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THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014 SHAABAN 28, 1435 AH www.kuwaittimes.net

Amir warns ‘futile’ row Max 47º Min 33º can destabilize Kuwait High Tide 10:31 Sheikh Sabah calls for unity in address to nation Low Tide 04:59 & 18:22 40 PAGES NO: 16208 150 FILS KUWAIT: HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah delivered an address to the nation yesterday, and offered his greetings to all on the occasion of the 72 in race for 5 seats advent of the holy month of Ramadan. “Out of keenness on my habit to have an open dialogue with you on all By B Izzak and Safa Al-Hashem, the only woman MP. current affairs of our dear homeland, I followed with pro- Two MPs will be elected in the second and third con- found concern, resentment and regret the recent con- KUWAIT: Seventy-two candidates including five women stituencies each and one from the fourth constituency. troversy and tensions over allegations and claims which are in the field today for five parliamentary seats that fell Around 235,000 voters out of the total eligible elec- will constitute, if proven true, serious crimes that can vacant after the resignation of five MPs in protest torate of 452,000 are eligible to vote, but the turnout is never go unpunished. I say, if proven true, these claims against the Assembly’s rejection of a request to grill the expected to be extremely low with most analysts jeopardize the security of the homeland, the constitu- prime minister. The by-election, the 11th in the coun- expecting it to be under 30 percent. In an unofficial poll tion and institutions of the state and the integrity of the try’s 52 years of democracy, will be carried out in three conducted by Al-Qabas newspaper this week, as many judiciary authority,” he said. of the five electoral districts in the same manner as reg- as 72 percent of women voters said they will not cast “I was dismayed by the flurry of reports on these ular polls. The MPs who resigned are Riyadh Al-Adasani, their ballots, while surprisingly, almost half of women claims and accusations traded on various mass media Abdulkarim Al-Kandari and Hussein Quwaiaan - who voters polled said they were unaware of the by-election. and social media tools that carried these unverified and filed the grilling request - in addition to Ali Al-Rashed Continued on Page 15 defaming reports without meticulous care. Everybody could be affected or offended by defamation that was exchanged without evidence. As a result, everybody based their respective stances on their own interests and away from objective truth, right and justice. “Such unreasonable and irresponsible behaviors run counter to our true values and the teachings of our noble faith which instructs the believers to be careful lest they could recklessly slander innocent people. Our faith also teaches us to use good wisdom in making their points clear and puts a taboo on going to extremes KUWAIT: HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- in feuds or using slander in speech,” the Amir said. Jaber Al-Sabah delivers an address to the nation Continued on Page 15 yesterday. — KUNA UK minister: ISIL poses no immediate threat to Kuwait

By Jamie Etheridge has put the whole region in a state of alert. Hammond visited Kuwait yester- KUWAIT: UK Secretary of Defense day as part of a regional tour to discuss Philip Hammond, on a visit to Kuwait, with Gulf countries the deteriorating said that London will pursue a political security situation in Iraq. Speaking solution to the crisis in Iraq and called with reporters at the British Embassy in on the embattled government of Iraqi Dasman, the defense secretary said Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki to com- “We don’t think the situation in Iraq mit to a more inclusive, more represen- can be solved by military action,” and tative government structure to help noted that London would be ready to combat a Sunni militant insurgency. Philip Hammond help with technical assistance and Hammond, who met Kuwaiti Prime against potential infiltration of mili- advice if Baghdad commits to a more Minister HH Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak tants connected to ISIL. The directions inclusive government. Al-Sabah at Bayan Palace yesterday, are based on intelligence information But Maliki, from Iraq’s Shiite majori- said Britain does not believe the received saying that ISIL plans to send ty, refused international calls for a Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant members to Kuwait in order to target more inclusive government in a tele- (ISIL) poses a direct threat to Kuwait at establishments with terrorist attacks, vised national address yesterday, call- this point. Local media reported yes- Al-Anbaa reported yesterday. State ing the requests a “coup against the terday that customs officials at the Security also warned of potential constitution and Iraq’s political ports and border crossings have been explosive smuggling. process.” ordered to take extra precautions The recent territorial gains by ISIL Continued on Page 15 Maliki rejects salvation govt Qaeda unit in Syria joins ISIL BAGHDAD: Beleaguered Iraqi premier to tear the country apart. And while Nouri Al-Maliki warned rivals yesterday security forces continued to repel against exploiting a Sunni militant assaults on critical towns and infra- onslaught for political gain and insist- structure, a unit on the border of Al- ed that any new government must be Qaeda’s Syrian franchise, the Al-Nusra based on an election he won. His Front, joined hands with the jihadist remarks came as US military advisers group leading the charge in Iraq, bol- began meeting with Iraqi command- stering its offensive. ers faced with an offensive that has In apparent response to calls from overrun swathes of five provinces, Sunni tribal leaders to form a govern- killed nearly 1,100 people, displaced ment that ignores the result of April 30 hundreds of thousands and threatens Continued on Page 15 Nouri Al-Maliki p2 COPY_Layout 1 6/25/14 9:47 PM Page 1

