Slowdown in Philippines

MANILA // Despite an increase in motorcycle sales in the Philippines, the country's motorcycle production slowed dramatically in 2009. Figures released by the Motorcycle Development Programme Participants Association showed that, while sales were up from 594,871 units in 2008 to 636,989 in 2009, growth of production of motorcycles was just 6.6 per cent compared with double-digit 20 to 30 per cent growth in past years. Before the financial crisis, the industry projected sales to hit one million in 2010 and 1.2 million by 2012.

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Tornado tears apart Oklahoma community

Rescues workers look for victims in the rubble of a destroyed building at the Moore Hospital in Moore, Oklahoma, May 20, 2013. A huge tornado with winds of up to 200 miles per hour (320 kph) devastated the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore on Monday, ripping up at least two elementary schools and a hospital and leaving a wake of tangled wreckage. REUTERS/Gene Blevins (UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENT - Tags: ENVIRONMENT DISASTER) *** Local Caption *** GRB035_USA-TORNADOE_0521_11.JPG

Children are among the dozens reported dead so far in Moore, the Oklahoma City suburb ravaged by Monday's tornado that packed winds of up to 320 kilometres per hour. Tornado tears apart Oklahoma community

Meet the first all-Emirati, all-girl rock band

Members of the Al Ain based rock band Random Stars are ( Left to right ) Bushra Hassan Al Hashimi ( 22 years old, rhythm guitar ), Aysha Abdullah Almaskari ( 21 years old, drums ) and Hamda Al Ghaithi ( 22 years old, Lead Guitar ). (Photo Courtesy,Patreshia Tkach)

Five students from HCT in Al Ain formed Random Starts only a year ago, but already they’re wowing their fans at college events Meet the first all-Emirati, all-girl rock band

Visa costs slow tide of cruise visitors to the UAE

Passengers arrive at the cruise ship Mariner of the Seas as it made its maiden port of call in Dubai yesterday. Jaime Puebla / The National

The cruise industry is no closer to winning a reprieve on entry visas in the Emirates despite a drive to boost tourism numbers. Visa costs slow tide of cruise visitors to the UAE

Our guide to this summer's Middle Eastern music festivals

Rihanna. Las Vegas News Bureau / AP Photo

From Morocco to Lebanon and Turkey, the musical festival scene is thriving in the region, offering eclectic acts and stunning scenery. Our guide to this summer's Middle Eastern music festivals

Films with Arab themes hold sway at Cannes

The Dutch-Palestinian film director Hany Abu-Assad. AFP

Now that the first few days of catwalk bling and celebrity razzle-dazzle have died down, the Cannes film festival has returned to what it does best: showcasing strong, socially engaged cinema with a global focus. Films with Arab themes hold sway at Cannes

Operation Hawksbill swings into action

The mother Hawksbill turtle on her way back to sea after laying eggs on Saadiyat beachfront yesterday. She is the first sea turtle to nest on the island at the start of the season. Photo Courtesy Tourism Development Investment Company

Saadiyat is renowned for its hotels and beach clubs, but it is also a vital breeding ground for the endangered sea turtle. Operation Hawksbill swings into action