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NO: 16216- Friday, July 4, 2014

PAGES 6-7 Local FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014

Just kiddin’, seriously Winds of change in Kuwait

By Sahar Moussa

[email protected]

nce upon a time, there was a small kingdom called KUWAIT: People shop for Ramadan lanterns at a shopping center in Shuwaikh. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat Kuwait. Everybody used to live in harmony and hap- Opiness. It was a prosperous land where both expats and locals enjoyed its immense wealth. Expats from all over the world brought their families to start a new life. Other kingdoms and lands were envious of Kuwait; it was like a small diamond and everybody wanted a piece of it. Years passed by and something evil struck Kuwait. Let’s call it an “economic sandstorm”. This left the country feeling cursed. A curse that left everybody feeling miserable and ready to leave the life they worked so hard to make for themselves. Lawmakers imposed hard laws on expats which left them facing a hard financial situation. One of the things which added to their woes was the increase in house rents. (It was raised about 27 percent during the last few years, while the normal growth rate is about 8 percent, according to experts). While most expats didn’t see a rise in their salaries, they certainly saw a rise in prices and everything else. But rising rents was the least of their troubles. The increasing cost of living affected nearly every aspect of life including food, housing, clothing and other services. While the government increased most of the Kuwaitis’ salaries, the expats had no such luck. Four years ago, expats were able to save money, travel and still send money back home to their families, but now they couldn’t do that anymore. They hit rock bottom where each day was a struggle. And all the government did was boost inflation. Why don’t we have a proper economic strat- egy to control inflation in general which is causing instabili- ty and unhappiness in our lives? Being categorized based on the color of their skin or passport is another issue which expats are facing here. If you’re from the West or Europe, there is a red carpet laid out for you but if you’re not, the doors are shut. People used to use their degrees and educational qualifications to climb the socio-economic ladder higher earlier and that was right- ly so. But now, a degree isn’t considered a scale anymore as race is more important. Then came the Kuwaitization policy. According to this, a certain number of Kuwaitis must be employed in every company in the private sector. This system was created by the government a few years ago to encourage Kuwaitis to work in the private sector. Companies which violate the set percentage are required to pay a penalty. It is their country and I completely respect that. It’s their right to provide jobs to their citizens and this is how it should be in every country. But there must be a fair equilib- rium and balance in the system. For example, you cannot fire a loyal and dedicated employee who is working for a long time in the same company, only to be replaced with a Kuwaiti who refuses to do half of the work! You cannot ruin a person’s life and disregard his loyalty by employing a Kuwaiti who may not even be qualified - only to avoid legal issues. “If you don’t like it here, you can leave!” This is something you hear a lot from employers these days. I think it is inap- propriate and merciless to say this to someone who has spent most of his life working hard to make the company what it is. You don’t reward people’s loyalty to their work by insulting them this way. It’s like a friend once told me “You cannot return to your mom’s womb if you don’t like her!” 5- Who was the first to ever fast? In the end, everything around us indicates that the gov- ernment is leaving no stone unturned to make things - Adam, who fasted three days every month unpleasant for expats - and gently get them to leave the place. I think the whole thing would be more dignified if they just told us clearly “Kuwait doesn’t want expats any- more” instead of this arm-twisting. At the end of the day, all Yes No that expats have is their dignity. Although their dreams and hopes are shattered now, maybe there will come a day when the fairytale will have a happy ‘The End’ and everyone will live happily ever after. Or maybe not. Local FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014

Local Spotlight By Muna Al-Fuzai Happy Birthday America!

have to agree on all of their foreign policies, but when it As an Arab, I think we allowed terrorists from our own comes to democracy and our own civil disputes, we rush to race, kin and religion to kill innocents and destroy churches, [email protected] ask assistance and support from the policeman of the world. museums and schools. Iraq and Syria are living examples. I think deep in our hearts we know that the US is a role mod- While we ask the world to show tolerance, we fail to show n July 4, 1776, the United States of America el for success, power and quick action. We respect the super- any in our homelands and among our peers! Overall, we Oannounced its independence from Britain to make its power. have learned nothing from US experience. I believe a great own history. Since then, the USA has been given What can we learn from the US experience? I think the nation makes its own history, and the US indeed is a diverse many names, but the most common one is the ‘Land of Arabs failed to use their resources and their rich history to nation that took the lead of the world today not only due to Freedom’. For hundreds of years, this title has attracted secure their future and ensure human development. An oil- its technological achievements, but for being a shelter for thousands of people to immigrate to the US, making it their rich country like Kuwait has even failed to develop oil for the the best brains, scientists, intellectuals and international home to turn their dreams to reality. benefit of the youth and future generations, sinking in the humanitarian agencies offering a better life and future. Every year on July 4, the Americans celebrate to mark quagmire of corruption while some people get jailed and Moreover, it offers freedom that many can’t afford to enjoy their freedom and democracy. They went through wars and prosecuted for expressing opinions! We don’t seem to have in their homelands. civil conflicts, yet they made history. We the Arabs don’t learned much so far. Happy Birthday America!

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Local FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014

KUWAIT: MPs and ministers are seen during the final session of the current term of the National Assembly yesterday. — Photos byYasser Al-Zayyat New BOT law bad Kuwait, Mexico eye cooperation

news for investors NEW YORK: Kuwaiti Ambassador to Mexico Samih Johar Hayat held talks with Lawsuits looming Mexican Tourism Secretary Claudia Ruiz Massieu on KUWAIT: The new Build-Operate-Transfer The proposal did not pass in the parliament’s losses for compensations that the state could means of promoting tourism (BOT) law could lead to long legal battles financial committee, and the draft law was pay are not only related to the par value and cooperation between Kuwait between the state and owners of mega proj- passed as it is in the National Assembly on value of the contract, but also include the and Mexico. Hayat said in a ects in Kuwait including Souq Sharq, the Sunday. cost, maintenance, investment right and statement that his talks with Marina Mall and Slayil Al-Jahra Mall. The new expected profit. This means that if investors the Mexican minister dealt law, now known as the Public Private Frustration win in court, they are poised to collect multi- with a proposed exchange of Partnership (PPP), gives good news to new The news came much to the chagrin of billion-dinar compensations paid from public a draft memorandum of investors with an opportunity to extend the companies developing dozens of projects funds. duration of their projects to 50 years. On the built as per the BOT projects, and whose con- Another investor, who also spoke on the understanding, stipulating an other hand, it brings very bad news to current tracts are set to expire soon. Many developers condition of anonymity, argued that MPs felt agreement to promote investors, who will no longer be able to face the risk of suffering huge financial loses if ‘embarrassed’ after the issue was pictured as tourism cooperation between extend for more than one transitional period. their projects end up with other firms that if renewing the contracts means theft of pub- the two friendly countries. After that, the project will be put for auction win the auction, leading them to study legal lic funds. “On the other hand, projects cannot In particular, the two sides under new conditions, with an advantage action over the right to extend their con- make reasonable revenue during the contract pondered ways of activating given to the old investor by 5 percent for lim- tracts. “All current contracts clearly give the years without extension,” he explained. “The air navigation and encourag- ited companies and 10 percent for sharehold- investor the right of extension,” said an offi- old law gave investors a maximum of 20 years ing investments in the sector. Kuwaiti Ambassador to ing firms. cial in a company that owns a BOT project. for the contract, but the possibility of exten- The Mexican official, during Mexico Samih Johar Article 7 of the law, which prohibits “The new legislation cannot violate the pacta sion encouraged companies to invest in proj- Hayat meets Mexican extending the contract for over a year, raised sunt servanda principle, since that contains a ects that need long duration in order to make the meeting, voiced satisfac- tion at the noticeable Tourism Secretary controversy on the economic, political and legal violation and suspected constitutional adequate profit. Claudia Ruiz Massieu. legal scenes in the past few weeks. The parlia- violation that puts state funds at risk from Therefore, the legal change and eliminat- improvement of Kuwaiti- ment tried to amend it, and studied a propos- investors’ damage lawsuits.” ing the right to extend contracts is injustice Mexican relations. She also al from the government that stipulated The official who requested anonymity to to the investor, who provided the idea and relayed desire of Mexican tourism officials to meet Kuwaiti extending the contracts for specific periods of speak to Al-Rai daily, explained that the gov- pumped the investments which benefited counterparts for talks on these issues. —KUNA time under certain controls and regulations. ernment should bear into account that the the national economy,” he argued. —Al-Rai

KUWAIT: Indian Ambassador Sunil Jain presents a memento to Farwaniya Governor Sheikh Faisal Al-Humoud Al-Malek Al-Sabah at an iftar organized by Federation of Indian Muslim Associations (FIMA), Kuwait at Crowne Plaza, Farwaniya on July 2. FIMA president Siddique Valiyakath is at left. (Right) Ambassadors, VIPs and well- wishers wait to break the fast. A summit of friendliness over iftar

By Sunil Cherian cultural iftar organized by the Federation of including Indian Ambassador Sunil Jain graced Losada, who shared the table with Jain, said iftar Indian Muslim Associations (FIMA), Kuwait. the occasion that saw a large number of people reminds of family gatherings, which is an old KUWAIT: We are all ambassadors, each one rep- Farwaniya Governor Sheikh Faisal Al-Humoud from a wide spectrum. European custom. Srinivasan PR, a scientist at resenting our creator, said Mirza Yawar Baig, Al-Malek Al-Sabah was the chief guest at the iftar “Just like there is one Amir in Kuwait, there is Equate, said he was happy to hear organizations Chairman of Standard Bearers Academy, a corpo- held at Crowne Plaza Hotel. “I leave my heart here one God that unites us all this evening,” said Jain. were distributing iftar packs at labor camps. rate consultancy. Baig, a globetrotting preacher but I take my body,” quipped Sheikh Faisal, who Jain, who is a vegetarian, enjoyed the variety of Siddique Valiyakath, president of FIMA, empha- on Islam, was in Kuwait on Wednesday to deliver had to leave the FIMA iftar for an iftar at the Amiri food, sandwiched by well-wishers and other sized on the bond that is getting stronger the keynote speech at a multi-religious and multi- Diwan. Ambassadors from various countries ambassadors. Spanish Ambassador Angel through friendly gatherings like these. Local FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014

News in brief

PIC dealt with 100,000 cyber attacks in 4 days KUWAIT: Petrochemical Industries Co, a subsidiary of the state-run Kuwait Petroleum Corp, said it has located the source of 167 cyber attacks and break-in attempts on its local and global networks. The company dealt with 100,000 attacks during the June 19-22 period, however services have not been disrupted as a result, said the company’s statement. Most of these attacks were aimed at exhausting the server, thus disrupting the services of PIC, which manufactures and markets petrochemicals locally and internationally. Staff at its IT operations room, working 24 hours, benefitted greatly from the applied solutions and are given full authoriza- DOHA: Kuwaiti filmmakers are seen at the Hekayat Khaleejiya (Gulf Stories) festival at the Qatar Film Institute. — KUNA tion to make on-the-spot decisions, the company added. Kuwaiti films screened Muslims in Serbia thank Kuwait for iftar banquets SARAJEVO: Muslim representatives in the Serbian cities at Hekayat Khaleejiya of Novi Pazar and Sjenica in the Sandzak region expressed appreciation to Kuwait for hosting iftar ban- quets for the poor and the needy during Ramadan. The Directors bemoan lack of film industry iftar banquets were carried out successfully by the Kuwaiti embassy in Belgrade and was organized and DOHA: During its Hekayat Khaleejiya (Gulf Stories) festival here, Qatar ativity most acutely. They need such a venue to interact with audi- funded by Kuwait Zakat House. While visiting the two Film Institute screened four short Kuwaiti films of different themes ences and help create a cinema culture that would nurture their field, cities to inspect iftar preparations, Kuwaiti envoy Yousef that shed some light on some aspects of life in Kuwait. The two-day and they also need funds to support a film industry, he stressed. Ahmad Abdulsamad told Serbian TV yesterday that the screening of the short narrative films is set for Wednesday and As for Bu Musaed Al-Mutairi, his film is about Khalid, aka “Ka3bool”, Thursday at the Museum of Islamic Art. The first of the four films was a bedouin working at a fast food outlet to pay his bills. When he is Kuwaiti embassy has also provided iftar parcels to 111 “Dinosaur” by director Meqdad Al-Kout, in which government fired from his job, he finds himself in a difficult situation as people try Muslim families for the whole month of Ramadan. The employee Bu Mansour strives to change his job title before his retire- to take advantage of him and also mock him for his previous job. He Kuwaiti diplomat pointed out that Kuwait is well-known ment. Kout told KUNA, “Short narrative films bring some mundane told KUNA short narrative films have a different philosophy than for extending a hand of help to the underprivileged by occurrences from daily life into sharp focus.” He said he started film- longer productions in terms of presentation of an idea. The style here various charity activities in different parts of the world. making as a hobby with the help of some friends who stayed around is to focus on a single point with no sideline occurrences or distrac- as he developed it into more professional work. He praised the sup- tions. His film, he said, tells the story of the marginalized who struggle Interior minister meets port of Cinemagic, which sponsored some phases of the production to meet their dues amid a difficult family situation. GCC undersecretaries as well as helped with quality post-production. Kuwaiti filmmakers are He too expressed the wish to see a real film industry in Kuwait, KUWAIT: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior making an impression on the world film stage, he added, and they are stressing young filmmakers’ individual effort is a real first step in that Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah yes- especially noticed at regional events. direction. Many Kuwaitis are cooperating on productions that add terday received GCC interior undersecretaries and “Men’s Barbershop” by Meshal Al-Hulail stars a protagonist faced something to the audience and which come out at high quality. The deputy ministers after a consultative meeting which with the seemingly impossible challenge of changing his barber. fourth Kuwaiti film “Passport Photo” is by director Yousef Al-Mujeem. Describing his film as a black comedy, Hulail told KUNA Kuwaiti films The film is about a Kuwaiti man’s failed attempts to have a “good pho- ended a day earlier. The meeting between Sheikh have made their mark at regional and international festivals, with to” taken for his passport. According to its own description of its mis- Mohammad, also the Acting Minister of Awqaf and barely a festival without a Kuwaiti contribution. Prizes are won for sions, the Doha Film Institute “is dedicated to film appreciation, edu- Islamic Affairs, and the GCC officials stressed permanent films that are mostly produced solely through the filmmaker’s own cation, and building a dynamic film industry in Qatar that focuses on cooperation between GCC interior ministries. It also resources. Still, he noted the recent introduction of free production nurturing regional storytellers while being entirely global in its scope. called for unifying their visions and discussing security services and access to gear and montage facilities by Cinemagic. He “With culture, community, education and entertainment at its developments on the regional and international arenas, also noted that Kuwait National Cinema Company (Cinescape) now foundation, DFI serves as an all-encompassing film hub in Doha, as MoI Assistant Undersecretary for Security Affairs Lt Gen gives Kuwaiti filmmakers the chance to screen their productions at well as a resource for the region and the rest of the world. We firmly Suleiman Al-Fahd said. The meeting also tackled topics some of its theatres. The director expressed gratitude to the Qatar believe in the power of film to change hearts and minds, and our mot- on the agenda in order to achieve stability, security and Film Institute for the chance to interact with the Qatari audience. to reflects the sentiment that ‘Film is Life’.” The institute has a monthly fight against crime, Fahd added. He remarked that what Gulf filmmakers need the most now is an screening schedule. The films screened are contemporary and recent opportunity to screen productions in specialized theatres. Kuwaiti productions or past works and classic films by Qatari and other Gulf filmmakers in particular feel the absence of a local venue for their cre- filmmakers.—KUNA

KUWAIT: (Left) A fire gutted five buses belonging to a public transport company in Sulaibiya. (Center) A fire broke out in the campaign tent of a parliamentary candidate in Rehab. (Right) A boat’s engines malfunctioned and winds swept the boat to rocks near Shaab slipway, damaging it and causing water to rush inside. A family of four including two children was rescued unharmed. - By Hanan Al-Saadoun FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014 Mideast, Europe ‘Specific’ attack Israel air strikes, travelers to face threat at Uganda rockets heating ‘security12 checks’ Entebbe14 airport up15 Gaza border

CAIRO: Egyptian bomb disposal expert use sniffer dogs as they check the area following a bomb blast in the vicinity of the Ittihadiya palace in the Egyptian capital Cairo. — AFP Brotherhood holds ‘day of anger’ Egypt Islamists mark Morsi’s ouster

CAIRO: Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood was holding a “day of dent. Despite the crackdown, the Islamists have insisted on con- quickly growing population of 86 million stretching its dilapi- anger” yesterday to mark the first anniversary of the military tinuing their protests in the hope, they say, of making the coun- dated infrastructure. The military had overthrown Morsi after overthrow of president Mohamed Morsi, with police swiftly try ungovernable for Sisi. Since Morsi’s ouster after a turbulent days of huge protests demanding the resignation of the polariz- quashing the few marches that began. The protests are being year in power, at least 1,400 people have been killed in street ing Islamist. Almost 23 million voters went on to endorse Sisi in seen as a test of the Islamists’ strength, with the Brotherhood- clashes, and more than 15,000 thousand have been imprisoned. a May presidential election against a weak leftist candidate who led Anti Coup Alliance having issued an aggressive rallying cry Among the Brotherhood leaders arrested was supreme garnered only several hundred thousand votes. Sisi’s supporters on Wednesday demanding a “day of anger” to mark Morsi’s guide Mohamed Badie, who was sentenced to death in a view him as a strong leader who can restore stability in the ouster. speedy mass trial. Militants have launched scores of attacks that often tumultuous country. Police closed off several main squares in Cairo and beefed up killed several hundred policemen and soldiers, mostly in the Yet the Brotherhood, which had won every vote since an security ahead of the protests. According to security officials, restive Sinai peninsula. Rights groups say the crackdown has uprising toppled veteran strongman Hosni Mubarak in 2011, police quickly moved in on two marches, firing tear gas and dis- been the bloodiest seen in Egypt in decades. “A surge in arbi- still commands a loyal following. “Let us turn our wealth of rev- persing the protesters. An Islamist activist told AFP marches trary arrests, detentions and harrowing incidents of torture and olutionary defiance into an overwhelming power,” the Anti would be staggered throughout the day. Police were also on deaths in police custody recorded by Amnesty International Coup Alliance said in its statement on Wednesday. A man was high alert for further bombings, days after two senior police- provide strong evidence of the sharp deterioration in human killed overnight apparently preparing an explosive in an apart- men were killed when devices they were defusing outside the rights in Egypt in the year since President Mohamed Morsi was ment south of Cairo, security officials said. In Cairo, a small presidential palace exploded. ousted,” the London-based Amnesty said in a statement. bomb went off inside a car near a military installation late Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood movement was listed as a ter- Wednesday. Police arrested a man who was in the car, while rorist group after his overthrow on July 3 and many of its lead- ‘Revolutionary defiance’ another escaped. The government says the Brotherhood has ers, including Morsi himself, jailed. The ex-army chief who top- The repression has further divided Egypt, a regional power- been behind the militant attacks, a charge the Islamist group pled him, Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, has since replaced him as presi- house and the Arab world’s most populous country, with a denies. — AFP Don't Worry Enjoy the Sun ...

Made in Germany

[email protected] 12 International FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014

Saudi deploys 30,000 troops to Iraq border

DUBAI: Saudi Arabia deployed 30,000 advance last month. into the border region after Iraqi gov- empty desert, was “fully in the grip” of soldiers to its border with Iraq after King Abdullah has ordered all nec- ernment forces withdrew from posi- Iraqi border troops. The satellite chan- Iraqi soldiers abandoned the area, essary measures to protect the king- tions, leaving the Saudi and Syrian nel said it had obtained a video show- Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya television dom against potential “terrorist frontiers unprotected. ing some 2,500 Iraqi soldiers in the said yesterday, but Baghdad denied threats”, state news agency SPA The Iraqi prime minister’s military desert region east of the Iraqi city of this and said the frontier remained reported yesterday. The US-allied spokesman denied the forces had Karbala after pulling back from the under its full control. The world’s top kingdom overcame its own Al-Qaeda withdrawn. “This is false news aimed border. An officer in the video aired oil exporter, Saudi Arabia shares an insurgency almost a decade ago and at affecting the morale of our people by Al-Arabiya said that the soldiers 800-km border with Iraq, where is wary of any encroaching new and the morale of our heroic fighters,” had been ordered to quit their posts Islamic State insurgents and other threat from radical Sunni Islamists. Lieutenant General Qassim Atta told without justification. The authenticity Sunni Muslim militant groups seized The Dubai-based Al-Arabiya said on reporters in Baghdad. He said the of the recording could not immedi- towns and cities in a lightning its website that Saudi troops fanned frontier, which runs through largely ately be verified. —Reuters

Islamists slam caliphate declaration as ‘heresy’ BEIRUT: The surprise declaration of a “caliphate” by jihadists accused of committing atrocities in Syria and Iraq has provoked an outcry even among Islamists who dream of a state under Sharia law. The caliphate, an Islamic system of rule, was abolished nearly 100 years ago, although many Arabs and Muslims still associate it with a golden age. But this week’s announcement of a caliphate by the radical Islamic State (IS) group appears to only appeal to fanat- ics. “All Islamist groups want the caliphate,” said Mathieu Guidere, who teaches Islamic studies at France’s University of Toulouse. But IS, which operates in Syria and Iraq and was formerly known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, “is equated with terrorism and massacres; it has a bad track record”, Guidere said. IS’s widely publicized brutality, including public beheadings and crucifixions, “give a very bad image of Islam... tainting the (caliphate) project, which Islamists view as an ideal.” IS chief Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi’s designation as “caliph”-or leader of all Muslims, and successor to the Prophet Mohammed-has shocked most Muslims, even jihadists, who have rejected the idea outright. Al- Azhar, a leading authority of Sunni Islam, “believes that all those LONDON: Armed police officers walk in front of the arrival gate at Heathrow airport, west of London. —AFP who are today speaking of an Islamic state are terrorists,” its senior representative Sheikh Abbas Shuman said. “The Islamic caliphate can’t be restored by force. Occupying a country and killing half of Mideast, Europe travelers its population... this is not an Islamic state, this is terrorism,” Shuman added. In Saudi Arabia, bastion of Sunni Islam and home to the reli- gion’s holiest places, Al-Riyadh daily ripped the caliphate as being face tighter security checks “no more than one person heading a terrorist organization”. The paper, which expresses views close to the Saudi monarchy, said “it Extremist groups making new explosives would be a mistake to exaggerate the importance of this initiative, by imagining it might eradicate borders... and give way to a great LONDON: Travelers flying to the United Independence Day celebrations today. the details “would be very helpful for Islamic caliphate.” Sunday’s announcement by IS comes amid a States from Europe and the Middle East On Sunday, US President Barack Obama the people who want to pass through major offensive it is spearheading in Iraq, capturing large swathes face tighter airport security checks due warned that “battle-hardened” the system”. Aviation security expert of territory from government hands. The group has also secured to fears extremist Muslim groups are Europeans who embrace jihad in Syria Philip Baum told Sky the added checks fresh gains in Syria, where it is firmly in control of areas in the north making new explosives able to slip by and Iraq threaten the United States would likely mean an increase in ran- and east of the war-torn country. standard checks. The measures threaten because their passports mean they can dom searches and the number of pas- ‘A heresy’ fresh disruptions for passengers at the enter his country without a visa. sengers being asked to remove their start of the summer holiday season and shoes at security. Passengers in Britain Islamist rebels in Syria, who are fighting both IS and President will affect some direct flights to the US. ‘Credible new threats’ have long faced tight security measures Bashar Al-Assad’s regime, have branded the caliphate announce- Officials declined to say if they had Despite the increased checks, Britain at airports following high-profile threats ment as “null and void”. Baghdadi, whose group was once allied to uncovered a specific plot. But the move said the international terror threat level including a failed attempt by British Al-Qaeda, embarked on a collision course last year with its leader, comes amid increased concern among issued by security service MI5 remained “shoe bomber” Richard Reid to blow up Ayman Al-Zawahiri, who anointed another group, the home-grown Western intelligence services that unchanged at substantial, the third a US-bound flight in 2001. Security was Al-Nusra Front, as its franchise in Syria. Abu Maria Al-Qahtani, Al- Islamist fighters who go to Syria with highest grade out of five, where it has further tightened after a plot to blow up Nusra’s authority on Islamic law, has accused IS on Twitter of European passports could pose a securi- been since July 2011. Deputy Prime “liquid bombs” on transatlantic flights “excessive zeal” and branded it “a disaster for the Islamic nation”. In ty risk on their return. The announce- Minister Nick Clegg said that extra secu- was uncovered in 2006. Iraq, the influential Association of Muslim Scholars said IS had “con- ment of the extra checks on direct rity measures were the right response to Ben Friedman, a defense and home- sulted neither residents of Iraq nor Syria.” And Lebanon’s Jamaa flights from some overseas airports to “credible new threats”. “It’s very impor- land security expert at the Cato Institute Islamiyeh, which is the local branch of the widely influential Muslim the US was made by US Homeland tant that we work-as we do-with our think-tank in the US, told the BBC that Brotherhood, lashed out at the announcement and called it heresy. Security Secretary Jeh Johnson American partners and indeed with oth- fears had been raised over people with The group also said IS’s acts “are a deformation of Islam, that dis- Wednesday. er countries around the world so that European passports who were fighting in gusts the people of the region.” “We are sharing recent and relevant where credible new threats are identi- Syria. But he noted that previous attempts Even more hardline Salafist Muslims dismissed the call. “We information with our foreign allies and fied, a response is then implemented in by Yemeni bomb makers to blow up want a caliphate; it is at the core of our ideology,” said Daii Islam Al- are consulting the aviation industry,” airports around the world,” Clegg told planes had been unsuccessful. “While we Shahhal, founder of Lebanon’s Salafist movement. “But such a state Johnson said in a statement. The air- ITV television. Transport Secretary want to be prudent and cautious... these should be founded on several criteria, which have not yet been ports are located in the Middle East and Patrick McLoughlin insisted to Sky News guys are serial failures,” he added. A met.” IS has among its ranks thousands of well-armed fighters, Europe and were targeted “based on that passengers should not face “signifi- Nigerian, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, is many of them foreigners. Its bid to annihilate all those who refuse real-time intelligence”, according to an cant delays”. serving a life sentence for trying to blow to pledge allegiance to its project has raised the wrath of most oth- official at the Department of Homeland The Department for Transport did up a US-bound airliner on December 25, er fighters. “They believe they are the only Muslims,” said Radwan Security who spoke on condition of not comment in detail on the nature of 2009 with explosives hidden in his under- Al-Sayyed, who teaches Islamic studies at the Lebanese University. anonymity. Britain confirmed it is bol- the security searches. London’s wear. US officials said the botched plot But thanks to their “capacity to destroy, they will last for (only) stering security at its airports in Heathrow airport-the world’s busiest was the work of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian months,” he said. –AFP response. The move came before the US international air hub-said that to reveal Peninsula, based in Yemen. —AFP International FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014 Iran eases demands for nuke capacity

