes that are needed before your present job can be completed. You willwant to be sure that you do not miss an important piece of information. You are feelinggood today and your energy level is high and ready for any challenges you may meet.Give yourself a cheer of confidence. Other people around you will feel more energizedas well. Your attention centers on achievement, distinction and promotion. At your bestyou are enchanting, able to point to the unity that binds all things together. You have anatural sense for communicating with others, especially those younger than you. A newunderstanding about past events will be comforting.

Libra (September 23-October 22)

Deal with abstract matters while remaining practical. Some will feel thereis conflict, but you will understand that complexities actually aid achieve-

ment and inspiration. Answers are not simple, but they are available. You work to stayup-to-date with the most updated equipment and you look for good ways to recycle.You are very much aware of the beauty that surrounds you. A short travel to the storemay bring some creative ideas for your attention in the near future. This afternoon is theperfect time for lighthearted get-togethers with friends or a trip to the countryside, per-haps a nearby lake and a catfish dinner. You have a clear vision into your own innersense of values, how you appreciate and love.

Scorpio (October 23-November 21)

New inventions, new reading material and an ever changing list of friendskeep you updated and continually transforming. This could mean you are

a writer or reporter for the news or in a public relations sort of job. Whatever the case,you will have plenty of conversational material today. This is a time of positive thinking,mental stability, good feelings, relaxation and opportunity. This is also a good time tomake long-range plans, take advantage of further education, take a long-distance trip ortake up philosophy or religious studies. It is a pleasant time for you all around. There is apotential to clear the air on some past events where family is concerned. There is a will-ingness to listen that did not exist before. A misunderstanding is healed.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21)

Capricorn (December 22-January 19)

Others could seek you out for your psychological insight and understand-ing. Friends or co-workers may enjoy chatting over a cup of coffee this morning. You do alot of reading and are in touch with what is healing, fashionable and insightful. You enjoysharing your newly acquired information with others and others love to listen. Most of theday proves to be quite profitable and the special time with friends or co-workers helps tobring a focus to your day. Long-term projects can finally come to an end. You may findyourself feeling like you can accomplish anything. You like your food natural . . . Nothinghidden and nothing artificial. A trip to the market or culling through your own garden

may keep you busy until early evening.

Pisces (February 19-March 20)

You assume a leadership role and expect the best from the people that arearound you. You set examples of a most positive attitude that others could

not help but use to enhance their lives as well. Your high energy and this positive attitudewill get you where you want to go in any type of business. Remember, when the resultsare not what you think they should be after a great deal of effort, it may be time to moveforward to better opportunities. You display much personal warmth and charm-regard-less of circumstances. High energies abound in talk, city travel and the usual daily activi-ties. You are positive and motivating today. Avoid high-pressure tactics when it comes toyoung people. You will soon resolve problems regarding home, family or real estate.

Aquarius (January 20- February 18)

CROSSWORD 1357

ACROSS1. An inhabitant of Lappland.5. Capital of Swaziland.12. (astronomy) A measure of time definedby Earth's orbital motion.15. Large elliptical brightly colored deep-seafish of Atlantic and Pacific andMediterranean.16. Ark shells.17. Step on it.18. Of or relating to or characteristic of Israelor its people.19. A lipoprotein that transports cholesterolin the blood.21. Not far distant in time or space or degreeor circumstances.22. French filmmaker (1908-1982).23. Of or relating to or being a feria.25. An avalanche volcanic water and muddown the slopes of a volcano.27. The Oceanic language spoken by theMaori people in New Zealand.29. A swampy arm or slow-moving outlet ofa lake (term used mainly in Mississippi andLouisiana).31. (formal) Ordinary and not refined.35. (Babylonian) Father of the gods.38. Inflict a heavy blow on, with the hand, atool, or a weapon.39. French writer whose novels describedthe sordid side of city life (1804-1857).40. A cord that is drawn through eyelets oraround hooks in order to draw together twoedges (as of a shoe or garment).42. A heavy brittle metallic element of theplatinum group.44. A translucent mineral consisting ofhydrated silica of variable color.47. An indication of radiant light drawnaround the head of a saint.48. Being one more than one hundred.49. A federal agency established to coordi-nate programs aimed at reducing pollutionand protecting the environment.50. (Babylonian) God of wisdom and agricul-ture and patron of scribes and schools.51. The shape of a raised edge of a more orless circular object.52. A town in northern Egypt.55. A coffee cake flavored with orange rindand raisins and almonds.58. A white metallic element that burns witha brilliant light.59. Before noon.60. Late time of life.62. Inspired by a feeling of fearful wonder-ment or reverence.65. The compass point that is midwaybetween north and northeast.67. A country person.71. Cubes of meat marinated and cooked ona skewer usually with vegetables.72. A numerical scale used to compare vari-ables with one another or with some refer-ence number.74. Essential oil or perfume obtained fromflowers.75. A complex red organic pigment contain-ing iron and other atoms to which oxygenbinds.77. The basic unit of money in Ghana.78. Type genus of the Alcidae comprisingsolely the razorbill.79. A small low-powered electrically pow-ered vehicle driven on a special platformwhere there are many others to be dodged.80. Mild yellow Dutch cheese made in balls.