LOCAL THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014

Photo of the day

KUWAIT: A server pours a welcome cup of coffee at a restaurant in Salmiya. —

Contesting constitution court rulings historical achievement Parliament approves bill

KUWAIT: NDA secretary general Adel Al- years. “It is a step forward despite the high He confirmed that he had received the Fauzan recently hailed the parliament’s fees citizens will have to pay to file such con- written recommendations and that he had approval of a bill to amend law number tests,” he stressed. officially responded to each of the included MPW approves new substance 14/1973 pertaining the establishment of the points, calling for revelation of any remarks in constitutional court in a way that allows indi- Ibrahim denial this respect so that he would proceed with to prevent asphalt erosion viduals to directly contest its rulings. “It is a Meanwhile, Minister of Public Works and the matter with the ministries. KUWAIT: In a bid to prevent asphalt corro- ture on various highways,” she stressed, historical democratic achievement,” he Minister of Electricity and Water Abdulaziz Al- stressed, noting that the amendment would Ibrahim said yesterday that he had officially Smoking ban law sion on Kuwaiti roads like what happened adding that all contractors will be mandated make citizens basic partners in monitoring answered “recommendations” and inquiries In another development, Health Ministry last winter, the Ministry of Public Works to use the new mixture to solve the problem legislations made by both the parliament and forwarded by the National Assembly regard- assistant undersecretary for legal affairs Dr (MPW) has approved the use of a new sub- for good. the government regardless of the majority ing issues falling within jurisdictions of the Mahmoud Al-Abdul Hadi disclosed that in col- stance mixed with asphalt to pave high- Engineer Ashraf Sufah from Safwan dominating the parliament. two portfolios. laboration with the Fatwa and Legislation ways, said engineer Latifa Al-Duaij, noting Environmental and Chemical Technologies Fauzan added that this has always been an In a statement at the National Assembly, Department, the ministry has finalized smok- that the new substance has been tested and Co said the new product will be added to NDA demand on the course of achieving Minister Al-Ibrahim affirmed that he had offi- ing ban and mental health laws, and both that the manufacturing company had the asphalt during the production process political reform. He also noted that along with cially replied to the “points included in the laws have been sent to the Cabinet for review briefed ministry officials about it in the pres- to help bind its components together and other political powers and movements, NDA recommendations, endorsed by the National pending sending it to the parliament. Abdul ence of a number of contractors. prevent their erosion in high temperatures would go on listing constitutional-violating Assembly” during his interpellation by MP Hadi added an exploratory memo of a bill on Duaij added that the new substance or rain. “This product is successfully used in laws to contest them before the constitutional Adel Al-Kharafi last February. patients’ rights would also be sent to the known as ‘Wetfixbe’ will be mixed with Saudi Arabia and some other GCC states in court. Minister Al-Ibrahim, speaking on sidelines Fatwa and Legislation Department for asphalt components to prevent erosion and addition to rainy Far East countries like On his part, the KDF secretary general, of the Parliament session today, denied that approval. He added that a discussion was cur- flying gravel on Kuwaiti roads through Indonesia,” he underlined, noting that along Bandar Al-Khairan also hailed the new he was summoned by the parliamentary com- rently ongoing with the department concern- enhancing the bond between bitumen and with the MPW, they both approved the new amendment, noting that granting citizens the mittee of public utilities, regarding the “rec- ing treatment in the private sector in addition other asphalt components. “We are current- substance produced in Switzerland by Akzo right to contest rules before the constitutional ommendations concerning tasks of the min- to suggested amendments of the pharmacol- ly preparing to spray a layer of the new mix- Nobel. court had been a public national demand for istries of public works and electricity.” ogy law. Zain launches its extensive Ramadan CSR Campaign KUWAIT: Zain, the leading telecommunica- our annual visits to care centers during tions company in Kuwait, announced the Ramadan. Our team of volunteers prepares launch of its extensive Corporate Social Girgeaan gifts and surprises to various seg- Responsibility campaign of special activi- ments of society through the annual visits. ties and initiatives that will be held Those segments include people with spe- throughout the Holy Month of Ramadan. cial needs, orphans, and the elderly. The These activities aim at shedding light on company’s volunteers also visit the chil- the true Ramadan spirit and celebrating dren’s units in hospitals during this special this special time of the year with the local time of year to distribute gifts and cele- community. brate in a family atmosphere full of joy and The extensive program planned for the happiness.” Holy Month reflects the company’s Al-Omar mentioned that Zain is also Corporate Social Responsibility strategy in planning to host its annual Girgeaan cele- which Zain focuses on giving back to the bration in cooperation with Al Amal club community. The company carefully select- for