VIENNA: Iran has reduced demands for the size of its future the number of uranium enrichment centrifuges Iran will main- Tehran has refused to back down from its demand to maintain nuclear enrichment program in talks with world powers tain if a deal is reached to curb its nuclear program in 50,000 operational centrifuges, a figure deemed by Western although Western governments are urging Tehran to compro- exchange for a gradual end of sanctions. Ending the decade- officials to be out of keeping with Iran’s stated need for a strict- mise further, Western diplomats close to the negotiations said long dispute over Iran’s nuclear ambitions is seen as instru- ly civilian nuclear energy program. Iran, a major oil producer, yesterday. The diplomats, who spoke to Reuters at the start of a mental to defusing tension and averting a new Middle East says it plans a future network of nuclear power plants to diver- two-week round of negotiations between Iran and the United war. “Iran has reduced the number of centrifuges it wants but sify its energy supply, though just completing one of them States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China, said that the number is still unacceptably high,” a Western diplomat would take many years, analysts say. “Iran needs at least 50,000 despite some movement from Tehran it would not be easy to told Reuters on condition of anonymity and without further centrifuges and not 49,999,” the Iranian official said. “We will clinch a deal by their self-imposed deadline for a deal of July 20. detail. not compromise on that ... The other party is talking about a Tehran’s shift relates to the main sticking point in the talks - On Wednesday a senior Iranian official told Reuters that few thousands and this is unacceptable for Iran.” — Reuters 14 International FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014

‘Sue me’ Obama draws strength from power showdown WASHINGTON: Something unexpected icy. Claims Obama is running rogue were Protection Agency (EPA) to cut global tion of the hope and change of 2008. But happened to Barack Obama as he slipped bolstered last week when the US Supreme warming emissions from power plants after now, he is doubling down, and asked his toward the lame duck inertia that stifles Court, by a 9-0 margin, ruled he illegally climate legislation died on Capitol Hill. cabinet for new steps he could take within second term presidencies. He transformed appointed members to a Labor Relations Lawmakers from both parties complain months, and promises to do all he can to fix himself into a power hungry, Constitution- Board, bypassing the Senate. A bipartisan meanwhile the White House did not fully the US immigration system himself. busting, imperial president who will simply rebuke from the Supreme Court is not to consult them, as the law requires, when it The White House argues that each action ignore Congress when it won’t give him be ignored. But to Republicans, the presi- swapped Taliban prisoners to free US sol- is within the president’s power to set rules what he wants. That, at least, is the line dent is showing no mercy, even as conser- dier Bowe Bergdahl. and implement laws that have been passed from Republicans fuming at Obama’s flex- vative columnists like George Will wail at by Congress. Legal experts are divided on ing of executive power to skip past their “egregious” constitutional offenses and the ‘Sue me’ whether Obama is stretching the constitu- refusal to enact his agenda. Such is the top Senate Republican Mitch McConnell But Obama won’t be cowed. In fact, the tional envelope or waging the presidency’s political estrangement in Washington, that warns the administration only obeys “the Republican assault has breathed new defi- age-old struggle for influence with Congress. House Speaker John Boehner has made an laws it likes.” nition into an administration that had George Edwards, one of the foremost schol- unusual threat to take Obama to court, In an extraordinary moment at a jovial appeared sullen and exhausted with two- ars of presidential power, said such struggles alleging abuse of power. Democrats dis- reception for PGA golf pros at the White and-a-half years left. “Middle Class often occur when the White House and one miss the move as a stunt-and it is unlikely House last week, Boehner took Obama Americans can’t wait for Republicans in or both chambers of Congress are in different Obama is in legal jeopardy. aside and told him that Americans “don’t Congress to do stuff. So sue me,” Obama hands. “My bottom line here is I don’t think But any charge sheet would likely trust him to enforce the law as written” and said Tuesday. “As long as they’re doing there is a crisis in separation of powers but accuse the president of breaking the law ruled out a vote on immigration reform-the nothing, I’m not going to apologize for there is certainly a lot of tension,” said by changing implementation dates of his president’s top remaining domestic priori- doing something. Obama endured much Edwards, a professor at Texas A & M health reform Act and of exceeding his ty, this year. Republicans also oppose mockery over his “pen and phone” strategy University. “I don’t see that there are great powers to set climate and immigration pol- Obama’s use of the Environmental of targeted executive action-a pale imita- abuses in this case.” —AFP

Immigrant children posing humanitarian crisis for America LOS ANGELES: A massive wave of immigrant children flood- ing into the United States across Mexico’s border is posing a growing humanitarian crisis, and escalating into a political one. More than 52,000 minors, the youngest only three or four years old, have been detained since October after crossing the border illegally, hoping that getting a foot on US soil will win them the right to stay. The process of deporting a child who has arrived illegally and without any family members is long and complicated. So many take a chance on being allowed, eventually, to remain in the country. Despite US President Barack Obama’s best efforts to per- suade them not to try their luck, on the basis that they will eventually be thrown out, hundreds of children keep arriving daily across the Mexican border, most from Central American KAMPALA: UPDF soldiers and police forces patrol streets in Kampala with a tactical operation vehicle after the US countries plagued by gang violence and poverty. In Texas embassy in Uganda warned yesterday of a ‘specific threat’ by an unknown group to attack Entebbe international and Arizona, the epicenter of the crisis, detention centers and military bases are full up, a border guard source told AFP, airport, which serves the capital Kampala. —AFP requesting anonymity. Children are piled up waiting for authorities to start the process of sending them back to their home countries, or at least to give them a better conditions ‘Specific’ attack threat at until they do. The American Red Cross told AFP it is providing blankets and basic hygiene kits to US authorities for detained children, who often arrive exhausted and famished after dan- Uganda Entebbe airport gerous trips of thousands of kilometers from Central America. According to Californian non-governmental organization (NGO) Hermandad Mexicana, Washington should have fore- US issues terror warnings seen the current crisis “given the tide of children (without par- ents) who have arrived in the country in recent years.” KAMPALA: The US embassy in Uganda must be vigilant in the face of this threat, bomber blew themselves up in an attack on warned yesterday of a “specific threat” by an report any suspicious individuals seen in their restaurant popular with Westerners in central Authorities didn’t foresee crisis unknown group to attack Entebbe internation- areas,” he said, calling on people to “stay calm Djibouti, killing a Turkish national. Entebbe’s The US Department of Homeland Security “could have pre- al airport, which serves the capital Kampala. and alert.” The US embassy suggested people airport, on the shores of the vast Lake dicted the need for beds and resources to receive them,” said The alert came as travelers flying to the United planning travel through the airport during Victoria, was the site of the daring 1976 raid Nativo Lopez, an advisor with the group which is lobbying on States from Europe and the Middle East faced Thursday evening should review their plans in by Israeli special forces, to free hostages kid- behalf of the young migrants. The flood of children crossing tighter security because of new concerns light of the warning. napped on board an Air France aircraft by the border has accelerated in recent months, possibly in antic- about the development of explosives that Palestinian and German gunmen. Last ipation of the immigration reforms being pushed by Obama. could circumvent airport security.”The US Army deployed month the US warned citizens of the threat of They include notably plans to make it easier to become a US embassy has received information from the It also warned its citizens of a general threat attacks during televised screenings of the citizen, while beefing up the US-Mexico border. But the Uganda police force that according to intelli- of attacks which could target hotels, restau- World Cup. reform bill is currently moving nowhere in the Republican- gence sources there is a specific threat to rants, clubs, malls, diplomatic missions, govern- During the World Cup final four years ago, dominated House of Representatives, prompting the US presi- attack Entebbe International Airport by an ment buildings and transport. But government Somalia’s Al-Qaeda linked Shebab insurgents dent to announce Monday that he would take executive unknown terrorist group today, July 3rd, spokesman Ofwono Opondo said the US was killed at least 76 people after setting off explo- action to respond to the crisis. between the hours of 2100-2300 (1800 GMT to being “over sensitive in their warning”, and sions that ripped through two restaurants in On the diplomatic front, Vice President Joe Biden and US 2000 GMT),” the statement said. Although it urged people to continue with travel plans as the Ugandan capital. Police spokesman Fred Secretary of State John Kerry have met authorities from the did not name any group, Al-Qaeda linked normal. “All the security measures have been Enanga insisted the “airport is very safe and Central American countries the youngsters fled. Lopez mean- Shebab insurgents have claimed recent attacks taken,” he said. “We encourage people to go secure”, but added that security had boosted while lamented that Obama “is trying to weaken the rules in Kenya and Djibouti, and at home in Somalia. on with their business.” across the capital. “We are at a very crucial allowing for the expulsion of minors and is thereby depriving Uganda has troops in Somalia as part of The Shebab claimed responsibility for the stage because of the World Cup events held them of their rights,” when they “should be treated like the African Union force fighting the Shebab assault on the Westgate shopping centre that in town,” he said. In Somalia, the Shebab have refugees,” he said. The children are living “in awful conditions. and is on high alert amid fears of attacks by killed at least 67 people in the Kenyan capital warned that violence will intensify during They don’t have beds,” added Domingo Gonzalo of the group the Islamist militants. Army spokesman of Nairobi in September last year as well as Islam’s holy month of Ramadan, carrying out a Campana Fronteriza which operates from the Texas town of Paddy Ankunda said troops had been for two nighttime attacks on the Kenyan string of bomb attacks and killings. Yesterday, Brownsville, where there is a detention center. The govern- deployed at the airport and in the capital, coast last month that killed around 60 peo- they claimed responsibility for shooting dead ment is planning to open a second center in the vast US state some 35 kilometers from Entebbe. “People ple. In May, a male and female suicide a lawmaker and his bodyguard. —AFP to house another 1,000 migrants. —AFP International FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014

Islamic State seizes towns in oil-rich Syrian province

BEIRUT: The jihadist Islamic State (IS) has taken over a Only the provincial capital, which shares the same on IS fighters, whose brutal abuses and quest for hege- string of towns and cities in Syria’s oil-rich province of name as the province, and the military airport are not mony earned them the opposition’s wrath. IS has vastly Deir Ezzor and now also controls most of the country- under IS control, Abdel Rahman said. The city of Deir bolstered its reputation and its resources through an side, a monitor said yesterday. The province, which Ezzor is split between President Bashar Al-Assad’s offensive it launched in Iraq on June 9, capturing a abuts Iraq, forms part of the IS’s newly-declared forces and an amalgam of rebel groups. The swathe of territory in northern and western provinces “caliphate”, which it said extends from Aleppo in north- Observatory said the withdrawal of the rival rebel as it sweeps towards Baghdad. It has brought many of ern Syria to Diyala province in eastern Iraq. groups followed negotiations between fighters from the heavy weapons it seized from Iraq’s fleeing troops The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the Al-Nusra Front and IS, mediated by local tribes, “to stop across the border and is now deploying them in Syria, takeovers came after some fighters from rival rebel the bloodshed”. Earlier yesterday, some fighters, giving it vastly improved firepower. On Sunday, the groups, including Al-Qaeda affiliate Al-Nusra Front, including members of Al-Nusra Front, distributed a group declared a “caliphate” straddling Syria and Iraq, withdrew from the province while others pledged alle- video statement via jihadist forums announcing their referring to an Islamic system of rule that was abol- giance to IS. “All towns and villages on the route from “repentance” for battling IS, while renouncing loyalty ished nearly 100 years ago in a move that has angered Albu Kamal (on the Iraq border) to Al-Bab (in Aleppo to the rebel Free Syrian Army and the opposition other rebel groups and Islamists, who declare it a province), passing through Raqa province (on the National Coalition. ‘heresy”. Syria’s war began as a peaceful movement Turkish border), are now under IS control,” said Some Syrian rebels initially welcomed IS, formerly demanding Assad’s ouster, but morphed into a conflict Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman. He also said known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), after the regime unleashed a brutal crackdown on dis- Mayadeen, the biggest town in Deir Ezzor province, “is among their ranks as they battled Assad’s forces in sent. Many months into the fighting, jihadists started to now under IS control, after Al-Nusra Front evacuated its their bid to topple his regime. But in January, rebels pour into Syria, drawing warnings from analysts of a headquarters there, and IS raised its banner.” and Al-Nusra Front fighters began turning their guns looming regional conflagration.— AFP

Refugees to exceed a third of Lebanon

BEIRUT: Lebanon faces the threat of political and economic collapse as the number of refugees pouring in from Syria is set to exceed a third of the population, Social Affairs Minister Rashid Derbas said yesterday. Derbas said the total was expected to hit 1.5 million by the end of the year, an excessive burden for a country of just 4 million people. He said the influx of refugees fleeing Syria’s civil war will have cost Lebanon’s already fragile economy around $7.5 billion between 2012 and 2014. Border communities hosting Syrian refugees were under particular pressure because of the increase in people willing to work for low wages. “Unemployment doubled, especially among unspecialized or unskilled labor in those mostly poor areas,” he said, warn- ing that the refugee crisis “threatens to take us to an econom- ic, political and even security collapse.” The turmoil next door has not only hurt Lebanon’s economy, but has aggravated sectarian tensions and fuelled violence. It currently hosts around 1.1 million registered Syrian refugees. “We know that we are working towards having more than 1.5 million regis- GAZA: Palestinian man inspects damages following an overnight Israeli air strike yesterday in Gaza City. — AFP tered refugees by the end of 2014, which amounts to more than a third of the local population,” Derbas told a meeting of Israeli air strikes, Palestinian Lebanese ministers and international aid groups. Beyond limits According to the United Nations, Lebanon has taken in 38 rockets heat up Gaza border percent of all Syrian refugees in the region, more than any other country. “We all have our limits and we have gone 14 rockets fired into Israel; tensions high in Jerusalem beyond those limits now,” Derbas said. More than half of the Syrians in Lebanon are children, and the vast majority are not JERUSALEM: Israeli air strikes wounded 15 people in the Gaza Gaza Strip over the past several weeks, but there was no official in school. Syrian women and children are often seen begging Strip yesterday, local residents said, and militants kept up rocket word that any decisions had been made amid public calls from on the streets in parts of the capital Beirut, and while some fire on Israel, damaging two homes, in rising border tensions fol- some ministers for strong action. The Palestinian youth, refugees have rented apartments, others are living in ad hoc lowing the death of a Palestinian youth. Violent Arab protests Mohammed Abu Khudair, was last seen alive being bundled into shelters in car parks, garages and abandoned buildings. The erupted on Wednesday after the body of the 16-year-old a van on Wednesday near his home in the Arab neighborhood of refugees have put increasing pressure on infrastructure in a Palestinian boy was discovered in Jerusalem, possibly the victim Shuafat in Jerusalem, a day after the burials of the Jewish teens, of a revenge killing following the deaths of three Israeli teenagers who were abducted on June 12. No time has been set for the country that suffers from frequent power cuts and is unable that the Jewish state has blamed on Hamas militants in the occu- boy’s funeral, an event that could trigger more Palestinian to supply all of its population with clean water. The United pied West Bank. The city was quiet yesterday but tensions protests. Abu Khudair’s family said police, who have stepped up Nations estimates that Lebanon will need $1.6 billion in fund- remained high as police continued an investigation into the patrols in the city, told them the body would be released in the ing to cope with the humanitarian situation this year, but so Palestinian’s death. pre-dawn hours of today. A police spokeswoman gave no details far only 23 percent has been raised. The Israeli air strikes hit at least three Hamas training facilities of the investigation, other than to say a forensic examination was At the current level of funding, aid agencies will not be in Gaza, said a source in the Islamist group, which dominates the still underway. She declined to say when the body would be able to meet a target of getting 172,000 refugee children into Palestinian enclave. The Israeli military said 14 projectiles had handed over. Lebanese schools next year, said Ninette Kelley from the UN’s been fired at Israel from the Gaza Strip and that rockets that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who accused refugee agency UNHCR. “We will be unable to launch a polio struck the two homes in the southern town of Sderot caused no Jewish settlers of killing the teenager, spoke by telephone vaccination campaign for all children in Lebanon under casualties. UN human rights chief Navi Pillay condemned both with the youth’s father yesterday. “Mohammed is one of the five...800,000 refugees will go without winter support,” she Palestinians and Israelis yesterday for the latest flare-up of vio- martyrs of this great people,” Abbas said, according to the told the mid-year review meeting. Syrian refugees are still reg- lence across the Gaza border and also the killing of the Palestinian official Palestinian news agency, WAFA. Israeli Prime Minister istering at the rate of 100,000 per month in neighboring teenager. “From a human rights point of view, I utterly condemn Benjamin Netanyahu, in a statement on Wednesday, called countries, although the outflow has slowed somewhat in these rocket attacks and more especially I condemn Israel’s exces- the killing a “loathsome murder” and urged all sides not to sive acts of retaliation,” Pillay told journalists in Vienna. take the law into their own hands. The killing of Abu Khudair recent months, the UNHCR said yesterday. The new estimate also drew international condemnation and the United States is for 3.6 million Syrian refugees to be in the region by the end Martyr’s death urged Abbas’s Palestinian Authority to “take all necessary of 2014, against 2.9 million registered currently, it said. Apart Israel’s security cabinet met again late on Wednesday to mull steps to prevent an atmosphere of revenge and retribu- from Lebanon, Syrians have fled across borders into Turkey, military options in response to the persistent rocket fire from the tion”.— Reuters Jordan and Iraq.— Reuters International16 FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014

India building collapse death toll climbs to 55 CHENNAI: Rescuers have pulled 13 more “appear bleak”. Some 27 people have break through slabs of concrete. Tamil five children. A massive influx of people bodies from the rubble of a building that been rescued from the rubble so far. It is Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa to cities in search of jobs and a shortage collapsed last weekend in southern India, not known how many people were Jayaram, meanwhile, announced that a of low-cost housing has fuelled fast con- raising the death toll to at least 55, offi- inside the building at the time of the col- one-man commission will investigate struction of buildings across the country, cials said yesterday. The 11-storey apart- lapse. “There is no question of winding the disaster. The commission will look often using substandard material. ment tower on the outskirts of Tamil up the rescue operations any time into the circumstances that led to the Millions also live in dilapidated old build- Nadu’s state capital Chennai, which was soon,” Sagar told AFP by telephone. “As collapse and “fix responsibility”, she said ings that have frequently caved in dur- still under construction, came crashing we’ve said repeatedly, the (rescue) in a statement, according to the Press ing heavy rains. Last September, more down Saturday following heavy rains, efforts will continue till the very last,” he Trust of India news agency. Six people than 50 people were crushed to death killing mainly laborers. said. “We don’t know if there are more have been arrested so far for negligence, when a five-storey building collapsed in Karuna Sagar, a senior officer with people buried under the debris. To find including the chief builder and the archi- India’s financial hub Mumbai. Most of the Tamil Nadu state police force, said that out we have to continue the work.” tect. the victims of the Chennai tragedy were the confirmed death toll from the disas- Rescuers have been working almost The collapse came only hours after a construction workers, who were report- ter now stood at 55 and added that round the clock, using drills, mechanical dilapidated apartment block crumbled edly in the building to collect their chances of finding more survivors diggers and heavy-cutting equipment to in New Delhi, killing 10 people including wages. —AFP

NEW DELHI: The passenger train sets off during the trial run of a ‘semi-bullet train’ between New Delhi and Agra from New Delhi railway station yesterday. —AFP Tight Indonesian presidential India ‘semi-bullet train’ sets new race hit by dirty campaigning speed record Frontrunner branded an ethnic Chinese Christian NEW DELHI: An Indian passenger train set a new national JAKARTA: While President Barack Obama was Shrinking poll lead TV most influential speed record of 160 kilometers an hour (100 miles an hour) yes- accused of being a Kenyan-born Muslim before Just a few months ago, Widodo had a However, while the smear tactics have terday during a test between the capital and the Taj Mahal city being elected, in Indonesia, the world’s most massive 30 percentage point lead on undoubtedly hit Widodo’s popularity, observers of Agra. The introduction of high-speed links and bullet trains populous Muslim-majority nation, presidential Prabowo, but polls last week showed the gap say Prabowo’s campaign has also been helped were one of the key poll campaign promises of India’s new frontrunner Joko Widodo has been branded an had dived to single digits. In a survey by by other factors such as his powerful media right-wing prime minister, Narendra Modi, who won elections ethnic Chinese Christian. Smear campaigns have Indikator Politik Indonesia, 17 percent of backers and his huge personal wealth. in May. Yesterday’s test, part of the government’s plans to escalated ahead of next Wednesday’s election, more than 3,000 respondents said they had Television remains the most influential media in upgrade the ageing rail network, saw the train complete the with the candidates’ supporters playing dirty to heard the rumor Widodo was an ethnic Indonesia, and in this regard Prabowo is clearly 200 kilometers between New Delhi and Agra in around 90 min- control the messages swirling in the media, a Chinese Christian, and 37 percent of those leading, with five stations backing him com- utes. The top speed clocked at 10 kilometers more than the pre- trend commentators say has contributed to a said they believed it. Widodo’s team have pared to just one for Widodo. The channels are vious record. “This is now the fastest train in India,” Delhi divi- steep fall in support for Widodo. In another sought to counter the escalating smear cam- making their allegiances increasingly clear as the sional railway manager Anurag Sachan told AFP from inside the attack, a senior official from the party of paigns by highlighting Prabowo’s tainted race tightens-Surya Paloh, head of a political train. “We are recording all technical parameters during the trial Prabowo Subianto, the only other contender, human rights record-he ordered the abduc- party backing Widodo, appeared recently on his run and hope to introduce it to the public by this November.” suggested on Twitter Widodo was a communist, tion of student activists before Suharto’s own Metro TV news channel in a farmer’s hat While fast by Indian standards, the train is some way from playing on fears that linger from the era of dicta- downfall in 1998. But Indikator said that this bearing stickers of his chosen candidate. And the Japanese “Shinkansen” admired by Modi which reach tor Suharto, who demonized the far-left. While appeared to have had little impact on voters, Prabowo handed out prizes on the final of pop- speeds of 320 kilometers an hour. The Indian media labeled it a Widodo-known by his nickname Jokowi-has despite the fact it was true. ular singing contest Indonesian Idol, aired on a “semi-high-speed train” or “semi-bullet”. India is set to roll out borne the brunt of the attacks, Prabowo has also The claim about Widodo’s religion and station owned by a member of his coalition. extensive plans to overhaul India’s massive but loss-making been targeted. ancestry have been by far the most damag- Prabowo also has greater funds to fight his network on Tuesday when the Modi government will present He has been labeled a psychopath, and a ing, as they could alienate Muslim voters and campaign. Both candidates publicly declared its first railway budget. Observers say the railways have been YouTube video of the infamously hot-headed play on long-standing resentment towards their wealth this week, something required neglected by successive governments over the past three ex-general punching someone at an election ral- the ethnic Chinese community. Widodo under Indonesian election law, and Prabowo’s decades of rapid economic growth during which car ownership ly went viral, even though it appeared to have vehemently denies the claim. The rumors $150 million dwarfed Widodo’s $2.4 million. In has surged and low-cost airlines have mushroomed. been doctored. Most of these allegations have were spread predominantly through a new addition, the 62-year-old has the backing of his But it continues to be one of the main modes of long-dis- been denied or proven to be false. But in a social tabloid, “Obor Rakyat” (The People’s Torch), billionaire brother, Hashim Djojohadikusumo. tance travel for most of India’s 1.2 billion people, while media-mad country where rumors spread fast widely seen as a vehicle for pro-Prabowo The ex-general has also been planning his run for increased use of the tracks for freight could help ease road traf- on the Internet, they appear to be having an propaganda, which was distributed to Islamic presidency for a long time, and his well-oiled fic congestion. Similar high-speed rail corridors are being impact, commentators say. “I’m very afraid that boarding schools and mosques on the main political machine stands in stark contrast to planned between New Delhi and the northeastern city of the outcome of the election is not going to be island of Java. Ross Tapsell, an Indonesian Widodo’s often disorganized campaign, analysts Chandigarh, and the national capital and the industrial town of based on informed votes, because smear cam- media expert at the Australian National say. “Jokowi was nominated in March, Prabowo’s Kanpur 500 kilometers away. “The cost of upgrading tracks, sig- paigns are having an impact on voters,” Endy University (ANU), said the rumours were been planning this for 10 years,” said ANU’s nal systems and other related infrastructure isn’t high on some Bayuni, senior editor at the English-language “ridiculous” but added: “They get circulated Tapsell. “His team members know exactly what of the corridors which already have other high speed trains,” daily Jakarta Post, said at a recent panel discus- and, particularly in regions of Java, it will be they’re doing, while in Jokowi’s team, they’re still Sachan said. “We are confident of expanding it once this proj- sion. important.” arguing about what they should do.” —AFP ect is completed,” he added. —AFP International FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014 Ukraine president shakes up military 200 troops killed in conflict to date