DOWN1. A cut of meat taken from the side andback of an animal between the ribs and therump.2. A domed or vaulted recess or projectionon a building especially the east end of achurch.3. Cause to be paralyzed and immobile.4. The title of the ancient Egyptian kings.5. A republic on the island of Malta in theMediterranean.6. Old French breed of large strong usuallyblack dogs having a long tail and long wavyand slightly stiff coat.7. A radioactive element of the actinideseries.8. East Indian evergreen tree bearing veryacid fruit.9. A condition (mostly in boys) characterizedby behavioral and learning disorders.10. A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug(trade name Nalfon) used in the treatmentof arthritis and other painful inflammatorydisorders.11. The branch of engineering science thatstudies the uses of electricity and the equip-ment for power generation and distributionand the control of machines and communi-cation.12. Of or relating to or characteristic ofThailand of its people.13. African tree with edible yellow fruitresembling mangos.14. A bluish shade of green.20. A successful ending of a struggle or con-test.24. Remove from memory or existence.26. A member of a North American peopleformerly living in the Colorado river valley inArizona.28. A river in north central Switzerland thatruns northeast into the Rhine.30. Inability to urinate.32. A stringed instrument of India.33. Characterized by slanting characters.34. A cavity in the mesoderm of an embryothat gives rise in humans to the pleural cavi-ty and pericardial cavity and peritoneal cavi-ty.36. Measuring instrument in which the echoof a pulse of microwave radiation is used todetect and locate distant objects.37. (in Gnosticism) A divine power or natureemanating from the Supreme Being andplaying various roles in the operation of theuniverse.41. Soft lump or unevenness in a yarn.43. One-thousandth of an equivalent.45. A metabolic acid found in yeast and livercells.46. A unit of current equal to 10 amperes.53. The French-speaking capital of theprovince of Quebec.54. Trade name for an alloy used to makehigh-energy permanent magnets.56. Large brownish-green New Zealand par-rot.57. A region of northeastern France famousfor its wines.61. Marked by features of the immediateand usually discounted past.63. A raised mark on the skin (as producedby the blow of a whip).64. Fallow deer.66. A town in north central Oklahoma.68. A set of questions or exercises evaluat-ing skill or knowledge.69. A quantity of no importance.70. Thin and fit.73. 10 grams.76. A state in north central United States.

Yesterday’s Solution

Yesterday’s Solution

34s t a r s

Daily SuDoku

Wordsearch Puzzle

New and unusual ways of appreciating and loving may be possible now.You may discover something new about love or may adopt a different and unconven-tional value system for a time. This is an easy day that runs along quite smoothly. Thereis a greater appreciation for people and possessions. This is certainly a time when mate-rial things have a great deal of importance for you. You may cease to waste time andmoney acquiring that which is worthless and may develop an eye for that which is last-ing and worthwhile. A new love is not only on the horizon, but could be right next toyou. A spontaneous and unexpected meeting is in the works. This time would also bepositive time to heal an old relationship.

This time is marked by realizing some unknown potential. If you take theinitiative, a goal that seemed beyond your reach until recently may now

be obtainable. This afternoon there is time to complete unfinished tasks. The cause ofsome conflict may be discovered and worked through quickly. You have what it takesto overcome any difficulties that may appear. You are happy to put disputes behindyou. This could be in the workplace or at home. Creative ways of making and spendingmoney are considered for some future income. You enjoy friends and family.Companionship with others is most rewarding and you should take every opportunityto be with loved ones. You can be helping them as much as their presence helps you.

Yesterday’s Solution

inf or m at ionMONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

Ahmadi Sama Safwan Fahaeel Makka St 23915883Abu Halaifa Abu Halaifa-Coastal Rd 23715414Danat Al-Sultan Mahboula Block 1, Coastal Rd 23726558

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Ophthalmologists

Dr. Abidallah Al-Mansoor 25622444

Dr. Samy Al-Rabeea 25752222

Dr. Masoma Habeeb 25321171

Dr. Mubarak Al-Ajmy 25739999

Dr. Mohsen Abel 25757700

Dr Adnan Hasan Alwayl 25732223

Dr. Abdallah Al-Baghly 25732223

Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT)

Dr. Ahmed Fouad Mouner 24555050 Ext 510

Dr. Abdallah Al-Ali 25644660

Dr. Abd Al-Hameed Al-Taweel 25646478

Dr. Sanad Al-Fathalah 25311996

Dr. Mohammad Al-Daaory 25731988

Dr. Ismail Al-Fodary 22620166

Dr. Mahmoud Al-Booz 25651426

General Practitioners

Dr. Mohamme Y Majidi 24555050 Ext 123

Dr. Yousef Al-Omar 24719312

Dr. Tarek Al-Mikhazeem 23926920

Dr. Kathem Maarafi 25730465

Dr. Abdallah Ahmad Eyadah 25655528

Dr. Nabeel Al-Ayoobi 24577781

Dr. Dina Abidallah Al-Refae 25333501

Urologists

Dr. Ali Naser Al-Serfy 22641534

Dr. Fawzi Taher Abul 22639955

Dr. Khaleel Abidallah Al-Awadi 22616660

Dr. Adel Al-Hunayan FRCS (C) 25313120

Dr. Leons Joseph 66703427

For labor-related inquiries and complaints:

Call MSAL hotline 128

Sabah Hospital 24812000

Amiri Hospital 22450005

Maternity Hospital 24843100

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Chest Hospital 24849400

Farwaniya Hospital 24892010

Adan Hospital 23940620

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Al-Razi Hospital 24846000

Physiotherapy Hospital 24874330/9

Kaizen center 25716707

Rawda 22517733

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Abdullah Salem 22549134

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W Hawally 22630786

Sabah 24810221

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New Jahra 24575755

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South Jahra 24775066

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North Jleeb 24311795

Ardhiya 24884079

Firdous 24892674

Omariya 24719048

N Khaitan 24710044

Fintas 23900322

GOVERNORATE PHARMACY ADDRESS PHONE

Plastic Surgeons

Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalaf 22547272

Dr. Abdal-Redha Lari 22617700

Dr. Abdel Quttainah 25625030/60

Family Doctor

Dr Divya Damodar 23729596/23729581

Psychiatrists

Dr. Esam Al-Ansari 22635047

Dr Eisa M. Al-Balhan 22613623/0

Gynaecologists & Obstetricians

DrAdrian arbe 23729596/23729581

Dr. Verginia s.Marin 2572-6666 ext 8321

Dr. Fozeya Ali Al-Qatan 22655539

Dr. Majeda Khalefa Aliytami 25343406

Dr. Ahmad Al-Khooly 25739272

Dr. Salem soso 22618787

General Surgeons

Dr. Amer Zawaz Al-Amer 22610044

Dr. Mohammad Yousef Basher 25327148

Internists, Chest & Heart

Dr. Adnan Ebil 22639939

Dr. Mousa Khadada 22666300

Dr. Latefa Al-Duweisan 25728004

Dr. Nadem Al-Ghabra 25355515

Dr. Mobarak Aldoub 24726446

Dr Nasser Behbehani 25654300/3

Paediatricians

Dr. Khaled Hamadi 25665898

Dr. Abd Al-Aziz Al-Rashed 25340300

Dr. Zahra Qabazard 25710444

Dr. Sohail Qamar 22621099

Dr. Snaa Maaroof 25713514

Dr. Pradip Gujare 23713100

Dr. Zacharias Mathew 24334282

Dermatology

Dr. Mohammed Salam Bern University 23845955

Dentists

Dr Anil Thomas 3729596/3729581

Dr. Shamah Al-Matar 22641071/2

Dr. Anesah Al-Rasheed 22562226

Dr. Abidallah Al-Amer 22561444

Dr. Faysal Al-Fozan 22619557

Dr. Abdallateef Al-Katrash 22525888

Dr. Abidallah Al-Duweisan 25653755

Dr. Bader Al-Ansari 25620111

Neurologists

Dr. Sohal Najem Al-Shemeri 25633324

Dr. Jasem Mola Hassan 25345875

Gastrologists

Dr. Sami Aman 22636464

Dr. Mohammad Al-Shamaly 25322030

Dr. Foad Abidallah Al-Ali 22633135

Endocrinologist

Dr. Abd Al-Naser Al-Othman 25339330

Dr. Ahmad Al-Ansari 25658888

Dr. Kamal Al-Shomr 25329924

Physiotherapists & VD

Dr. Deyaa Shehab 25722291

Dr. Musaed Faraj Khamees 22666288

Rheumatologists:

Dr. Adel Al-Awadi 25330060

Dr. Khaled Al-Jarallah 25722290

Internist, Chest & Heart

DR.Mohammes Akkad 24555050 Ext 210

Dr. Mohammad Zubaid MB, ChB, FRCPC, PACC Assistant Professor Of Medicine Head, Division of Cardiology Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital 25339667

Consultant Cardiologist

Dr. Farida Al-Habib 2611555-2622555 MD, PH.D, FACC

Inaya German Medical Center Te: 2575077 Fax: 25723123

Soor CenterTel: 2290-1677Fax: 2290 1688

info@soorcenter.comwww.soorcenter.com

Psychologists/Psychotherapists

PRIVATE CLINICS

William Schuilenberg, RPC 2290-1677Zaina Al Zabin, M.Sc. 2290-1677

Kaizen center25716707

Noor Clinic23845955

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Sharon Osbourne claims her husbandOzzy has cheated on her with fivedifferent women in five different

countries. The 63-year-old TV personalityhas opened up about her rock star hus-band’s sex addiction, revealing Ozzy hadbeen going behind her back for longerthan people realize. She said: “The thingthat’s been going on with my husbandrecently, it’s been going on for about fiveyears but people are talking about it now.“We’ve survived everything, drink, drugsand now it’s women.” Sharon, meanwhile,also revealed she has been taking anti-depressants for 20 years, but said theystopped working in 2015. She told theSunday Times Magazine: “I had a very badtime last year. I had a kind of breakdown. Icouldn’t speak, I’d get out of bed to go tothe studio, come back and get into bed.”

Sharon, who has been married to Ozzysince 1982, previously revealed he will beentering rehab when Black Sabbath finishtheir final tour in February 2017. Sheadmitted, too, that Ozzy’s sex addiction isa source of embarrassment for her. Sheshared: “After the (Black Sabbath) tour, hegoes in as an inpatient for three months.He’s working at it. It’s hard because itaffects the whole family. And, it’s quiteembarrassing to talk about. “Somehowdrugs and drink is more acceptable Ithink. When it’s somebody that has a sexaddiction, it’s embarrassing. He’s comeout and admitted it finally. It’s very, veryhard. It’s been going on for at least sixyears.” Earlier this year, Sharon kicked herhusband out of their home after itemerged Ozzy had been cheating on herwith hairdresser Michelle Pugh. Later,Ozzy revealed he had been dealing with asex addiction for six years.

MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

l if e s t y l eG O S S I P

Osbourne says Ozzy cheated

on her with fivewomen in five

different countries

The ‘Cinderella’ actress - who has been dating the former‘Doctor Who’ star for nearly two years - appreciates herboyfriend’s great sense of style so asks him to help her

choose clothes for her red carpet appearances. She said: “He’s gotgreat taste so I run things by him. He’s got a good fashion eye.” The27-year-old beauty spends a lot of time away from her actorboyfriend because of their hectic work commitments, but thingsare good between them. She said: “We make it work.” And nowLily - who is the new face of Burberry’s My Burberry Black fra-grance - is looking forward to taking a few months off once herrun in Kenneth Brannagh’s stage production of ‘Romeo and Juliet’comes to an end. She said: “I need some time just to take stockand chill out. I am really proud of where I’ve got to. “I’ve got peoplelike Kenneth and Burberry behind me, which makes me feel verylucky and supported.” While she’s proud of her achievements, theformer ‘Downton Abbey’ star won’t take her success for granted.She said: “Everything is changeable. No matter how well I do, noth-ing will last forever and I’ll never feel secure.” Lily faced a backlashover her skinny waist when she starred in the movie adaptation of‘Cinderella’ but has slammed the criticism as “sexist” as guys don’tface the same negativity when they slim down or bulk up. Shetold Grazia magazine: “It was the design of the dress, which wasbeautiful. I felt so frustrated. “It was so sexist, when men bulk up orget really fit for a film, that’s fine. “But people make decisionsabout your body which have no relation to reality. We have to becareful about that.

Lily Jamesgets fashion advicefrom Matt Smith

Tom Cruise reportedly charters privatejets to take his gym kit around the worldwith him. The Hollywood icon ensures

he can stay in shape while shooting moviesby using private planes to fly his fitness gearto his next destination the day before hearrives. A source told The Sun on Sundaynewspaper: “Working out is really importantto Tom and he likes to have his own equip-ment with him so he can exercise in private.“It might seem extravagant but for an A-listerof his stature, hiring a private jet is like therest of us hailing a taxi.” Meanwhile, Tom’sgood friend Victoria Beckham revealed earlierthis year how she called on the actor to helpmotivate her own staff. The 42-year-old fash-

ion designer was once working hard on a newcollection when her friend - who famouslyplayed aviator Lieutenant Pete ‘Maverick’Mitchell in iconic 1986 movie ‘Top Gun’ - paida visit to her office and spent quality timewith all of her employees. She recalled: “So Iwas working on a collection and all the moodboards were up - and my team is in the roomwith me - and all of a sudden there was aknock on the door and Tom walks in, all inblack with a pair of aviators, and he standslegs apart and his hands on his hips. “He basi-cally came as Maverick. He spent such a longtime with every single person, whether it wasthe design team, e-com, marketing and hespoke to all of the seamstresses.”

CRUISE CHARTERS PRIVATEJETS FOR HIS GYM GEAR

Healy cannotremember life

before motherhood

Una Healy has forgotten what her life was likebefore she became a mother. The 34-year-oldbeauty - who has two children, a four-year-old

daughter called Aoife Belle and a 17-month-old soncalled Tadhg John, with her sports star husband BenFoden - has admitted it is tough to balance herresponsibilities as a parent with her pop career. Sheshared: “I’ve forgotten what life was like before hav-ing kids! I’m multi-tasking all the time, because if I’mgoing anywhere, doing anything, I have to think ofthem. “It’s a juggling act and there’s no method to it.You just have to try your best. Ben’s life is a bit morestructured and scheduled than mine. He’s veryhands-on with the kids and is brilliant. He plays withthem while I do the washing and cooking. “I think mykids will always remember me for working and forthem being a part of it all. Aofie is always telling meto pick up a guitar and play her a song. She’ll thensing and dance around to it.” Meanwhile, Una alsorevealed her bemusement at the storm created byher decision to revert back to her maiden name forwork. She told The Sun on Sunday newspaper: “Igave [Ben] a heads-up and said I really wanted to goback to Healy for work. He was fine about it andfound the speculation funny. I still use Foden forwhen I’m at home and for personal things. “I’m defi-nitely not the first person to use my maiden name forcareer reasons and it feels right.”

West End star Darius Campbell hasconfessed to enjoying a whirlwindromance with Daisy Lowe earlier

this year. Darius, who rose to fame onBritish talent shows ‘Popstars’ and ‘Pop Idol’,is a long-time friend of the model and has

admitted they went on a series of datestogether before they quickly decided toend their romance. He explained: “Yes,Daisy and I dated and I met her dad GavinRossdale, who is great. “But what peoplealso didn’t know is we were friends first foryears, even when I was married. “There wasa shift that happened a few months agowhere we thought we’d go from friends todating. “When you’re friends first, you knowall of each other’s s**t. That made beingmore than friends really easy. “It was natu-ral and a fun relationship - there were noawkward first dates. “She’s actually not aparty girl. Yeah, we’d have a few tequilasbut she’s just all about being with herfriends, not going wild. We explored beinga couple but we were better mates.”Meanwhile, Daisy recently agreed toappear on the British talent show ‘StrictlyCome Dancing’ and Darius has revealed heis keen to see her in action. He told The Sunon Sunday newspaper: “As she’s about todo ‘Strictly’, I’d put it like this - we weregreat at jiving, we tried to tango, now we’reback to jiving. “She’s really excited aboutthe show and she’s a great dancer. I can’twait to see how she does.”

