emergency number NO. 16888 32 PAGES 150 FILS AMIR, SAUDI … · 2018-10-01 · THE FIRST ENGLISH...

THE FIRST ENGLISH LANGUAGE DAILY IN FREE KUWAITEstablished in 1977 / www.arabtimesonline.com

MONDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2018 / MUHARRAM 21, 1440 AH emergency number 112 NO. 16888 32 PAGES 150 FILS

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His Highness the Amir, accompanied by His High-ness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and Prince Mo-hammad bin Salman said the support of the common Gulf action was within the solid bonds among the Gulf Co-operation Council’s (GCC) countries.

They also discussed ways of boosting bilateral relations in all domains, as well as re-gional and international devel-opments.

The meeting was attended by Acting Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and Minister of Amiri Diwan Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah.

His Highness the Amir held a dinner banquet Sunday in honor of the Saudi Crown Prince, Dep-uty Premier and Defense Minis-ter Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and the offi cial del-egation accompanying him.

The Saudi Crown Prince and an offi cial delegation accompa-nying him arrived in Kuwait on Sunday evening.

State offi cialsCrown Prince Mohammad

bin Salman was received at the Airport by His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Acting Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and senior state offi cials.

Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman is accompanied by Royal Court advisor Prince Turki bin Fahad bin Abdulaziz, Interior Minister Prince Ab-dulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef, Al-Jouf Governor Prince Bader bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Culture Prince Bader bin Ab-dullah bin Farhan, Deputy Gov-ernor of Najran Prince Turki bin Hathlol bin Abdulzziz, Minister of State Musaed Al-Aiaban, Minister of Trade and Invest-ment Majed Al-Qasabi, Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir, Minis-ter of Energy Khaled Al-Faleh and Information Minister Aw-wad A-Awwad.

The Mission of Honor is headed by Deputy Amiri Di-wan Minister Sheikh Moham-mad Abdullah Al-Sabah.

The visit of the Saudi Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minis-ter and Minister of Defense Prince Mohammad bin Sal-man Al-Saud to Kuwait would strengthen the special relation-ship between the two brotherly leaderships and peoples, said Saudi Ambassador to Kuwait Prince Sultan bin Saad bin Khaled Al-Saud Sunday.

In a press statement marking Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Kuwait, the ambassador said that the historic relations be-tween Saudi Arabia and Kuwait extend for more than 100 years. During this period, mutual visits between the leaders of the two brotherly countries came to con-fi rm the depth of relationship be-tween the two ruling families and two brotherly peoples as well as the progress and prosperity of this relationship.

The visit came during a criti-cal stage passing through in the region, he said.

It also comes within the framework of continuous com-munication between the Custo-dian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to promote the distinguished relations be-tween the two countries.

The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia has taken the responsi-bility of transferring the King-dom of Saudi Arabia to the fu-ture through the vision of 2030, which is positively refl ected on the whole region.

Everyone looks forward to this visit, which refl ects distinc-tive model of cooperation and coordination between the two brotherly countries.

The visit by the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman

Continued on Page 8

AMIR, SAUDI CROWN PRINCE HOLD OFFICIAL TALKS Supporting common Gulf action in focus

Opinion

By Ahmed Al-JarallahEditor-in-Chief, the Arab Times

THE call made by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of For-eign Affairs and Expatriates of the Syrian Arab Republic (SAR) Walid Muallem for Syrian refu-gees to voluntarily return to their country is another indication of the approaching end of the heated and bloody tussle. It also signals the start of the cold season when quotas of infl uence are distributed in accordance with the size of each of the involved nations.

To avoid any unbearable con-dition, the refugees have started responding to their government’s call; especially those living un-der miserable conditions and on the verge of poverty in camps in Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey.

This is due to the fact that re-turning to their country remains their best solution, while fur-ther delaying the reconstruction workshop will only worsen the crises for them.

Undoubtedly, the regime in Damascus endured in the past seven years while combating the ‘Arab Spring’ brought to its bor-ders, especially after the Libyan ordeal which revealed the reality of the direct and indirect regional players.

This pushed the country to the furnace of blood in a bid to ce-ment the authority that is based on the ideology of a political group with religious stature – I mean the ‘Brotherhood’ which is linked with the Iranian Mullah expan-sionism regime that is in the far-thest level of terrorism operations.

Indeed, the regime in Damas-cus sought assistance from its al-lies in the civil war but when it comes to politics, a country has right to seek help from the devil in order to preserve its land and unity.

However, Iran took the op-portunity to achieve its objec-tives and despite its interference in Syria to cement its presence there, it knows very well that it has no refuge there in spite of attempts to impose cultural and demographic changes in Syria.

The Persian scheme is danger-ous for the Syrian State due to its objective to fi nd an environment which will contribute to its de-mographic expansion.

This is what it has been work-ing on for the past seven years, igniting and fueling sectarian con-fl ict in order to increase its forces there. Everyone knows now that the so-called terrorist group ‘ISIS’ is the second face of the deteriorating Persian currency.

Therefore, once this sectarian pretext is snatched from the Mul-lahs’ hands, it will lead to with-drawal of the remaining foreign forces.

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Continued on Page 8

Syria for Syrians from beginning to endKUWAIT CITY, Sept 30, (KUNA): His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sa-bah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah held offi cial talks with visiting Saudi Crown Prince, Deputy Premier and Defense Minister Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Sunday on efforts to support common Gulf action.

Ways of boosting bilateral ties discussed

Amiri Diwan photoHH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah during his reception of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz.

Kurds vote for new parliament

DAESH cell found in Raqqa

Iraq set to choose President

Russian Syria strikes kill 18,000BEIRUT, Sept 30, (Agencies): More than 18,000 people, nearly half of them civilians, have been killed in Russian air strikes on Syria since Mos-cow began its game-changing intervention exact-ly three years ago, a monitor said Sunday.

Russia, for its part, said its “accurate” strikes had killed 85,000 “terrorists”.

A steadfast ally of Syria’s ruling regime, Rus-sia began carrying out bombing raids in the coun-try on Sept 30, 2015 – more than four years into the devastating confl ict.

Since then, they have killed 18,096 people, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

“That number includes 7,988 civilians, or near-ly half of the total,” said Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman.

Another 5,233 Islamic State fi ghters were also killed in Russian strikes, with the rest of the dead including other rebels, Islamists and jihadists, the Britain-based monitor said.

Russia’s defence commission published drasti-cally different fi gures on Sunday.

“All of the air strikes have targeted and are still accurately targeting terrorist targets,” said Com-mission Chief Viktor Bondarev, cited by the Rus-sian Interfax agency.

Human rights groups and Western govern-ments have criticised Russia’s air war in Syria,

saying it bombs indiscriminately and targets ci-vilian infrastructure including hospitals.

The White Helmets, a Syrian rescue force that works in opposition areas, said in a report re-leased Sunday that it had responded to dozens of strikes by Russia on buildings used by civilians since 2015.

They included Russian bombing raids on 19 schools, 12 public markets and 20 medical facili-ties over the past three years, as well as 21 of its own rescue centres.

“Russia has fl aunted its disregard for agree-ments over safe zones, no-confl ict zones, cessa-tions of hostilities, and de-escalation zones by continuing with airstrikes on civilian spaces,” the White Helmets charged.

Russia has operated a naval base in Syria’s coastal Tartus province for decades, but expand-ed its operations to the nearby Hmeimim airbase in 2015.

It also has special forces and military police units on the ground in government-controlled parts of the country.

The air strikes were crucial in helping troops loyal to President Bashar al-Assad retake swathes of the country, including second city Aleppo in 2016 and areas around Damascus, the rural cen-tre, and the south this year alone.

BAGHDAD, Sept 30, (Agencies): The Iraqi parliament will be tasked on Monday to choose the President of the country amongst 24 nominees for the post.

While the task is of great importance, what makes it very diffi cult is that the current status quo of the Kurd-ish alliance make it very diffi cult to choose a sole can-didate for the Presidential post.

The voting was supposed to take place on Tuesday; however, a decision was made to organize it on Mon-day to avoid a lack of quorum.

The candidates most likely to win the vote are Pa-triotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) led by Barham Salih and Fuad Hussein of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) Fuad Hussein.

Both candidates are well known within Iraqi politi-cal and parliamentary circles, but this Kurdish split in nomination might lead to a state of confusion when comes to voting and perhaps they might face some competition from other groups within parliament vying for the presidency post.

Kurdish affairs expert Saman Nouh told KUNA that the PUK and KDP had alliance in the past, but both parties in recent year seem to work for own interests.

Since the KDP lost its leader Jalal Talabani recently and some members were abandoning ship, it looks like their chances to win the Presidency is slim, said Nouh.

He added that while the Kurds are seemingly arguing with themselves, it would be interesting to know whom the Shite MPs are supporting.

Major Shite blocs in parliament might vote for PUK’s Salih, but it remains uncertain whether all of them are on the same page, said the expert.

While the parliamentary conundrum is carrying on, Iraq top state offi cials such as Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi stressed that the winning candidate must put

Retirement eyedKUWAIT CITY, Sept 30: The Early Retirement Bill has been facing diffi culties since the beginning as it was amended a couple of times before the Parliament’s approval, then it was referred to the govern-ment for implementation but was rejected and returned to the Parliament due to executive complications; most of which are related to fi nances.

The concerned parliamentary committees are currently delib-erating on the bill in prepara-tion for a report that will be forwarded to the Parliament for discussion, because MPs are trying to push for its enactment once again.

Photo courtesy of DAIDar Al Athar Al Islamiyyah kick-started its 24th cultural season with a lecture by Dr Ziad Rajab on ‘Islamic Chinese Calligraphy in the Tareq Rajab Museum of Islamic Calligraphy’, at the Yarmouk

Cultural Centre. – See Pages 13 & 14.

Newswatch

DUBAI: Special courts set up in a drive against fi -nancial crime have sentenced three people to death in Iran, state television reported on Sunday, as the country faces renewed US sanctions and a public outcry against profi teering and corruption.

A judiciary offi cial also warned truck drivers hold-ing a nationwide strike over pay and high prices of “harsh penalties” if they continue their protests, state media said.

The special Islamic revolutionary courts were set up last month to try suspects quickly after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called for “swift and just” legal action to confront an “economic war” by foreign enemies.

Judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, quoted by state TV, said the courts handed down out death sentences to three defendants after convicting them of “spreading corruption on earth”, a capital offence under Iran’s Islamic laws.

Continued on Page 8

Continued on Page 8 Continued on Page 8

Continued on Page 8

LOCALARAB TIMES, MONDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2018

2

KUNA photoJordanian PM Dr Omar Al-Razzaz while receiving Kuwaiti Ambassador Aziz Al-

Dehani.

KUNA photoChairman of Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) Sheikh Mubarak Daij Al-Sabah with

Chairman of the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) and his accompanying delegation.

KUNA photoOne of the diving team members on the sunken ship before it was retrieved.

fi ngerprint devices to the Civil Ser-vice Commission.

The sources confi rmed after the completion of the process it will enable the CSC to ensure that all government agencies are commit-ted to the implementation of fi nger-print attendance by all employees without exception.

Meanwhile, Kuwait Liberal Movement organized a sit-in re-cently at Erada Square to condemn and protest against the censorship practiced by the Ministry of Infor-mation which banned a number of books, reports Al-Qabas daily.

The protesters claimed the minis-try is fi ghting against freedom in a democratic country, affi rming they will continue the protest if the min-istry does not stop its anti-freedom practices while urging the MPs to intervene.

College of Law Professor at Ku-wait University Fatma Al-Matar disclosed this is the third sit-in in the current month, calling for cancellation of censorship. She thanked MP Khalid Al-Shatti for taking steps towards the ministry and submitting queries to the infor-mation minister.

Al-Matar said the ministry point-ed out that censorship applies only to books deemed offensive to reli-gion and belief. If this is true, what about the books replying to argu-ments of infi dels? she wondered.

Writer Dr Hamad Al-Ansari re-jected the censorship practiced by the ministry as it curtails freedoms which include intellectual and per-sonal rights.

Two parties discuss ways of boosting ties

Team uses air bags, water pumps to float vessel

Ismail’s role hailed

as Aden and Basra, indicating that this ship is rare only three vessels of this type were man-ufactured in the Gulf.

The vessel was built in Ku-wait with traditional methods (baghlah) and is a large deep-sea dhow, a traditional Ara-bic sailing vessel, the name “baghla” means “mule” in the Arabic language and similar to Portuguese ships used in 17th

century. Al-Fadhel stressed that the

Kuwaiti Dive Team strives to protect the marine environ-ment through its voluntary activities and help the sea-go-ers to recover their ships and boats in the event of drowning. It also contributes actively to spreading the culture of volun-teering and fruitful community participation.

Memorandum submitted

KUNA chief receives Saudi Crown Prince’s media team

Divers retrieve old wooden sunken ship

AUK honors late Kuwaiti writer

Panel to follow up & evaluateperformance of civil societies

‘All ministries, govt bodies need tolink fi ngerprint devices with CSC’

Dr Al-Razzaz meets with Ambassador Al-Dehani

KUWAIT CITY, Sept 30, (KUNA): Chairman and Director General of Ku-wait News Agency (KUNA) Sheikh Mubarak Duaij Al-Ibrahim Al-Sabah re-ceived on Sunday at KUNA’s headquar-ters the media delegation accompanying Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman Al-Saud.

The delegation, headed by Chairman of Saudi Press Agency (SPA) Abdullah Bin Fahad Al-Hussain, includes Chief Editor of Aljazeera newspaper Khaled Al-Malek, Chief Editor of Al-Watan newspaper Othman Bin Mahmoud Al-Seeny, their counterpart at Al-Madina newspaper Fahad Al-Aqran, Editor-in-Chief at Sabq electronic newspaper Ali Abdulfatah, said Spokesperson of the Ministry of Information Dr Abdullah Al-Maghlooth.

The Kuwaiti side at the meeting con-sisted of KUNA Board Members, Deputy Director General for Financial and Ad-

ministrative Affairs Abdulhameed Mal-ak, Chief Editor Saad Al-Ali, the Director of the General Director’s Bureau Nayef Al-Otaibi and the Director of Marketing and Public Relations Esam Al-Rowayeh.

The two parties discussed their sig-nificant media relations and ways of strengthening these ties to include all me-dia sectors.

For his part, Sheikh Mubarak Al-Duaij said, “The Crown Prince’s visit to Kuwait is very important in light of the challeng-es that the Arab region is facing, in ad-dition to the two countries’ keenness on consultation and coordination on various causes, regionally and internationally.”

For his part, Al-Hussain affirmed in a statement to KUNA his keenness to meet, regularly, with Sheikh Mubarak Al-Duaij Al-Sabah, noting such that a gathering constitutes an opportunity to benefit from Sheikh Mubarak’s long media expertise at the local, Gulf and Arab levels.

KUWAIT CITY, Sept 30, (KUNA): Professional Kuwaiti divers, aided by volunteers and advocates of environment pro-tection, lifted a 25-meter-long, sunken wooden ship from south of Kuwait Bay.

The chief of the diving team, Waleed Al-Fadhel, told KUNA on Sunday that the team used air bags and water pumps to float the ship and later would towing it to Doha coast for maintenance works and to ensure the safety of sea-goers of Kuwait’ Bay.

The ship was considered as a threat due to the dispersal of some of its parts in the sea at the high tide, which must be removed in order to ensure the safety of the sea-goers in addi-tion to containing fuel and oils adversely affect the marine en-vironment, he added.

He explained that the ship, which was recovered from the type of (Baghlah), a tradi-tional Kuwaiti sailing vessels used for travel from Kuwait to India and East Africa as well

KUWAIT CITY, Sept 30, (KUNA): The American Uni-versity of Kuwait (AUK) de-clared on Sunday naming the cultural forum award for Arabic short stories (the third edition 2017-2018) after the late emi-nent Kuwaiti novelist, Ismail Fahad Ismail.

Dr Suad Al-Enezi, the award chief jurist, said in a press re-lease that the AUK initiative

came in recognition of the de-ceased’s creativity and cultural roles, renowned in Kuwait and throughout the Arab world.

Ismail, who has recently passed away at the age of 78, was a founder of the award and member of its board of trus-tees.

The award was launched in partnership between the forum and the AUK in October 2015.

KUWAIT CITY, Sept 30: The Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) Department in the Min-istry of Social Affairs and Labor has submitted a memorandum to the assistant undersecretary for Social Development Sector on the formation of a committee tasked to follow up and evaluate the per-formance of civil societies, reports Al-Jarida daily quoting sources.

Sources said the idea of forming the committee came from the ministry’s commitment to follow up civil work as its role reflect on the development of society and advancement of cultural, professional and social aspects; in addition to helping the societ-ies perform their work well, achieve the objectives for which they were established and direct them to the optimal application of the law.

LegalSources revealed the committee will assess the

performance of all NGOs in the legal sense and en-sure compliance with law number 24 of 1962 on clubs and public benefit associations.

Sources said the committee will ensure complete-ness of the file of a society in terms of the existence of legal headquarters, and issuance of licenses by Kuwait Municipality and Kuwait Fire Service Di-rectorate; noting that if the file is not complete, the society will be informed to amend its status. Le-gal measures against a society will be taken in the event of violation of laws and regulations, sources warned.

Sources added the committee will also assess the performance of NGOs technically to determine the extent of their activities on the ground and compat-ibility of activities and projects with the objectives for which they were established, as well as to en-sure they get the approval for the implementation of these activities and projects.

Kuwait Liberal Movement protests against censorship by ‘Info’

Relations with Kuwait ‘distinct’ in all fi elds: Jordan PM

KUWAIT CITY, Sept 30: The Civil Service Commis-sion (CSC) said all ministries and government institu-tions and agencies are obliged to link the fi ngerprint attendance devices with the CSC, reports Al-Anba daily quoting the CSC sources.

The aim is to enable the concerned department in the CSC to fol-low up the data and ensure that all parties comply with the rules and regulations circulated by the CSC, the sources added.

The sources added the CSC will install a new automated system that will link all government authorities, ministries and government insti-tutions, and this system will oblige all those who have not linked their

AMMAN, Sept 30, (KUNA): Jordan’s Prime Minister Dr Omar Al-Razzaz stressed Sunday depth of “historical and brotherly” relations between Jor-dan and Kuwait in all fi elds.

This came during Al-Razzaz’s meeting with Kuwait’s Ambassador

to Jordan Aziz Al-Dehani, where they discussed ways to strengthen Jordanian-Kuwaiti ties, a statement by Jordanian Prime Minister bureau said.

The relations between the two coun-tries have been bolstered with support

of the senior political leadership led by King Abdullah II (of Jordan) and His Highness the Amir (of Kuwait) Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the statement said.

Al-Razzaz stressed Jordan’s keen-ness to strengthen bilateral relations

and open wider areas of cooperation to serve the interests of both countries on various regional and international issues.

The Jordanian-Kuwaiti economic relations are an example of Arab co-operation in all fi elds, he said, noting

that Kuwaiti investments in Jordan rank fi rst among Arab and foreign in-vestments.

For his part, Ambassador Al-Dehani told KUNA he conveyed greetings of the Kuwaiti political leadership to the Jordanian Prime Minister and stressed

the depth of the relations between the two countries and keenness to strengthen them in various fi elds.

Al-Dehani also emphasized Ku-wait’s determination to back up Jordan and develop bilateral relations between the two countries.

Dr Fatma Al-Matar


3

From left: HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah with His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim, and FM Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Sabah.

From left: His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah with Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim, FM Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Sabah, and Interior Minister Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah.

Audiences of His Highness the Amir and His Highness the Crown PrinceHis Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received Sunday at Bayan Palace His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

His Highness also received National Assembly

Speaker Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanim.His Highness later received Acting Prime Minister,

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. Meanwhile, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad

Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received at Bayan Palace Sunday Speaker of the National Assembly Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanim.

His Highness the Crown Prince also received Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh

Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Anas Al-Saleh. (KUNA)

KUNA photosHis Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah receives Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Anas

Al-Saleh.

Kuwait flag carrier launches flightsto GCC countries via new Terminal 4

DGCA partakes in regional aviation safety meeting in Riyadh

By Mohammad Al-Mutairi and Agencies

KUWAIT CITY, Sept 30, (KUNA): Kuwait Airways flights heading to neigh-boring Gulf countries have begun taking off from Kuwait International Airport’s new Terminal 4 (T4), the national carrier said on Sunday.

The itinerary includes between 26 to 34 daily trips to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Kuwait Airways Chairman Yousef Al-Jassim told the press.

“By mid-November, Kuwait Airways should start launching flights out of T4 to Europe and the United States, in addition to the Indian Subcontinent and the Far East,” he revealed.

He was satisfied with flight oper-ations at the new terminal thus far and with its capacity to accommo-date four to five million travelers per year, putting Kuwait’s flag car-rier on par with some of the world’s most renowned airlines.

Meanwhile, the Director General of Kuwait’s General Directorate for Civil Aviation Yousef Al-Fouzan told KUNA that flights to GCC destinations have successfully been launched out of the new terminal.

He pointed out that a team of experts is evaluating flight opera-tions in an effort to pinpoint any hurdles that could encumber travel at the newly opened terminal.

Kuwait’s International Airport has seen a spike of up to 10 percent in passenger traffic with the com-pletion of the sprawling terminal.

In the meantime, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will partake tomorrow in a regional meeting on civil aviation safety in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, said a state-ment Sunday.

A statement by the DGCA, obtained by KUNA, said that the three-day meeting would focus on the latest developments within the aviation safety domain both on the regional and international levels.

The DGCA’s delegation will be headed by chairman Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Humoud Al-Sabah.

The Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) will host the meeting.

Preparations well in place for 4-day event: Al-Gharba

HH Crown Prince shooting tourney to kick off WedKUWAIT CITY, Sept 30, (KUNA): Shooters from across Kuwait are set to compete in the annual His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah championship slated for Wednesday, Kuwait’s Shooting Sport Federation announced.

The prestigious tournament

will kick off with the men’s pistol competition, with the remainder of festivities to follow suit, the federation’s assistant secretary Misfir Al-Gharba told the press on Sunday.

He said that preparations are well in place for the four-day event, citing a resurgence for the sport of shooting in Kuwait.

There have been a series of meetings held prior to the start of the competition on Wednesday, Hamad Al-Ruwaisan, one of the referees for the contest, said.

He added that Kuwait is home to many talented shooters, all of whom will put their skills on display as the championship unfolds.Sheikh Salman

KUNA photosTop and above: Health Minister Sheikh Dr Basel Al-Sabah opens the new ministry building.

Health Minister opens new building

Minister of Health Sheikh Dr Basel Al-Sabah attended on Sunday the opening of the new licensing building.

The minister said, in a state-ment at the inauguration cere-mony, that the new licensing

building marks the beginning of a new stage in work develop-ment procedures for health licenses.

He praised efforts of all those who contributed to the planning, constructing and equipping the

building.The minister emphasized

that the project aims to encour-age investments, upgrade pro-cedures and partnerships. (KUNA)

Prayer TimingsFajr ............................................................... 04:22Sunrise .......................................................... 05:41Zohr ............................................................... 11:38Asr ..................................................................15:02 Maghrib ........................................................ 17:34 Isha ............................................................... 18:51

WeatherExpected weather for the next 24 hours:By Night: Fair with light variable wind becom-

ing light to moderate north westerly wind, with speed of 06-28 km/h.

By Day: Hot with light to moderate north west-erly wind to light variable wind, with speed of 08-32 km/h. Station Max Min Exp RecKuwait City 42 32Kuwait Airport 42 24Abdaly 42 25Bubyan - -Jahra 42 28Failaka Island 41 29Salmiyah 41 32Ahmadi 37 32Nuwaisib 40 26Wafra 42 23Salmy 40 24

4 days forecast - WeatherMonday, Oct 1

Expected weather ..............................................HotMax Temp ........................................................41CMin Temp .........................................................25CWind Direction ..........................................NW-VRBWind Speed .......................................... 08-32 km/h

Tuesday, Oct 2Expected weather .... Hot and relatively humid spe-cially over coastal areasMax Temp ........................................................41CMin Temp .........................................................22CWind Direction ...........................................VRB-SEWind Speed .......................................... 08-30 km/h

Wednesday, Oct 3Expected weather ..............................................HotMax Temp ........................................................44CMin Temp .........................................................24CWind Direction ..........................................NW-VRB Wind Speed .......................................... 08-32 km/h

Thursday, Oct 4Expected weather . Hot with chance for rising dust over open areasMax Temp ........................................................44CMin Temp .........................................................26C

Marine ForecastStation Max Min Sea Today’s Exp Rec Surf Waves Ht DirectionSouth Dolphin - - - 4ft SEUmm Mudayrah - - - 4ft SEBeacon M28 - - - 4ft SEBeacon N6 36 31 - 4ft SEQaruh Island 36 31 - 4ft SEUmm Al-Maradem 36 30 - 4ft SESea Island Buoy - - - - -

Salmiyah 41 32 - 4ft SE

4 days forecast - MarineMonday, Oct 1

Expected weather ..............................................HotSea state ...................................Slight to moderateWave height ...................................................1-4 ftMax Temp ........................................................41CMin Temp .........................................................25CWind Direction ..........................................NW-VRBWind Speed .......................................... 08-32 km/h

Tuesday, Oct 2Expected weather .... Hot and relatively humid spe-cially over coastal areasSea state ...................................Slight to moderateWave height ...................................................1-4 ftMax Temp ........................................................41CMin Temp .........................................................22CWind Direction ...........................................VRB-SEWind Speed .......................................... 08-30 km/h

Wednesday, Oct 3 Expected weather ..............................................HotSea state ...................................Slight to moderateWave height ...................................................1-4 ftMax Temp ........................................................44CMin Temp .........................................................24CWind Direction ..........................................NW-VRBWind Speed .......................................... 08-32 km/h

Thursday, Oct 4Expected weather Hot with a chance for rising dust over open areasSea state ...................................Slight to moderateWave height ...................................................2-5 ftMax Temp ........................................................44CMin Temp .........................................................26CWind Direction .................................................. NWWind Speed .......................................... 12-42 km/h

Tide times at Shuwaikh Port1st high tide: .................................................. 15:322nd high tide: ................................................. 02:371st low tide: ................................................... 09:062nd low tide: .................................................. 21:21Sunrise: ......................................................... 05:40Sunset: .......................................................... 17:36

Recorded yesterday at Kuwait Airport

Max temp ..........................................................42CMin temp ...........................................................24CMax Rh ............................................................ 28%Min Rh ............................................................. 07%Max Wind ........................................... NW 32 km/hTotal Rainfall in 24 hrs .................................. 0 mm

Recorded yesterday at South Dolphin

Min/Max/ Air Temp ........................................... -/-CMin/Max Rel Hum .............................................-/-%Wind Direction/Wind Speed ......................N/- km/hPrev Wave Dir/Max Wave Ht .......................... N/-ftMin/Max Sea Surface Temp ...........................-/- ºCSea Current .......................Beginning of Downdraft

— Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Meteorological Dept.

deathsAysha Humoud Jasem Al Yaqout, wife of Waleed Khaled Al Shehab, buried on Sunday. Condolences: (Men) Faiha, Diwan Al Yaqout, Block 2, Street 27, Avenue 27, House 1, Tel. 99006065 (Women) Abdullah Al Mubarak, Block 3, Street 313, House 12, Tel. 99211258. Shama Shtait Fahad Al Azemi, 83 years old, wife of Mijbel Mohsen Fahad Al Azimi, buried on Sunday. Condolences: (Men) Jaber Al Ali, Block 4, Street 7, House 6, Tel. 99014528. Mohammad Ali Mohammad Al Mailam, 68 years old, buried on Sunday. Condolences: (Men) Adailiya, Diwan Al Mailam, Block 1, Abdul Aziz Al Rashed Street Tel 22528998 (Women) Surra, Block 4, Street 11, House 22, Tel. 25342918. Yousef Ahmad Mohammad Al Rashed, 80 years old, to be buried on Monday at 9:00 pm. Condolences: (Men) Qadisiya, Block 7, Bader Street, Diwan Al Ibrahim Tel. 65653656- 99644467 (Women) Mishref, Block 1, Street 4, House 7 Tel. 25389080-97223030. Hameeda Ibrahim Abdullah Al Farhan, 70 years old, widow of Sadeq Abdullah Abbasi, buried on Sunday. Condolences: (Men) Mansouriya, Huseiniyat Al Abbasiya Tel. 99763952 (Women) Jabriya, Block 7, Street 5, House 29, Huseiniyat Al Imam Al Hasan.

Sept 30, 2018

Kuwait Today


4

A DIGEST OF PUBLIC OPINION

DIWANIYA‘Ties with Saudi historical, deep-rooted’

‘Kuwait greets you, Oh, Amir’“HIS Royal Highness, the Young Amir the Crown Prince, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Defense of the sisterly country of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is currently on a visit to our country – his fi rst offi cial visit to the State of Kuwait since be-coming the Crown Prince of the Kingdom,” columnist Saud Al-Samaka wrote for Al-Seyassah daily.

“The State of Kuwait, HH the Amir, the Crown Prince, government, welcome this prosperous visit which expresses the depth of the bond between the State of Kuwait and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia based on deep fraternal relations which have stretched throughout the history.

“These relations are enveloped in a historic position of the Kingdom which put all its human, military, fi -nancial, land, skies and seas for the sake of Kuwait to be freed from the heathenish Iraqi aggression.

“Certainly, the attitude of the Kingdom in this con-nection is unforgettable for the State of Kuwait as peo-ple and government. In other words, the memories of this fraternal and valiant attitude will go down in the history of Kuwait for consecutive Kuwaiti generations to go through.

“This young ambitious Amir is eagerly looking for-ward to shift his country to the horizons of modern sciences and come out of a culture of exploiting the re-ligion to open the vast area of our great religion which calls to follow up the science and the evolution in its various fi elds and aspects.

“Likewise, the young Amir is economically look-ing forward to bring his country out of the sole de-pendence on oil as a source of income and open a new feeder window that shall guaran-tee the future of the country and constitute an alternative source.

“Apart from the above, the young Amir – as a Crown Prince – has an ambition of doubling the number of graduates as well as the need of these graduates to keep abreast with the contempo-rary sciences in order to enable the Saudi generations to shoul-der their responsibilities to up-grade their homeland towards the global modernization and trace every new scientifi c aspect to place the same at the service of the Kingdom.

“Not only that, His Royal Highness the young Amir Mohammad Bin Salman is ambitious to see his coun-try joining the nuclear club for peaceful purposes and benefi t from this energy to develop the industry and technological advancement.

“We welcome the prominent and distinguished guest of the State of Kuwait in his second country among his people and brothers. We wish him a fruit-ful visit and hope the outcome of this visit will benefi t the Arab nation, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in general and the two fraternal peoples in particular.

“In the meantime, we pray to Almighty Allah to be-stow prosperity on all for the sake of meeting His love and satisfaction and keep our Gulf always unifi ed with a unifi ed heart, regimes and people, particularly since we are living today in the midst of infl ammable area and as such the responsibility to be shouldered by the regimes and the government of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states will double for the sake of closing their ranks as well as for doubling their co-operation in order to hold our countries united above the tense and burning situations.

“Thank God, we trust in the wisdom of our rulers and their extreme keenness to hold themselves above the tensions and crises in order to make our Gulf al-ways an oasis of security and safety for its peoples and for those who live among us including the expatriates so they can bask in security and peace under the lead-ership of our rulers as monarchs, sultans and Amirs.

“We pray to Almighty Allah to grant us permanent grace of security, safety and peace for our homelands.

“Oh our guest, His Royal Highness the Amir Mo-hammad Bin Salman you will fi nd us through your current visit – God willing – as guests and you are the master of the home. You and your accompanying del-egation members are welcome on the land of the State of Kuwait, your second homeland.”

Also:“The visit of the Saudi Crown Prince, the First Dep-

uty Premier and the Minister of Defense, His Royal Highness Mohammad Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud heading a high level delegation to his second home the State of Kuwait, comes during a phase of ex-treme importance, and as such this visit will inevitably push forward the bilateral relations between the two sisterly countries,” columnist and Lieutenant General (Rtd) Tareq Hamada wrote for Al-Anba daily.

“As a matter of fact, the bilateral relations between the two countries are deep-rooted ingrained in love by virtue of the faith of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed and the faith of the Custodian of The Two Holy Mosques King Salman Bin Abdulaziz in mutual destiny.

“In this context, we say it would not be possible for anybody to forget the honorable and eternal attitude that was shown by the elder sisterly country during the heathenish Iraqi invasion of the State of Kuwait and how the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia had opened its doors for all Kuwaitis.

“However, this attitude is not strange for the Saudi brothers, hence, this visit is of special importance, be-cause it comes under exceptional circumstances which currently prevail in both the Arab region and the in-ternational arena as well amid a number of challenges currently facing the Middle East region, particularly in terms of security affairs and encountering the terror-ist thought which currently threatens both the stability and the development.

“As a matter of fact, the timing of the visit is signifi -cant in view of the big challenges which currently face our region, since some parties are currently plotting against this part of the world in view of its political, fi nancial and economic weight.

“Consequently, the meetings to be held on the side-lines on this visit, will be important and shall consti-tute an opportunity to discuss and debate the situations in the region as well as its complicated dossiers.

“Likewise, the visit coincides with the Gulf crisis as such all peoples of the Gulf are currently hoping that the Gulf relations will return to its previous posi-tion and in a way that shall help maintain the might, the robustness and the solidity of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

“It is needless to say a lot of hopes are being at-tached to the visit of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, because this visit comes during an extreme delicate time, that re-quires concerted efforts and wisdom of our leaders to reach the safe shore and protect the security and peace in the region.

“As a matter of fact these aspirations are tied to the wisdom of the leaderships of both countries in the face of the crises currently facing the region, particularly in light of the positions adopted by both nations at vari-ous levels – political and economic.

“Oh Your Royal Highness, the reform measures that have been adopted by you are historical and they rep-resent an area of appreciation, a welcome sign for all Kuwaitis.”

“Welcome Your Royal Highness.”❑ ❑ ❑

“We are lumbered with the load of chronic racism, which was instilled in us and nurtured deliberately or by chance under the auspices of the government,” columnist Muhammad Al-Motny wrote for Annahar daily.

“Racism has been exploited over the years by gov-ernments in different eras to resolve political problems and to guarantee the continuity of regimes. It has been used as a weapon by some politicians to fi ght oppo-nents to the point that issues such as ‘Who came to Kuwait fi rst and family origins’ became more impor-tant than professionalism and profi ciency.

“Sadly, we have extended the racial discrimination against each other to expatriates and become keen on digging out every mistake they commit in order to blame them for the shortcomings in our day to day af-fairs in the country. Demographic imbalance is an ex-isting issue that can be resolved through unruffl ed and long-term procedures by simply replacing expatriates with Kuwaitis without causing the former any harm or exposing them to injustices.

“People use fl imsy excuses to justify their bigotry and accuse expatriates of taking over the jobs of citi-zens and constituting burdens on different services. In reality, expatriates are innocent of all accusations, seeing the problem is rather related to the poor perfor-mance of the government.

“Let’s imagine a scenario where we fi nally man-age get rid of the expatriate population to boost the Kuwaiti population without developing the services! Racism has devastating effects on economy. It can-not be confronted by mere decisions or temporary ac-tions. The solution is to adopt the culture of awareness on how to deal with fellow humans who come to the country through legal channels and with approval of our government for greener pastures.

“Dear reader, we do not expect the politicians to fi ght racism while they use it as a weapon in their disputes. We, as individuals, have an obligation to confront the menace, and remember always that God Almighty created us different so that we may know each other and have relationship for the development of the world.”

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“When a government is formed, it is usually based on quota whereby consideration is given to all compo-nents of the Kuwaiti society including tribes, families and political blocs,” Mubarak Fahad Al-Duwailah wrote for Al-Qabas daily.

“However, the moderate Islamic bloc called Islamic Constitutional Movement (ICM) was neglected from being part of most of the governments. Two of the as-signed ministers were dismissed from ICM after they were appointed as ministers. The enemies of this bloc did not fi nd anything to cover their lies, which claim that the Islamic current is the pampered child of the government, except to consider any religious or con-servative minister as a member of ICM.

“What is really strange is that an entire bloc was dismissed in the level of state institutions or even in specialized committees despite the fact that this bloc is the largest and most widespread in the entire country. The number of MPs in this bloc is more than the num-ber of MPs in other blocs or even those representing big tribes.

“Some might argue that ICM has changed its atti-tude. We must say we did not do so. We always adapt to situations that are in favor of the society but the basic principles are always upheld. Ironically, the en-emies of ICM direct contradictory accusations at us. Sometimes they say we are the pampered children of the government, and other times they describe us as extremists and even terrorists.

“Recently, the government established an institution for human rights. This is very good and even desired by most people. However, most of the members allocated to this institution are not suitable for the position. It is true that very few members are really effi cient but most of them have no experience in this fi eld. Furthermore, one of the members proved to have failed while he was part of a human rights organization.

“What we need is that determination of members of such bodies should be based on impartial considerations. Capability and honesty must be the top criteria without any form of favoritism and personal relations.”

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“We will not repeat what has been said for the last twenty years about the ban on circulation and publica-tion of books in this era of internet, and we will not discuss such silly decisions,” Fahad Dawood Al-Sa-bah wrote for Al-Nahar daily.

“We just want to ask if the ban of books meet the provisions of the Constitution of Kuwait which stress-es the importance of knowledge and research. Is this censorship really in line with the law? Do the decisions issued by the relevant censorship committee, which is re-formed every year, agree with the law?

“When we read the relevant law concerning printing and publishing that was amended in 2006, we realize that the decisions on the ban exceed all limits. They do not meet the principles stated in the Constitution of Kuwait. The 4,000 banned books include those which were banned from the time of the Iraq-Iran war be-cause those books offended Saddam Hussain. Other books are banned because they are related to commu-nism. It is not logical to continue the ban for many years after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

“The list of banned books includes some related to Arab Heritage which were allowed until recently. Some books have been banned based on directives is-sued by the minister and the censorship committee.

“In short, the ban of books enforced these days can be considered as an act in a comedy drama that has nothing to do with logic or reality.

“Censorship should be practiced against some MPs who do their best to provoke tribal and sectarian slo-gans, appointing themselves as guards of the doctrine of their parties’ ideologies.

“Do not ban a book that will sell no more than 200 copies; of course, the buyers will not include those who are afraid of discovering the fun of reading. We call for a debate to be held between the members of censorship committee and the relevant minister on one side and the publishers and writers on the other side in order to identify what is really required to be done.”

— Compiled by Zaki Taleb

Al-Samaka

MoH plans campaign toup focus on heart failure

EPA keen on cutting pollution

KUWAIT CITY, Sept 30, (KUNA): Kuwait’s Ministry of Health an-nounced on Sunday the launch of an awareness campaign in October called “Let’s Make a Promise For All Our Hearts.”

This campaign aims to spread the right definition of heart failure, the dangerous factors that lead to it, ways of recognizing its symptoms and the ways of protection.

Head of Media Department in the Ministry of Health Dr Ghalia Al-Mutairi, said in a press release that this campaign, coinciding with the occasion of World Heart Day, is part of the ministry’s ef-forts to fight chronic diseases.

Al-Mutairi said that this cam-paign will continue for a month and it will be displayed through various health care centers in dif-ferent areas to spread as much awareness as possible.

Cutting pollutionThe Green and Clean Envi-

ronment Expo will kick off on Tuesday focusing on key envi-ronmental issues in Kuwait, said the Environment Public Author-ity (EPA).

The two-day event, held in Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cul-tural Center (JACC), will bring awareness towards protecting natural resources to create a green and sustaible environ-ment, said head of EPA’s Public Relations Department Sheikha Al-Ibrahim in a state-ment to KUNA on Sunday.

She noted that EPA is con-tinuously working on reducing pollution levels and facing the effects of population growth, power plants, transportation and modern lifestyle on the en-vironment.

This event will bring aware-ness on the impact of plastic waste on the environment in Kuwait. The country pays a very high bill to get rid of about 44,000 tons of plastic waste each year, Al-Ibrahim added.

MoI photoPolice have arrested an unidentified Moroccan man for possessing a cigarette filled with hashish and a small bag containing narcotic substance believed to be marijuana, reports Al-Anba daily. The Moroccan, who was seized by a police patrol on routine duty in Farwaniya, has been handed over to the General De-partment for Drugs and Alcohol Control. Above: The items found in the Moroc-

can’s possession.

News in Brief

Customs bags KD 22.8 mln: The Customs General Department has collected customs fees amounting to KD 22.8 million through the electronic payment system within three months, reports Al-Qabas daily quoting sources.

Sources confi rmed that companies and individuals in the country or anywhere else can access the system through the department’s website. Sources explained the system works like the K-Net mode of payment but there are some differences. Sources expect the collected fees to reach KD 50 million by the end of 2018, indicat-ing the system was launched on June 22, 2018.

Meanwhile, sources affi rmed the electronic archiving process is ongo-ing as per the amended Article 17 of Customs Regulation number 50/2003 that is based on the unifi ed Customs Law in GCC countries. Sources said about 1.163 million documents have been archived electronically as of last weekend.

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Consultants promoted: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the issuance of a decree on the promo-tion of consultants to plenipotentiary, reports Al-Rai daily.

Decree number 285/2018 states the promotion of Dr Rashid Al-Adwani, Ibdah Al-Dousari, Salah Al-Saif, Abdullah Al-Mowe’d, Mohammad Al-Jadai’a, Mish’al Al-Shimali, Mohammad Al-Mutairi, Mohammad Al-Mohammad, Yacoub Al-Ansari, Khalid Al-Shami, Salem Al-Hamdan, Faisal Al-Mutairi, Wael Al-Enzi and Othman Al-Dawood.

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Registration on hold: Ministry of Health has announced the postpone-ment of registration for health insur-ance subscribers, reports Al-Rai daily.

The ministry has called on all com-panies signing for the execution of the scheme to collect the bid attachment starting from Sunday Nov 4, indicating Wednesday Nov 14 will be the dead-line for presenting offers. Also, bids are valid for 90 days and with initial guarantee of 2 percent.


5

KUNA photoDirector General of the Kuwaiti General Organization for Housing Welfare Eng

Bader Al-Waqayan giving the opening speech.

MPW focusing on projectsin northern part of Kuwait

PART affi rms full readiness for rainy season

KUWAIT CITY, Sept 30, (KUNA) :Ministry of Pub-lic Works (MPW) said on Sunday that it is focusing on projects in the north-ern region of Kuwait such as Boubyan Island and Al-Harir City’s development project.

Spokesman of the Ministry Abdulmuhsen Al-Enizi told KUNA that the northern re-gion’s development project in-cludes linking Boubyan Island to Subiya area, adding that the whole project is part of Ku-wait’s 2035 Vision.

Sheikh Jaber Bridge, which will link Kuwait City to areas in the north of the country over Ku-wait Bay, is also one of the main components of the state develop-ment project, he said.

Boubyan Island and Al-Harir City’s development project will be at a total cost of KD 30 billion (approximately $100 billion).

Meanwhile Public Author-ity for Roads and Transportation (PART) affi rmed on Sunday full readiness for the rainy season this year.

Director-General of PART Ahmed Al-Hassan said to KUNA, the authority is ready for the rainy season and there will be regular in-spection visits to check up the read-iness of rainwater pumps, stressing that he will personally start an in-spection tour this evening.

Al-Hassan noted that the ca-pacity of one pump is 225 liters per second and this indicates the high performance of the pumps.

There is a contingency plan for closing the tunnels, if neces-sary, that will be adopted soon, he added.

The Director-General pointed out that there is a cooperation between PART, General Directo-rate of Traffi c and Civil Defense to ensure the safety of road users.

KUWAIT CITY, Sept 30, (KUNA): Hawalli Governorate’s Committee at the Municipal Council has rejected a request to transfer the Ministry of In-terior building (traffi c and execution of rulings edifi ce) and Traffi c Techni-cal Inspection building in Jabriya area to another place outside its current location.

In a statement to the press, chair-person of the Hawalli Governorate Committee Abdullah Al-Roumi said members unanimously approved the request to prepare a report on the ap-plication fi led by the Union of Con-sumer Co-Operative Societies to lease some of the fl oors at its headquarters in Hawalli.

He added the committee has re-served several issues- among them proposal on the possibility of linking Failaka Island with Silk City (Madi-nat al-Hareer) or Sheikh Jaber bridge, and publishing in the offi cial Gazette and via social media the list of names of shops and warehouses found deal-ing in expired goods and foodstuffs unsuitable for human consumption, in addition to the formation of a techni-cal committee to ease burden on the national budget.

Also, the committee approved a re-quest by the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs to allocate a site for a mosque in Shaab area, and rejected a proposal to establish an access road

to Bayan residential area at the feeder road from Fahaheel Expressway and also create an entrance to Sadeeq area from Khaitan, he added.

Al-Roumi indicated the commit-tee referred several issues, among them establishing an exit road from Mubarak Al-Abdullah suburb (West Mishref) on the King Fahad Express-way, and obliging residential build-ings to put all services on the rooftop while recycling wastes. It also includ-ed installation of varieties of waste bins in the commercial complexes and market areas, and with further explanation and information on the aforementioned proposals.

KUNA photoHawalli Governate’s Committee in a meeting

Research papers that won award to be honored

Meeting ‘approves’ joint housing strategy for GCC nations: offi cial

New Kuwaiti diplomats to visit ALO

Egyptian offi cial lauds Amir’s role at Arab level

KUWAIT CITY, Sept 30: A joint action strategy was adopted by the 19th meeting of undersecretaries of the Gulf Coopera-tion Council (GCC) housing ministries, an offi cial said here Sunday.

Kuwait presided over the preparatory meeting held earlier today, as recommen-dation were forwarded to the 16th GCC ministerial meeting, due tomorrow (Mon-day), said Bader Al-Wugayyan, director general of the state’s Public Authority for Housing Welfare in a press releas

Director General of the Public Author-ity for Housing Welfare (PAHW) En-gineer Bader Al-Weqyan said the 19th session of the Assistant Ministry Un-dersecretaries for Housing Affairs in the Gulf approved the Joint Housing Strategy for GCC countries.

Conferees agreed on the infeasibility of continuing to update GCC housing data-base now that a specialized and inclusive statistics’ center is available, he noted.

Furthermore, Al-Wugayyan said that

research papers that won the GCC hous-ing award would be honored on the side-line of the ministerial meeting.

He also pointed out to a workshop held earlier this month (September 9 to 11) on best experiences on house fi nancing.

He pointed out that the Gulf countries and the Secretariat General for GCC are required to work in line with the joint housing strategy. The meeting agreed that upgrading of housing database site is no longer useful after establishing the statistics center for GCC countries to deal with all issues, including housing affairs, noted Al-Weqyan, indicating researchers that won the GCC Housing Award will be honored at the sidelines of the meeting of the GCC Ministers of Housing Affairs.

Meanwhile, attendees extended ap-preciation to Kuwait for organizing and hosting the workshop of the Association of Home Owners, which includes experts and law fi gures from GCC countries and the Secretariat General of GCC.

CAIRO, Sept 30, (KUNA): An Egyptian of-fi cial commended Sunday the “important” role of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in addressing Arab issues.

“Kuwait is an example that we feel proud of,” Mufeed Shehab, Chairman of Egyptian International Law Society, told KUNA.

He was speaking to KUNA on sidelines of a seminar about international law for fresh graduates of Kuwait’s Saud Al-Nasser Diplomatic Institute, held at Kuwait’s Em-bassy in Cairo.

Shehab, a former minister of Higher Education and Scientifi c Research, said

the young diplomats would “be honored to represent their country in different parts of the world and at international organiza-tions.”

Kuwait’s Ambassador to Egypt Moham-mad Al-Thuwaikh said the new diplomats have a great role to represent their country and serve their fellow citizens.

The new Kuwaiti diplomats would be visiting Arab Labor Organization (ALO), the Arab League, Kuwait permanent mis-sion to the Arab League, the Egyptian For-eign Ministry’s Diplomatic Studies Institute and Al-Ahran center for political and stra-tegic studies.

Committee approves site for a mosque

Hawalli Governorate’s panel ‘rejects’transfer of MoI bldg to another area


6

‘Aim to fund projects pioneered by women in the Arab region’

Arab women’s business council appoints Sheikha Hessa as chiefCAIRO, Sept 30, (KUNA): The Council of Arab Businesswomen has unanimously elected Ku-wait’s Sheikha Hessa Al-Sabah as president for the next four years.

The announcement came amid the council’s sixth session in the Arab League’s headquarters based in the Egyptian capital.

Speaking to KUNA after the

meeting, she said that the council has been instrumental in provid-ing Arab women with business opportunities in a region that still largely remains highly patriar-

chal.She went on to say that the

Council of Arab Businesswomen, which has received much global acclaim as of late, aims to fund

development projects pioneered by women in the wider Arab re-gion.

Sheikha Hessa revealed that a “huge conference” will take place

in Kuwait in the near future, cit-ing other plans including visits to major European nations as part of efforts to encourage women to break the glass ceiling.

KUNA PhotoMinister of Justice and Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs of Kuwait, Dr Fahad Al-

Afasi speaking to reporters.

KUNA photoKuwaiti Ambassador in Cairo Mohammed Saleh Al-Thoikh and Dr Mofeed Shehab during a seminar of graduates.

KUNA photoSheikha Dr Hessa Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah during the plenary session.

KUWAIT CITY, Sept 30, (KUNA): Minister of Justice, Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Dr Fahad Al-Afasi said on Sunday his depart-ment has backed national cadres demonstrating this approach by ap-pointing a large number of the citi-zens in the judicial sector.