KIEV: Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko won parlia- conditions for a more lasting ceasefire. “anti-terrorist operation” grouping the army and other secu- ment’s approval yesterday to shake up the leadership of the The group includes a former president of Ukraine, who is rity bodies in the drive against the rebels. Though armed forces as they try to end a rebellion by pro-Russian informally representing Kiev, Moscow’s ambassador to Kiev, Poroshenko won backing on the military shake-up, a debate separatists. Parliament endorsed Colonel-General Valery and a high-ranking official from the Organization for on “decentralisation” proposals for the regions, which is part Heletey as defense minister after hearing Poroshenko Security and Cooperation in Europe. It should meet “no later of his peace plan, ran into trouble when a key coalition part- describe the 46-year-old as a man “who will work day and than July 5th with the goal of reaching an unconditional ner came out against them. night for restoring the military capability of our armed and mutually agreed sustainable ceasefire”, a document forces.” He also named a new chief of the general staff. agreed by the four ministers said. French President Francois Overnight ATTACKS Poroshenko took office last month with the country in Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged In overnight violence, one Ukrainian soldier was killed crisis, as two eastern regions press demands to break away Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday to encourage the when rebels approached in a car bearing a white flag and and join Russia, following the example of Crimea earlier this separatists to reach an agreement with the Ukrainian then opened fire, a military spokesman, Oleksiy year. After months of unsuccessful attempts to quash the authorities, the French president’s office said. Dmytrashkivsky, said. The border service also said nine uprising, he wants to sharpen the army’s effectiveness while border guards were wounded in a rebel mortar attack on exploring diplomatic options to end the crisis, which has Deterring aggression their post in Luhansk region on the border with Russia. revived East-West tensions in ways reminiscent of the Cold Poroshenko, looking solemn and at times striking the Poroshenko declared a week-long ceasefire on June 20 to War. table with his hand to make a point, did not mention the give rebels the time to down weapons under an amnesty Poroshenko on Monday rejected a further extension of a Berlin talks or the agreement on a possible new ceasefire, offered in his peace plan. 10-day unilateral ceasefire in the east, where the govern- but put the emphasis instead on the need for a strong, He extended it by three days on June 27. But on ment says 200 service personnel have been killed since the reformed army to defend Ukraine. Heletey, who will replace Monday he refused to prolong it on the advice of his secu- start of the conflict, as well as hundreds of civilians and acting defense minister Mykhailo Koval, would enact rity officials who said the ceasefire had allowed rebels to rebels. In Berlin on Wednesday the foreign ministers of reforms to build an army which would deter anybody “from regroup and rearm, and had cost the lives of government Russia and Ukraine, after talks with German and French min- planning aggression” against Ukraine, he said. The new troops. Poroshenko’s decision to relaunch operations isters, supported a further meeting of a “contact group” head of the general staff, 52-year-old Lieutenant-General against the rebels won US support but harsh condemna- involving separatist leaders and aimed at trying to work out Viktor Muzhenko, was until recently a top official in the tion from Russia. —Reuters

Tale of abuse and revenge behind fall of China ‘tiger’

BEIJING: When Chinese official Zhou Jianhua refused to tell Communist Party investigators he had received massive bribes, he says they beat him and forced him to drink toilet water until he confessed. As a crackdown on corruption pushed by Chinese President Xi Jinping ensnares a growing list of senior officials, Zhou’s account-in a recording obtained by AFP-offers a rare glimpse inside the ruling Party’s opaque internal disciplinary system. Lawyers say his case demon- strates how the faction-riven graft investigations can mask power struggles and are carried out with little respect for the law. “They used my relatives as hostages, and tortured me unrelentingly until I accepted the fabricated charges,” Zhou- handed a suspended death sentence earlier this year-told his lawyers in a recorded meeting. The Party’s internal justice system, known as “shuanggui”, operates without oversight from judicial authorities and has been increasingly criticized by China’s legal community. More than 15 officials have reportedly died from abuses in “shuang- gui” since 2007. Xi has vowed to take down high-ranking KARBALA: Iraqi security forces celebrate after clashes with followers of Shiite cleric Mahmoud Al-Sarkhi, in front of his “tigers” as well as low-level “flies” in an anti-corruption push home in the Shiite holy city of Karbala. — AP introduced in response to widespread public anger over endemic graft. Zhou’s case was thrust into the spotlight last month when one such tiger-the former top Communist offi- Iraq struggles to drive cial in Jiangxi province, Su Rong-was placed under investiga- tion. Zhou says his own fall came swiftly after he accused Su’s wife of corruption, and was payback from his party superior. back Sunni militants Red envelopes For years Zhou was a loyal Communist Party member and BAGHDAD: successful bureaucrat in Xinyu in Jiangxi, known for its enor- Baghdad’s forces struggled yesterday to break a military and militants have deployed lots of roadside bombs and car bombs.” mous steel plant, where he rose to become head of the city stalemate with Sunni militants, as US officials reached out to key lead- Juburi said it would be days before security forces could make a con- People’s Congress, the local legislature. Like his colleagues, ers to push for an end to political chaos in Iraq. Prime Minister Nuri Al- certed push into the city, the capital of Salaheddin province. he earned little but amassed enough money-sometimes Maliki meanwhile extended an amnesty aimed at undercutting sup- port for the militants who have overrun large areas of Iraq, after the Clashes south of Baghdad through illicit means-for his wife to travel to Britain and other new parliament’s first session ended in farce, with MPs walking out Maliki’s security spokesman also told reporters that loyalists had countries. But in 2011 Zhou began to suspect he might be instead of working on government formation. clashed with militants south of Baghdad. In an effort to break the targeted by an inquiry, and took the risky step of telling a On the ground, Iraqi forces were struggling to break a stalemate stand-off, the government has bought more than a dozen Sukhoi war- Party anti-corruption team that Su’s wife had been illegally with militants after initially wilting before the onslaught. They have planes from Russia, announcing on Tuesday that a second group of profiting from land deals in Xinyu. since performed better, albeit with limited offensive success.A police five aircraft had arrived in Iraq, implicitly as part of that deal. But the Weeks later, several of Zhou’s associates were taken into lieutenant colonel said security forces yesterday clashed with militants London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies said the police custody and he was informed that Su had ordered the near Tikrit, the hometown of Saddam Hussein, which they have been three Sukhoi Su-25 ground attack jets shown landing in Iraq in a video same team to investigate him. In January 2012 Communist unsuccessfully fighting to retake in a highly-touted operation for over released Tuesday by the defence ministry are likely from Iran, which officials detained Zhou and took him to a centre where he a week. West of the northern city of Kirkuk, meanwhile, a roadside has pledged to aid Iraq against the militants. would be held for nearly six months without any access to a bomb yesterday killed one Kurdish peshmerga fighter and wounded IISS also noted that most of Iran’s Su-25s are actually from Saddam lawyer, normal practice under “shuanggui”. “He felt that four others. The cost of the conflict has been high for Iraq’s forces, with Hussein’s air force. Defecting pilots had flown seven planes across the because he reported Su Rong’s wife, he was being targeted nearly 900 security personnel among 2,400 people killed in June, the border during the Gulf War in 1991. As calls for politicians to unite as revenge,” said Zhou Ze, one of China’s most outspoken highest figure in years, according to the United Nations. The day remained unheeded, Washington contacted Iraqi and regional players human rights lawyers, who now represents the former before, Salaheddin province’s governor, Ahmed Abdullah Juburi, said individually, with President Barack Obama calling Saudi Arabia’s King bureaucrat. —AFP security forces were “advancing slowly because all of the houses and Abdullah and Vice President Joe Biden talking to former Iraqi parlia- burned vehicles (en route to Tikrit) have been rigged with explosives, ment speaker Osama Al-Nujaifi, a prominent Sunni leader. —AFP International FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014 Pacifist no more? Experts discuss Japanese military

TOKYO: In one of modern Japan’s biggest changes to security policy, its government decided this week to reinterpret Article 9 of its constitution to allow greater use of military force to defend other countries. The move sparked street protests amid fears it marks a reversal of Japan’s post-World War II pacifist principles. Three experts shared their thoughts with The Associated Press about where Japan’s military is headed and why it is such a sensitive issue: Jeffrey Kingston, head of Asian studies at Temple University Japan; Takeshi Iwaya, chairman of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s Research Commission on Security; and Narushige Michishita, director of the Security and International Studies Program at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies. Quotes have been edited and con- densed.

Antiwar constitution KINGSTON: Article 9 was part of the US-written constitution that banned Japan from maintaining armed forces and resort- ing to war. Over the years, Japan has actually built up a fairly large and modern defense: navy, air force, army. Also, Japan has stretched the envelope of what’s possible in terms of what it can do in the security realm. But this really is not seen by Washington as enough, and certain conservatives in Japan have long advocated for Japan to develop a more assertive defense posture. So Article 9 is seen to be a constraint on Japan’s desires to up its security profile, and the fact is, Japan does live in a dangerous neighborhood.

Upping Japan’s role IWAYA: We seek to play a more proactive role to ensure peace GOTEMBA: Japan Ground Self-Defense Force soldiers rappel down from a UH-60JA helicopter during the annual live-fire and stability in the region. It must have been difficult for the drill at the Higashi Fuji training range in Gotemba, southwest of Tokyo. — AP U.S. to serve as lone policeman for the world, and it might have faced calls from its people to step back. But we say, “America- san, please keep your presence here for the peace, stability and Govt denies meddling in prosperity for the Asia-Pacific region. Japan will help more, so let’s do it together.” That’s what we are trying to do.

Public fears Sarkozy corruption case KINGSTON: A lot of analysts say, “Hey, you have North Korea lobbing missiles, China flexing its muscles, you have these dis- putes in the East China Sea. Why don’t the Japanese people get with the program?” The thing is, pacifism is part of Japan’s Berlusconi-style victimization? national identity. Postwar, the Japanese people have found in pacifism - redemption. All children, where do they go for their PARIS: France’s Socialist government yesterday rejected claims but he can be recalled for questioning at any time. The charges school trips? Hiroshima and Okinawa. Both places reinforce it was using the justice system for political ends after ex-presi- against Sarkozy carry a theoretical maximum prison term of 10 anti-war sentiments, which are further reinforced in Japanese dent Nicolas Sarkozy accused his enemies of being behind cor- years. They were a huge setback to Sarkozy’s hopes of a come- textbooks. Look what happens when you go to war. Look at the ruption charges. Charged with three corruption-related counts back after his defeat by Francois Hollande in the 2012 presi- devastation the Japanese people suffered during the war. on Wednesday, the right-winger angrily hit back in a televised dential vote. A BFMTV poll of more than 1,000 adults, conduct- Japanese people are very much aware of what happened the interview, denying he broke the law and denouncing “political ed over Tuesday and Wednesday, showed 65 percent of voters last time militarists were in control of their country. So there is interference” in the case.Sarkozy insisted his political career against Sarkozy trying to return to the presidency. an abiding fear of what might happen if Article 9’s constitution- was not over, but an opinion poll released yesterday showed He remains incredibly popular on the right however, with al constraints are eased on what Japan can do militarily. They nearly two-thirds of French voters against a comeback by the the survey showing 72 percent of supporters of Sarkozy’s UMP really fear that the alliance with the United States will somehow conservative who ran France from 2007 to 2012. party backing his return. In his 20-minute televised interview pull Japan into conflict. That’s why it’s so controversial. “The judiciary is independent, there is no longer any inter- on Wednesday, Sarkozy denounced the charges against him as vention,” government spokesman Stephane Le Foll told “grotesque” and said his unprecedented detention in custody Political constraints Europe 1 radio. “Some people have a hard time believing this, was intended to humiliate him. “I have never committed any MICHISHITA: We often see concern that Japan will take exces- for reasons I don’t want to comment on,” Le Foll said, in a refer- act contrary to the values of the republic or the rule of law,” sive military action if the country is allowed to exercise collec- ence to left-wing allegations that Sarkozy’s government unduly Sarkozy said in the interview, his first major television appear- tive self-defense, but what we really should worry about is not influenced the justice system. By accusing the judiciary of bias, ance since leaving office. He said there was “no question” of going too far, but not being able to do anything. Collective self- including singling out one judge in the case, Sarkozy “is trying giving up politics and that he would announce in late August defense is only a right, and whether to exercise it is a political to divert public attention to politics, conspiracies or who or early September whether he planned to run for the leader- decision. It won’t be easy for Japanese lawmakers to decide to knows what,” Socialist Party leader Jean-Christophe ship of the UMP in the autumn. execute it while facing a risk of losing public support. Countries Cambadelis said. in the region are increasingly concerned about tension over ‘Thirst for revenge’ China’s high-handed approach, and showing high expectations Victimization? Right-wing newspaper Le Figaro backed Sarkozy’s accusa- for Japan’s role. Previously, Japan could have said, “We cannot Some have compared Sarkozy’s attack on the judiciary with tions, saying the left was “driven by an unquenchable thirst contribute to the region because we cannot exercise the right former Italian leader Silvio Berlusconi’s tirades against judges for revenge”. “If these new suspicions also vanish into thin air, to collective self-defense.” Japan now has lost that excuse, and he accuses of being behind his many legal woes. Pierre Musso, what will be remembered? That a beleaguered government the question is how much will Japan be able to contribute to a university professor and author of “Le Sarkoberlusconisme”, used judicial harassment against a hated opponent in a bid to security in the region. said Sarkozy appeared to be taking a page from Berlusconi’s obtain his political death,” Le Figaro wrote in an editorial. But playbook in reacting to the charges. “It’s talk show democra- left-wing daily Liberation lashed out at Sarkozy for attacking The future: an Asian NATO? cy... victimization,” he said. “The powerful man presents himself the judiciary instead of addressing the accusations against IWAYA: In the long run, I think we should put a large secu- not only as a victim but as weakened, it’s an appeal to compas- him. “Nicolas Sarkozy did not provide one concrete answer to rity umbrella over the entire Asia-Pacific region, like the one sion.” Sarkozy, 59, was hit Wednesday with charges including the extremely serious corruption accusations against him,” it in Europe. That’s the direction we seek under the slogan that corruption and influence peddling after he was quizzed for 15 wrote.At the root of the current case against Sarkozy is a pre- the Abe administration promotes: “proactive contribution to hours by judges investigating an alleged attempt to interfere in vious investigation into allegations he was helped to victory peace based on international cooperation.” There will be a judicial proceedings in another case. in the 2007 election with envelopes stuffed with cash from large free trade bloc in the region in the future, and in order Sarkozy’s longtime lawyer Thierry Herzog and senior magis- France’s richest woman, L’Oreal heiress Liliane Bettencourt. to protect that I believe the establishment of a large collec- trate Gilbert Azibert were also charged. After being charged, Sarkozy is alleged to have offered to help Azibert secure a tive security framework should be a long-term goal in the Sarkozy was allowed to return to the Paris home he shares with post in Monaco in exchange for information on the region. — AP his ex-supermodel wife Carla Bruni and their young daughter, Bettencourt case. —AFP Lifestyle FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014 Jolie’s ‘Maleficent’ at $400 million in foreign box office, over $600 million worldwide ngelia Jolie’s fantasy epic “Maleficent” has over-achieved for men, too. “A lot of that is Angelina, who men love and women Disney this summer, and is wracking up the milestones. It’s admire,” said Dergarabedian. “There’s not a lot of stars out there like Aabout to cross $400 million at the international box office and, that.” He thought the marketing campaign had a lot to do with its with more than $203 million domestically, it topped $600 million appeal to men as well, including the “Maleficent” title. “It doesn’t worldwide on Wednesday. That’s without the benefit of this week- sound gender specific, whereas if you called it ‘Sleeping Beauty,’ a lot end’s opening in Japan, where “Maleficent” is expected to end the 16- of guys might have run for the hills.” week No. 1 run of another Disney hit, “Frozen.” Star-driven block- busters are rare in these days of high-concept comic book-based World Cup hysteria epics, but “Maleficent” is very much one. “It had a cool concept and Another box-office boon for “Maleficent” has been the ticket up- great marketing,” Rentrak senior media analyst Paul Dergarabedian charges for 3D and Imax, particularly overseas where the formats are told TheWrap, “But it had the perfect star, and that made the biggest especially popular. The director is Robert Stromberg, who served as difference.” Disney had originally planned to open “Maleficent,” production designer on “Avatar” as well as Disney’s “Alice in which was produced for $180 million, in North America on the July 4 Wonderland” and “Oz: The Great and Powerful.” Disney marketers weekend but moved it up to May 30. It debuted to a better-than- played up the visual world he created for “Maleficent” with trailers expected $69 million and has displayed extraordinary staying power and commercials that emphasized its scope and look. at the domestic box office since. “Maleficent” debuted overseas at the same time it rolled out in the Like the rest of the summer’s No. 1 movies, it fell out of the top United States, getting ahead of the World Cup hysteria. It opened in spot in its second week. But unlike the others, most of which saw 48 foreign markets to more than $100 million and, as in the US, has steep drops after their openings, “Maleficent” has remained in more held up impressively. It’s been No. 1 in Italy, for example, since it than 3,000 theaters and its grosses have fallen off just 50 percent, 46 opened five weeks ago. Its top earning markets so far have been percent, 30 percent and 35 percent in successive weeks. Audiences Mexico ($40 million) and China ($38 million).—Reuters for “Maleficent,” an update on Disney’s classic animated tale “Sleeping Beauty” told from the perspective of the evil queen, skewed family and female. But you don’t hit the numbers it has without attracting This file photo taken on October 4, 2012 shows Chinese actress Tang Wei at the opening ceremony of the 17th Busan International film festival (BIFF) in Busan. — AFP Chinese actress Tang Wei and S Korean director to wed hinese actress Tang Wei, who rose to fame in the erot- ic thriller “Lust, Caution”, is to marry the South Korean Cdirector who helmed her 2010 movie “Late Autumn,” the couple have announced. The 34-year-old star met Kim Tae-Yong, 44, on the set of the English-language co-produc- tion in which Tang played a prisoner who falls in love with a South Korean man while on a parole visit to her family in Seattle. “We came to know and understand each other through a movie. We became friends and eventually lovers,” they said in a joint statement released Wednesday. “And now we are about to become a husband and a wife, although we face a challenge to learn each other’s lan- guage. But it will be the happiest moment of our lives,” it said. The wedding will take place later this year with close family and friends. “Lust, Caution”, directed by Ang Lee, brought Tang international recognition although the sexu- ally explicit nature of some scenes caused a backlash in China where the actress lost a number of lucrative endorse- ment deals. Her performance in “Late Autumn” won her the best actress prize at Seoul’s top Baeksang Arts Awards in 2011. — AFP ‘Star Wars’ storm trooper causes gun scare in Kansas man paying tribute to “Star Wars” terrified a Kansas business be responsible before letting them go. owner this week while wearing a full Storm Trooper outfit and The open carry of a firearm is legal in Kansas, but police Capt Mike Athe weapon that goes with it. KSAL News reports that the busi- Sweeney emphasized “you’re going to draw our attention to find out ness owner called 911 because they feared he was carrying an AK-47 what you are doing.” It’s not hard to imagine why the business owner through the streets of Salina, KA. Police advised the business to enter who called the police was on edge when he saw the masked man carry- lockdown mode, while numerous officers were dispatched to deal with ing what he thought was a real weapon. the possible threat, which turned out to be plastic. The false alarm follows dozens of mass shootings nationwide in Christopher Burns, who wears the iconic outfit to make Vine videos 2014, alone. The most well-publicized of late was Elliot Rodger’s ram- under the alias of Stormtrooper Sam, was a little surprised that people page through Santa Barbara, CA, where he killed six people and injured were alarmed by his presence. “‘Star Wars’ is such an iconic image, I was 13 others before shooting himself in the head. — Reuters a little bit surprised that someone would see a Stormtrooper and fear when you know it’s been around since the 70’s,” Burns said. Officers counseled Burns and the man capturing the stunt on camera about the possible consequences of carrying a gun in public, and urged them to Lifestyle FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014

Lindsay Lohan A minute with: McCarthy and Falcone on comedy and cars

omedian Melissa McCarthy and her husband Q: You both are from small-town Illinois. Do and writing partner Ben Falcone team up for you ever feel like reserved Midwesterners out Cthe first time behind and in front of the cam- of place with the Hollywood set? era in “Tammy,” a Midwestern road-trip comedy McCarthy: I don’t feel like an outsider because about a woman’s desire to start over. The Warner I’ve been finding everyone so much more pleasant Bros film, which opens in US theaters on than I thought. I think we thought, “OK now some- Wednesday, is Falcone’s directorial debut and stars body actually wants to do ‘Tammy,’ is this when McCarthy as an endearing buffoon character the hammer drops?” alongside Susan Sarandon as her boozing, man- Falcone: I kept thinking somebody with a chasing grandmother. McCarthy, 43, and Falcone, monocle was going to step out of the shadows 40, who have been married for a decade, spoke to and be like, “Now it’s time to get serious.” Reuters about being small-town Midwesterners in McCarthy: We’re wildly non-Hollywood. Hollywood, their writing process and why the cre- Falcone: I enjoy so many of the people we’ve ative spark often occurs while driving a car. been lucky enough to hang out with, but I certain- Q: Do you have a method or formula for ly don’t feel like, “It’s another Hollywood party working together? tonight!” Falcone: First of all, whenever we have good McCarthy: If you like to be in bed by 8:30 ideas, it’s almost always in the car because you because you’re tired and your kids are up early . drive a lot in L.A. ... And you just say stupid things Falcone: If you like to have one glass of red to make your spouse laugh, and that’s usually wine and go to sleep, you should party with Ben when we come up with something that’s maybe Falcone! Lohan sues over ‘Grand fun. So that’s our idea place. And then the best McCarthy: ‘Cause we swing Hollywood style way that we write is when we both are sitting for the elderly set! —Reuters there, there’s a computer, we start writing, and we Theft Auto V’ game trade off typing. McCarthy: I’ll do a bunch of dialogue, and then indsay Lohan is suing the makers of the day. Lohan’s lawsuit says a character named he’ll say we’re not doing that yet. And I’ll be like, “Grand Theft Auto” video games. The Lacey Jonas is an “unequivocal” reference to the “Yeah, but I think this is what I say.” And so we’ll Lactress says the latest installment used her “Mean Girls” and “Freaky Friday” star. The suit type that out and keep all that stuff further down image and created a character based on her says Lohan’s image, voice and styles from her the script until we’re ready for that scene because without her permission. Lohan’s lawsuit was clothing line are depicted. It says the game fea- I’m a little more scattered. filed Wednesday in a Manhattan court. “Grand tures West Hollywood’s Chateau Marmont hotel, Q: Do you record your conversations while Theft Auto V” game maker Take-Two Interactive where Lohan once lived. The character also driving, or can you both remember the details? Software Inc. and subsidiary Rockstar Games seeks help skirting paparazzi. — AP Falcone: We have long voicemails. declined to comment. McCarthy: Sometimes when it’s a run, and it’ll “Grand Theft Auto V” was released in be a really scatological thing, I do try to record it September. Sales topped $800 million on its first because if I say it once, it’s gone. I can never get it back. Falcone: I’ve taken to just writing on the notes section of my iPhone, which is like a sad thing to do, but it’s been very effective. Q: Does collaboration come easy? McCarthy: It always has ... Falcone: Because I’m boring and slow. It’s very true. McCarthy: Not true at all. Falcone: Once in a while I’m funny. But I’m a boring, slow, structure guy: “This all makes sense. This is a good beginning, middle, end.” And she’s just the funniest person in the world. But once in a while it can almost be too funny in too many dif- ferent places at once. And we’re like, “Well, it’s This image released by Warner Bros Pictures good that there’s this boring slow guy that says, shows Melissa McCarthy in a scene from ‘This goes here and this goes here.’” ‘Tammy.’