Darius Campbell lifts thelid on Daisy Lowe romance

Kanye West has come under fire forthe cost of his Life of Pablo clothingrange. The rap star’s T-shirts are print-

ed on Gildan shirts with Cali ThornhillDeWitt’s gothic lettering, which the lifestyleand fashion website Highsnobiety hasclaimed costs between $1.50 to $4 whenpurchased in bulk and wholesale. But whensold with West’s lettering added, a Pablo T-shirt costs $55, a long-sleeve one is $75 anda hoodie for $108. The situation has led tocriticism from fans online, but a sourceclose to the ‘All Day’ rapper has rubbishedtheir moans. The insider told the New YorkPost newspaper: “The sourcing has nothingto do with the aesthetics or the value of theline ... To talk about the source of the shirtmisses the point entirely. It’s like writing anarticle on how an artist sells a $50 canvasfor $1 million. Pointless.” Earlier this year,Kanye hit back at critics of his fashiondesigns during one of his now-infamousTwitter rants. He said: “All these journalistscan give their opinions well these are mine... yes I believe in my ripped homelesssweaters!!! “I don’t personally like suit jack-ets anymore. “I especially hate suit jacketson women... that was a groundbreaking

idea 5 million years ago! “I feel we are sostuck in the past and tradition. “I like T-shirts and women in yoga pants... I live inLA that’s what people wear ... not sure whysomeone would put a suit jacket on withthat. (sic)” Kanye also blasted the fashionindustry more broadly, accusing it of beinginsincere. He wrote on Twitter: “Fake FakeFake fake fake fake fake fake fake fake fake... just my analysis (sic)”.’

Kanye West blastedover cost of clothing line

Michael Jackson felt pressured to per-form an “additional 50” shows for his‘This Is It’ concert. According to the

musician’s physician Conrad Murray - whowas sentenced to four years in jail, althoughhe served two, for the involuntarymanslaughter of the King of Pop after admin-istering a fatal dose of anesthetic Propofol inJune 2009 - has admitted there was growingconcern around the late ‘Thriller’ hitmaker’sability to give one perfect performance for his2009 comeback residency show of 50 gigs,which was heightened when he was asked todo another 50 shows to total 100 concertsand led him to overdoes on the medicine.Speaking exclusively to BANG Showbiz aboutwhat pushed the singer songwriter to takethe fateful drugs, he said: “I don’t think he hadstage fright, but there was a lot of concern forhim whether he had the ability to performlike he did to do 50 shows. They weren’t justasking for 50, there was another request foran additional fifty, so a total of a 100. “I toldhim to not consider it ... what I suggested wasa better way just to pacify the moment

because having the volition alone for this 50was a monumental task for Michael and hetried every possible way to get away from it.“He was trying to find anything that couldgive him a very reasonable method to exit.”However, Conrad - who was stripped of hismedical license for his role in Michael’s death- has hinted Michael felt he had no otherchoice but to persevere because he feared hewould be left “penniless” and wouldn’t beable to afford to feed his 18-year-old daugh-ter Paris. He explained: “But at the same timehe was in total fear because if he did exit, if hepulled away, where would he be left? On theside of the road. “He [Michael] said to mewhat would happen if he did not do theshows ... he said he would be penniless hewould not afford the popsicles his daughterwas eating. He was going to go to Skid Row,which is a derelict, downtrodden homeless,impoverished area of the already impover-ished. That ’s where he thought MichaelJackson would end up.” ‘This Is It! The Secretlives of Dr. Conrad Murray and MichaelJackson’ is available to buy now.

Jackson was pressured to performextra 50 shows after ‘This Is It’ concert

MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

l if e s t y l eG O S S I P

Justin Bieber and Sofia Richie arecelebrating her birthday inMexico. The 22-year-old singer

whisked the model - who turned 18last week - off to Cabo San Lucas on aprivate jet for a romantic weekendaway. Rosewood resort. The coupleconfirmed their romance two weeksago but the union was met with dra-ma, as the pop sensation’s ex-girl-friend Selena Gomez becameembroiled in a public spat with the

star. The 24-year-old singer publiclyscolded Justin when he threatened tomake his Instagram page private afterfans lashed out over pictures of hisnew love, and they accused each oth-er of cheating during their on/offromance. True to his word, Justin dis-appeared from the photo sharing siteand Selena is now said to be stressedand needing time off work to rest. Asource revealed: ‘Justin and Selena’srelationship is notoriously rocky and it

hasn’t been easy to see him move onso publicly with Sofia. ‘But Selena isused to seeing him with other women- it’s the combination of being over-worked and under pressure. ‘She’sbeen touring for four months non-stop and won’t rest until mid-December with her ‘Revival’ tour stillto hit Europe and South America.‘There’s real concern and the plan is totalk to her in the next few days to askher to consider taking some time off.’

Bieber and Richie celebrateher birthday in Mexico

Naomi Campbell’sidol is Boy GeorgeN

aomi Campbell used to sit outsideBoy George’s house ‘for hours’. The46-year-old supermodel was a

huge fan of the singer and his bandCulture Club when she was growing upand now feels lucky to have starred in twoof the group’s videos and to call her idol a‘friend’. She said: ‘He was my childhoodidol and I’m glad to be able to call him apersonal friend. ‘I used to sit outside hishouse with my friend for hours with mag-

azines or whatever else we wanted him tosign. ‘As a fan, I feel lucky to haveappeared in two Culture Club videos.When I was 13, I played a tap-dancingchorus girl in ‘I’ll Tumble 4 Ya’ video. Thefollowing year, they cast me in another oftheir videos, ‘Mistake No. 3’. I absolutelyloved Culture Club and Boy George and Istill do.’ Despite her love of Culture Club,Naomi was more excited about appearingin a Bob Marley video when she was justseven years old. She told Attitude maga-zine: ‘I have to say, out of all the videos I’veappeared in, I think the Bob Marley one isthe most exciting. I was just seven yearsold and it was my first music video. ‘I wastoo young to understand much of it but Iremember being a bit nervous when I wastaken to meet him. ‘My family loved reg-gae music. I still clearly remember therebeing lots of Bob Marley being played onthe radio at home. Having those opportu-nities at such a young age was amazing.’