Minister Al-Afasi, in a statement to journal-ists after inaugurating the third stage of the “electronic declara-tion for judicial pa-pers,” said the ministry is seeking to replace expatriates with na-tionals, engaging the citizens in training courses so they may perform their duties excellently.

As to the electronic project, he said a counter has been set up at all the courts for the private sec-tor, while awaiting the unregistered companies to be recorded in the digital service.

Meanwhile, local banks are facing diffi -culties in the implemen-tation of the 60 percent and more replacement policy (Kuwaitization) in higher departments, reports Al-Qabas daily.

The Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) set a deadline for the re-quired adjustment but banks are facing ob-stacles so they want to request for extension. Kuwait Banking Asso-ciation (KBA) intends to address the Central Bank to request for ex-tension.

Sources pointed out the Central Bank wants to know details of the obstacles to study them as basis for extend-ing the deadline or not. Sources said the justifi -cation provided by some banks are real and the diffi culties mentioned are enough to justify the extension request.

Sources explained the number of qualifi ed national banking lead-ers is limited and they are already working in banks. Sources added there is stiff competition between banks to attract competent nationals, sometimes pushing up the salary level for these nationals.

Furthermore, the Civ-il Service Commission (CSC) must appoint those who studied on scholarship the fi elds of specialization that the labor market needs, re-ports Al-Rai daily quot-ing sources.

Sources pointed out the job applications in some State institutions and the CSC have been accumulating due to the requirement to identify the actual manpower needs of these institu-tions.

Sources said the CSC has addressed govern-mental bodies, accord-ing to the scholarship plan, not to nominate certain specializations for scholarship due to lack of opportunities for these specializations in various public institu-tions.

Al-Mousawi’s ability, performance lauded

‘Kuwait people honored to have dignifi ed guest’

Sheikh Talal lauds qualifi cation of 1st Kuwaiti to World Beach Games

Saudi Crown Prince visit historic: IHRS chairman

Bent on Kuwaitizing jobs atdepartment: Justice Minister

KUWAIT CITY, Sept 30: Chairman of Kuwait Olympic Committee (KOC) Sheikh Talal Al-Fahd Al-Sabah has congratulated the first Kuwaiti athlete qualifying for the maiden edition of World Beach Games scheduled to take place in San Diego, California in Octo-ber 2019.

Kuwait’s karate sport athlete Salman Al-Mousawi was declared fit for the World Beach Games by the Associa-tion of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) supervising the activities of the first edition of the event alongside International Karate Federation and the Association of Summer Olympic Inter-national Federations (ASOIF) through a special system for qualifying athletes to games.

Sheikh Talal congratulated Salman Al-Mousawi for being the first Kuwaiti athlete to succeed in the qualifying round.

Al-Mousawi was successful in the Kata category at the Asian Karate Championships held in Jordan recently where he participated under the flag of the Asian Karate Federation due to the international ban imposed on Kuwaiti sport.

He also commended Al-Mousawi’s ability and performance that enabled him to qualify, hoping he’ll achieve good results in the first World Beach Games. He expressed hope that Al-Mousawi’s qualification would be a good start to qualifying more Kuwaiti athletes for the Games.

KUWAIT CITY, Sept 30: Board Chairman of the Islamic Heritage Revival Society (IHRS) Sheikh Tareq Al-Issa said the visit of Sau-di Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman to Kuwait is historic as it embodies the great cohesion be-tween the two countries.

In a press statement, he affirmed

the leaders, government and people of Kuwait are honored to have a dignified guest; stressing that the re-lationship between the two sisterly countries is the clearest example of cooperation and coherence between countries.

He asserted the Kingdom of Sau-di Arabia has enjoyed throughout its

history success in the propagation of the true religion based on the cen-trality of Islam and its moderation to confront intellectual deviation, extremism and terrorism. No one denies the efforts of the Kingdom and its role in charity and relief op-erations in various parts of the world except the ungrateful, he added.

Banks request extension of 60% Kuwaitization

By Ahmad Al Sarraf

Most sayings and proverbs look contradictory. For example the

famous saying to like this. ‘Save a penny for a rainy day’; ‘Spend and God will send’ and ‘Invest your mon-ey in stone’ or rather real estate of gold, or put one-third of you money in property, one-third in business, specu-lation and one-third hold in cash.

But a serious study over the past 100 years has shown that the best investment areas are unques-tionably not in the real estate, as was the case over the centuries, and this is mainly due to specifi c facts con-cerning tangible land scarcity and the need for it.

The sense of happiness of owning a house to live in or a building that generates money is not comparable to happiness in any other investment.

Financial disasters that have rav-aged other areas of investment and stock exchanges, most recently in 2000 and 2008, have scared away many people, especially small inves-tors, from venturing out of the circle of real estate.

Despite the real estate boom in America in recent years, the increase in the value of agricultural and resi-dential land from 1915 to 2015 was only slightly more than 3 times, or 1.1 percent more annually, says economist Robert Shiller of the Yale University, and this means the error of real estate investment, especially if we know that the general infl ation in the same pe-riod was 15.5 times, or 3.2 percent per year from 1932 to 2015.

According to Schiller, the govern-ing factor is supply and demand, the more demand for residential property, the large companies meeting demand immediately, and so prices stopped rising.

A US study compiled by Bankrate.com last month, in contradiction to the idea of investing in real estate, showed that revenue in investment

in the stock and bond market over the past 100 years was more than 10 percent a year. There is no real estate investment that exceeded the amount invested in Microsoft shares, Walmart, Berkshire Hathaway and Del, especially with reinvesting re-turns in the same stock.

It is true that the real estate is attrac-tive but at the same time represents a fi nancial and social responsibility and needs maintenance, and pay fees and taxes, unlike stocks that give the return on the day of ownership of the stock. On the other hand, those who own shares in a company are already part of that company.

The purchase of the Kuwait Build-ings Company means owning part of the Avenues project, for example, and so with National Bank shares. But you cannot manage your part of the stock, while you rely on yourself, or your representative to manage the property directly in a proper manner while in-vesting in stocks does not require any effort.

There is also no minimum amount to pay if we want to invest in equities. In the real estate, there is a minimum required to pay, and this is not within the potential of many. The investor’s need for cash is almost immediately met when investing in stocks, but with real estate, the sale is more complex.

The borrowing against the stock is much faster and easier than borrow-ing against the property, and of course a majority of these things make the stock more attractive than the real estate, but on two conditions, that the stock markets in the concerned coun-try is advanced, and the manipulation of corporate management is almost non-existent.

Therefore, the idea of investment in stocks are not suitable for application in corrupt countries, and do not benefi t in the short term. I certify the valid-ity of this study from my personal and continuous experience and monitoring of the capital markets from the begin-ning of the seventies of the last cen-tury.

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e-mail: [email protected]


7

Other Voices

News in Brief

Top offi cer in accident: Lieutenant Colonel Mosaed Thabet Al-Muhanna, son of Capital Governor Lieutenant General Thabet Al-Muhanna, fi gured in a traffi c accident along King Fahad Mo-torway and is now confi ned at the Inten-sive Care Unit (ICU) in Adan Hospital, reports Al-Seyassah daily.

Securitymen and paramedics rushed to the location after the Operations Unit at the Ministry of Interior received information about the accident, indicat-ing the vehicle of the governor’s son overturned. The patient was then trans-ported to Adan Hospital on board an air ambulance.

The daily wishes him speedy recov-ery.

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Police hunt swindler: Claiming that he can facilitate the recruitment of Indians, Pakistanis and Egyptians in the Ministry of Education to work as ser-vice workers and porters, an unidenti-fi ed person pretended to be an employee at the ministry promising to secure jobs for 40 individuals from whom he received a total of KD 6,000 cash and then disappeared, reports Al-Seyassah daily.

One of the victims, a woman, provid-ed police with the picture of the suspect who appears to be in his 40s.

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Arms trader nabbed: Acting Director-General of the Weapons Investigation Department, Colonel Walid Shehab, recently referred a GCC citizen to the Public Prosecutor’s Offi ce for traffi ck-ing in weapons, reports Al-Anba daily.

According to a security source, the Weapons Investigation Department received acting on a tip-off put the man under surveillance, set a trap for him and caught him red-handed in Jahra while selling a pistol for KD 1,000 to an undercover police offi cer.

Police later seized another pistol from the apartment of the accused, who admitted to smuggling them from a neighboring country.

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Canary birds stolen: A Kuwaiti has fi led a complaint with the Kabd Police Station accusing an unidentifi ed person of breaking into his livestock pen and stealing 17 canary birds, reports Al-Qabas daily.

Police are looking for the burglar.❑ ❑ ❑

Teenager stabbed: The Farwaniya police have taken into custody three teenagers for stabbing a compatriot, reports Al-Anba daily.

The incident happened in a suburb of Andalus and the mother of the 19-year-old victim has fi led a complaint with the area police station.

In her complaint the mother told the police the suspects stabbed her son over a petty dispute.

The victim has been admitted to the Sabah Hospital and the three juveniles have been referred to the Juvenile Prosecution.

However, detailed interrogations found only one of them stabbed the vic-tim. The daily did not give more details.

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Fire engulfs car: Fire engulfed a ve-hicle on the Sixth Ring Road, opposite Ishbiliya, reports Al-Seyassah daily.

The Public Relations and Media Department at Kuwait Fire Ser-vice Directorate disclosed that they received information about the fire incident. Firefighters rushed to the scene and extinguished the fire in record time. No injuries or casualties were reported.

A case was registered and investiga-tions are underway to determine the cause of fi re.

Mohammad, the son of an ex-MP is lying in the ICU after the stabbing.

Son of ex-MP stabbed

Mohammad, son for the former MP, Saleh Al-Mulla, was yesterday stabbed during a fi ght with three other Kuwaitis in Andalus, reports Al-Rai daily.

A security source said the young Al-Mulla was walking along with a friend when four juveniles attacked them be-cause of a former dispute.

The source added one of the juveniles stabbed Al-Mulla and he was rushed to Al-Sabah hospital’s ICU. His condition is believed to be stable.

The sources added the four juveniles who were involved in the fi ght have been arrested and referred to the au-thorities.

Where to invest your money?

Al-Sarraf

KUNA photoThe Kuwait Diving Team, with the help of volunteers and other advocates of environment protection retrieved an old sunken dhow in Kuwait Bay. Various techniques were adopted to pull out the sunken boat, such as pumping out the water and using air balloons. – See Also Page 2

Jet-set lifestyle of the daughter ofa Kuwaiti wanted in funds scandal

Al-Raja’an owns riches, lives in homes worth millions abroadKUWAIT CITY, Sept 30: Fajr Al-Raja’an, the daughter of the infamous former director-general of the Public Institute for Social Security has alleg-edly bought a new home worth $ 8.735 million a few months ago in the most exclusive area of Los Angeles, reports Al-Rai daily quoting yolandaslit-tleblackbook blog.

Her father, Fahd Al-Raja’an, who lives as a fugitive in Britain is an international fi nance expert and successful banker who served as Director of Kuwait’s Public Institution for Social Security for more than 30 years.

In 2016, Kuwaiti offi cials accused him of using his position to embezzle vast sums of money allegedly total-ing some $ 390 million. According to the authorities, much of the money was transferred to bank accounts controlled by his wife and daughters. After he fl ed the country, he was sen-tenced in absentia to a 10-year prison term and an international arrest war-rant was issued.

Last year, Al-Raja’an was arrested by British authorities, and there was talk of him being extradited to Ku-wait. But to be honest, it is uncertain about whether that ever happened, and it is not known if Kuwaiti authori-ties have recovered any of the (alleg-edly) stolen money or whether he is still in custody also remains unknown (to us).

Whatever the current murky situa-tion of Al-Raja’an may be, it is abun-dantly clear that his daughter does not have any trouble paying her bills. Miss Al-Raja’an divides her time be-tween apartments in Paris and Dubai (and her LA home, of course). She also sports a whole assemblage of fa-mous friends, including folks such as Sofi a Vergara and Jessica Alba.

The blog of luxury property has described Fajr as rich and elite and living a lifestyle that includes pri-vate jets, luxury holidays and luxury homes. The blog, edited by James McLean, since its launch in 2016 has sparked panic among real estate marketers and their wealthy clients by disclosing sensitive and sensational information that sometimes reaches the level of scandals.

According to the blog, this trans-action actually went down several months ago and there was a plan to write about it back then but for what-ever reason kept putting it off, howev-er this story will still be of particular interest to those who are concerned with the issue.

Actually property such as this, even if the architectural style isn’t the sort of thing people typically go in for, they would defi nitely live here.

But more importantly, folks oc-casionally ask for what LA’s ‘best’ residential neighborhood might be. There’s no right way to answer that, of course – lots of them are good for different reasons, and each has its own personality – but defi nitely the most expensive neighborhood, at least for the moment, is Holmby Hills.

Sandwiched between the much larger communities of Beverly Hills and Bel Air and neatly bisected by Sunset Boulevard, Holmby Hills is made up of only a few dozen homes, most of them sprawling, multi-acre estate compounds. Of the three $100+ million sales LA has seen, two of them went down in this wee little area. This neighborhood is so posh that it even sports its own art gallery which happens to be right across the street.

Not every property in LA’s posh area is $100 million but the house

bought by Fajr for $8,735,000 is still a boatload of cash, but a far cry from billionaires-only territory, says the blog.

Unfortunately, no one knows how this particular house came to be or why this property is so much more petite than all its neighbors, but it does have a rather interesting recent histo-ry. In 2009, the 1930s Mediterranean-style house was sold to musician Jeff Lynne. Lynne held onto the house for only one year before dumping it at

a loss to his next door neighbor Pe-ter Morton but sold it 2015 for $ 4.5 million to Woodbridge who gave the house a comprehensive renovation, complete with all-new contemporary interiors and a modern exterior look and then sold it for a major profi t –$ 8.735 million to 30-year-old Fajer, who purchased it through an LLC.

Though sometimes referred to as Princess, Fajer Al-Raja’an in publica-tions, she is the younger daughter of the ‘notorious’ Fahd Al-Raja’an not

actual royalty though she certainly has the funds to put many royals to fi nancial shame.

It has also been reported, two of Fajer’s sisters own at least four dif-ferent apartments in the prestigious The Century -- located in the Wilshire Corridor neighborhood -- but all four of these units seem to have been sold except for one last year. It is said the two sisters had earned a total of $17.4 million for the three units they had invested in.

Top and above: Some of the properties owned by Fajr Al-Raja’an, daughter of the former director-general of the Public Institute for Social Security.

Justice worker reinstated

Court acquits two of forging documentsJaber Al-HamoudAl-Seyassah Staff

KUWAIT CITY, Sept 30: The Criminal Court acquit-ted two expatriates of forging offi cial documents relat-ed to a traffi c accident in order to obtain compensation from an insurance company.

The expatriates were accused of faking a traffi c inci-dent to get money from the insurance company.

Attorney Jarrah Al-Anzi defended the two accused in court, saying the investigations were inconclusive. He pointed out the absence of criminal intent and ele-ments of crime. He added the accused have no control over traffi c accidents and they are actually the victims of the traffi c accident in question.

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Ruling annulled: The Court of Appeals overturned the verdict of the Court of First Instance which fi ned an employee in the Ministry of Justice KD 3,000 and ordered dismissal from his job.

Instead, the higher court acquitted the employee of causing harm to the money of the complainant and negligence of his duties.

The Public Prosecution pressed charges against the employee for causing serious harm on the money of the complainant because he neglected his duty by re-fraining to make an entry request to register the verdict which was in favor of the complainant to complete the

registration procedures. He was also accused of fail-ure to audit and double check documents given to him when conducting the transaction to change ownership of a real estate property, a matter that caused grave damages to the complainant.

Defense counsel Attorney Zayed Al-Khabbaz, rep-resenting the accused, called for acquittal of his client citing absence of incriminating evidence and absence of causal relationship between the behavior and result.

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Youths acquitted: The Criminal Court acquitted fi ve youths of assaulting a citizen and wrecking his car af-ter a physical altercation with him because of a female Gulf national.

The Public Prosecution charged the fi ve youths with intentionally causing injuries to the plaintiff as described in the medical report and left him with per-manent disability of about 30 percent, in addition to wrecking his car and his offi ce window which cost KD37. Attorney Enaam Haydar, who represented four of the accused in court, argued that one of her clients acted in self-defense and the others did not play any role in the incident.

She pointed out contradictions between evidence and testimonies presented, clarifying that the plaintiff initiated the use of sharp object to attack one of her clients, let alone the lack of incriminating evidence against two of her clients.


8

Newswatch

Mohseni Ejei did not name the three but said the sen-tences would have to be upheld by the supreme court before being carried out, the TV reported. (RTRS)

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DUBAI: At least 27 people have died and more than 300 poisoned after drinking bootleg alcohol in Iran, the state emergency services said on Sunday, in one of the worst such cases in the country where drinking is a crime.

Mojtaba Khaledi, spokesman for the state emergen-cy services, said some 176 people were still hospital-ised across five provinces, the semi-official ILNA news agency reported. (RTRS)

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RIYADH: Undersecretaries of Information in member states of the coalition to restore legitimacy in Yemen met Sunday in the Saudi Capital Riyadh to discuss ways for “coordinating information efforts.”

Saudi Undersecretary for External Media at the In-formation Ministry, Dr Khaled Al-Ghamdi, said, in his address to the conferees, that the meeting is a follow-up gathering to the coalition information ministers’ meet-ing, held in Jeddah last June. (KUNA)

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DUBAI: Dubai International Airport said on Sunday it was operating as normal following a news report Yem-en’s armed Houthi movement had launched a drone at-tack against the airport.

“With regards to reports by questionable sources this morning, Dubai Airports can confirm that Dubai Inter-national (DXB) is operating as normal without any in-terruption,” said an airport spokesman. (RTRS)

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WHEELING, US: President Donald Trump on Satur-day complained that the US is “subsidizing” the military of Middle East ally Saudi Arabia, as well as Japan and South Korea.

The comment, at a West Virginia rally for local can-didates of his Republican Party, follows similar jibes at European members of the NATO alliance. (AFP)

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CAIRO: An Egyptian court has ordered a retrial of the Muslim Brotherhood’s leader Mohamed Badie and oth-er senior figures from the banned group starting on Oct 7, judicial sources and state news agency MENA said on Sunday. (RTRS)

Continued from Page 1

Local market hit with buyersto purchase the new iPhones

Telecom cos have lion’s share of sales

KUWAIT CITY, Sept 30: The local market has been hit by a state of madness with customers rushing to buy the new iPhone XS, iPhone X Max and Sam-sung Note 9 from the three telecom companies, shops selling electronics or shops selling mobiles in Salmiya, Sharq and some other are-as, reports Al-Qabas daily.

The telecom companies have the lion’s share of sales of these de-vices, because they are accompa-

nied by offers that are considered the best in the eyes of some, thus their sales have reached about 75 percent, compared to 20 percent for electronics companies and 5 percent for mobile phones shops.

The number of contracts for a tel-ecommunications company that has been implemented to sell the new iP-hone has reached 560, between new contracts or renewing contracts in the fi rst three hours of launching its offers.

Unusually, Apple introduced three devices this year, the iPhone XS, which cost between 315 to 370 dinars, and XS Max iPhone, which is the best-selling, and is divided into two types, the fi rst with two sims, (two lines), and the price of about 410 dinars.

The second is a single sim with 357 dinars, while the capacity of 56 giga-bytes is priced at 440 dinars, and the third type is the iPhone XR, but has not reached the Kuwaiti market yet.

Sources said one of the electronic device companies sold 15 iPhone X Max devices worth 600 dinars per de-vice during the morning working hours yesterday.

It was not expected that the quantity of devices offered at this high price would expire in a few hours, after which the price dropped to 400 di-nars and demand still is continuing to the extent that companies have asked for new devices to keep pace with the pressure. The fi rst large shipment of new Apple devices will arrive in Oc-tober.

Russian SyriaContinued from Page 1

“The regime controlled just 26 per-cent of Syrian territory” when Russia intervened, said Abdel Rahman, com-pared with close to two-thirds now.

In addition to the Russian and Syr-ian air forces, warplanes from the US-led coalition fighting IS have also been carrying out bombing raids on Syria since September 2014.

Last week, the Observatory said that US-led coalition air strikes on Syria had killed more than 3,300 ci-vilians since the alliance began op-erations against IS targets.

The Observatory, which relies on

Iraq setContinued from Page 1

the interests of Iraq upfront and fo-cused on serving all Iraqis.

The Iraqi constitution requires the candidate to get two-thirds of the votes of deputies in the first round of elections and if not possible to move to a second round enough to win with any number of votes to take office.

One of the dominant Kurdish par-ties in northern Iraq said it would not recognise the results of Sunday’s parliamentary election, injecting po-litical uncertainty into a region still demoralised by a failed independence bid.

The PUK said its decision to ignore the results, which have yet to be an-nounced, was based on what it de-scribed as fraud in the voting process.

The PUK is competing with its long-time rival the KDP in the elec-tion as discontent grows with per-ceived corruption and economic hardship.

With a weak opposition, the politi-cal dynasties were expected to extend their power-sharing arrangement in the land of six million people, which gained semi-autonomous status after the 1991 Gulf War.

Veteran KDP leader Masoud Bar-zani has managed to retain a support base even though he led an independ-ence bid that brought humilition and hardship for the Kurds after military and economic retaliation from Bagh-dad.

Splits within the PUK could give the KDP an upper hand in their pow-er-sharing arrangement, which has been fraught with tensions.

While criticism of the ruling Kurd-ish establishment – dominated for decades by the Barzani and the Talab-ani families – has grown more vocal, a weak opposition means many vot-ers may stick to traditional leaders.

“I don’t know who I will vote for, but our family has always supported the KDP. My son will pick a candi-date for me,” said Halima Ahmed, 65, as she walked with a cane in the city of Erbil, the seat of the Kurdistan Re-gional Government (KRG).

Preliminary results are expected within 72 hours. There are 111 seats being contested in the election, in-cluding 11 reserved for ethnic mi-norities.

Retirement eyedContinued from Page 1

MP Ali Al-Deqbasi stressed the bill will see the light only through sincere coop-eration, indicating that discussions are ongoing to obtain the desired results. He argued the supposed complications re-garding this bill are actually simple mat-ters, adding that constructive discussion and cooperation in the next legislative term will solve issues.

Syria for

Supporting common



Naturally, the vacuum which various countries attempted to fill and achieve their interests through military presence – whether directly or indirectly – will not mistakenly think for a moment that Syrians are ready to accept the presence of foreign forces in their land.

Once political healing starts in ac-cordance with the cultural nature and requirements of the local community; the Russians, Americans, Iranians and Turkish will become strange bodies that cannot be accommodated in Syria.

These foreign forces will either with-draw automatically or be forced to with-draw by the Syrians.

Al-Saud to Kuwait is “another impor-tant milestone in the long and historic relations,” said a Kuwaiti diplomat Saturday.

In a statement to KUNA, Kuwaiti Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Sheikh Thamer Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah said that His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and the Kuwaiti people would like to welcome Prince Mohammad to his second home.

The strong relations linking Saudi Arabia and Kuwait in the past, the pre-sent and future are a great example for Arab nations to follow, said the Am-bassador who indicated that the visit would focus on developing ties and it would touch on issues of mutual inter-ests as well as development within the region and the world.

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and the official delegation accompanying him left the country on Sunday night, ending an official visit.

Prince Mohammad bin Salman was seen off by His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-

Jaber Al-Sabah, National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim and Act-ing Prime Minister and Foreign Min-ister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.

At midday the Independent High Elections and Referendum Commis-sion said turnout was 16-23 percent in a breakdown of provinces. At the Chenar School for Girls polling cen-tre, turnout by 1500 local time (1200 GMT) was less than 35 percent, said poll worker Shaaban Kazem.

“The participation rate is very weak,” said lawyer and independent observer Belnd Omar.

The number of voters has shrunk in recent elections as the region’s stag-nant politics, unpaid public sector sal-aries and corruption have undermined the population’s faith in politics.

Observers from two opposition parties said that some people tried to use fake identification to vote but were stopped, though this could not be verified independently by Reuters.

Kurdish opposition parties did poorly when Iraq held federal elec-tions in May. But multiple allegations that the KDP and PUK had commit-ted election fraud – not confirmed in a subsequent recount – may sway some voters in their favour.

Gorran, the main opposition move-ment, has been weakened by infight-ing and the death of its founder and leader Nechirvan Mustafa last year.

“I wanted to make sure I voted ear-ly. I gave my vote to Gorran and hope for the best,” said Omar Mahmoud Abdullah, 52, at a polling station set up at Shireen School in Sulaimaniya, stronghold of the PUK.

At another polling station in Su-laimaniya, lawyer Hassan Dalloush, 65, also said he was voting for the opposition.

“If there’s no fraud in this election, I’ll feel good about it. But the par-ties in power always want to commit fraud, it’s the only way they stay in power,” he said. “I will never vote for the parties in power. Today I voted for the opposition.”

sources inside Syria for its reports, says it determines whose planes car-ried out strikes according to type, lo-cation, flight patterns and munitions involved.

Islamic State cellSecurity forces in northern Syria’s

Raqqa city said on Sunday they had uncovered an Islamic State sleeper cell which was plotting series of large attacks across the devastated city.

Raqqa served as the de facto capi-tal of Islamic State’s self-proclaimed caliphate until it was retaken by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forc-es (SDF) militia alliance last October.

A spokesman for the Raqqa Inter-nal Security Forces set up by the SDF said it had killed two members of an Islamic State cell and detained five others during an operation on Satur-day.

“Special forces and explosives ex-perts carried out a counter operation.. to confront plans which were about to be executed by a terrorist cell affili-ated with mercenaries of DAESH in a neighborhood in Raqqa city,” the unit’s spokesman Mohannad Ibrahim said at a news conference.

DAESH is an Arabic acronym for Islamic State.

The forces raided two residential apartments where the cell members were hiding and confiscated gre-nades, pistols and explosives, the spokesman said.

They also found a car bomb at the site of the operation and unearthed a large cache of arms and land mines buried nearby.

The city has witnessed lately a wave of road side bombings targeting mainly SDF officials and fighters.

In June, SDF imposed a three-day curfew in Raqqa and declared a state of emergency saying Islamic State militants had infiltrated the city and planned a bombing campaign.

Syrian rebels denied on Sunday they had pulled any heavy arms from a major opposition bastion in the north, as the deadline to implement a demilitarisation deal there draws closer.

Regime ally Moscow and rebel backer Ankara agreed earlier this month to create a buffer zone around the opposition stronghold of Idlib that would be free of both jihadists and heavy arms.

The deal has so far averted a mas-sive assault on the region by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s govern-ment, but its implementation in areas packed with rival jihadists and rebels is expected to be complex.

The National Liberation Front, a pro-Turkey rebel alliance, welcomed the agreement but said Sunday it had not yet moved any heavy arms from the planned zone.

“There have been no withdrawals of heavy weapons from any area or any front. This report is denied, com-pletely denied,” NLF spokesman Naji Mustafa told AFP.

The Syrian Observatory for Hu-man Rights monitor had earlier said one faction of the NLF began with-drawing its heavy weapons under the Turkish-Russian agreement.

It said Faylaq al-Rahman, whose fighters number between 8,500 and 10,000, were leaving three towns in the planned buffer zone on Sun-day “with heavy weapons, including tanks and cannons”.

The Britain-based monitor uses a vast network of sources including fighters, officials and medical staff.

A spokesman for Faylaq al-Rah-man also told AFP on Sunday it had not moved any forces or arms.

“There have been no changes in the location of weapons or redistribution of fighters, even as we remain com-mitted to the agreement reached in (the Russian resort of) Sochi,” said Sayf al-Raad.

“We are still coordinating with the Turkish guarantor on following the agreement and ways to implement it,” he added.

On Sept 17, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish counter-part Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed to set up a demilitarised zone about 15 to 20 kms wide ringing around Idlib.

All factions in the planned buffer must hand over their heavy weapons by Oct 10, and radical groups must withdraw by Oct 15, according to the agreement.

The deal was welcomed by world powers, aid organisations, and the United Nations, which all hoped it would help avoid a bloody military assault on the area.

But observers have pointed out its implementation would be tricky for Ankara.

Most of the territory where the zone would be established is con-trolled by either hardline jihadists or by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which is led by former members of al-Qaeda’s Syria branch and widely considered the most powerful force in Idlib.

The rest is held by the NLF and other rebels.

HTS has yet to announce its posi-tion on the agreement, and there have been no signs it was moving out ei-ther fighters or heavy weapons.

But al-Qaeda loyalists Hurras al-Deen, which have a presence in the zone, rejected the deal last week.

And on Saturday, formerly US-backed rebel group Jaish al-Izza fol-lowed suit.

“We are against this deal, which eats into liberated (rebel-held) areas and bails out Bashar al-Assad,” its head Jamil al-Saleh told AFP.

Jaish al-Izza, which is not part of the NLF, clashed with regime forces throughout the night on Saturday and into Sunday in the province of Hama, bordering Idlib.

Separate clashes were also taking place in the coastal province of La-takia between jihadists and govern-ment fighters, the Observatory said on Sunday.

Idlib and adjacent rebel terri-tory are home to some three million people, about half of them displaced from other parts of Syria.

Seven years of brutal war have forced more than half of Syria’s peo-ple out of their homes, sending more than five million into neighbouring countries to seek refuge and leaving another six million internally dis-placed.

After losing swathes of territory to rebel fighters, Assad appears to have regained the upper hand and now controls around two-thirds of the country.

The areas still outside his con-trol are Idlib in the northwest, and a northeastern chunk held by Kurdish authorities where US and other West-ern troops are present.

On Saturday, Syrian Foreign Min-ister Walid Muallem said Damascus would keep “fighting this sacred bat-tle until we purge all Syrian territo-ries” of both radical groups and “any illegal foreign presence”.

Occupation forcesDeclaring that victory over “ter-

rorism” is almost at hand after more than seven years of civil war, Syria’s foreign minister took to the world stage Saturday and demanded that “occupation” forces from the US, France and Turkey leave the country immediately.

Walid al-Moallem told the General Assembly’s high-level meeting that the situation on the ground “is more stable and secure thanks to combat-ting terrorism” and “all conditions are now present for the voluntary return of refugees.”

Syrian government forces, backed by Russia and Iran, have retaken most of the territory rebels seized during the war that has killed over 400,000 people and driven millions from their homes. President Bashar Assad’s government refers to all armed op-position and rebel groups fighting Syrian forces as “terrorists,” not just Islamic State or al-Qaeda militants.

Last week, Russia and Turkey agreed to a deal which stopped an im-minent Syrian government offensive to retake the last major rebel strong-hold in the northern province of Idlib. It calls for setting up a demilitarized zone around Idlib to separate govern-ment forces from rebels, including those from the al-Qaeda-linked group formerly known as the Nusra Front.

“We hope that when the agreement is implemented, the Nusra Front and other terrorists will be eradicated, thus eliminating the last remnants of terrorism in Syria,” al-Moallem said.

He offered no hard evidence to back up his assertions that victory was near. There was no response to emails seeking comment from the US, France and Turkey.

Al-Moallem’s upbeat speech praised the army and the Syrian peo-ple for remaining “defiant” during the war, “fully convinced that this was a battle for their existence.” He bashed Western and other countries support-ing the opposition, alluding to their failed effort to install a transition government and get rid of Assad.

“To the disappointment of some, here we are today more than seven years into this dirty war against my country, announcing to the world that the situation on the ground has be-come more secure and stable, and that our battle against terrorism is almost over,” al-Moallem said.

“It is high time for all those de-tached from reality to wake up, let go of their fantasies, and come to their senses, see matters realistically,” he said. “They must realize they will not achieve politically what they failed to achieve by force.”

While Turkey confronts the diffi-cult task of trying to separate the forc-es in Idlib, the UN envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, is trying to bring the warring parties together to move forward on long-stalled political talks aimed at ending the war.

De Mistura is hoping to convene the first meeting of a committee to reform the country’s constitution, a key step in a 2012 roadmap adopted by world powers that is to culminate with elections and the formation of a new government. He told The As-sociated Press this week that October will be crucial.

Al-Moallem signaled difficulties ahead in negotiations, indicating in his speech that Syria doesn’t want a new constitution. “We stress that the mandate of the committee is limited to reviewing the articles of the current constitution,” the Syrian minister said.

He added that Syria “will not ac-cept any proposal that constitutes an interference in internal affairs of Syria, or leads to such interference.”

The United States, aided by Syrian Kurdish-led fighters, helped rout the Islamic State extremist group from all urban areas in Syria but remains in the country because pockets of IS militants remain. Turkey says it is fighting IS but is also seeking to curb the spread of the Syrian Kurdish mili-tia that it considers “terrorists.”

Al-Moallem said “any foreign presence on Syrian territory without the consent of the Syrian government is illegal, and constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and the UN Charter.”

“We therefore consider any forces operating on Syrian territory without an explicit request from the Syrian government, including US, French and Turkish forces, occupying forces and will be dealt with accordingly,” he said. “They must withdraw imme-diately and without any conditions.”

Assad’s forces have battled all armed opposition, both Syrian rebels and militant groups such as IS and al-Qaeda.

Al-Moallem said the Damascus government also remains commit-ted regaining control over the Golan Heights, which Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 Mideast war and later annexed, a move never recog-nized internationally.

World News Roundup

INTERNATIONALARAB TIMES, MONDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2018

9

Shooting

‘Not closure, but tribute’

Vegas refl ects, moveson 1 yr after shootingLAS VEGAS Sept 30, (AP): A small bouquet of dried fl owers was wedged inside the padlock on Gate 5 of the killing ground that was the Route 91 Harvest Festival one recent day, the only visible reminder that it was the site of the worst mass shooting in modern American history.

A peek inside the chain-link fence, covered in green sheeting to keep out prying eyes, revealed a sprawl-ing patch of asphalt and little else. Towering above were the gold windows of the Mandalay Bay, where a gambler spent the last minutes of his life in room 32-135 taking the lives of 58 others in a meticulously planned slaughter.

Around Las Vegas, there are scattered remembranc-es of the horrors of that night a year ago.

Almost every week, there’s another court-ordered release of police body-camera videos that provide fl ashbacks to the night the gunman turned the fun of the glittering Las Vegas Strip into a nightmare of death and despair. And law-suits by MGM Resorts Interna-tional to force survivors to give up their right to sue the casino company that owns Mandalay Bay opened fresh wounds over the summer.

But the “Vegas Strong” T-shirts and car stickers have

largely been put away. The original handmade white crosses for each victim have long since been taken away from the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign to eventually reside in a museum in neighboring Henderson, though some new ones were brought in for the anniversary.

There has been no closure, at least offi cially. Au-thorities say they will likely never be able to deter-mine what it was that turned a high-limit video poker player into a mass murderer.

But in a city that has always looked ahead relent-lessly, there’s not a lot of time devoted to refl ection. Even while pausing to remember the victims on the anniversary of the shooting, Las Vegas moves for-ward.

“A lot of the feeling among people is more, ‘Let’s move on,’” said Pauline Ng Lee, a community activ-ist and chairwoman of the Nevada Republican Men’s Club. “We don’t have a lot of long traditions here. You can see it with buildings. Casinos come up, ca-sinos get knocked down. People tend to look forward, not back.”

Indeed, a look out one side of the high windows of the Mandalay Bay shows the normal sight of dozens of tourists lined up to have their pictures taken in front of the Welcome to Las Vegas sign. A glance to the left draws the eye to the vacated and somber site of the shooting on 15 acres of valuable Las Vegas Strip land that for the foreseeable future simply cannot be used for anything.

PlansOwner MGM Resorts International has no plans for

the venue and no timeline for making any decisions.Meanwhile, on the other side of the hotel, work

goes on around the clock on a new $1.9 billion sta-dium that will be the home of the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders beginning in 2020. It’s a reminder that Las Vegas moves on like it always has, through the good times and the bad.

It’s not that the city has forgotten the shooting or the victims. The white crosses adorned with pictures of those killed were moved recently for the anniver-sary to the rotunda of the Clark County government building, accompanying a heart-wrenching display of paintings of each person.

The victims are portrayed as surviving relatives wanted them to be. One young woman is wearing a Philadelphia Eagles jersey; a man is strumming a gui-tar. There’s a police offi cer in his uniform, and a man smiling while enjoying a day on the beach.

Gathered together for one night to enjoy country music , they are now linked together in eternity.

There’s a makeshift memorial garden downtown, just around the corner from an adult bookstore, where painted stones and pictures hung in newly planted trees tell stories of lives lost.

“Rest easy with my grammy, Beebra,” read the in-scription on one framed picture of a smiling woman and her young children.

On a recent day, a few workers were digging a hole for a 3,000-pound (1,360-kilogram) rock with the vic-tims’ initials. A permanent memorial will eventually be located elsewhere — no word from MGM on what will happen to the shooting site itself — but has yet to be planned and is likely years away.

Everybody has a story about how a community came together in the wake of the shooting. Strangers loaded victims in the back of their pickup trucks and rushed them to the hospital. Doctors and nurses rushed in to try to save the wounded, and people — including players from the city’s newly minted NHL team — lined up by the hundreds to donate blood. Residents dug deep into their pockets to donate to the victims and their families .

It was, former Las Vegas Review-Journal gossip col-umnist Norm Clarke said, reminiscent of the response to the 1980 MGM Grand fi re that killed 85, when there was a community outpouring for those killed.

As with the fi re, most of the shooting victims were tourists. Only fi ve were from the Las Vegas area.

But Las Vegas itself is a city that largely is a col-lection of immigrants from around the nation and the world, many with no ties to each other before the shooting seemed to bring them together, at least tem-porarily.

Lee, the community activist, remembers neighbors in gated communities who had done little but nod at each other over the years gathering to talk afterward. And a ceremony at the fi rst Golden Knights hockey game a few days later had anyone who watched shed-ding tears.

Soon, though, “Vegas Strong” largely morphed into “Vegas Born” with the hockey team. Its improbable run into the Stanley Cup Final became more of a story than the way the team helped bring a city together to heal.

And through it all, the fun never really stopped on the same Strip where the massacre unfolded. A city that attracts 42 million visitors a year kept the wel-come mat out following the shooting as tourists drank, partied and threw the dice inside bustling casinos.

It’s taken the Mandalay Bay some time to recover its footing, and tourism numbers are down slightly this year. But Las Vegas’ reinvention continues with the new stadium and the resumption of construction at two big hotel projects.

And now, as the popular local Twitter feed Vital Vegas asked: How do you commemorate something you don’t want to think about?

Lee

Angelica Cervantes sits at her son Erick Silva’s grave on Sept 29, 2018 in Las Vegas. Silva was one of 58 people killed Oct 1, 2017, in the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history. Silva was working as a security guard at the Route 91 Harvest Festival and was shot while helping people climb over a barricade to escape

the gunfi re. (AP)

US President Donald Trump waves as he steps off Air Force One upon return to Andrews Air Force Base in

Maryland on Sept 29. (AFP)

Ginsburg Kavanaugh

Kavanaugh overshadows SC term: The US Supreme Court begins its new term on Monday in an awkward position, down one justice as the fi erce fi ght unfolds in the Senate over confi rmation of President Donald Trump’s nomination of Brett Ka-vanaugh to a lifetime job as a justice.

With eight justices rather than the usual nine, the court was set to hear arguments in two cases as it opens its nine-month term, according to tradition, on the fi rst Monday of October.

Justice Anthony Kennedy retired effec-tive in July, leaving the court ideologically deadlocked with four conservatives and four liberals on the bench awaiting the outcome of the Kavanaugh battle. Trump nominated the conservative federal appeals court judge in July but his confi rmation in the Senate remained in doubt over sexual misconduct allegations that he denies.

Unlike prior years, when a series of major cases awaited the justices, there are no blockbusters yet on their calendar. Their fi rst argument on Monday is a property rights case involving protected habitat for a warty amphibian known as the dusky gopher frog.

The court’s previous term, which ended in June, included more 5-4 decisions than usual, with conservatives in the majority. These rulings included approving Trump’s travel ban on people from several Muslim-majority nations, prohibiting a type of regulation of anti-abortion clinics, and ban-ning certain public-sector union fees.

“After a term of challenging cases and issues, and an unusually high number of 5-4 decisions, as I see it, we needed our summer break,” Justice Ruth Bader Gins-burg joked to an audience last week.

For the current term that runs through next June, the court does have some important cases, though none yet of the magnitude of the biggest from the previous term. (AP)

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Car explosion kills 1: A car exploded on a city street, killing at least one person and leading to a shelter-in-place order for nearby residents, and federal authorities are helping local offi cials in the investigation.

The blast happened in Allentown around 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Assistant Police Chief Gail Struss said early Sunday.

“We can confi rm that there is at least one fatality,” she said in a statement.

Resident Carlos Perodin told The Morning Call of Allentown that he was watching a movie with his wife when he heard a thunderous explosion and went to the scene.

“The fi re was crazy,” he said. “The car was pretty much split in half.”

A bus station was turned into a make-shift command center with armored vehi-cles, dozens of police cruisers, mobile com-mand units and even portable bathrooms, the paper reported. Several portable tents were also erected for evidence processing.

Residents were asked to avoid the area, and people who live nearby were asked to shelter in place. A shelter was set up at an elementary school. (AP)

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America

A fallen security barrier causes panic at the Global Citizen Festival in New York on Sept 29. (AFP)

Thousands panic, barrier collapse: Fearing possible gunshots, it took only the collapse of a police barrier at a politically charged New York celebrity music show

Saturday to send thousands of spectators fl eeing in panic.

About 60,000 people had fi lled the park’s Great Lawn for the eight-hour Global

Citizen Festival. They listened to big-name personalities from Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican Sen. Jeff Flake to Janet Jackson and John Legend who all urged spectators to get involved in the nation’s troubled politics.

Suddenly, just before 8 p.m., the police barrier that was meant to keep the crowd in check toppled over, releasing a clanging sound that terrifi ed many spectators.

Authorities quickly assured the crowd they were safe, and that no shots had been fi red. And Coldplay leader Chris Martin told spectators that “nobody is trying to hurt anyone,” eliciting cheers from the audience. “There’s no need to run fast. There’s no need to push people out of the way.” (AP)

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3 charged in fatal shooting: Three people have been charged in connection with the fatal shooting of a civic leader and former airline executive in Memphis, Tennessee.

Memphis police said on Twitter late Sat-urday that 22-year-old McKinney Wright, 18-year-old Quandarius Richardson and a 16-year-old have been charged with fi rst-degree murder in perpetration of a robbery and especially aggravated robbery in the shooting of Philip Trenary. (AP)

Stricter Trump policies stall Pentagon’s program relaunch

Immigrant recruit program stymiedWASHINGTON, Sept 30, (AP): Stricter Trump administration im-migration policies have stymied Pen-tagon plans to restart a program that allowed thousands of people with critical medical or Asian and African language skills to join the military and become American citizens, according to several US offi cials.

The decade-old program has been on hold since 2016 amid concerns that immigrant recruits were not be-ing screened well enough, and secu-rity threats were slipping through the system. Defense offi cials shored up the vetting process, and planned to re-launch the program earlier this month.

But there was an unexpected barrier when Homeland Security offi cials said they would not be able to protect new immigrant recruits from being deport-ed when their temporary visas expired after they signed a contract to join the military, the US offi cials said. They were not authorized to publicly de-scribe internal discussions and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The program is called Military Ac-cessions Vital to the National Interest program, or MAVNI. The plan to restart it was backed by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, who believes that noncitizens can bring key skills, language abilities, and cultural knowledge to the military.

Mattis, a combat veteran of multiple war tours, has fought with and com-manded foreign nationals, and he be-lieves their service adds to the lethality of America’s fi ghting force, according to the offi cials.

The Pentagon chief told report-ers late last month that the program is designed to enlist immigrants with needed skills. “We need and want every qualifi ed patriot willing to serve and able to serve,” Mattis said. At the time, he said the department was work-ing diligently to address the security screening problems.

When asked about the latest develop-ments, Air Force Maj Carla Gleason, a Pentagon spokeswoman, said, “the unique skill sets these individuals bring is one of the reasons the US military is the world’s premier fi ghting force.” She had no comment on the internal discus-sions to relaunch the program.

The offi cials familiar with the dis-cussions said Homeland Security told the Pentagon that it would not be able sign any agreement blocking the de-

Immigrants in Quebec: needed butoften ‘unwanted’ as election nearsSAINT-GEORGES, Canada, Sept 30, (AFP): Anti-immigrant senti-ment is butting up against an acute labor shortage in Canada’s mostly French-speaking Quebec province ahead of a general election there on Monday.

Two of the province’s four major political parties have vowed to cut immigration despite employers say-ing they need more than 100,000 skilled workers, amid record-low rates of unemployment.

Francois Legault, leader of the Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ), which is leading in the polls, has suggested that immigration threat-ens Quebec’s cultural identity. He has vowed to cut it by 20 percent in 2019, if elected.

He also said he would deport any immigrants who failed a “Quebec values” test or who did not learn French within three years of arriv-ing in the province.

Quebec Premier Philippe Couil-lard, whose Liberals face an uphill re-election battle after almost 15 years in offi ce, accused the CAQ leader of “scaremongering.”

But polls show there is substan-tial popular support in Quebec for curbs on immigration.

A recent Leger survey for the Huffi ngton Post found that 48 per-cent of Quebecers support immi-gration while 38 percent see it as a growing problem.

A surge in asylum seekers from the United States since Donald Trump was elected president in 2016 has strained government services, fueling the anti-migrant views.

In the city of Saint-Georges, about 300 kilometers (185 miles) northeast of Montreal, “hiring” signs hang outside most businesses.

“I can understand that people want Quebecers to be hired fi rst and foremost, which we try to do, but there’s none or few available,” said Louise Couture, a human re-sources offi cial at semitrailer manu-facturer Manac.

The regional development or-ganization estimates that 5,000 positions for welders, machinists, cargo handlers and programmers in the area are going unfi lled.

“We need to bring in a new work-force. We feel the same need in all regions of Quebec. That’s why im-migration is one of the solutions,” the agency’s Melanie Poulin told AFP.

portation of the immigrant recruits brought in under the program.

In previous years, the US Citizenship and Immigration Service used an infor-mal process to give MAVNI recruits protection when their temporary or stu-dent visas expired because they were en-tering military service. In addition, Con-gress included new restrictions in the 2019 defense bill that limit each military service to 1,000 such recruits per year.

President Donald Trump has made tighter controls on immigration, both legal and illegal, an important element of his administration.

Asked about the issue, a Homeland Security offi cial said recruits without legal immigration status would be subject to deportation, but each case is reviewed individually. The offi cial spoke on condition of anonymity to

discuss internal deliberations.Over the past 10 years, the military

services have recruited more than 10,000 immigrants through the program.

In recent years, however, the pro-gram has been mired in controversy amid growing concerns about secu-rity threats and struggles to develop a proper screening process.

According to court documents, more than 20 people in the program have been the subject of FBI or Pen-tagon counterintelligence or criminal investigations since 2013.

Gleason said the Defense Depart-ment suspended the program in 2016 after several classifi ed assessments concluded that it “was vulnerable to an unacceptable level of risk from insider threats such as espionage, terrorism, and other criminal activity.”

Immigration

World News Roundup


10

Britain

Plan deranged: Johnson

‘Let’s come together’, May challenges critics of BrexitBIRMINGHAM, England, Sept 30, (Agencies): Prime Minister Theresa May called on her party on Sunday to unite behind her plan to leave the Eu-ropean Union, making a direct appeal to critics by saying their desire for a free trade deal was at the heart of her Brexit proposals.

At the start of what is set to be one of the Conser-vative Party’s stormiest annual conferences, May’s plans were once again attacked by two former min-

isters, with former foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, calling them “deranged”.

Just six months before Britain is due to leave the EU in the country’s biggest shift in foreign and trade policy in more than 40 years, the debate over how to leave the bloc is still raging in the cen-tre-right Conservative Party, and even in government.

May’s already fragile lead-ership was put under further pressure this month when the EU rejected parts of the so-called Che-quers plan. But she put a positive spin on those talks, saying she was ready to consider the EU’s concerns.

“My message to my party is let’s come together and get the best deal for Britain,” May told the BBC in the central English city of Birmingham.

“At the heart of the Chequers plan is a free trade deal, a free trade area and frictionless trade ... Che-quers at the moment is the only plan on the table that delivers on the Brexit vote ... and also delivers for the people of Northern Ireland.”

May has shown little sign of shifting away from her Chequers plan, named after her country resi-dence where she hashed out an agreement on Brexit with her ministers in July, despite growing criticism that her proposals offer the worst of all worlds.

Johnson, who quit May’s cabinet after Chequers was agreed, called her plans “deranged” and at-tacked the prime minister for not believing in Brexit.

He, and the former Brexit minister David Davis, are pushing for a Canada-style free trade deal with the EU — a proposal May says will split Northern Ireland from mainland Britain by making the Brit-ish province adhere to different customs rules.

Greg Clark, May’s business minister, said such a trade deal would also hurt businesses by clogging up international supply chains that are crucial to companies, such as car manufacturers.

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Conservatives probe data breach: British Prime Minister Theresa May’s Conservative Party is in-vestigating a data breach which let members of the public log into a smartphone app as senior govern-ment ministers and view their personal details.

“Any breach is a serious breach that’s why we are fully investigating it and are taking it very se-riously,” party chairman Brandon Lewis told Sky News on Sunday.

Speaking on the first day of the party’s annual conference, which the app was promoting, Lewis said a “limited” number of users had been affected.