Ariana Grande performs at the iHeartRadio Ultimate Pool Party at Fontainebleau’s BleauLive at Fontainebleau Miami Beach on June 27, 2014 in Miami Beach, Florida. — AP Ariana Grande to perform at MTV Video Music Awards riana Grande will perform at the show “Total Request Live” for one day for MTV Video Music Awards on Aug 24. Grande on Wednesday. It was dubbed AMTV announced Wednesday the “Total Ariana Live.” The 20-year-old pop singer is the first performer for the Grande will release her sophomore album, awards show, which will air live from the “My Everything,” a day after the VMAs. Forum in Inglewood, California. Grande’s Grande was the star of the Nickelodeon current single, “Problem,” has reached dou- sitcoms “Victorious” and “Sam & Cat.” Her ble platinum status and peaked at No. 2 on 2013 debut single was the Top 10 hit “The Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. It features white- Way.” — AP hot rapper Iggy Azalea. MTV reprised its popular countdown

Melissa McCarthy, co-writer and star of the new film ‘Tammy,’ puts her hands in cement dur- ing a ceremony at the TCL Chinese Theatre on Wednesday in Los Angeles. — AP photos Lifestyle FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014

Ryukai Matsushima walking past the communal resting place group ‘Moyainokai’ which This photo shows Ryukai Matsushima, a Buddhist priest whose father pioneered a movement means ‘working together’, at his temple in Tokyo. of seeking gravemates, speaking during an interview with AFP. — AFP photos A dying business: Family graves in Japan

very once in a while, Kumiko Kano meets a group of people with Younger sons must establish their own tomb and daughters are co- plot. “But now you can say you don’t want to be buried there,” he said. whom she has decided to spend eternity, one of a growing opted into their husband’s grave. “What was a religion for the family is transforming into a religion for Enumber in Japan who are shunning the expense and commit- individuals.” ment of a traditional family grave. Instead of shelling out millions of ‘All sorts of background’ yen (tens of thousands of dollars) on an elaborate tomb, which, Kano and her late husband, decided about a decade ago they did No longer joining husbands according to religious custom must be lovingly tended by descen- not want to build a new tomb, joining communal resting place group Syohei Maekawa of Club Tourism International, which takes its dents, Kano and her late husband decided to be interred in a collec- “Moyainokai” which means “working together”. Her husband Jiro was clients on tours of possible final resting places, says wives wanting to tive grave with thousands of others. “My husband saw his eldest buried in their grave at the age of 76 in 2008, where he is now one of escape their husbands in the hereafter are not uncommon. “I’ve heard brother rack up huge costs for the family gravestone, and we decided 3,000 whose remains rest there. some of our customers talking to each other, saying ‘it’s off the record, that we didn’t need one that would be a burden to our children,” said Ryukai Matsushima, a Buddhist priest whose father pioneered the but I don’t want to join my husband’s family grave,’” he told AFP. Kano, 74. “Today, children don’t always live near your place. Visiting a movement, said Moyainokai was established 25 years ago “for people Some of the different options being offered are for ashes to be scat- graveyard would be difficult if they live abroad, for example,” she who were worried about their own burials because they had no kin or tered at sea or for burials under trees. Toyo University sociology pro- added. Instead, the couple joined a group for prospective grave had only daughters.” “It’s unfair that some people have someone to fessor Haruyo Inoue, who is also director of a not-for-profit organiza- mates that has established a collective final resting place, and organiz- look after them when they die and others don’t, just because they tion promoting such possibilities, says wives who do not want to lie es meetings-from book club to countryside excursions-so that ties chose a lifestyle of staying single... or they didn’t have children,” he with their husband for eternity are the fifth largest group of people may be formed before members are laid to rest. said. Group members meet for excursions to the countryside or gath- seeking alternative afterlives. In native Shintoism, as well as in imported Buddhism, successive er as a book club “to nurture ties not based on blood,” he said. The largest category, she says, are couples with only daughters, generations have a duty of care for dead ancestors, who exist on a Kano, for example, recently visited a distant temple with some of followed by those with sons (and potentially also daughters). Childless continuous plane with those still living. Photographs of departed those she will spend eternity with. Like for the mother of two, it’s no couples are third, while single people are fourth. “For the wives, it’s loved ones stare out from altars at the family home, where they are longer just a lack of offspring that is causing a rethink among those not necessarily because their relationships with their husbands are prayed to and offered gifts of fruit, alcohol or cigarettes in exchange entering the autumn of their lives. bad, but rather because they want to do things their own individual for the protection they offer from the netherworld. “Today, people with all sorts of backgrounds... whether they have way,” she said. —AFP Their mortal remains are cremated and the ashes are kept in urns, children or not, show interest in a collective grave like this,” which are stored in a costly tomb built on sacred ground. The heavy Matsushima said. “Among them are women who say they don’t want granite obelisk bears the family name and will be the final resting to be buried with their husbands.” A generation ago, married women place of the oldest son and his family in each coming generation. had no choice, and would automatically be included in the family

‘Clinton: The musical’ to hit New York stage t’s tough being Hillary Clinton. Her book’s a flop, new musical in 2012. With US politics transfixed by she’s angered ordinary Americans with crass Hillary “will-she-won’t-she” run for president in Iremarks about money and now her husband’s 2016, the timing is impeccable-not bad for its 26- sex life is a New York musical. The lofty ideals and year-old writer and composer, an Australian PhD sordid scandal of the eight-year Clinton White student. Paul Hodge told AFP he was drawn to the House have been rolled into a two-hour, two-act Clintons as a couple and as individuals, and looks musical satire making its US premiere in the Big back to fondly to the 1990s. Apple on July 18. “I think Bill Clinton has enormous strengths and Looked upon affectionately as one of America’s also some flaws and I think that’s what endears him best presidents despite his human flaws, Clinton to people,” he said. “Every musical needs to have a treads the boards played by two characters: super- love story and it kind of marks a new dynamic, a smart statesman William and bed-hopping Bill. love story between the two Bills, but also the rela- “Sunday morning” Bill dreams of universal health tionship with Hillary,” Hodge said. Based in London, care, welfare reform and transforming the United he has been in New York for a couple of weeks, re- States for the better but “Saturday night Bill” gets writing, tweaking and perfecting the music, the sidetracked by womanizing. lyrics and the jokes. Of 21 songs, only two remain Hillary is devastated by his betrayal but props as they were in Britain.—AFP him up and forges her own ambitions while a frisky Monica Lewinsky, Newt Gingrich and prosecutor Kenneth Starr snap at their heels. “Clinton: the Musical” will be performed at The New York Music Theatre Festival after showing in London and at the Karl Kenzler Alet Taylor, and Duke LaFoon perform a song from ‘Clinton: The Musical’ during Edinburgh Fringe, where it was nominated for best the New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) special preview. — AFP Lifestyle FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014 Shakira to headline at World Cup final

op star Shakira will perform before the obvious reasons, and I truly understand PWorld Cup final in Rio de Janeiro on July 13, what the World Cup means to so many headlining a closing ceremony that includes people, myself included.” While FIFA guitar virtuoso Carlos Santana and rapper Wyclef announced the musical lineup, eight Jean. Shakira, who is making her third straight teams are left battling for two spots at the World Cup appearance, will sing “La la la (Brazil Maracana, but defending champions Spain 2014)” with Brazilian star Carlinhos Brown, FIFA were already eliminated in the group said in a statement on Wednesday. Santana, phase. Shakira’s native Colombia will play Wyclef and Brazilian singer Alexandre Pires will Brazil in the quarter-final on Friday follow- perform the tournament’s official anthem, “Dar Um ing France-Germany. On Saturday, Jeito” at the legendary Maracana Stadium. Argentina play Belgium followed by Pires will also perform a medley of local music Netherlands-Costa Rica. —AFP with Brazilian star Ivete Sangalo. “I’m thrilled to be performing my song ‘La la la (Brazil 2014)’ at the 2014 FIFA World Cup closing ceremony,” said Shakira, who had a son last year with Spain defender Gerard Pique. “I have an intricate relationship with football for Old Crow Medicine Show teams with Dylan again

or years, Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show has ly recorded for Dylan’s 1973 soundtrack for “Pat Garrett & Fbeen thanking Bob Dylan from afar for “Wagon Wheel,” Billy The Kid.” the multiplatinum hit based on an unfinished Dylan “I was working with about 26 seconds in which there’s a lot song. The Americana band made it a fan favorite through of giggling in the background and it just sounds like a pretty their live shows over the past decade, and then Darius high time down in Monterey, or Durango, or wherever they Rucker turned a cover into a No. 1 country song. The reclu- are making this Western movie,” Secor said. From that came sive master songwriter finally responded - in a way Secor “Sweet Amarillo,” a waltz about a cowboy’s search for his never expected. The lead singer of Old Crow, whose new lover. After sending Dylan’s management a demo, they album “Remedy” came out Tuesday, likens his relationship received a short suggestion to move the chorus up and switch with Dylan to a kid dropping letters in a bottle and tossing out the harmonica for a fiddle. them in the ocean seeking a pen pal on another continent. “The reason it sounds so catchy is because Bob said play Gosling McAdams “The bottle washed ashore on the beach in Malibu and the fiddle and get a good hook in your music,” Secor said. Bob scrawled something into the bottle and he tossed it “That’s what a good catchy song does. I think Bob is rooting hated each other back into the Pacific and it made its way to Music City,” Secor for it, too.”Dylan has remained silent on this new song, but on ‘The Notebook’ said. That response was another scrap of a song and a ques- Secor said he doesn’t need “Sweet Amarillo” to have the same tion: Would Secor want to take a crack at it? The snippet success as “Wagon Wheel.” “To me, the success is the fruition reat news, fans of “The Notebook” who are still depressed that comes from the same Mexico writing sessions as the “Wagon of Bob hearing the song and sending another one,” Secor said. Gthey just can’t seem to replicate that burning love between Wheel” song fragment Secor would later embellish, original- “It’s already done everything. It made a circle.” —AP stars Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams: They hated each oth- er at first. Celebrities, they’re just like us! In an interview with VH1 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the film, director Nick Cassavetes explains that the two stars got very heated early in production, and not in the way that had been intended. “They were really not getting along one day on set. Really not. And Ryan came to me, and there’s 150 people standing in this big scene, and he says, ‘Nick come here,’” Cassavetes revealed. “And he’s doing a scene with Rachel and he says, ‘Would you take her out of here and bring in another actress to read off camera with me?’ I said, ‘What?’ He says, ‘I can’t. I can’t do it with her. I’m just not getting any- thing from this.’” Ryan Gosling, an Oscar-nominated actor, could not even fake heat with his co-star, because they had that little chemistry. Of course, this problem didn’t last forever, because anyone who has seen that movie has love ruined for them because they realize they will never find a relationship that magical. So how did Cassavetes pull that off? “We went into a room with a producer; they started screaming and yelling at each other,” the director explained. “I walked out. At that point I was smoking cigarettes. I smoked a cigarette and every- body came out like, ‘All right let’s do this.’ And it got better after that, you know? They had it out... I think Ryan respected her for standing up for her character and Rachel was happy to get that out in the open. “The rest of the film wasn’t smooth sailing, but it was smoother sailing,” he added. Indeed, Gosling and McAdams went on File photo shows, from left, Chance McCoy, Ketch Secor, Morgan Jahnig, Critter Fuqua, Cory Younts and to date for years, so perhaps that was the ultimate impromptu cou- Gill Landry from Old Crow Medicine Show performing during the Americana Music Honors and Awards ples therapy session. —Reuters Show in Nashville, Tenn. —AP Leisure FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014

DOWN 1. South African plant widely cultivated for its showy pure white spathe and yellow CROSSWORD598 spadix. 2. Norwegian composer whose work was often inspired by Norwegian folk music (1843-1907). 3. Any of various thermoplastic resins used to make things. 4. (informal) Roused to anger. 5. (Babylonian) The sky god. 6. (Greek mythology) A wicked king and son of Zeus. 7. The capital and largest city of Norway. 8. The capital of Western Samoa. 9. The capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the Congo river opposite Brazzaville. 10. A public promotion of some product or service. 11. United States astronomer (1835-1909). 12. Of or relating to the former Indo-European people. 13. A characteristic sound. 14. Declare untrue. 22. A port and the capital of Guinea. 24. Of or relating to or characteristic of Thailand of its people. 29. Any of various strong liquors distilled from the fermented sap of toddy palms or from fermented molasses. 30. A branch of the Tai languages. 31. A small skullcap. 32. Any of several lichens of the genus Parmelia from which reddish brown or purple dyes are made. 34. Fed beyond capacity or desire. 35. Relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body. 36. Informal terms for a mother. 39. Of or relating to Oman or its people. 42. A port city in southwestern Iran. 45. The front of the head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear. 48. Not only so, but. ACROSS 49. Dividing an area into zones or sections reserved for different purposes such as 1. System of measurement based on centimeters and grams and seconds. residence and business and manufacturing etc. 4. A Powhatan Indian woman (the daughter of Powhatan) who befriended the 51. A telegram sent abroad. English at Jamestown and is said to have saved Captain John Smith's life (1595-1617). 56. Italian poet (1569-1625). 11. An aromatic ointment used in antiquity. 58. American professional baseball player who hit more home runs than Babe Ruth 15. A constellation in the southern hemisphere near Telescopium and Norma. (born in 1934). 16. Extinct small freshwater jawless fish usually having a heterocercal tail and an 60. Elevated open grassland in southern Africa. armored head. 62. (Norse mythology) Goddess of old age who defeated Thor in a wrestling match. 17. A member of an Iroquoian people formerly living on the south shore of Lake Erie 63. Offering fun and gaiety. in northern Ohio and northwest Pennsylvania and western New York. 64. South African term for `boss'. 18. (Irish) The sea personified. 66. (Babylonian) God of storms and wind. 19. Small common sandpiper that breeds in northern or arctic regions and winters in 67. Resist or confront with resistance. southern United States or Mediterranean regions. 68. (prefix) In front of or before in space. 20. English comedienne and mistress of Charles II (1650-1687). 70. A light touch or stroke. 21. An accidental hole that allows something (fluid or light etc.) to enter or escape. 72. United States musician (born in Japan) who married John Lennon and collaborat- 23. Slices of bread that have been toasted. ed with him on recordings (born in 1933). 25. Showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others. 75. A soft silvery metallic element of the alkali earth group. 26. Inability to recognize objects by use of the senses. 76. A midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region. 27. A compound in which the hydrogen atoms of a hydrocarbon have been replaced by bromine and other halogen atoms. 28. An island of central Hawaii. Yesterdayʼs Solution 33. State in northeastern India. 37. Large recently extinct long-horned European wild ox. 38. A white native of Cape Province who is a descendant of Dutch settlers and who speaks Afrikaans. Yesterday’s Solution 40. The capital and largest city of Bangladesh. 41. The capital and largest city of Yemen. 43. An enzyme that catalyzes the oxidation of many body compounds (e.g., epineph- rine and norepinephrine and serotonin). 44. Essential oil or perfume obtained from flowers. 46. One thousand grams. 47. A gold coin of the Byzantine Empire. 50. A tricycle (usually propelled by pedalling). 53. A sweetened beverage of diluted fruit juice. 54. A radioactive element of the actinide series. 55. A metric unit of length equal to one hundredth of a meter. 57. (Old Testament) A youth who was taken into the court of Nebuchadnezzar and given divine protection when thrown into a den of lions (6th century BC). 59. A genus of Indriidae. 61. United States sculptor (born in 1924). 65. A quantity of no importance. 69. Having a gradual increase in width. 71. Aromatic bulb used as seasoning. 73. (prefix) Indicating difference or variation. 74. The trait of lacking restraint or control. 77. (nautical, aeronautical) Situated at or toward the stern or tail. 78. A city of central China. 79. A member of a subgroup of people who inhabit Lesotho. 80. A usually soluble substance for staining or coloring e.g. fabrics or hair.

Daily SuDoku Yesterday’s Solution TV listings FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014

06:00 Gold Rush 01:10 Sci-Fi Science 12:15 Jessie 12:50 Siba’s Table 07:00 Dual Survival 01:35 Sci-Fi Science 12:35 Jessie 13:15 Jenny Morris Cooks The Riviera 07:50 Alaska: The Last Frontier 02:00 Close Encounters 13:00 African Cats 13:40 Guy’s Big Bite 08:40 Fast N’ Loud 02:25 Close Encounters 13:25 Austin & Ally 14:05 The Next Food Network Star 00:45 Whale Wars 09:30 Storage Hunters 02:45 Mythbusters 13:45 Good Luck Charlie 14:55 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 01:35 Untamed & Uncut 09:55 Container Wars 00:00 Violetta 03:35 What’s That About? 14:10 Good Luck Charlie 15:20 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 02:25 Shamwari: A Wild Life 10:20 Savage Family Diggers 00:45 The Hive 14:35 Dog With A Blog 15:45 Chopped 10:45 How It’s Made 04:30 Moon Machines 02:50 Shamwari: A Wild Life 00:50 Art Attack 15:00 Dog With A Blog 16:35 Fast Food Gone Global 11:10 How Stuff’s Made 05:20 Unchained Reaction 03:15 Gator Boys 01:15 Art Attack 15:25 Liv And Maddie 17:25 Jenny Morris Cooks The Riviera 11:35 Street Outlaws 06:10 Science Of The Movies 04:05 Deadly Islands 01:40 Wolfblood 15:50 Liv And Maddie 17:50 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 12:25 American Chopper: Senior vs 07:00 Stephen Hawking’s Grand 04:55 Animal Cops Houston 02:05 Wolfblood 16:10 Mako Mermaids 18:15 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives Junior Design 05:45 Clinically Wild: Alaska 02:30 Violetta 16:35 Win, Lose Or Draw 18:40 Siba’s Table 13:15 American Chopper: Senior vs 07:55 The Unexplained Files 03:10 The Hive 06:10 Clinically Wild: Alaska Junior 17:00 Herbie: Fully Loaded 19:05 Reza’s African Kitchen 08:45 What’s That About? 03:20 Art Attack 06:35 Breed All About It 14:05 Storage Hunters 18:40 Get Frozen 19:30 Guy’s Big Bite 03:45 Art Attack 07:00 Animal Airport 14:30 Container Wars 09:40 Science Of The Movies 18:55 Mako Mermaids 19:55 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 07:25 Mutant Planet 14:55 Savage Family Diggers 10:30 X-Machines 04:10 Jungle Junction 19:20 Violetta 20:20 Chopped 08:15 The Magic Of The Big Blue 15:20 Dual Survival 11:20 Moon Machines 04:20 Jungle Junction 20:05 African Cats 21:10 Chopped 09:10 Treehouse Masters 16:10 Alaska: The Last Frontier 12:10 Unchained Reaction 04:35 Jungle Junction 20:30 Jessie 22:00 Throwdown With Bobby Flay 10:05 Shamwari: A Wild Life 17:00 Fast N’ Loud 13:00 How Does That Work? 04:50 Jungle Junction 20:50 Dog With A Blog 22:25 Throwdown With Bobby Flay 10:35 Shamwari: A Wild Life 17:50 Idris Elba: King Of Speed 13:30 What’s That About? 05:00 Art Attack 21:15 Mako Mermaids 22:50 Pizza Cuz 11:00 Animal Precinct 18:40 Fifth Gear 14:20 Mythbusters 05:25 Art Attack 21:40 Austin & Ally 23:15 Pizza Cuz 19:30 Gold Rush 05:50 Mouk 11:55 Animal Airport 15:10 Scrapheap Challenge 22:00 Good Luck Charlie 23:40 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 20:20 How It’s Made 06:00 Austin & Ally 12:20 Breed All About It 16:00 X-Machines 22:25 A.N.T. Farm 20:45 How Stuff’s Made 06:25 Austin & Ally 12:50 Bondi Vet 16:50 Science Of The Movies 22:50 Shake It Up 13:15 Bondi Vet 21:10 Container Wars 06:45 Mako Mermaids 21:35 Savage Family Diggers 17:40 Sci-Fi Science 23:10 Wolfblood 13:45 Rogue Nature With Dave 07:10 Mako Mermaids 22:00 Idris Elba: King Of Speed 18:05 Sci-Fi Science 23:35 Wolfblood Salmoni 07:35 Jessie 22:50 Fifth Gear 18:30 Close Encounters 07:55 Jessie 14:40 Shamwari: A Wild Life 23:40 Car Chasers 00:00 Diggers 18:55 Close Encounters 08:20 Win, Lose Or Draw 15:05 Shamwari: A Wild Life 00:30 Diggers 19:20 The Gadget Show 08:45 Good Luck Charlie 15:30 Treehouse Masters 01:00 Dangerous Encounters 19:45 How Does That Work? 09:05 Dog With A Blog 16:30 The Magic Of The Big Blue 02:00 Britain’s Underworld 20:10 Mythbusters 09:30 The Wizards Return: Alex vs. 00:00 Keeping Up With The 17:25 Too Cute! 03:00 Mega Bridges 21:00 The Future Of... Alex. Kardashians 18:20 Bad Dog 04:00 Killing Lincoln 19:15 Tanked 21:50 Alien Mysteries 10:15 Liv And Maddie 00:55 Chelsea Lately 00:20 The Gadget Show 06:00 Family Guns 22:40 Human Nature 10:40 Meet The Robinsons 01:25 Style Star 20:10 Treehouse Masters 07:00 Brain Games 00:45 How Does That Work? 23:30 Moon Machines 01:50 Style Star 21:05 Shamwari: A Wild Life 07:30 Brain Games 02:20 Keeping Up With The 21:35 Shamwari: A Wild Life 08:00 Diggers Kardashians 22:00 Tanked 08:30 Diggers 03:15 Extreme Close-Up 22:55 Treehouse Masters 09:00 Dangerous Encounters 03:40 Extreme Close-Up 23:50 Animal Cops Miami 10:00 Britain’s Underworld 04:10 E!ES 11:00 Predator CSI 05:05 E!ES 12:00 A Traveler’s Guide To The 06:00 E! Entertainment Special Planets 07:50 Style Star 13:00 Air Crash Investigation 08:20 E! News 14:00 Battleground Brothers 00:15 Tareq Taylor’s Nordic Cookery 09:15 Giuliana & Bill 15:00 Brain Games 00:40 Cash In The Attic 10:15 THS 15:30 Brain Games 01:10 Cash In The Attic 11:10 E!ES 16:00 Diggers 01:55 Cash In The Attic 12:05 E! News 16:30 Diggers 02:50 Bargain Hunt 13:05 Fashion Police 17:00 Dangerous Encounters 03:35 Phil Spencer: Secret Agent 13:35 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 18:00 Rebuilding Titanic 04:25 Simply Italian 14:05 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 19:00 The Numbers Game 04:50 Tareq Taylor’s Nordic Cookery 14:30 Style Star 19:30 The Numbers Game 05:15 The Hairy Bikers Ride Again 15:00 Keeping Up With The 20:00 Situation Critical 05:45 Cash In The Attic Kardashians 21:00 Doomsday Preppers 06:15 Cash In The Attic 16:00 Keeping Up With The 22:00 Armageddon Outfitters 07:00 Cash In The Attic Kardashians 23:00 Naked Science 2.5 07:55 Bargain Hunt 17:00 The Drama Queen 08:40 Phil Spencer: Secret Agent 18:00 E! News 09:30 Simply Italian 19:00 The E! True Hollywood Story 09:55 Tareq Taylor’s Nordic Cookery 20:00 Eric And Jessie: Game On 10:20 Cash In The Attic 20:30 Eric And Jessie: Game On 10:50 Cash In The Attic 21:00 Giuliana & Bill 00:20 Hippo vs Croc 11:35 Cash In The Attic 22:00 Fashion Police 01:10 Monster Fish 12:30 Bargain Hunt 22:30 E! News 02:00 Brutal Killers 13:15 Phil Spencer: Secret Agent 23:30 Chelsea Lately 02:50 Crocpocalypse 14:00 Simply Italian 03:45 Hooked 14:25 Tareq Taylor’s Nordic Cookery 04:40 Built For The Kill 14:55 Cash In The Attic 05:35 Brutal Killers 15:25 Cash In The Attic 06:30 Crocpocalypse 16:10 Cash In The Attic 07:25 Hooked 17:05 Simply Italian 08:20 Mudcats 00:05 Fast Food Gone Global 17:30 Bargain Hunt 09:15 Crocodile King 00:55 Grill It! With Bobby Flay 18:15 Phil Spencer: Secret Agent 10:10 Wild Untamed Brazil 01:20 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 19:10 Simply Italian 11:05 Killer Shots 01:45 Mexican Made Easy 19:35 Come Dine With Me 12:00 Shark Men 02:10 Mexican Made Easy 20:30 Come Dine With Me 12:55 World’s Deadliest Animals 02:35 Siba’s Table 21:20 Come Dine With Me 13:50 Hippo vs Croc 03:00 Siba’s Table 22:15 Bargain Hunt 14:45 Hooked 03:25 Guy’s Big Bite 23:00 Phil Spencer: Secret Agent 15:40 Mudcats 03:50 Iron Chef America 23:50 Simply Italian 16:35 Croc Ganglands 04:40 Chopped 17:30 Wild Untamed Brazil 05:30 Unwrapped 18:25 Hidden Worlds 05:50 Tastiest Places To Chowdown 19:20 World’s Deadliest Animals 06:10 Chopped 20:10 Hippo vs Croc 07:00 Luke Nguyen’s Vietnam 21:00 Hooked 07:25 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 21:50 Mudcats 00:30 Street Outlaws 07:50 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 22:40 Croc Ganglands 01:20 The Fighters 08:15 Iron Chef America 23:30 Wild Untamed Brazil 02:10 Saint Hoods 09:05 Barefoot Contessa 03:00 Fast N’ Loud 09:30 Amazing Wedding Cakes 03:50 Storage Hunters 10:20 Easy Chinese: San Francisco 04:15 Container Wars 04:40 Savage Family Diggers 10:45 Fast Food Gone Global 05:05 How It’s Made 11:35 Grill It! With Bobby Flay 05:30 How Stuff’s Made 12:00 Reza, Spice Prince Of India 00:30 The Daily Show With Jon VANTAGE POINT ON OSN MOVIES HD ACTION 12:25 Charly’s Cake Angels Stewart TV listings FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014