children suffering from cancer and ed the activities and programs that most blood disorders. The company will cele- presented an added value to all segments brate the occasion with children in an of society. atmosphere filled with happiness, in which Commenting on the launch of the CSR the company will distribute Girgeaan gifts Omar Al-Omar program, Zain Kuwait’s Chief Executive while also organizing many fun activities to Officer, Omar Al-Omar, said: “We would like Boxes’. Al-Omar confirmed that this annual bring happiness to the lives of children suf- to take this opportunity to greet our cus- initiative aims at covering the needs of fering from cancer. tomers on the blessed occasion of the Holy underprivileged families in Kuwait by pro- Month of Ramadan. This month presents a viding them with essential food supplies in Sports and health programs special time for our organization to com- the occasion of the upcoming Holy Month. Moving forward regarding the compa- municate and interact with the community Al-Omar went on to explain that, just ny’s plan for sports and health programs through our social and charitable pro- like every year, Zain will be sharing the joys during the Holy Month, Al Omar unveiled could unearth their talents. daily prayer timings and locate and browse grams. Every year at Zain, we prove that we of Iftar by distributing over 2000 Iftar meals Zain’s sponsorship of one of Kuwait’s Catering to different types of sports, Al- all the mosques that hold Qeyam and are a company that pioneers in the social every day throughout the month of biggest and first of its kind health pro- Omar announced that Zain is holding the Taraweh prayers during the holy month, in involvement arena, where we play a big Ramadan to the underprivileged at four grams; the Rijeemy Walkathon. The pro- “Zain Bowling Tournament”, in which it will addition to many other features. role to give back to the community. dedicated halls in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh, gram, which will be held in Mall 360 provide opportunities for participants to On the topic of popular Ramadan com- Al-Omar added: “our pledge towards our Khaitan, Farwaniya, and Amghara districts. throughout the first 20 days of Ramadan, showcase their bowling talents in a profes- petitions, Al-Omar announced Zain’s spon- customers of providing them with the lat- The company specifically chose the most will feature an array of health related pro- sional atmosphere. In addition, Al-Omar sorship of the all new daily Ramadan show est and best technologies has never been crowded areas to reach out to the maxi- grams and activities that will cater to a fast- said that Zain is also holding a special tour- entitled ‘The Wall’, which will be broadcast- broken, and today we continue our prom- mum number of people. ing person’s daily routine. The internal nament for athletics in which people with ed through Kuwait’s TV during the Holy ise towards the entire community through Al-Omar also affirmed that the company atmosphere the program will be held at special needs are given an equal opportu- Month. This is in addition to the company’s our annual Ramadan CSR program in plans to share special Ramadan Iftar meals will provide a comfortable environment for nity showcase their sports talents. sponsorship of the popular Radio show eagerness to reach out to as much people with entities and bodies that are exerting people from all ages to participate in the ‘Kanz FM’, in which Zain customers will in need as possible”. tremendous efforts during the time of the health program that is expected to draw Ramadan services have a chance to enjoy participating and Iftar meal instead of being at home with thousands of people throughout Ramadan. Al-Omar unveiled that Zain’s special winning valuable prizes throughout the Humanitarian initiatives their families. This initiative aims at recog- Al-Omar further mentioned that Zain is Ramadan application, “Zain AlShuhoor”, is Holy Month. On the topic of the annual humanitarian nizing the great efforts and sacrifices of once again holding its popular “Zain coming this Ramadan for the third year Al-Omar concluded by affirming Zain’s initiatives the company plans every year, those people who save the lives of others Penalty Tournament”, which witnessed a running with a new edition. The free-of- eagerness to continuing to integrate itself Al-Omar stated that Zain’s Ramadan CSR on a daily basis and are in charge of the large number of participants last year. Al- charge Islamic mobile application for within the Kuwaiti community. The compa- program already started with the ‘Ramadan country’s safety and people’s wellbeing. Omar explained that this initiative comes in smartphone users will help customers ny’s Ramadan program serves to reflect the Machla’ initiative, in which the company Explaining further, Al-Omar added “Zain line with Zain’s Ramadan Corporate Social meet their Ramadan goals, while providing spirit of compassion and serenity amongst provided Zakat House and the Ministry of is very keen to share the joys and blessings Responsibility program of launching and a variety of features and new services that the society, and to provide moral support Social Affairs and Labor with food essen- the Holy Month brings with those who are supporting various sports events to enter- help meet users’ needs during the Holy to various underprivileged segments in the tials through the distribution of ‘Machla less fortunate, and this is reflected through tain and engage youth into activities that Month. Customers will be able to check the community. p3.e$S_Layout 1 6/25/14 9:47 PM Page 1

THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014 LOCAL Still no treatment, no vaccination MERS awareness campaign at KJA

By Abdellatif Sharaa excretions, particularly of camels. The virus’ incu- The single humped camels received much atten- bation period, which is the period between the tion because the disease spread in Saudi Arabia KUWAIT: “Still no treatment, no vaccination and infection and appearance of symptoms, is six to where camels are used for meat, milk, transport, no determined origin yet” is what family medi- twelve days, while the coronavirus can maintain sport, etc. cine consultant at the Ministry of Health Dr its pathogenic abilities outside the human body MERS can infect anyone, but the most affect- Adnan Abdallah Al-Rushaid said during a talk on for six days in a wet environment and for three ed are those with compromised immune system Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) at the like the elderly, or those with chronic diseases Kuwait Journalists Association. Rushaid said the such as diabetes and blood pressure. It also disease is caused by the coronavirus, which took affects those who use immune suppressant its name from its shape under the microscope medications, said Rushaid. He said there is no which appears like a crown. treatment for MERS, and what is used now are Coronaviruses have infected humans for a medications that help alleviate temperatures long time, but the new coronavirus, was discov- and painkillers, adding that there is no approved ered in Jeddah in Saudi Arabia on Sept 2012 by vaccination for MERS, though there are prelimi- an Egyptian scientist. nary tests that are not approved until now. The discovery was in a patient who died He said prevention can be through frequently because of acute breathing difficulty as well as washing hands with water and soap or with the kidney failure. Rushaid said MERS symptoms are use of other disinfectants. He said one should similar to those of ordinary flu which include avoid touching the nose and eyes as much as high temperature, coughing, sneezing, sinus possible, and avoid being in contact with infect- blockage and in some cases it affects the diges- ed people, and refrain from sharing personal tive system causing vomiting and diarrhea and effects such as towels, sheets, etc. He said that in some sever cases a severe pulmonary lung one should use tissues when sneezing or cough- infection and severe kidney failure. ing, and dispose the tissue in a covered garbage He said that there are several means of diag- bag. nosing MERS, including blood tests, isolating the He said that masks should be used in crowd- Dr Adnan Abdallah Al-Rushaid virus under the microscope, and the quick way ed areas, and vegetables and fruits should be speaking to journalists. which is used in Kuwait, which is to take a sam- cleaned well. Rushaid stressed that sleeping well ple of the patient’s mucus and pass it through hours on dry surfaces. and exercising are part of the preventive meas- the Polymerase Chain Reaction System (PCR) The source of the virus is not known so far, ures of MERS. He concluded by saying that the and the result can appear within 24 hours at though many theories were introduced, said situation in Kuwait is assuring, as there were Shaab virus lab. Rushaid. One of these is that the virus mutated three cases only, one of whom died. He said He said the disease can be communicated by itself and became pathogenic to human beings, there have been 800 cases worldwide, 300 of sneezing or coughing, touching contaminated and started to affect other systems and organs whom have died, adding that infections were surfaces and tools, and gets into the body like the breathing system and kidneys. Another found in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, France, through the eyes, nose and mouth. MESR can theory says that animals are the source of the Britain and US, and the cases in Europe and US infect humans by improper handling of animal virus, particularly bats and dromedary camels. came from the Middle East. MPs’ mediation fails to end labor strike