On Saturday, a columnist with the Guardian newspaper, Dawn Foster, discovered that a flaw in the app allowed users to log in as anyone attending the party conference, simply by entering an email address.

Lewis said the breach had been reported to the Information Commissioner’s Office, Britain’s data regulator, and that the loophole had been shut down within 30 minutes of the party being notified.

When active, the flaw meant the mobile phone numbers of all those attending the conference — lawmakers, including senior government minis-ters, party members and journalists — could be accessed. On Twitter, Foster showed how she had been able to log into the system as former foreign secretary Boris Johnson.

May

In this Sept 29 photo, a vessel, (rear), tilts on one side as it ran ashore at a pier as a typhoon approached Yonabaru, Okinawa prefecture, southern Japan. A powerful typhoon is ripping through Japan and authorities are warning people to brace for heavy winds and rain in areas that include those devastated by a previous storm. (AP)

Typhoon injures dozens

‘Anti-US base’ Tamaki wins voteTOKYO, Sept 30, (AFP): A candi-date pledging to resist construction of a new US military base on the Japa-nese island of Okinawa has won the election for governor of the strategic island, local media said Sunday.

Both national broadcaster NHK and the Asahi Shimbun said Denny Tamaki had won Sunday’s vote, in a blow to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe whose rul-ing Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) had backed a rival candidate.

Tamaki has vowed to continue fighting against a joint US-Japanese project to move the US Marines’ Futenma Air Station from an urban area in Okinawa to a sparsely popu-lated region of the island.

Abe’s party backed Atsushi Sa-kima, who focused on economic messages throughout the campaign and stayed tight-lipped on his views about the base.

The LDP has long pressed Oki-nawa to accept the new air base. But opponents say the island already has more than its fair share of US military facilities and the base should be re-located outside Okinawa altogether.

The election was sparked by last month’s death due to cancer of gov-ernor Takeshi Onaga, who also op-posed the new base.

Tamaki, son of a US Marine who previously served as a national op-position lawmaker, cast himself as Onaga’s rightful successor.

Okinawa accounts for less than one percent of Japan’s total land area, but hosts about 28,000 US troops — more than half of the approximately 47,000 American military personnel stationed in Japan.

Noise, accidents and crimes by US military and service members have long frustrated local residents, while municipalities in the rest of the nation have refused to share Okinawa’s bur-den. Onaga had tried to block efforts to reclaim land for the new offshore facility, and he and the national gov-ernment filed rival lawsuits to try to settle the issue.

Also:KAGOSHIMA: A powerful typhoon pounded Japan’s mainland Sunday after injuring dozens on outlying is-lands, bringing transport grinding to a halt and triggering warnings of fierce winds, torrential rain, landslides and floods.

Typhoon Trami has already snarled travel in the world’s third-biggest economy, with bullet train services suspended, more than 1,000 flights cancelled and Tokyo’s evening train services scrapped.

The storm’s huge eye was fore-cast to move near the city of Osaka before churning across the Japanese archipelago, likely hitting areas still recovering from extreme weather that has battered Japan in recent months.

In total, 65 people have sustained minor injuries — mainly cuts from shattered glass — and one woman was reported missing in the Miyazaki region, which was drenched by record rainfall and suffered localised flooding.

According to local media, the woman in her 60s was swept away by gusts in a gutter while working with her husband in their ricefield.

Nationwide, authorities have is-sued non-compulsory evacuation ad-visories to 1.5 million residents, ac-cording to public broadcaster NHK, and officials urged people across the country to stay indoors.

Nearly 500,000 households in the western region of Kyushu and Okina-wa have lost power, local utilities said.

Violent gusts and heavy rain made it impossible to venture outside, said Yuji Ueno, an official in the town of Shirahama in Wakayama prefec-ture, which was forecast to be right in Trami’s path.

“From around 2pm, we saw incred-ible winds and rain. I stepped outside the city hall in the afternoon, and the rain was swirling in very strong wind. Enormous wind.”

“It was difficult to stay standing. It was very scary,” Ueno told AFP.

As the typhoon barrelled east, rail authorities took the highly unusual step of cancelling evening train services in Tokyo, one of the world’s busiest net-works, urging passengers to shelter in-doors when the storm hits.

The typhoon is not expected to hit the capital head-on but strong winds and heavy rain are still feared from later Sunday. Some businesses were already putting up shutters and hun-kering down.

Trami is the latest in a string of ex-treme natural events in Japan, which has suffered typhoons, flooding, earthquakes and heatwaves in recent months, claiming scores of lives and causing extensive damage.

Japan

Japan’s legislator Denny Tamaki, (center) celebrates his victory with supporters in the election for Oki-nawa governor in Naha city, on Sept 30, 2018. Tamaki, who campaigned criticizing the American military pres-ence on the southwestern Japanese islands of Okinawa, won the election for governor Sunday, defeating a rul-ing party-backed candidate pushing

the status quo. (AP)

Catalan police officers cordon off the street to stop pro independence demonstrators, on their way to meet demonstrations by members and sup-porters of National Police and Guar-dia Civil in Barcelona on Sept 29. (AP)

Kim Trump

US warship sails near islands: A US Navy destroyer sailed near islands claimed by China in the South China Sea on Sunday, a US offi cial told Reuters, potentially angering Beijing at a time of tense relations between the two countries.

Beijing and Washington are locked in a trade war that has seen them impose increasingly severe rounds of tariffs on each other’s imports.

The offi cial, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the destroyer Decatur traveled within 12 nautical miles of Gaven and Johnson Reefs in the Spratly Islands.

The operation was the latest attempt to counter what Washington sees as Beijing’s efforts to limit freedom of navigation in the strategic waters, where Chinese, Japanese and some Southeast Asian navies operate.

China’s claims in the South China Sea, through which about $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes each year, are contested by Brunei, Malaysia, the Phil-ippines, Taiwan and Vietnam. (RTRS)

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‘Trust before denuclearization’: North Korea’s foreign minister on Saturday told the United Nations there was “no way” that his country would disarm fi rst as long as the United States continued to push for tough enforcement of sanctions against Pyongyang.

Addressing the United Nations General Assembly, Ri Yong Ho accused Washington of creating a deadlock in talks on denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.

“The recent deadlock is because the US relies on coercive measures which are lethal to trust-building,” Ri told the assembly.

“Without any trust in the US, there will be no confi dence in our national security and under such circumstances, there is no way we will unilaterally disarm ourselves fi rst.” (AFP)

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Trump swoons over letters: US President Donald Trump took his enthu-siasm for his detente with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to new heights on Saturday, declaring at a rally with supporters that “we fell in love” after exchanging letters.

Trump and Kim have said they want to work toward denuclearizing the Korean peninsula, holding an unprecedented meeting earlier this year in Singapore to discuss the idea.

Before they turned the page on decades

of public acrimony, the leaders regularly traded threats and insults as North Korea pushed to develop a nuclear missile capa-ble of hitting the United States.

“I was really being tough — and so was he. And we would go back and forth,” Trump told a rally in West Virginia.

“And then we fell in love, okay? No, really — he wrote me beautiful letters,

‘Destroying UN dangerous’: German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sunday warned US President Donald Trump against “destroying” the United Nations.

“I believe that destroying something without having developed something new is extremely dangerous,” Merkel said at a regional election campaign event in Bavaria.

The veteran leader — a close ally of Trump’s bugbear Barack Obama while he was president — added that she believed multilater-alism was the solu-tion to many of the world’s problems.

Trump failed to see the possibil-ity for win-win solutions, she said, instead seeing only one winner from any international negotiation.

In his second appearance before the UN’s annual gathering last week, Trump told the General Assembly that he and his administration “reject the ideology of globalism, and we embrace the doctrine of patriotism”.

“Global governance” is a form of “co-ercion and domination” that “responsible nations must defend against”, he charged.

Merkel’s opposing view to the US leader puts her in the same camp as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who warned before Trump took the podium in New York Tuesday that “today, world order is increasingly chaotic”. (AP)

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Catalan vote scars region, Spain: A secession vote in Spain’s Catalonia re-gion that took place amid police violence one year ago not only posed a traumatic challenge to Spanish democracy, but nearly tore apart Barcelona resident Teresa Reyes’ family.

In the weeks before the unauthorized referendum that asked Catalan voters if they wanted to break away from Spain, pro-unity Reyes was unable to keep politics out of her interactions with her pro-independence son and other people she held most dear.

“We were in two irreconcilable frames of mind,” the 65-year-old matriarch said, recalling Oct 1, 2017 — when the vote that Spanish courts had banned was held — as “the worst day in my life.”

Reyes says love won out over ideologi-cal differences with her son. But a year on, she keeps her contacts with fervent separa-tists outside of the family to a minimum.

The charged events of last fall, when years of tension and the unsettled inde-pendence question came to a head, echo in the lives of most of Catalonia’s 7.5 million residents. They are heard in timid efforts to rebuild relationships mend ties at home, seen on streets still clad in political symbols and felt in the scars the breakaway attempt left on Spain’s four-decade old democracy. (AP)

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Macedonia votes on new name: Macedonians were deciding on their country’s future Sunday, voting whether to accept a landmark deal ending a decades-long dispute with neighboring Greece by changing their country’s name to North Macedonia.

The June deal would pave the way for NATO and possibly European Union membership, ending a dispute dating from the early 1990s when Macedonia declared independence from Yugoslavia. Greece argued that the name implied territorial ambitions on its own province of the same name, and blocked the coun-try’s efforts to join NATO.

But the agreement has faced vocal opposition on both sides of the border, with detractors accusing their respective governments of conceding too much to the other side.

In Macedonia, those opposing the deal have called for a boycott of Sunday’s referendum. Critics included the coun-try’s president, Gjorge Ivanov, who has described the deal as a “fl agrant violation of sovereignty.”

Voters on Sunday were confronted with the question: “Are you in favor of membership in NATO and European Un-ion by accepting the deal between (the) Republic of Macedonia and Republic of Greece?”. (AP).

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Migrants land in Malta: The Maltese authorities on Sunday fi nally took 58 migrants from the Aquarius to Valletta after they had waited for days in rough seas on the rescue ship that can no longer go to port after its fl ag was pulled.

The migrants, including Libyans, sub-Saharan Africans and Afghans, boarded two buses at a Malta Armed Forces base in Valletta after being transferred from the Aquarius to a Maltese patrol boat in international waters.

Their number includes a fi ve-month pregnant woman and Bella the dog, the fi rst animal rescued with migrants in the Mediterranean and they are to be sent on to four European countries after a tense standoff over their fate last week.

The UN refugee agency UNHCR said that it had not yet been decided where which of the migrants — 18 children, 17 women, 23 men and a dog — would go. (AP)

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3 missing in Greece storm: Greek authorities are looking for three missing people on a Greek island after a rare and powerful Mediterranean storm dumped heavy rain on the region.

The storm has been moving slowly in a northeasterly direction, affecting Aegean Sea islands as well as Greece’s central mainland. It is expected to hit parts of northern and northeast Greece later in the day.

General secretary for Civil Protection Yiannis Tafyllis told reporters Sunday that the hardest-hit areas so far have been around the cities of Corinth and Argos in the Peloponnese peninsula, which was hit by the storm Saturday, and the northern part of the island of Evia, off central Greece, where the three people went missing Sunday. The storm also fl ooded roads in Athens and forced evacuations from the Peloponnese seaside village of Nea Kios. (AP)

Asia

Europe

and they’re great letters,” he said.His supporters laughed and applauded.

Trump grumbled that commentators would cast him as “unpresidential” for describing Kim in such glowing terms. (RTRS)

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Kim gifts Moon dogs: South Korean President Moon Jae-in received a pair of North Korean indigenous hunting dogs from Pyongyang, his offi ce said Sunday, the latest token of the rapidly blossoming friendship on the peninsula.

“Cheong Wa Dae (the presidential offi ce) was offered a pair of Pungsan dogs from the North as a gift at the North-South summit and received them Thursday,” the South’s presidential offi ce said in a statement.

The canines, both aged around one, were handed over via the truce village of Panmunjom with three kilograms of dog food to “help with their adaptation”, it added.

Known for its loyalty and cleverness, the Pungsan breed — a hunting dog with thick, creamy white coat, pointy ears and hazel eyes — is one of the National Treasures of North Korea. (AFP)

Merkel

11INTERNATIONALARAB TIMES, MONDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2018

Indonesia

Clash at UNPakistan ‘harboring’terrorists, says IndiaUNITED NATIONS, Sept 30, (AP): India’s foreign minister ac-cused neighboring Pakistan of har-boring terrorists in an angry speech Saturday before the UN General Assembly and rejected the notion that India is sabotaging peace talks with Pakistan, calling it “a complete lie”. Hours later, Pakistan shot back in its own speech, accusing India of fi nancing terrorists and declaring that New Delhi “preferred politics over peace.”

India’s Sushma Swaraj pointed to the fact that Osama bin Laden had been living quietly in Pakistan be-fore he was found and killed by a team of US Navy SEALs, and said the mastermind of the 2008 attack in Mumbai in which 168 people died “still roams the streets of Pakistan with impunity.” Pakistan has said there is not enough evidence to ar-rest him.

“In our case, terrorism is bred not in some faraway land, but across our border to the west,” Swaraj said. “Our neighbor’s expertise is not re-stricted to spawning grounds for ter-rorism, it is also an expert in trying to mask malevolence with verbal duplicity.”

Swaraj and Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi were supposed to meet on the side-lines of the UN General Assembly this week. India called it off only one day after it was announced, fol-lowing the killing of an Indian bor-der guard in the disputed region of Kashmir.

The two South Asian nations, always uneasy neighbors, face off under particularly tense conditions in that region at a “line of control” that cuts through a rugged mountain range.

The announcement of the planned meeting had been considered an en-couraging sign for restarting stalled talks between the nuclear-armed neighbors. New Delhi had agreed to hold the meeting in response to a letter from newly-elected Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has written his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, stressing the need for positive change, a mutual desire for peace and a readiness to discuss terrorism.

People survey the damage following earthquakes and a tsunami in Palu, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia on Sept 30, 2018. A tsunami swept away buildings and killed hundreds on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. (Inset): Indonesian police carry the body of a tsunami victim at

Bhayangkara hospital in Palu, Central Sulawesi. (AP)

BNP wants to take part in poll: Bangladesh’s main opposition political group, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), “strongly” wants to take part in national elections due in three months, the party’s secretary general told Reuters on Saturday.

The BNP will hold a public meeting in the capital Dhaka on Sunday and present demands that include the release of its jailed leader Khaleda Zia, installing a neutral caretaker government, and involving the army to oversee the December elections, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said.

“As a large party, we have all the prepa-rations for participat-ing in (a) coming election, but for that we need a level play-ing fi eld, which is not there,” he said.

“We are demanding a neutral govern-ment as it is our experience that with the ruling party there cannot be a free and fair election.” (RTRS)

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Apple employee killed: State police have arrested two constables in northern India over the fatal shooting of an Apple employee in an incident during a routine patrol on Saturday.

Vivek Tiwari, a sales manager for Ap-ple, was shot dead early on Saturday by a police constable in the Gomti Nagar neigh-bourhood in Uttar Pradesh state, about 13 km (8 miles) from state capital Lucknow.

The two constables were on night motorbike patrol and the patrolman who shot Tiwari told reporters: “I didn’t shoot at him. The bullet was shot by mistake.”

The state’s top police offi cer, O.P. Singh, told reporters that the policeman who shot Tiwari claimed to have fi red in self-defence. (RTRS)

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2 Afghan offi cers killed: Two Afghan police offi cers were gunned down by a fel-low policeman in southern Kandahar prov-ince, the latest in so-called “insider” attacks in the war-battered country, a spokesman said Saturday.

According to Aziz Ahmad Azizi, the provincial governor’s spokesman, three other policemen were wounded in the at-tack late on Friday night.

The incident took place at a remote police outpost in Raghistan district. Azizi said the attacker, who had joined the police force around a year ago, was able to fl ee the area. A police investigation has been launched into the attack. No militant group immediately claimed responsibility but blame is likely to fall on the Taleban. (AP)

Conflict Subcontinent

Rescuers struggle as communications, power still down

Indonesian quake-tsunami death toll hits 832PALU, Indonesia, Sept 30, (RTRS): The toll from an earthquake and tsunami in Indone-sia soared on Sunday to 832 confi rmed dead, with authorities fearing it will only climb as rescuers struggle to reach outlying communi-ties cut off from communications and help.

Dozens of people were reported to be trapped in the rubble of two hotels and a mall in the city of Palu, which was hit by waves as high as six metres (20 feet) following the 7.5 magnitude earthquake on Friday.

A woman was pulled alive from the debris of the city’s Roa Roa Hotel, where up to 60 people were believed trapped. Hundreds of people gathered at the wrecked mall search-ing for loved ones.

With most of the confi rmed deaths from Palu, authorities are bracing for much worse as reports fi lter in from outlying areas, in par-ticular, Donggala, a region of 300,000 people north of Palu and close to the epicentre of the quake, and two other districts.

Vice-President Jusuf Kalla said the toll could rise into the thousands.

President Joko Widodo visited a housing complex fl attened when the quake liquefi ed the soil it stood on, and called for patience.

“I know there are many problems that need to be solved in a short time, including com-munications,” he said.

The ruins would be rebuilt, he said, as af-tershocks rattled the region 48 hours after the quake.

Scores of residents shouted “we’re hungry, we need food” as soldiers distributed rations from a truck in one neighbourhood, while elsewhere television showed pictures of peo-ple making off with clothes and other items from a wrecked mall.

Internal Affairs Minister Tjahjo Kumolo, asked about reports of sporadic looting, said he had ordered authorities to help people get food and drink and businesses would be compensated. A spokesman for the National disaster mitigation agency, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, told a news conference that the af-fected area was bigger than initially thought, and rescuers only had good access to one of

four affected districts – Palu.“We haven’t received reports from the

three other areas. Communication is still down, power is still out. We don’t know for sure what is the impact,” he said.

“There are many areas where the search and rescue teams haven’t been able to reach,” Nugroho said, adding that teams needed heavy equipment to move broken concrete and debris.

Donggala town has been damaged badly, according to a reporter on the scene.

Five foreigners – three French, one South Korean and one Malaysian – were among the missing, Nugroho said. The 832 dead in-cluded people crushed in the quake and swept away by the tsunami.

About 16,000 displaced people needed clean water, Nugroho said, while 540 were injured, many getting treatment in tents.

Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said the government had allocated 560 billion rupiah ($37.58 million) for disaster recovery, media reported.

Zia

World News Roundup


12

Weather

Extra whopper storms

Warm waters boostedmajor hurricane tallyWASHINGTON, Sept 30, (AP): The Atlantic’s warmer waters triggered the unusual number of major hurricanes last year, according to a new study that pre-dicts the region could see a couple of extra whopper storms each year by the end of the century.

Six major hurricanes – with winds of at least 111 mph (178 kph) – spun around the Atlantic last year, including Harvey, Irma and Maria which hit parts of the United States and the Caribbean. Since 2000, the Atlantic has averaged three major hurricanes a year. Before that the average was closer to two.

It may go up to fi ve to eight major hurricanes a year around the year 2100, according to a study in Thurs-day’s journal Science.

“We will see more active hurricane seasons like 2017 in the future,” said lead author Hiro Murakami,

climate scientist and hurricane expert at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra-tion.

So far this year, though, only one Atlantic hurricane, Florence, has reached major status.

Warm water acts as fuel for hurricanes. Water has to be at least 79 degrees (26ºC) for a storm to form. The warmer the water, the more it can resist forces that would cause it to

weaken, said University of Miami hurricane research-er Brian McNoldy, who wasn’t part of the study.

Conditions Murakami found that a combination of natural con-

ditions and man-made climate change made the wa-ters warmer in one key area, which caused more major storms. That area is essentially a large box from south of Florida and north of South America, stretching all the way east to Africa.

Some of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes form off the coast of West Africa, then chug west toward the Caribbean and the US East Coast.

Water in that large box – the main hurricane devel-opment region – averaged 0.7 degrees (0.4ºC) warmer than normal for the entire 2017 season, which is unu-sual for a six-month time period, Murakami said.

Murakami’s study used computer simulations to isolate different climate conditions. Although his research showed both natural and human-triggered causes from the burning of coal, oil and gas, Muraka-mi said he couldn’t separate them enough to see which was bigger.

He used the computer models to look into the fu-ture. The Atlantic is projected to warm faster than the rest of the world’s oceans. That difference is why Mu-rakami said the number of major storms will probably increase by two or more on average.

Some outside experts had issues with parts of Mu-rakami’s study.

McNoldy said it makes sense that the unusual warm water was to blame in 2017, but he wasn’t quite ready to point the fi nger at global warming.

“Hurricane seasons don’t just keep getting more active as the climate warms though. There is enor-mous variability,” McNoldy said in an email.

Kevin Trenberth of the National Center for At-mospheric Research faulted Murakami’s study for not taking into account the large increase in ocean heat in deeper areas, which he said is also due to climate change.

Princeton University’s Gabriel Vecchi said some computer simulations don’t show the Atlantic warm-ing fastest, so it’s not quite as certain that there will be more major storms there in the future.

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On the map, their homes are tiny specks in a vast sea of blue, rarely in the headlines and far removed from the centers of power. But for a few days each year, the leaders of small island nations share a po-dium with presidents and prime ministers from the world’s most powerful nations, and their message is clear: Global warming is already changing our lives, and it will change yours too.

Speaking shortly after US President Donald Trump – whose fi ery speech made no mention of cli-mate change – Danny Faure told the UN General As-sembly this week that for his country, the Seychelles, it’s already a daily reality.

Unpredictable “We see its effects in our eroding coastlines and

unpredictable weather patterns,” he said. “We see its effects on our coral reefs and rising sea levels.”

The Indian Ocean nation off the east coast of Africa is one of dozens of Small Island Developing States – or SIDS for short – that have been trying to draw attention to what they see as the overarching threat of our time.

“Decades ago, small island developing states warned the world of the risks of climate change, and those were once theoretical threats,” said Hilda Heine, president of the Marshall Islands, a sprawling series of atolls in the Pacifi c Ocean thousands of miles north of Australia.

The message may fi nally be getting through, in part due to the devastating wildfi res, storms and fl oods that have affected millions of people in the developed world over the past months.

“The extreme weather events lately have under-scored to leaders elsewhere that this will affect their populations, too, in the here and now,” said Alden Meyer of the Union of Concerned Scientists, who has followed international climate negotiations for many years.

The realization may help push leaders to commit to greater action to rein in climate change ahead of a year-end deadline that countries have set themselves to fl esh out the 2015 Paris climate accord, Meyer said. But he warned that there remains a big gap between the rhetoric on climate change, and the willingness of leaders of major economies like Germany or Japan to take decisive actions, such as stop burning fossil fuels.

Despite its minuscule carbon emissions, Heine said her nation wants to show it, too, is prepared to do its part. The country is aiming to achieve net zero emis-sions by 2050, a goal most climate experts consider an absolute deadline if the world is to avert runaway warming of more than 2ºC (3.6ºF) by the end of the century.

Marshall Islanders know the future of their coun-try, much of which is little over a meter (3.3 feet) above sea level, hangs in the balance. A recent report predicted that the world’s oceans will rise by an aver-age of at least 2 feet (61 centimeters) by the end of the century compared to now. Experts say the actions of the United States, which Trump announced will pull out of the Paris agreement, could play a decisive role in the future of small islands.

McNoldy

This March 25, 2015 fi le photo shows a plume of ash and steam rising from the crater of the Popocatepetl volcano, seen from the town of San Nicolas de los Ran-chos, Mexico. The National Center for Disaster Prevention warned Mexicans on Sept 29, 2018 to stay away from the volcano after activity picked up in the crater

and it registered 183 emissions of gas and ash over 24 hours. (AP)

Volcano spews ash on Mexico City

Ash spewing from the Popocatepetl volcano has reached the southern neighborhoods of Mexico’s capital.

The National Center for Disaster Prevention warned Mexicans on Saturday to stay away from the volcano after activity picked up in the crater and

it registered 183 emissions of gas and ash over 24 hours.

The center was monitoring multiple rumblings and tremors. Images on social media showed thin layers of ash coating car windshields in neighborhoods of Mexico City such as Xochimilco.

Geophysicists have noticed an increase in activ-ity at the volcano that sits 45 miles (72 kilometers) southeast of the capital since a 7.1-magnitude earthquake rocked central Mexico in September 2017. The volcano known as “Don Goyo” has been active since 1994. (AP)

Nations to review 20-page bombshell on climate

UN report lays out tough choicesPARIS, Sept 30, (AFP): The world’s nations will gather at a UN conference in South Korea on Monday to review and approve a 20-page bombshell – distilled from more than 6,000 sci-entifi c studies – laying out narrowing options for staving off climate catas-trophe.

When the 195 countries who signed off on the Paris Agreement in 2015 requested a report from UN-led sci-entists on the feasibility of capping global warming at 1.5ºC, the gesture seemed to many unnecessary.

The treaty, after all, enjoined the world to block the rise in Earth’s surface temperature at “well below” 2ºC (3.6ºF) compared to preindustrial levels, adding a safety buffer to the two degree threshold long seen as the guardrail for a climate-safe world.

Since then, however, a crescendo of deadly heatwaves, fl oods, wildfi res and superstorms engorged by rising seas – with less than 1ºC warming so far – has convinced scientists that the danger cursor needed to be reset.

“There is increasing and very ro-bust evidence of truly severe and cata-strophic risks even at the lower bounds of these temperature targets,” said Pe-ter Frumhoff, director of science and policy at the Union of Concerned Sci-entists, a Washington-based research and advocacy group.

The promise of “pursuing efforts” to limit warming to 1.5ºC – added to the Paris treaty at the last minute, in part to assuage poor nations who felt short-changed on other fronts – caught scientists off-guard.

“There wasn’t very much literature on 1.5ºC warming three years ago,” said Jim Skea, a professor of at Impe-rial College London’s Centre for Envi-ronmental Policy, and a co-chair of the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC), the UN science body charged with writing the “Special Re-port” on 1.5ºC.

Of hundreds of climate models in 2015 projecting a low-carbon future, only two or three aimed for a 1.5ºC global warming cap.

The 20-page Summary Policy Mak-ers – which will be collectively scru-tinised, line-by-line, by hundreds of diplomats through Friday – contains several benchmark fi ndings, according to a draft obtained by AFP.

Emissions At current levels of greenhouse gas

emissions, for example, the Earth’s surface will heat up beyond the 1.5ºC threshold by 2040, the report con-cludes with “high confi dence”.

To have a fi ghting chance of stay-ing under the 1.5ºC cap, the global economy must, by 2050, become “car-bon neutral”, meaning no additional CO2 can be allowed to leach into the atmosphere.

In addition, the report suggests that carbon dioxide emissions from human activity will need to peak in 2020 and curve sharply downward from there.

So far, we are still moving in the wrong direction: after remaining stable for three years – raising hopes the peak had come – emissions rose in 2017 to historic levels.

For many scientists, these targets are technically feasible but politically or socially unrealistic, along with the broader 1.5ºC goal. “The feasibility is probably going to remain an open question, even after the report comes out,” said Michael Oppenheimer, a professor of geosciences and interna-tional affairs at Princeton University.

A main focus of the underlying, 400-page report – written by a team of 86 authors, supported by another 150 scientists – is the difference a half-degree Celsius can make in terms of impacts.

“When we’re talking about 1.5ºC it’s not just to protect a few dozen small island nations,” said Henri Wa-isman, a senior researcher at the Insti-tute for Sustainable Development and International Relations, and a coordi-nating author of the report.

“It’s to avoid dramatic impacts that become exponentially more dramatic when we go from 1.5ºC to 2ºC.”

What used to be once-a-century heatwaves in southern and central Europe, for example, are projected to occur four out of 10 summers in a 1.5ºC world, and six out of ten in a 2ºC world.

Many tropical fi sheries are likely to collapse somewhere between the 1.5ºC and 2ºC benchmark, as fi sh seek cooler waters; staple food crops will decline in yield and nutrition an extra 10 to 15 percent; coral reefs that may have a chance of surviving if air temperatures remain below 1.5ºC will very likely perish with an additional half-degree of warming.

Climate

Jimmy Poston holds a sunfi sh caught by hand in the fl ood waters of a front yard on Bay Road on Sept 22, 2018 in Brittons Neck, SC. Most houses were cut off completely Saturday, with water on the front steps and creeping closer to the porch. Many residents were concerned that the fl ooding Great Pee Dee River will increase

damage to their community. (AP)

Ganswindt Ondimba

Pangolin scales seized: Vietnam has seized around a ton of pangolin scales and ivory hidden inside dozens of boxes on a fl ight from Nigeria, state media reported, a haul highlighting the illegal wildlife trade routes connecting Africa and Southeast Asia.

Both the ivory and pangolin trade have been banned in Vietnam. But weak law enforcement in the communist state has allowed a black market to fl ourish and feed into a global multibillion dollar industry in animal parts and exotic pets.

Southeast Asian countries have become a busy thoroughfare for tusks traffi cked from Africa and destined for other parts of Asia, mainly China. Pangolins are treasured in Vietnam and the region for their meat and alleged medicinal properties of their scales.

Authorities at Hanoi’s airport found 805 kilograms of pangolin scales as well as 193 kilograms of ivory and ivory-derived products in two dozen boxes on Friday, said a report in the offi cial newspaper of the customs department. (AFP)

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Lion cubs conceived artifi cially: Watching the two little lion cubs boister-ously play with each other at a conserva-tion centre outside of South Africa’s capital Pretoria, it’s hard to see anything out of the ordinary.

But these cubs are unique. “These are the fi rst ever lion cubs to be

born by means of artifi cial insemination – the fi rst such pair anywhere in the world,” announced the University of Pretoria, whose scientists are researching the repro-ductive system of female African lions.

The two cubs, a male and female, born on Aug 25 are healthy and normal, said Andre Ganswindt, the director of the University of Pretoria’s mammal research institute.

His team’s breakthrough came after 18 months of intensive trials.

“We collected sperm from a healthy lion,” Ganswindt told AFP.

Then when the lioness’ hormone levels were found to be viable, she was insemi-

Discovery

This Nov 6, 2015 fi le photo, shows a large section of land between the trees washed away due to continuing rising sea levels on Majuro Atoll, Marshall Is-lands. Small island nations are using the week-long gathering of world leaders at this year’s UN General Assembly to highlight the one issue that threatens all

of their existence: global warming. (AP)

nated artifi cially. (AFP)❑ ❑ ❑

Tribe pledges support: An American Indian tribe that has led opposition to the

Dakota Access oil pipeline for more than two years has formally pledged its support for protests against three other pipeline projects.

The Standing Rock Sioux Council

approved resolutions this month support-ing efforts by other tribes to oppose the Enbridge Line 3 project in Minnesota, the Keystone XL pipeline in Montana and South Dakota, and the Bayou Bridge pipe-line in Louisiana. The resolutions do not come with any promise of money or other aid but are a payback of sorts for other tribes’ support of Standing Rock’s struggle against Dakota Access.

“These are only to stand in solidarity with their fi ghts,” tribal spokeswoman Dan-ielle Finn said. (AP)

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Forestry fi rms pressured: Gabon will pull forestry permits from fi rms that have not embraced an international standard on responsible logging by 2022, President Ali Bongo Ondimba has said.

Ondimba made the statement in support of a certifi cation process run by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), an interna-tional NGO devoted to better forestry management.

By 2022, all loggers have to be “com-mitted” to FSC certifi cation, said the president.

“Any forestry business operating in Gabon that is not committed to the certi-fi cation process will have its permit with-drawn,” he said during a visit to a sawmill in the north of the country.

Oil-rich Gabon sees its forests, which cover 85 percent of its surface area, as a means of diversifying its economy. (AP)

ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2018 13

Photographs courtesy of Tareq Rajab Museum CollectionDongguan Mosque

editor’s choice

the Al Sabah Collection shares an affi nity with the Tareq Rajab collection as both were devel-oped by the hands on efforts of their founders, both were endangered during the horrifi c events of the Iraqi invasion and most importantly, both have survived and are even more ac-tive today.

Arab and Persian merchants and traders have been plying the silk routes to China for hundreds of years, back to the pre-Islamic era with ancient communities in various coastal cities. These communities ex-panded with the introduction of Islam and over the years, Mid-dle Eastern peoples intermar-ried with the local Han Chinese creating a culture with its own unique blend of Confucian and Islamic traditions and practic-es. Dr Ziad Rajab gave a brief overview of the history of the Arabs in China and provided an introduction to the develop-ment of Islamic Chinese cal-ligraphy with examples from the Tareq Rajab Museum of Islamic Calligraphy.

Dr Rajab is the director of the New English School and a Tareq Rajab Museum board member. In addition to being a human resource specialist, he is involved in the arts, and has non-professional certifi cations in bookbinding, illumination, portraiture, oil painting and pottery. He is also an accom-plished fl autist.

The history of the interac-tions between the Middle East and China go back at least to the Nabatean times where there are indications that trade links between the two existed. But for his talk, Dr Rajab focused on the period after Islam fi rst arrived in China and the fi rst offi cial Embassies were sent to the Tang court.

He shared that the Chinese and the Chinese Muslims be-lieve that Islam fi rst arrived in China in 627 AD during the actual lifetime of the Prophet (PBUH) and it was the Prophet himself who sent a diplomatic delegation to China in which Islam introduced to the Tang emperor and his community. According to local beliefs in China, the fi rst mission to China included an uncle of the Prophet, Saad ibn Abi Waqqas. Dr Rajab shared that he had seen Ethiopian and Chinese sources for this. According to the Ethiopian source, in the year 615 AD, Saad ibn Abi Waqqas travelled from Ethiopia to Chit-tagong and from there to China, arriving in 616 AD.

There are other sources that

the fi rst formal introduction of Islam was when the third Caliph dispatched an offi cial delegation to China in the year 651 AD with the purpose of introducing Islam to China. However, the fi rst delegation offi cially mentioned in Chinese records comes in 713 AD when an envoy was presented at court who refused to bow to the Em-peror because he’d only bow to

By Cinatra FernandesArab Times Staff

Continued on Page 14

Dar Al Athar Al Islamiyyah launched its 24th cultural

season with a lecture by Dr Ziad Rajab on ‘Islamic Chinese Calligraphy in the Tareq Rajab Museum of Islamic Calligra-

phy’, at its Yarmouk Cultural Centre.

Bader Al Baijan, Head of the DAI Steering Commit-

tee, welcomed members and guests to the Monday night lec-ture by highlighting the warm relationship shared by between the DAI and the Tareq Rajab Museum. He pointed out that

Ming Dynasty Chi-na, 15th Century

Emperor Suzong

Chinese Islamic Calligraphy



Du Yu — Qing Period Portrait

Chinese Porcelain, 15th Century, Ming

Dynasty China

Hijazi Quran Folio-Ma’il


Ming Dynasty China, 15th Century

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God. The Tang Emperor did not have him killed believing that a difference in court etiquette was not a crime.

Chinese Muslims believe strongly that six years after the arrival of Saad ibn Abi Waqqas to Guangzhou, he received permission to build a mosque, Huaisheng Mosque, which is considered the oldest mosque in China. In addi-tion, Chinese Muslims and scholars believe that Saad ibn Abi Waqqas was bur-ied in China and his shrine in Guangzhou is heavily visited, while other sources say that he was buried in Madinah. “Whatever the truth, his connection to China is very strong whether he visited or not, whether he is buried there or not. He is a very important fi gure to the Chinese Muslims”, Dr Rajab added.

The Tang Empire was one of the most cosmopolitan and open in Chinese history. The Emperor and his court were interested in other countries and cultures, and so they received the fi rst Muslim delegation very warmly and with a lot of enthusiasm.

During the 8th Century, the Arabs were the largest foreign community in Chang’an, the capital at the time. The Tang Dynasty was considered the golden age of China and a period of much commercial, religious and cultural connections took as far as Japan and the Abbasid empire. They encouraged the arts, literature, painting and music and absorbed infl uences from foreign cultures. For example, the Tang Dynasty dances and music had a lot of Middle Eastern infl uences.

The Emperor Taizong who was the Second Tang Emperor is considered one of the greatest leaders in China’s history and he credited for creating the golden age of cosmopolitanism and multiculturalism.

The Huaisheng Mosque, built in the early to mid 7th Century was at the center of Arab and Persian mercantile community lived. When Huaisheng Mosque was fi rst built, a minaret was added and this became the tallest struc-ture in China and remained so for many centuries.

It acquired the name “Lighthouse Mosque” as the light from the top helped guide ships from the harbour. Many people considered the area around the Lighthouse Minaret as the starting point of the maritime silk road. This mina-ret was the only Lighthouse in China until a modern Western style one was built in the 1860s.

Huaisheng Mosque features six important buildings, the Imam Hall, the Wangyue Attic, the Covered Corridor, the Storehouse of Islamic Scripture, the Stone Steles Pavilion and the Minaret.

He shared that another beautiful mosque in China is the great mosque of Xian built in 742 AD. The architectural elements and decorations are mostly Chinese although there are many beautiful examples of Arabic calligraphy around the mosque. While most of the element today are from the Ming and Song Dynasties, there are some stone tablets that date back to the time the mosque was founded.

He highlighted other important mosques in China including the Daxuexixi-ang Mosque in Xi’an and the Niujie Mosque in Beijing. The Niujie Mosque, was built during the Liao dynasty. The mosque is Chinese in architecture but with much beautiful Arabic calligraphy decorating it and with a charming pagoda minaret called Wangyuelou, which translates to “Moon Watching Tower”.

Dr Rajab pointed out that the history of Islam and Muslims in China has been through many different phases and there were many different attitudes towards Muslims during each dynasty.

In the Tang Dynasty, when Islam fi rst arrived, it was mainly Arab and Per-sian immigrants who settled in China and in many cases married Han Chinese women. He shared that a very important point in the history of the arrival and spread of Islam in China was the battle of Talas river where the Abbasid army defeated the Tang Army. While they defeated the Tang Army, they didn’t continue in their eastward expansion. Interestingly, it was after this battle that

the Chinese paper making industry was discovered by the Arabs in China and they brought it to the capital of the Abbasid empire and took it through their Empire to Andalucía and to Europe.

This battle was a big turning point because it started a big infl ux of Muslims into China and it marks the beginning of a change in the religious profi le of many parts of China. Not long after this there was a rebellion by a Turkish faction led by a military commander and governor who proclaimed himself emperor. The Tang Emperor Suzong, who was infl uenced by the Muslim suc-cess in the Battle of Talas, wrote to the Abbassid Caliph and asked him to help defeat the rebellion. The Caliph responded by sending 4,000 men who helped retake the capital. These men resettled in China, took Chinese wives and established the fi rst major Muslim community in China.

Dr Rajab shared that the Hui minority group in China are descendants from Arabs, Persians, and Central Asians who intermarried with the Han Chinese communities, and they created new religious and multi-ethnic people who were united only by their religion. Other religions such as Judaism, Nestorian-ism, and Zoroastrianism, all arrived in China around the same time as Islam, but by the period of the Ming Dynasty, Islam was the only religion to have survived, spread and fl ourished in China.

The Hui in China form a key part of the fabric of China. In the capital of Xian, which is predominantly a Muslim quarter, visitors can see Arabic scripts all over the place. According to the Chinese census, there are around 22.5 million Muslims in China but unoffi cial records state much higher num-bers. Of these, 10.5 million are the Hui. The Hui, since Tang times, have been through various periods of prosperity and tolerance as well as dark times.

During the Song Dynasty, there were further large arrivals of Arabs, Per-sians and Central Asians. During the Yuan, Mongol Dynasty in China, the military was heavily dependent on hundreds of thousands of Muslims soldiers brought from the Middle East and central Asian lands which the Mongols had conquered and were crucial in helping the Mongols defeat the Song Empire. One of Kublai Khan’s son was a very devout Muslim and during his leader-ship he managed to convert most of his army to Islam. All through the Yuan Dynasty there were strong links between the Emperors and the Muslim com-munity and they played a key role in both the bureaucracy and the military.

During the Ming Dynasty, things changed. When China came back into

non-foreign, Han Chinese hands, some people expected the Ming Emperors to punish the Muslims for working with the Mongols. But on the contrary it is said that the founder of the Ming Dynasty was a descendant of an offi cer and a Mongol with links to the Muslim community and set out to protect the community. He did however have a policy of making the Muslims, Chinese. The Ming Empire closed itself off from the world and didn’t want foreign infl uences. So the Muslims in China started to develop independently from Muslims outside of China. He made the Hui attend Chinese schools, speak only Chinese, to wear Chinese clothes and take Chinese names and also en-couraged them strongly to marry Chinese people.

Dr Rajab shared that the Hongwu Emperor had close ties to the Muslim community and was also famous for writing the 100-word eulogy in praise of Islam which is a Chinese classic now.

During the reign of Yongle, there were important developments, expedi-tions to the Arab world and the establishment of madrasas and the rise of translators. With the Manchu Dynasty, there began a period of persecution against the Muslims in China and millions of people were massacred all over the country.

Dr Rajab shared several examples of how the Arabs and Chinese perceived each other. One of the earliest Chinese descriptions of the Arab world dates to the mid 8th Century and was written by Du Yu while the Arab knowledge of Chinese was found in the chronicles of Sulaiman Al Tajir and Abusaid Al Serafi who wrote accounts of India and China.

Moving to calligraphy, Dr Rajab shared that the Arabic script in China is called Sini and it combines Arabic writing with Chinese fl air. It originated in Eastern China and examples of it are found on tombstones and interiors of mosques. When Islam fi rst arrived in China, Arabic writing was fi rst intro-duced and the script continued to develop through to the Ming Dynasty when Sini reached its peak. That was when the Chinese closed off their country and started developing independently.

He stated that Arabic and Chinese, is perhaps the most important calli-graphic art forms, and Sini as the product of the marriage between the two. The script is Arabic but the tools are Chinese. While Arabic is written with a pen, Sini is written with a brush. He showed a Sini manuscript from the Tareq Rajab Calligraphy Museum to illustrate this.

Chinese script is one of the oldest in the world and Dr Rajab briefl y de-scribed how the characters evolved from symbols to clerical script. Sini, Chi-nese calligraphy using Arabic script, hasn’t had much academic research on its features. In terms of style Dr Rajab pointed out that the closest Middle Eastern script to Sini is Thuluth, a cursive script that was used a lot in Persia and Central Asia during the Ilkhanid period.

Typical in both are the long vertical strokes and rounded lettering and thin angles. Sini was often compared to the Bihari script of India which also has the thin vertical lines and very thick horizontal lines, the similarity attributed to the use of the brush.

Many scholars believe that the reason it was Naskh and Thuluth that came to China and not Kufi c, was that most people from the Middle East who came to China were merchants who predominantly used Naskh instead of the more monumental scripts that were used in buildings.

Dr Rajab showed the audience a number of items from the museum that warrant a personal visit for deeper inspection, and ended his lecture with a lively Q&A session. The Tareq Rajab Museum of Islamic Art is located in Jabriya, Block 12, Street 1and is open Saturday to Thursday from 9am–12pm, and 4pm–7pm, and on Fridays from 9am–12pm.

The DAI 24th cultural season which goes on until the end of April 2019 will feature weekly lectures, musical events, movie nights, special courses and activities. For more information, visit darmuseum.org.kw


editor’s choice

Photograph courtesy of Tareq Rajab Museum CollectionHamdallah Al-Amasi

Photo courtesy of DAIDr Ziad Rajab at his lecture.

Between the lines cultures converge

ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2018

15

h o r o s c o p eBy Jacqueline Bigar

Happy birthday for Monday, Oct 1, 2018: This year you often experience an odd and/or surprising sequence of events that forces you to detach and look at the big picture. You will discover many different perspectives as a result. If you are single, sometimes you experience some tension in making the choice of whether to continue dating someone. Root out the real issue be-fore making a decision. If you are attached, you often might feel as if your sweetie and you don’t share the same financial perspec-tive. You might even consider separate ac-counts. Cancer can be sensitive.

The Stars Show the Kind of Day You’ll Have: 5-Dynamic; 4-Positive; 3-Average; 2-So-so; 1-Difficult.

Capricorn - (Dec 22 - Jan 19)

**** You cannot make someone agree with you. Understand your limits, even if

you want to pout as you accept your limits. Your spontaneity carries a twist that a child or loved one could react strongly to. Be ready for the unexpected! Tonight: Go along with a friend’s request.

Aquarius - (Jan 20 - Feb 18)

**** You could have diffi culty settling down. You enjoy spontaneity and excite-ment. What works for you might not be OK with others. If you pull back, you will make others feel more relaxed. Be sensitive to your audience. Tonight: Clear out some errands on the way home.

Pisces - (Feb 19 - Mar 20)

**** You understand the role of funda-mental decisions, and might feel as if you need to refl ect on an emerging decision. You also could see a meeting stumble into nega-tivity or silence. Events are likely to cause a change of direction. Tonight: Allow more

give-and-take when in a meeting.

Aries - (Mar 21 - Apr 19)

**** Expect the unexpected, and you will roll through what otherwise could be a dif-fi cult day. You might be somewhat depressed because of a close friend’s or family mem-ber’s response. You might wonder why this person is reacting so strongly. Tonight: Go along with the moment.

Taurus - (Apr 20 - May 20)

**** You have displayed the ability to push others to some strong reactions. You might not be aware that some of your ac-tions are surprising to others. Someone at a distance could be closed off. Reach out to this person, as he or she might be depressed. Tonight: Visit with a friend.

Gemini - (May 21 - June 20)

**** As the day begins, you are on a roll. However, the afternoon could present some challenges, to say the least. You might want to sit on a situation until you get a stronger insight into what is happening. You could be quite uncomfortable. Tonight: Curb a tenden-cy to overindulge.

Cancer - (June 21 - July 22)

**** You might have been in an emo-tional frenzy until the afternoon, when you could feel more in control than you thought possible. Read between the lines with a friend who knows how to make life more exciting. Tonight: Do not allow a loved one to be too distant and/or sarcastic.

Leo - (July 23 - Aug 22)

**** Use the morning to the max; you are favored during this period. Others appear to be more responsive than usual. Refuse to be cornered and pushed in any way. You might

be more contained than you have been in the recent past. Tonight: Pulled in two different directions.

Virgo - (Aug 23 - Sept 22)

**** You feel as if too many people need your time and attention. Be willing to eye a situation more carefully, if need be. You could disappoint others and cause some upset. Honor your need to follow through appropriately. Tonight: Look at what is happening with a child or loved one.

Libra - (Sept 23 - Oct 22)

**** Research a topic if you need to come to a certain conclusion. You might feel as if the answers come forward with ease. Use spontaneity to your benefi t, and shake up the status quo. Your diligence and thoroughness could exhaust you. Tonight: A must appear-ance.

Scorpio - (Oct 23 - Nov 21)

**** One-on-one relating facilitates the possibilities that surround you. You could be surprised by what someone else really thinks and how he or she acts as a result. Use care when dealing with a loved one who could be hiding his or her feelings. Tonight: Be a bit more imaginative.

Sagittarius - (Nov 22 - Dec 21)

**** Remain in touch with what is neces-sary to have a long-overdue discussion. The unexpected is likely to occur when dealing with a work-related matter. A partner might be cranky and closed down. This person needs a mood change, not you! Tonight: Ac-cept an offer.

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Born today: Former US president Jimmy Carter (1924), actress Julie Andrews (1935), actor Greg Davis Jr (1984)

home decor indoor gardening beauty tips taste buds

foam wall art beaucarnea recurvata spring nail art cashew milkSupplies: 1/2-inch thick piece of foam board, decorative paper, spray adhesive, knife, ruler, pencil, acrylic paint, paintbrush

Instructions: Apply adhesive to the foam board, position your decorative paper on the board and smooth it down. Decide how big your largest square will be and mark the corners with pencil dots. Position your ruler along the line you want to cut and slide your knife along it, cutting through the foam. When your lines are cut through, pop the piece out by pushing from the back. When all of your pieces are cut out, paint the sides with acrylic paint to match your paper. Let it dry.

Beaucarnea recurvata (nolina tuberculata) is commonly known as Swamp bottlebrush, grows slowly, but with time the trunk will reach 6 ft or more and the base will be swollen like a huge bulb.

Site: Average warmth. Keep fairly cool in win-ter (50°F or 10°C). Provide as much light as pos-sible.

Temperature: This palm can tolerate tempera-tures down to 15°F.

Water: Water freely from spring to autumn – sparingly in winter. Misting is not necessary.

Required: Orange nail polish, green nail polish, white nail polish

Step 1: Apply 2 coats of orange colored polish. Let dry.

Step 2: Using green polish, apply 3 feather-y strokes.

Step 3: In between the 3 white feather-y lines. Step 4: Apply top coat to protect your nail art.

Ingredients:1 cup cashews, 3 cups water, 2 tablespoons

honey, 2 vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, pinch salt

Method:Add all the ingredients and blend.

Dear Abby what’s on todaywhat’s on today emergency number 112

Civil ID info: 1889988Site for checking travel ban www.kuwaitcourts.gov.kw/mojweb/NGeneral/Main.jsp

■ TIES Center Tafseer class: You are cordially invited to our Tafseer class (Divine Wisdom from the Last Testament) today, at 7:00 pm.

In this class, we will focus on Surat At-Taghabun (Mutual Loss and Gain), from verse 16 till the end of the Surah.

We will discuss whether there are limits to worshipping Allah (SWT) and discover the correct balance of worship. Moreover, we will understand why Prophet Muham-mad (PBUH) prevented us from asking about things left unsaid.