The Kardashianswant Adele

to appear on their show

The reality TV family are huge fans of the singer andare desperate to have her over for dinner so that shecan appear on the family reality show ‘Keeping Up

With The Kardashians’, but Adele isn’t so keen. A source toldthe Sunday Mirror: ‘Kendall Jenner has been pushing forher to come to dinner as she is smitten by her. She lovesher talent and thinks she is a really funny woman. KimKardashian West and Kanye West to give Adele an LA wel-come and insiders’ knowledge after she bought a placehere. ‘Of course Kris, as executive producer on the E! series,knows that getting the dinner on TV would be viewinggold. ‘But at this stage, Adele is not sold on that idea. Shehasn’t ruled out a Adele recently revealed she is planningto spend the rest of the year in America. The 28-year-oldsinger is currently on tour in the US, but plans to stay in her$7.8 million Los Angeles mansion for some time after therun of shows draw to an end in November and is ‘excited’ atthe prospect of spending Christmas in the sun with herpartner Simon Konecki and their three -year-old sonAngelo. She said: ‘I’m in America for eight months. I’m ontour and then I’m going to have Christmas in America. Ihaven’t done that before, I’m really excited.’ The ‘Hello’singer has given up drinking on the road, is making regulartrips to the gym and while in the US has developed a loveof organic health store Bristol Farms. She said: ‘Oh my god,Bristol Farms - it’s like a better Whole Foods with brands. Ilove it. I had a field day there yesterday.’

Rihanna is ‘giddy’ after Drakesurprised her with a billboard.Drake congratulated the chart

sensation on the news she’s toreceive the Michael Jackson VideoVanguard Award at the MTV VideoMusic Awards by purchasing her ahuge sign emblazoned with thewords ‘Congratulations to Rihannafrom Drake and everyone at OVO.’And Rihanna, 28, was touched bythe romantic gesture. A source toldHollywoodLife.com: ‘That’s thesweetest thing any man’s ever donefor Ri. She’s still in shock and hasbeen being all giddy about it sinceit’s gone up. ‘It’s really hard forRihanna to shake Drake, especiallywhen he goes out of his way to dosomething so sweet and on thehighest magnitude possible. His

congratulatory Billboard is epic andone for the ages. going to personallythank Drake and talk to him about

what they want to do now that shebelieves he’s interested in her andwants more.’ Rihanna couldn’t hideher delight when she shared a pic-ture of her billboard on Instagramand captioned it: ‘When he extra’alongside an emoji of a trophy. Thecute gesture has set tongues wag-ging that the pair - who used to bean item - are secretly dating againand there’s no doubt that they’re stillextremely close, given Drake’s recentdisplay of affection. What’s more,they’ve collaborated on a number oflove tracks - most recently ‘Work’ and‘Too Good’ and previously ‘Take Care’and ‘What’s My Name’ - and the 29-year-old Canadian rapper and Bajansinger have outrageously flirted onstage throughout Rihanna’s ‘AntiWorld Tour’.

Rihanna ‘giddy’ over Drake’s billboard

Kylie Jenner and Tyga jet to Las Vegas

with King Cairo

Kylie Jenner and Tyga have jetted to Las Vegas withhis son King Cairo. The 19-year-old reality TV starand her rapper boyfriend have brought his three-

year-old son on a trip to Sin City for some ‘last-minuteadventures’. Kylie and King were accompanying Tyga, 26,as he flew to Vegas to perform. Although Kylie was previ-ously locked in a long-running feud with King’s motherBlac Chyna, the pair have since buried the hatchet andChyna recently insisted she would be happy for Kylie tobabysit the tot and the new baby she is expecting withKylie’s brother Rob Kardashian. The couple - whoannounced they were expecting their first child together inMay this year one month after getting engaged - admittedthey would trust the star to look after their baby more thanher sister Kendall. When asked in a Facebook Live discus-sion about who they would rely on to mind their tot out ofKendall and Kylie, the 28-year-old make-up artist said:‘Yeah, she [Kylie] could babysit the baby and King at thesame time. ‘[But] I would say both.’ However, the 29-year-old father-to-be has revealed he would only leave hisbrood in the care of the beauty entrepreneur. He quipped:‘I would choose neither of them. ‘No, I’m kidding ...Probably Kylie. I’ll probably let Kylie babysit.’

Nicole Scherzinger:I’m in ‘a good place’

Nicole Scherzinger is in ‘a good place’ in her personallife. After a tumultuous seven-year relationship withLewis Hamilton, 31, the 38-year-old singer has moved

on with 25-year-old tennis ace Grigor Dimitrov and says thatshe is happier than ever. She told The Sun: ‘I’m at a very goodplace now. I’m really happy. I don’t feel like there is any wall up

or any tension or awkwardness. Butthat’s what’s so great with time andlife and experience. What doesn’tbreak you or doesn’t kill you reallyonly makes you stronger.’ Nicoleappeared to blast Lewis duringfilming of the new season of ‘The XFactor’ when a contestant sang hersong ‘Run’, which contains thelyrics, ‘He’ll leave you with a brokenheart.’ Simon Cowell said: ‘Why didthis song make me think of Lewis?Run away, Nicole, run away fast.’And although Nicole confirmedthe song was written about herrelationship with Lewis, she insist-ed she has no desire to hurt him.She said: ‘I wasn’t shying away from

anything. But I’m not taking any low digs or slaps at my pastrelationship because that’s just not who I am. ‘Music speaks foritself and it’s open to interpretation for everyone. But every-thing I sing, I sing it from my piece of truth.’ Meanwhile, Nicoleadmitted she is at war with Simon over boyband OneDirection, as she feels she deserves to get the credit for puttingthe group together on ‘The X Factor’ in 2010. She said: ‘I standby that. I’d fight with him on this. ‘He could at least give me thecredit because he’s getting the cash flow from it. These kids arelooking at houses the same price as mine. I’m like, ‘Wait a sec-ond here!’ I’m the one having to stand in line to buy OneDirection backpacks for my nieces.’