01:00 The Colbert Report Stewart 03:00 Rescue Me 08:00 Trouble With The Curve-PG15 10:00 Pawn Stars 01:30 Seinfeld 21:30 The Colbert Report 04:00 House Of Cards 10:00 Marvel’s The Invincible Iron 10:30 Pawn Stars 02:00 Seinfeld 22:00 Wilfred 05:00 Good Morning America Man-PG 11:00 Storage Wars 02:30 The Mindy Project 22:30 2 Broke Girls 07:00 Emmerdale 00:00 Free Samples-PG15 12:00 G.I. Joe: Retaliation-PG15 11:30 Storage Wars 03:00 Baby Daddy 23:00 The Mindy Project 08:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 02:00 Splash-PG 14:00 Too Late To Say Goodbye-PG15 12:00 Counting Cars 03:30 Parks And Recreation 23:30 Late Night With Seth Meyers 09:00 Almost Human 04:00 Overboard-PG15 16:00 Trouble With The Curve-PG15 12:30 Counting Cars 04:00 My Boys 10:00 Emmerdale 06:00 The Great Outdoors-PG15 18:00 The Guilt Trip-PG15 13:00 Mountain Men 04:30 The Tonight Show Starring 11:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 08:00 Three Men And A Little Lady-PG 20:00 Taken 2-PG15 14:00 Counting Cars Jimmy Fallon 22:00 The Awakening-18 14:30 Counting Cars 12:00 Grey’s Anatomy 10:00 Drillbit Taylor-PG15 05:30 My Name Is Earl 00:00 The Carrie Diaries 15:00 Counting Cars 13:00 The Blacklist 12:00 Overboard-PG15 06:00 The War At Home 01:00 Chicago Fire 15:30 Counting Cars 14:00 Live Good Morning America 14:00 Ski Patrol-PG15 06:30 Friends 02:00 The Newsroom 16:00 American Restoration 16:00 Almost Human 16:00 Three Men And A Little Lady-PG 07:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 03:00 C.S.I. 17:00 Pawn Stars 08:00 My Boys 17:00 Grey’s Anatomy 18:00 Dudley Do Right-PG 04:00 Covert Affairs 02:00 Trans World 17:30 Pawn Stars 08:30 My Name Is Earl 20:00 What About Bob?-PG 05:00 Switched At Birth 18:00 The Blacklist 03:00 Super Rugby 18:00 Storage Wars 09:00 Baby Daddy 22:00 Pitch Perfect-PG15 06:00 The Carrie Diaries 19:00 Almost Human 05:00 Super Rugby 18:30 Storage Wars 09:30 Trophy Wife 07:00 Last Resort 20:00 Grey’s Anatomy 07:00 Golfing World 19:00 American Restoration 10:00 Brooklyn Nine-Nine 08:00 Scandal 21:00 The Blacklist 08:00 International Rugby Union 20:00 Counting Cars 10:30 Friends 09:00 Chicago Fire 22:00 House Of Cards 10:00 ICC Cricket 360 20:30 Counting Cars 11:00 The Tonight Show Starring 10:00 Switched At Birth 23:00 Rescue Me 10:30 Live Super Rugby 21:00 Pawn Stars Jimmy Fallon 11:00 Covert Affairs 01:00 Promised Land-PG15 12:30 Live NRL Premiership 21:30 Storage Wars 12:00 The War At Home 12:00 Emmerdale 03:00 The Philly Kid-PG15 15:00 Super Rugby 22:00 American Pickers 12:30 My Boys 13:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 05:00 Abandoned-PG15 23:00 Storage Wars 13:00 My Name Is Earl 14:00 Scandal 17:00 Trans World 07:00 Oh Christmas Tree-PG 13:30 Friends 15:00 The Carrie Diaries 18:00 ICC Cricket 360 23:30 Storage Wars 09:00 Darling Companion-PG15 14:00 Parks And Recreation 16:00 Emmerdale 18:30 Total Rugby 11:00 Abandoned-PG15 14:30 Trophy Wife 17:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 00:00 Lockout-PG15 19:00 Golfing World 13:00 Bernie-PG15 20:00 Live Super Rugby 15:00 Brooklyn Nine-Nine 18:00 Scandal 02:00 Body Parts-PG15 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon 15:00 Riddle-PG15 22:00 Live PGA Tour 19:00 Switched At Birth 04:00 Money Kills-PG15 Stewart 20:00 Covert Affairs 17:00 Darling Companion-PG15 06:00 Last Man Standing-PG15 16:00 The Colbert Report 21:00 The Client List 19:00 96 Minutes-PG15 00:10 Oprah’s Next Chapter 08:00 Lockout-PG15 16:30 The War At Home 22:00 Killer Women 21:00 Citizen Gangster-PG15 01:00 Mob Wives 17:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 23:00 C.S.I. 10:00 Vantage Point-PG15 23:00 Neds-PG15 01:50 Hoarding: Buried Alive 18:00 The Simpsons 12:00 Money Kills-PG15 00:00 Trans World Sport 02:40 I Didn’t Know I Was Pregnant 18:30 Parks And Recreation 14:00 Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The 01:00 PGA European Tour 03:05 Mob Wives 19:00 Enlisted Cradle Of Life-PG15 07:00 Premier League Darts 03:55 Long Island Medium 19:30 The Michael J. Fox Show 16:00 Lockout-PG15 10:30 Golfing World 04:20 Say Yes To The Dress 20:00 The Tonight Show Starring 18:00 Last Man Standing-PG15 11:30 Live PGA European Tour 04:45 Say Yes To The Dress Jimmy Fallon 00:00 The Blacklist 20:00 Crimson Tide-PG15 00:45 The Best Man-PG15 14:30 Web.Com Tour 05:10 Toddlers & Tiaras 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon 02:45 Red Lights-PG15 01:00 Good Morning America 22:00 Skyline-PG15 16:30 Live PGA European Tour 06:00 Oprah: Behind The Scenes 04:45 Cinderella Man-PG15 19:30 Inside The PGA Tour 07:00 Oprah: Behind The Scenes 07:15 An Inconvenient Truth-PG 20:00 WWE SmackDown 07:50 Cake Boss 09:00 The Trial-PG15 22:00 Live Super League 08:15 Cake Boss 11:00 I Am-PG15 08:40 Cake Boss 12:30 Cinderella Man-PG15 09:05 Cake Boss 15:00 Prosecuting Casey Anthony- 09:30 Six Little Mcghees PG15 10:20 My Crazy Obsession 17:00 I Am-PG15 10:45 My Crazy Obsession 19:00 Marie Antoinette-PG15 00:00 ICC Cricket 360 11:10 Extreme Couponing 21:00 Nobody Walks-PG15 00:30 Natwest T20 Blast Highlights 11:35 Extreme Couponing All-Stars 23:00 Shadow Dancer-PG15 01:30 Natwest T20 Blast Highlights 13:15 Oprah Presents: Master Class 02:30 Natwest T20 Blast Highlights 14:05 Oprah’s Next Chapter 03:30 Natwest T20 Blast Highlights 14:55 Little People, Big World 04:30 ICC Cricket 360 17:00 World’s Worst Mum 01:00 Austenland-PG15 05:00 IPL Highlights 17:50 Jon & Kate Plus 8 03:00 Between Us-PG15 06:00 IPL Highlights 18:15 Jon & Kate Plus 8 05:00 Good Day For It-PG15 07:00 ICC Cricket 360 18:40 Jon & Kate Plus 8 07:00 Monsters University-PG 07:30 Natwest T20 Blast Highlights 19:10 Jon & Kate Plus 8 09:00 You Got Served: Beat The World- 08:30 Natwest T20 Blast Highlights 19:35 Jon & Kate Plus 8 PG15 09:30 Natwest T20 Blast Highlights 20:05 Six Little Mcghees 11:00 Magic Journey To Africa-PG15 10:30 Natwest T20 Blast Highlights 21:00 Here Comes Honey Boo Boo 13:00 Austenland-PG15 11:30 ICC Cricket 360 21:25 Here Comes Honey Boo Boo 15:00 Jack The Giant Slayer-PG15 12:00 IPL Highlights 21:55 World’s Worst Mum 17:00 You Got Served: Beat The World- 13:00 IPL Highlights 22:50 Long Island Medium PG15 14:00 IPL Highlights 23:15 My Crazy Obsession 19:00 LOL-PG15 15:00 IPL Highlights 23:40 My Crazy Obsession 21:00 One Direction: This Is Us-PG 16:00 ICC Cricket 360 23:00 The Heat-PG15 16:30 Natwest T20 Blast Highlights 17:30 Natwest T20 Blast Highlights 18:30 Natwest T20 Blast Highlights 19:30 Live Natwest T20 Blast 23:00 ICC Cricket 360 00:35 Dancing On Ice 01:00 A Fairy Tale Christmas 23:30 Best of ICC WT20 02:00 Emmerdale 02:45 Gnomeo & Juliet 02:55 Coronation Street 04:30 The Great Bear 03:25 Big Star’s Little Star 06:00 Problem Child 2 04:20 The Hungry Sailors 08:00 Freddy Frogface 05:15 The Chase 10:00 Planet 51 06:05 Dancing On Ice 11:30 Wizards And Giants 00:00 Storage Wars 07:30 Big Star’s Little Star 13:00 Gnomeo & Juliet 00:30 Pawn Stars 08:25 The Hungry Sailors 14:30 Fred 2: Night Of The Living Fred 01:00 American Restoration 09:20 Take On The Twisters 16:00 Curious George: Swings Into 02:00 American Daredevils 10:15 Murdoch Mysteries Spring 02:30 American Daredevils 11:10 Emmerdale 18:00 Planet 51 03:00 Storage Wars 12:00 Coronation Street 20:00 Turboosters 03:30 Storage Wars 12:30 The Chase 22:00 Fred 2: Night Of The Living Fred 04:00 Pawn Stars 13:20 Dancing On Ice 23:30 Curious George: Swings Into 04:30 Pawn Stars 14:45 Murdoch Mysteries Spring 05:00 Mountain Men 15:35 Take On The Twisters 06:00 Storage Wars Texas 16:30 Lewis 06:30 Counting Cars 18:20 Murdoch Mysteries 07:00 Counting Cars 19:10 Coronation Street 00:00 Dangerous Attraction-PG15 07:30 Counting Cars 19:35 Take On The Twisters 02:00 G.I. Joe: Retaliation-PG15 08:00 American Restoration 20:30 Lewis 04:00 Cirque Du Soleil: Worlds Away- 08:30 Cajun Pawn Stars 22:20 Coronation Street PG 09:00 Storage Wars Texas 22:50 Emmerdale FREE SAMPLES ON OSN MOVIES COMEDY 06:00 Disturbia-PG15 09:30 Counting Cars 23:45 Murdoch Mysteries Stars FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014

Aries (March 21-April 19) COUNTRY CODES Libra (September 23-October 22) Afghanistan 0093 Kuwait 00965 Your physical stamina is apt to be quite strong today, Aries. You Albania 00355 Kyrgyzstan 00996 You might feel like you've come out of the dark and into the Algeria 00213 Laos 00856 should consider going to the gym to release some of that pent-up light today, Libra. A weight has been lifted, but there's still a Andorra 00376 Latvia 00371 energy. Engage in a sport or something that involves strategy and Angola 00244 Lebanon 00961 great deal of emotional drama that needs to work itself out. Go good coordination. Pick up a tennis racquet or join a basketball Anguilla 001264 Liberia 00231 for a long walk this afternoon and increase your lung capacity. game. You'll find that your high level of energy will be the key to Antiga 001268 Libya 00218 Get your heart rate up. You'll find that the more active you are, Argentina 0054 Lithuania 00370 coming out on top. the better you'll be able to sort through your emotional trau- Armenia 00374 Luxembourg 00352 Australia 0061 Macau 00853 ma. Austria 0043 Macedonia 00389 Bahamas 001242 Madagascar 00261 Bahrain 00973 Majorca 0034 Bangladesh 00880 Malawi 00265 Barbados 001246 Malaysia 0060 Belarus 00375 Maldives 00960 Taurus (April 20-May 20) Belgium 0032 Mali 00223 Scorpio (October 23-November 21) Belize 00501 Malta 00356 Benin 00229 Marshall Islands 00692 Bermuda 001441 Martinique 00596 Take a break from the seriousness that has prevailed over Take a break from your steady climb today and have a look at Bhutan 00975 Mauritania 00222 the past couple days, Taurus. You'll find that upbeat conver- Bolivia 00591 Mauritius 00230 sations are the way to navigate through today's waters. You the world around you, Scorpio. Enjoy a night out with friends Bosnia 00387 Mayotte 00269 might notice that communication is more active and that and take an active role in the conversation. You'll find that the Botswana 00267 Mexico 0052 words are especially effective. Talk and people will listen. more socializing you do, the more you'll be able to release Brazil 0055 Micronesia 00691 some of the tension that you might not even realize you have. Brunei 00673 Moldova 00373 Listen and people will talk. The exchange of ideas is critical Bulgaria 00359 Monaco 00377 on a day like this. Get the energy moving again. Take an active role in keeping up Burkina 00226 Mongolia 00976 with the beat. Burundi 00257 Montserrat 001664 Cambodia 00855 Morocco 00212 Cameroon 00237 Mozambique 00258 Canada 001 Myanmar (Burma) 0095 Cape Verde 00238 Namibia 00264 Cayman Islands 001345 Nepal 00977 Gemini (May 21-June 20) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Central African Republic 00236 Netherlands (Holland)0031 Chad 00235 Netherlands Antilles 00599 Chile 0056 New Caledonia 00687 China 0086 New Zealand 0064 Jump back onstage and say your peace, Gemini. Your active Pay attention to the news today, Sagittarius. Be sure to check Colombia 0057 Nicaragua 00505 participation in the conversation of today is critical to maintain- not just the mainstream news but also the offbeat independent Comoros 00269 Nigar 00227 ing a healthy energy flow. The things you say to others will Congo 00242 Nigeria 00234 publications and websites. Question what you hear and read. Cook Islands 00682 Niue 00683 have a profound effect, so choose your words carefully. Enjoy a Take an active role in increasing your knowledge of the world. Costa Rica 00506 Norfolk Island 00672 physical activity that involves a group. Make it a social event. Be Take responsibility for your citizenship by keeping an eye on Croatia 00385 Northern Ireland (UK)0044 an active participant in all the situations you encounter. what's going on. Information is an important aspect of power. Cuba 0053 North Korea 00850 Cyprus 00357 Norway 0047 Cyprus (Northern) 0090392 Oman 00968 Czech Republic 00420 Pakistan 0092 Denmark 0045 Palau 00680 Diego Garcia 00246 Panama 00507 Djibouti 00253 Papua New Guinea 00675 Dominica 001767 Paraguay 00595 Cancer (June 21-July 22 Capricorn (December 22-January 19) Dominican Republic 001809 Peru 0051 ) Ecuador 00593 Philippines 0063 Egypt 0020 Poland 0048 El Salvador 00503 Portugal 00351 Your solid footing may become a bit unstable today, Cancer, Today is a great day to go out and get things done, England (UK) 0044 Puerto Rico 001787 but don't worry about it. Be a little more flexible and release Capricorn. You might find that you're a bit indecisive, but Equatorial Guinea 00240 Qatar 00974 Eritrea 00291 Romania 0040 your tightfisted grip on the situation. Infuse a bit of laughter don't sweat it. Don't feel like you have to make any great Estonia 00372 Russian Federation 007 and playfulness into things. You'll find that the exchange of commitments. You'll do fine jumping around from lily pad Ethiopia 00251 Rwanda 00250 ideas is a critical part of the day. Get out of the house and into a to lily pad. Get yourself into the open and express what's Falkland Islands 00500 Saint Helena 00290 social arena in which you can enjoy lighthearted conversations. on your mind. Engage in some sort of physical activity that Faroe Islands 00298 Saint Kitts 001869 gets your circulation going. Fiji 00679 Saint Lucia 001758 Finland 00358 Saint Pierre 00508 France 0033 Saint Vincent 001784 French Guiana 00594 Samoa US 00684 French Polynesia 00689 Samoa West 00685 Gabon 00241 San Marino 00378 Gambia 00220 Sao Tone 00239 Leo (July 23-August 22) Aquarius (January 20- February 18) Georgia 00995 Saudi Arabia 00966 Germany 0049 Scotland (UK) 0044 Ghana 00233 Senegal 00221 Gibraltar 00350 Seychelles 00284 There's no excuse for laziness today, Leo! Make sure you get The name of the game for you today is action, Aquarius. The air Greece 0030 Sierra Leone 00232 out of bed before the day ends. You'll find that the more seems to get clearer, and it feels as if a weight has been lifted Greenland 00299 Singapore 0065 action you take, the happier you'll be. Express your thoughts off you. You might notice a sudden burst of physical energy Grenada 001473 Slovakia 00421 urging you to get out and go for a long bike ride. Feel the wind Guadeloupe 00590 Slovenia 00386 to the people around you. Get out in the open air and listen Guam 001671 Solomon Islands 00677 to what the wind has to say. Be active and flexible. People's blowing through your hair. Or release your pent-up emotions Guatemala 00502 Somalia 00252 emotions are more on the surface, so keep things light and on the soccer field in a fast-paced game with your friends. Guinea 00224 South Africa 0027 energetic. Guyana 00592 South Korea 0082 Haiti 00509 Spain 0034 Holland (Netherlands)0031 Sri Lanka 0094 Honduras 00504 Sudan 00249 Hong Kong 00852 Suriname 00597 Hungary 0036 Swaziland 00268 Ibiza (Spain) 0034 Sweden 0046 Iceland 00354 Switzerland 0041 Virgo (August 23-September 22) Pisces (February 19-March 20) India 0091 Syria 00963 Indian Ocean 00873 Taiwan 00886 Indonesia 0062 Tanzania 00255 Don't let things stagnate, Virgo. It's time to take action. In every- Take some of that knowledge you've picked up and processed Iran 0098 Thailand 0066 over the past few weeks and spread it around, Pisces. It's time to Iraq 00964 Toga 00228 thing you do today, see how far you can go as opposed to how Ireland 00353 Tonga 00676 deep. Cover a wide range of topics. Take a break from your usual put your communication skills to work. You'll find that your emo- Italy 0039 Tokelau 00690 emotional intensity and simply enjoy the sunshine and light tions are strongly tied to your actions today, and that things will Ivory Coast 00225 Trinidad 001868 conversation with others. Keep things energetic and upbeat. take on a much lighter tone than they have in the past few days. Jamaica 001876 Tunisia 00216 Take action when you see that things are flagging. Take deep breaths and release that pent-up tension. Japan 0081 Turkey 0090 Jordan 00962 Tuvalu 00688 Kazakhstan 007 Uganda 00256 Kenya 00254 Ukraine 00380 Kiribati 00686 United Arab Emirates00976 Health FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014 Target tuberculosis in rich world as model for poor: WHO

GENEVA: The World Health Organization (WHO) ing. The goal is to reduce the infection rate by a ness, weight loss and fever. But the disease, which he called a “disaster situation” that poses a threat yesterday launched an ambitious plan for rich factor of 10 to fewer than 10 new TB cases per mil- is transmitted through the air, can take years to to Western Europe. countries to sharply reduce tuberculosis infec- lion people per year by 2035 in each of the 33 develop, and it is also vital to test as early as possi- Standard treatment for TB usually includes a tions and serve as a model for harder-hit countries countries, and to effectively eliminate it by 2050. ble to determine if a person has a drug-resistant mix of four antibiotic drugs over a period of six of Africa and Asia, where the disease still thrives. “We are after, really, is finding what we call form. Of the 155,000 annual new cases of tubercu- months. MDR-TB can take 18 to 24 months to Although the 33 targeted countries, 21 of them in trailblazers or model countries that would embark losis in the target countries, about 500 are multi- treat and cost up to $100,000 in rich countries. But Europe, have relatively low rates of infection, the in a resolute way on this campaign against tuber- drug resistant (MDR-TB), caused by an extreme research efforts are already bearing some fruit. disease still kills 10,000 people a year there - pre- culosis, proving that it is indeed possible to get to superbug form of the bacterium that does not Raviglione said about 12 promising vaccines were dominantly homeless people, migrants, prisoners, elimination level,” Raviglione said. The WHO strat- respond to the most powerful first-line drugs. being tested, mostly by US or UK companies, and drug users, heavy drinkers or people with egy involves broader screening for both active But worldwide, China, India and South Africa some could be on the market by 2022. The first HIV/AIDS - the WHO said. and latent TB infections in high-risk groups, fund- are among the hardest hit by TB. The WHO esti- new TB treatment in more than 40 years, Johnson It is in these communities that industrialized ing high-quality health services, and investing in mates that 8.6 million people developed TB in & Johnson’s bedaquiline, was approved in 2012 countries including the United States could pilot new drugs, vaccines and diagnostic tests. 2012 and 1.3 million died. Some 450,000 fell ill for use on drug-resistant TB, and in 2013 the approaches to a disease that is both preventable with dangerous superbug strains in 2012, and up European Medicines Agency recommended and curable that could then be transferred to Growing drug resistance to 2 million people worldwide may be infected granting conditional marketing approval for dela- poorer countries, Dr. Mario Raviglione, director of Common symptoms of TB are coughing with with drug-resistant TB by 2015, it says. Raviglione manid, a treatment for MDR being developed by the WHO’s Global TB Program, told a news brief- sputum and blood at times, chest pains, weak- singled out Russia for its high rates of MDR, which Japan’s Otsuka. — Reuters FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014

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FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014 Is Europe’s troubled union really ready to change? Is Europe’s troubled union really ready to change? PAGE 41 PAGE 41

DUBAI: A worker operates a crane of the Arabtec construction company on a high-rise building. — AP Gulf banks start to muscle global deals

DUBAI: When the Kenyan government issued a debut $2 billion was headed by HSBC. The last several years have seen a big change, billion. At a time of economic instability, this makes Gulf investors Eurobond last month, most of the lead arrangers were top Western however. As recently as 2011, the top 25 arrangers did not include any highly sought after by many bond issuers around the world. The fact and African banks. But there was a standout: Qatar’s QNB Capital. Gulf banks at all. Now, even relatively small Gulf institutions such as that many Gulf funds are Islamic partly explains the increasing interest After decades during which banks from the wealthy Gulf Arab coun- Dubai Islamic Bank and Saudi Arabia’s Riyad Bank have entered the around the world in issuing sukuk (Islamic bonds); Senegal is in the tries rarely ventured outside their region, they are starting to play league tables. process of selling its first sovereign sukuk. major roles in arranging bond deals overseas, competing with long- There is evidence that the entry of Gulf banks into the bond Gulf banks, many of them with close links to their governments, established international banks. This is partly because the Gulf banks arranging business within their region has increased competition and are often the best way of reaching top investors in the region such as have grown, allowing them to build up their technical expertise in squeezed fees - making it more attractive for the Gulf institutions to sovereign wealth funds. When Britain raised 200 million pounds ($345 bonds and making them keen to expand beyond their crowded seek arranging activity outside their region. According to estimates by million) through five-year sukuk last month, two of the five banks home markets. But it is also because the global financial crisis has Thomson Reuters and Freeman Consulting, fees for international dol- mandated to arrange the issue were from the Gulf: NBAD and Qatar’s made the cash-rich Gulf more attractive to overseas bond issuers as a lar bonds arranged in the Gulf this year have totaled about 0.22 per- Barwa Bank. They worked alongside HSBC, Standard Chartered and source of investment funds. Gulf banks are seen as the best channels cent of the size of the deals, down from roughly 0.58 percent in 2010. Malaysia’s CIMB. for issuers to attract this money. Rapid, oil-fuelled growth in the Gulf’s banking industry over the QNB Capital, a unit of Qatar National Bank, the Gulf state’s biggest last few years has helped local banks bulk up to challenge foreign Sukuk lender, is now believed to be a strong contender to arrange Kenya’s competitors; banking assets in the six-nation Gulf Cooperation In fact, sukuk are emerging as a key area in which Gulf banks can first Islamic bond issue, which is in the planning stage, bankers said. Council ballooned to $1.47 trillion in 2012 from $1.09 trillion in 2008, expand internationally. Although several foreign banks such as HSBC QNB “is a big bank in the Middle East and it has been involved in according to a study by QNB. This has helped Gulf banks to hire some have major expertise in sukuk, the Gulf banks are based in countries arranging other issues in Africa, especially in North Africa,” said high-profile talent from international institutions over the past year. where Islamic banking is mainstream, and some are dedicated Islamic Geoffrey Mwau, economic secretary at the Ministry of Finance in Qatar’s QInvest hired Michael Katounas from Credit Suisse to lead its banks themselves; this may give them an advantage in developing Kenya. “It helps to spread out the investor base by bringing in some investment banking operation; Simon Penney moved from Royal their sukuk arranging operations. from the Middle East, and there are many. They are up and coming.” Bank of Scotland to Abu Dhabi’s First Gulf Bank as head of wholesale Three of Turkey’s four Islamic banks are affiliates of Gulf banks, and international banking, with responsibilities including the debt which has helped steer Turkish sukuk issues to Gulf arrangers. Sukuk Growth markets. The global financial crisis supported the trend, by forcing from Albaraka Turk and Kuveyt Turk this year were arranged by Gulf The trend is still in its infancy. In lists of the top 25 arrangers of many Western banks to downsize their Gulf operations as they banks. Banks from the Gulf are also looking at Malaysia, which bond issues globally by monetary value, no Gulf bank appears, focused on repairing balance sheets back home. Similarly, the intro- accounts for over two-thirds of global sukuk volumes, and Thailand according to Thomson Reuters data Even in their home markets, the duction of tighter global capital rules in Basel III banking standards and Indonesia to expand their arranging business. “We certainly have Gulf banks are still not dominant. Among the 25 most active arrangers over the next few years may help Gulf banks; they are flush with capi- been Europe- and MENA (Middle East and North Africa)-focused, and of international bonds from Gulf issuers last year, the highest-ranked tal, while many Western banks may face higher costs. continue to be so, in our activity for capital financing be it sukuk, syn- Gulf institution was National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) in sixth place, Meanwhile, the last three years of high oil prices have seen a surge dication, project finance or structured finance,” said Khalid Al-Subeai, according to Thomson Reuters data. Dubai’s Emirates NBD came in in the amount of money which Gulf Arab states have available to acting group chief executive at Barwa Bank. “We do think Asia is inter- seventh. Only 10 of the 25 banks were from the Gulf; the list featured a invest abroad. One indicator of this, the Saudi Arabian central bank’s esting and we know there is unique value that Barwa Bank can bring, wide range of banks from Europe and the United States and Asia, and net foreign reserves, has jumped 52 percent since May 2011 to $732 specifically to sukuk issuers.”—Reuters 38 Business FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014