We will also discuss some merits of spending in Allah’s cause and how to pri-oritize our spending.

Finally, we will explore the concept of gratitude and the lack of it, and we will discover why Allah (SWT) stated in vari-ous verses of the Noble Qur’an that He is all-aware of whatever is seen.

The TIES Center is the social and educational hub for English Speaking Muslims in Kuwait. For more information, please call 25231015 or e-mail [email protected] or visit www.tiescenter.net.

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■ TIES Center events: TIES Center announces following events – Tajweed and Recitation: Learn and practice the art of reciting the Holy Quran (tajweed). The instructor will also answer questions relat-ed to the meaning of the Arabic words and verses.

Every Sunday & Tuesday @ 10 – 11:30am; every Monday @ 5-6:30pm.

The TIES Center is the social and edu-cational hub for English Speaking expats in Kuwait. For more information, please call 25231015 or e-mail [email protected] or visit www.tiescenter.net.

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■ Enlightenment into Islam course: Enlightenment into Islam would like to announce the courses on “Tawhid is Salvation And Shirk is Destruction”. Every Monday from 5 – 7 pm in Qurtuba. For details contact: 25322684, 97743327, email: [email protected].

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■ BBBC weekly services: Bible Believers’ Baptist Church (BBBC) in Mangaf invites you to visit us for our

weekly services in English. Friday morn-ing Bible teaching starts at 10:30 am. The Sermon and Children’s Church begins at noon. On Monday evening we hold our prayer meeting and Bible study at 7 pm. For more details, please call 66220416 or email [email protected]

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■ El Shaddai weekly fellowship: The El Shaddai DWXI-PPFI Kuwait Chapter invites all the Filipino in our weekly fellow-ship.

● Every Monday, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm St Joseph Hall (Basement), Holy Family Cathedral, Kuwait City.

● Every Friday (except 1st Friday), 12:30 pm to 4 pm, Sacred Heart Hall, Holy Family Cathedral, Kuwait City.

For more information please call any of the following nos: 66758948, 66523946, 99615956, 99495832, 66078953 and 67067956.

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aid to Wayanad of Kerala by rebuilding homes damaged in the fl ood.

The Wayanad Association has decided to provide assistance to fl ood victims who are returning from camps to rebuild their damaged homes and residences. All the celebrations from this year’s including Onam celebrations have been cancelled by the association to support this meaningful cause. Whereas its members on vacation were lending help all over Kerala at the time of fl ood to safeguard their lives.

Roy Mathew, Convener of Wayanad District, has visited the fl ood affected areas and will use the money to buy rehabilitation related items in the rural areas. The offi ce bearers will be given special consideration for their KWA family members in case found as victims of fl ood.

The Wayanad Association of Kuwait has made remarkable interventions on social issues in the district of Wayanad in Kerala, which has been able to spend about Rs 10 lakh on installing free dialysis machines at the Bathery MES Hospital last year and annual Vidya Kiran Scheme for supporting fi nancially backward 100 students.

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Call for Indian writers and poets: As you are aware, Writers’ Forum, Kuwait is a literary organization which provides an equal platform to the Poets and Writers of all the Indian languages without any prejudice of the gender, caste, creed and religious background. Writers’ Forum, Kuwait is registered with the Embassy of India under registration no. INDEMB/KWT/ASSN/140. Primarily the Writers’ Forum, Ku-wait is an Indian, a non-political, non-religious,

non-governmental, non-profi t literary organiza-tion in Kuwait.

Since its inception on Nov 3, 1995, Writers’ Forum, Kuwait has organized several Multi-lingual Kavi Sammelan and Mushaira which included many renowned Poets from various Indian languages, Published Navratna in nine languages with English translations, felicitated writers and poets for their works etc. During this journey of the Writers’ Forum, Kuwait so far, many of the members have published their works / compositions. Writers’ Forum, Kuwait conducts monthly meetings on the 3rd Friday of each month during which literary works composed by the members are discussed.

In order to reach out to the Indian literary person who are capable of writing poems, essays, articles, short stories on any topic / subject in any Indian language, we invite such individuals to contact following offi ce bearers for further details.

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Advisory for OCI card holders: All those having OCI Cards are required to carry both their OCI Card and passport to travel to India so that they do not face any diffi culty in immigra-tion clearance.

From October 2018, ICAO will accept only machine readable travel documents, hence, existing PIO Cards, which are handwritten will therefore, become invalid. Thus it will be nec-essary upon PIO Cardholders to obtain machine readable OCI Cards in lieu of existing hand written PIO Cards before October 2018 to avoid any inconvenience.

■ KTCC activities: Worship service – every Wednesday 7:00-9:00 pm at North Tent, NECK.

Children’s Bible School – every Wednesday 7 to 9 pm at Activity Building, NECK.

Overnight prayer – every 1st Thursday from 10 pm – 4:00 am at Diwaniya, NECK.

Communion Service – every 3rd Wednesday.

The Following meeting are held at our KTCC Prayer House:

1) Children Bible School Teacher’s Prayer – 1st Saturday 7 to 9 pm.

2) Children’s Prayer – 2nd Friday 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm.

3) Bible Study – every 2nd and 4th Sunday at 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm.

4) ISOM – Batch 1 Class Tuesdays – 7 to 9 pm and Batch 2 Class Fridays – 4 to 6 pm.

5) Choir Practice – Mondays – 6 to 8 pm.6) Men’s Fellowship – 4th Friday –

10:00 am to 12:00 pm.7) Women’s Prayer – (Abbasiya) – 3rd

Sunday – 6:30 to 8:30 pm and (Salmiya) 4th Tuesday – 6:30 to 8:30 pm.

Welcome to all Tamil known people to participate in our regular activities to wor-ship the Lord in our own mother tongue and be blessed!

For details or for any prayer needs con-tact Tel No: 66920350 / 99432849.

Items for the What’s On page can be sent directly to the Arab Times, P.O. Box 2270, 13023, Safat or faxed to 24818267 or e-mail to [email protected]. All items on this page are published as a courtesy to the public. These announce-ments can include birthday greetings, weddings, social functions or any other non-commercial events. Photographs of all events are welcome.

Mom sees ‘lonely life’ foreasily wounded daughter

By Abigail Van BurenDear Abby: My daughter, “Roxanne”, mar-

ried right out of high school. Eleven years later she fi nally woke up and realized the man of her dreams was a deadbeat. She has now been di-vorced as long as she was married, still looking for a good man who will love her and share a future with her.

She’s very sensitive, and I don’t know how to tell her she needs to change her attitude about life in general, because no one wants to hear her recite all the bad things that have happened to her since childhood. She has always had a hard time letting go of small slights, from things that

go on at work to as far back as school or sibling feuds.

Roxanne is a wonderful, beautiful woman, and my heart breaks to think of her spending the rest of her life alone. Her dad and I won’t live forever. I’m afraid if I tell her how I feel, she’ll no longer want to confi de in me and talk out her problems. (I am her sounding board.)

I don’t mind listening so she can get it out of her system, but how do I get her to let it go and move forward?

— Mom who loves her in KentuckyDear mom: You mean well, but it

may be time to cut back on being your daughter’s sounding board, which seems more like a dumping ground. Tell her you love her, but that repeating her unresolved grievances is getting her no-where. She needs to talk to a licensed professional. Urge her to discuss these painful things with a therapist who can put her on a path to putting them behind her.

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Dear Abby: I am a junior in college, and I recently transferred from a two-year school to a four-year school. I have made a few friends, but their class loads are so heavy I don’t get to spend much time with them. I, on the other hand, have a modest class load, so I have more free time, and I’d like to make more friends.

I have considered joining one of the two sororities on campus. But I am worried that if I do I will have to change my personality and likes/dislikes in order to fit in. Many of the girls at this school are very “cookie cut-ter,” while I’m a more “eat the whole roll of cookie dough” type of person. I’m not con-cerned with how I look vs how they look, but rather if I will fit in. I want more friends and friendships that will last beyond school, but I don’t want to lose who I am because I joined a sorority. Please help.

— To rush or not to rushDear to rush or not: Don’t rush to

rush. A sorority is not the only way you can connect with people. Membership in a sorority does not guarantee that you will have friendships that last beyond college. They are like any other living arrange-ment — people make friends with others they connect with. If you want to widen your social circle, the same thing can be accomplished by living in a dorm and join-ing clubs and special interest groups on campus.

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Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Bu-ren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phil-lips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAb-by.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

(Source: Universal Uclick)

Abigail

A fl yer of the event

“Birthday is a lovely fl ower that blooms in a life’s garden and may that special blos-som be bright especially today – Happy birthday Ishita Kamath – From Prakash,

Pratibha and Akshita.”

Drinking problem?: Friends of Bill W. are available to help. Totally confi dential. Email: [email protected]

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Narcotics Anonymous: NA can help with addiction problems. Totally confidential: 94087800 English/Arabic.

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Cancer online support group: If you are Cancer patient or family member fi ghting with this deadly disease, come join our online support group. Best way of dealing with this disease is providing support and share our experience with each other. There are lot of things which even doctors can’t tell so be member of this website and start sharing your experiences which may help others. October is recognized as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM). The primary purpose is to promote self examina-tion and screening mammography as the most effective way to save lives by detecting breast cancer at early stage. For more information visit: http://fi ghtingwithcancer.webs.com/

LatestKWA offers aid to Wayanad: Kuwait Way-anad Association (KWA) has decided to offer

click

Continued on Page 20


16

First big event of its kind in new academic year

British Academies hold annual carnivalKUWAIT CITY, Sept 30: The British Academy of International Arts (BAIA) and The British Academy of Sport (BAS), held their annual carnival on the British School of Kuwait (BSK) campus in Salwa over the weekend, attracting many hundreds of families keen to attend the fi rst big event of its kind in the new academic year. With a food court located to ‘welcome’ guests as they entered the campus, activities and games for children and over forty booths and sponsors there was something for everyone. As the sun set and the temperature dropped there was a wonderful carnival at-mosphere to greet Tim Voase, Deputy Head of Mission at The British Em-bassy, Kuwait and Madam Vera Al-Mutawa MBE, BSK’s Founder and Director. They performed the offi cial opening and then the VIP party, led by Madam Vera, toured the BAIA and BAS stands and those of the sponsors before making their way around the carnival.

BAIA has the most extensive range of accredited and recreational dance courses in Kuwait. These in-clude Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz and Modern Dance, all leading to internationally recognised examina-tions with bbodance and the NATD. BAIA also offers a comprehensive range of Theatre, Music and Art courses for children from three years so there was keen interest from chil-dren of all ages to sign up.

BAS too has an extensive range of sports activities on offer includ-ing Swimming, Gymnastics, Karate, Football, Basketball, Tennis, Volley-ball and Zumba. In addition, the an-nual Basketball and Volleyball tour-naments between Embassy teams are an eagerly awaited fi xture, as are the overseas educational trips that have proven very popular for a number of years, the next travelling to Romania in October.

The carnival got off to a rousing start with Mr Kevin and the BSK Sam-ba Band. The stage was always a focus for activity, with a magician and raf-fl eand numerous prizes for the winners provided generously by Cozmo Bowl-ing, Kidzania and so many of the spon-sors and vendors. In addition, BAIA and BAS students put on a variety of wonderful displays in Dance, Zumba, Kick-Boxing and Karate. ABC en-sured that the spectators were never without a drink, providing a seemingly unlimited supply of water and juices. With support from the carnival spon-sors, ABC, IHG Crowne Plaza, the Royale Hayat Hospital, ITL Travel and Tourism, KIB, 4Fest and all the other vendors, the Carnival looked its best and provided all who visited with a wonderful afternoon and evening of activity.

With such pleasant weather the carnival was enjoyed by all, with the many newcomers to Kuwait seeing just how much there is on offer for them and their families from so many of Kuwait’s leading companies. For information on any of the BAIA or BAS courses call the offi ce on +965 25623604 ext. 2177/2178.

Photos from the event

Fawzy Al Thunayan, Ms. Sahar Al Therban and Ms Fajer Al Kandari with student volunteers from the Faculty of Medicine during the opening of the

Teddy Bear Hospital at 360 Mall.

ABK sponsors Teddy Bear Hospital initiative for third consecutive year

Palms Beach Hotel and Spa returnswith BBQ Nights every Wednesday

KUWAIT CITY, Sept 30: Build-ing on a successful partnership, and with a view to engage with its com-munity, Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait (ABK) sponsored the ‘Teddy Bear Hospital’ initiative for the third consecutive year. The event, held at 360Mall from Sept 27- 29, was organized by student volunteers from the Faculty of Medicine at Kuwait University.

ABK’s support for the worldwide ‘Teddy Bear Hospital’ initiative aims to promote early-learning-through-play, in an impactful man-ner for children of all ages. This year’s event sawa large number of children interacting with young doctors in an approachable and in-teractive environment over a three-

day periodThese students were given the op-

portunity to experience the atmos-phere of a hospital and understand the compassion and knowledge re-quired to become a medical profes-sional, without being patients them-selves.

The Teddy Bear Hospital Kuwait is a local version of an internation-al project, which aims to reduce childhood anxiety and fear factor about medical environments, pro-cedures and professionals, through an educational, fun and interactive project.

For more information about ABK, please visiteahli.com or contact an ABK customer service agent via ‘Ahlan Ahli’ at 1899899.

KUWAIT CITY, Sept 30: The cool autumn breeze and its fascinating nights bring along The Palms Beach Hotel & Spa famous BBQ Nights that aspire a unique look this season. The spectacular shining event will take place every Wednesday Night with different theme each week at 8:00 pm till midnight.

This distinctive event of the Palms BBQ Nights to be held by the beach and around the swim-ming pool area surrounded by flowers, greenery and palm trees is considered one of the hotel’s essen-tial and unique events. It is looked for and well anticipated not only by the Hotel’s guests, but also by all Kuwaiti people & expatriates that provides the ideal location for fam-

ilies, friends and gatherings with its great selection of food, fascinating ambience and atmosphere.

In addition to its rich buffet that abounds with delicious dishes from around the globe, there is the sumptuous BBQ of all kinds of meat and seafood that account for the event’s fame, with the fa-mous live cooking stations which The Palms is well known for, start-ing form Seafood station, Iranian grilled station and tanour bread, Mongolian station, Shawerma station, BBQ station and more... where our experienced chefs will prepare the food right in front of your eyes while enjoying a selec-tion of appetizers, salads, deserts and fresh juices.

U19 KES Girls Netball Team: (From left to right) Top row: Maha Arafat, Muneera Al Buloushi, Anahid Tapeh, Talia Hammoud (Team Captain), Christina Aziz, Maha Al Rashid. Bottom row: Gabrielle Bailey, Layan AbualHuda, An-

gela Kheir, Haneen Al Deen, Roenya Boshoff, Salma Hassanein, Maiar Mansour, Nicole Watfi .

Al Tijari announces Al-Najma weekly draw winnersKUWAIT CITY, Sept 30: Commercial Bank of Kuwait announced the winner of the weekly draw as follows: Weekly draw prize KD 5,000– Mohammed Ha-nef Abdul Rahman.

The draw was conducted in the pres-ence of Ministry of Commerce and In-dustry representative Ms Latifa Al Jean.

The bank stated that the account prizes this year is featured by the high-est cash prize and diversity of prizes throughout the year clarifying that Al-Najma Account will offer weekly prize of KD 5,000 & monthly prize of KD 20,000 and a semi-annual prize of KD 500,000 in addition to the grand prize (the biggest prize in the world) of KD 1,500,000 for which the draw will be

held in January 2019. Al Najma Ac-count can be opened by depositing KD 100, and customer should maintain a minimum amount of KD 500 to be eligible to enter all draws on Al-Najma Account prizes. As for the chances of winning, the more balance a customer maintains in Al Najma Account, the more chances the account holder will get to win, where each KD 25 will give the customer one chance to win, the account also offers additional benefi ts like the ATM card, a credit card against customer’s account and all CBK bank-ing services that customer can enjoy.

Now CBK existing customers can open Al-Najma Account through Al-Tijari Online and enter all draws with-

out visiting the Bank’s branch. How-ever, CBK non-customers can submit an account opening application via the Bank’s website where the Bank’ Sales Unit will call them to arrange a visit to the customers to complete the account opening formalities. Customers can ob-tain further information on Al-Najma Account by either calling the Service Center on 1888225 or by visiting the Bank’s website www.CBK.com and they can also visit their nearest CBK branch where the Bank staff will be ready to serve them and respond to their queries. Furthermore all details & information related to the latest offers & services launched by the Bank is also available on the Bank’s social sites.

Excellent teamwork and focus

KES’ Girls Netball team wins in new season’s debutKUWAIT CITY, Sept 30: What a start to the season!

Eager to return to the court after a long summer break, KES U19 girls team played with determination and focus in their fi rst game of the sea-son. It is great to see the girls’ en-thusiasm for netball, as numerous evenings after school and weekends are spent on the netball courts prac-tising.

The U19 team had a fantastic re-sult against The English Academy on Sunday the Sept 16, winning 43-11.

Although in the first quarter the group was nervous and did not play to their full potential, with some missed passes and unlucky inter-ceptions by the opposing team, KES team still ended up leading by 8.

There was some brilliant shooting from Salma Hassanien and Layan Abualhuda and some excellent team-work moving quickly to lose their defence. By the end of the second quarter, KES had a substantial lead of 31-6 over TEA.

The few changes made for the third quarter, the remarkable hard work from the squad and the great team effort from Maiar Mansour and Talia Hammoud (Team Cap-tain) got the ball moving quickly up the court and guaranteed the win.

This was followed by another win – a mighty 47-9 – on their second game of the season, this time against rivals ESF on Wednesday 26th.

Miss Katie Barmby, their en-thusiastic coach, declared that ‘I am very proud of the girls as these were their first couple of games playing together. We have a lot of hard work to do, but I am certain they can pull together to get some good results’.

KFH representatives after the draw

10 customers win KD 250 each in ‘Hesabi’ for youth draw: KFHKUWAIT CITY, Sept 30: Kuwait Fi-nance House (KFH) announced the winners of the fourth draw of ‘Hesabi for Youth’. The draw took place un-der the supervision of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The draw is part of ‘Win with Hesabi’ campaign that offers 2 BMW 4 Series Coupes and 120 cash prizes worth KD 250.

The winners of the KD 250 prize are as follows: Ahmad Alshati, Bashayer Al-kindari, Zainab Thaqil, Asmaa Alazemi, Maram Alrashidi, Sara Alduwaikh, Seita Alotaibi, Noor Alsanea, Mohammad Zaid and Maryam Alzayed.

KFH offers ‘Hesabi for Youth’ with a variety of privileges as part of its con-tinued endeavor to provide adequate cus-tomer care, innovate new products and services and fulfi ll the needs of all cus-tomers of various age categories and in-terests. Services and products are tailored to suit customers’ needs and provide dis-tinguished serve as per global standards in regard to quality, accuracy and speed.

‘Hesabi’ program has been designed to meet the needs of youth and aspire for their active life style. This program presents for youth many exclusive offers and a wide range of privileges including Hesabi ATM Card with a unique design, eligibility to issue Hesab prepaid card (as per credit regulations of KFH), distin-guished offers and discounts etc.

KFH continues to launch marketing campaigns to reward youth customers in Hesabi campaign namely ‘On My Account’ campaign which has met with wide acceptance among program owners, thus offering exclusive offers and many privileges to suite their ex-pectations.

‘Hesabi for Youth’ represents the ambitions and expectations of youth category and copes with KFH aspira-tions to attract the largest portion of youth who represents the major part of Kuwaiti society. Also, the account represents KFH initiative to diversify banking services and products.


17

Cezary’s Picks

By Cezary OwerkowiczSpecial to the Arab Times

Sometimes my readers ask me how I get the inspiration when I am

writing articles. However, I would say except for the famous jubilees or great events they are so different. This summer I was driving to pick up my son from the Krakow airport, one of the two nearest airports to our mountainous home.

On the way I was listening to the symphonic concert contain-ing some light orchestral hits and huge and heavy Symphonies by Gustav Mahler. The San Francisco Symphony orchestra was perfectly playing under the master hand of its conductor. The music was wise, mature but with ‘winkles of the eye’, characteristic for young people. But the real Master was Herbert.

I know everybody knows the famous ‘conductor Herbert’ as ‘von Karajan’, the Austrian master from Vienna. But this is not the right answer. That conduc-tor is Swedish and his name is Herbert Blomstadt. As for additional i n f o r m a t i o n last year he celebrated his 90th birthday and he is still active, working, performing.

He was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, but during his ear-ly childhood he left with parents in native Scandinavia. Growing as a child in Helsinki (Finland) he studied the piano, violin and or-gan and became accomplished at all three.

“I was always hopelessly in love with music,” he remembers. “Even as a child I could never get enough. I would play string quartets all day and all night if I couldn’t find people to play with me. I wouldn’t even stop to eat. Admittedly this was hard on my friends. At nine, I would go to the church and play the organ till dawn,” he said.

From the beginning he was a very religious person, a devoted Seventh Day Adventist who eschews alco-hol, tobacco, coffee, tea and meat and refuses to rehearse on Satur-days (which his church regards as the Sabbath) After graduating from high school he considered becom-ing a theologian, then a physician, but finally music making got the better of him.

He entered the Stockholm Royal College of Music and The Univer-sity in Uppsala. Post-graduating studies and continued studying abroad under famous conductors: in Paris, New York – Juilliard School and Tandlewood – at Berk-shire Centre (under Leonard Bern-stein among others).

Meanwhile he won the Kous-sevitzki Conducting Prize and Salzburg Conducting Competi-tion. He debuted with the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic in 1954. Even top world awards and pos-sibilities to aspire to the world renowned stages and orchestras he settled for long with the Scan-dinavian Orchestras.

AmbitionsFor seven years he was the music

director but somehow the regional Norrkoping Symphony in Sweden, after six years as a first conductor of Oslo Philharmonic, Norway, partly simultaneously with Dan-ish Radio Orchestra (ten years). “I have no very pronounced career ambitions,” says the conductor. Be-cause, quite frankly, I don’t think it’s in my hands. Neither do I have a desire to establish some kind of ‘Blomstadt sound’.

‘Sit at the corner; nobody will find (search for) you,’ he says, rath-er criticizing modesty. In his case it appeared wrong. He became to be invited as a guest conductor to such world principal orchestras as Ber-liner Philharmonic, Munich Phil-harmonic, Amsterdam Concertge-bouw, the best American: Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Philadelphia Symphonies with New York Phil-harmonic, and Asian with Tokyo NHK Symphony.

That period was pointed by ten years long (1985-1995) director-ship of San Francisco Symphony Orchestra. They also appeared together to critical acclaim at ma-jor European concert venues and top festivals including Edinburg, Salzburg, Munich and Lucerne. He organizes and performs and tours for his 75th anniversary of the Symphony, which was es-tablished in 1911. There he is a continuator of such masters’ con-ductors as Pierre Monteux or Seji

Ozawa.I am a little worried that Europe

has forgotten that San Francisco exists. One of the reasons would be that the European and American orchestras approach music in dif-ferent ways. The approach of old European orchestras is symphonic playing like chamber music. Each member of an ensemble tries to hear the other. Their goal is music must be always beautiful. Even for-tissimo, the music MUST SING! If the score calls for a shock, it must be a beautiful shock.

Maybe it is a secret of his equal successes in Europe and America. He describes differences between his ‘two native continents’ as the way of showing criticism and ap-preciation for both because he knows and loves both? In America, we think that virtuosity and bril-liance are very important. We also have very large halls so that orches-tras think they have to play very loud to be heard.

Sometimes we have to learn to play less loudly and listen to each other a little more. I’ve also noticed an intense aggressiveness and and I’ll show you quality among young American musicians that you al-most never find in Europe.

SystemsHe knows also two different sys-

tems – environments for art and music. He was also a guest conduc-tor with ‘Dresden’s Staatskapelle’ (exactly on the German State’s band) during a Communist era.

Dresden is Saxony city with rich history. During that time was part of the so-called DDR, totally controlled by the Soviet Union ‘German Democratic Republic’. It was one of those incredible ex-periences that throw your whole work upside down. Staatskapelle is one of the world’s greatest or-chestra. They have a cultivated musical sound that’s remained virtually unchanged throughout the years. But because they were on the wrong side of the Iron Cur-tain we knew very little about them in the West.

Politics never entered into our relationship. The only problem we sometimes had was that we couldn’t get enough Western money to rent scores. There were a lot of guns in that society. Too many guns for me since the Roman Emperors device to deal with the people was, ‘Give the people bread and circuses and they will not revolt’. Saxonian kings cared for their people, gave them jobs and bread and defended their borders, but they also gave them entertainment of a high order especially for their visitors, who wanted to see their splendor.

Circus was one of the oldest and most popular art.

NB. Dresden Staatskapelle is also one of the world’s oldest or-chestras. It was founded 470 years ago, in 1548 by Maurice, Elector of Saxony and existed later as The Electoral Saxon and Royal Polish Band. (Elector August became also The King of Poland. Its principal conductor was composer of the first German opera, Heinrich Schutz, followed by such famous compos-ers as Carl Maria von Weber and Richard Wagner among others. Herbert Blomstedt until now has a title of Ehrendirigent (Honorary Conductor) of the ensemble.

The conductor of an orchestra is just one musician among many, says this man, who is called a ‘Mu-sician’s musician’.

He says: Sometimes I am very unhappy, of course, every musi-cian is. But most of the time the joys and the beauty far outweighs the weariness or the failures, which is one of the wonderful things with the music. It stimulates so much. It’s a perfect blend of beauty and of truth, a sort of absolute, un-discuss-ible truth that really speaks of some ultimate truth that is difficult to for-mulate, but I know that everything is seeking.

Personally, the conductor ex-plains, “I’m more drawn to search-ing music that suggests the kind of transcendental values that words cannot express. Through music we can sometimes travel to that part of human soul where we are closest to the finest aspects of ourselves, closest to God. And there’s where I most love to dwell, tells us that Very Special Conductor.”

❑ ❑ ❑

Editor’s Note: Cezary Owerko-wicz is the chairman of the Kuwait Chamber of Philharmonia and talented pianist. He regularly or-ganises concerts by well-known musicians for the benefit of music lovers and to widen the knowl-edge of music in Kuwait. His e-mail address is: cowerkowicz @yahoo.com and [email protected]

Conductor Blomstadt isa ‘musician’s musician’

‘Music must sing’

Owerkowicz

A magnificent corridor at the Avenues Complex. (KUNA - Mustafa Al Badr)

Pioneers of Kuwait

Iraqi invasion was his most painful experience

Prof Yacoub a sensitive and kind manThis is the fifth in a series of ar-ticles on Prof Yacoub Yousef Al Hajji, a prolific writer, consultant and researcher.

— Editor❑ ❑ ❑

By Lidia Qattan Special to the Arab Times

Professor Yacoub Yousef Al Hajji is a highly sensitive man, a

soft-hearted, kind soul for whom the Iraqi invasion was the most painful experience he ever had to endure in his life; for, it shattered every illu-sion he had in the so-called “Arab Brotherhood”.

In the summer of 1990, the profes-sor was chosen by the Arab UNES-CO in Morocco to teach Education and Arabic language in Zambia, West Africa for the summer session. On the 2nd of August 1990, the day the Iraqis invaded his homeland the professor was in Zambia teaching.

The shock and horror of seeing on the world news what was happen-ing in his country filled him with disbelief, dismay and anger.

Seeing the killing in cold blood of defenseless civilians; the firing on women in their peaceful demonstra-tion; buildings on fire; Iraqi oldiers looting houses and thousands of be-wildered refugees flooding the Saudi Arabian border trying to escape the onslaught, was such an agonizing sight that made his blood boil with anger and pain.

Most of his people were in Kuwait so his first reaction was to return home but getting out of Africa was difficult, eventually he got an air ticket from the Arab UNESCO in Morocco to fly to Turkey, from there he flew to Saudi Arabia to be near his mother, his father, Yousef Jasem Al Hajji was in Egypt.

Suddenly losing his homeland was an agony of uncertainty and worries especially for those stranded abroad with little children, or elderly and sick people to take care of.

DecisionIn those terrible moments the

prompt decision taken by the late Amir, Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad in ensuring a steady financial support

to his people scattered around the world, was a great relief, it also made them united in the campaign to free their land.

Financial help was also extended to those inside Kuwait in collabora-tion with the Kuwaiti Resistance, but the distribution of the money was a very risky business, because it was a certain death for anyone caught by the Iraqi Mukhabarat, even children were not spared of torture to make them talk!

For those outside the declaration of Kuwait into a restricted military zone by the Iraqi Regime intensified their worries about their own people inside the country because nothing could be heard from them.

The only news that the Kuwaiti Resistance could smuggle out were the documented facts of torture and killing and the systematic looting of everything the Iraqi could lay their hands on, what could not be taken away was destroyed.

At the maternity hospital babies were taken out of incubators for the device to be shipped to Iraq along with other expensive equipments taken from Universities, scientific institutions, schools, laboratories and clubs. Even the museums and art galleries suffered similar fate.

TensionFrom Saudi Arabia Dr Yacoub

moved to Bahrain, then to Dubai, he tried to enter Kuwait, but he was denied entry. As the rest of his compatriots abroad he suffered from

the tension of waiting for his land to be set free while worry-ing about his people inside the country.

The Iraqi invasion was a stab in the back of every

Kuwaiti who generously

supported the Iraqis in their time of need.

It was a blow that shattered any hope Dr. Yacoub may have had in a revival of the Arab world.

Unfortunately petty jealousies

and personal ambitions prevent the Arab world from getting united into a common endeavor, petty jealousies and personal ambitions are also the main cause of its weakness.

The professor saw in the GCC countries the first example of a coop-eration, which if followed by other Arab countries would have served the common interest, but the Iraqi invasion shattered that illusion. The insidious Iraqi propaganda not only successfully split the Arab world, it also affected the world’s opinion causing the masses to stand in op-position of any proposal of a war on Iraq to free Kuwait, in spite of Iraq ignored every resolution passed by the UN’s Security Council that would have solved the problem!

His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad, HH the Prime Min-ister, Sheikh Sa-ad Al Abdullah Al Salem, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs HH, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad (Presently the Amir of Kuwait), each in his field engaged in an intensive diplomatic campaign, meeting the leaders of the great powers to free their country, while spurring the UN Security Council to take a resolute action.

At the same time those outside their country engaged in a campaign to free their homeland, while the Kuwaiti Resistance was making the Iraqi Mukhabarat paranoid through daring attacks on Iraqi strongholds not only in Kuwait but also in Iraq

itself, and smuggling out document-ed evidence of torture on men and women that reveal to the world the true nature of the Iraqi regime.

The resistance was also instrumental in the preparation of the Gulf War by disclosing in detail every military Iraqi movement including their strategic positions, this enabled the Generals of the coalition army to plan their attack with pinpoint accuracy, and gain vic-tory in a short time with a minimum of casualties on their part.

ResistanceIncidentally, from the first day

of the invasion Dr. Jasem Yousef Al Hajji, Yacoub’s brother was in-volved in the resistance looking after his patients at the Adan hospital, many of which were casualties from the resistance. When the Iraqi took over the place, he remained steadfast to his job in spite of the danger sur-rounding him.

His home was miles away, hence to avoid harassments from the soldiers at the numerous checkpoints on his way to and from the hospital, he bribed them with medicine and service, this allowed him to pass undisturbed, he even gained a safe-conduct!

Treating casualties from the resis-tance brought to him incognito was particularly risky, because his hos-pital, as all the others in the country were under strict Iraqi surveillance; however his tact and shrewdness when dealing with the Iraqi officers prevented him and his patients from getting into trouble.

Dr Yacoub was following the liberation campaign with growing tension feeling reassured only when the war of liberation began.

The implementation of the first phase, the so-called “Desert Shield”, successfully disrupted the Iraqi com-munication system and paralyzed the Iraqi army.

When in retaliation the Iraqi Re-gime released a huge oil spill on the Gulf that jeopardized the entire ma-rine ecosystem and the working of the water-desalination plants along the Gulf, Dr. Yacoub recoiled in hor-ror and braced himself for worse to come from such a diabolical regime.

To be continued

Prof Yacoub Al Hajji

Lidia Qattan


18

211360° 13:10, 17:05, 20:55, 01:05 (Daily Exc Fri) 17:05, 20:55, 01:05 (Fri)Al-Fanar 12:15, 14:15, 23:45 (Daily Exc Fri) 14:15, 23:45 (Fri)Al-Kout 12:30, 14:40, 16:50, 22:35, 00:35 (Daily Exc Fri) 14:40, 16:50, 22:35 00:35 (Fri)Avenues 13:05, 16:50, 22:45, 00:40 (Daily Exc Fri) 16:50, 22:45, 00:40 (Fri)

Alpha – Tribal360° 13:40, 18:10 14:55 Al-Bairaq 14:15 Al-Kout 15:00, 19:10 Avenues 14:00, 20:20

Animal World360° 12:50 (Daily Exc Fri)

Chekka Chivantha Vaanam (Tamil Film)360° 15:40, 21:20 Ajial 16:00, 19:00, 22:00 Avenues 18:45 Plaza 18:30

El Badla (Egyptian) (Arabic Film)360° 17:20, 22:35 Al-Kout 16:35, 20:50Avenues 14:35, 23:10

El Diesel (Egyptian) (Arabic Film)360° 11:30, 12:25, 13:45, 16:10, 18:30, 19:40, 21:00, 22:05, 23:30, 00:25 (Daily Exc Fri, Tue) 13:45, 16:10, 18:30, 19:40, 21:00, 22:05, 23:30, 00:25 (Fri) 12:25, 13:45, 16:10,

18:30, 19:40, 21:00, 22:05, 23:30, 00:25 (Tue)Al-Bairaq 18:30, 21:00, 23:30 Al-Fanar 12:25, 14:55, 17:15, 19:45, 22:15, 00:45 (Daily Exc Fri) 14:55, 17:15, 19:45 22:15, 00:45 (Fri)Al-Kout 11:50, 14:20, 16:45, 19:15, 21:45, 00:15 (Daily Exc Fri) 14:20, 16:45, 19:15, 21:45, 00:15 (Fri)Al-Muhallab 14:00, 18:45, 21:15, 23:45 Al-Sharqia 12:45, 15:15, 20:00, 22:20, 00:45 (Daily Exc Fri) 15:15, 20:00, 22:20, 00:45 (Fri)Avenues 13:20, 15:50, 18:15, 20:45, 23:15 (Daily Exc Fri) 12:20, 14:45, 17:15, 19:45, 22:15, 00:45 (Daily Exc Fri) 13:30, 15:50, 18:15, 20:45, 23:15 (Fri) 14:45, 17:15, 19:45 22:15, 00:45 (Fri)Laila 22:15 (Daily Exc Tue, Wed) 22:30 (Tue, Wed)Marina 13:30, 16:00, 18:30, 21:00, 23:30

Harb Karmuz (Arabic Film)360° 16:00

Johnny English Strikes Again360° 13:00, 14:50, 16:45, 18:45, 20:45, 22:40, 00:35 (Daily Exc Fri) 14:50, 16:45, 18:45, 20:45, 22:40, 00:35 (Fri)Al-Bairaq 12:15, 16:30, 20:00, 21:45, 23:45

(Daily Exc Fri) 13:30, 16:30, 20:00, 21:45, 23:45 (Fri)Al-Fanar 14:45, 19:00, 23:05 Al-Kout 11:30, 13:30, 15:30, 17:30, 19:30, 21:30, 23:30 (Daily Exc Fri) 13:40, 15:30, 17:30, 19:30, 21:30, 23:30 (Fri)Al-Muhallab 20:05, 00:35 (Daily Exc Fri) 13:30, 20:05, 00:35 (Fri)Al-Sharqia 13:45, 20:45, 00:55 Avenues 11:35, 13:30, 14:55, 15:30, 17:30, 19:15, 19:30, 21:30, 23:30 (Daily Exc Fri) 13:30, 14:55, 15:30, 17:30, 19:15, 19:30, 21:30, 23:30 (Fri)Laila 16:00, 20:15 (Daily Exc Tue, Wed) 16:30 (Tue, Wed)Marina 11:40, 18:00, 21:15, 23:10, 01:05 (Daily Exc Fri) 18:00, 21:15, 23:10, 01:05 (Fri)

Mission: Impossible-Fallout360° 12:40

Searching360° 11:40, 13:50, 18:15, 20:30, 22:45, 00:50 (Daily Exc Fri) 13:50, 18:15, 20:30, 22:45, 00:50 (Fri)Al-Fanar 12:35, 16:45, 21:00, 01:05 (Daily Exc Fri) 16:45, 21:00, 01:05 (Fri)Al-Kout 12:05, 14:30, 16:20, 18:45, 20:35, 23:15, 00:45 (Daily Exc Fri) 14:30, 16:20, 18:45, 20:35, 23:15, 00:45 (Fri)Al-Muhallab 22:15, 00:30

Al-Sharqia 12:50, 21:35, 23:45 (Daily Exc Fri) 21:35, 23:45 (Fri)Avenues 11:30, 15:45, 21:40, 23:45, 00:15 (Daily Exc Fri) 15:45, 21:40, 23:45, 00:15 (Fri)Marina 11:30, 15:50, 22:15, 00:30 (Daily Exc Fri) 15:50, 22:15, 00:30 (Fri)

Smallfoot360° 12:45, 15:00, 17:15, 19:30, 21:45 (Daily Exc Fri) 15:00, 17:15, 19:30, 21:45 (Fri)Al-Bairaq 17:20 12:45, 15:00, 19:30 (Daily Exc Fri) 15:00, 19:30 (Fri)Al-Fanar 11:30, 13:30, 15:30, 17:45, 20:00 (Daily Exc Fri) 13:30, 15:30, 17:45, 20:00 (Fri)Al-Kout 11:40, 13:45, 16:00, 18:15, 20:25 (Daily Exc Fri) 13:45, 16:00, 18:15, 20:25 (Fri)Al-Muhallab 11:30, 13:30, 15:45, 18:00 (Daily Exc Fri) 13:40, 15:45, 18:00 (Fri)Al-Sharqia 15:05, 17:15, 19:30 Avenues 14:05 11:55, 16:15, 17:00, 18:30, 20:40 (Daily Exc Fri) 16:15, 17:00, 18:30, 20:40 (Fri)Marina 12:15, 14:30, 16:45, 19:00 (Daily Exc Fri) 14:30, 16:45, 19:00 (Fri)

Sui Dhaaga: Made in India (Hindi Film)

360° 17:30, 20:05 Ajial 16:15, 18:45, 21:15 Al-Bairaq 15:15 (Daily Exc Fri) 15:20 (Fri)Al-Fanar 14:00, 18:45 Al-Kout 18:45 Al-Muhallab 13:00 (Daily Exc Fri)Al-Sharqia 18:15 Avenues 12:55

The Bouncer360° 15:15, 19:05, 23:00 Al-Fanar 22:05, 00:05 Al-Kout 12:45, 21:15, 23:05, 00:55 (Daily Exc Fri) 21:15, 23:05, 00:55Avenues 15:00, 23:45

The Equalizer360° 00:15

The House with a Clock in its Walls360° 12:15, 14:30, 16:40, 19:00, 21:10, 23:25 (Daily Exc Fri) 12:50, 15:10, 17:35, 20:00, 22:20, 00:45 (Daily Exc Fri) 14:30, 16:40, 19:00, 21:10, 23:25 (Fri) 15:10, 17:35, 20:00, 22:20, 00:45 (Fri)Al-Bairaq 13:00, 17:45, 22:15, 00:30 (Daily Exc Fri) 17:45, 22:15, 00:30 (Fri)Al-Fanar 11:45, 16:30, 21:15, 23:30 (Daily Exc Fri) 16:30, 21:15, 23:30 (Fri)Al-Kout 13:20, 15:35, 17:45, 20:00, 22:15, 00:25 (Daily Exc Fri) 13:30, 15:40, 17:45, 20:00, 22:15, 00:25 (Fri)Muhallab 11:45, 16:30 (Daily Exc Fri) 16:30 (Fri)Sharqia 11:30, 16:00, 22:45

(Daily Exc Fri) 16:00, 22:45 Avenues 12:40, 13:40, 17:50, 20:00, 21:25, 22:05 (Daily Exc Fri) 13:40, 17:50, 20:00, 21:25, 22:05 (Fri)Laila 18:00 (Daily Exc Tue, Wed)Marina 13:40, 20:00

The Nun360° 11:35, 20:15, 22:25, 00:30 (Daily Exc Fri) 00:05 20:15, 22:25, 00:30 (Fri)Al-Kout 12:55, 21:20, 23:20 (Daily Exc Fri) 21:20, 23:20 (Fri)Avenues 11:45, 16:00, 22:20 (Daily Exc Fri) 00:55 16:00, 22:20 (Fri)

The Predator360° 15:20, 15:55 Al-Kout 17:00 Avenues 18:05, 00:25

The Wife360° 15:05, 17:10, 19:20, 21:30, 23:45 (Daily Exc Sat, Mon) 12:55, 15:05, 17:10, 19:20, 21:30, 23:45 (Sat)Al-Fanar 16:15, 21:35 Al-Kout 14:15, 18:30, 22:40 Sharqia 17:45 Avenues 16:40, 19:00, 21:05

The Yellow Birds360° 00:40 Avenues 12:30 (Daily Exc Fri)

Varathan – (Malayalam Film)360° 18:40 Ajial 15:40, 18:20

Cinema programme from Thursday 27/9/2018 to Wednesday 03/10/2018

Cinema

tv highlights

‘I’m Dying Up Here’ canceled

CNN founder Turner reveals he has Lewy body dementia

Couch slouch

WASHINGTON, Sept 30, (RTRS): US bil-lionaire media mogul Ted Turner, the founder of CNN, has revealed he is battling Lewy body dementia, a neurodegenerative disease that al-ters memory, mood, movement and behavior.

In an interview on CBS, the 79-year-old Turner opened up about his battle, and even struggled to remember the name of the disor-der.

“It’s a mild case of what people have as Alzheimer’s. It’s similar to that. But not nearly as bad. Alzheimer’s is fatal,” Turner said, in excerpts released by the network.

“Thank goodness I don’t have that. But, I also have got, let’s – the one that’s – I can’t remember the name of it.”

Finally, Turner said: “Dementia. I can’t remember what my disease is.”

Lewy body dementia affects 1.5 million Americans. Notably, comedian Robin Wil-liams was afflicted by the disease before he took his own life in 2014.

Like Williams, Turner told “CBS Sunday Morning,” he was misdiagnosed with depres-sion before doctors identified dementia as the true problem.

Asked about his symptoms, he replied: “Tired. Exhausted. That’s the main symptoms, and, forgetfulness.”

In 1980, Turner launched CNN, the first 24-hour news channel, as part of his Turner Broadcasting empire – revolutionizing the way America, and the world, got its news. Turner Broadcasting System then merged with Time Warner in 1996.

When asked about CNN, Turner said: “I think they’re sticking with politics a little too much. They’d do better to have a more bal-anced agenda. But that’s, you know, just one person’s opinion.”

Turner is also known for his decade-long marriage to actress Jane Fonda and his billion-dollar pledge to the United Nations to fund charitable efforts.❑ ❑ ❑

Netflix has ordered three new sci-fi shows to series, the streaming giant has announced.

The first is titled “The I-Land.” When ten people wake up on a treacherous island with no memory of who they are or how they got there, they set off on a trek to try to get back home. They soon discover this world is not as it seems. Faced with the island’s extreme psychological and physical challenges, they must rise to their better selves – or die as their worst ones.

Kate Bosworth stars as KC and serves as a producer on the series, marking the first time Bosworth has produced a television show. Natalie Martinez will star as Chase, and Alex Pettyfer will star as Brody. Netflix has ordered seven episodes of the series.

Neil LaBute is the writer, director, and showrunner on “The I-Land,” with Lucy Teitler also writing. Chad Oakes and Mike Frislev will executive produce, with Teitler and Jonathan Scarfe co-executive producing. Scarfe will also serve as director. Nomadic Pictures Entertainment will produce.

Created The next series is “October Fac-tion.” Based on the IDW comic book series created by Steve Niles, the show follows globetrotting monster hunters Fred and Deloris Allen who, after the death of Fred’s father, return to their hometown in upstate New York with their teenage children Geoff and Viv. As the family adjusts, Fred and Deloris must hide their identities as members of a secret orga-nization, and quickly discover that their new small-town setting isn’t as idyllic as it seems. Netflix has ordered 10 episodes.

Damian Kindler is the creator, executive producer, and showrunner of “October Fac-tion.” He will also direct along with Director X, Megan Follows, and David Frazee. Niles, James Thorpe, Thomas Walden and Eric

Birnberg will executive produce, with George Strayton and Melissa Blake co-executive producing. John Calvert and Mohamed El Masri will produce. High Park Entertainment will produce in association with IDW Enter-tainment. IDW Entertainment is the worldwide distributor for the series, excluding Canada.

The final series is “Warrior Nun,” inspired by the manga novels of the same name. It revolves around a 19 year-old woman who wakes up in a morgue with a new lease on life and a divine artifact embedded in her back. She discovers she is now part of an ancient or-der that has been tasked with fighting demons on Earth, and powerful forces representing both heaven and hell want to find and control her. Netflix has ordered 10 episodes.

Simon Barry is the writer, showrunner, and executive producer on the series. Stephen Hegyes will executive produce, with Teri Hughes Burton co-executive producing. Amy Berg is a consulting producer on the series.❑ ❑ ❑

Showtime has canceled “I’m Dying Up Here” after two seasons.

The drama series, which boasted Jim Car-rey among its executive producers, followed a fictionalized group of stand up comedians in LA in the ‘70s. The cast was led by Oscar winner Melissa Leo, who played tough as nails comedy club owner Goldie. The cast also included Ari Graynor, Clark Duke, Michael Angarano, RJ Cyler, Andrew Santino, Erik Griffin, Al Madrigal and Jake Lacy. Jon Daly, Nicole Ari Parker, Xosha Roquemore, Stefania LaVie Owen and Brad Garrett joined the show in recurring roles in Season 2.

It was based on the non-fiction book of the same name by William Knoedelseder. Dave Flebotte, Carrey, Michael Aguilar, Christina Wayne, Cindy Chupack, Adam Davidson, and Endemol Shine Studios served as executive producers on Season 2. Showtime produced “I’m Dying Up Here.” Showtime confirmed the cancellation Friday evening.

The series never picked up any steam in the ratings, with the first season averaging just 143,000 viewers per episode in Live+Same Day, making it one of Showtime’s least watched originals. Going into the second sea-son, Showtime paired the show with the much higher-rated “Billions” on Sunday nights. The move did boost “I’m Dying Up Here’s” num-bers, but the show still only averaged about 180,000 viewers.❑ ❑ ❑

Kiefer Sutherland’s accidental president is now streaming exclusively on Netflix: The first two seasons of “Designated Survivor” are now available to Netflix subscribers in the US and Canada.

Hulu had previously nabbed exclusive US subscription VOD rights to “Designated Sur-vivor” seasons 1 and 2, which aired on ABC, under a deal announced in November 2017. Episodes of “Designated Survivor” also are unavailable on ABC’s streaming platforms.

Earlier this month, Netflix announced a deal for a third season of “Designated Survivor” in a production deal with eOne after ABC cancelled the show. As part of the pact, Netflix secured streaming rights for the first two season of the show in the U.S. and Canada. Season 3 is slated to debut on Netflix world-wide in 2019.

“Designated Survivor” stars Sutherland as Tom Kirkman, a low-level cabinet member who suddenly is forced to assume to role of US president after a catastrophic attack on the U.S. Capitol during the State of the Union address.

Netflix tapped eOne’s Neal Baer as show-runner for season 3 of “Designated Survivor,” making him the fifth showrunner since the show’s inception.

A Saudi woman practices yoga at a studio in the western Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah on Sept 7, 2018. (AFP)

Saudi women squat, lunge and do headstands

Saudi embraces yoga in pivot towards ‘moderation’JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, Sept 30, (AFP): In a sparse, wood-floored studio, Saudi women squat, lunge and do headstands. Even a year ago, teaching these yoga pos-tures could have rendered them outlaws in the conservative Islamic kingdom.

Widely perceived as a Hindu spiritual practice, yoga was not officially permitted for decades in Saudi Arabia, the cradle of Islam where all non-Muslim worship is banned.

But with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman vowing an “open, moderate Islam”, the kingdom last November recognised yoga as a sport amid a new liberalisation drive that has sidelined religious hardlin-ers.

Spearheading efforts to normalise yoga in the kingdom is Nouf Marwaai, a Saudi woman who has battled insults and threats from extremists to challenge the notion that yoga is incompatible with Islam.

Messages“I have been harassed, (and) sent a lot of

hate messages,” said the 38-year-old head of the Arab Yoga Foundation, which has trained hundreds of yoga instructors in the kingdom.

“Five years ago, this (teaching yoga) would have been impossible,” added Marwaai, as she began training a cluster of women students at a private studio in the Red Sea city of Jeddah.

Hanging up their body-shrouding abayas and headscarves, the women stretched in unison in an arching warrior pose known as “virabhadrasana”.

Arms outstretched, their bodies folded into a 180-degree backward bending pos-ture known as “chakrasana”, or wheel pose.

In a country where women have long been denied the right to exercise publicly, the students - some of whom regularly attend yoga retreats in India - said the exer-cise had transformed their lives.

Ayat Samman, a 32-year-old health edu-cator, said yoga helped alleviate her life-long struggle with fibromyalgia, a chronic pain disorder that often left her bedridden.