Turner teases more shirtless Poldark scenes

Aidan Turner has hinted that he will strip off inthe new season of ‘Poldark’. The hunky 33-year-old actor thrilled fans when he went shirtless in

season one of the BBC drama and Aidan teased thatmore could be on the way in season two. He told the

Big Issue magazine: ‘Who saysI’m not going topless againthis year? ‘We had no ideawhat it would turn into. It justmade sense for the scene. I amconvinced it was my idea. Itwas ridiculously hot. Whywould he wear a shirt? This isridiculous. He wouldn’t wear ashirt. It was hot, it would rip, itwould be stupid.’ However,Aidan admitted he has to workout constantly to stay in shapeto play Ross Poldark in the

series. He said: ‘And now I need to keep in shape forthe show or I won’t fit the costume. I can’t put on apound. Literally. It is no fun. Seven months of nopasties and loads of press-ups.’ Aidan’s comments aresurprising as his co-star Eleanor Tomlinson, 24, recentlyinsisted Aidan is getting ‘fed up’ over the attention heis receiving for his body.

MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

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Indian models showcase creations bydesigner Santosh Parekh during the

Lakme Fashion Week (LFW)Winter/Festive 2016 in Mumbai.

Indian Bollywood actress Bipasha Basu showcases acreation by designer Sanjukta Dutta.

Indian models showcase creations by designerVeent Rahul.

Indian Bollywood actress Ileana D’Cruz showcases acreation by designer Redhi Mehra.

MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

l if e s t y l eF A S H I O N

Nigel Rodgers is in hell. A cam-paigner against piped music fordecades, he stands in a shoe

shop on London’s Oxford Street which isblaring out loud pop music, wincing visi-bly. “It’s just as bad as passive smoking,”said the 63-year-old, sporting a blueblazer with a red handkerchief in the toppocket and eagerly eyeing the exit. “Itreally is enough to drive most peoplebonkers if they have got any sensitivityat all.” Rodgers has campaigned againstthe canned music which is common inBritish shops and other public spaces for24 years but his group Pipedown recent-ly scored its biggest success yet.

One of the country’s top departmentstores, Marks and Spencer, said it wouldstop playing music after a letter writingcampaign by hundreds of Pipedown’s2,000 members. Now the group hopes topersuade other major retailers to followsuit as sister organizations take offaround the world, including in Germanyand the United States. Rodgers is farmore comfortable sipping a cup of tea inthe relative calm of the Marks andSpencer cafe a few doors down onLondon’s busiest shopping street.

Masking other noise? Here, he gently explained how he

believes the mechanisation of societyhas turned up the volume on the mod-ern world, causing health problems likehearing damage and raised blood pres-sure. “We live in a continuously noisyenvironment,” he said. “We’re being artifi-cially stimulated all the time in a waywe’re not designed to.” Rodgers, whoalso writes books on art history and phi-losophy, founded Pipedown aged 38after becoming frustrated by pipedmusic in a restaurant where he was din-ing with a girlfriend.

The group kept growing and, as wellas letter writing campaigns, many sup-porters now go shopping armed withcards complaining-politely of courseabout piped music which they hand toshop workers. “It’s not just a matter ofone or two neurotics-it’s a much biggerproblem,” Rodgers said. “Attitudes canchange very fast-I’m hoping the M and S

decision may mark a tipping point,” headded, blinking slightly as plates clat-tered in the background. By contrast,industry figures argue piped music canmake shops a more, not less, pleasantenvironment to be in.

Adrian England of PEL Services, whichprovides music for a string of big nameBritish retailers, said silence makes somepeople uncomfortable. “If there’s nomusic, you’ll hear arguments, noisy chil-dren-all sorts of noise which is presentbut you don’t hear because music masksit,” he told AFP. England said shops like toplay a mix of two or three musical gen-res to appeal to their customers, varyingthe tempo throughout the day-mellowin the mornings, energetic in theevenings. The biggest sign of successcan be if shoppers do not even realizethe music is there, he said. “There cer-tainly is a paradox. If you’re doing it wellthen the customers won’t notice-theywon’t compliment you, they just won’tcomplain,” England added.

‘Helps me buy quicker’ Professor Adrian North of Australia’s

Curtin University researches the impactof music on consumer behavior andbelieves few businesses are using itproperly to communicate with cus-tomers. Studies he has worked on sug-gest that playing the “right” kind ofmusic in commercial environmentscould boost sales by as much as 20 per-cent. The wrong music “would usuallyhave effects that were worse than play-ing no music at all.” Back on OxfordStreet, thronged with tourists visitingLondon over the summer holiday period,shoppers were split on whether theyloved or loathed loud music in shops.