Bombay Stock Exchange shut after network outage MUMBAI: The Bombay Stock Exchange, India’s second- biggest financial market, shut down during morning trade yesterday owing to computer network problems, a spokesman said. “Due to a network outage... BSE decided to close all markets,” spokesman Yatin Padia said in a message to AFP, after trading stopped just before 10.00am (0430 GMT). The outage lasted roughly three hours, with trade resum- ing after technicians scrambled to resolve the problems, BSE chief executive Ashish Chauhan told AFP. The BSE’s Sensex index is India’s most-tracked stock market index, measuring the performance of 30 major companies across various indus- tries and seen as a bellwether of Indian markets. “They shut down only when there is no alternative and it goes without saying that volumes on BSE will go down as cus- tomers shift to other exchanges to continue trading,” said Alok Churiwala, head of Churiwala Securities in Mumbai. The BSE suffered another technical glitch last month, which left real-time data feeds blank for nearly an hour and forced deals BANGALORE: Indian Chairman Emeritus of the Tata Group and Air Asia India stakeholder Ratan Tata (center) to be struck using prices from a rival bourse. looks on during an Air Asia India launch event yesterday. Air Asia India has launched new routes in the south The Sensex ended at a record high Wednesday on hopes of the country. —AFP the newly elected government will announce reforms to revive the economy in its first budget next week. It has soared more than 22 percent this year, making it one of the best per- formers in the region, largely thanks to the rise of Prime More people, less water mean Minister Narendra Modi, whose right-leaning Bharatiya Janata Party won a landslide victory in May’s general election. Meanwhile, India’s low-cost and only profitable airline, rising food imports for Egypt IndiGo, is meeting bankers who are bidding to underwrite an initial public offering that has been estimated at around $400 Ethiopia dam, rising temperatures to tighten water supply million, reports said yesterday. Business daily Mint, citing six people familiar with developments, said at least half a dozen CAIRO/LONDON: In the northwest corner the 87 million population grows. The upstream Nile projects, a booming popu- investment bankers were competing to manage the offering of the Nile Delta, Ibrahim Sharaf Al-Dein USCIA World Factbook puts population lation, and climate change. “Egypt is basi- and would make bids to the company in Paris within a fort- fires up his diesel-powered pump next to growth at 1.6 million people a year. cally a country that depends on one night. The Economic Times also reported on the talks, saying a murky canal only to watch it spew out a source of water, the Nile, which is shared they were already under way in the French capital. A spokes- yellowish froth. For the past 15 years, anti- “Unrealistic” solutions by eleven countries,” Benedito Braga, woman for Indigo declined to comment to AFP on the stories. quated irrigation systems and a govern- Egypt has an enduring debt to the president of the World Water Council, told Aviation consulting firm CAPA, the Centre for Aviation, has ment conservation drive have kept many Nile, which allowed it to build an ancient Reuters. said it expects IndiGo to launch its IPO in the third quarter of farmers from nutrient-rich Nile waters, civilization based on agricultural wealth. “So from a strategic point of view the this financial year, which it expects would raise $350-400 mil- forcing them to tap sewage-filled canals But farms soak up 85 percent of the coun- Nile is something of a national security lion and be the largest airline IPO in India. All of India’s airlines despite their proximity to the world’s try’s water, above global averages, issue for Egypt,” Braga said. Treaties inked have been reporting losses apart from market leader IndiGo, longest river. according to think-tank the World Water while all neighbors except Ethiopia were struck by high fuel prices and the country’s slowing economic “This water ruins our pumps, it breaks Council. colonized grant Egypt three-quarters of growth. Stiff pricing competition too has eaten into profits of our machines, it’s bad for our production,” While improving yields and allocating the 74 billion cubic meters of annual most airlines, a process likely to only intensify in coming Sharaf Al-Dein, 50, said of the canal. But more land to farmers could boost produc- usable flow, a position it is keen to pro- months as Air Asia expands its operations in India. Qatar even as Egypt wrestles with dwindling tion, those measures will not keep up tect. Airways last month said it was interested in buying into water from its only major source, the Nile, with growing demand, said Gamal Siam, But with its regional hegemony faded, IndiGo, which began operations in 2006 and operates a fleet it pushes farmers to grow more to supply an agricultural economist at Cairo others along the river are starting to of 78 Airbus A320s —Agencies the country’s costly subsidized food pro- University. Egypt’s wheat yields are unlock the Nile’s potential for themselves. gram. The two goals, farmers and experts already among the highest in the world In 2011, Ethiopia won its power-starved say, are at odds with one another. but further production is limited by grow- neighbors’ support and began building US jobs data And efforts to make the most of pre- ing competition between Egypt’s farms Africa’s largest hydropower project, caus- cious farmland have been hampered by and cities for limited land and water. ing consternation in Cairo. “All options are reinforces strong decades of urban sprawl, which has accel- The Nile Valley, almost the only arable on the table,” then-President Mohammed erated since 2011 when the overthrow of land, makes up five percent of Egypt’s Morsi said on the dam last June. “If a sin- growth outlook President Hosni Mubarak led to a security area but is home to 95 percent of its peo- gle drop of the Nile is lost, our blood will vacuum. The government, anxious to ple. Newly-elected President Abdel Fattah be the alternative.” WASHINGTON: US employment growth is expected to have stimulate economic recovery after years Al-Sisi met with key ministers on Sunday Cairo has been more conciliatory of continued at a solid clip in June, which would further dispel of political turmoil, wants to cut its $4.5 to flesh out plans to reclaim 4 million fed- late, with Sisi to visit Ethiopia this summer fears about the economy’s health and underscore its momen- billion food import bill. Most of that bill dans (about 1 billion hectares) of desert for talks on the quarter-finished dam. tum heading into the second half of 2014. Nonfarm payrolls goes to subsidies that guarantee univer- land for farming. Siam estimates the dam will hold back 10 probably increased by 212,000 jobs after rising by 217,000 in sal access to bread at less than one US Siam said the “unrealistic” plan would billion cubic meters a year for seven years, May, according to a Reuters poll of economists. It would be cent (0.05 Egyptian pounds) per loaf. need 80 billion cubic meters of water a with more lost to evaporation. Egypt says the first time since the technology boom in the late 1990s that That makes Egypt the world’s top year, more than all Egypt’s Nile waters. it needs its historical veto on Nile projects employment had grown above a 200,000-jobs pace for five wheat importer, purchasing around 10 More modest reclamation plans in south- because upstream countries are more straight months. million tons a year. “The problem of ern Egypt and on the northern coast have water-secure. The closely watched employment report yesterday would import dependence is going to get been stalled for years for lack of water. “Egypt is under the water poverty line add to robust auto sales in June and data showing a steady worse,” said Nicholas Lodge, managing Policies like limiting farming of rice, the of 1,000 cubic meters a year per capita, at manufacturing expansion in suggesting a plunge in economic partner at Clarity, a Gulf-based agricultur- thirstiest crop, and encouraging sugar 700 cubic meters,” Siam said. “And with output in the first quarter was a weather-driven anomaly. al investment firm. “You have population beets instead of water-intensive sugar an increasing population, the problem Gross domestic product contracted at a 2.9 percent annual growth outstripping the ability of the cane have helped, but don’t address becomes more serious.” rate in the January-March period, causing a sharp downgrad- agricultural sector to improve production, wheat, the main water user. Experts say And whatever farmers such as Sharaf ing of growth estimates for this year. Growth in the second which is held back by land and water feasible solutions include overhauling irri- Al-Dein make of the climate change half of the year is forecast around a 3.5 percent pace. shortages.” gation systems or growing more prof- debate, some agencies are predicting “The data have not been consistent with the weak first half Egypt already grows a large amount, itable crops, such as fruits, which need lit- shifts in weather patterns could affect of the year,” said Sam Bullard, a senior economist at Wells including 7 million tons of wheat a year tle water but require complex logistics Egypt. “A reduction in rainfall over north- Fargo in Charlotte, North Carolina. “The improving labor mar- according to traders, largely because like refrigerated transport and storage. ern Africa is very likely by the end of the ket backdrop is supportive of firming rates of US growth in the Cairo offers farmers above-market prices 21st Century,” the UN’s Intergovernmental second half of the year.” The Labor Department will release to spur production. Subsidized bread More Egyptians, less water Panel on Climate Change warned in a 2013 the June employment report at 8:30 a.m. EDT (1230 GMT). The encourages Egyptians to consume more Water watchers warn that global food report that also expected Egypt’s tempera- report is usually released on a Friday, but the government will wheat per person than almost any other security is threatened by water scarcity, ture to rise by one to two degrees Celsius be closed today for the Independence Day holiday. —Reuters country, and demand is set to increase as with Egypt especially affected by by the end of the century. —Agencies 39 Business FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014 ECB keeps rates on hold, to hold fewer meetings BERLIN: The European Central Bank is taking a leaf Despite that weak economic backdrop, he said out of the Federal Reserve’s book and will, from the long-term inflation expectations were “firmly start of next year, be setting monetary policy every anchored.” six weeks instead of every month and publishing Last month, the ECB unveiled a raft of measures minutes to its deliberations. After the bank decided designed to shore up the recovery and prevent to keep its interest rates on hold yesterday, ECB prices from falling - low inflation, currently at 0.5 President Mario Draghi told a press briefing the new percent, is a key concern. Among the policies timetable for meetings was not a sign that the announced was a reduction in the ECB’s main inter- bank’s job in getting the 18-country euro-zone back est rate to 0.15 percent. Draghi said key interest on track was done. rates will remain at current or lower levels for an He said having a meeting every month can cause “extended period of time” and that the ECB’s gov- excess volatility in the markets “that may have little erning council was “unanimous” in its commitment or nothing to do with fundamentals.” Though to use other monetary stimulus measures should Draghi insisted that the ECB would not be synchro- inflation stay too low for too long. Economic indica- nizing its meetings with the Fed, their timetables tors suggest the euro-zone economy needs all the are now very similar. The Fed meets eight times a help it can get. Yesterday, official figures showed year, usually every six weeks. Draghi also fleshed retail sales were flat in May while the June purchas- out details of its latest plan to flood commercial ing managers’ index - a gauge of business activity - banks with cash as it kept interest rates unchanged from financial information company Markit edged despite signs that the euro-zone economy is losing back to a 6-month low. The high value of the euro is momentum. One of the problems afflicting the also a cause for concern for the central bank. The economy, which is suffering from anemic growth currency remains relatively strong, particularly and low inflation, is that banks often hold back from against the dollar, even though the Federal Reserve lending money to businesses and households. is discussing when it will start raising interest rates. Draghi said the new 400 billion-euro ($545 billion) The euro fell slightly as Draghi was speaking, program will help drive inflation back to the target though that was mainly due to the bigger than of just below 2 percent. Under the program, banks expected 288,000 increase in US nonfarm payrolls in can bid for loans on a quarterly basis, either alone or June. The currency was down at $1.3620 from in a group with other banks. That money would $1.3650 before the payrolls report release. Though have to then be loaned on to businesses. Draghi it’s down on its multi-year high of near $1.40 in the FRANKFURT: The euro logo is pictured at the European Central Bank, said the recovery in the euro-zone was “moderate” spring, the euro is still markedly above its long-run ECB in Frankfurt, central Germany yesterday. —AFP in the second quarter and inflation was “subdued.” average. —AP Saudi Q1 economic Any Saudi camel import ban would growth slows down hurt Somalia MOGADISHU: Somalia said yesterday its economy would suffer if Saudi Arabia banned camel imports from the Horn Bahrain Q1 GDP growth 3.1% yr/yr of Africa nation over suspicions the animals could carry a DUBAI: potentially deadly virus and said it was ready to help find Saudi Arabia’s economic growth in consumer borrowing over the past few Saudi Arabia may raise oil output in what caused the illness. The Somali prime minister’s office eased to an annual rate of 4.7 percent in years, said William Jackson, emerging the second half of the year to meet also said in a statement to Reuters that there had been no the first three months of 2014 as labor markets economist at Capital Economics expected higher seasonal demand, reported case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome or MERS market measures curbed activity in some in London. despite Libya’s deal with rebels to in Somalia since the virus was first discovered in humans in sectors, but the expansion was still In the first quarter, growth in all three resume oil exports. Iraq’s exports are 2012. stronger and more widespread than sectors that relied on cheap foreign unaffected by the security situation, but Senior Saudi scientist, Tariq Madani, told Reuters last growth a year ago, data showed yester- labor-construction, retail and transport- any disruption in crude supplies would week that Saudi Arabia suspected the virus may have arrived day. Economic growth in the world’s top slowed markedly from a year ago. For put the onus on Riyadh to lift output. In a in camels from the Horn of Africa and could ban imports oil exporter reached 5.0 percent in example, construction output growth separate survey yesterday, the Saudi pur- until it knows more. Somalia is a big livestock exporter to the October-December, the fastest pace shrank to 5.6 percent in January-March, chasing managers index (PMI) rose to a kingdom. “Since 2012 - when first discovered in Saudi Arabia since the third quarter of 2012. the slowest pace since end-2012 and five-month high in June, suggesting that - there has been no MERS case reported in Somalia,” the “It is certainly the change in the labour down from 9.9 percent in the final three activity in the non-oil sector have stabi- Somali statement said. “Evidently any change to Somalia’s market affecting the annual growth,” said months of 2013. lized in the second quarter. ability to export its camels would have an economic impact.” Fahad Al-Turki, head of research at Jadwa Manufacturing, however, grew 6.5 “In practice, though, it has been diffi- “But more importantly, it is very important to find the Investment in Riyadh. “(But) the quality of percent, the fastest pace in two years and cult to square the upbeat readings from cause of this virus and we would be very open to working growth is improving. It’s spread over up grom 4.0 percent in October- the PMI with the more downbeat activity with the World Health Organization and other international more sectors than the top three.” On a December, as new investment projects data,” Jackson said. “Putting all of this partners to identify the cause and the solutions,” it added. quarterly basis, inflation-adjusted gross come on stream. In the kingdom’s north, together, we think overall Saudi GDP MERS was first identified in humans in 2012 and is caused domestic product growth accelerated to Saudi Arabian Mining Co, or Maaden, is in growth is likely to slow further, averaging by a coronavirus from the same viral family as the one that 3.4 percent, the fastest clip in a year, from the middle of a large $9 billion project around 3.5-4.0 percent over the next year caused a deadly outbreak of SARS in China in 2003. More 2.7 percent in the previous quarter, the that includes a phosphate mine, several or so,” he said. than 700 people in Saudi Arabia have contracted it and 292 Central Statistics Office data show. major processing facilities, smaller down- A Reuters poll in April forecast the of them have died, according to latest data from the Saudi Economic growth is usually at its most stream factories and a residential area. Saudi economic growth would ease to Health Ministry. Somalia exported about 4.7 million animals robust early in the year, when the weath- 3.8 percent in 2014 from 4.0 percent last Oil output to Saudi Arabia last year, a major source of income for a er is at its most favorable and few public year and then accelerate to 4.3 percent in nation that is struggling to rebuild after more than two holidays halt work. Overall, the non-oil Crude oil sector output, which 2015. In neighboring Bahrain, real eco- decades of conflict. private sector growth slowed to 4.4 per- accounts for almost half of the $748 bil- nomic growth slowed to 3.1 percent Goats and sheep account for about 80 percent of all cent year-on-year from 6.2 percent in the lion Saudi economy, quickened to an year-on-year in the first quarter, the exports from Somalia, with camels and some cattle making previous quarter, the slowest pace in at annual 5.8 percent in the first quarter, the weakest performance since end-2012, up the rest. A previous Saudi ban on Somali livestock exports least a decade, analysts said. fastest rate since mid-2012, from 4.1 per- and to a quarterly 0.1 percent, a separate in 2000 - prompted by concerns at time about rinderpest Around a million foreign workers left cent in the previous three months. “This data showed yesterday. Fellow Gulf oil and Rift Valley fever - hammered the economy before the Saudi Arabia last year after a crackdown effect is likely to be weaker in the third exporter Oman saw its nominal GDP ban was lifted in 2009. Most shipments are made before the on visa irregularities as a part of labor and fourth quarter as the base is higher,” expand by an annual 4.6 percent in Muslim holidays of Eid Al-Fitr - at the end of the fasting reforms aimed at putting more Saudi said Khatija Haque, head of MENA January-March as an 8.3 percent rise in month of Ramadan which began this week - and Eid Al- nationals into jobs. Another reason for research at Emirates NBD. “Non-oil non-oil activity offset a 0.2 percent con- Adha which follows a few weeks later. Aban now would hit a the slowdown may be that households growth should pick up in the coming traction in the hydrocarbon sector, data period when exports start climbing. —Reuters balance sheets are stretched after a surge quarters, however.” also showed yesterday. —Reuters 40 Business FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014

Bank of England might hike interest rates this year

LONDON: The Bank of England will not will be higher by the end of next year. While used up before that happens. to 3.00 percent by end-2017. That fits with raise interest rates until early next year but none of the economists expect a move at The first vote for a hike from at least one BoE Governor Mark Carney repeatedly the likelihood it pulls the trigger before the BoE’s July 10 meeting, 21 of the 63 of the nine members of the Bank’s stressing the Bank intends to raise interest then is growing, a Reuters poll found yes- polled see a hike this year compared to just Monetary Policy Committee will come in rates in a “limited and gradual” manner. terday. Median forecasts from the poll of four of 52 in a poll taken ahead of June’s August according to two-thirds of econo- Carney said last week British interest rates over 60 economists, taken this week, sug- policy meeting. mists in the poll. One said it would be as were unlikely to return to levels seen as nor- gest the Bank will deliver its first hike of 25 “It is a tight call as to whether rates will early as this month. In June’s poll, only mal before the financial crisis because the basis points from the current record low of rise in 2014 or early 2015. Either way, we around half thought it would be August. economy was still vulnerable. Bank Rate 0.5 percent in the first three months of subscribe to the view that the tightening Sterling has rallied to around six-year highs stood at 5.75 percent in mid-2007. “As the next year. process will be a slow haul,” said Peter in recent days as data continues to suggest rate increase will ultimately be ‘data driven’ That is unchanged from a June 17 poll. Dixon at Commerzbank. BoE officials a strong recovery. A majority of strategists and as we do not expect a significant But the latest survey gave a 40 percent have recently given mixed signals on the in a Reuters foreign exchange poll on increase in real wages before 2016, we stick chance of a hike this year compared to just timing of a potential interest rate rise. Wednesday raised their cable forecasts with our scenario of a long-lasting status 30 percent in a poll taken in early May - the While they say markets have underesti- from last month. quo,” said Nathalie Dezeure at Natixis, the last time that question was asked. And mated the likelihood of a move in 2014, Bank Rate is expected to gradually move only economists polled who does not there is a 90 percent likelihood that rates they also think more slack needs to be up to 2.25 percent by the end of 2016 and expect a rise before 2016. —Reuters

China, S Korea agree to boost economic ties SEOUL: China and South Korea yesterday agreed measures that will expand the use of China’s tightly controlled currency and boost trade as Xi Jinping made his first presidential visit to the Korean Peninsula. Expectations were high that Xi’s summit with South Korea’s president Park Geun-hye would expand an economic and business relationship that has flourished in the past decade. Xi was accompanied by 250 business executives including luminaries such as Jack Ma, founder of the Alibaba e-commerce empire, and Robin Li, chairman of search engine Baidu. The Korea Chamber of Commerce said it was the biggest ever foreign business delegation to South Korea. A state- ment from South Korea’s finance ministry and central bank said the South Korean won will become directly exchangeable with the yuan, joining major currencies such as the US dollar, Japanese yen and euro that are convertible with the Chinese currency. The decision also makes the yuan only the second currency after the US dollar that is directly convertible with the won. At a press conference, Park said South Korea and China will aim to complete long-running free trade talks by the end of this year. “Through these measures, exchange between companies and citi- zens in the two countries will become faster and more free,” she said. China also gave South Korea a green light to invest tens of billions of yuan (billions of dollars) in Chinese bonds and stocks. The currency agreement is another step forward in China’s ambitions for the yuan to rival the US dollar as the favored currency for trade and financial transactions. Chinese leaders say they plan eventually to let the yuan float freely, but analysts say that might be decades away. Beijing is reluctant to allow big changes in the currency for fear of hurting exporters that employ millions of workers. South Korea’s two-way DUISBURG: A steel worker uses a blow torch on a steel tube on the floor of the HKM (Huettenwerke Krupp trade with China was $229 billion last year, exceeding the combined Mannesmann) steel plant in Duisburg in western Germany. —AFP value of South Korea’s trade with the US and Japan. Xi told reporters after the summit that the two countries will strive to boost their trade to top $300 billion. Germany okays first-ever Major center for trading yuan China is also a crucial market and a production base for South Korean exporters such as Samsung, Hyundai and LG who are key for- national minimum wage eign investors for China. But nearly all South Korean exporters and importers use the US dollar to do business with their Chinese coun- terparties because the won and yuan aren’t directly traded, incurring $11.60 an hour to benefit more than 5m workers additional costs. More than 90 percent of exports and imports with BERLIN: Germany yesterday adopted its first chairman Reiner Hoffmann. “This has been ‘Horror scenarios’ China were transacted in the US dollar in 2013, according to the Bank nationwide minimum wage, hailed as a victory confirmed by serious studies and the experi- German industry groups argue the mini- of Korea. by unions and the centre-left coalition part- ence of our European neighbors and the mum wage will destroy jobs, especially in South Korean policymakers have said they would like to make ners of conservative Chancellor Angela Merkel. United States.” the formerly communist east where, a quar- Asia’s fourth-largest economy to become a major center for trading The base pay of 8.50 euros ($11.60) an hour Merkel herself had long opposed the mini- ter century after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the yuan, vowing to complete infrastructure for such a market by the will eventually benefit more than five million mum wage, warning it could force small- and wages are still lower than in western states. end of this year. Officials said in the statement that the currency workers in the low-wage sector when it is medium-sized businesses to lay off workers, The government has agreed certain exemp- agreement gives Seoul an edge over Hong Kong and Singapore, two phased in between January 1, 2015, and 2017. and favoring instead separate pay deals by tions, such as under-18-year-olds, to encour- other Asian financial centers with yuan ambitions. South Korea and Ahead of the Bundestag lower house of parlia- industrial sector and region. But she caved in age them to seek training or an apprentice- China also announced new measures to boost South Koreans’ use of ment vote, which passed with a wide majority, after tough haggling late last year on forming a ship rather than a better-paid job. Another the yuan for investment and saving. South Korea previously relied on Labor Minister Andrea Nahles hailed it as a “grand coalition” with the Social Democrats, exception will be people who re-enter the a bank in Hong Kong to settle yuan payments. But a Chinese bank in “milestone” in German labor and social policy. who had promised steps to narrow a growing labor market after 12 months or more out of Seoul will now take on that role. That will help increase yuan savings “What we’re deciding today is of outstand- pay gap in Germany’s 42-million-strong labor work, who can be paid less for the first six in South Korea and reduce transaction fees, officials said. ing significance for millions of this country’s market. The starting level, set to be reviewed months on the basis that a badly paid job is China agreed that South Korean institutional investors approved employees, who finally will receive a fair every two years, is in line with those in other better than none at all. The base wage will by local authorities will be able to invest up to 80 billion yuan ($13 wage,” she said. Introducing a universal mini- major developed economies: slightly less than also be phased in more slowly for newspaper billion) in Chinese stocks, about the same limit as Britain and France mum wage brings Europe’s biggest economy France’s 9.53 euros, but above Britain’s £6.31 delivery workers and seasonal fruit pickers, though smaller than Hong Kong and Taiwan. The ongoing free trade in line with 21 of the EU’s 28 member states. (7.91 euros, $10.83). The Munich daily to help keep those sectors viable. talks between the two countries also got a boost from Xi’s visit. China The Confederation of German Trade Unions Sueddeutsche Zeitung labeled it a “historical Agriculture Minister Christian Schmidt wel- and South Korea have held about a dozen rounds of negotiations (DGB) had also welcomed the move after a reform” that would protect workers from comed the minimum wage but warned “the over removing tariffs on goods and services but they still have not years-long struggle and rejected as “propa- “appallingly bad rates of pay”, commenting cheapest offers (for fruit and vegetables) will narrowed their stance on some issues, such as opening South Korea’s ganda” claims that it would destroy jobs. “The that “people who cut hair, serve beer or slaugh- disappear from the market or come from agricultural industries. —AP minimum wage won’t be a job killer,” said its ter pigs... will feel their work better valued”. other countries”. —AFP 41 Business FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014

Irish economy INSIGHT bounces back DUBLIN: Ireland’s economy grew by 2.7 percent in the first quarter and new European Union rules on calculat- ing output significantly increased the size of the econo- my, raising the chances the government can ease its austerity measures later this year. Employment and con- sumer sentiment had been improving for the past 18 months, until an unexpected drop in fourth-quarter gross domestic product set back a recovery that had been gathering strength since the completion of an EU/IMF bailout last year. But along with the bright start to the year, a report yesterday revised the fourth-quarter data to show a decline of -0.1 percent instead of -2.3 percent. The over- all figure for 2013 was also revised to 0.2 percent growth from the original 0.3 percent contraction. “After some numbers that appeared too bad to be true, you now have some that look too good to be true,” said Austin Hughes, chief economist with KBC Bank. WASHINGTON: International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde speaks during the inaugu- “These numbers are more volatile than the underly- ral Michel Camdessus Central Banking Lecture at the International Monetary Fund in Washington, DC. —AFP ing economy. The picture that is emerging is a little more consistent with a general improvement of the economy, but it is a recovery that is a little choppy and a Is Europe’s troubled union little uneven.” The figures yesterday were revised so much they showed the economy contracted in 2012 by really ready to change? 0.3 percent, rather than growing 0.2 percent for the BRUSSELS: year, as previously estimated. After six decades of relentless if ning gains this year. The EU has seldom suf- haul the way the EU does business and fears incremental integration, might the European fered such a deep identity crisis. At the forefront the Luxembourger will make it harder for The rise in the first three months of the year was driv- Union be about to go into reverse? The “ever of the doubters is Britain, an awkward member Britain to renegotiate its relationship. en by a 1.8 percent increase in exports. The domestic closer union” enshrined in EU treaties since of the club since 1973, with a population mis- Juncker has spoken of the need to work economy remained subdued, with personal consump- 1957 no longer looks so assured after a voter trustful of Europe and a prime minister deter- with Britain to resolve its concerns about tion falling 0.1 percent in the first quarter compared backlash in May’s European Parliament elec- mined to renegotiate its relationship with the Europe. EU leaders, keen to avoid isolating with the previous three months. Economists polled by tions and Britain’s increasingly strident European Union. In January last year, Cameron Cameron or forcing the hand of British voters, demands for a looser relationship with Brussels. launched his campaign for fundamental were similarly emollient. “The UK raised some Reuters see the economy growing by 2.3 percent this As the smoke clears from the battle over nomi- change, including erasing the common aim of concerns related to the future development of year, more than the 2.1 percent expansion the govern- nating Jean-Claude Juncker as president of the “ever closer union”, etched in Europe’s found- the EU,” they said in a statement after the divi- ment has pencilled in. European Commission, the gulf between ing treaty since 1957. He promised to put the sive meeting. “These concerns will need to be Britain and its EU partners looks wider than ever result to an in/out referendum in 2017. “We addressed.” They went on to say that deeper Budget boost although all sides talk of focusing more deter- understand and respect the right of others to integration could be pursued by some but not minedly on public concerns about jobs and maintain their commitment to this goal,” he others. There was no mention, however, of New EU rules allowing countries to include illegal prosperity. Brussels insiders say that for all the said. “But for Britain - and perhaps for others - it going into reverse. For Cameron, it goes drugs and prostitution in GDP calculations added 10 bil- talk of radical reform, the 28-nation union is is not the objective.” The Dutch government, nowhere towards overhauling how the EU lion euros, or 6 percent, to the size of the economy in unlikely to change much either towards deeper an ally of Britain’s on many European issues, works day-to-day, or responding to deep-seat- integration or to greater decentralization in the took a similar stand a few months later, saying ed frustrations expressed by many voters in the 2013 and a similar amount in preceding years, the next five years. Asked whether the “wind of the time of ‘ever closer union’ in all policy areas European elections. The most that continental Central Statistics Office data showed. Finance Minister change” was likely to lead to any discernible had passed. The oft-quoted analogy is of a bicy- partners may be willing to offer Britain in terms Michael Noonan said last month that the technical shift in the coming years, more than one official cle that must keep moving to stay upright. The of decentralizing EU reforms may be less than adjustment could reduce the amount of tax hikes and quoted Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa’s “The question is whether the EU’s is slowing down the least Cameron needs to win a referendum. spending cuts needed next year to meet an end-2015 Leopard”, a fresco of stratified 19th century and starting to wobble, with at least one coun- Sicilian society. try set to tumble off? Changes deficit target of 3 percent of GDP. “Everything needs to change so that every- Cameron wants both to return to London The revision turned out to be bigger than Noonan thing can stay the same,” said a Commission Juncker and integration powers he feels were wrongly surrendered to and analysts had expected. Ireland’s debt-to-GDP ratio is veteran with 20 years’ experience. “We’ve heard Anyone looking for evidence of a reversal of Brussels, but also to reform EU institutions and now calculated at 116 percent and its deficit at 6.7 per- the promises many times before. They are integration would have struggled to find it in how the policy machinery works. He claims always genuine and probably well intentioned, the debate over the nomination of the next support from many Europeans who regard the cent of GDP in 2013. Previous estimates were 123.7 per- but the reality is different. Things don’t change president of the European Commission, which EU as a distant and clumsy bureaucracy, and cent and 7.2 percent, Davy Stockbrokers said in a note. just like that.”Since the creation of a coal and proposes and enforces EU laws. from some fellow leaders who fear the EU will Under pressure after bruising local elections in May, steel community among six countries in the At a summit on June 27, Europe’s leaders fall further out of favor if it doesn’t set clearer Noonan wants to reduce the planned 2 billion euros rubble of World War Two, the objective has voted by 26-2 - with only Britain and Hungary priorities. The European Commission has been to unite Europe’s nations economically opposed - to put forward Juncker, the former already launched a program, called REFIT, ($2.7 billion) of tax hikes and spending cuts in October’s and politically to prevent a return to conflict. prime minister of Luxembourg, for the most designed to simplify EU laws and reduce regu- budget. He has said he will have room to do so if tax fig- Through waves of expansion, including the powerful EU job. A multilingual federalist from latory costs. In outgoing Commission President ures and economic data are sufficiently positive. addition of 11 east European states since the the heart of Europe, Juncker, 59, has spent his Jose Manuel Barroso’s words, the aim is to “Barring any extraordinary development, it probably fall of the Berlin Wall, the union has grown to 28 life advocating deeper EU integration, whether make the EU “big on the bigger things, small on means that the adjustment next year is looking really countries comprising 500 million citizens, all on labor policy, trade or economics. Having cut the smaller things.” part of a single market with a swathe of com- his teeth in the heyday of former German Thanks to the EU, citizens travel freely and around the 1 billion mark,” KBC’s Hughes said, referring mon rules. The euro single currency, launched Chancellor Helmut Kohl and France’s Francois cheaply across the continent, mobile phone to the revisions to the 2013 data, the new methodology in 1999 and now used by 18 member states, is Mitterand, he naturally sees Franco-German roaming fees will soon be history and it is possi- and improved tax figures. The GDP data, which fol- perhaps the greatest symbol of Europe’s deter- cooperation as the motor of Europe. ble to work in any of the 28 countries. Yet that is lowed figures on Wednesday that showed Ireland’s tax mination to forge a common future. Yet that engine is no longer firing on all not enough to convince naysayers who see the But the last decade has called into question cylinders because Germany has grown in pow- EU as a tentacular bureaucracy that overly inter- take remained above target at the end of June, will also the overriding principle of ever closer union. er while France has weakened, throwing the feres in their lives. Cameron is not alone in come as some relief to Labor, a junior coalition party, Founder members France and the Netherlands central partnership out of kilter. Whether demanding the EU become less intrusive. In which will choose a new leader today. The favorite to voted down a proposed EU constitution in Cameron’s defeat over Juncker was a turning one form or another Germany’s Angela Merkel, take over as leader, Joan Burton, has said she will stick 2005. A debt crisis that began in Greece point toward a British exit, or just another France’s Francois Hollande, Italy’s Matteo Renzi, brought the euro zone close to collapse in bump in the road, remains to be seen. Cameron Mark Rutte of the Netherlands and Juncker to EU-imposed deficit reduction targets but that auster- 2012, and anti-EU populist parties scored stun- believes Juncker is the wrong person to over- have intoned a similar mantra. —Reuters ity had reached its limits in Ireland. —Reuters Sports FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014 Rays extend winning streak