Yoga also works as therapy, the women said, helping them vent bottled up emo-tions and tackle a woefully common ail-ment - depression.

“It just opened me up like a water bal-loon,” said Yasmin Machri, 32.

“After my first class ... I started breaking down and crying.”

RecognitionIn just a few months since yoga’s recog-

nition, a new industry of yoga studios and instructors has sprouted in various Saudi cities. That includes Makkah and Madinah, Islam’s holiest cities, Marwaai said.

Prince Mohammed, the de facto ruler, has sought to project a moderate image of the kingdom, long associated with a funda-mentalist strain of Wahhabi Islam, with a new push for inter-religious exchange.

Saudi Arabia in recent months has host-ed officials linked to the Vatican and the prince also met a group of Roman Catholic and Jewish leaders in New York earlier this year, in a rare inter-faith gesture.

“The prince’s outreach to other religions is apparent in the interfaith gatherings and the new enthusiasm for Saudi Arabia’s pre-Islamic heritage,” said Kristin Diwan, of the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washing-ton.

For decades, Saudi rulers derived much of their legitimacy from their alliance with a clerical establishment that pushed a puri-tanical vision of Islam.

But the prince appears to have upturned the system, seeking instead to tap support from the kingdom’s swelling youth base through a surge of nationalism and a much-hyped modernisation drive.

Saudi columnists have openly called for abolishing the once-feared religious police as the kingdom introduces entertainment, including mixed-gender concerts, and re-opens cinemas after a decades-long ban.

Prominent hardline Salafist clerics with millions of followers on social media have been jailed, with some on death row, as the crown prince clamps down on dissent.

“The religious networks which once led

campaigns against more liberal ideas ap-pear cowed, but new practices like yoga are always subject to ad-hoc attacks,” Diwan said.

PracticeYoga is still regarded as a deviant

practice in conservative circles, sometimes associated with witchcraft, and Marwaai’s students say they often confront accusa-tions of betraying their religion.

“I receive messages through social media asking: ‘Are you a Hindu? Did you turn into a Hindu?’” said Budur al-Hamoud, a recruitment specialist.

“Yoga has nothing to do with religion. It’s a sport ... It does not interfere with my faith.”

Yoga is seen at odds with several other faiths, but the recognition of the practice in Saudi Arabia - the epicentre of the Islamic world - appears to have given a new im-petus to Muslim yoga practitioners around the world.

Marwaai is taking on conservatives not just in the kingdom but also India, the birthplace of yoga where clerics last year slapped a fatwa, or religious edict, against a female Muslim yoga teacher just days before the kingdom recognised the sport.

In a shrill Indian television debate, Marwaai - a lupus survivor and recently awarded the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian honours - calmly sought to reason with Muslim clerics who hurled insults at her.

The clerics were particularly opposed to “Surya Namaskar”, a yoga sequence de-signed to greet Surya, the Hindu sun god, and the chanting of Hindu mantras.

“It is not the worshipping of the sun and the moon,” Marwaai responded as tempers frayed, denying they engaged in chanting.

Unconvinced, a cleric said the set of physical movements in the Muslim prayer ritual offered enough exercise.

The slow meditation does not increase the metabolic rate, Marwaai retorted. “Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to race with his wife.”


19

Health

Losing fight against famine

Yemen docs despair as babiesstarve in ‘orphaned province’DALEH, Yemen, Sept 30, (Agen-cies): At Nasr Hospital’s emergency room in the Yemeni city of Daleh, a little boy struggles to breathe. He is too tired, or too hungry, to cry.

Born with a degenerative neu-rological disease, his muscles have atrophied to nothing, his tiny joints visible through his pale skin, his stomach distended.

The child’s body cannot retain even water, so nurses have resorted to putting him in diapers.

And doctors say there is nothing they can do.

The boy is one of an estimated five million Yemeni children who may not see their next birthday in a war the UN children’s fund has de-scribed as a “living hell” for minors.

The UN has warned that inter-national aid agencies are losing the fight against famine in Yemen, where 3.5 million people may soon be added to the eight million Ye-menis already facing starvation — more than half of them children.

Mahmud Ali Hassan, director of Nasr Hospital, does not mince words. Life for his patients, he says, is “pure misery”.

“We need help. We need real help.”

South of rebel-held Sanaa and north of the government bastion of Aden, Daleh is, in the words of its residents, a forgotten city.

The war between Yemen’s gov-ernment, backed by a Saudi-led re-gional military coalition, and Huthi rebels linked to Iran has left an estimated 10,000 dead since 2015 and triggered what the UN calls the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.

HungerAnother 2,200 have died of chol-

era, according to the World Health Organization, nearly one-third of them under the age of five.

In government-held Daleh, med-ics at Nasr Hospital are desperately looking for ways to treat patients – most of whom have not yet learned to read, tie their shoelaces or even walk – as supplies dwindle and hun-ger spreads.

A sign outside Nasr Hospital reads “funded by the World Health Organization”. The hospital is a lifeline for three provinces with a combined population of more than 1.5 million.

“We take cases from Daleh as well as Ibb and Lahaj,” said Has-san.

“Most cases we receive are mal-nourished children. We get three to four cases a day. The ward is always full. It’s full right now.”

In a lime green onesie, another malnourished baby wails as doctors hook him up to a nasal cannula —

the tube used to deliver oxygen to patients in respiratory distress.

His diaper is multiple sizes too big.

“We are in desperate need of medical supplies,” Hassan told AFP.

“We need orthopaedic equip-ment, and everyone says they’re trying — the government coali-tion and other sides — and yet we haven’t gotten supplies yet.”

Dr. Ayman Shayef, head of the emergency room at Nasr, says three to four children die under his watch every week of preventable causes, mainly linked to neo-natal care.

“We have serious issues with the total absence of pre-natal care and the inability to open an obstetrics department,” Shayef said.

“We’ve also seen a rapid rise in malnutrition cases.

“Daleh is an orphaned province. We need help. We need support for pre-natal care, malnutrition “

Also:GENEVA: Medical charity Doctors Without Borders warned Tuesday over unprecedented levels of child mortality in southern Niger during the past month, with 10 children dy-ing per day.

Most deaths are linked to surging cases of malaria or malnutrition that have forced the intensive paediatric care unit in the city of Magaria to fill up, said the charity, which is known by its French acronym, MSF.

“We have never seen anything like this before and we fear it’s just the tip of the iceberg,” Dorian Job, the Geneva-based head of MSF’s Niger programme, said in a state-ment.

❑ ❑ ❑

LONDON: Life expectancy has fall-en in Scotland and Wales and has stopped improving for the first time since 1982 in Britain as a whole, ac-cording to official data released on Tuesday.

Life expectancy for both men and women fell by 0.1 years in Scotland and Wales and by the same amount for men in Northern Ireland, ac-cording to the Office for National Statistics.

Overall life expectancy for girls born between 2015 and 2017 was 82.9 years – no change on the previ-ous figure for 2014-2016.

The figure for baby boys was also unchanged at 79.2 years.

Janet Morrison, chief executive of Independent Age, an elderly char-ity, called the figures “concerning”.

“These figures starkly highlight the need for health and care services to adapt to our ageing population,” she said.

The KSCG officers with Vice-Consul Charleson Hermosura (8th from right).

Welfare Officer Eduardo Bellido receives a Certificate of Appreciation from KSCG President Bernadette Gayares and Vice-President Demosthenes Abat.

Cancer survivor Ana Del Mundo stresses on the importance of positive outlook

KCSG helps Filipino cancer patients with emotional, financial support

Kabayan Cancer Support Group holds first general assemblyBy Michelle Fe Santiago

Arab Times Staff

The Kabayan Cancer Support Group (KCSG) held its first general as-

sembly, acquaintance party and induc-tion of its new set of officers on Thurs-day at the Inn & Go Kuwait Plaza Hotel. The KCSG is a non-profit Fili-pino community organization founded on Feb 7, 2015 with its prime mission to help Filipino cancer patients to less-en their emotional burden by provid-ing them with emotional, financial and spiritual support.

The event commenced with the sing-ing of the Kuwait and Philippine na-tional anthems respectively followed by a prayer led by KCSG founder and former President Marcelino Mallari.

Newly elected KCSG President Ber-nadette Sotelo Gayares welcomed all the distinguished guests that included Philippine Vice Consul Charleson Hermosura who attended the event on behalf of Charge d’Affaires Moh’d Noordin Pendosina Lomondot, Wel-fare Officer Eduardo Bellido, KCSG

benefactors and friends.“We would like to thank everyone

who has been supporting the Kabayan Cancer Support Group in its advocacy in helping our cancer-stricken kaba-bayan. To the Philippine Embassy, the POLO-OWWA, groups and individu-als, your help, big or small means a lot to our fellow Filipinos who are battling cancer,” stated Gayares who has been with the KCSG since its inception.

The KCSG with around 55 mem-bers at the onset, has now more than 70 members who are mostly Filipino nurses, medical technologists and radi-ology technicians working at the Kuwait Cancer Control Center (KCCC).

Vice-Consul Hermosura inducted the new set of officers led by Gayares, Vice-President Demosthenes Abat, Sec-retary Theresa Arquisola and Suzette Aguilar, Treasurer Leah Quibol and Francisca Baculna, Auditor John Lagu-isan and Arcie Tagalag, Press Relations Officers – Enrique Macarandang, Judy Domingo, Marilyn Bocalig, Lovely Lo-rianne Ruiz, Robbie De Guzman, Paolo Caymo, Roselle Quibuyen and Agnes

Zulueta.“Congratulations to the newly induct-

ed officers of the Kabayan Cancer Sup-port Group. Carry on with your noble mission of helping our fellow Filipinos afflicted with cancer,” stated Hermosura as he lauded the group.

Meanwhile, Bellido expressed the POLO-OWWA’s full support to the group in all its endeavour.

“Rest assured that we will be here to extend all the assistance that you may need and let’s work together,” he stated.

Some cancer survivors like Ana Del Mundo and those still battling cancer such as Virgilia Nodos Capangpangan and Pazjade Gale Ascalon gave their testimony and how they have coped and been battling with cancer respectively and how the KCSG has helped cancer patients like them.

A video tribute to KCSG member Marian Velasco who succumbed to cancer recently was also held during the event.

To lighten up the mood, infusing some entertainment were some singing champs such as Jumel Carvajal, Jennifer

Uy, Maroel Guarin and Melanie Pan-esa Vergara from the KCCC Laboratory while a Muslim dance was performed by Ms Ayesha.

Guest teenage performer Peter Daniel Carvajal serenaded the crowd with his mellifluous voice as he invited every-one to his debut concert on Oct 26 at the Marine Museum at the Radisson Blu Hotel and proceeds will be donated to the KCSG. The event hosted by Maxxy Santiago, Virginia Balistoy and Judy Domingo was highlighted by the candle lighting ceremony and capped with a sumptuous dinner.

The KCSG thanked all its benefactors and handed certificates of appreciation to the Philippine Embassy, Philippine Chef Society led by Chef Tony, Asso-ciation of Filipino Optometrists in Ku-wait, PINDOT, Washoku represented by Chef Rhon, Max’s Restaurant, Jol-libee, Kout Food Group, International Optique, ABK Bank represented by Ivan Beltran, Dampa Lounge, KLIK represented by Job Rejante and Ana Del Mundo of ADM International Manpow-er Services.


20

bridgebridgeBy Steve Becker

contract bridgebridge

Challenger

DIRECTIONS:Fill each square with a

number, one through nine.■ Horizontal squares

should add to totals on right.

■ Vertical squares should add to totals on bottom.

■ Diagonal squares through center should add to total in upper and lower

right.

THERE MAY BE MORE THAN ONE SOLUTION.

Today’s ChallengeTime 13 Minutes

7 SecondsYour Working

Time __ Minutes__ Seconds

Yesterday’s solution

Eugene Sheffer Crossword

Latest

Oct 2Indian Embassy event: Embassy of India will be celebrating 150th birthday of Mahatma Gan-dhi at the Embassy premises, on Tuesday, Oct 2, 2018. The program will be for an hour from 8:30 to 9:30 am. It will include garlanding of the Mahathma’s statue, release of the Commemora-tive Stamp, and rendition of Bapu’s bhajans/song by children from Indian Schools in Kuwait.

All friends of India and the community mem-bers are cordially invited to be part of this event and join us in paying our respects to the Father of the Nation.

Oct 5‘Soul India’ with Hariharan: ICS presents “Soul India Concert” with playback singer, music composer and an established Ghazal singer and one of the pioneers of Indian fusion music. Pad-mashri Hariharan has sung more than 500 Tamil songs and nearly 200 Hindi songs; he has also sung hundreds of songs in Malayalam, Telugu, and Kannada, Marathi and Bengali languages.

So get ready to be enthralled by the magical voice by legendary Singer Padmashree Hariharan at “Soul India concert” with his band, featuring Akshay Hariharan with high Voltage EDM section accompanied by three female renowned Co Sing-ers – Reewa Rathod, Chandreyee Bhattacharya & Lavanya Padmanabhan, On Friday, Oct 5, 2018

For details to reserve your seats please contact: [email protected] or dial/ whats app: 97260048, 66550065, 97428028, 99709495, and 65862425

GeneralQ8BBall Season 13: Q8BBall is beginning our 13th season with Boys U13 (ages 10-13) and U17 (ages 14-17). We train three times a week and play regular games throughout the year with schools and clubs. In June 2018, we plan to travel for camp and tournaments in the US. Contact Coach T 97128884 for information.

❑ ❑ ❑

Invitation to Grand Mosque: The Visits Department is pleased to invite you to visit the Grand Mosque, which is one of Kuwait’s most treasured religious and cultural landmarks to dis-cover the beauty of Islamic arts and architecture. Free guided tours are available all year round on offi cial working days between (9-11 am) and (5-7 pm), within a special tour program designed to cater to the needs of different age groups. The program is as follows:

Reception; Auditorium show; (according to age group); Touring the Mosque; Q & A; Art work-shops; (according to age group – between 5 and 18 years old); Snack break; Distribution of the Grand Mosque publications and souvenirs; End of tour.

According to these age groups:Age group: 5 to 9 years old: Morning: 60 visi-

tors max; Evening: 20; 10 to 15 years: Morning: 100 visitors max; Evening: 45; 16 and above: Morning: 140 visitors max, Evening: 105:

Tour language: Arabic- English- French; Ara-bic (English upon prior request); Arabic- Eng-lish- French; Arabic (English upon prior request); Arabic- English- French: Arabic (English upon prior request)

Rules and Regulations:■ Please arrive in time for your visit.■ All visitors are kindly required to abide by the mosque’s dress code. Male visitors should wear long pants. Shorts and sleeveless shirts are not allowed. Female visitors: should wear head cover and long loose clothing (available at the mosque).■ Foods and drinks are not allowed inside the prayer halls.■ For school visits, teachers are responsible for their students and are required to cooperate with the staff members of the Grand Mosque.■ Photography is allowed inside the Grand Mosque (please note that disrespectful poses are strictly prohibited).

If you would like to book a tour, please contact us:

Tel: 22980813/ 22980815/ 22980812 Email: [email protected] Fax: 22473708

❑ ❑ ❑

NYF offers free yoga classes: NYF Kuwait offers free yoga, breathing, meditation and reiki classes by a well-experienced female yoga teach-er for all age groups. Classes are given on the basis of different health problems, stress and other problems by different techniques. Contact: 99315825.

❑ ❑ ❑

AWL registration: If you would like to join the American Women’s League (AWL), please call 99039723 or 94067999 or email: [email protected]. All American women and wives of Americans are welcomed.

click


Word by Word

Heart QalbAbsence makes the heart grow founder.Al boud yazeed al qalb woluan.

Numbers

7977 Seven thousand nine hundred seventy seven

Sabat alaf wa tesou maaha wa sabah wa saboun

Conceptis SudokuThe grid must be so completed that every row, column and 3x3

box has every digit from 1 to 9 inclusive

Answer to yesterday’s puzzle

Yesterday’s answer 10-1

Yesterday’s

Musk to resign as chair of Tesla board but remain CEO

Elon Musk has reached a deal over fraud charges that will see him step down as electric automaker Tesla’s chairman of the board and pay a $20 million fi ne but stay on as CEO, US se-curities regulators said Saturday.

The agreement eases pressure on Tesla’s embattled CEO, who faced po-tentially being barred from serving as an offi cer or board member of a pub-licly traded company as a result of the charges, which stemmed from a tweet by Musk about taking the company pri-

vate. “The settlements, which are subject

to court approval, will result in compre-hensive corporate governance and oth-er reforms at Tesla – including Musk’s removal as chairman of the Tesla board – and the payment by Musk and Tesla of fi nancial penalties” of $20 mil-lion each, the Securities and Exchange Commission said in a statement.

The SEC had charged Musk with se-curities fraud, alleging that he misled in-vestors when he tweeted on Aug 7 that

he had “funding secured” to privatize the electric automaker at $420 a share.

That caused a brief spike in Tesla’s share price, leading so-called short-sell-ers, who have been betting on the stock crashing for years, to lose millions.

The SEC said Musk’s statements on Twitter were “false and misleading” and that he had never discussed the plans with company offi cials or potential funders.

Musk said he later decided against the plan. (AFP)

Market Movements 28-09-2018

Business Change Closing ptsAUSTRALIA - All Ordinaries +26.20 6,325.50JAPAN - Nikkei +323.30 24,120.04HONG KONG - Hang Seng +72.82 27,788.52

Change Closing ptsGERMANY - DAX -188.86 12,246.73FRANCE - CAC 40 -46.92 5,493.49EUROPE - Euro Stoxx 50 -50.50 3,399.20S. KOREA - KRX 100 -29.46 4,829.11PHILIPPINES - All Shares -18.89 4,464.92INDIA - Sensex -97.03 36,227.14

In this fi le photo, Elon Musk speaks near a Falcon 9 rocket during his announcement that Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa will be the fi rst private passenger who will fl y around the Moon aboard the SpaceX BFR launch vehicle, at the SpaceX headquarters and rocket factory in Haw-thorne, California. (AFP)

Shale growth could be limited by infrastructure problems

Oil to rise as Iran sanctions outweigh demand risks from trade warsLONDON, Sept 30, (RTRS): Oil prices are likely to climb continuously into next year, as concerns over drops in supply from the likes of Iran and Venezuela outweigh any worry that global trade disputes could undermine demand, a Reuters poll showed on Friday.

A survey of 50 economists and analysts forecast Brent crude to aver-age $73.48 a barrel in 2018, up from the $72.71 forecast in August and the $72.68 average so far this year. Brent was forecast to average $73.75 in 2019.

This is the highest projection for the benchmark for both 2018 and 2019 in the polls this year.

“Concerns over global trade dis-putes have not yet really affected economic growth, but the sanctions on Iran already have had an impact on Iranian exports and output,” said Frank Schallenberger, head of com-modity research at LBBW.

“If an export destination like South Korea is not willing to buy Iranian oil anymore, there is a high probability that output from Iran could drop some 500,000-1 million bpd. This is really bad news for the supply side – and es-pecially also for the consumers – as prices could go up even further.”

Iranian exports of crude and con-densates have declined by 0.8 mil-lion barrels a day (mbd) from April to September, according to the Institute of International Finance, ahead of the Nov 4 US sanctions on the third larg-est producer in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.

Brent prices have risen more than 20 percent since the beginning of April. Analysts expect a reduction of

anywhere between 500,000 and 1.5 million bpd in Iranian supply due to the sanctions, with most expecting Saudi Arabia to take the lead in fi lling any supply gaps.

“The best is yet to come with a fourth-quarter of $80+/bbl driven by still strong oil demand growth, expec-tation of a signifi cant drop in Iranian exports to 1 mbd by year-end and an only limited willingness by OPEC to ramp-up output to exhaust spare ca-

pacity,” said Jan Edelmann, commod-ities analyst at HSH Nordbank AG.

However, an escalating trade dis-pute between the United States and China, the world’s largest consumer of commodities, could affect demand growth, especially next year, analysts said.

“Uncertainty about possible ef-fects of a trade war between the US and China could dampen some of the upside risks triggered by the supply

issues,” said Hans van Cleef, senior energy economist at ABN Amro.

Meanwhile, US crude futures were forecast to average $67.29 a barrel in 2018, compared with the $67.13 con-sensus last month and an average of $66.76 until now.

A majority of participants saw growth in US shale oil output slowing over the remainder of 2018 and into next year due to infrastructure prob-lems.

RIYADH, Sept 30, (RTRS): Saudi Arabia’s gross do-mestic product, adjusted for infl ation, grew 1.6 percent from a year earlier in the second quarter of this year, the offi cial statistics agency said on Sunday

Saudi Arabia’s government aims to increase spending by over 7 per-cent next year in an effort to boost sluggish economic growth, while continuing to cut its budget defi cit gradually, fi nance ministry fi gures released on Sunday showed.

The ministry forecast state spend-ing would climb to 1.106 trillion riyals ($295 billion) in 2019 from its latest es-timate for 2018 of 1.030 trillion riyals.

But it also projected a jump in rev-enues to 978 billion riyals, up 11 percent from 2018. That would leave a defi cit of 128 billion riyals or 4.1 percent of gross domestic product next year, compared to 148 billion riyals and 5.0 percent this year.

Finance Minister Mohammed al-Jadaan said spending in 2019 would focus on growth and creating jobs. The

government will soon announce policies to support the private sector in areas such as industry and tourism, he said without elaborating.

But Riyadh will also press ahead with a drive to eliminate the defi cit entirely, he told a briefi ng on the 2019 budget ahead of its expected release in Decem-ber.

The budget “is yet another step in cutting defi cits gradually in the medium term, until we rebalance the budget en-tirely by 2023,” Jadaan said.

Also: RIYADH: Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest importer of feed barley, will re-store a private sector role in the trade after two years during which it was han-dled solely by the state, Minister of Envi-ronment, Water and Agriculture Abdel Rahman Al-Fadli was quoted as saying on Sunday.

Saudi Arabia used to import its feed barley through the private sector but since 2016 the responsibility for imports has been held by the state grain buyer, the Saudi Grains Organisation (SAGO).

The kingdom has become a major im-porter of wheat and barley since plans to become self-suffi cient were abandoned in 2008 because farming in the desert was draining scarce water supplies.

Saudi GDP grows 1.6 pct y/y in Q2Govt expects to boost state spending 7 pct next year

UAE approves $16.4bn budget for 2019ABU DHABI, Sept 30, (AFP): The UAE on Sunday ap-proved a zero-defi cit 60.3 billion dirham ($16.4 billion) budget for 2019, up 17 percent from this year’s budget and the largest in the country’s history.

According to the state-run WAM news agency, over 40 percent of next year’s budget will go towards com-munity development, 17 percent towards education and 7 percent to healthcare.

The UAE’s Vice-President Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum said the cabinet had also approved a 180 billion dirham budget for the next three years.

“Fifty-nine percent of [the three-year budget] will go towards education and social development,” Sheikh Mohammed, also the ruler of Dubai, tweeted on Sun-

day. “Our budget is without defi cit, and next year’s budget

will be the largest in the history of the country.” In May, the UAE announced new incentives to lure

foreign investment, including 100 percent ownership of companies and 10-year visas for professionals and in-vestors.

The measures by the UAE, the Middle East’s second largest economy after Saudi Arabia, came amid a slow-down in the oil, tourism and real estate sectors.

The International Monetary Fund said in May that UAE economic growth fell to just 0.5 percent in 2017 from 3.0 percent the previous year, due to a contraction in the oil sector.

‘Rising rates could pop Wall St bubble’

Doomsayers begin to see cracks in world economyWASHINGTON, Sept 30, (AFP): Over the last decade, the world’s major economies float-ed themselves out of recession on oceans of easy money and low, or even negative, interest rates.

For the moment, policymak-ers and analysts talk of a “Goldi-locks economy” in the United States, which is enjoying low unemployment, brisk growth, improved household fi nances and a strengthened banking system.

But with much of the pain hav-ing subsided and US interest rates steadily rising, prominent inves-tors and economists are shining a light on the issues that could trig-ger the next recession.

They point not to risky sub-prime mortgage lending, which sparked the last crisis 10 years ago, but instead to voracious borrowing by corporations and emerging market economies.

Martin Feldstein, chief eco-nomic adviser to President Ron-ald Reagan, paints a grim picture where rising interest rates could pop a debt-fueled Wall Street bubble, gutting investment port-folios and consumer confi dence, and causing “another long, deep downturn.”

He offered some eye-watering numbers in a column in The Wall Street Journal on Thursday, warning that a drop in stock pric-es back to their historical averag-es from current dizzying heights would eliminate $10 trillion of US household wealth, slashing consumer spending by about $400 billion, and cutting two per-centage points off GDP growth.

Effects“Add in the effects on business

investment, and this spending crunch would push the economy into recession,” Feldstein wrote.

Neither the Federal Reserve nor Congress are in a position to do much to respond, since there is little room to cut interest rates, and the government defi cit and debt are high.

Outside the United States, li-abilities may also lurk under all the accumulated debt.

Billionaire investor Stanley Druckenmiller warned that dol-lar-denominated borrowing by emerging markets, like Turkey, Argentina and others, meant they already are facing “a shrinkage of liquidity” as the US central bank raises interest rates.

Federal Reserve rate hikes raise borrowing costs for compa-nies and governments, particular-ly those with dollar-denominated debt, and those who need to re-fi nance.

“My assumption is one of these hikes – I don’t know which one – is going to trigger this thing,” Druckenmiller said, according to Business Insider.

Ruchir Sharma, chief global strategist at Morgan Stanley In-vestment Management, said: “The Fed’s tightening is already rattling emerging markets.”

He worries that markets have grown “too big to fail,” bloated by money which poured in fol-lowing the 2008 meltdown as central banks tried to stabilize the system.

SwellingCentral bank balance sheets

went from $5 trillion to $17 tril-lion in the last decade, he wrote this month in The New York Times, swelling the value of global markets to $290 trillion, or a record 360 percent of global Gross Domestic Product.

Meanwhile, debt held by S&P 500 corporations has risen to 1.5 times earnings since 2010, near peaks that preceded past reces-sions.

The typical privately-held cor-poration purchased by private equity investors in that time is leveraged to six times earnings, twice what a ratings agency would consider junk, according to Sharma.

“When the American markets start feeling it, the results are like-ly be very different from 2008 – corporate meltdowns rather than mortgage defaults, and bond and pension funds affected before big investment banks,” he warned.

Economist Joel Naroff told AFP the fading boost of Decem-ber’s tax cuts, combined with stagnant wage growth, could leave consumer spending “out of gas” in the next six to nine months.

With the housing market al-ready soft, a slowdown in the real economy could be the fi rst shoe to drop, he added, with debt-fueled market bubbles being the second.

“My view is that the next re-cession will be an average reces-sion,” Naroff said, but added, “The worst-case scenarios are not unreasonable to project.”

In this fi le photo, a chart on a screen on the fl oor of the New York Stock Exchange shows the rise of the S&P 500 index since 2009. Funds that focus on US stocks charged to record heights, bolstered by Apple and other companies reporting tax-cut-fueled profi t gains that were even more eye-popping than analysts expected. The US economy also hit its fastest growth rate in nearly four years, and S&P 500 index funds are on track for their best quarter in

nearly fi ve years. (AP)

Managers turn negative on Egypt

Middle East funds less positive on equitiesDUBAI, Sept 30, (RTRS): Middle East funds have become less positive toward regional equities, particularly in Egypt, because of concern about instability in emerging markets globally, a monthly Reuters poll showed on Sunday.

The latest poll of 13 leading fund managers, conducted in the past week,

showed 15 percent now expect to cut their allocations to regional equities in the next three months while 8 percent expect to raise them.

That is the most negative balance since May 2016. In the previous survey, taken a month ago, 38 percent expected to raise allocations and none expected

to implement reductions. Over the past couple of months, currency weakness in places such as Turkey, tumbling bond prices in countries including Lebanon and trade tensions involving the United States and China have cast a pall over emerging markets generally.

A rebound in oil prices, with Brent crude above $80 a barrel, and countries’ currency pegs to the US dollar are ex-pected to insulate Gulf markets from the worst of the global turmoil.

Saudi Arabia’s stock index has been fl at in the past month and Kuwait’s blue-chip benchmark has risen 1.8 per-cent while MSCI’s emerging market index has slipped by 0.8 percent.

On balance, managers are more posi-tive towards both Saudi Arabia and Ku-wait because of expected fund infl ows as those markets join global equity in-dexes in coming months. They are also positive on the United Arab Emirates because of cheap valuations.

Nevertheless, the grim mood in glob-al emerging markets is making funds more cautious in the Gulf. Furthermore, the region’s economic growth remains modest in the wake of austerity meas-

ures to cut state budget defi cits.“Although oil prices have almost

doubled since summer last year, there has been almost no growth in project spending across the region,” said Akber Khan, head of asset management at Al Rayan Investment in Doha.

“In Saudi and the United Arab Emir-ates in particular, the jumps in the cost of living and corporate operating costs have hurt at a time of weak demand.”

Meanwhile, managers have turned negative on equities in Egypt, which is not protected by a currency peg, with 31 percent now expecting to cut allo-cations to Egypt and 8 percent to raise them – the most negative balance since February 2017.

“Following the steady Egyptian pound for almost two years, we expect mild weakness in the currency as higher infl ation and a fi scal defi cit remain,” said Bader Ghanim al-Ghanim, head of regional asset management at Global Investment House in Kuwait.

He said that foreign investors’ de-mand for Egyptian currency bonds had dropped, suggesting there could be cap-ital outfl ows from the country.

Bourse Chairman says ‘seek’ to attract family corporate listingKUWAIT CITY, Sept 30, (KUNA): Ku-wait Bourse Chairman Saad Al-Mutawa announced on Sunday that the company seeks to attract listing new family corpo-rates in the market.

Al-Mutawa said in an interview with Al-Rai newspaper that there are four new applications to list family corpo-rates in the market and they are pending to be approved by the Capital Markets Authority (CMA). “We seek to have Kuwait Bourse join MSCI indexes next year,” Al-Mutawa said referring to the

efforts made to complete the third phase of market development, in addition to promoting Kuwait Bourse with Gold-man Sachs and Morgan Stanley.

“Kuwait Bourse is ran by keeping up with investments aspirations locally, regionally and internationally. We are obliged to meet the requirements of the society of local and international inves-tors as we seek to enhance international awareness of Kuwait and its economy, therefore to reinforce investors’ trust in it,” Al-Mutawa added.

BUSINESSARAB TIMES, MONDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2018

22

Al Mulla Exchange launches exciting online promotion

Al Mulla Exchange, the leading mon-ey remittance company in Kuwait, has launched an exciting online pro-motion today titled ‘Everyone Wins With Al Mulla Exchange’.

Customers remitting through their online portal www.almullaexchange.com or using Al Mulla Exchange Remittance App will get a chance to win electronic items instantly every day.

Speaking about the marketing pro-motion, General Manager Al Mulla

Exchange, R. Shankar said ‘The new promotion that we are launch-ing today is indeed very unique. Cus-tomers get to win something each time they do a transaction. We are having the latest electronic gizmos as prizes to the customer.

This includes the latest Samsung Note 9 Mobile Phones, Fitbit Watch-es, 40 Inch LED TVs, Anti-Theft Bag, Samsung Gear Icon X, JBL Speakers, Alba Watches, Elements Hard Drive 2TB, Wireless Charg-

ing Pad and much more. Even for those who have not won the elec-tronic items need not despair, we have some meal vouchers in store for them.’

He added that “Al Mulla Exchange provides the best user experience to customer with the Online Remit-tance web portal as well as the App. We have intricately gone into a great deal of detailing in our revamped user interface with the customer get-ting to see his or her preferred remit-

tances fi rst. Also another new feature which

we have included now was very much sought after was the ‘Add Benefi ciary’ feature. “With this, cus-tomer can add new benefi ciaries without visiting any of our branch-es.”

So have you registered with Al Mulla Exchange for this exciting mar-keting promotion? Download their App now, transact and get to win Ex-citing prizes.

A fl yer of Al Mulla Ex-change online promo

Third in the Middle East by MEIRA

VIVA named ‘Leading Corporate for Investor Relations in Kuwait’KUWAIT CITY, Sept 30: VIVA, Ku-wait’s fastest-growing and most de-veloped telecom operator, is pleased to announce that it has been recognized as “Leading Corporate for Investor Rela-tions in Kuwait” and third in the Middle East, during the Annual Awards Gala held in Dubai to reward the best investor relations specialists from companies and individuals in the Middle East Region. The gala took place at the 10th annual conference of the Middle East Inves-tor Relations Association “MEIRA” in presence of the biggest listed sharehold-ing companies on the stock exchanges in the GCC and the Middle East Region. VIVA’s CFO, Mohammed bin Abdul-mohsen Al-Assaf, received VIVA’s awards. In addition, Wassim El Hayek, Investor Relations Director at VIVA has won “Best Investor Relations Profes-sional in Kuwait”.

The Middle East Investor Relations Award is considered the biggest event focusing on the role and practices of the investor relations in the region. The lead-ing companies applying the highest pro-fessional standards in investor relations are honored and awarded based on a sur-vey prepared and launched by EXTEL Corporation about investor relations. This survey is conducted with a wide participation of the fi nancial analysts and investors of the local & International investment companies and banks.

On this occasion, Engr Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Badran, VIVA’s CEO said: “Since its incorporation, VIVA is committed, through its successful strat-egy, to play the leading role by applying the best practices and professional stand-

ards across all VIVA’s sectors and de-partments that support its activities and plans. These awards refl ect the efforts exerted by the executive management and Investor Relations Department to enhance communications and transpar-ency with investment community and shareholders who proved their satisfac-tion with VIVA’s performance in fi eld of investor relations through fulfi lling all investors’ requirements such as meetings and inquiries about the VIVA’s develop-ments and its fi nancial and operational performance”. He added: “The activa-tions of Investor Relations Department’s roles are an essential part of corporate governance principles which aiming to improve work environment, transpar-ency and shareholders protection. VIVA is keen to apply all rules and regulations that are in line with our principles, val-ues and professional standards to result to our shareholders’ interests. Therefore we always seek to concentrate our ef-forts to achieve the best results through integrated professional team in timely and effi ciently manner”.

Mohammed Bin Abdulmohsen Al-Assaf, VIVA’s CFO said: “Granting VIVA’s Kuwait two Investor Relations Awards for the second time during the last three years and ranked for the fi rst time as 3rd among all the listed compa-nies in the MENA stock markets which is more than 1,000 company assures the leading role of VIVA amid the Kuwaiti listed companies through our excellency and success in developing investor rela-tions, also by applying the best practices and professional standards to interact and meet the needs of the Investment

community over all of all segments of society both inside and outside Kuwait, in addition by extending and enhancing the communications tools and channels of the transparency. The awards prove effective and continuous outstanding efforts exerted by VIVA Investor Rela-tions Department to respond for our in-vestors’ requirements to provide them with information through various com-munication channels. Both awards given to VIVA; the Leading Corporate for In-vestor Relations and the Best Investor Relations Professional in Kuwait, is con-sidered a great achievement if compared with the short period for launching In-vestor Relations Department’s activities since 2015 and it refl ects VIVA employ-ees’ effi ciency, experience and sincerity to achieve the best results”.

MEIRA’s Chairman, Alex MacDon-ald Vitale said: “Across the Middle East, we have been seeing tremendous efforts to implement best practice in investor relations and corporate governance. In all categories, this year’s award winners have demonstrated their unequivocal commitment to further advancing the quality of IR in the Middle East. This is also in part a refl ection of the positive impact that MEIRA has had since in-ception one decade ago. Much has been achieved, and we could not be prouder to see the fruits of our work and celebrate the achievements of those who have proven to be true front-runners in their fi eld. We look forward to continuing to support all MEIRA members and IR professionals in raising the bar and pro-moting the development of the region’s capital markets.”

State-of-the-art AI capabilities at centerpiece of show by Huawei

Huawei heralds dawn of AI age in Middle East at GITEX 2018KUWAIT CITY, Sept 30: Huawei, a leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices, will unveil its newest AI-driven technolo-gies at GITEX Technology Week to take place in Dubai from October 14 to 18.

On top of launching Huawei’s most advanced global products and solutions in the Middle East, the event will be a platform for Huawei to drive the re-gion’s digital ecosystem by deepening its collaboration with partners through the signing of Memorandums of Un-derstanding (MoUs), joint demonstra-tions of the world’s most developed digital technologies, and conferences where industry experts and leaders will gather to discuss the best path forward to building a digital Middle East.

Under the theme ‘Activate Intelli-gence’, Huawei’s booth Stand Z1-D10 in Za’abeel Hall will demonstrate how ICT technologies, designed to equip Middle East organizations for the next big step on the road to intelligence and digital transformation, are revolution-izing the way governments, businesses, and consumers interact with the world around them.

By 2025, the world will see upwards of 40 billion smart devices. More than 86% of businesses and organizations will use AI, and data utilization will reach 80%. Like air we breathe, AI ser-vices will be everywhere, creating an intelligent world that will reveal endless vistas of opportunities.

As digital technologies develop at an accelerating pace, their reach is rap-

idly extending into every vertical sec-tor, opening new venues for innovation and growth for organizations across the board. ICT has become the world’s most important and impactful industry. It is at the heart of global economic growth, driving societal progress, re-vitalizing traditional industries, fueling sustainable economic development, and improving social management and ser-vices.

The Middle East stands most to gain from the growth of ICT. The region is undergoing seismic changes as leaders are spearheading their societies’ trans-formation into diversifi ed, knowledge-based economies. ICT is at the crux of the success of the region’s vision for the future. Nascent AI technologies in particular will underpin the next leap

forward into an intelligent world, where people, vehicles, homes and devices are fully connected, delivering new experi-ences, insights and capabilities.

At GITEX, Huawei will lay out a blueprint for leading the Middle East into the Digital Intelligence Age. Visi-tors to Huawei’s booth will have the opportunity to witness fi rsthand the emerging power of AI. The new part-nerships, products and solutions to be announced at GITEX will include Hua-wei’s Full-stack, All-scenario AI solu-tions, the latest AI chipset with machine learning, the new FusionCloud 6.3, a next-generation enterprise-class full-stack intelligent private cloud solution, the CloudLink, which will lead enter-prise communication and collaboration into the era of intelligence, and the new

FusionServer, which boasts intelligent computing features: an AI enablement platform based on “One Cloud, One Lake and One Platform” architecture to help enterprises accelerate cloud migra-tion and achieve digital transformation. Based on all AI technologies, Enter-prise Intelligence (EI) will bring the intelligent application as cloud services to government security, transportation and more.

Huawei will also host a joint con-ference with a leading operator in the Middle East to demonstrate their new-est Wi-Fi solutions, and another joint exhibition with a leading public servic-es government authority. In addition, Huawei will organize a roundtable on Finance Services Industry (FSI) CXO and ecosystem and sign MoUs with

leading regional partners, in addition to networking with its partners through an award ceremony to recognize the recip-ients of the company’s HCIE training program certifi cate.

As AI-driven technologies are trans-forming the world’s digital landscape, Huawei is committed to helping their partners in the Middle East navigate the changing times. In the spirit of open-ness and sharing wisdom, on October 15 Huawei will host its third annual Huawei Middle East Innovation Day on the sidelines of GITEX. Held under the theme, “Innovate for a Digital Middle East,” the one-day event is a platform for luminaries and industry experts to gather and discuss how all can work together to embrace digital transforma-tion and forge ahead on the road to an intelligent world.

The event will start with the 5G Ecosystem Conference held under the theme “5G is Now, Sailing to New eMBB Horizons.” The conference will gather operators, regulatory agencies, vertical industry leaders and broader ecosystem advocates to discuss the 5G industry from the perspectives of business, technology, and policy to demonstrate how 5G will enable the transformation of vertical industries and promote regional economic devel-opment. The 2nd part of the event will be held under the theme “Activate Intel-ligence in ME Region”, where Industry leaders and luminaries will gather for keynotes, discussions and experience-sharing on how AI enabling digital transformation and reshaping the world we live in.

Alaa ElShimy, Managing Director & Vice President, Enterprise Business, Huawei Middle East, said: “The world is transforming around us. Emerging technologies like AI are on the verge of changing how we live, work, and play. Now is the time to seize new op-portunities and activate intelligence through digital platforms that are open, agile, and equipped with state-of-the-art AI capabilities. Huawei is committed to supporting our partners and governments in the Middle East as they forge ahead on their journey of digital transformation, and we hope that GITEX will be an opportunity to showcase how new technologies can drive business growth and empower organization to reach the next level of capabilities.”

Huawei’s presence at GITEX is made possible in part through the strong support of their partners, in-cluding their Diamond sponsors, Fore-sight, GAPP, and Redington, and their Gold sponsors, Emitac, Enterprise Systems, and VisionTech. Driven by customer-centric innovation and open partnerships, Huawei has established an end-to-end ICT solutions portfo-lio that gives customers competitive advantages. Huawei is committed to bringing its global expertise and latest innovations to the Middle East region and creating maximum value for gov-ernments, telecom operators, enter-prises and consumers.

❑ ❑ ❑

For more information, please visit Huawei’s GITEX 2018 microsite.

Alaa ElShimy, MD VP EBG Huawei ME

Photos from the Annual MEIRA Awards Gala

Engr Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Badran, VIVA’s CEO

Mohammed bin Abdulmohsen Al-Assaf, VIVA’s CFO

Stocks expected to outperform peers

Kuwait market set to‘woo’ investors: SICOMANAMA, Sept 30: The Kuwaiti equity market is catching the eye of global investors following its FTSE upgrade to emerging market status and its expected reclassifi cation in MSCI’s Emerging Markets In-dex, reports leading regional asset manager, broker, market maker and investment bank, SICO BSC (c). The Kuwaiti market, up 12% year to date and 17% from its one-year lows, has increased by more than 10% since MSCI announced on June 20 that it may upgrade the na-tion to emerging-market status next year. Market momentum this year has been driven by foreign infl ow into blue chip names such as NBK, KFH, Agility and Zain. Based on both the FTSE and MSCI provision lists of Kuwaiti stocks, these stocks are set to attract the highest amount of fl ows.

“Kuwait is currently trading at a P/E ratio of around 13 times 2018 earnings, which is conservative in light of the current macro environ-ment and potential earnings growth of about 10% in 2019,” said SICO Head of Equities Asset Manage-ment Shakeel Sarwar. ”Once Kuwait is included in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, it will most likely see additional passive infl ows of approximately $1.5 bil-lion while active infl ows could be much higher based on the experi-ences of other markets that were elevated to this status over the past 10 years.”

Indicating its confi dence in the market, the Khaleej Equity Fund, SICO’s fl agship GCC equity fund, has positioned itself strongly in Kuwaiti equities in order to take advantage of the foreign infl ows theme over the next 12 to 18 months. The fund has produced a return of 18% during the fi rst half of 2018, outperforming its bench-mark and peers.

Active investors benchmarked to both the FTSE and MSCI have started positioning themselves ahead of the upgrade, with net foreign infl ow reaching $ 400 mil-lion in the fi rst seven months of the year. It is estimated that the FTSE’s upgrade will attract $ 900 million in passive infl ows over two stages in September and December this year.

“However, it’s possible that the Kuwait market may remain on MSCI’s watch list for longer than anticipated before being upgraded. The UAE and Qatar, for example, were on the list for several years before they were fi nally upgraded in 2013.

Even if Kuwait’s transition doesn’t happen in 2019, it will still see MSCI-related foreign infl ows of around $ 500 million because of its higher weightage in the MSCI frontier market following Argen-

tina’s upgrade to an emerging mar-ket,” Sarwar added.

The Kuwaiti Exchange has taken signifi cant steps to increase the market’s attractiveness to foreign investors by upgrading its invest-ment infrastructure. Changes in-clude dividing its stocks into three segments based on market cap and liquidity.

In addition, companies in the premier market have been request-ed to hold quarterly analyst confer-ences and make fi lings in English and Arabic, which is an essential step in opening up the market to foreign investors. The clearing and settlement cycle has also improved following the introduction of a de-livery vs payment settlement pro-vision with a buy-in broad mecha-nism to prevent failed trades. A proper false trade mechanism was also presented, which limited the broker’s access to investors’ cus-tody accounts and the settlement cycle to T+3 for both local and for-eign investors. How these changes are implemented and practiced will be an important factor in the market’s upgrade by MSCI.

On the macro front, Kuwait stands on fi rmer ground given its lowest budget breakeven oil price of only $ 55 versus $ 80 to 100 for most to its GCC peers. In its 2018-2019 budget, Kuwait forecasted a defi cit of $ 17 billion based on an average oil price of $ 50 per bar-rel, while Brent has averaged over $ 70 so far this year. Loan growth is expected to pick up in 2019 on the back of higher government spend-ing.

According to Kuwait Construc-tion Week, the country has over 700 active projects worth an es-timated value of $ 230 billion, of which 58% are under construction. The top construction developments include a USD 12 billion new refi n-ery, a $ 4.5 billion airport expan-sion, and a $1 billion housing pro-ject in South Al Mutlaa City.

Shakeel Sarwar


23

Thyssenkrupp chiefs give green light for breakup

German industrial conglomerate Thyssenk-rupp should be split into two separate firms, the group’s supervisory board agreed Sunday, meaning only the shareholders’ go-ahead is needed to break up the economic giant.

With a unanimous vote in favour, Thyssen-krupp “is taking a courageous step forward” with “a convincing plan,” newly elected non-executive chairman Bernhard Pellens said in a statement.

Essen-based Thyssenkrupp has been in turmoil since the summer, when its chief executive and supervisory board chairman

both quit in quick succession.“We can now finally give our employees a

clear orientation for the future of the compa-ny,” said Guido Kerkhoff, who was confirmed as chief executive after filling the role on an interim basis since former boss Heinrich Hiesinger threw in the towel. “Our solution is responsible and equally serves the interests of employees, customers and shareholders.”

Activist investors like Swedish investment firm Cevian and US hedge fund Elliott have been pushing for a split between TK’s steel-making arm, recently merged with the Eu-

ropean operations of India’s Tata, and the industrial side of the business, which makes products from elevators to submarines and car parts.

The shareholders argue that the division would unlock value for investors, which the markets appeared to confirm Thursday when Thyssenkrupp stock soared after the execu-tive board announced the plan.

Supervisory board approval means that it only remains for the shareholders to green-light the restructuring at a general meeting. (AFP)

In this file photo, people walk past the company logo in front of the headquarters of German heavy in-dustry giant Thyssen-krupp AG in Essen, western Germany. (AFP)

Sam Jauhari (ABCK Board Member), Samira AlRayes (American International School), Esra Cavdarli Menke (Execu-tive Director, ABCK), Didier Jardin (Four Seasons Hotel).

ABCK Board Members with Ambassador H.E. Lawrence R. Silverman.

Oswaldo Rueda, Chairman, Ameri-can Business Council Kuwait.

HE Lawrence R. Silverman, US Ambassador to Kuwait.

In this file photo, a cargo truck drives amid stacked shipping containers at the Yangshan port in Shanghai. China’s export orders shrank in September as a tariff battle with Washington over technology escalated, adding to down-ward pressure on the world’s No. 2 economy, two surveys showed, Sept 30, 2018. The reports add to signs Chi-nese trade, which had held up despite US President Donald Trump’s tariff hikes, might be weakening. That adds to pressure on an economy that already was forecast to cool due to slowing global consumer demand and lending

controls imposed to rein in a debt boom. (AP)

Khaled Al-Rashed, Francorp Kuwait.

ABCK Chairman sheds light on expansion plans for the business council

Organizations urge redoubled efforts: report

American Business Council back to business at full speed

Failure to reform trade rules fuels tensionsWASHINGTON, Sept 30, (AFP): Long-delayed reforms to the global trading system have sparked an increase in tensions among major economies, and derailed the eco-nomic benefits most often felt by the poor, according to a new report released Sunday.

The failure to continue to adjust global trade rules in the last two decades, particularly in agriculture and services, has undermined the potential to boost growth and re-duce poverty, according to the joint report by the International Mon-etary Fund, World Trade Organiza-tion and World Bank.

The organizations are urging redoubled efforts to accelerate re-forms, especially in the WTO, to salvage the economic benefits of trade, which have stalled, and en-sure the prosperity is shared more widely.

“The system of global trade rules that has nurtured unprecedented economic growth across multiple generations faces tensions,” the re-port said.

“Though only recently brought to the fore, those tensions are root-ed in issues that have been left un-resolved for too long.”

US President Donald Trump capitalized on the rising antago-nism towards globalization in his campaign for the White House and since taking office has pursued a confrontational trade policy that has imposed steep tariffs on allies and adversaries without distinction.

Trump also harshly criticized the WTO, saying it has allowed China to exploit the rules and been unfair to the United States.

The IMF has warned that the trade confrontations are a serious risk to the global economy that could undermine economic growth.

And a WTO report last week said global trade would be slower than

previously expected, as escalat-ing trade tensions “will slow trade growth for the rest of this year and in 2019.”

Despite raising living standards around the world since the end of World War II, trade reforms stalled in the early 2000s and remain in-complete while domestic policies continue to impede trade, the joint report said.

Global trade volumes grew about seven percent annually in the 1990s - double the rate of global GDP growth - but slowed sharply in the years before the 2008 financial cri-sis.

A critical issue has been the failure to adjust rules to reflect the dominance in trade of services, in-cluding ecommerce, which now ac-count for two-thirds of global GDP and employment, and half of global trade, the report said.

Services are key to trade in goods as well, since manufactur-ing relies on many services to bring their products to market.

“The current focus on trade ten-sions threatens to obscure the great untapped benefits possible from further trade reform,” the report said.