“It takes a lot more energy walkinginto this kind of store-I tend to avoidthem,” said Martin Persson, a 34-year-oldvisiting from Sweden, outside the shoeshop which Rodgers found so noisy. ButZyad al-Shoeeb, a 22-year-old fromSaudi Arabia, loved what for him was thenovelty of thumping beats as he pickedout his latest designer footwear. “Themusic fits with the shoes-it helps me buyquicker,” he added. — AFP

Nigel Rodgers of the Pipedown campaign group poses for a photograph in frontof a branch of Marks and Spencer on Oxford Street in central London. —AFP

Quiet battle for the sound of silence in UK shops

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Indian Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoorshowcases a creation by designer KunalRawal during the Lakme Fashion Week(LFW) Winter/Festive 2016 in Mumbai yes-terday. — AP/AFP photos

Indian Bollywood actress Prachi Desai showcases a cre-ation by designer Sonam & Paras Modi.

Indian models showcase creationsby designer Anushree Reddy.

Indian models showcase cre-ations by designer Shantanu &Nikhil.

36Tom Cruise charters private jets for his gym gear

MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

A stallholder stands behind her wares on the first day of ‘The Asylum Steampunk Festival’ in Lincoln, northern England. The four-day alternative lifestyle festival is the largest and longest running steampunk festivalin the World; combining art, literature, music, fashion and comedy. Steampunk is a subgenre of science fiction or science fantasy that incorporates technology and aesthetic designs inspired by 19th-century industrialsteam-powered machinery. — AFP

Young people have turned to rollerblading in theGaza Strip, gliding along the Palestinian enclave’swaterfront with used equipment that can be bought

at a popular flea market. The sport requires little gear-which is important in Gaza, hit by three wars with Israelsince 2008 and under an Israeli blockade for a decade.Nearly half the 1.9 million population in the strip run byIslamist movement Hamas is unemployed. “ The

rollerblades are not available in Gaza. It’s complicated forus to find some,” said Rajab Al-Rifi, a 20-year-old rollerblad-er from Gaza City.

“We go to the Yarmouk souk, which is a second-handmarket with goods from Israel. They are considered cast-offs from Israel, but we buy them, we fix them and then wecan use them.” The rollerbladers join bikers, joggers andhorse- and camel-riders on Gaza’s Mediterranean coastline,

weaving their movements and jumping from steps. Theysometimes draw curious looks, including from city employ-ees who stopped with their brooms in hand to watch.“When the people see us, they are happy,” said MohammedHajjaj, 17. But the rollerbladers say more should be done todevelop the sport in Gaza. “We don’t have any support inGaza,” said Rifi. “There is no club for rollerblades... There isnothing for us here.”— AFP

Iraq’s youth orchestra - a musical dream

that shattered

For nearly six years, young Iraqis defied the war,coming from all over the country to play in anorchestra, but the emergence of Islamic State

has dashed their dream of making music to bridgedeadly sectarian divides. The Iraqi National YouthOrchestra’s story is told in a memoir by PaulMacAlindin, the band’s conductor from its founding in2009 until it was forced to stop playing in 2014, anend that left him “devastated and empty and very,very broken.” MacAlindin, a Scottish musician, was eat-ing fish and chips in an Edinburgh cafe when he sawan appeal in the local newspaper from a 17-year-oldIraqi pianist, Zuhal Sultan, for a maestro to put theorchestra together.

At that point, in 2008, MacAlindin knew little aboutIraq or the challenges of playing classical music in acountry devastated by more than a decade of war. “Iknew pretty much what everyone else in the generalpublic knew, which was that Iraq was a war zone,” saidMacAlindin, who took the job that was funded by,among others, the British and German governments.With much of Iraq too dangerous for MacAlindin to getto in order to meet potential players, the musicianswere sought on Facebook and auditioned via YouTube.

Most had learned to play by watching videos onlinein the first place. “There was no teaching to speak of,”said MacAlindin, now 48, who before taking up theIraqi baton had conducted orchestras and ensemblesfrom New Zealand to Germany. The National YouthOrchestra of Iraq eventually met in 2009 for a summerschool, the first of many rehearsals and concerts forwhich MacAlindin would fly in to conduct. His proud-est memory is their first concert, following two weeksof “orchestral bootcamp” with a team of translators tohelp the Kurdish and Arabic speakers communicatewith their maestro and each other.

Resilience and despair“We proved that it could be done. We also proved

that we were resilient enough to see the coursethrough to the end,” he said. “And despite all the verylarge differences between us, we held ourselvestogether and nobody walked out.” Beethoven’sPrometheus Overture, Haydn’s Symphony No. 99, and -to represent the ethnic mix of the orchestra - Kurdishand Arabic Iraqi pieces made up the repertoire thatnight and the orchestra went on to play in Britain,France and Germany. As well as nurturing musical tal-ent, the orchestra brought together people agedbetween 18 and 25 from all over Iraq.

“We had no interest in the politics or religion or all theother things that divide young people against each oth-er in Iraq. “We were simply together making music. Thatbuilt trust, and it allowed friendships to foster in theorchestra that wouldn’t under any other circumstancesbe possible.” But since the orchestra’s collapse in 2014,the year the Islamic State group declared a caliphateacross swathes of Iraq and Syria, MacAlindin is pes-simistic about its future. “The whole country is in such astate of trauma that the possibility of anybody fulfillingtheir personal potential and contributing culturally to anation - it’s just not happening,” he said. — Reuters

Youth movement: Gazans take up rollerblading

Young Palestinians roller skate on the corniche in Gaza City. — AFP photos