NEW YORK: Sean Rodriguez hit a tiebreaking home run in the ninth inning as Toronto dealt Castillo hit two-run homers to power Chicago in winced in pain in the eighth, but continued his homer in the sixth inning and drove in three runs, Milwaukee its third straight loss. the finale of a three-game interleague series at-bat and singled. There was no immediate helping the streaking Tampa Bay Rays extend their Jose Bautista and Juan Francisco also connect- sweep. Ruggiano drove in five runs, Darwin Barney word if McCutchen was injured. longest winning string this year to five and hand ed for the Blue Jays, who have hit a major league had four hits and Nate Schierholtz added a solo the New York Yankees their season worst fifth high 113 home runs this season. homer for Chicago, which won for the sixth time in MARLINS 5, PHILLIES 0 straight loss, 6-3 Wednesday. Facing Will Smith (1-1), Jose Reyes led off the seven games away from Wrigley Field and posted Casey McGehee reached base three times, Ben Zobrist doubled twice among his three hits ninth with a double that left fielder Elian Herrera its first interleague sweep of three or more games doubled home a run and scored another, help- for the Rays, but ran into two outs. With manager dove for but couldn’t handle. Melky Cabrera was since taking three from Cleveland in 2009. ing Miami send Philadelphia to its sixth Joe Maddon encouraging his team to be more intentionally walked and Brandon Kintzler came It was the Cubs’ first interleague sweep on the straight loss. Tom Koehler (6-6) allowed three aggressive on the bases, Rodriguez was thrown out on to face Anthony Gose, who failed to advance road since winning three against the crosstown hits in six innings and earned his first victory trying to stretch an RBI single to the wall in right the runners with a bunt when Reyes was forced at rival White Sox in 2007. Mookie Betts hit his first since June 4. Three relievers completed a five- field in the fourth. The Rays won all three games at third. major league homer for the Red Sox, who lost for hitter. Yankee Stadium for their first road sweep since tak- Darin Mastroianni struck out but Encarnacion the ninth time in 13 games. Jarrod Saltalamacchia hit a two-run homer ing three in the Bronx from Sept. 24-26. ended it with a drive into the second deck in left, Red Sox DH David Ortiz became the 36th play- in the ninth, his eighth. The Marlins, who lead The Rays improved to 11 games under .500 for his 26th. Encarnacion is tied for the major league er in major league history to collect 1,000 extra- the majors in home victories, clinched the the first time in a month after falling 18 under on lead with White Sox rookie Jose Abreu and base hits with a ground-rule double. three-game series and improved to 27-21 at June 10. New York is below .500 at 41-42 for the first Baltimore’s Nelson Cruz. Casey Janssen (3-0) Marlins Park. Cole Hamels (2-5) gave up three time since April 11. worked one inning for the win. WHITE SOX 3, ANGELS 2 runs and needed 97 pitches to get through Leury Garcia drove in the winning run with a five innings, ending his career-best 10-game NATIONALS 4, ROCKIES 3 TIGERS 9, ATHLETICS 3 pinch-hit single off Michael Morin in the ninth streak of pitching at least seven innings. After a replay review, Ian Desmond’s solo homer Torii Hunter hit three RBI singles and capped a inning to lift Chicago to victory. Hamels, a victim of poor run support all sea- provided the go-ahead run for Washington and the six-run burst in the sixth inning that propelled The White Sox shook off a doubleheader sweep son, remained winless since June 6. The victory that finished off a three-game sweep. Jayson Detroit to finish a three-game sweep. and finally took out the Angels after dropping Phillies were shut out for the 11th time, which Werth also homered for Washington, which has The three-time AL Central champion Tigers their first five games against Los Angeles this sea- is tied for second-most in the majors. won a season-high five straight. Right-hander Matt won for the 11th time in 13 games. The division son and seven straight overall. Alejandro De Aza, who entered earlier as a run- ner for Paul Konerko, started the winning rally with a one-out single in the ninth off Morin (2-2). Conor Gillaspie followed with a broken-bat single past a diving Albert Pujols at first base to put runners on the corners. The Angels then brought in Kole Calhoun to replace right fielder Collin Cowgill and serve as the second baseman as part of a five-man infield. Garcia, batting for Moises Sierra, lined a 2-1 pitch to left to drive in De Aza.

INDIANS 5, DODGERS 4 Mike Aviles capped a three-run eighth inning with a two-run single against Brian Wilson, rallying Cleveland past Los Angeles. Ryan Raburn homered off Hyun-Jin Ryu, who was lifted after seven with a 3-2 lead. Wilson (1-3) retired only one of the six batters he faced, giving up a tying single by pinch- hitter David Murphy and Aviles’ clutch hit after an intentional walk to Lonnie Chisenhall. Brian Shaw (3-1) pitched a scoreless seventh to get the victory. Scott Atchison gave up a solo homer by Scott Van Slyke in the eighth. Cody Allen got four outs for his eighth save, retiring Matt Kemp on a flyball to the warning track with the potential tying and win- ning runs in scoring position.

BRAVES 3, METS 1 WASHINGTON: Colorado Rockies starting NEW YORK: Yankees left fielder Brett Gardner hits a fourth-inning RBI single scoring Chris Johnson hit a three-run double and pitcher Tyler Matzek throws during the Alfonso Soriano in a baseball game at Yankee Stadium. — AP Julio Teheran pitched seven strong innings as fourth inning of a baseball game against Atlanta polished off a three-game sweep. The the Washington Nationals. — AP Belisle (2-4) came on to face Desmond with one out leaders reached the halfway mark with a 47-34 Braves extended their season-best winning in the seventh. Desmond’s hit appeared to bounce mark. Oakland still has the best record in the streak to seven games. The Mets have lost four ROYALS 4, TWINS 0 off the top of the wall in right center, then off the majors despite its stumble at Comerica Park. straight and seven of their last eight games and Jason Vargas threw seven scoreless innings railing in front of the first row and onto the field. Justin Verlander (7-7) won for the first time are a season-worst 11 games below .500. and Raul Ibanez homered in his second game He ended up on third, but after a review that since May 30. He looked like he might be in trou- Teheran (8-5) gave up four hits and three for Kansas City. Vargas (8-3) allowed four sin- took 3:42, Desmond was given his 15th homer. ble when Coco Crisp and Brandon Moss hit long walks while lowering his ERA to 2.29. Jordan gles and two walks while striking out five, Washington’s Doug Fister (7-2) allowed three runs homers off him in the first inning, but left after the Walden pitched a perfect ninth for his third save allowing only two runners from a diluted Twins on seven hits over seven innings. Rafael Soriano sixth with a 9-2 lead. Jesse Chavez (6-5) struggled as closer Craig Kimbrel received a night off. lineup to reach second base. pitched the ninth for his 20th save. Michael for the second straight start, giving up five runs in The NL East-leading Braves remain one-half Mike Moustakas and Jarrod Dyson hit RBI McKenry hit a three-run homer for Colorado. five-plus innings. Reliever Jim Johnson replaced game ahead of Washington. New York rookie singles in the second inning against Kevin him and allowed four runs while only getting one Jacob deGrom (1-5) was undone by his season- Correia (4-10). With Joe Mauer missing on the MARINERS 5, ASTROS 2 out. long control problems in a long first inning. disabled list because of a strained muscle on Logan Morrison drove in two runs in a big sixth his right side, the Twins were shut out for the inning and Chris Young pitched seven strong PADRES 3, REDS 0 PIRATES 5, DIAMONDBACKS 1 sixth time this season and lost for the seventh innings as Seattle completed a three-game sweep. Tyson Ross threw a three-hitter for his first Gregory Polanco homered and Charlie time in their last nine games. The Mariners were down by two before a four- career shutout and Rene Rivera hit a three-run sin- Morton continued his effective pitching at home run sixth inning, highlighted by Morrison’s double gle off big league ERA leader Johnny Cueto to give as Pittsburgh won for the fifth time in six games. CARDINALS 2, GIANTS 0 to right field off Brad Peacock (2-5) that put them San Diego to its first three-game sweep since Polanco, a highly touted rookie who has Adam Wainwright allowed four hits over 7 on top. James Jones scored on a wild pitch in the September. The Padres, who tied their season high reached safely in 19 of 21 major league games, 2-3 innings and Matt Carpenter continued to inning and John Buck had an RBI single. Young (8-4) with their fourth straight win, hadn’t swept a series had a double, a walk and his third home run for feast on San Francisco pitching as the St. Louis allowed two hits - both solo homers - and struck out since Sept. 6-8 against Colorado. Ross (7-8) was Pittsburgh, which clinched its fourth consecu- Cardinals ended a scoring drought, beating the a season-high eight. It was his most strikeouts since dominating in throwing his first complete game in tive series victory. Giants. Carpenter had three hits and drove in a he fanned nine against Colorado in 2012. Fernando 55 career starts. He struck out nine and walked Polanco’s line-drive shot to right off Chase run, improving to .520 (26 for 50) against the Rodney pitched a scoreless ninth for his 24th save. none. With the bases loaded and two outs in the Anderson in the second inning gave the Giants to help the Cardinals end a three-game Marwin Gonzalez and rookie Kike Hernandez home- first, Rivera hit a blooper to the gap that hit off the Pirates a 3-0 lead. Paul Goldschmidt went 3 for losing streak. Matt Holliday added two hits and red for the Astros. Hernandez has three hits and heel of the glove of diving center fielder Billy 4 with a run for the Diamondbacks, who have an RBI. Wainwright (11-4) took over the NL lead in two RBIs in two games since being called up from Hamilton to give San Diego a 3-0 lead. Cueto (8-6) lost three straight. ERA (1.89) and wins. He walked two and struck out the minors. came in with the best ERA in the majors, 1.88. It Andrew McCutchen of the Pirates, who ear- one and his infielders combined to record 18 outs. rose to 1.99. lier in the day was named NL player of the Trevor Rosenthal recorded the final three outs for BLUE JAYS 7, BREWERS 4 CUBS 16, RED SOX 9 month for June, did not play the field in the his 25th save. Ryan Vogelsong (5-5) gave up two Edwin Encarnacion hit a three-run, walk-off Justin Ruggiano, Mike Olt and Welington ninth inning. He fouled a ball off his foot and runs and six hits over seven innings. — AP Sports FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014 ICC admits image dented by fixing revelations NEW DELHI: N Srinivasan, the new chairman of crick- there is a dent,” he said. Srinivasan’s ICC appointment came only weeks after et’s world governing body, admitted Thursday the “We are taking steps (on combating match-fixing) he was effectively forced by the Supreme Court from sport’s image had taken a battering after disgraced and I think the ICC is very pro-active on it.” Vincent, his post as president of the Board of Control for Cricket New Zealand batsman Lou Vincent was banned for life who was handed his ban earlier this week, told in India (BCCI) while allegations of illegal betting and for match-mixing. Thursday how his match-fixing boss had threatened spot-fixing involving his own son-in-law were probed. Critics say Srinivasan’s appointment last week as him with a cricket bat after an attempt to rig a game Judges had called his refusal to quit of his own International Cricket Council chief has itself tarnished backfired in a now defunct Indian Twenty20 tourna- accord “nauseating” and the world players association the game as he was forced to quit as head of India’s ment. The Kiwi batsman has also admitted deliberately FICA has said Srinivasan should not have been handed board over a corruption inquiry involving his son-in- playing badly in matches in England, New Zealand, his new role until the corruption allegations surround- law. But in an interview with India’s NDTV network, South Africa and Bangladesh. ing the Indian Premier League (IPL) T20 tournament Srinivasan reiterated that his conscience was clear But despite the apparent scope of corruption, remained unresolved. Srinivasan said he could not while acknowledging the damage from recent revela- Srinivasan said the ICC would strive to ensure that comment on the investigation for legal reasons but tions of match-fixing involving Vincent in five different “there is no doubt about any single game played any- added that “to my conscience, I have not done any- countries. “There have been these instances that have where”. “I think that’s the responsibility that we have thing that will tarnish the game, bring disrepute or come to light. Naturally... any sport where it happens, and steps are being taken in that direction,” he said. done anything wrong”. — AFP Female driver Wolff to race at Silverstone

SILVERSTONE: Susie Wolff will today become the first woman in 22 years to drive a Formula One racing car in an official competitive ses- sion when she takes the wheel of a Williams in the opening practice for Sunday’s British Grand Prix. Wolff, 31, a Scot who is married to Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff, believes she has a chance not only to prove that women deserve a chance at the highest level of motor racing, but that she has the talent to challenge for a racing seat in the future. “What is most important for this session is the team,” she told reporters. “But I am also ambitious and, for me, this is my chance to show what I can do. “It’s an opportunity not many get and as a woman I’ve had to work even harder to earn respect. This is a super, super chance. I have to show what I can do. “I’m nervous, but you need that adrenaline. Honestly, I’m ready. The Barcelona test prepared me perfectly so I am ready. I know that everyone thimks that I need to show if I am fast, but I’m not going to go on qualifying runs. “I am part of the team and I will do my pro- gramme just as Valtteri (Bottas) would have done. It’s very important for me to return the car in one piece and not 20!” Wolff will be the first woman to run during an official Grand Prix weekend since Italian Giovanna Amati attempted to qualify for the Brabham team in the opening three races of the 1992 season. Amati failed to qualify for a race and she lost her seat to Briton Damon Hill LEEDS: Spain’s Alberto Contador (center) and other riders of the Russia’s Tinkoff-Saxo cycling team pose before a train- who grasped the opportunity and, after finally qualifying a difficult ing session. — AFP car for the British Prix, used it to launch a career that saw him claim the drivers’ world title with Williams in 1996. More recently, Spaniard Maria de Villota was in 2012 appointed as Leeds gripped by Tour fever, a test driver for the Marussia team, but after an accident in testing at Duxford suffered serious head injuries. She died later that year. The only woman to score points in Formula One was Italian Lella says champion Froome Lombardi who finished sixth and scored half a point in the aban- doned 1975 Spanish Grand Prix for March. The Swiss Sauber team this year signed Swiss driver Simona De Silverstro with hopes of racing PARIS: Start city Leeds and Yorkshire in gen- be worth it. Local government has fully riders, fans and organisers alike rightly excit- her in 2015. Wolff has plenty of racing experience having risen eral are gripped by Tour de France fever, embraced its opportunity as Welcome to ed. It will also be a poignant Tour as it will through the traditional British karting and single-seater series to take according to reigning champion Chris Yorkshire announced that a provisional deal pass through the scene of some of the worst part in the German sportscar championship (DTM). Froome. had been reached with British Cycling and fighting of World War I, coming 100 years She believes she has a good chance of success. “I’m realistic and it Although the Leeds city centre has few Tour organisers to create a new world class after the start of the Great War and amid is not easy,” she said. “It’s a struggle because there are so many other signs that the world’s greatest bicycle race is cycle race in Yorkshire, which is now just commemorations throughout France. Stage talented drivers who are fighting for the same chance. But the teams about to begin there, Briton Froome says he awaiting approval from the sport’s global five starts in Ypres, Belgium, while stages six want lighter drivers which counts in our favour and, physically, we are has noticed the excitement build around the governing body the UCI. The inaugural tour and seven visit Arras, the Chemin des Dames, catching up on the men. county. “It’s out of this world, just the way of “God’s own County”, as locals like to trum- Verdun and Douaumont, all sites of key bat- “You need to be the complete package and bring in the right every little town along the route, every little pet their region, is set for May 1-3, 2015. As tles and where memorials to the fallen still amount of sponsorship if you are to be taken seriously. It would be a village has embraced the Tour and you just for this year’s Tour, many believe it will be a stand. Those stages could also be key to the great marketing ploy to sign a woman, so you never know. see bikes everywhere and polkadots every- two-horse race between Froome and former overall victory with stage five covering part “The whole culture of the sport is changing and there are more where, yellow jerseys everywhere,” Froome two-time winner Alberto Contador. of the Paris-Roubaix course, taking in 15.4km female engineers and bosses. It’s a great time to be a woman in told the BBC. In fact one local farmer near But the Team Sky man says other rivals of cobbles over nine separate sections in the motor sport.” — AFP Harrogate, where Saturday’s first stage ends, such as Italian Vincenzo Nibali or American final 70km of the 155.5km stage. has painted his sheep in the colours of the pair Tejay Van Garderen and Andrew The Tour cannot be won there but it famous Tour jerseys-yellow, green and polka- Talansky will have their say. “It’s certainly not could be lost if a favourite crashes or gets dot (red dots on white). a two-man race,” he said. “We’ve got some caught behind a fall. The next two stages “It’s really special to have this kind of really big contenders in this year’s Tour.” also have the possibility of strong crosswinds reception, especially for us at Team Sky and However, Froome did acknowledge that that can split the peloton and cause huge myself personally, to come in as defending Contador was the main danger, although he time gaps. If everyone comes through that champion and have that home crowd insists he’s still the man to beat, despite his unscathed then the Tour should be decided behind you is second to none,” added troubles at last month’s prestigious Criterium in the six mountain stages that include five Froome. Leeds city centre has some indica- du Dauphine stage race, where he was lead- summit finishes. tions that the Tour is coming with a huge ing until a crash on the sixth of eight stages However, there are also five other banner draped down the front of the Town hampered his form. “Alberto Contador is my hilly stages that could see time won or Hall, while the famous statute of the Black biggest contender I believe at this point,” lost, while the penultimate stage, Prince (Edward of Woodstock) outside the added Froome. “He’s had a great build-up before the final procession into Paris, is post office is now wearing a yellow jersey. early season and he came into the Dauphine a 54km timetrial. Froome is by far the The city is also gearing up to put on the in very good form. best time triallist of the favorites and his biggest ever team presentation opening cer- “Before the crash I had there I did feel we emony at the Leeds Arena on Thursday were very evenly matched, but I did have his rivals will need to be defending a lead evening. Organisers have been criticised for measure.” Crashes could be a feature and against the clock if they are to have any the high price of tickets, costing a minimum deciding factor in this year’s Tour, the 101st chance of final victory on the Champs Susie Wolff of £45 ($77, 56.50 euros), but they say it will edition of the Grand Boucle, which has got Elysees. — AFP 44 Sports FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014 Kvitova sinks Safarova

LONDON: Former champion Petra Kvitova swept into her second Wimbledon final with a 7-6 (8/6), 6-1 victory over fellow Czech and close friend Lucie Safarova yesterday. Kvitova won her only Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2011 and the sixth seed is one more victory away from lift- ing the Venus Rosewater dish for the second time after seeing off 23rd seed Safarova with 24 winners and eight aces in 80 minutes on Centre Court. The 24-year-old is back in a Grand WIMBLEDON: Serena Williams and Venus Williams Slam final for the first time since that (left) of the US talk during their women’s doubles surprise triumph against Maria match against Kristina Barrios of Germany and Sharapova at the All England Club three Stefanie Voegele of Switzerland. The Williams sisters years ago. Kvitova will play Canadian 13th seed retired after 3 games. —AP Eugenie Bouchard or Romanian world number three Simona Halep in the final ‘Sick’ Serena and on Saturday. “It’s great, definitely. I have a lot of emotion from this match,” ‘swearing’ Murray gone Kvitova said. “It was a tough match mentally but not forgotten because she is good friend of mine and we know each other well on and off the LONDON: Serena Williams and Andy Murray may have suf- court. I knew she would play her best fered shock defeats at Wimbledon but they remained at the tennis and she did. Happily I won. “I centre of intrigue Thursday over the controversial and tried to be focused in the tie-break then stormy manner of their exits. Williams was a fourth-round I broke early in the second set and loser in singles before she retired from her doubles second served well after that.” round tie with what was described as a “viral illness” after As the only former Grand Slam win- almost fainting and serving up four double faults in a per- ner left in the women’s tournament, formance which made for uncomfortable, almost goulish Kvitova knows she has a glorious viewing. opportunity to finally get her hands on The 32-year-old added to the mystery when she posted a some significant silverware again. photo on social media showing herself wrapped in a blan- “I know that feeling when you have ket and slumped listlessly on a sofa, staring blankly at a lap- the trophy,” she added. “I really want to top on the table in front of her. win my second title and I will do every- Her French coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, with whom she thing I can on Saturday.” has been linked romantically, said he had not seen Serena Kvitova has been in fine form over for two days before her Court One meltdown on Tuesday the last fortnight, dropping just one set where she was led by the hand from the court by sister en route to the final and was playing in Venus after she had struggled to maintain her balance and her third Wimbledon semi-final. In con- composure. trast, Safarova, 27, was making her Former champion and world number one Martina Grand Slam semi-final debut at the 37th Navratilova suggested that there was more to the story attempt. than a “viral illness” although Williams has suffered serious Kvitova, the only player born in the health issues in the past, once even having to battle life- 1990s to win a Grand Slam title, knew it WIMBLEDON: Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic returns to Lucie threatening blood clots on her lungs. would be tricky to face one of her clos- Safarova of Czech Republic during their women’s singles semifinal “I’ve never seen anything like it and hopefully never will est friends in the first all-Czech Grand again,” Navratilova told ESPN. “It’s not right. It defies logic Slam semi-final. match at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships. —AP on so many fronts. The coach said he hadn’t seen her for But she had already dispatched com- control on a sun-kissed Centre Court. earn another which she took with a two days. He didn’t know anything. How can you be a coach patriots Andrea Hlavackova and Unloading a series of ferocious superb winner before letting out a roar and not know anything? That’s wrong. Barbora Zahlavova Strycova earlier in groundstrokes, Kvitova broke in the of celebration. The momentum was “You don’t know what’s going on, but virus was not it, the tournament, and managed to keep opening game when a backhand win- with Kvitova now and she broke again that much is clear.” One day after defending men’s champi- her emotions in check long enough to ner flashed past Safarova. in the second game of the second set, on Murray made a tame exit in straight sets to Grigor get the best of her Fed Cup team-mate But Safarova was in combative mood hammering a return which Safarova Dimitrov in the quarter-finals, the British media suggested as well. herself and she broke back in the fourth couldn’t handle. there had been an incident involving the 27-year-old in the While Kvitova had lost three of her game. Kvitova had the upper hand in One more break in the sixth game minutes leading up to his Centre Court clash. four Grand Slam semi-finals, she could the tie-break and although she couldn’t put the final within touching distance The Daily Telegraph reported that in the second set, take heart from her 5-0 record against convert her first set point, she capi- and Kvitova sealed the deal in emphatic Murray was heard muttering the words “shut the f*** up” to Safarova and she was quickly back in talised on a rare Safarova miscue to fashion. —AFP himself. In the third, he raged: “Five minutes before the match.” The comments appeared to be aimed at the players’ box where his coach Amelie Mauresmo, long-time girlfriend Kim Siem in clubhouse lead Sears and his mother Judy were watching. Murray left the All England Club straight after his media VERSAILLES: Former champion Marcel Siem of Germany he nailed eight birdies, including three of the last four holes duties were completed still dressed in his tennis kit, head- was the early clubhouse leader at the French Open yester- to sit alone at the top of the leaderboard. ing for his mansion home nearby. day as first round play got underway at Le Golf National near Gallacher had a chance to share the lead when he Sears was understood to have left alone and was “visibly Versailles. bogeyed the final hole to slip to a 66 after seven straight upset”, claimed the Telegraph. Judy Murray told the BBC on Siem fired a six under par 65, to lead Scotland’s Stephen birdies left him provisionally top of the pack. Thursday that she was not aware of any pre-match difficul- Gallacher by one shot, as blue skies and warm temperatures The 39-year-old, who is the nephew of former Ryder Cup ties although she only arrived after the first set having gone produced perfect conditions for the early starters. captain Bernard, got off to a scorching start with four birdies to watch her other son, Jamie playing mixed doubles on an Kristoffer Broberg of Sweden, who can qualify for the on the front nine after starting his round at hole number ten. outside court. “He went to meet Amelie this morning. I’m British Open which begins July 17 at Hoylake with a top ten He then drained putts at the first, third and fifth holes to sure he’ll be back-form is temporary, class is permanent,” finish this weekend, was also on five under coming to the take the outright lead before his only bogey of the day at she said. 18th before a disastrous quadruple bogey sent him plung- the difficult par four seven. Dimitrov, a close friend of Murray, sensed the British ing down the standings. “I had an eight foot putt to go eight under but that’s player was not up to his best.” “I sensed in the warm up that He finished with a one under par 70. Siem, won the sec- what this course can do,” said Gallacher who faces five tour- his game was not at the highest level,” said the 23-year-old ond of four professional titles at the 2012 French Open, and naments over the next six weeks in a bid to crack into the Bulgarian. —AFP again found the challenging Albatross layout to his liking as Ryder Cup team. —AFP FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014 45