KUWAIT CITY, Sept 30: Mem-bers of the American business community held a successful meeting to kick start a busy year at the Four Seasons Hotel Burj Al Shaya.

Chairman of the Board for the American Business Council (ABCK), Oswaldo Rueda ad-dressed the distinguished guests, “Welcome to our Annual Back to Business Networking Meet-ing and a special welcome to our Ambassador HE Lawrence H. Silverman this evening’”. Rueda talked about the expansion plans for the business council while highlighting the major achieve-ments in the past. “We have a new board in place whose focus is to revamp the benefits we of-fer to our business community through our membership. Our mission is to become the most recognized business council in the region.”

Rueda then called on the stage Silverman, US Ambassador to Kuwait, for his address to the members of the community. Am-bassador Silverman briefed the guests on the recent visit of the Amir to Washington on Septem-ber 6 where he met with President Trump and also held a roundta-ble with the CEOs of leading US companies.

Ambassador Silverman said, “The Amir’s message to the CEOs was simple. Kuwait has a lot of development projects in process and they need the support of in-ternational companies to success-fully complete these projects.

He asked for US fi rms to ac-tively participate as Kuwait looks to utilize the latest, most effective technologies to develop new cit-ies, new roads, a new university, improve its power system and its airport, expand oil exploration and build new petrochemical fa-cilities and hospitals, develop the islands off the northern coast of Kuwait, and improve defense and cyber capabilities.

Our Embassy will continue to promote these opportunities to

China factory sectorhurt in Sept: survey

Trade frictions bite

BEIJING, Sept 30, (RTRS): Growth in China’s manu-facturing sector sputtered in September as both exter-nal and domestic demand weakened, two surveys showed on Sunday, raising the pressure on policymak-ers as US tariffs appear to be inflicting a heavier toll on the Chinese economy.

A private survey showed growth in the factory sector stalled after 15 months of expansion, with export orders falling the fastest in over two years, while an offi cial survey confi rmed a further manufacturing weakening.

Taken together, the business activ-ity gauges - the fi rst major readings on China’s economy for September - con-fi rm consensus views that the world’s second-largest economy is continuing to cool, which is likely to prompt Chinese policymakers to roll out more growth-support measures in coming months.

“We should make policy preparations as the external pressure on the economy is rising and it will increase further next year,” said Tang Jianwei, Senior Econo-mist at Bank of Communications in Shanghai.

Some cushion for the slowing econ-omy might come from services, which account for more than half of China’s economy. The offi cial non-manufac-turing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), released by the National Bu-reau of Statistics on Sunday, showed services expanded at a faster rate in September.

For manufacturing, the offi cial index fell to a seven-month low of 50.8 in Sep-tember, from 51.3 in August and below a Reuters poll forecast of 51.2. That in-dex has stayed above the 50-point mark, which divides expansion from contrac-tion, 26 straight months.

But the Caixin/Markit Manufacturing

China’s cbank to keep ‘prudent’ monetary policy amid trade warBEINJING, Sept 30, (AFP): China’s central bank said Saturday it will maintain its “prudent and neutral” monetary policy while keeping an ample level of liquidity amid a trade war with the United States.

The yuan’s exchange rate and market expectations remain gener-ally stable, giving the world’s sec-ond largest economy a stronger ability to counter external shocks, the People’s Bank of China said af-ter its third-quarter monetary policy committee meeting, according to the official Xinhua news agency.

Amid warnings about China’s massive debt mountain, the bank said it will “guide reasonable growth in credit” and continue to deepen fi-nancial reform.

China has been locked in an in-tensifying trade conflict with the US, which unleashed a new wave of tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese goods on Monday, with Beijing tar-geting $60 billion in American prod-

ucts in response.Premier Li Keqiang acknowl-

edged last week that China is fac-ing “greater difficulties” in maintain-ing steady growth in the face of the US onslaught, but he voiced con-fidence in its ability to “overcome obstacles”.

Analysts say a sharp deprecia-tion of the yuan has helped China weather the tariffs storm by making its exports cheaper.

But Chinese officials have re-jected accusations that Beijing is manipulating its currency.

US President Donald Trump, who has now hit $250 billion in Chinese goods, has threatened to strike at another $267 billion – es-sentially hitting all Chinese exports.

China would struggle to keep up with tariffs as it imported only $130 billion in American goods last year. It has so far imposed tariffs on $110 billion in products from the United States.

Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) fell more than expected to 50.0 from 50.6 in August. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast 50.5 on average.

For the private survey, September was the fi rst time China’s factories had not seen business improve since May 2017, when activity contracted.

The offi cial data covers a much larger number of companies, while the private poll focuses more on small and medium-sized fi rms, which are vital to China’s job creation. Chinese offi cials have pledged to prevent extensive job losses as trade risks mount.

In the Caixin survey, new export orders - an indicator of future activity - contracted at the fastest pace since Feb-ruary 2016, with companies attributing the shrinking orders to trade frictions

and subsequent tariffs. In the offi cial survey, the new ex-

port orders sub-index fell to 48.0 from 49.4 in August, contracting for a fourth straight month.

“Expansion across the manufacturing sector weakened in September, as ex-ports increasingly dragged down perfor-mance and continued softening demand began to have an impact on companies’ production,” said Zhengsheng Zhong, Director of Macroeconomic Analysis at CEBM Group.

“Downward pressure on China’s economy was signifi cant,” said Zhong.

Tang of Bank of Communications said he expects China’s economic growth to slow to 6.6 percent in the third quarter from 6.7 percent in April-June.

US businesses and work with the Kuwaiti government to ensure that US companies have a fair and equal opportunity to win these government contracts.”

He added that the US Embassy is now working hard on the up-coming 3rd Strategic Dialogue, which is an annual government to government forum chaired by the Secretary of State and the Minis-ter of Foreign Affairs to discuss different areas of cooperation within the bilateral relationship.

Ambassador Silverman added that United States encouraged Ku-wait to sign on to the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement, which they did earlier this year.

Once fully implemented this should result in a signifi cant sav-

ings for US exporters as processes are streamlined, goods clear cus-toms more quickly, with more clear and accessible export and import regulations, increased au-tomation, and a harmonization of processes and standards.

In 2017 US exports to Kuwait reached an all-time high, and for the fi rst-time ever the United States had a trade surplus with Kuwait.

As the sole sponsor of this an-nual meeting, Francorp Kuwait CEO, Khaled Al-Rashed took the stage to present his company’s achievements in the past and its future plans.

Guests enjoyed a buffet dinner and the chance to make new con-tacts within the American busi-ness community in Kuwait.

World Trade Organization (WTO) chief Roberto Azevedo answers questions after addressing the au-dience during a conference orga-nized by the Federation of German

Industries (BDI) in Berlin. (AFP)


24

German carmakers may offer diesel upgrade vouchers in compromise

German carmakers may offer owners of vehicles affected by driving bans vouch-ers for hardware upgrades by suppliers such as Baumot or HJS, German daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) reported on Friday, without citing sourc-es.

That would be a compromise between some German politicians who want BMW, Daimler and Volkswagen to pay for the cost of making older diesel vehi-cles cleaner and the carmakers who say hardware retrofi ts would be much too

expensive. The report by FAZ comes ahead of a diesel summit at the German chancellery on Friday, in which the gov-ernment will try to agree by an end-Sep-tember deadline a way to tackle pollution from diesel vehicles without resorting to further driving bans.

Any solution is likely to cost several bil-lion euros, and Transport Minister Andre-as Scheuer said this week his plan would not require taxpayer funds or money from the car owners, putting the onus on carmakers instead.

A coalition committee is to meet on Monday to sign off on any decisions.

FAZ said the voucher scheme would apply to some diesel vehicles meet-ing the Euro 5 emissions standard and would cover 80 percent of the cost of upgrades, up to a maximum level of 3,000 euros ($3,500) per vehicle, FAZ said.

Older vehicles meeting the Euro 4 standard would not be covered, but their owners would be offered incentives to swap their vehicles for new ones. (RTRS)

In this fi le photo, visitors sur-round a BMW Z4 Concept during the fi rst media day of the Interna-tional Frankfurt Motor Show IAA

in Frankfurt, Germany. Doubts about diesel, Brexit, trade worries, tighter emissions controls. Those are the challenges that will be on

the minds of auto executives when they gather this week ahead of the

Paris Motor Show, starting with off-site events on Oct 1 followed by two days of vehicle unveilings and

news conferences at the pavilion before the show opens to the pub-

lic from Oct 4 to Oct 14. (AP)

Brexit negotiations remain turbulent

Fed raises interest rates, expects one more hike in 2018Report prepared by NBK

United States

The US central bank took center stage last week as it raised interest

rates for the eighth time since the Fed began normalizing policy in December 2015. The Federal Reserve raised rates by another 25 basis points on Wednes-day, lifting the upper target for its key rate to 2.25%.

Despite ongoing escalation by the Trump administration, the Fed made no reference to trade worries in its post-meeting statement. On the contrary, the Fed asserted its expectations that the US economy will grow by more than 3% this year, citing an uplift in business activity and solid job gains. Median forecasts released by the Fed’s policy-makers pointed to one more rate rise this year, followed by three increases in 2019 and another in 2020, in line with previous expectations.

The rate hike, which the market was expecting, came as no surprise. Nei-ther did Trump’s criticism. In the past, Trump has made it known that he is not a fan of the ongoing rate hikes imple-mented by the Federal Reserve and has publicly voiced his disapproval on nu-merous occasions.

Nevertheless, the Fed’s decision was not only the thing on the president’s

mind. Trump’s Supreme Court nomi-nation has directly led to an incredible bipartisan showdown in the Senate, for the simple reason that this nominee will have the power to sway signifi cant decisions by locking in a conservative majority on America’s highest court. Additionally, the president has also continued to lock horns with China over trade disputes that have shown no signs of slowing down.

As oil prices broke $80 for the fi rst time in 4 years, Trump also took aim at OPEC as he spoke in front of the UN General Assembly on Tuesday. Trump told the UN that OPEC mem-bers were “as usual ripping off the rest of the world” and that the US was “not going to put up with these hor-rible prices much longer”. Trump’s rhetoric has added fuel to the so called NOPEC bill. This piece of legislation, if passed, would effectively allow open

up OPEC to antitrust lawsuits by the US Government. In the past, chances of such a bill becoming law have been slim as both Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama threatened to use their veto power to prevent it be-coming law. Now however, the risk for OPEC is that Trump could break with this precedent.

A dysfunctional administration with an absurd rate of staff turnover, a spe-cial counsel investigation that has found guilty countless associates of his, and an upcoming midterm election that may prove fatal to his presidency are only some of the items on Trump’s agenda. At the moment, it seems that the presi-dent may be spreading himself too thin and the path of the Fed could very well be the least of his worries.

Meanwhile, US consumer confi -dence recorded its highest level in about 18 years as it rose to 138.4 for

September up from 134.7 in August. Supported by a strong economy and robust job growth, the high confi dence levels reveal sentiment on current eco-nomic conditions and prospects for the next 6 months, including business and labor market conditions. Manufactur-ing activity also rose to the highest level in 14 years in August, along with the economy growing at a pace of 4% last quarter. Even though economists have warned that the trade war between the US and China will possibly be accom-panied by job losses and higher prices for consumers, such fi gures reveals in-creasing confi dence in the economy.

UK & EuropeTowards the end of the week, the

Euro fell below 1.1600 for the fi rst time in two weeks after Italy’s government agreed a budget seen by some investors as defying Brussels. Italy’s populist co-

alition followed through with campaign promises as they emerged victorious in a tense stand-off with Giovanni Tria, Italy’s economy minister. The coun-try’s new budget will aim for a defi cit of 2.4% of GDP, a number far higher than the target of the economy minister, and one that risks putting Rome on a colli-sion course with Brussels and unnerv-ing fi nancial markets. Turbulence in Italy along with weaker than expected infl ation data were enough to drive the Euro to a low of 1.1566. On the other hand, the dollar proceeded to rise sharp-ly, setting an 10-month high against the Japanese yen.

The British Prime Minister Theresa May has demanded the bloc “treat the UK with respect” in regards to Brexit negotiations, re-iterating her warning that a no-deal Brexit is better than a bad deal. She told European leaders it was “not acceptable to simply reject” her plan as the stalemate in negotia-tions deepened. May is facing opposi-tion from several fronts in regards to her Brexit plan as the March deadline for an agreement approaches. Members with-in her party have launched an alterna-tive plan for leaving the European Un-ion in an effort to force May out of her Chequers deal attempt. Former Brexit Secretary David Davis quit in July due to disagreements with May, and is now

backing the proposal for a “more ag-gressive” strategy towards EU negotia-tions which involve opening trade talks with other countries around the world.

AsiaMeanwhile, the Chinese government

has called off previously planned talks with US offi cials, claiming that Presi-dent Trump’s threats of further tariffs are blocking any chance for negotia-tions between the two economic pow-ers. The comments were made follow-ing the imposition of duties on $200 billion of Chinese products as President Trump gives no indication of backing down. Trump continues to insist on unfair trading practices, while Beijing has signaled that discussions will only be possible after the US midterm elec-tions in November. In total, Trump has imposed tariffs on $250 billion of Chi-nese goods, while the Chinese govern-ment has retaliated with $110 billion in US products. If Trump were to follow through on his threat on tariffs worth $267 billion, that would cover the total amount of imports from China.

KuwaitKuwaiti DinarUSD/KWD opened at 0.30310 on

Sunday morning.

Rates – 30th September, 2018Previous Week Levels This Week’s Expected Range 3-Month

Currencies Open Low High Close Minimum Maximum Forward

EUR 1.1749 1.1566 1.1815 1.1608 1.1385 1.1740 1.1700GBP 1.3066 1.2998 1.3217 1.3028 1.2785 1.3160 1.3089JPY 112.56 112.26 113.70 113.68 111.65 115.50 112.85CHF 0.9583 0.9574 0.9820 0.9819 0.9640 1.0010 0.9734

Photo from the award ceremony.

Proof of the Bank’s excellence in innovation and technology

NBK wins 3 awards from Global FinanceKUWAIT CITY, Sept 30: National Bank of Kuwait, the leading fi nan-cial institution in Kuwait, received 3 awards: the “Best Consumer Digi-tal Bank- Kuwait” the “Best Mobile Banking App- Kuwait” and the “Best in Mobile Banking Kuwait” from New York- Global Finance magazine. In an award ceremony held in Dubai, Global Finance announced the fi rst round winners for the 2018 best digi-tal banks in the Middle East.

Recognizing NBK’s continuing initiatives to adapt to its clients’ fast-paced lifestyle, the awards refl ect the Bank’s ability to excel in innovative digital services and to invest in Op-erations and IT.

Winners were evaluated by a world-class panel of judges at Info-sys, a global leader in consulting, technology and outsourcing. Global Finance editors were responsible for the fi nal selection of winners in the First Round.

Dimitrios Kokosioulis, DCEO, Group Head of Operations & IT at NBK said “It is our pleas-ure to be recognized and to receive three awards related to innovation and digitalization. This is the result of the commitment and dedication from NBK valuable team members who strive for excellence.”

He added, NBK digital transfor-mation efforts are increasingly gain-ing global recognition. We started the transformation early compared to many of our peers, and we have made huge progress. In these developed markets, banking industry becomes more diverse and high-tech which in turn prompts us to keep pace with the innovations and technological ad-vances. It will always be our goal to keep NBK at the forefront of innova-tion and being future-proof.”

Winning banks were selected based on the following criteria: strength of strategy for attracting and servicing digital customers, success in getting

clients to use digital offerings, growth of digital customers, breadth of prod-uct offerings, evidence of tangible benefi ts gained from digital initia-tives, and web/mobile site design and functionality.

For example, “NBK mobile bank-ing app” was selected based on the relative strength and its success as a product and service.

Mohammad Al Kharafi , GM, Group Head of Operations at NBK said: “We are honored to receive three awards from Global Finance, “Best Consumer Digital Bank” the “Best Mobile Banking App” in Kuwait, and the “Best in Mobile Banking Kuwait” confi rming the Bank’s aim to main-

tain its leading position and adopt the best innovations in the technology world to enhance customer experi-ence.”

He added: “NBK offers many ser-vices through NBK Mobile Banking App and Watani On line (WOL), as well as many other products. With the new services implemented, such as SWIFT GPI (NBK was the fi rst bank to go live in Kuwait), cross bor-der payments can be implemented in minutes instead of 3 days. In addition NBK was the fi rst bank in the MENA region and second bank in the world to commercially launch Selfi e pay in co-operation with MasterCard, where a card holder can authenticate his on-line transactions using his biometrics, either face ID or fi ngerprint scan. Also, NBK was the fi rst bank in the GCC to do a pilot for biometric card with MasterCard, where a customer can use his fi ngerprint on the card it-self, rather than having to use a Pin. NBK was also the fi rst bank in Ku-wait to provide contactless wearables through the Tap &Pay service”.

True to its strategy promise of “Mo-bile First”, NBK continues to develop the best fi nancial solutions that address the needs of its developed market. To know more about the NBK Mobile Banking App, please visit the website www.nbk.com.

The winners of the Global Fi-nance Best Digital Bank Awards are chosen based on entries provided by fi nancial institutions. Entrants are judged on breadth of product offer-ings, success in migrating customers to digital platforms, acquiring and re-taining new customers, and the use of digital technologies to improve busi-ness processes, cut costs and deliver other benefi ts. Each entry is analysed by a team of digital and banking ex-perts at Infosys, our judging partner for The Best Digital Bank Awards. All fi nal selections are the responsi-bility of Global Finance.

■ ‘Best Consumer Digi-tal Bank’, ‘Best Mobile Banking App’ and ‘Best in Mobile Banking’ in Ku-wait

■ NBK digital transfor-mation efforts are gain-ing global recognition

■ Winners were evalu-ated by a world-class panel of judges

■ NBK started the trans-formation early com-pared to many of the peers

■ NBK mobile banking app was selected based on the strength and its success.

ASEAN’s external balances a mixed bagRecovery in oil prices a major drag on trade balances

Report prepared by QNB

The current account is a key con-cept in macroeconomic analy-

sis. It stands for exports and im-ports of currently produced goods, services, and income fl ows to and from foreign residents. The balance therefore captures the extent to which a country is either accumu-lating net foreign assets or issuing foreign liabilities, ie if they are a net borrower or lender to the rest of the world.

The current account balance is usually dominated by trade in goods and services, but also includes so-called ‘primary and second-ary’ incomes. The fi rst tends to be spearheaded by investment income, while the latter by remittances from workers residing overseas.

Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam – who we refer to in aggregate as ‘ASE-AN-5’ – are a mixed bag in terms of their current account positions.

Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam are persistent net lenders to the rest of the world. In 2017, their current account surpluses as a percentage of GDP amounted to 10.8%, 3.0% and 4.1%, respectively.

Thailand’s large surplus is the re-sult of four years of improvements in the external accounts. Malaysia’s current account surplus reached the recent level after a gradual reduc-tion since the post-Lehman peak of 10.9% in 2011. Vietnam began to run current account surpluses more recently in 2011, when the impact of structural reforms such as trade and foreign ownership liberaliza-tion started to kick in.

The Philippines used to run a surplus but current account tipped into slightly negative territory since 2015. In 2017, the current account defi cit amounted to 0.4% of GDP. The country has an unusual cur-rent account structure as large trade defi cits are often combined with big infl ows of remittances from the expansive community of Philippine expatriate workers. While for most of the 2000s remittances tended to outstrip trade defi cits, accelerating GDP growth has reversed this dy-namic since 2013.

With a defi cit amounting to 1.7% of GDP last year, Indonesia is the

only serial current account defi -cit country in the ASEAN-5. The country became a net borrower in 2011 when net hydrocarbon exports turned negative on the back of a secular decline in crude oil produc-tion capacity.

Despite their differences, all ASE-AN-5 countries except for Vietnam have witnessed their current ac-counts deteriorate in recent quarters. The trade balance has inevitably been the key driver. While exports have benefi ted from the world trade rebound, increasing by 43% from their trough in January 2016, imports have seen even stronger growth; up 47% during the same period.

Three common factors are in play. First, our ASEAN-5 weighted aggregate for GDP growth has seen its fastest growth in four years in re-cent quarters. Growth has peaked at 5.5% y/y in Q1 2018 before cooling somewhat to 5.3% in Q2. Robust activity naturally prompts import growth, which is ‘elastic’ with re-spect to demand.

Second, the ASEAN-5 is a net importer of crude oil. Except for Malaysia, the other four countries are net importers. In fact, the net oil position of the region has dete-riorated considerably over the last eight years. During this period, both Indonesia and Vietnam transi-tioned from being net oil exporters to becoming net oil importers. Ac-cordingly, ASEAN’s trade balance is vulnerable to higher oil prices.

The recovery in oil prices has been a major drag on trade bal-ances. Brent crude prices averaged $4/b in 2016, $55/b in 2017 and $71/b in H1 2018. Brent’s recent move above $80/b suggests even higher import bills to come in the next few months.

Third, a new generation of capi-tal expenditure programmes have kicked in in the Philippines, Indo-nesia and Thailand. Investment in infrastructure and other fi xed assets has a high import content, ensur-ing that capex booms have led to a surge in the imports of capital goods.

While the deteriorating trade bal-ances spill over to the overall cur-rent account positions, Thailand and Malaysia continued to run large

surpluses of $9.5bn and $1.8bn, re-spectively, in Q2 2018. Vietnam data is only available for Q1, when it registered a $3.4bn surplus.

Not surprisingly, the ASEAN surplus economies have been less affetcted by the recent pressure over EM currencies. Their currencies have all outperformed the J.P. Mor-gan EM Currency Index (EMCI), which tracks the movements of ten major EM currencies against the USD. YTD, the EMCI is down 11.1%, while the Thai Baht is up 0.6% and the Malaysian Ringgit is down 2.8% against the USD. The Vietnamese Dong, which is not a free fl oating currency, has devalued by a modest 2.0% so far this year.

By contrast, the defi cit countries of Indonesia and the Philippines have seen their currencies under greater pressure. The Indonesia Rupiah and the Philippine Peso are down 8.4% and 7.6%, respectively, against the USD in 2018.

In the Philippines, however, the current account defi cit remains modest, suggesting that fi nancing over the medium-term may be less problematic.

Indonesia is the ASEAN econo-my that is more vulnerable to sud-den changes in global liquidity and capital fl ows. Bank Indonesia (BI) has undertaken what the BI gov-ernor called a ‘preemptive, front-loaded and ahead of the curve’ ap-proach. The policy rate is up 150bp so far this year and is expected to increase more, which should help limit portfolio outfl ows, especially from the bond markets. Moreover, the government has also announced several measures to prop up exter-nal revenues and curb imports, in-cluding an expansion in the cap for coal production, a more targeted approach to infrastructure spend-ing, an acceleration of the plans to mix domestic biodiesel into petrol, and the imposition of a 7.5% tariff on 500 different consumer goods.

In brief, current account bal-ances are deteriorating across the ASEAN-5, but generally speaking external accounts are healthy. In-donesia is the exception. As such, economic authorities in Jakarta are being more active in targeting defi -cits over the next quarters.


25

Saudi expects $11 bln infl ows

Saudi Arabia said it expects in-fl ows of around $11 billion into the country’s debt as a result of the inclusion of its interna-tional bond issues in JP Mor-gan’s emerging markets bond indexes.

Saudi Arabia, together with the United Arab Emirates, Qa-tar, Bahrain and Kuwait, will enter JP Morgan’s emerging market government bond in-

dexes next year, JP Morgan announced last week.

The move is expected to at-tract a total of around $30 bil-lion of new foreign investment into their debt.

The inclusion will be phased in between Jan 31 and Sept 30, 2019. The Saudi debt man-agement offi ce expects $11 billion of infl ows as a result of the entry into the indexes, the

Saudi ministry of fi nance said in a statement.

Saudi Arabia’s bonds will have a 3.1 percent weighting in the JP Morgan indexes. This “will add support to the investor base as well as improve liquid-ity levels for the government’s issues as well the issuances of government-owned compa-nies,” the fi nance ministry said.(RTRS)

Kuwait stocks wind upmonth in red territory

Humansoft Holding dips 50 fi ls; NBK gains

By John MathewsArab Times Staff

KUWAIT CITY, Sep 30: Kuwait stocks slipped into red on Sunday after charting a mixed course in the previous week. The All Shares Index dropped 10.48 points in choppy session to 5,128.04 points weighed by Humansoft Holding and some of the mid-caps even as bourse remained rudderless a week after its inclusion in FTSE Russell index.

The Prime Market eased 1.83 pts to 5,343.9 points and has gained 82 points during the month while Main Market dipped 26.4 points to 4735.6 points. The volume turnover meanwhile slipped again below the 100 million mark. Over 85 million shares changed hands – a 35 pct dip from the day before.

The sectors closed mostly in the red turf. Healthcare outshone the rest with 1 pct gain whereas insurance shed 1.4 percent, the worst performer of the day. Volume wise real estate mustered the highest markets share of 31 pct and fi nancial services fol-lowed with 27 percent contribution.

In the individual shares, Human-soft Holding tumbled 50 fi ls to KD 3.200 while KIPCO clipped 2 fi ls. Commercial Bank slipped 5 fi ls to 505 fi ls whereas National Bank of Kuwait rallied 6 fi ls on back of 4.5 million shares to 833 fi ls.

Zain fell 3 fi ls to 476 fi ls after trading over 4 million shares and Ooredoo shed 20 fi ls taking the month’s losses to 50 fi ls. Kuwait Telecommunications Co (VIVA) slipped 4 fi ls to 715 fi ls and Agility ticked 1 fi l into red.

The market opened fl at and moved sideways in early trade. The main in-dex rose briefl y to scale the day’s highest level of 5,148 pts almost an hour into the session and retreated thereafter as selling kicked in at select counters. It continued to drift lower and closed with small losses.

Top gainer of the day, Massaleh rallied 9.7 pct to 45 fi ls and Edu-cational Holding Co climbed 6.4 pct to stand next. KMEFIC slid 9.7 percent, the steepest decliner of the day and Aayan Real Estate topped the volume with 16.6 million shares.

Mirroring the day’s fall, the losers outnumbered the winners. 36 stocks advanced whereas 57 closed lower. Of the 115 counters active on Sun-day, 22 closed fl at. 4070 deals worth KD 13.18 million were transacted – down 37 pct in value from the day before.

National Industries Group was unchanged at 162 fi ls and Mez-zan Holding inched 1 fi l higher to 674 fi ls. Boubyan Petrochemical Co paused at KD 1.030 and Al Qurain Petrochemical Co gave up 4 fi ls to close at 342 fi ls. Equipment Holding Co dialed up 0.1 fi l to wind up at 28.3 fi ls.

Jazeera Airways stood pat at 749 fi ls and ALAFCO took in 1 fi l. Gulf Cable and ACICO were fl at at 386 fi ls and 211 fi ls respectively where-as Kuwait Foundry Co was down 8 fi ls at 185 fi l. Heavy Engineering Industries and Shipbuilding Co took in 1 fi l.

UPAC gained 10 fi ls and Com-bined Group Contracting Co dropped 14 fi ls to 355 fi ls. The com-pany’s second quarter profi ts surged 54.9 pct to KD 830,000 while during the fi rst six months earnings soared

153.3 pct to KD 2.66 mln. Kuwait Foundry Co dipped 8 fi ls

to 185 fi ls and ACICO was un-changed at 211 fi ls. KCPC ticked 1 fi l higher to 241 fi ls and IFA Hotels and Resorts fell 4.9 fi ls to 92.1 fi ls. EK Holding shed 4 fi ls and Inovest tripped 0.5 fi l.

Kuwait Portland Cement climbed 6 fi ls to KD 1.046 and Al Rai Media added 0.8 fi l. Kuwait and Gulf Link Transport Co gained 5 fi ls and KGL Logistics edged 0.9 fi l higher. EK Holding gave up 4 fi ls to close at 342 fi ls.

ClippedIn the banking sector, Gulf Bank

and Kuwait International Bank clipped 1 fi l each to close at 254 fi ls and 238 fi ls respectively whereas Burgan Bank closed fl at at 250 fi ls. Boubyan Bank inched 1 fi l higher to 562 fi ls.

Kuwait Finance House eased 1 fi l to 597 fi ls while Ahli United Bank and Warba Bank clipped 2 fi ls each to end at 212 fi ls and 234 fi ls re-spectively. Al Ahli Bank dropped slipped 4 fi ls to 291 fi ls and Al Mu-tahed was down 3 fi ls at 290 fi ls.

National Investment Co was un-changed at 84.5 fi ls whereas Kuwait Financial Centre (Markaz) climbed 4 fi ls to 104 fi ls. International Finan-cial Advisors and

Amwal Investment trimmed 0.1 fi l each whereas Al Mal Investment dialed up 18.3 fi ls.

Bayan Investment Co and Unicap paused at 49 fi ls and 60 fi ls respec-tively. Unicap ’s profi ts spiked 497 pct during the second quarter to KD 2.8 mln while during the fi rst six months the earnings soared 192.3 pct to KD 3.04 million.

Kuwait Investment Co ticked 1 fi l higher to 122 fi ls whereas GIH and Al Imtiaz Investment held ground at 17.5 fi ls and 129 fi ls respectively. Securities House tripped 0.2 fi l and Al Deera Holding inched 0.5 fi l into red.

Noor Financial Investment added 0.7 fi l and KMEFIC fell 3.3 fi ls to 30.5 fi ls. Kuwait Insurance Co skid-ded 19 fi ls to 305 fi ls and Gulf Insur-ance Co was down 5 fi ls at 635 fi ls.

Mabanee Co dialed up 2 fi ls whereas National Real Estate and Salhiya Real Estate paused at 103 fi ls and 330 fi ls respectively. United Real Estate trimmed 0.5 fi l and Ku-wait Real Estate Co fell 0.7 fi l to 46.3 fi ls.

The market was mixed during last week. The main index closed lower in three of the fi ve sessions shedding 9 points week-on-week and has lost 4 points during whole of Sept. Boursa Kuwait, with 176 listed stocks, is the second largest market in the region.

Aramco oil output capacity set to rise in Q4DUBAI, Sept 30, (RTRS): State oil giant Saudi Aramco will bring new crude output capacity of some 550,000 barrels per day (bpd) online in the fourth quarter from two fi elds - Khurais and Manifa - giving it the ability to boost production if there is demand, a source said.

The expansion of crude output capacity from Khurais fi eld, which produces light sour crude, will add around 250,000-300,000 barrels per day boosting the fi eld potential to 1.5 million bpd, one source familiar with the matter said.

The resumption of production from the giant Manifa fi eld, which pumps heavy sour oil, after resolv-ing some maintenance issues will

add another 300,000 bpd to Ara-mco’s crude output capacity, the source said. Saudi Aramco declined to comment.

Saudi Arabia, the world’s larg-est oil exporter, is the only major producer with oil output capacity of about 12 million bpd. The addi-tional output increase will not raise Aramco’s capacity above the cur-rent 12 million bpd. But that would give the company more fl exibility to boost supplies and reach higher pro-duction levels sooner than before.

Saudi Arabia currently pumps around 10.5 million bpd and will quietly add extra oil to the market over the next couple of months to offset a drop in Iranian production.

Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said last week that produc-tion from Manifa would return to 900,000 bpd soon after a pipeline issue has been resolved which has caused output decline from the fi eld over the past months.

The Khurais expansion project is crucial to help Saudi Arabia sustain its spare capacity and help reduce pressure on ageing fi elds, long seen by the market as a crucial cushion that can balance the market during times of oversupply or shortage.

Spare capacity is the kingdom’s tool to allow it to raise output quick enough in case of any sudden supply outage or to keep oil prices in check.

Industries Qatar lifts Doha shares

Saudi up on oil, spending boostDUBAI, Sept 30, (RTRS): Saudi shares rose 1.3 percent on Sunday to their highest close in more than a month, fueled by an oil price rally and the kingdom’s plans to boost state spending.

The Saudi index closed at 7,999.5 points, the highest level since August 29, with petrochemicals giant Saudi Basic Industries closing 1.5 percent higher and refi ner Petro Rabigh up 2.6 percent. Banks also gained with Al Ra-jhi Bank up nearly 2 percent and Sam-ba Financial Group rising 1.1 percent

On Friday Brent crude futures rose $1 to settle at $82.72 a barrel, with the session high of $82.87 the contract’s highest since Nov 10, 2014.

In the third quarter, Brent has gained about 4 percent.

“The market was attractive at low-er levels with forward PE around 14 times, oil is above $80 now and news on the economy is positive with the government saying they are looking at increasing spending over the next few years,” said Muhammad Faisal Potrik, head of research at Riyad Capital.

Saudi Arabia’s government aims to increase spending by over 7 percent next year in an effort to boost sluggish economic growth, while continuing to cut its budget defi cit gradually, fi nance ministry fi gures released on Sunday showed.

A gain of more than 2.2 percent in Industries Qatar lifted Qatari stocks by 0.3 percent.

Stocks in oil producing countries are showing strong momentum with oil prices at a four-year high, as US sanc-tions on Tehran squeezed Iranian crude exports.

Kuwait and Russian stocks have also shown sharp gains in the last quar-ter. The Kuwait index, was fl at on Sun-day, is up nearly 9 percent this quarter.

The Dubai index gained 0.3 percent, helped by a 2.6 percent rise in contrac-tor Arabtec which has been riding high since announcing a 3.2 billion dirham ($871 million) contract earlier this month, won by a consortium involving one of its units.

Property fi rm DAMAC also climbed 2.5 percent ahead of a property show

this week where it is expected to show-case new offerings.

Abu Dhabi’s index was down 0.3 percent due to weakness in First Abu Dhabi Bank, but Bank of Sharjah closed 1.9 percent higher on merger talk.

Reuters, citing sources aware of matter, reported last week the Sharjah government is considering a possible merger between Bank of Sharjah, In-vest Bank and United Arab Bank that could create a lender with about 66.2 billion dirhams ($18 billion) of assets.

Dana Gas also gained 2.6 percent.Reem Investments, which listed

on Sunday on the secondary market, closed at 14 dirhams($3.81) after hit-ting a high of 16 dirhams in early trade.

Egyptian stocks closed fl at, but pri-vate equity fi rm Qalaa Holdings gained 4 percent after it reported a net profi t for the second-quarter period, revers-ing a net loss in the previous fi nancial year.

Saudi Arabia■ The index closed up 1.2 percent at

7,999.5 points

Dubai■ The index closed 0.3 percent up to

2,835 points.

Abu Dhabi■ The index fell 0.3 percent to 4,935

points.

Qatar■ The index added 0.3 percent to

9,813 points.

Kuwait■ The main index ended fl at at 5,344

points.

Bahrain■ The index dropped 0.8 percent to

1,339 points.

Oman■ The index rose 0.4 percent to

4,544 points.

Egypt■ The index ended fl at at 14,623

points.


26

Slack eyes 2019 IPO

Workplace collaboration software firm Slack is actively preparing for a share offering in early 2019, which be the largest in the tech sector since Snap’s debut last year, The Wall Street Journal reported Friday.

Citing unnamed sources, the newspaper said Slack is aiming for an initial public offering (IPO) in the first half of the year that would value the California startup at well above the $7.1 billion it reached in its most recent funding round.

The company declined to comment, with a spokes-man saying “Slack does not comment on rumors or speculation.” (RTRS)

Market cap posts monthly losses of more than KD15 million

Boursa Kuwait ends mixed during Sept as volume slips

Name: Kuwait Sharia

Compatible Indices

Providers: Al Madar Finance &

Investment Co.

Description: Index of Sharia

compatible companies traded on

the KSE

Website: www.almadar-fi.com

Bloomberg Today’s Today’s closing Prev closing % 1-week 3-month YTD 12-month 24-monthIndex name ticker value as of value value change change change change change change

Kuwait Sharia Compatible Index - Composite AMIC September 30, 2018 172.53 173.16 -0.37% 0.52% 4.63% 3.05% -5.38% 17.50%Kuwait Sharia Compatible Index - Kuwait Only AMIC September 30, 2018 167.82 168.46 -0.38% 0.54% 4.83% 3.65% -4.98% 18.35%Kuwait Sharia Compatible Index - Active AMIC September 30, 2018 71.88 72.07 -0.26% 0.25% 5.03% -3.33% -16.56% 2.45%Kuwait Sharia Compatible Index - Banking Sector AMIC September 30, 2018 318.29 318.94 -0.20% 0.65% 9.39% 14.44% 8.28% 39.95%Kuwait Sharia Compatible Index - Investment Sector AMIC September 30, 2018 50.28 50.29 -0.01% 0.88% 11.81% 5.14% -5.31% 7.04%Kuwait Sharia Compatible Index - Insurance Sector AMIC September 30, 2018 14.71 14.71 0.00% 6.03% 11.20% -32.25% -33.36% 0.07%Kuwait Sharia Compatible Index - Real Estate Sector AMIC September 30, 2018 46.43 46.59 -0.34% 0.33% 1.65% -2.10% -9.24% 1.41%Kuwait Sharia Compatible Index - Industrial Sector AMIC September 30, 2018 161.84 162.40 -0.35% 0.65% 5.97% 11.10% 7.98% 41.99%Kuwait Sharia Compatible Index - Services Sector AMIC September 30, 2018 207.56 208.77 -0.58% 0.50% 0.97% -5.21% -12.05% 21.25%Kuwait Sharia Compatible Index - Food Sector AMIC September 30, 2018 130.65 130.99 -0.26% -4.74% 3.06% -23.76% -54.94% -63.91%Kuwait Sharia Compatible Index - Islamic Sector AMIC September 30, 2018 147.36 147.61 -0.17% 0.68% 7.31% 9.58% 3.72% 34.63%Kuwait Sharia Compatible Index - Non Kuwaiti Sector AMIC September 30, 2018 324.90 325.12 -0.07% -0.08% -0.70% -15.13% -19.39% 0.46%S&P 500 SPX September 29, 2018 2,913.98 2,913.98 0.00% -0.54% 7.20% 8.43% 15.66% 34.20%DJ Islamic Index. DJIM September 29, 2018 3,863.38 3,866.19 -0.07% -0.12% 5.30% 6.23% 12.88% 29.28%

Report prepared by Bayan Investment Co

Boursa Kuwait ended September with mixed per-

formance. The Premier Market Index closed at 5,343.91 points, up by 1.56%, the Main Market Index decreased by 3.30% after closing at 4,735.62 points, whereas the All-Share Index closed at 5,128.04 points down by 0.08%. Furthermore, last month’s average daily turnover increased by 24.89%, compared to the preceding month, reaching KD 26.19 million, whereas trad-ing volume average was 105.04 million shares, recording a decrease of 0.21%.

The Premier Market Index suc-ceeded in recording relatively good gains supported by the pur-chasing activity that concentrat-ed on the leading companies’ stocks, especially the stocks that joined FTSE Russel Index by the end of last month, which drew many traders’ attention and acquired large percentage of the market cash liquidity, amid an optimism in the investment arena for an improved performance of such stocks, especially after the issuance of some reports that expected more pumping of for-eign cash liquidity into the mar-ket for the coming period due to the Boursa promotion into the Emerging Markets, which put it on the international map to attract more investments. On the other hand, the Main and All-Share indices performance did not go in the same direction as the Premier Market performance during the last month, as many listed stocks were subject to

National Bank of KuwaitMoney Market Funds Watani KD Money Market Fund II NBK Capital Weekly Sept 25, 2018 KD 1.049 1.048 Sept 4, 2018 Watani USD Money Market Fund NBK Global Asset Management Co. Ltd. Weekly Sept 25, 2018 USD 10.400 10.397 Sept 4, 2018 Watani KD Money Market Fund (Acc to Islamic Shariah principles) II NBK Global Asset Management Co. Ltd. Weekly Sept 25, 2018 KD 1.048 1.047 Sept 4, 2018 Watani USD Money Market Fund (Acc to Islamic Shariah principles) II NBK Global Asset Management Co. Ltd. Weekly Sept 25, 2018 USD 10.240 10.230 Sept 4, 2018 NBK Kuwait Equity Fund Watani Investment Co. Weekly Sept 20, 2018 KD 0.713 0.710 Aug 30, 2018 Gulf Equity Investment Fund Watani Investment Co. Weekly Sept 20, 2018 USD 12.505 12.735 Aug 30, 2018 Regional Bond and Sukuk Investment Fund NBK Capital Weekly Sept 20, 2018 USD 9.898 9.925 Aug 30, 2018—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Gulf Bank Al Basha’er GCC Equity Fund Kwt. Fin. & Inv. Co. & Gulf Fin. House Monthly May 31, 2018 USD 7.199 7.215 April 30, 2018 Coast Fund Coast Investment & Dev. Co. Monthly June 30, 2018 KD 0.676 0.655 May 31, 2018 Markaz Real Estate Fund Bi-annual Aug 31, 2018 KD 1.362 1.363 July 31, 2018—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Al Ahli Bank Al Ahli Gulf Fund Al Ahli Bank Monthly July 31, 2018 KD 1.027 1.021 June 30, 2018 Al Ahli Kuwaiti Fund Al Ahli Bank Monthly July 31, 2018 KD 0.852 0.803 June 30, 2018—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Burgan Bank Burgan Equity Fund Burgan Bank Monthly April 30, 2018 KD 1.859 1.889 March 31, 2018—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Boubyan Bank Boubyan KD Money Market Fund Boubyan Bank Weekly April 17, 2018 KD 1.074 1.074 April 3, 2018 Boubyan KD Money Market Fund II Boubyan Bank Weekly Sept 25, 2018 KD 1.032 1.031 Aug 28, 2018—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Boubyan Capital Investment Co. Boubyan USD Liquidity Fund Boubyan Capital Investment Co Sept 25, 2018 USD 10.401 10.380 Aug 28, 2018 Boubyan Multi-Asset Holding Fund Boubyan Bank Sept 3 2018 USD 11.336 11.331 Aug 28, 2018—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Kuwait Investment Co.Local Fund Al Raed Fund Kuwait Investment Co Weekly Aug 16, 2018 KD 1.091 1.088 Aug 2, 2018 Kuwait Investment Fund Kuwait Investment Co Weekly May 31, 2018 KD 0.750 0.759 April 30, 2018 Al Hilal Fund Kuwait Investment Co Monthly Aug 20, 2018 KD 0.730 0.730 Aug 6, 2018 Al Atheer Fund Kuwait Investment Co Weekly June 30, 2018 KD 1.032 1.013 May 31, 2018International Global Bond Fund Kuwait Investment Co Weekly March 21, 2018 USD 26.270 26.350 March 14, 2018 Diversified Fund Kuwait Investment Co Weekly May 31, 2018 USD 20.680 20.640 May 8, 2018 European Fund Kuwait Investment Co Weekly May 31, 2018 Euro 21.520 21.080 April 30, 2018 Pacific Equity Fund Kuwait Investment Co Weekly March 21, 2018 USD 33.440 33.210 March 14, 2018 North American Equity Fund Kuwait Investment Co Tw. Monthly March 29, 2018 USD 19.300 19.540 Feb 28, 2018—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

National Investment Co. (NIC) Al-Wataniya Fund NIC Monthly July 31, 2018 KD 0.630 0.592 June 30, 2018 Al-Darij Fund NIC Monthly July 31, 2018 KD 0.383 0.367 June 30, 2018 Mawarid Fund NIC Monthly July 31, 2018 KD 0.519 0.511 June 30, 2018 Zajil Fund NIC Monthly July 31, 2018 KD 0.768 0.772 June 30, 2018 Al Mada Investment Fund NIC Weekly July 31, 2018 USD 0.851 0.830 June 30, 2018—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Kuwait Financial Centre (Markaz) Mumtaz Fund Kuwait Financial Center Weekly Sept 20, 2018 KD 4.590 4.622 Sept 13, 2018 MIDAF Kuwait Financial Center Weekly Sept 20, 2018 KD 3.515 3.539 Sept 13, 2018 Islamic Fund Kuwait Financial Center Weekly Sept 20, 2018 KD 1.723 1.735 Sept 13, 2018 FORSA Financial Fund Kuwait Financial Center Monthly June 31, 2018 KD 0.996 1.004 April 30, 2018 Real Estate Fund Kuwait Financial Center Monthly July 31, 2018 KD 1.363 1.365 June 30, 2018 Markaz Fixed Income Fund Kuwait Financial Center Monthly April 26, 2018 USD 11.590 11.610 April 19, 2018 Mawazeen International Fund Kuwait Financial Center Weekly March 26, 2018 USD 9.050 9.140 March 19, 2017 Markaz MENA Islamic Fund Kuwait Financial Center Weekly April 12, 2018 USD 11.280 11.280 March 15, 2018

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Kuwait & Middle East Financial & Inv. Co. Al Rou’yah Fund KMEFIC Monthly May 31, 2018 KD 1.239 1.359 Nov 30, 2017—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Global Investment HouseIndex Funds GCC Large Cap Index Fund Global Weekly June 21 2018 KD 1.271 1.271 June 14, 2018Equity Funds Al-Mamoun Fund A Global Weekly June 21, 2018 KD 0.688 0.690 June 14, 2018 Al-Mamoun Fund B Global Weekly June 21, 2018 KD 0.688 0.690 June 14, 2018 GCC Large Cap Fund Global Bi-weekly June 26, 2018 USD 163.421 161.626 June 14, 2018 Global Saudi Equity Fund Global Bi-weekly June 26, 2018 SAR 261.769 263.154 June 24, 2018Sectoral Funds EPADI Fund Global Weekly June 26, 2018 USD 111.027 110.823 June 14, 2018Islamic Funds Global GCC Islamic Fund Global Weekly June 26, 2018 USD 106.094 106.812 June 14, 2018 Al-Durra Islamic Fund Global Monthly June 21, 2018 KD 1.289 1.291 June 14, 2018—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Kuwait Finance & Investment Co (KFIC) Al Wasm Fund KFIC Weekly June 30, 2018 KD 0.434 0.436 June 26, 2018 Al Basha’er GCC Equity Fund KFIC Monthly June 30, 2018 USD 7.259 7.199 May 31, 2018—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

KAMCO KAMCO Investment Fund KAMCO Monthly April 30, 2018 KD 1.144 1.143 Feb 28, 2018 KAMCO Real Estate Yield Fund KAMCO Aug 30, 2018 USD 9.060 9.030 July 31, 2018—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Wafra International Investment Co. Wafra Equity Fund Wafra Co. Monthly June 30, 2018 KD 0.943 0.911 May 31, 2018 Wafra Bond Fund Wafra Co. Monthly June 30, 2018 KD 1.024 1.020 May 31, 2018 Masaref Investment Fund ISKAN Weekly June 30, 2018 KD 1.040 1.018 May 31, 2018 Fajir Islamic Fund Wafra Co. Monthly June 30, 2018 KD 0.722 0.695 May 31, 2018—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Al Aman Investment Al Aman Islamic Fund Al Aman Investment Weekly May 31, 2018 KD 0.329 0.326 Dec 30, 2017—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Tharwa Investment Co. Tharwa Investment Fund Tharwa Investment Co Weekly May 31, 2018 KD 1.131 1.563 Feb 1, 2018 Tharwa Islamic Fund Tharwa Investment Co Monthly May 31, 2018 KD 0.656 0.635 Feb 1, 2018—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Bank Al-Bilad Al Seef Fund Bank Al-Bilad Daily Aug 26, 2018 KD 0.464 0.463 Aug 6, 2018—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Commercial International Bank CIB Money Market Fund (Osoul) CI Asset Management Weekly Sept 24, 2018 EGP 347.960 347.020 Sept 17, 2018 CIB II Equity (Isthethmar) CI Asset Management Weekly Sept 24, 2018 EGP 192.530 201.070 Sept 17, 2018 CIB and Faisal Islamic Al Aman CI Asset Management Weekly Sept 24, 2018 EGP 100.570 106.280 Sept 17, 2018 Hemaya CI Asset Management Weekly Sept 2, 2018 EGP 214.730 212.630 Aug 1, 2018 Thabat CI Asset Management Weekly Sept 24, 2018 EGP 222.370 221.640 Sept 17, 2018 Takamol CI Asset Management Weekly Sept 24, 2018 EGP 174.040 178.870 Sept 17, 2018 Misr El Mostakbel CI Asset Management Weekly Sept 23, 2018 EGP 24.830 26.770 Sept 16, 2018 —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

KFH Capital Muthanna Islamic Index Fund (MUDX) KFH Capital Investment Co Daily July 31, 2018 KD 0.412 0.371 April 30, 2018 Muthanna GCC Islamic banks Fund KFH Capital Investment Co Daily Aug 31, 2018 KD 0.753 0.726 April 30, 2018 Baitak GCC Fund KFH Capital Investment Co Weekly June 29, 2017 KD 0.930 0.916 Feb 28, 2017—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Noor Financial Investment Co. Noor Islamic Fund Noor Financial Investment Co Monthly Nov 30, 2016 KD 0.374 0.405 Sept 30, 2015—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

CapCorp Investment Co. CapCorp Local Fund CapCorp Investment Company Weekly Sept 28, 2017 KD 1.000 0.991 Aug 30, 2017

Funds Fund Manager Valuation Valued date Currency Net Asset Prev NAV Prev NAV Dated Value (NAV)————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Funds Fund Manager Valuation Valued date Currency Net Asset Prev NAV Prev NAV Dated Value (NAV)————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

investment funds

strong selling pressures and noticeable liquidating opera-tions, which reflected on the per-formance of the Main and All-Share indices, to go against Premier Market Index’s direction and end the month of September in the red zone.

In addition, the market capital-ization of the Boursa recorded monthly losses of more than KD 15 million, as it reached by the end of last month KD 28.70 billion, down by 0.06% of its level in the previous month, where it was KD 28.71 billion. The market cap gains since the application of the new market segmentation con-tracted to reach KD 839.45 billion, reaching 3.01%. (Note: The mar-ket capitalization for the listed companies in the Boursa is calcu-lated based on the weighted aver-

age number of outstanding stocks as per the latest available official financial statements).

Moreover, the third quarter period for year 2018 ended by the end of the last month, mean-ing that the Market is entering a new state of watch for the listed companies results for the same period, especially the stocks of leading companies that witnessed active trading during the previ-ous period, and mainly the stocks that were listed within FTSE Russel Index.

Furthermore, and despite the fluctuation witnessed by the Boursa during the last month, the trading activity witnessed a noticeable increase especially in the cash liquidity, as the total trading value recorded an increase of 46.93%, after it

reached around KD 523.82 mil-lion. Also, the total traded vol-ume recorded a growth of 17.40% approx, after it reached around 2.10 billion stock.

After six months of the appli-cation of the Market Segmentation, the Premier Market Index’s gains reached 6.88%, while the Main Market Index losses contracted to reach 5.29%, and the All-Share Index growth reached 2.56%.

Eight of Boursa Kuwait’s sec-tors ended last month in the red zone, four recorded increases. The Real Estate sector headed the losers list as its index declined by 9.56% to end the month’s activity at 892.48 points. The Consumer Services sector was second on the losers’ list, which index declined by 6.38%, closing

at 989.54 points, followed by the Consumer Goods sector, as its index closed at 843.17 points at a loss of 5.30%. The Healthcare sector was the least declining as its index closed at 995.60 points with a 0.07% decrease.

On the other hand, last month’s highest gainer was the Basic Materials sector, achieving 4.07% growth rate as its index closed at 1,163.75 points. Whereas, in the second place, the Oil & Gas sector’s index closed at 1,134.25 points recording 3.38% increase. The Banks sec-tor was the least growing as its index closed at 1,085.98 points with a 2.24% increase.

Sectors’ ActivityThe Banks sector dominated a

total trade volume during the last month of 681.03 million shares

changing hands, representing 32.42% of the total market trading volume. The Real Estate sector was second in terms of trading volume as the sector’s traded shares were 26.54% of last month’s total trading volume, with a total of 557.46 million shares.

On the other hand, the Banks sector’s stocks were the highest traded in terms of value; with a turnover of KD 309.32 million or 51.24% of last month’s total market trading value. The Industrial sector took the second place as the sector’s last month turnover of KD 83.72 million representing 13.87% of the total market trading value.

❑ ❑ ❑

For further details, please visit our web site: www.bayaninvest.com

Brexit has cost Britain 500mn pounds a weekLONDON, Sept 30, (RTRS): Britain’s decision to leave the European Union has cost the government 500 million pounds ($650 million) a week, wiping out for the moment any future savings from stopping payments to the bloc, according to a study published on Sunday.

The economic impact of the Brexit vote has been the subject of intense debate, with supporters and oppo-nents of leaving the EU seizing on positive and negative data to reinforce their case.

The Centre for European Reform, a research group that focuses on the European Union, said the British

economy is about 2.5 percent smaller than it would have been if the public have voted to remain in the bloc in June 2016. Its findings were based on the impact on the economy until the end of June 2018.

Public finances have been dented by 26 billion pounds a year, the equivalent of 500 million pounds a week and a figure that is growing, the group said.

The Centre for European Reform, which describes itself as “pro-European but not uncritical”, said it created a model of how Britain’s economy could have per-formed had the campaign to remain

in the EU won the referendum in 2016.

The group said its analysis was based on 22 advanced economies whose characteristics closely matched Britain and that did not vote to leave the EU.

They then compared it with Britain’s actual economic perfor-mance since the vote.

British economic growth in the first half of this year was the weakest for a six-month period since the sec-ond half of 2011 and companies were cutting investment, suggesting com-panies were taking a cautious approach before Brexit.


27

‘I didn’t see this coming’

As China boosts biotech sector, US startups gainSAN FRANCISCO/HONG KONG, Sept 30, (RTRS): For three whirlwind days in June, US scientist Zhi Hong went shopping at the Boston Bio Conference to fi nd drugs to fi ll the pipeline of his two-week-old drug company.

Crammed in tight, four-person booths executives use for private conversations, the former GlaxoS-mithKline PLC executive pitched dozens of US biotech companies to partner with his start-up, Brii Biosciences.

Months earlier, Hong had raised $260 million – much of it from Chinese and Asian inves-tors – with a strategy to bring US biotechnology drugs to China, the world’s second-largest prescrip-tion drug market and home to a rapidly growing biotech sector.

Brii is now discussing partner-ships with about a dozen drug-makers, which it aims to help by conducting clinical trials in China, applying for governmental ap-proval and eventually negotiating reimbursement in a bid to capi-talize on China’s stated plan to become the next global player in biopharma.

“I didn’t see this coming,” Hong told Reuters. “They said, ‘If you start a company, you won’t have any problem raising money.’ I didn’t quite believe that at the be-ginning. But as we went through the process, it was incredible.”

Brii is one of many biotech startups riding a wave of money from Asia that so far this year has poured $4.2 billion into private US-based biotech companies. That is over 43 percent of the total amount of venture funding invest-ed in the biotech sector, according to PitchBook, up from just 11 per-cent in 2016.

InvestorsThese investors range from

China’s 6 Dimensions Capital and Hillhouse Capital Group to Hong Kong-based Blue Pool Capital, the investment arm of Alibaba’s executives. They are in search of better returns across the Pacifi c after China’s recent homegrown biotech push has driven sky-high valuations.

“There are companies in China that haven’t even started clini-cal trials, and they have received term sheets for $400 million,” said Nisa Leung, managing part-ner and leader of healthcare sector at China-based Qiming Venture Partners, referring to the agree-ments that describe the terms of an investment. “I think that’s crazy.”

China’s biotech craze stems in part from a government plan launched a few years ago as part of the Made In China 2025 cam-paign. The goal is to promote bio-tech as a strategic emerging indus-try, spawning rapid development and investment into the burgeon-ing sector.

A rule change at the Hong Kong stock exchange this spring is also

providing an added incentive for investors. Biotechs without rev-enue or profi t from around the world are now able to list on the exchange – which provides a fast-er way for investors to cash out.

Among the winners are Menlo Park, California’s GRAIL Inc, an early-stage cancer detection company that in May raised $300 million in a Series C round led by Chinese healthcare fund Ally Bridge Group. Immuno-oncology company TCR2 Therapeutics of Cambridge, Massachusetts, re-ceived $125 million in March in a Series B round co-led by Pacifi c-focused investor 6 Dimensions.

In the United States, the infl ux of cash from China has infl ated the size of biotech funding rounds and quickening the pace that compa-nies can raise money.

DealsCompanies that rely on licens-

ing deals to develop innova-tive drugs in China – like Brii or Shanghai-based Zai Lab – are more often paying a premium. The interest from China has driven the upfront payments for licensing agreements for US drugmakers to over $30 million currently from $1 million or $5 million three years ago, according to Leung.

Other headwinds for Chinese biotech investment persist – rang-ing from the nagging threat of the Trump administration broadening restrictions on Chinese invest-ment to the lackluster stock per-formance to date of the fi rst Hong Kong biotech IPO under the new listing regime, Ascletis Pharma.

Still many investors interviewed by Reuters do not expect China’s biotech hunger to end overnight.

“It makes a lot of sense (for Chi-nese funds) to look at US biotech fi rms especially as many Chinese biotechs still lag behind their US peers in terms of the quality and the pipeline of products,” said Jona-than Wang, senior managing direc-tor and co-founder of the Asia fund at OrbiMed Advisors, a healthcare investment fi rm that continues to invest in young biotechs in both China and the United States.

For some biotech companies, money from China has breathed new life into experimental drugs or devices that lost priority inside company pipelines for various reasons. That was the thinking be-hind scientist Bing Yao’s move to strike out on his own, just as Asia investor interest in biotech was taking off.

Yao fi rst had the idea to leave his position as the head of the respiratory, infl ammation and autoimmunity disease unit at As-traZeneca MedImmune in March 2017. The pharmaceutical compa-ny was pruning its drug develop-ment to focus on priority areas like cancer, so he proposed spinning off some programs to a new start-up that he would create to develop the drugs.

Global equities’ upward trend masks critical vulnerabilities

MSCI poised to add 5-6 pct in the third quarter

Report prepared by Ahmed ShibleySwiss International Financial

Brokerage Co

Global share prices accelerated upward in the third quarter,

building on the rebound started in the preceding three months. The benchmark MSCI World stock index is on pace to add 5-6 percent for the period. That such performance can be had against a backdrop of a deepening trade war between the US and China as well as increasing emerging mar-ket instability is almost improb-ably impressive. One might con-clude perseverance against such odds speaks to hearty underlying strength, making continuation likely. Still, critical vulnerabilities are much too glaring to ignore; the global economy has decelerated in 2018.

Heading into the end of the year, upside resolve may be put to the test for the US S&P 500; but until we see big levels break on the downside, the trend for US stocks will remain pointed higher. In terms of the German DAX 30, heading into the previous quarter, we said that a broad head-and-shoulders pattern, with its begin-nings dating back over a year, could come into play. Another three months later and the index is fl irting with this scenario becom-ing a reality. The UK FTSE 100 is on similar footing as its German counterpart. After several months of sideways trading the Japanese Nikkei 225 is sitting with better posturing than both the DAX and FTSE, but is still lagging behind the S&P 500.

EUR/USD has been chopping around in recent months, but that may soon end as we head towards the end of the year. One potential scenario on the radar right now is a head-and-shoulders, with the right shoulder nearing completion if it is to come to fruition. Sup-port levels below need to break (August low/neckline), though, before validation and momentum starts to really pick up. But if a breakdown occurs we could be looking at lows carved out from 2015-2017.

The range during September ranks as one of the smallest in a long time, setting gold up for a more volatile month in October. The trend is down and with the US dollar looking to go back on the offensive that means another

swoon may soon be in store. The August spike-low at 1,160

is fi rst up as support, and after that there isn’t any highly visible support the December 2016 low near 1,120. If things really start rolling downhill we may be look-ing at the 1,046 low from Decem-ber 2015.

Crude oil may be posting a head-and-shoulders top; however, the right shoulder needs to identify itself soon or else this scenario is off the table. Without a turn lower, focus will move towards a break-out above the July high and the trend-line extending lower from the 2008 spike-high. A test of the trend-line would almost certainly raise volatility and in all likelihood send oil in reverse on a fi rst attempt to break, if not cap the cycle off the 2015 low altogether. Calls for $100 Brent oil echo an overly bull-ish market.

After the downdraft to start the year the market looked headed for trouble, but has since put it-self back together for yet another record run. The new high may indeed turn out to be a head fake and the sell-off to start the year a shot across the bow, but until the powerful combination of the Feb

2016 trend-line (end of prior bull market correction) and 200-day are broken, the market will remain pointed upward.

Keep an eye on the Nasdaq 100 and the bull-market darling group of stocks – FAANG (Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netfl ix, and Google). This small group cou-pled with Microsoft account for about half of the weighting in the NDX. So goes the market leaders goes the market.

There is a still topping poten-tial for the Nasdaq 100 with the continued development of a ris-ing wedge on the weekly chart. A clear break of the lower trend-line is needed to validate the pattern. The market could shoot on higher and rally into year-end, so the bot-tom line is (as the case is with any price pattern) it won’t matter un-til it does, if it does. That is why waiting for validation on chart formations is so crucial.

As the week draws to a close, so too does the third quarter. Marked by robust strength in US equities and the 10th anniversary of Leh-man Brothers’ collapse, the third quarter saw the most growth in the S&P 500 since the fourth quarter of 2013.

Despite the strong performance of US equities and general risk-on mood this week, investors moved funds from exchange traded funds with US exposure. As we have covered previously, SPY, VOO, and IVV track the performance of US large-cap corporations.

At the quarterly level, the three funds saw $157 billion in infl ows. Compared to their cumulative market capitalizations (roughly $1 trillion) and the week-to-week changes, the change in exposure quite large. The second quarter saw a net infl ow of $34 billion, a fi gure signifi cantly dwarfed by the third quarters. The willingness to have US exposure suggests inves-tors are still confi dent in the bull-market heading to the year’s end.

On a smaller scale, the three ETFs saw an aggregated $16.13 billion fl ow elsewhere for the week. After last week’s robust infl ows it is not entirely surpris-ing to see moderate outfl ows this week. Profi t-taking could be a possible reason for the change, along with more attractive oppor-tunities elsewhere.

❑ ❑ ❑

For more information please visit www.swissfs.com

WTO cuts world merchandise trade forecasts

World trade growth is likely to be slow-er than previously thought in 2018 and 2019, although the direct economic ef-fects of a trade war that has blown up this year have been modest so far, the World Trade Organization said on Thursday.

The WTO forecast world trade in goods would grow by 3.9 percent this year, less than the 4.4 percent it fore-cast in April. Next year trade growth of 3.7 percent is expected, a cut from the WTO’s previous forecast of 4.0 percent.

The WTO said in a statement that some of the downside risks it had warned of in April had now materialised. At the time, WTO Director-General Rob-erto Azevedo warned that the robust re-covery in global trade, after a decade in the doldrums, could be undermined by a tit-for-tat battle of trade restrictions.

“The direct economic effects of these measures have been modest to date but the uncertainty they generate may already be having an impact through re-duced investment spending,” the WTO

statement said. “While trade growth remains strong,

this downgrade refl ects the heightened tensions that we are seeing between major trading partners,” the statement quoted Azevedo as saying.

“More than ever, it is critical for gov-ernments to work through their differ-ences and show restraint. The WTO will continue to support those efforts and en-sure that trade remains a driver of better living standards, growth and job creation around the globe.” (RTRS)

Shipping containers (right), are unloaded beside the

Battleship USS Iowa (left), at the Port of Long Beach, in Los Angeles County, on Sept 29. President Donald Trump insisted that there had been ‘absolutely no impact’ on the US economy from the esca-lating trade dispute between

his administration and China. ‘We have to make it fair. So

we’re at $250 billion now, 25 percent interest,’ he said in

reference to a package of tariffs imposed on Chinese

imports. (AFP)

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Cash.299850.305150.300700.303500.298000.304900

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Gold 999 kg—

12,635.370

Gold 999 10 tola—

1,493.455

Gold ounce—

403.450

Gold gm 22k—

11.600

Gold gm 21k—

11.070

Gold gm 18k—

9.490

100 gm 999——

10 gm 999—

133.18

Transfer.301600.303950.300700.302990.301800.305400.302550.304650.302550.304650.302550.304650.302550.304650.302550.304650

—

Cash.043384.048343

———————————————

Draft.043384.048384

——

.046960

.047520

.046582

.048001

.046930

.047520

.047065

.047414——

.046854

.047629—

Transfer.043384.048384

——

.046960

.047520

.046582

.048001

.046930

.047520

.047065

.047414——

.046854

.047629—

Cash———————————

Draft———

.018027———————

Transfer———

.018027———————

Sterling pound

Cash.389696.403596

— .402000.393000.040500

——————

.389400

.400530

.390009

.401620—

Draft.389196.399196.426390.400245.393291.397982.390086.402058.392680.398760.394192.397080.392400.400550.391772.399518

—

Indian rupee

Yemeni riyal

Transfer.389196.399196.426390.400245.393291.397982.390086.402058.392680.398760.394192.397080.392400.400550.391772.399518

—

Cash.003593.004365

— .004520.004000.006500

———————————

Draft.004115.004195.004630.004171

—.004221

—.004275.004138.004231.004161.004213.004143.004274.004129.004246

—

Transfer.004115.004195.004630.004171

—.004221

—.004275.004138.004231.004161.004213.004143.004274.004129.004246

—

Cash.000988.001068

—————————

Draft.000978.001078.001208

————————

Transfer.000978.001078.001208

————————

Euro

Cash.346044.359744

—.358000 .350000.360000

——————

.346830

.357010

.339662

.373529—

Draft.348043.358543.371670.356975.350375.354554.347511.358195.349660.355440.351169.353759.349430.357280.347988.360786

—

Pakistani rupee

Thai baht

Transfer.348043.358543.371670.356975.350375.354554.347511.358195.349660.355440.351169.353759.349430.357280.347988.360786

—

Cash.001883.002653

—.002850

—————————————

Draft.002411.002446.002602.024370

—.002492

—002526

—.002503.002441.002472.002463

—002416.002498.002500

Transfer.002411.002446.002602.024370

—.002492

—002526

—.002503.002441.002472

——

002416.002498

—

Cash.009046.009596

Draft.009017.009432.096905.010336

————

.009213

.009574—

Transfer.009017.009432.096905.010336

————

.009213

.009574—

Japanese yen

Cash.002597.002777

—.290000

—————————————

Draft.002596.002776.002806.368300.002654.002686.002632.002713.002647.002691.002660.002680.002648.002696.002642.002699

—

Sri Lanka rupee

South African rand

Transfer.002596.002776.002806.368300.002654.002686.002632.002713.002647.002691.002660.002680.002648.002696.002642.002699

—

Cash .001522.002102

—.002250.002000.003500

———————————

Draft .001753.001796.001933.017910

—.001809

—.001834.001752.001819.001786.001803

——

.001779

.001811—

Transfer.001753.001796.001933.017910

—.001809

—.001834.001752.001819.001786.001803

——

.001779

.001811—

Cash——————————

Draft—————

.021923—————

Transfer—————

.021923—————

Swiss franc

Cash.303439.314439

—.310000.307000.318000

———————————

Draft.304438.311438.315860.295545.307301.310966.304793.314156.306260.311185.307986.310281.306300.312960.305513.312814

—

Bangladesh taka

Korean won

Transfer.304438.311438.315860.295545.307301.310966.304793.314156.306260.311185.307986.310281.306300.312960.305513.312814

—

Draft.003602.003628.003593.036240

—.003654

—.003701

——

.003599

.003650——

.003570

.003682—

Cash.002971.003772

— .003800

—————————————

Transfer.003602.003628.003593.036240

—.003654

—.003701

——

.003599

.003650——

.003570

.003682—

Cash.000263.000278

—————————

Draft———— ———————

Transfer———— ———————

Canadian dollar

Cash.230443.239443

—.236500.233000.240000

———————————

Draft.228442.238442.238080.234123.233917.236707.232020.239123.233450.237080.234453.236171.233300.237590.233018.237637

—

Philippine peso

Syrian pound

Transfer.228442.238442.238080.234123.233917.236707.232020.239123.233450.237080.234453.236171.233300.237590.233018.237637

—

Cash.005501.005801

—.006100.005000.007900

——————————

Draft.005167.005636

—.055910

—.005675

—.005744.005460.005690.005589.005660

——

.005528

.005725—

Transfer.005167.005636

—.055910

—.005675

—.005744.005460.005690.005589.005660

——

.005528

.005725—

Cash.001288.001508

—.000610.001000.002250

—————

Draft.001288.001508

—.159000

— ——————

Transfer.001288.001508

—.159000

— ——————

Swedish krona

Cash.030317.035317

———————————————

Draft.0303167.035316

——

.033953

.034358

.033677

.034709

.033950

.034340

.034031

.034279——

.033917

.034396—

Australian dollar

Iranian Riyal

Transfer.0303167.035316

——

.033953

.034358

.033677

.034709

.033950

.034340

.034031

.034279——

.033917

.034396—

Cash.212008.224008

——

.218000

.229000———————————

Draft.210007.223007

——

.218247

.220850

.216435

.223146

.217200

.222060——

217390222400.216293.222821

—

Transfer.210007.223007

——

.218247

.220850

.216435

.223146

.217200

.222060——

217390222400.216293.222821

—

Cash.000084.000085

—————————

Draft———————————

Transfer———————————

Saudi riyal

Cash.079967.081267

—.081500.078000.082000

————————

.080515

.081407—

Draft.080466.081106.080240.081695.080499.081460.080180.081854.080560.081370.080572.081348.079720.081780.080515.081407

—

Hong Kong dollar

Lebanese pound

Transfer.080466.081106.080240.081695.080499.081460.080180.081854.080560.081370.080572.081348.079720.081780.080515.081407

—

Cash.036978.039728

———————————————

Draft.036478.039578.038311

—.038554.039014.038246.039406

—————————

Transfer.036478.039578.038311

—.038554.039014.038246.039406

—————————

Cash.000156.000256

—————————

Draft.000191.000211.002002

— ————

.000197

.000206—

Transfer.000191.000211.002002

— ————

.000197

.000206—

UAE dirham

Cash.081329.083029

—.082250.082122.082783

————————

.082192

.083124—

Draft.081284.082780.081946.082894.082212.083193.081854.083577.082320.083080.082259.083056.081680.083580.082192.083124

—

Singapore dollar

Malaysian ringgit

Transfer.081284.082780.081946.082894.082212.083193.081854.083577.082320.083080.082259.083056.081680.083580.082192.083124

—

Cash.217080.227080

—.224250

—————————————

Draft.218079.224079.230250.221554.220848.223482.219050.225770.219990.224290.221332.222998.220480.224340.219749.224618

—

Transfer.218079.224079.230250.221554.220848.223482.219050.225770.219990.224290.221332.222998.220480.224340.219749.224618

—

Cash.070054.076054

—.071600

———————

Draft.068783.075783.076905.074192

————

.072380

.074359—

Transfer.068783.075783.076905.074192

————

.072380

.074359—

Bahraini dinar

Cash.791557.808057

—.796500.800091.808132

————————

.801988

.813485—

Draft.799056.807556.798990.805761.801062.810617.797492.814158.801350.809380.791963.818896.793340.813610.801988.813485

—

Jordanian dinar

Indonesian rupiah

Transfer.799056.807556.798990.805761.801062.810617.797492.814158.801350.809380.791963.818896.793340.813610.801988.813485

—

Cash.424402.433402

—.426000.420000.430000

———————————

Draft.422925.430425.426910.428633

—.431874

—.436305.424330.432740.426126.430296.425480.434290.424036.431821

—

Transfer.422925.430425.426910.428633

—.431874

—.436305.424330.432740.426126.430296.425480.434290.424036.431821

—

Cash.000016.000022

—— ———————

Draft.000015.000022

—— ———————

Transfer.000015.000022

—— ———————

Omani riyal

Cash.783162.788842

——

.784357

.792239————————

.785395

.791751—

Draft.778071.789071.781445

—.784202.793556.780975.797283.785330.792530.775769.801710.779800.797280.785395.791751

—

Egyptian pound

New Zealand dollar

Transfer.778071.789071.781445

—.784202.793556.780975.797283.785330.792530.775769.801710.779800.797280.785395.791751

—

Cash.014356.020074.000000.018500.012000.023000

———————————

Draft.016266.017094.017039.016943

—.017522

—.018112.016350.017120.016678.017368.016030.017480.016818.017222

—

Transfer .016266.017094.017039.016943

—.017537

—.018112.016350.017120.016678.017368.016030.017480.016818.017222

—

Cash.195358.204858

—— ———————

Draft.193358.204358

— —

.198082

.204237—————

Transfer.193358.204358

— —

.198082

.204237—————

All rates in KD per unit of foreign currency

travellers cheques local gold Sterling.398775.399471.401578.403490

exchange rates – Sept 30

Euro.358640.357985.359782.361340

Traders work on the fl oor at the opening bell of the Dow Industrial Average at the New York Stock Exchange on Sept 28, in New York. (AFP)

SPORTSARAB TIMES, MONDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2018

28

Stewart’s track hosts sprint cars and NASCAR’s Truck Series

Briscoe wins Xfinity race on weird Charlotte rovalCONCORD, North Carolina, Sept 30, (AP): Chase Briscoe is climbing his way through Ford Racing’s development system by racing any kind of car on any kind of track. That expo-sure gave the Indiana native the wherewithal to attack the new roval at Charlotte Motor Speedway as if it was America’s favorite dirt track, the one owned by hero Tony Stewart.

Briscoe treated the roval, a hybrid of Charlotte’s speedway and an infield road course, as if it was Ohio dirt track Eldora Speedway. Stewart’s track hosts sprint cars and NASCAR’s Truck Series, and Briscoe won there this summer for one of the few positive races in a season he’s found to be a struggle.

Briscoe snapped that streak Saturday with his first career Xfinity Series victory, in the first race of the weekend on the roval. It was a breakthrough moment because Briscoe had not even sniffed a victory in his 13 previous races,

“I feel like my career was getting really bad this year, and I needed to get my stock back up,” Briscoe said. “We’ve wrecked a lot of race cars and I think my best finish was ninth, so I was really down on myself personally.”

Briscoe was thrilled to get the win on such a challenging new track that he treated like it was Eldora.

“Winning really two of the most different

races we have all year between Eldora and the roval, honestly, they had a lot of similarities because we didn’t have very much grip,” Briscoe said. “It’s huge to me. Everybody had to adapt to it and figure it out, and I don’t know that I’m necessarily the best at it, but I felt like I just tried not to hit anything, and this thing hardly has a scratch on it.”

Briscoe beat Justin Marks, a part-time NASCAR racer who said this week this race is his last one dabbling in these cars. After his

runner-up finish, Marks said he may also end his full-time gig in sports cars because he wants to shift his focus to the business side of motorsports.

His final scheduled NASCAR race is Sunday in the Cup car and Marks is pleased to be going out on the roval. He likened it to the road course in Montreal and applauded NASCAR and Speedway Motorsports Inc. for gambling on the new event.

“If we’re going to reinvigorate this fan base and we’re going to regain some positive momentum on our side, we’ve got to think outside the box and do things like this,” said

Marks. “The track itself is challenging. It’s a really challenging course. But you want to challenge this group of drivers. You want it to be hard for them.”

Briscoe, who won in a Ford fielded by Stewart-Haas Racing, led the last 24 of 55 laps.

The event was the leadup to Sunday’s criti-cal Cup playoff race, in which four drivers will be eliminated from title contention.

Saturday was also a playoff race for NASCAR’s second-tier Xfinity Series but Briscoe is not part of the playoffs so the vic-tory did not move a driver into the next round. The race next week at Dover International Speedway is an elimination race, and Christopher Bell is the only driver advanced into the second round. The field will be trimmed from 12 to eight contenders after Dover.

Chase Briscoe poses with the trophy in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Xfinity series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, NC on Sept 29,

2018. (AP)

TRUCK RACING

Dodgers clinch playoff berthwith 10-6 win against Giants

Cubs lose 2-1 to Cards as NL Central race goes to final day

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept 30, (AP): The Los Angeles Dodgers clinched base-ball’s final playoff berth and gave themselves a chance to still win the NL West, getting a go-ahead triple from Manny Machado in the eighth inning Saturday and beat-ing the San Francisco Giants 10-6.

The defending NL champions locked up their sixth straight trip to the postseason, assuring at least a spot in the wild-card game. The Dodgers joined Colorado, Atlanta, the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee in the NL playoff field.

Los Angeles began the day one game behind Colorado for the division lead, and the Rockies hosted Washington later in the day. The regu-lar season is scheduled to end Sunday – if Los Angeles and Colorado finish even, there will be a one-game tie-breaker for the West title Monday at Dodger Stadium.

Alex Wood (9-7) pitched the sev-enth for the win and Kenley Jansen closed it out.

Cardinals 2, Cubs 1 In Chicago, the Cubs wasted a solid

performance by Cole Hamels, sending the NL Central race to the final day of the season.

The Cubs would have wrapped up their third straight division champion-ship with a victory and a loss by the Brewers to Detroit on Saturday night. Chicago and Milwaukee would meet in a tiebreaker at Wrigley Field on Monday if they wind up with identical records, with the loser then playing in a wild-card game at home on Tuesday.

The Cardinals kept alive their chance for a wild card, but were elimi-nated by the Dodgers’ 10-6 victory at San Francisco. Miles Mikolas (18-4) pitched eight effective innings in his fifth straight win, and Carlos Martinez worked a perfect ninth for his fifth save in five chances.

Nationals 12, Rockies 2 In Denver, the Colorado Rockies

dropped into a tie with Los Angeles for the NL West lead with only one game left, routed by Stephen Strasburg, Juan Soto and the Nationals.

Hoping to hold their one-game edge, the Rockies instead saw their winning streak end at eight. The Dodgers were 10-6 winners in San Francisco earlier to ensure the race will go down to the wire.

With game No. 162 on deck, the Rockies (90-71) are attempting to accomplish something they’ve never done since entering the league in 1993: capture a division title.

Yankees 8, Red Sox 5 In Boston, Gleyber Torres and

St Louis Cardinals’ Paul DeJong (12) hits an RBI single during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs on Sept 29, 2018 in

Chicago. (AP)

17-year-old Deegan becomes firstfemale to win K&N Pro Series raceMERIDIAN, Idaho, Sept 30, (AP): Seventeen-year-old Hailie Deegan became the first female driver to win a NASCAR K&N Pro Series race with a victory Saturday night in the NAPA Auto Parts/Idaho 208.

The daughter of motocross great Brian Deegan took the lead from Bill McAnally Racing teammate Cole Rouse on the white-flag lap. It was the only lap she led.

Her previous best finish in the stock car series was second place, which she

accomplished twice, including last week.“This has to be the best day of my life

right here,” the teenager from Temecula, California, said in Victory Lane. “It doesn’t get any better than this. People don’t understand how many days, how many hours I’ve put into this. How much work I’ve done to get to this moment. It’s just amaz-ing . this is the happiest day of my life.”

Deegan took over the lead in the rookie of the year standings.

Brandon Crawford #35 of the San Francisco Giants slides in safely at home plate to score on a single hit by Gorkys Hernandez #7 in the bottom of the second inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at AT&T Park on Sept 29,

2018 in San Francisco, California. (AFP)

Giancarlo Stanton connected as the Yankees broke the major league record for home runs in a season and reached 100 wins.

Torres’ two-run drive in the fourth was the Yankees’ 265th of the year and moved them past the 1997 Seattle Mariners. Stanton pushed the record to 266 in the seventh with his 38th homer, a solo homer to left field.

A fan sitting in the seats above the Green Monster threw the souvenir back, and the ball bounced into Stanton as he rounded second base.

Astros 4, Orioles 3, Game 1Astros 5, Orioles 2, Game 2In Baltimore, Justin Verlander

struck out 10 in six scoreless innings, helping the Astros take the opener of a doubleheader.

Houston shortstop Carlos Correa homered and hit a tiebreaking RBI dou-ble in the ninth inning. Will Harris (5-3) worked the eighth and Hector Rondon got three outs for his 15th save.

Verlander allowed three hits and walked one. His next outing will come in the postseason, which begins for Houston on Friday against Cleveland.

Rays 4, Blue Jays 3 In St Petersburg, Florida, C.J. Cron

and Austin Meadows homered, power-ing Tampa Bay to the win.

Rays left-hander Blake Snell struck out 10 in five innings, but failed to win his 10th straight start. He was charged with a run and three hits.

Diego Castillo (4-2) got the win with two innings of relief. Sergio Romo pitched the ninth for his 25th save despite giving up a pinch-hit homer to Reese McGuire.

Reds 3, Pirates 0In Cincinnati, Michael Lorenzen

singled home a run and got his first victory as a starter since 2015, helping Cincinnati snap its seven-game losing streak against Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh has dominated the Ohio River rivalry, going 13-5 this season. The seven-game winning streak was the Pirates’ longest against the Reds since 1991.

The Reds let Lorenzen (4-2) make three starts to finish the season after 42 relief appearances.

Brewers 6, Tigers 5In Milwaukee, the Milwaukee

Brewers moved into a tie for first place in the NL Central with one game remaining in the regular season, getting two homers from MVP candi-date Christian Yelich to beat Detroit and draw even with the Chicago Cubs.

Yelich turned on an 0-1 pitch from

left-hander Daniel Stumpf (1-5) and lined it into the second deck in right to break a 5-all tie in the seventh inning. The left-handed slugger also hit a two-run homer in the third inning of the Brewers’ sixth straight win.

Phillies 3, Braves 0 In Philadelphia, Aaron Nola pitched

seven shutout innings and Cesar Hernandez had a two-run single in the seventh inning to help the Philadelphia Phillies snap a nine-game losing streak.

Nola (17-6) was stellar in his final start of the season, allowing two hits and striking out eight with four walks. The right-hander ended 2018 with a 2.37 ERA and 224 strikeouts in 212-1/3 innings.

He likely will fall short of a NL Cy Young award after stumbling a bit in September.

Twins 8, White Sox 3In Minneapolis, Joe Mauer reached

base three times and Kyle Gibson capped a season of improvement with six quality innings as Minnesota matched a season high with its fifth straight win.

Mauer had two hits and scored twice in what could be his final home-stand after a 15-year career in Minnesota. Mauer has said he’ll con-template retirement once the season is over, but he’s showing he can still swing the bat with a strong September.

Mauer, who entered the day with a major league-leading .410 average with runners in scoring position, drove in a run with a single as part of a six-run second inning. He is hitting .365 with eight RBIs in his last 16 games.

Royals 9, Indians 4

In Kansas City, Adalberto Mondesi hit a tiebreaking, three-run homer to lift Kansas City.

Corey Kluber gave up three runs and seven hits in five innings in his final regular season start for Cleveland while working on a short pitch count ahead of the playoffs.

Indians catcher Yan Gomes left the game in the bottom of the third with an injured right hand after he was hit by Alex Gordon’s bat on a backswing as he attempted to throw out would-be base-stealer Mondesi.

Diamondbacks 5, Padres 4 In San Diego, rookie Ildemaro

Vargas hit his first home run, got his first stolen base and drove in three runs to lead Arizona.

Vargas hit an RBI single in the first inning and a two-run homer in the fourth, both off rookie Jacob Nix (2-5).

Vargas’ homer staked Zack Godley to a 4-0 lead and the Diamondbacks held on to give the right-hander his career-high 15th win.

Mets 1, Marlins 1, 13 Innings In New York, much like the last

few years of his truncated career, David Wright’s finale was no fairytale at the plate.

Wright left to a long standing ova-tion before a sellout crowd at Citi Field in his farewell game for the Mets.

The team captain went 0 for 1 with a walk against the Marlins.

Mariners 4, Rangers 1 In Seattle, Dee Gordon drove in the

go-ahead run with a triple in the sev-enth inning, and James Paxton struck out nine to go over 200 for the season to lead the Mariners.

Paxton came into the day with 199 strikeouts and wasted no time becom-ing the sixth pitcher in team history to reach 200, striking out leadoff batter Jurickson Profar.

It was one of nine strikeouts in the game for Paxton, who allowed one run and seven hits over six innings and didn’t give up a walk.

Athletics 5, Angels 2 In Anaheim, California, Khris

Davis hit his major league-leading 48th homer and the Athletics locked up their best-winning season in 16 years.

Jed Lowrie homered and drove in two runs for the playoff-bound A’s (97-64), who hadn’t won 97 games since going 103-59 in 2002.

A majors-best 42-22 since the All-Star break, the A’s are already locked into a trip to New York on Wednesday for the AL wild card playoff game against the Yankees.

BASEBALL

WASHINGTON, Sept 30, (Agencies): Results and stand-ings from the MLB games on Saturday.NY Yankees 8 Boston 5St Louis 2 Chic Cubs 1Houston 4 Baltimore 3LA Dodgers 10 San Francisco 6Cincinnati 3 Pittsburgh 0Tampa Bay 4 Toronto 3Philadelphia 3 Atlanta 0Houston 5 Baltimore 2Minnesota 8 Chic W Sox 3Milwaukee 6 Detroit 5NY Mets 1 Miami (13 Inns) 0Kansas City 9 Cleveland 4Washington 12 Colorado 2Arizona 5 San Diego 4Oakland 5 LA Angels 2Seattle 4 Texas 1

American LeagueAmerican League – East

W L PCT GBBoston 107 54 .665 -NY Yankees 100 61 .621 7Tampa Bay 89 72 .553 18Toronto 73 88 .453 34Baltimore 46 115 .286 61

American League – Central W L PCT GBCleveland 90 71 .559 -Minnesota 77 84 .478 13Detroit 64 97 .398 26Chic W Sox 62 99 .385 28Kansas City 58 103 .360 32

American League – West W L PCT GBHouston 103 58 .640 -Oakland 97 64 .602 6Seattle 88 73 .547 15LA Angels 79 82 .491 24Texas 67 94 .416 36

National LeagueNational League – East

W L PCT GBAtlanta 90 71 .559 -Washington 82 79 .509 8Philadelphia 79 82 .491 11NY Mets 76 85 .472 14Miami 63 97 .394 26-1/2

National League – Central W L PCT GBChicago Cubs 94 67 .584 -Milwaukee 94 67 .584 -St Louis 88 73 .547 6Pittsburgh 81 79 .506 12-1/2Cincinnati 67 94 .416 27

National League – West W L PCT GBLA Dodgers 90 71 .559 -Colorado 90 71 .559 -Arizona 82 79 .509 8San Francisco 73 88 .453 17San Diego 65 96 .404 25

MLB LinescoresAmerican League

New York 100 330 100-8 13 0Boston 010 100 012-5 10 2

German, Tarpley (2), Lynn (3), S. Gray (6), Kahnle (8), Holder (9), A. Chapman (9) and Romine; Eovaldi, Rodriguez (3), Workman (5), Hembree (6), S. Wright (7), Velazquez (8), Scott (9) and C. Vazquez. W – Lynn 10-10. L – Rodriguez 12-5. Sv – A. Chapman (32). HRs – New York, Torres (24), Stanton (38). Boston, Holt (7).Houston 000 003 001-4 10 0Baltimore 000 000 300-3 7 0

Verlander, J. Smith (7), Harris (8), Rondon (9) and Maldonado; Bundy, Carroll (7), Gilmartin (8) and Ca. Joseph. W – Harris 5-3. L – Gilmartin 1-1. Sv – Rondon (15). HRs – Houston, Correa (15), Springer (22). Baltimore, Stewart (3).Toronto 100 001 001-3 5 0Tampa Bay 010 001 20x-4 9 0

Borucki, Mayza (7), Paulino (8) and D. Jansen; Snell, Castillo (6), Roe (8), Romo (9) and Sucre. W – Castillo 4-2. L – Borucki 4-6. Sv – Romo (25). HRs – Toronto, Hernandez (22), McGuire (2). Tampa Bay, Cron (30), Meadows (1).Cleveland 102 000 010-4 10 0Kansas City 010 204 20x-9 16 1

Kluber, A. Miller (6), Otero (6), C. Allen (7), O. Perez (7), Hand (8) and Gomes, R. Perez; Junis, Hill (7), McCarthy (8), W. Peralta (9) and Viloria. W – Junis 9-12. L – A. Miller 2-4. HRs – Cleveland, Ramirez (39). Kansas City, Mondesi (14).Houston 100 101 020-5 9 0Baltimore 010 000 100-2 6 1

Keuchel, Peacock (4), Valdez (5), McCullers (7), Devenski (8), Pressly (9) and McCann; Y. Ramirez, Wright Jr (7) and Wynns. W – Peacock 3-4. L – Y. Ramirez 1-8. Sv – Pressly (2). HRs – Houston, Straw (1), Marisnick (10), McCann (7).Chicago 100 000 002-3 7 0Minnesota 260 000 00x-8 11 1Rodon, J. Gomez (2), Bummer (5), Vieira (7) and Narvaez, K. Smith; Gibson, Hildenberger (7), Moya (8), Belisle (9) and Gimenez. W – Gibson

Washington Nationals relief pitcher Austen Williams works against the Colorado Rockies in the ninth inning of a baseball game on Sept 29, 2018 in

Denver. (AP)

MLB Scoreboard

10-13. L – Rodon 6-8.Texas 100 000 000-1 10 2Seattle 000 010 30x-4 9 2

Sampson, Sadzeck (7), Claudio (7), Mann (8) and Kiner-Falefa; Paxton, Vincent (7), Colome (8), Diaz (9) and Zunino. W – Vincent 4-4. L – Sampson 0-3. Sv – Diaz (57).Oakland 201 001 010-5 8 2Los Angeles 000 010 100-2 4 0

Hendriks, Cahill (2), Kelley (6), Rodney (7), Familia (8), Treinen (9) and Lucroy, Phegley; Skaggs, Ramirez (4), J. Johnson (6), D. McGuire (7), Bedrosian (8), Almonte (9) and Briceno, F. Arcia. W – Cahill 7-4. L – Skaggs 8-10. Sv – Treinen (38). HRs – Oakland, Davis (48), Lowrie (23).

InterleagueDetroit 102 011 000-5 8 1Milwaukee 002 300 10x-6 8 2

Norris, Coleman (5), Reininger (6), Stumpf (6), VerHagen (7), Farmer (8) and Greiner; Miley, Burnes (4), T. Williams (6), Cedeno (6), J. Barnes (6), Soria (7), Knebel (8), Jeffress (9) and Kratz. W – Soria 3-4. L – Stumpf 1-5. Sv – Jeffress (15). HRs – Detroit, Castellanos (23). Milwaukee, Yelich 2 (36).

National LeagueSt Louis 000 110 000-2 3 1Chicago 100 000 000-1 5 1

Mikolas, C. Martinez (9) and Molina; Hamels, Cishek (8), Chavez (9) and Caratini. W – Mikolas 18-4. L – Hamels 9-12. Sv – C. Martinez (5).Pittsburgh 000 000 000-0 6 0Cincinnati 001 200 00x-3 7 0

Taillon, Crick (7), F. Vazquez (8) and Stallings; Lorenzen, D. Hernandez (6), Hughes (8), Iglesias (9) and Barnhart. W – Lorenzen 4-2. L – Taillon 14-10. Sv – Iglesias (30). HRs – Cincinnati, Suarez (34).Los Angeles 110 300 014-10 18 0San Francisco 012 020 001-6 9 1

Kershaw, Madson (6), Wood (7), Maeda (8), Rosscup (9), K. Jansen (9) and Grandal; Rodriguez, Blach (4), Black (6), Watson (6), D. Holland (7), Melancon (7), W. Smith (8), Okert (9) and Hundley. W – Wood 9-7. L – Melancon 1-4. HRs – Los Angeles, Puig (23), Pederson (25).Atlanta 000 000 000-0 2 0Philadelphia 000 000 30x-3 5 1

A. Sanchez, Venters (7), Winkler (7), Toussaint (8) and Suzuki; Nola, Neris (8), Dominguez (9) and Alfaro, Knapp. W – Nola 17-6. L – Venters 5-2. Sv – Dominguez (15).Miami 000 000 000 0-0 5 0New York 000 000 000 1-1 11 0(13 innings)

Richards, Conley (7), Steckenrider (9), Barraclough (10), Rucinski (11), T. Guerrero (12), J. Garcia (13), Javy Guerra (13) and Holaday; Matz, Bashlor (7), D. Smith (8), Swarzak (9), Blevins (10), Rhame (11), Zamora (13) and Plawecki. W – Zamora 1-0. L – J. Garcia 3-3.Arizona 020 201 000-5 7 0San Diego 000 300 010-4 7 0

Godley, S. Miller (7), Ziegler (8), Diekman (8), Hirano (9) and Avila; Nix, Strahm (5), Wingenter (6), Makita (8) and Ellis. W – Godley 15-11. L – Nix 2-5. Sv – Hirano (3). HRs – Arizona, Vargas (1). San Diego, Hosmer (18).Washington 230 010 321-12 18 1Colorado 010 001 000-2 5 1

Strasburg, Glover (7), G. Holland (8), Doolittle (9), A. Williams (9) and Wieters, Severino; J. Gray, Bettis (3), D. Johnson (6), McGee (7), Howard (9) and Wolters, T. Murphy. W – Strasburg 10-7. L – J. Gray 12-9. HRs – Washington, Soto (22), Turner (19). Colorado, Gonzalez (16), Arenado (35).


29

INNSBRUCK, Austria, Sept 30, (AFP): Veteran Spaniard Alejandro Val-verde ended years of frus-tration to win the world championships road race on Sunday after outpac-ing France’s Romain Bar-det and Canada’s Michael Woods in a thrilling sprint for the fi nish line.

The trio had boosted their vic-tory chances after crossing the summit of the notoriously diffi cult Hottinger hill ‘Hell’ climb, featur-ing one steep section at a whop-

ping 29 percent gradient, to leave key rivals in their wake.

And despite being joined with a lit-tle over one kilometre to go by Dutch-man Tom Dumoulin, Valverde held his nerve inside the final metres to race unchallenged to the finish line, where he beat Bardet by a bike length.

A breathless Valverde, who fin-ished runner-up in 2003, broke down with the emotion of finally securing the rainbow jersey – arguably the most prestigious prize in the sport.

“It’s incredible, after all these years, struggling for the world title and to finally get it,” he said.

“Words can’t describe how grateful I am for the effort of the whole Spain team and the work they did too.”

As soon as the quartet came into the final kilometre the Spaniard had

looked the most likely to win. Both Bardet and Woods are stronger climb-ers while all-rounder Dumoulin also lacks Valverde’s top-end finishing speed.

“I knew I was possibly the strongest and was waiting for someone to make a move,” he said.

Pre-race favourite, Julian Ala-philippe of France, Briton Simon Yates and Italy’s Vincenzo Nibali and the last of the Colombians were dropped on the steep gradients of the final climb.

World time-trial champion Annemiek van Vleuten broke her knee in a fall during Saturday’s world championship road race in Innsbruck, she revealed on Sunday.

The Dutch rider won the world

time-trial title on Tuesday and was on target for a double before the fall 90 kilometres from the finish. Even after crashing, she still finished seventh.

“Can’t believe it. So many emo-tions now. Will heal, but will take time... (weeks),” she wrote underneath an x-ray of her knee posted on her Twitter account. “I felt okay even if my knee was painful, I can’t explain it,” she said.

Her compatriot Anna van der Breg-gen won the road race.

Meanwhile, the International Cy-cling Union (UCI) wants to resched-ule its calendar to put more emphasis on one-day ‘classic’ races and sell TV rights for them collectively, its president David Lappartient has an-nounced. Lappartient said he had met all the main race organisers, and they all agreed to the main thrust of his pro-posals.

“We want to focus on the classics,” he said, speaking at the world champi-onships in Innsbruck.

“The season would start with one-day races before moving on to one-week races until the Tour of Romandie (which takes place at the end of April).

“Then after the one-week races and the Grand Tours (we will) start having a one-day race every week as of the second half of August.”

“We want to make it a global cal-endar and I won’t count out having races in Asia or Latin America,” he said. Lappartient said the UCI would target 20 races but that could rise to 25. He said some races could change format, such as the Tour of Abu Dhabi, currently a five-stage event in February.

“For example the Tour of Abu Dhabi would become a one-day race, a classic,” he said.

Valverde fi nally clinches world ‘road race’ crown

Bardet settles for 2nd as Woods takes 3rd

Game Winner pulls away in stretch to win American Pharoah

Tomic upsets Fognini to win Chengdu Open

Accelerate beats West Coast to win Awesome Again

Nishioka claims maiden ATP titleSHENZHEN, China, Sept 30, (Agen-cies): Japanese qualifi er Yoshihito Nishioka broke through for his maiden ATP singles title Sunday, outlasting seasoned Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert 7-5, 2-6, 6-4 in a grueling fi nal of the Shenzhen Open.

The 23-year-old Nishioka, ranked 171 in the world, in the end played sev-en matches in eight days at the Shenz-hen Longgang Sports Centre but his legs were full of running in a marathon fi nal as he threw himself at everything Her-bert could give.

As the match clock ticked towards two-and-a-half hours, Nishioka sealed the victory on his fi fth match point – and looked as though he could hardly be-lieve what had just happened.

Twelve months ago, the Japanese player was stuck at home pondering his future after tearing an ACL. He will now return to the world’s top 100 after that injury had seen his ranking plummet to as low as 362.

The 27-year-old Herbert was never going to leave the southern Chinese city wondering, rattling off 12 aces and help-ing his opponent’s cause with nine dou-ble faults and he poured on the power. But the Nishioka game plan – waiting out the barrages and keeping his oppo-

nent moving – worked a treat. Both players came into the fi nal

unfancied and unseeded and both had yet to claim a ATP Tour singles ti-tle. Herbert had only made one fi nal previously (losing in straight sets to South African Kevin Anderson at the Winston-Salem Open in the US in 2015) while Nishioka had never before graced the big stage.

Before the fi nal, Nishioka had put his run of form – kick-started by title at the ATP Challenger Tour stop in Gim-cheon, South Korea, four months ago – down to a change in attitude.

The 1.7-metre (fi ve-foot-seven) Ni-shioka revealed he had previously been trying to play like “six footers” such as current world number one Rafael Nadal of Spain but had turned instead for inspi-ration to Chile’s former world number one Marcelo Rios, who stands around 1.75 metres (fi ve-foot-nine).

It looked like he’d picked up some of Rios’ tenacity, too, fi ghting his way back to victory having dropped seven straight games after leading Herbert 7-5, 2-0.

The odds were stacked in favour of Herbert, a three-time Grand Slam dou-bles title winner with partner and com-patriot Nicolas Mahut who has vowed to focus more on singles in the near future, outside those Major tournaments. But Nishioka fi nally fulfi lled the promise he had shown as one of Japan’s top juniors.

In Chengdu, China, Bernard Tomic upset top-seeded Fabio Fognini 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 (7) to win the Chengdu Open championship on Sunday.

The 25-year-old Australian, ranked No. 123 in the world, smashed 12 aces

and saved seven of 11 break points he faced to win his fi rst ATP title since Bo-gota 2015.