Ticket tout probe opens ahead of q-finals

RIO DE JANEIRO: As France and Germany prepare to serve minnows Costa Rica. History hangs heavy over the have 200 million Brazilian hearts fluttering again as they up the first dish of a mouth-watering World Cup quarter- encounter as it evokes memories of the ‘82 semi-final which embark on the latest step of a journey they pray will lead to final menu, a ticket tout inquiry continues late yesterday Germany won 5-4 on penalties after a dramatic 3-3 extra- a sixth world title and first since 2002. with Brazil’s 2002 title winner Ronaldinho’s brother one of time draw. The ‘Tragedy of Seville’ attained notoriety when Neymar shrugged off criticism at the way Luiz Felipe those wanted for questioning. Germany keeper Harald Schumacher shoulder-charged Scolari’s side had eschewed their famed ‘jogo bonito’ (beau- Brazilian authorities are investigating whether members Patrick Battiston, leaving the Frenchman unconscious on tiful game) for a more prosaic style. of the Brazilian, Argentine and Spanish football federations the ground. Under 1998 World Cup winning captain Didier “You can’t always enjoy yourself and win 4-0 or 5-0. were involved in the illegal sale of World Cup tickets after Deschamps Les Bleus have firmly left behind the miserably Football nowadays is so difficult, so even, that the team police dismantled a scalping gang. The brother and agent chaotic last World Cup campaign in South Africa. who is the most committed on the pitch ends up winning,” of Ronaldinho, Roberto de Assis Moreira, will be questioned “Didier Deschamps has turned France around since said the Barcelona star on Wednesday. “I don’t want a show. in the case, though he is not under investigation, said 2010 and we’re looking forward to another classic,” said his That’s the last thing we are trying to do. We are not neces- Marcos Kac, the Rio de Janeiro prosecutor. German opposite number Joachim Loew. sarily here to produce a spectacle. We are here to run to the The probe comes as the 2014 World Cup prepares to A cluster of former German captains have queued up to end, until we are tired, and come out as winners,” the enter its gripping concluding stage. Rio’s iconic Maracana attack Loew’s selections with playmaker Mesut Ozil strug- scorero of four of Brazil’s goals added. stadium is the fitting backdrop for Friday’s meeting of the gling and centre-backs Jerome Boateng and Benedikt In their first ever World Cup quarter-finals, Colombia two European powerhouses, with France falling to Germany Hoewedes being played out of position as wing-backs. have only beaten Brazil twice in 26 meetings. But ahead of in the semi-finals at the 1982 and 1986 World Cups. “That was the worst performance for years,” Michael Ballack the biggest game in their footballing history tournament, The victor will face either hosts Brazil, or one of the sen- reflected after the 2-1 extra time last 16 win over Algeria, topscorer James Rodriguez suggested Brazil should be just sations of the tournament Colombia, who clash in Friday’s while Oliver Kahn was equally unimpressed: “This line-up as worried about him as his countrymen should be about second quarter-final in Fortaleza. isn’t working anymore”. Neymar. “We’re facing a very tough rival, which has great The last eight drama continues tomorrow with Five hours after the match at the Maracana, up the coast players, but they also have to think that we have great play- Argentina facing Belgium and the Netherlands up against in Fortaleza, talismanic striker Neymar and company will ers,” said the Monaco playmaker. —AFP

Belgium match sharpens Adidas Q&A on Brazil Messi-Maradona focus BRASÔLIA: As the former Argentina international Jorge Valdano midfielder Oscar once observed: “One does try to avoid comparing Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona. The problem is that Messi doesn’t help.” The comparisons will only increase ahead of Argentina’s World BRAZIL: At only 22 years old, Brazil’s attack- Cup quarter-final with Belgium tomorrow, for it was against the ing midfielder, Oscar, is making waves on the Belgians that two of Maradona’s most iconic moments occurred. pitch. Hailed as one of the top players to In a 1982 World Cup group-stage match in Barcelona, a photo- emerge from this year’s World Cup host graph was taken of Maradona facing up to a throng of six Belgian nation, he helped Brazil’s World Cup cam- defenders that has become one of the most well-known of him as paign off to a strong start with an impressive a player. The image was slightly misleading-the Belgian players performance in their opening match against were fanning out from a defensive wall, rather than massing in Croatia. Wearing Adidas’ deadly Battle Pack opposition to the squat, raven-haired Argentina number 10 — Predator boot, his talent for pure accuracy in but it vividly evoked the terror the 21-year-old was liable to passing and shooting continues to be dis- spread in opposition defences. played. Argentina lost the game 1-0 Adidas sat down with Oscar and here’s and Maradona’s tournament what he had to say as he prepares for Brazil’s ended in disgrace when he was match against Columbia, July 4th. Follow sent off against Brazil. But in the @adidasfootball to be the first to see exclu- 1986 competition another meet- sive content from Adidas in Brazil. ing with Belgium saw him pro- duce one of his defining per- You are very young, but do your gener- formances. ation ever think about the 1950 World Cup In a 2-0 semi-final win at final which Brazil lost at home to Uruguay? Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca, he Obviously it was well before my time, and scored both goals, the second a before my parents’ time, but we are all aware Brazilian midfielder Oscar vicious strike after a viperish dart of it. It shaped Brazilian football and felt like a adapted instantly and have become one of Which European sides do you think will through the heart of the Belgian tragedy at the time. But it was also a catalyst Chelsea’s most influential players. Were do well at the World Cup? defence that left four defenders for improvement and we have won five you surprised how quickly you settled? I have been very impressed with Germany floundering in his wake. World Cups since. It’s a good story and I I was always sure of my abilities and atti- in the last few years. They have so many Maradona was said to have car- understand that if we reach the final in the tude. You have to be if you want to make it as young but established players and a new Argentina’s Lionel Messi ried Argentina to glory in summer there will be lots of mentions of a top level player. There have been some dif- generation coming through. Anyone who has Mexico, scoring five goals and 1950. But the current squad won’t be think- ficult moments in the Premier League, but watched Bayern Munich will know how pow- laying on five assists as his country claimed their second title, and ing about it. You can never undo the pain of the truth is hard-work, preparation and eat- erful and complete Bastian Schweinsteiger 28 years on, Messi is doing the same in Brazil. Having scored four that match but we can bring joy by doing ing and living properly give you an excellent and Toni Kroos are in midfield. And in goal goals in the group phase, Messi’s creative side came to the fore in something beautiful in 2014. That is our aim. chance to adapt and thrive in new environ- there is Manuel Neuer who is a brick wall, but Tuesday’s last-16 win over Switzerland in Sao Paulo. While his ments. Skill and technique are useful and I try an extremely agile one with good feet! team-mates toiled around him, Messi was a ceaseless hub of Non-Brazilian fans were amazed by the to develop that side every day, but they are invention, and with penalties looming, it was his burrowing run passion and belief of your supporters dur- nothing without hard work. That goes double What are you looking forward to most and pass that allowed Angel di Maria to stroke home the 118th- ing last summer’s Confederations Cup. at a World Cup. off the pitch in Brazil? minute winner. How much impact do your followers have? There are the obvious things like seeing In total, Messi carved out eight chances against Switzerland, Inside the stadium, before the matches There are some big men in the Premier my family and friends, although obviously we which is more than any Argentine player-Maradona included-has and during the national anthem, our fans League, and you are not a huge person, but won’t be there on holiday, but relaxation and ever created in a single World Cup finals game. give us so much energy and motivation. You you don’t just cope with the physical side, doing some pleasurable things in your spare Messi faces swarms of defenders wherever he turns, but by can see it their eyes and hear it in the way but you seem to love it. Do you agree? time can be key to succeeding at tourna- luring them towards him and then releasing the ball, he can be they sing, it means everything. The fans are I always knew English football would be ments. You can’t think about football all day decisive even when his route to goal is blocked. very expressive and when you do something tough and physical, but it didn’t worry me. I every day, I don’t think that is my style. Being Maradona also learnt to use heavy marking to his advantage, well they let you know. The other side of that love getting stuck in and battling with other back in my home country is always a boost. notably teeing up Jorge Burruchaga for the winning goal against is that they also let you know if they are dis- players, within the rules of course. This will You can relax very quickly when you are back West Germany in the 1986 final with an incisive pass from his own appointed or feel you have let them down. also help me in the World Cup. Being able to among your own language again. It’s always half. He played a direct part in 10 of Argentina’s 14 goals at the They are very much part of the team and withstand strong players who are much larg- nice to watch ‘your own’ TV and listen to tournament. Four games into the 2014 competition, Messi has squad. But it isn’t just the people at the stadi- er than me, and coping with physical tactics ‘your own’ radio and read the papers and scored or assisted six of the seven goals scored so far. The um. We are driven and amused by messages can only help me in the World Cup. And I magazines that you can’t always get hold of Barcelona superstar told FourFourTwo magazine prior to the tour- on twitter and Facebook. You know yourself think a lot of it is in the mind. If you play with in Europe. I am also looking forward to nament that emulating Maradona was “not a motivation for me when you have had a good game, but to read fear or worry about getting injured or authentic Brazilian food. It’s what I grew up to win the World Cup”, but the similarities between the two make fans’ comments and praise is always nice. knocked off the ball, you will. I just give 100% with and am used to. For me it is the best. comparisons unavoidable. Like Maradona, Messi is a short, left- every game. I think the Chelsea fans like the The food Chelsea prepare for us at training is footed number 10 whose key attribute is his dribbling. —AFP Some people thought you’d take time way I get ‘stuck in’. It’s almost a mandatory very nice and healthy, but nothing beats to settle in the Premier League, but you requirement in the Premier League. Brazilian food if you ask me. FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014 46

Winning ugly no issue for anxious Brazil

FORTALEZA: Brazil striker Neymar has admitted he is happy to win ugly as he looks to take another step towards delivering his country’s sixth World Cup on home soil against Colombia in Fortaleza today. La Selecao have been criticised for some of their less convincing performances on route to the quarter- finals, most notably in squeezing past Chile on penalties in the last 16. “You can’t always enjoy yourself and win 4-0 or 5- 0. Football nowadays is so difficult, so even, that the team who is most committed on the pitch ends up winning,” said the Barcelona man on Wednesday. “I don’t want a show. That’s the last thing we are trying to do. We are not necessarily here to produce a spectacle. We are here to run to the end, until we are tired, and come out as winners.” Neymar fell to the ground in tears as Chile’s Gonzalo Jara missed the decisive spot-kick in the shootout in Belo Horizonte with teammates Julio Cesar and captain Thiago Silva also seen to cry in relief as much as joy. Worried that carrying the expectations of 200 mil- lion Brazilians is becoming too much for his squad, coach Luiz Felipe Scolari called the team’s sports psychologist Regina Brandao in for an extra session RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazil’s Neymar (left) Ramires (center) and David Luiz during a training session for the World Cup 2014 in with the players on Tuesday. And Neymar said the Teresopolis. — AFP sessions were having the desired effect. “I had never done anything like it before and I am quite enjoying it,” added the 22-year-old. “It is not only us, in foot- ball, who are surrounded by emotion every day and It’s only a game! WCup need psychologists. I think it could do every person good, to make one more relaxed.” Neymar also insisted he will be fully-fit to face the keeps fans laughing Colombians despite suffering thigh and knee injuries against Chile. One of the major concerns for Scolari has been the lack of support for Neymar in attacking BELO HORIZONTE: What’s the difference place their necks or arms inside his open Jones drew a few unintentional laughs, how- areas as he has scored half of his side’s eight goals between a tea-bag and the England football mouth on a larger-than-life Adidas ad photo ever, when he clattered into the referee and after four games, whilst other forwards Fred, Jo and team? The tea-bag stays in a cup longer! of Suarez’s head. Adidas, perhaps embar- fell flat on the floor during one game. Hulk have struggled to make an impact. Neymar, Heard what Spain’s coach Vicente Del rassed by negative associations round an ad Germany’s Thomas Mueller initially had though, claimed the team isn’t overdependent on Bosque said to his charges after two shock made before the incident, took it down. spectators chuckling at him when he stum- him. “I don’t feel overburdened either on the pitch losses? “Don’t worry, we still have options: A modified version of the Panini sticker of bled to his knees during a free-kick routine or off it. I have team-mates who help me by winning aisle or window seats.” With the World Cup Suarez’s victim, Italian defender Giorgio against Algeria. He had the last laugh, entering its final stages, the jokes are flying as Chiellini, has been circulating with a chunk though, revealing it was a deliberate trick to the ball back, scoring goals, setting them up,” he fast as goals, helping relieve tension and - for missing. Yet the Uruguayan, who has apolo- throw defenders off guard. said. fans of the 24 teams already out - the abject gised for the incident which earned him a The question is, do we believe him? “In “The Brazil team doesn’t have just one person misery of elimination. four-month ban, is by no means the World training it always worked,” team mate Toni who has to do everything.” Scolari will be forced into Be it on, off or thousands of miles away Cup’s only pantomime villain. Kroos said. “But it looks like crap when it at least one change from the side that faced Chile as from the pitch it has been another tourna- Netherlands forward Arjen Robben, doesn’t.” Argentina’s Ezequiel Lavezzi was Luis Gustavo is suspended so Tottenham Hotspur’s ment packed with hilarity. The inglorious ear- though a hero to Dutch fans for his goals and lucky his boss saw the funny side of things, Paulinho is expected to come back into the side. ly exit of supposed European heavyweights tricks, has become a target for many due to instead of fining him, after he nonchalantly Gustavo’s absence is even more critical for the hosts England, Spain, Italy and Portugal brought perceptions of diving and feigning fouls. squirted water over coach Alejandro Sabella given the sensational form of the tournament’s top heartache in those nations at first, then a The fall that gave the Netherlands a penal- on the side of the pitch. “Players like Lavezzi goalscorer, Colombia’s James Rodriguez. wave of self-deprecating humor. One photo ty earning them a last-gasp 2-1 win over are always very positive, because they keep The Monaco playmaker has taken on the mantle doing the rounds shows their four planes Mexico has earned particular notoriety. players happy,” Sabella said. of his side’s focal point with ease in the absence of lined up in blue sky with the caption: A plethora of internet users have lam- Mexico coach Miguel Herrera has the injured Radamel Falcao with five goals in four “Permission to land?” pooned Robben as lifting an Oscar for Best appeared blissfully unaware of the smiles his games, including a sensational dipping volley to Actor, competing in Olympic diving, and manic-looking celebrations have caused, open the scoring in his side’s 2-0 win over Uruguay ‘DRACULA’ SUAREZ, ‘DIVER’ ROBBEN plunging arms-flailing off the cliffs of turning him into an internet sensation during in the last 16. A fourth consecutive win for Jose England fans showed a fine ability to Acapulco. The sagas over Suarez and Robben the World Cup. Pekerman’s men took them into the last eight for the laugh at themselves, chanting during their have largely deflected attention from the Some jokes always backfire. After the first time and ahead of the biggest game in final match the self-parodying song from a man many fans most love to mock, Sepp Netherlands eliminated Mexico, a politically Colombian football’s history, midfielder Carlos Monty Python film: ‘Always Look On The Blatter, head of the sport’s world governing incorrect KLM airline Tweet read “Adios Sanchez insisted they won’t be overawed by their Bright Side of Life’. One fan, who flew to Brazil body FIFA. One company in England, where Amigos” with a caricatured photo of a mous- after England had been knocked out to see a he comes under constant fire from media tachioed Mexican man in a sombrero. The opponents. dire 0-0 draw with Costa Rica, held up a ban- over his management of FIFA, launched a outrage was swift, bringing a KLM apology “Afraid? No, respectful, yes, because it’s Brazil, the ner mimicking a well-known credit card ad - new online game in which the player hurls and a vow from Mexican actor Gael Garcia organising country, because of its players, its coach- “Flights to Rio: 1,200 pounds. Enjoying the gold, money and riches into the mouth of a Bernal never to fly with them again. es, and for everything Brazil represents,” he said. ambiance: 2,000 pounds. Accommodation: guffawing Blatter-like persona crying “Give But back to the European flops. There was a And Rodriguez believes Brazil should be just as 2,000 pounds. Arriving after elimination: me more!”Reporters at FIFA’s briefings have touch of high art in one jest at Spanish coach worried about him as his countrymen should be priceless.” been asking whether Blatter’s low profile here Del Bosque’s expense, his head super-imposed about Neymar. Naturally, the tournament’s main talking in Brazil is to avoid being booed in public. It’s over Edvard Munch’s ‘The Scream’ painting. “We’re facing a very tough rival, which has great point - Uruguay striker Luis Suarez’s ban for an “editorial” policy, officials say. And English satirical magazine Private Eye was players, but they also have to think that we have biting - has spawned a vast array of doctored so sure of what was coming in Brazil, even great players.” History, though, is against the images depicting him variously wearing a SLAPSTICK MOMENTS before the games had begun, it printed a Colombians as they have only beaten Brazil twice in dog-cone round his neck, a Dracula outfit, or Once they take the field, it’s a deadly seri- front-cover showing the players alighting from 25 previous meetings and only once in a competitive a Hannibal Lecter mask. ous game for players, and few would dare their plane while the pilot asks: “Shall I keep fixture at the 1991 Copa America. — AFP Tourists in Rio de Janeiro queued up to joke around. The United States’ Jermaine the engines running?” —Reuters FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014 47

Is a 2026 USA World Cup win written in the stars? RIO DE JANEIRO: If the United States is ever to con- the United States of America. Independence Day, cele- with South Africa having hosted the World Cup in 2010 quer its final sporting frontier and win the soccer brated each year on July 4, will be around the same and Brazil this year, the odds are heavily stacked World Cup, 2026 could be the perfect time. time as the 2026 World Cup final, which could well be against Africa and South America. Although the disappointment of falling short in played on U.S. soil. Aggrieved at missing out on the Canada and Mexico have expressed interest in host- Brazil continues to linger, it could pay even richer divi- chance to host either the 2018 or 2022 World Cups, the ing the 2026 World Cup but the U.S. - which last hosted dends in years to come if 2014 really does turn out to U.S. is planning to bid for 2026 and appears to have a the tournament in 1994 - would be the strong be the turning-point for American soccer. great chance of being selected. favourite. Although hosting the World Cup is no guar- It may be 12 long years away but if the soccer gods Although FIFA scrapped its rotation policy, the antee of victory, home support has helped six coun- were ever to smile on the land of opportunity, 2026 sport’s world governing body did introduce a new rule tries win the title, Uruguay (1930), Italy (1934), England could be the year when all the stars align. stipulating that countries could not host the World (1966), Germany (1974), Argentina (1978) and France Not only would it give US head coach Juergen Cup if another nation from their confederations had (1998). Just as significantly, it would also give the U.S. Klinsmann the time he needs to build a new genera- staged either of the past two. time to build a team of stars from a country where mil- tion of top players capable of beating the world’s best This rule means that no country from either Europe lions of American children now choose soccer as their but the date coincides with one of the biggest celebra- or Asia can bid for 2026, leaving Africa, South America first-choice sport. tions in American history. The year marks the 250th and Oceania as the only confederations that could The national governing body and Major League anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence, challenge the North and Central America and the Soccer teams are also pouring millions of dollars into when the then 13 American colonies announced they Caribbean(CONCACAF) region for hosting rights. development and the fan base is getting bigger and were splitting from Britain and forming a new nation, Oceania has expressed no interest in bidding and bigger. —Reuters Germany face acid test against old rivals France

RIO DE JANEIRO: Under-fire Germany face rejuvenated France in today’s World Cup quarter-final at Rio de Janeiro’s icon- ic Maracana stadium in a mouth-water- ing clash of two European powerhouses. This represents an acid test for Germany coach Joachim Loew with his side heavily criticised for below-par per- formances at Brazil 2014. A place in Tuesday’s semi-final against either Brazil RIO DE JANEIRO: FIFA President Sepp Blatter speaks about or Colombia in Belo Horizonte is at stake. the World Cup’s impact on Brazilian soccer, during a press “Didier Deschamps has turned France conference at the Maison de France theater. — AP around since 2010 and we’re looking for- ward to another classic,” said Loew who ‘Happy’ Blatter hails took charge after the 2006 World Cup. Their 4-0 hammering of Portugal in their opening group match confirmed their World Cup success status amongst the world’s elite, but a series of unimpressive performances RIO DE JANEIRO: FIFA president Sepp Blatter declared have seen Loew’s Germans receive Wednesday that the World Cup in Brazil was a success, saying heavy criticism. Having been held to a 2- that fears of anti-tournament protests had not materialized. 2 draw by Ghana, then grinding out a 1-0 BRAZIL: France head coach Didier Deschamps (back center) talks with Olivier “I am a very happy man today,” Blatter said at a sport man- win over the USA in their final group Giroud (right) during a training session at the Santa Cruz stadium. — AP agement seminar in Rio de Janeiro. “It is a success of the coun- match, poor finishing saw Germany try, of this game,” he said. The World Cup has escaped the labour to a 2-1 extra-time win over his harmonious squad is a “pleasure” to blighted him with tendinitis before the massive protests that marred last year’s warm-up tournament, Algeria in Monday’s last 16 clash. work with and the French will “give it World Cup. There is a question mark over the Confederations Cup, when hundreds of thousands of peo- Former captains Michael Ballack, everything we’ve got”. France defender Raphael Varane, who ple swarmed the streets to denounce the record $11 billion Oliver Kahn and Lothar Matthaeus have Honours are even in terms of recent spent the night in hospital with dehydra- spent on hosting the event. all questioned Loew’s selections with meetings with France claiming a 2-1 win tion after Monday’s 2-0 win over Nigeria The protests have been much smaller during the World playmaker Mesut Ozil struggling and in Bremen in February 2012, while in the last 16. Cup, drawing a few hundred demonstrators still angry that centre-backs Jerome Boateng and Germany claimed revenge by the exact Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho the country spent so much on stadiums instead of hospitals, Benedikt Hoewedes being played out of same scoreline in Paris 12 months later. is fit again after knee problems, while it schools and public transport. “I would like to address my com- position as wing-backs. The French lead the series with 11 remains to be seen who Deschamps pliments to the people of Brazil. They accepted this World “That was the worst performance for wins to Germany’s eight in 25 previous names as striker between Olivier Giroud Cup,” Blatter said. While around 10 people protested against years,” Ballack reflected after the Algeria meetings. Both sides played down the or Antoine Griezmann. — AFP FIFA outside the seminar’s building, the head of football’s match, while Kahn was equally unim- relevance of their legendary 1982 World governing body asked: “Where is the social contest?” pressed: “This line-up isn’t working any Cup semi-final, which Germany won 5-4 The tournament was a success thanks to high television more”. Loew has a contract with the on penalties after a dramatic 3-3 extra- ratings, stadiums that are “works of art” and zero positive tests German FA (DFB) until June 2016, but a time draw. for doping, he said. “Let’s cross fingers, hoping that the last quarter-final exit will put him under pres- The Seville game attained notoriety Matches on TV games will take place with the same pattern, the same atmos- sure to resign despite steering his side to when Germany keeper Harald (Local Timings) phere,” he said. Attending the same seminar, Brazil’s deputy the semi-finals of the last three major Schumacher shoulder-charged Patrick sports minister Luis Fernandes joined local organizing com- tournaments. In contrast, France have Battiston, leaving the Frenchman uncon- mittee (LOC) member and 1994 world champion Bebeto in risen steadily under their coach scious on the ground. FIFA World Cup saluting the event so far. Deschamps and are unrecognisable from With the media quick to ask whether France v Germany 19:00 “I was always positive and I am very proud. It was a huge their chaotic 2010 campaign in South France can claim some World Cup beIN SPORTS 1 HD job to organize this tournament,” said Bebeto. Fernandes, Africa. With Karim Benzema in top form, revenge, both Loew and Deschamps beIN SPORTS 2 HD credited with being a key link between the organizers and the France are dreaming of their first World pointed to the fact most of their respec- beIN SPORTS 11 HD government over the past two years, said closer greater inte- Cup title since their 1998 triumph on tive players were not born at the time. beIN SPORTS 13 HD gration between both sides had been crucial. home soil, but their focus is solely on Germany will have centre-back Mats beIN SPORTS 1 HD FR “The predicted chaos hasn’t happened,” opined Fernandes Germany. “Everyone can dream, includ- Hummels back after missing the Algeria alluding to months of pessimistic media coverage regarding ing me, but I’m a pragmatist and a real- win with flu, while Lukas Podolski is fit Brazil v Colombia 23:00 Brazil’s ability to host such a large scale event. ist, Friday is the only thing that counts,” again after a thigh strain. beIN SPORTS 1 HD Brazil’s passion for football alone would not have been said Deschamps. There is a question mark over mid- beIN SPORTS 2 HD enough, Fernandes stressed. He said the fact Brazil had man- While the Germans are struggling to fielder Bastian Schweinsteiger who came beIN SPORTS 11 HD aged to pull off an event which to date has run smoothly “is find the right combinations for their fast- off with cramp, but gave the thumbs beIN SPORTS 13 HD the result of years of careful planning.” —AFP paced attacking game, Deschamps says down when pointing at his knee, which beIN SPORTS 1 HD FR women’s singles semifinalmatch.—AP point againstLucieSafarovaof CzechRepublicduringtheir WIMBLEDON: PetraKvitovaof CzechRepubliccelebratesa FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014 www.kuwaittimes.net Page 44