The No. 13th-ranked Fognini fell short in his attempt to become the fi rst Italian to win four tour-level titles in one season, following wins at Sao Paolo, Bastad and Los Cabos earlier this year.

In Beijing, world number one Si-mona Halep said that she was “worried now” after a persistent back problem forced her out of the China Open after just 31 miserable minutes on Sunday.

The Romanian never looked com-fortable against Tunisian qualifi er Ons Jabeur, losing the opening set of their fi rst-round match 6-1 before calling it quits. The 27-year-old Halep suffered a back injury a week ago in Wuhan and she cut a forlorn fi gure after it ended her Beijing adventure prematurely.

The top-ranked Halep’s departure

is another blow to organisers in the Chinese capital, with Serena Williams missing from the women’s draw and several big names also absent from the men’s event.

Halep believes it is a different back problem from the one that contributed to her early loss in Wuhan.

“I knew that there is pain, but I thought if I warm up during the match, it’s going to be better, but it wasn’t,” she said.

Holder Caroline Garcia survived a major scare before defeating wildcard Wang Yafan 7-6 (12/10), 6-7 (4/7), 6-3 to open the defence of her crown.

The 24-year-old from France defi ed a rattling roof and a surprisingly stiff chal-lenge from the home player to labour into round two on Beijing’s hard courts after more than three hours of nervy ac-tion.

ARCADIA, California, Sept 30, (AP): Accelerate got feisty in the starting gate, went wide on the fi rst turn, and waited for his rival before kicking into gear. Then he showed he’s ready for the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Accelerate outdueled West Coast to win the $300,000 Awesome Again Stakes by 2-1/4 lengths at Santa Anita on Saturday in his fourth Grade 1 vic-tory of the year.

Ridden by Joel Rosario, Accelerate already had a guaranteed berth in the $6 million BC Classic as a result of his win in the Pacifi c Classic in August. The 5-year-old’s fi fth victory in six races this year merely solidifi ed his status as the best older horse in the country.

“It’s a good feeling that we might go into the Classic the favorite because I

like being the favorite,” winning trainer John Sadler said. “He’s a good horse, doing great and probably the best horse in the country now, clearly. We’ll be ready.”

West Coast was coming off a six-month layoff for trainer Bob Baffert. He hadn’t raced since fi nishing second in the Dubai World Cup. The 4-year-old colt was the 8-5 second choice in a six-horse fi eld in which all the other runners were listed at double-digit odds.

“He’s got a chance to win the Breed-ers’ Cup Classic with this race under his belt,” Baffert said. “He made that horse run today. We got beat by a really good horse. This race will really set him up well for the Breeders’ Cup Classic.” Accelerate paid $2.60, $2.10 and $2.10. He ran 1-1/8 miles in 1:50.38 after get-ting fractious in the gate and breaking slowly.

“It’s nice to see all those things that

didn’t go his way today, and he still came out on top,” co-owner Kosta Hro-nis said. “It just shows what kind of horse he is.”

West Coast returned $2.10 and $2.10, while Isotherm was another half-length back in third and paid $6 to show. Game Winner pulled away in the stretch to win the $300,000 American Pharoah by 4-1/2 lengths and earn an automatic berth in the BC Juvenile.

The 2-year-old colt trained by Baffert ran 1-1/16 miles in 1:43.77. Sent off as the 1-5 favorite, Game Winner returned $2.60, $2.20 and $2.10.

Gunmetal Gray returned $2.80 and $2.10, while Rowayton was another length back in third and paid $2.10 to show. Both are trained by Jerry Hollen-

dorfer. Ridden for the fi rst time by Ro-sario, Game Winner improved to 3-0 in his young career. The colt was coming off a victory in the Del Mar Futurity on Sept 3, when he beat Rowayton by 1-1/2 lengths and heavily favored stablemate Roadster by 2 lengths.

Roadster has been regarded as Baffert’s top 2-year-old. However, Game Winner is quickly making a name for himself. He won his career debut by 5-3/4 lengths Aug 18 at Del Mar and came back 16 days later to score the Fu-turity upset.

“This horse tipped us off this summer that he was going to be a good one,” Baffert said. “I don’t plan to do too much with him before Breeders’ Cup.”

Game Winner dueled outside Ro-

wayton before taking a short lead into the stretch. He then inched away under urging by Rosario past the eighth pole and pulled away from Gunmetal Gray.

It was Baffert’s eighth career victory in the race previously known as the Nor-folk and the FrontRunner Stakes, and renamed this year for his 2015 Triple Crown winner.

“Pretty cool and nice of Santa Anita to name a race after him,” Baffert said.

The BC Juvenile will be run Nov 2 at Churchill Downs.

In other Breeders’ Cup preps:■ Bellafi na romped to a 6-1/2-length

victory in the $300,000 Chandelier Stakes under Flavien Prat.

Trained by Simon Callaghan, Bellafi -na ran 1-1/16 miles without blinkers in 1:44.59 and paid $3.80, $2.80 and $2.10 as the 4-5 favorite. Prat and Callaghan won the race last year.

Vibrance returned $6 and $3.40. Brill was another 4-1/2 lengths back in third and paid $3.40 to show.

Winner of three in a row, Bellafi na earned a berth in the BC Juvenile Fillies on Nov 2.

■ Vasilika, the 8-5 favorite, won the $300,000 Rodeo Drive Stakes by a half-length with Prat in the saddle.

Trained and co-owned by Hollendor-fer, Vasilika was claimed for $40,000 by her new owners in February and has won eight of nine since, including seven in a row.

She paid $5.20, $3 and $2.40. Vasi-lika earned an automatic berth to the BC Filly & Mare Turf. However, she would need to be nominated to the race for $100,000. By winning Saturday, that amount was reduced to $60,000 since entry fees are paid as part of the Win and You’re In program.

Paved returned $4 and $2.80, while Cambodia paid $2.40 to show.

CYCLING

HORSE RACING

In a photo provided by Benoit Photo, Game Winner and jockey Joel Ro-sario win the Grade I, $300,000 American Pharoah Stakes horse race on

Sept 29, 2018 at Santa Anita in Arcadia, California. (AP)

Left to right: 3rd placed Michael Woods of Canada, winner Alejandro Valverde of Spain and 2nd placed Romain Bardet of France cross the finish line of the Men’s Elite road race of the 2018 UCI Road World Championships in

Innsbruck, Austria on Sept 30, 2018. (AFP)

New Zealand All Blacks pose with the trophy after winning the Rugby Championship 2018 edition after defeating Argentina Los Pumas 35-17 at Jose Amalfitani Stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Sept 29, 2018. (AFP)

Roosters quell Storm 21-6 to claim NRL title

All Blacks claim Rugby Championship with win over PumasBUENOS AIRES, Sept 30, (RTRS): New Zealand won their third straight Rugby Championship title on Satur-day after two tries from winger Rieko Ioane helped them to a 35-17 victory over Argentina in Velez Sarsfield.

The bonus-point win clinched the title – a 16th in the various versions of the southern hemisphere champi-onship – with a game to spare for the world champions in what was a scrap-py but well-deserved victory.

New Zealand, looking to bounce back after a home loss to South Af-rica two weeks ago, went behind to a Nicolas Sanchez penalty after just five minutes but after Ioane had put the visitors ahead two minutes later they never looked back.

Waisake Naholo went over in 16 minutes, Ioane scored the All Blacks’ third 11 minutes before half time and Beauden Barrett put away all three conversions as Argentina’s handling errors contributed to a 21-3 deficit at the break.

All Blacks captain Sam Whitelock said their first try set them on their way.

“I thought that we started really well, didn’t have the ball in the first bit but when we got our first opportunity we scored and the boys really took that and built as the game went on,” he added.

Sonny Bill Williams was given a yellow card four minutes before half-

time but the home side could not take advantage and replacement Patrick Tuipulotu added a fourth New Zealand try, converted again by Barrett, after 54 minutes.

That sparked a mini-revival by the home side as first scrumhalf Tomas Cubelli and then Emiliano Boffelli scored tries, both of which were con-verted by Sanchez, who had a poor night by his standards, missing one easy penalty early in the first half.

New Zealand got a fifth try when replacement Anton Lienert-Brown chased down a kick with eight minutes

left. The bonus point win lifted the All

Blacks on to 21 points, seven more than South Africa, who beat Austra-lia 23-12 in Port Elizabeth earlier on Saturday.

It also extended New Zealand’s unbeaten run against the Pumas to 28 games.

Cubelli said that Argentina had not done themselves justice.

They’re the best in the world, it’s no surprise,” he added of the visitors.

“We weren’t the team that we can be. We upped our energy levels a bit in the second half but you can’t come back against opponents like these. We need to learn from that.

“We didn’t know how to handle the pressure very well. That’s another lesson.” Argentina, who have claimed two victories in the Championship this year, the first time since joining the tournament in 2012, were a work in progress, added Cubelli.

“We’re not happy, but looking at the big picture, we’re on the right

track,” he said.

Also:MELBOURNE: The Sydney Roosters thrashed Melbourne Storm 21-6 in a one-sided National Rugby League Grand Final on Sunday to secure their 14th championship in the Australian top flight.

Daniel Tupou, Latrell Mitchell and Joseph Manu scored tries for the Roosters who charged out of the blocks to lead 18-0 at halftime before closing out the victory with a dogged defensive effort at Sydney Olympic stadium.

The Trent Robinson-coached Roosters claimed their first NRL title

since 2013, while crushing the Storm’s bid to become the first team to win back-to-back titles since the Brisbane Broncos in 1992-93.

Melbourne’s loss was a bitter end-ing to the career of one of the game’s finest fullbacks, with retiring interna-tional Billy Slater bowing out in dis-appointment.

RUGBY

TENNIS

Bernard Tomic of Australia hits a return shot against Joao Sousa of Portugal during their semifinal match in the ATP 250 Chengdu Open tennis tournament in Chengdu in southwestern China’s Sichuan province on Sept 29,

2018. (AP)

Alejandro Valverde of Spain cele-brates on the podium after winning the Men’s Elite road race of the 2018 UCI Road World Champion-ships in Innsbruck, Austria on Sept

30, 2018. (AFP)

Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan cel-ebrates with the trophy after win-ning the men’s singles final against Pierre-Hugues Herbert of France at the ATP Shenzhen Open tennis tournament in Shenzhen, in south China’s Guangdong province on

Sept 30, 2018. (AFP)


30

Ohio State shocks Penn State with 2 late TDsNo. 3 Clemson rallies to beat Syracuse 27-23

STATE COLLEGE, Penn-sylvania, Sept 30, (AP): Dwayne Haskins threw two touchdown passes in the fi -nal seven minutes and No. 4 Ohio State wiped out a 12-point defi cit to beat No. 9 Penn State 27-26 on Sat-urday night in another wild game between the Big Ten powerhouses.

Trace McSorley had 461 total yards, including a career-high 175 rushing and threw two touchdown passes, and the Nittany Lions (4-1, 1-1) went up 26-14 with eight minutes left in the fourth quarter on Miles Sanders’s 1-yard plunge.

For the second straight season, Ohio State (5-0, 2-0) made a fourth-quarter rally from a double-digit deficit. Haskins connected with Binjimen Victor, who weaved and slipped through tacklers for a 47-yard touchdown catch and run that cut it to 26-21 with 6:42 left.

Penn State could not put the Buckeyes away with a closing drive, but the Nittany Lions buried Haskins and Ohio State at their own 4 with 4:35 left on the clock.

A screen to J.K. Dobbins got 35 and took Ohio State out of the hole. Mixing runs and passes, the Buckeyes worked their way into Penn State territory. Haskins hit K.J. Hill with a quick pass to the outside and the receiver picked up a couple of blocks, broke a tackle and went in for a 24-yard score that made it 27-26 with 2:03 left.

McSorley and Penn State could not come up with a response. On fourth-and-5 from the Ohio State 43, McSorley handed off to Sanders on a

read option and his was smothered by Chase Young, who had a huge game at defensive end for Ohio State.

Clemson 27, Syracuse 23 In Clemson, SC, with new starting

quarterback Trevor Lawrence knocked out of the game, Travis Etienne scored on a 2-yard run with 41 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter for Clemson.

Etienne had three TDs and a career-high 203 yards rushing to bail out the quarterback-depleted Tigers (5-0, 2-0 Atlantic Coast Conference). They went from having one too many starting-caliber QBs earlier in the week to not enough by the sec-ond half against the Orange (4-1, 1-1).

Lawrence left his first career start late in the second quarter with a pos-sible concussion. Lawrence was pro-moted to starter earlier in the week by coach Dabo Swinney and that prompted senior Kelly Bryant, who

had started the first four games and led the Tigers to the College Football Playoff last year, to leave the team. That left one-time third-stringer Chase Brice to lead the comeback – and it looked bleak when Syracuse’s Eric Dungey bulled his way in for a 1-yard score with 12:58 remaining to make it 23-13.Alabama 56, Louisiana-Lafayette 14

In Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Jaylen Waddle returned a punt for a touch-down and caught two scoring pass-es, including a 94-yarder, for Alabama.

Quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts staked the Crimson Tide (5-0) to a 49-0 halftime lead over the Ragin’ Cajuns (1-3) en route to the defending national champions’ latest blowout.

Then third-teamer Mac Jones got into the act with his 94-yarder to the freshman Waddle late in the third quarter. It tied for the second-lon-gest TD catch in Alabama history. Alabama has scored at least 45 points five games in a row for the first time in program history.

Georgia 38, Tennessee 12 In Athens, Georgia, D’Andre

Swift ran for two touchdowns, including a late 14-yarder, and Georgia used dominant defense to overcome a sluggish offensive start.

Freshman quarterback Justin Fields scored on runs of 12 and 15 yards, and Isaac Nauta had a 31-yard fumble return for a score. The Bulldogs led by 12 points early in the final quarter before pulling away.

LSU 45, Mississippi 16 In Baton Rouge, La, Joe Burrow

passed for 292 yards and three touchdowns, rushed for 96 yards and another score in the LSU rout.

Burrow had his best game by far for LSU (5-0, 2-0 SEC) since arriv-ing this year as a graduate transfer from Ohio State, completing 18 of 25 passes to nine different receivers. His 388 yards of total offense were fourth-most in a single game in LSU history.

Two of his touchdown passes went to Justin Jefferson, the first for 65 yards on a crossing route.

Freshman Ja’Marr Chase scored LSU’s first touchdown with a diffi-cult leaping grab of a 21-yard timing pass along the sideline.

Oklahoma 66, Baylor 33 In Norman, Oklahoma, Kyler

Murray sat out Oklahoma’s first offensive series then came on to pass for 432 yards and six touchdowns.

Austin Kendall opened the game, but Murray entered on the second possession and played nearly flaw-less football. His passing touchdown total tied for second-best in school history behind Baker Mayfield’s seven against Texas Tech in 2016. The school would not say why Murray didn’t start.

Murray also ran for 45 yards and a score for the Sooners (5-0, 2-0 Big 12).

Marquise Brown caught five pass-es for 132 yards and two touch-downs, CeeDee Lamb had 101 yards receiving and Lee Morris caught two touchdown passes for the Sooners.

Notre Dame 38, Stanford 17 In South Bend, Indiana, Ian Book

threw four touchdowns passes and Notre Dame’s defense stifled Stanford to end a three-game losing streak to the Cardinal.

Starting his second straight game,

Book completed 24 of 33 passes for 278 yards, including an 8-yard TD pass to Miles Boykin. Boykin had career highs of 11 receptions and 144 yards.

Auburn 24, Southern Miss 13 In Auburn, Alabama, Jarrett

Stidham threw for 245 yards and two touchdowns and Auburn beat Southern Miss in a game disrupted for nearly three hours by lightning.

Playing behind a shuffled offen-sive line, Stidham completed 19 of 33 attempts, including touchdowns of 46 yards to Seth Williams and 2 yards to Chandler Cox.

Southern Miss is 2-2.

Washington 35, BYU 7 In Seattle, Jake Browning complet-

ed 23 of 25 passes for 277 yards and one touchdown, and Washington was thoroughly dominant on both sides.

Washington (4-1) watched Browning play with the poise and accuracy expected of a fourth-year starting quarterback and saw its defense suffocate the Cougars (3-2).

West Virginia 42, Texas Tech 34 In Lubbock, Texas, Will Grier

threw for 370 yards and three touch-downs, Keith Washington thwarted a rally with 51-yard interception return for a score for West Virginia.

Marcus Simms had nine catches for a career-high 138 yards – all in the first half – for his third straight 100-yard game. The Mountaineers (4-0, 2-0 Big 12) scored 28 first-quarter points.

Texas Tech true freshman Alan Bowman, the nation’s leading passer coming in, didn’t return after getting injured in the first half when he was sandwiched on hits by Ezekiel Rose and Washington as he threw a pass.

UCF 45, Pittsburgh 14 In Orlando, Flarida, McKenzie

Milton threw for 328 yards and four

touchdowns and UCF extended the nation’s longest winning streak to 17 games.

A week after accounting for six TDs in a lopsided victory over Florida Atlantic, Milton also ran for two scores to give the junior from Hawaii seven TDs passing and five rushing in his past two games.

UCF (4-0) now moves into the heart of its American Athletic Conference schedule, hoping to go undefeated for the second straight year to play its way into consider-ation for a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Michigan 20, Northwestern 17 In Evanston, Ill, Karan Higdon

ran for 115 yards and two touch-downs, Shea Patterson threw 196 yards and No. 14 Michigan over-came a 17-point deficit.

Higdon gave the Wolverines (4-1, 2-0 Big Ten) the lead with a 5-yard run with 4:06 remaining. Higdon averaged 3.8 yards on 30 carries, and Patterson

completed 15 of 24 passes to help Michigan win its fourth straight. Michigan held Northwestern to 97 yards of total offense in the final three quarters and had six sacks for the game.

Kentucky 24, South Carolina 10 In Lexington, Ky, Benny Snell Jr

ran for 99 yards and one of Kentucky’s three consecutive first-half touchdowns and the Wildcats held off South Carolina.

Kentucky (5-0, 3-0 Southeastern Conference) quashed initial concerns about a letdown following their first Top 25 ranking since November 2007 by scoring on four straight drives to lead 24-3 at halftime. The Wildcats ended up needing that cushion to off-set a scoreless second half and Jake Bentley’s 58-yard, third quarter TD pass that kept the Gamecocks (2-2, 1-2) within striking distance.

Texas 19, Kansas State 14 In Manhattan, Kan, Sam Ehlinger

threw for 207 yards and a touch-down, D’Shawn Jamison returned a punt 90 yards for another score and Texas snap a five-game road losing streak to Kansas State.

Keaontay Ingram churned for a first down with less than three min-utes to go, allowing the red-hot Longhorns (4-1, 2-0 Big 12) to run out the clock after blowing much of a 19-0 halftime lead.

Oregon 42, California 24 In Berkeley, California, Justin

Herbert threw two touchdown passes and La’Mar Winston Jr returned a fumble for a touchdown to help Oregon bounce back from a crushing loss a week ago.

Travis Dye ran for 115 yards and a touchdown and C.J. Vardell ran for 106 yards as the Ducks (4-1, 1-1 Pac-12) got a big road win against the Golden Bears (3-1, 0-1) after losing all four conference games away from home a year ago.

Parris Campbell #21 of the Ohio State Buckeyes rushes against Tariq Castro-Fields #5 of the Penn State Nittany Lions on Sept 29, 2018 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (AFP)

Livingston stun Gerrard’s RangersGLASGOW, Sept 30, (AFP): Promoted Livingston moved up to third in the Scottish Premiership table with a 1-0 win at home to Rangers that handed manager Steven Gerrard just his second defeat in 18 games.

Dolly Menga’s 34th-minute goal was enough to separate the sides as Livingston moved level on points with second-placed Hibernian, who are ahead on goal difference.

Hearts, Hibs’ traditional Edinburgh foes, are fi ve points clear at the top of the table.

But this reverse left Rangers sixth in the standings after seven games, just two points behind arch-rivals and reigning champions Celtic – managed by Gerrard’s

former boss at Liverpool, Brendan Rodgers. Rangers have yet to record an away league win un-

der ex-England midfi elder Gerrard this season.Next weekend sees them up against leaders Hearts,

although they fi rst have a Europa League match at home to Austrian side Rapid Vienna on Tuesday.

Victory saw Livingston extend their unbeaten league run to six games, with coach Gary Holt yet to lose since taking over last month from Kenny Miller.

Their decisive goal against Rangers came from a free kick with Declan Gallagher and Scott Robinson in-volved before Menga scored from inside the box to the delight of home fans at the Tony Macaroni Arena.

Syracuse’s Taj Harris juggles a pass for a reception during the fi rst half of an NCAA college football game against Clemson on Sept 29, 2018 in

Clemson, South Carolina. (AP)

Quanjian’s slide continues

D. Tardelli ‘penalty’ movesShandong into 3rd in CSLSYDNEY, Sept 30, (RTRS): Shan-dong Luneng climbed back into the qualifi cation places for next year’s Asian Champions League on Sunday despite being held to a 1-1 draw by Beijing Renhe in the Chinese Super League.

Diego Tardelli’s 71st minute penalty cancelled out Benjamin Moukandjo’s defl ected strike to earn Shan-dong a point that saw them move into third in the stand-ings, ahead of Beijing G u o a n thanks to their better h e a d - t o -head record.

“We didn’t play very well,” said Shan-dong coach Li Xiaopeng. “The whole team were not at their best.

“We need to review our perfor-mance in this game. Our players were tired but that’s not the reason for our poor performance. We’ve been intimidated by our opponents lately and that’s something we have to take seriously.”

Shandong drew level on points with Beijing Guoan after Roger Schmidt’s side slipped to a 1-0 defeat to league leaders Shanghai

SIPG on Saturday, with Brazil-ian forward Hulk scoring the only goal of the game.

The win ensured Vitor Perei-ra’s team remain four points clear of Guangzhou Evergrande with six games remaining after the defend-ing champions kept pace with the leaders by handing Dalian Yifang a 3-0 defeat.

Alan Carvalho put Evergrande in front from the penalty spot just fi ve minutes into the game, but it took until the 65th minute for Gao

Lin to double his side’s advantage over last year’s second division champions.

Nyasha Mushekwi’s own goal four minutes later guaranteed Ev-ergrande all three points.

Meanwhile, Tianjin Quanjian’s slide continued as Paulo Sousa’s side lost their fourth league game in a row, with a 3-0 defeat by Chong-qing Lifan moving them closer to the bottom end of the table.

Alan Kardec’s double earned Jordi Cruyff’s Chongqing a much-needed win and they are now just three points behind Quanjian who are in 13th place, just ahead of Henan Jianye and Guizhou Zhicheng who occupy the two bot-tom relegation berths.

Tim Jordan #9 of the Tennessee Volunteers carries the ball against J.R. Reid #20 of the Georgia Bull-dogs on Sept 29, 2018 in Athens,

Georgia. (AFP)

FOOTBALL

SOCCER

Tardelli

SEATTLE, Sept 30, (AP): Raul Ruid-iaz scored twice off assists from Nico-las Lodeiro and the Seattle Sounders beat the Colorado Rapids 4-0.

Ruidiaz opened the scoring in the 22nd minute for the Sounders (14-11-5). Cristian Roldan fed the rebound of Lodeiro’s saved attempt back to Lodei-ro, who passed it over to Ruidiaz for the fi nish from the middle of the area.

Colorado’s Kellyn Acosta tripped Lodeiro just inside the edge of the pen-alty box and Lodeiro made it 2-0 in the 52nd minute, converting from the spot into the lower right corner.

Lodeiro settled Victor Rodriguez’s pass and laid it off to Ruidiaz to make it 3-0 in the 73rd minute.

Rodriguez capped the scoring in the 80th minute with a right-footed blast into the far corner.

The Sounders ended a two-game skid that followed their nine-game winning streak.

The Rapids (6-18-6) lost their sixth in a row.

FC Dallas 0, Timbers 0 In Portland, Ore, FC Dallas

clinched a spot in the playoffs with the draw with Portland.

Dallas sits in fi rst place in the West-ern Conference with four matches left. The team needed a win or a tie against Portland to solidify a postseason berth as rumors swirl that coach Oscar Pare-ja may be a candidate for head coach of the US men’s national team.

The Timbers (13-9-9) are in fourth place and in playoff contention but just three points ahead of sixth-place Real

Salt Lake with three matches left.Galaxy 3, Whitecaps 0

In Carson, Calif, Zlatan Ibrahimov-ic scored in each half in Los Angeles’ victory over Vancouver.

The Swedish star opened the scor-ing with a penalty kick in the fourth minute, fi nishing into the lower left corner. Romain Alessandrini drew the foul against Marcel de Jong.

The Galaxy (12-11-8) made it 2-0 in the 58th minute when Ibrahimovic drove in from 40 yards out, faked out defender Aly Ghazal and sent home a right-footed blast from the top of the

box. It was Ibrahimovic’s 20th goal of the season.

The Whitecaps (11-12-7) dropped their third in a row.

DC United 5, Impact 0 In Washington, Luciano Acosta

had a goal and three assists, Wayne Rooney and Paul Arriola each scored two second-half goals, and DC United beat Montreal.

United (10-11-8) closed within two points of the Impact (12-15-4) for the sixth and fi nal playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. DC has two games in hand.

Bill Hamid had fi ve saves for his second shutout of the season.

Fire 3, LAFC 1 In Bridgeview, Ill, Djordje Mi-

hailovic opened the scoring and added an assist in the second half to help Chi-cago beat Angeles.

Mihailovic powered home a full volley off Brandon Vincent’s cross in the 20th minute to give the Fire (8-16-7) the lead. Nemanja Nikolic doubled the lead in the 29th minute with a pen-alty kick into the right corner. Brandt Bronico drew the foul in the penalty area against Steven Beitashour.

The Fire made it 3-0 in the 66th minute when Aleksandar Katai scored on a counterattack sprung by Nikolic’s pass to Mihailovic. Mihailovic drove it into the area and laid it off for Katai.

Dynamo 3, Earthquakes 2 In Houston, Romell Quioto scored

the go-ahead goal in the 87th minute to cap Houston’s comeback victory over San Jose.

San Jose’s Chris Wondolowski scored his 143rd MLS goal on a penal-ty kick to open the scoring in the 37th minute. Wondolowski is two goals be-hind Landon Donovan for the career record.

Quioto scored the winner when he was left open on a run to the left post and Mauro Manotas’ low cross slipped past the outstretched hand of goalkeep-er Andrew Tarbell.

Minnesota United 2, NYCFC 1 In Minneapolis, Angelo Rodriguez

scored two fi rst-half goals and Minne-sota held on to beat New York City FC after going a man down Saturday night.

Rodriguez headed home a wide cross from Miguel Ibarra to open the scoring in the 20th minute for Minne-sota (11-16-3). In the 36th, Rodriguez intercepted Ben Sweat’s off-target back pass and slipped behind the goal-keeper to easily fi nish his second goal.

Crew 0, Union 0 In Columbus, Ohio Andre Blake had

two saves for his 10th shutout of the sea-son to help Philadelphia tie Columbus.

Blake preserved the shutout with a leaping save of Harrison Afful’s at-tempt in the 90th minute.

Zack Steffen had his 10th shutout of the season for Columbus (13-9-9) without making a save.

Toronto FC 4, Revolution 1 In Toronto, Sebastian Giovinco,

Lucas Jansson, Victor Vazquez and Marky Delgado scored and defending MLS champions Toronto FC beat New England to keep its slender playoff hopes alive.

Toronto (9-15-6) won for the fi rst time in league play this season after conceding the fi rst goal.

Cristian Penilla scored for New England (8-11-11).


31

Hamilton wins in Russia to extend leadBottas unhappy

SOCHI, Russia, Sept 30, (AFP): A sheepish Lewis Hamilton increased his lead in this year’s drivers’ world championship to 50 points when he claimed an accomplished victory, aid-ed by Mercedes team tac-tics, in Sunday’s Russian Grand Prix.

The defending four-time cham-pion, who started second on the grid, was helped by Mercedes

t e a m - m a t e Valtteri Bot-tas, who al-lowed him to overtake and then defended him from at-tack by title rival Sebas-tian Vettel of Ferrari.

R u s s i a n P r e s i d e n t

Vladimir Putin, who sat next to for-mer F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone after a late arrival at the Sochi Autodrom, saw the Briton make the most of Mercedes’ strategy and a thrilling passing move on Vettel.

Bottas had started on pole and was unhappy at being asked to obey team

orders that deprived him of a possible victory as he finished 2.545 seconds behind Hamilton, who looked uncom-fortable at the situation after the race.

Vettel finished third and the German saw Hamilton extend his lead over him in the standings.

It was Hamilton’s third win in Russia, his fifth in six races and the 70th of his career, confirming he has the momentum to clinch a fifth title triumph with five races remaining.

“It’s actually quite a difficult day,” said Hamilton. “Valtteri did a fantas-tic job all weekend and was an abso-lute gentleman to let me by... I can understand how difficult it is for him.” Bottas was understandably brief. “Good result for us as a team, but as everyone saw it was a difficult race,” he said.

Kimi Raikkonen finished fourth for Ferrari ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen who marked his 21st birthday with a rousing drive, includ-ing a spell as race leader, from 19th on the grid.

Renault-bound Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo and Ferrari-bound Charles Leclerc of Sauber filled the next places.

Kevin Magnussen finished eighth for Haas ahead of job-hunting Frenchman Esteban Ocon and his Force India team-mate Sergio Perez.

Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas of Finland (left), leads at the start ahead of Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain (center), and Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany (behind), during the Russian Formula One Grand Prix at the Sochi Autodrom circuit in Sochi, Russia on Sept 30, 2018. (AP)

Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff left the luckless Bottas with no choice, but he tried to comfort the Finn afterwards.

“Valtteri, this is Toto - a difficult day for you, difficult for us - let’s get together and discuss it later,” Wolff said.

Hamilton’s win lifted him to 306 points in the championship ahead of Vettel on 256, Bottas on 189 and Raikkonen on 186.

After light rain, it was overcast but warm and when the race started and Bottas made the most of his second pole of the year to pull clear while Vettel, in the Finn’s slipstream, chal-lenged Hamilton for second.

The Briton resisted and, when Bottas pulled across to deprive Vettel, he took the slipstream to seize second again and draw close to his team-mate round Turn Two.

Bottas held on to the lead ahead of Hamilton and Vettel as the order settled.

The front-runners were soon joined by Verstappen who revelled in his Red Bull’s competitive pace before Bottas pitted for fresh tyres after lap 12, rejoining fifth behind Verstappen.

Hamilton took over as leader, but stayed out when Vettel pitted one lap later. He came in on lap 14 and, with his title rival enjoying a rapid lap,

emerged to re-join the fray behind his Ferrari.

“How did that happen?” asked Hamilton on team radio.

Irked, the Briton chased Vettel down. He challenged to pass on the inside, but the German closed the door, forcing Hamilton to ease off and avoid hitting a wall.

Unperturbed, Hamilton attacked again. He gathered momentum through Turn Three and swooped to pass Vettel on the inside at the next turn.

This lifted him to fourth behind Raikkonen and Verstappen, who had not stopped, and Bottas. When Raikkonen pitted, the Dutch birthday boy took over as leader.

Verstappen’s pace was insufficient to stretch the field and enabled Vettel to close in on the two Mercedes, forcing a tactical decision which saw Wolff authorise an order for Bottas to let Hamilton pass him for second on lap 26.

This relegated a grumpy Bottas to third to protect the Englishman from Vettel, but cost the Mercedes pair as Verstappen pulled clear by 2.8 seconds.

The Finn complained that he was set to pass the Red Bull on team radio, prompting Mercedes strategist James Vowles to respond.

“I had to do this to make sure we

secured this,” he said, having explained that Hamilton had a blistered tyre.

Hamilton then reported hesitations in his engine, and his blister – both ailments clearly hampered his raw pace and forced him to manage his car as he chased Verstappen.

Vettel

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain celebrates with the trophy after winning the Russian Formula One Grand Prix at the Sochi Auto-drom circuit in Sochi, Russia, on

Sept 30, 2018. (AP)

Russian GP Results/Standings

SOCHI, Sept 30, (AP): Results and standings on Sunday at Sochi Auto-drom in Sochi, Russia.

Lap length: 5.84 kilometersResults

1. Lewis Hamilton, Britain, Mer-cedes, 53 laps, 1:27:25.181, 25 points; 2. Valtteri Bottas, Finland, Mercedes, 53, +2.545 seconds, 18; 3. Sebastian Vettel, Germany, Ferrari, 53, +7.487, 15; 4. Kimi Raikkonen, Finland, Ferrari, 53, +16.543, 12; 5. Max Verstappen, Netherlands, Red Bull Racing Tag Heuer, 53, +31.016, 10; 6. Daniel Ricciardo, Australia, Red Bull Rac-ing Tag Heuer, 53, +80.451, 8; 7. Charles Leclerc, Monaco, Sauber Ferrari, 53, +98.390, 6; 8. Kevin Magnussen, Denmark, Haas Fer-rari, 52, +1 lap, 4; 9. Esteban Ocon, France, Force India Mercedes, 52, +1 lap, 2; 10. Sergio Perez, Mexico, Force India Mercedes, 52, +1 lap, 1; 11. Romain Grosjean, France, Haas Ferrari, 52, +1 lap; 12. Nico Hulkenberg, Germany, Renault, 52, +1 lap; 13. Marcus Ericsson, Swe-den, Sauber Ferrari, 52, +1 lap; 14. Fernando Alonso, Spain, McLaren Renault, 52, +1 lap; 15. Lance Stroll, Canada, Williams Mercedes, 52, +1 lap; 16. Stoffel Vandoorne, Belgium, McLaren Renault, 51, +2

laps; 17. Carlos Sainz, Spain, Re-nault, 51, +2 laps; 18. Sergey Sirot-kin, Russia, Williams Mercedes, 51, +2 laps.

Not classifi ed Pierre Gasly, France, Scuderia Toro Rosso Hon-da, 4, did not fi nish.

Brendon Hartley, New Zealand, Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda, 4, did not fi nish.

Driver Standings1. Lewis Hamilton, 306; 2. Sebas-

tian Vettel, 256;3. Valtteri Bottas, 189; 4. Kimi Raikkonen, 186; 5. Max Verstappen, 158; 6. Daniel Ricciar-do, 134; 7. Kevin Magnussen, 53; 8. Nico Hulkenberg, 53; 9. Fernando Alonso, 50; 10. Sergio Perez, 47; 11. Esteban Ocon, 47; 12. Carlos Sainz, 38; 13. Pierre Gasly, 28; 14. Romain Grosjean, 27; 15. Charles Leclerc, 21; 16. Stoffel Vandoorne, 8; 17. Lance Stroll, 6; 18. Marcus Ericsson, 6; 19. Brendon Hartley, 2; 20. Sergey Sirotkin, 1.

Manufacturers Standings1. Mercedes GP, 495; 2. Ferrari,

442; 3. Red Bull Racing Tag Heuer, 292; 4. Renault, 91; 5. Haas Fer-rari, 80; 6. McLaren Renault, 58; 7. Force India Mercedes, 35; 8. Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda, 30; 9. Sauber Ferrari, 27; 10. Williams Mercedes, 7.

KIMBERLEY, South Africa, Sept 30, (AFP): South Africa had some anxious moments before beating Zimbabwe by fi ve wickets in the fi rst one-day international at the Diamond Oval on Sunday.

It looked like being an easy day for the hosts when Zimbabwe crashed to 117 all out, their lowest total in 39 one-day internationals between the two countries.

But South Africa also struggled on a pitch of variable and occasion-ally steep bounce, losing their fi rst four wickets for 58 runs before a hard-hit 44 by wicketkeeper Hein-rich Klaasen took them most of the way to the win.

“It was a very indifferent wick-et,” said stand-in South African cap-tain JP Duminy. “There was always something in it for the bowlers. Even though we bowled well it was quite a tough total to chase down.”

Opening bowler Lungi Ngidi took three for 19 to lead a potent South African bowling performance after Duminy sent Zimbabwe in to bat.

“It was about keeping it simple, hitting your lengths and the wicket will do the rest,” said Ngidi, who was named man of the match.

Duminy’s decision to bowl paid off almost immediately when Solo-mon Mire was caught at second slip off Ngidi without scoring.

Although captain Hamilton Masakadza made 25 and Elton Chigumbura hit 27, Zimbabwe were unable to put together any substan-tial partnerships as the South Afri-can bowlers maintained control.

“We were surprised how it played,” said Masakadza. “If we had scored another 50 or 60 runs we would have been more competi-tive.”

Kagiso Rabada, Andile Phe-hlukwayo and leg-spinner took two wickets apiece to back up Ngidi.

Zimbabwe may have been unfor-tunate when Craig Ervine was the second batsman to fall, given out caught behind off Wiaan Mulder when replays suggested the ball may have missed his bat. No deci-sion review system is in place in this low-profi le series.

Tendai Chatara bowled an im-pressive opening spell, taking two for 12 in six overs to raise Zimba-bwe’s hopes before Klaasen took charge. Klaasen hit 44 off 44 balls before he was fi fth man out with 22

runs still needed. Klaasen hit two successive sixes

off left-arm spinner Wellington Ma-sakadza before he was caught in the deep trying to hit a third.

❑ ❑ ❑

Opening batsman Shikhar Dha-wan has been dropped from India’s Test squad for the upcoming West Indies series, the country’s cricket board announced Saturday.

Dhawan had a forgettable Eng-land tour with the left-handed open-er managing just 162 runs in eight innings as top-ranked India lost the Test series 1-4.

Uncapped batsman Mayank Agarwal and rookie fast bowler Mohammed Siraj were included in the 15-man team that will be led by Virat Kohli, who was rested in the recent Asia Cup 50-over tourna-ment won by India.

The national selectors decided to rest fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar due to their “recent workload”, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said in a statement.

“Both Ishant Sharma and Hardik Pandya were not consid-ered for selection, as they are yet to recover from their injuries,” the BCCI added.

The fi rst Test will be held in Ra-jkot starting Oct 4, with the second in Hyderabad from Oct 12.

The two teams will also play fi ve one-day international and three Twenty20 matches after the Test matches.

The world’s top Test side will then head to Australia for a full se-ries starting November.

Squad: Virat Kohli (captain), K.L. Rahul, Prithvi Shaw, Ma-yank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), Ha-numa Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), R. Ashwin, Ravindra Jade-ja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur

❑ ❑ ❑

Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Mortaza says his team must over-come a “mental block” in order to secure victory in crucial games after

the Tigers lost their third interna-tional fi nal this year.

The national side were praised for their spirited showing in the Asia Cup fi nal on Friday against In-dia, who clinched victory by three wickets in a last-ball thriller.

Replying to Bangladesh’s mod-est 222, India gained victory only through a leg-bye off the fi nal ball to secure their seventh Asia Cup title.

The agonizing loss was Bangla-desh’s third this year in a champion-ship fi nal.

The Tigers lost to Sri Lanka in a tri-nation one-day international fi nal in January before falling short against India in a Twenty20 tourna-ment decider in March.

“For some reason, it is not hap-pening. If we can do it once, maybe it will be easier,” Mortaza told re-porters late Saturday upon returning from the Asia Cup venue in Dubai.

“Of course there is some mental block. Winning a tournament is im-portant to overcome this hurdle.”

Their next opportunity will come in October and November, when Bangladesh host Zimbabwe for three one-day internationals and two Test matches.

Mortaza said he was “disappoint-ed” that Bangladesh had slipped again. But he urged his men to take the fi ghting spirit they showed in the Asia Cup fi nal into their next fi xtures.

South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada bowls during the fi rst One Day In-ternational cricket match between South Africa and Zimbabwe at the Diamond Oval in Kimberley

on Sept 30, 2018. (AFP)

Dhawan left out of India squad for series

South Africa stutter before beating Zimbawe

Toronto FC’s Justin Morrow battles for the ball with New England Revo-lution’s Guillermo Hauche during the fi rst half of a MLS soccer game on

Sept 29, 2018 in Toronto. (AP)

Ruidiaz scores twice, Sounders rout Rapids

FC Dallas clinch playoffs spot

CRICKET

SOCCER

MOTOR RACING

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Europe hold off tense US rallyfor ‘emotional’ Ryder Cup win

Europe team captain Thomas Bjorn (center), holds the trophy aloft as he celebrates with his team after Europe won the Ryder Cup on the final day of the 42nd Ryder Cup at Le Golf National in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, outside Paris, France on Sept 30, 2018. (AP)

Molinari, Garcia make history

SAINT-QUENTIN-EN-YVELINES, France, Sept 30, (AFP): Europe’s finest golfers, sparked by a record-setting victory for Italy’s Francesco Molinari, recaptured the Ryder Cup on Sunday, denying a dra-matic United States fight-back to complete an emo-tional 17.5-10.5 upset vic-tory.

Reigning British Open champi-on Molinari defeated five-time major winner Phil Mickelson 4 and 2 as Europe took an insur-mountable edge over the favoured Americans in the biennial team showdown at Le Golf National.

“The attitude they had was unbeliev-able,” Europe captain Thomas Bjorn said. “There was a moment when I thought this was going a little bit wrong but when we got our momentum going it went very quickly.” It turned out to be the most lopsided European triumph since an 18.5-9.5 victory at Ireland’s K Club in 2006.

The US team needed to match the greatest last-day comebacks in Ryder Cup history by taking eight singles points to keep the Cup, but there was no French magic like Europe’s 2012 ‘Miracle at Medinah’ or the Americans’ 1999 victory in the ‘Battle of Brookline’.

“Their captain did a better job than I did,” US captain Jim Furyk said. “Their players played better. We just have to tip our caps.” The Americans, who haven’t won in Europe since 1993, lead the all-time rivalry 26-14 with two drawn but the Europeans’ ninth victory in the past 12 attempts gave them an 11-8 with one drawn edge since expansion from a British-Irish squad after 1977.

Americans pulled within 10.5-9.5 before Europe’s first singles victory by Danish rookie Thorbjorn Olesen, who beat three-time major winner Jordan Spieth 5 and 4.

Spain’s Jon Rahm followed by downing Tiger Woods 2 and 1, keep-ing the 14-time major champion win-less in four matches this week and snuffing out any US momentum.

Rahm, who led after all but one hole, pumped his fists and screamed

with joy after his winning four-foot birdie putt left Europe two wins from victory.

England’s Ian Poulter, Europe’s wildcard talisman, birdied the 18th hole to beat world number one Dustin Johnson 2-up and put Europe on the brink.

That set the stage for Molinari to clinch the win, making his 5-for-5 his-tory after Mickelson found water at 16 and conceded, setting off a cham-pagne-spraying celebration.

Spain’s Sergio Garcia, last year’s Masters champion, also made history, beating Rickie Fowler 2 and 1 to reach 25.5 career Ryder Cup points, breaking Nick Faldo’s old mark of 25. He credited team spirit with helping the feat.

Matches stood on a knife’s edge deep into the afternoon as tension built across the back nine.

Four-time major winner Rory McIlroy found the same bunker twice and water to lose the 18th hole and his match 1-up to US rookie Justin Thomas.

Third-ranked Brooks Koepka, this year’s US Open and PGA Championship winner, halved with England’s Paul Casey in a match nei-ther led by more than 1-up.

Webb Simpson beat Justin Rose 3

and 2 and US rookie Tony Finau ripped Tommy Fleetwood 6 and 4, ending the Englishman’s bid to match Molinari’s 5-for-5 feat.

Europe’s Spanish golfer Sergio Garcia plays a shot out of a bunker during his singles match with US golfer Rickie Fowler on the third day of the 42nd Ryder Cup at Le Golf National Course at Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, southwest

of Paris on Sept 30, 2018. (AFP)

GOLF

Europe’s English golfer Tommy Fleetwood celebrates after Europe won the tournament on the third day of the 42nd Ryder Cup at Le Golf National Course at Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, southwest of

Paris on Sept 30, 2018. (AFP)

Touchline tension

Fiorentina add to Atalanta woesMILAN, Sept 30, (AFP): Tensions flared on the touch-line as Fiorentina claimed a controversial 2-0 win over Atalanta on Sunday to move up to fourth in Serie A.

Elsewhere, Polish striker Krzysztof Piatek became the first Serie A debutant in 68 years to score eight goals in the opening six games when he hit a brace for Genoa in a 2-1 win over Frosinone.

Bergamo-based Atalanta travelled to Fiorentina’s Artemio Franchi stadium desperate to end a five-game winless streak.

But their hopes were com-pouned just after the hour when referee Paolo Valeri pointed immediately to the penalty spot, refusing to consult the video assistant referee (VAR) despite Federico Chiesa going down easily from Rafael Toloi’s chal-lenge.

Jordan Veretout stepped up to slot past Pierluigi Gollini after 63 minutes, and Fiorentina cemented the win when

Cristiano Biraghi doubled their lead in stoppage time.

At the final whistle, tensions boiled over with furious Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini confronting Fiorentina counter-part Stefano Pioli before the pair were dragged apart.

“He shouted at me that the penalty was non-existent,” said Pioli.

“They gave a penalty against us for a fingertip against Inter, so this time they gave one in our favour for light contact,” added Pioli, whose side lost to Inter Milan midweek.

“We were tenacious, a little lucky.”

Fiorentina have 13 points from seven games, eight behind leaders Juventus, with Atalanta now six games without a win and one point above the relega-tion zone.

SOCCER

Frankfurt’s Rebicpunishes HanoverBERLIN, Sept 30, (AFP): Croatian international Ante Rebic grabbed a goal and created another to inspire Eintracht Frankfurt to a 4-1 victory over bottom club Hanover 96 in the Bundesliga on Sunday.

Rebic caused havoc in the Hanover defense all afternoon as Frankfurt eased to a much-needed second win of the season and lifted themselves away from the bottom three.

Hanover are rooted to the bottom with a meagre two points from six matches. Evan N’Dicka gave Frankfurt the lead on 36 minutes, as Hanover lost the ball too easily in their own half, and Ndicka latched onto Sebastien Haller’s looping header to score his first ever Bundesliga goal.

More hapless defending from Hanover saw Frankfurt double the lead on the stroke of half-time, Rebic twist-ing away from Oliver Sorg to slot the ball past goalkeeper Michael Esser.

The visitors started the second half brightly, but shot themselves in the foot once again when Waldemar Anton allowed Rebic to break free in the final third.

Burnley triumph

Cardiff stay in‘bottom’ threeCARDIFF CITY Sept 30, (Agencies): Cardiff City missed a chance to move out of the Premier League’s bottom three by conceding two poor goals in a 2-1 home defeat by Burnley on Sunday.

The visitors’ Icelandic inter-national Johann Berg Gudmundsson headed the open-ing goal in the 52nd minute from Charlie Taylor’s cross but eight minutes later Josh Murphy, who had earlier hit a post, scored a deserved Cardiff equalizer.

Weak defending allowed Welsh international Sam Vokes to head the winning goal from Gudmundsson’s volleyed cross.

A fourth successive defeat left promoted Cardiff second bottom with two points from seven games while Burnley’s first

away win pushed them into mid-table.

The home side’s direct style nevertheless troubled Burnley throughout, particularly from set pieces, leading to one disallowed goal and a clearance off the line before halftime.

The long throws and heading ability of skipper Sean Morrison were particularly dangerous.

In the 10 minutes before half-time, Morrison twice won head-ers from corners at the far post to create a good opportunity.

He was penalized for a foul, however, before Murphy flicked the ball past Joe Hart and when he headed square again, substi-tute Kevin Long cleared off the line from Callum Paterson.

Before that Murphy, cutting in from the left, hit the outside of a post.

By the interval Cardiff had had 10 attempts on goal to Burnley’s one – they finished with 19 against three – but a lack of concentration led to them fall-ing behind early in the second half.

Taylor was allowed to latch onto a quick throw and cross to the far post where Gudmundsson squeezed his header past goal-keeper Neil Etheridge.

Murphy equalized with a com-posed side-footed effort from 15 metres for his first Premier League goal since a 12 million pound ($15.63 million) transfer from Norwich City.

He then forced Hart into a fine save from a dipping shot.

But slack defensive work allowed Gudmundsson to volley a cross and Vokes to glance in a stooping header for another Burnley win to follow last week’s 4-0 success against Bournemouth.

“Back-to-back wins is mas-sive,” said Vokes.

“We needed it after a tough start to the season. We knew it would be tough and it was a bat-tle. We came out in the second half and played a bit more.”

Standings P W D L GF GA Pts Man City 7 6 1 0 21 3 19 Liverpool 7 6 1 0 15 3 19 Chelsea 7 5 2 0 15 5 17 Tottenham 7 5 0 2 14 7 15 Arsenal 7 5 0 2 14 9 15 Watford 7 4 1 2 11 8 13 Leicester 7 4 0 3 13 10 12 Wolves 7 3 3 1 8 6 12 B’mouth 6 3 1 2 10 11 10 Man Utd 7 3 1 3 10 12 10 Everton 7 2 3 2 11 11 9 Burnley 7 2 1 4 9 11 7 Palace 6 2 1 3 4 6 7 West Ham 7 2 1 4 8 12 7 Brighton 7 1 2 4 8 13 5 Saints 7 1 2 4 6 11 5 Fulham 7 1 2 4 8 16 5 Newcastle 7 0 2 5 4 10 2 Cardiff 7 0 2 5 4 16 2 H’field 7 0 2 5 3 16 2Note: Standings read as played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against and points.

Cardiff City’s Bruno Ecuele Manga (left), and Burnley’s Aaron Lennon battle for the ball during the English Premier League soccer match at the Cardiff City Stadium in Cardiff, Wales on Sept 30, 2018. (AP)

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