KUWAIT: A strike at the Public Institution for cuss their demands until the work stoppage hurts the reputation of the institution that Social Security escalated Tuesday as it caused ends. Meanwhile, PIFSS General Director Hamad always received reputable reviews regarding total shutdown of operations at the headquar- Al-Humaidhi urged the labor union to have the quality of its work.” ters’ building and all branches, with no indica- ‘more flexibility’ with their demands and put the Acknowledging the difficulty in fulfilling tion in sight that the crisis might be over in the general interest into consideration. “Citizens’ workers’ demand “under the pressure of the near future. interest requires ending the strike in order to strike”, Humaidhi argued that work stoppage A number of MPs also tried mediating to end prevent delays in finalizing transactions,” and obstructing the process of work “is not the the strike, which entered its fourth week. But Humaidhi told Al-Rai daily. “[The delay] also right path to take in order to obtain rights”. their attempts were futile, after the labor union refused their offer, which included going back to their offices in exchange of working on grant- MoE cancels primary ing them new rights, Al-Qabas reported yester- day. The lawmakers could not promise the union to help approve allowances and financial school meals benefits that workers demand as a condition to end their strike. The MPs urged employees to KUWAIT: The Ministry of Education (MoE) final- activities department in collaboration with the KUWAIT: Iqbal Qureshi, foreign trade counselor of Grand Duchy of Luxembourg host- wait until the state finalizes a project that ly decided to cancel the primary school meals health ministry. MoE undersecretaries’ council ed on Monday a dinner banquet to celebrate the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and addresses the payrolls for the entire public sec- project for good from the beginning of the held a meeting chaired by undersecretary the birthday of the Grand Duke of Luxembourg at Crowne Plaza Hotel. It was attend- tor, according to a source with knowledge of ed by a number of diplomats and other dignitaries. — Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat the situation. Finance Minister Anas Al-Saleh new school year and revive school canteens, Mariam Al-Wetaid and approved a decision on refuses to meet with the labor union and dis- which would be supervised by the students’ cancelling the meals project. EPA rejects appeal to delay harbor closure

KUWAIT: The Environment Public Authority ‘swamp filled with pollutants’. rejected a Kuwait Ports Association’s The EPA plans to conduct a campaign at request to put on hold its decision to close the end of next week in order to ‘imple- the Shamlan harbor, a favorite fishing outlet ment’ its immediate closure decision, said in Sharq and close to the main fish markets the source who spoke to Al-Qabas on the in Kuwait City. The EPA does not plan to condition of anonymity. open the area again until the KPA takes Local fishermen describe the harbor as a measures to guarantee protecting it from ‘historical location’ that has been used for pollution and banning fishing boats from fishing since the pre-oil era. accessing it, according to a source with Environmentalists argue that solid waste knowledge of the situation. thrown by fishermen and engine oils from The closure came following a year of their fishing boats have increased pollu- communications in which the EPA asked tants, threatening the biodiversity there. the KPA to act against violations committed The Kuwait Dive Team, which conducts at the harbor by fishing boats. The harbor periodic cleaning campaigns at the harbor, KUWAIT: The Japanese embassy celebrated the Japan Self-Defense Forces Day in a ceremony hosted at the residence of Ambassador Toshihiro was essentially built as a place for heritage warned recently that the pollution level at wooden ships, and the EPA accuses the KPA the harbor reached alarming levels as a Tsujihara and his wife, Eriko Tsujihara. The event was attended by Col Kiyoshi Sato, the outgoing military attachÈ at the Japanese embassy, Col of ‘mismanagement’ that allowed violations result of waste, abandoned nets and other Daisuke Kadota, the new military attachÈ, as well as Col Meshal Abdullah Meshal from Kuwait’s Ministry of Defense. —Photos by Joseph Shagra to take place there, transforming it into a debris thrown there.

First Ring Road renovation project faces hurdle

KUWAIT: Completing the second phase of the First Ring Road’s renovation project faces a predicament as the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs refuses to remove a historical mosque located on the main route of the project. The Ministry of Public Works wants to sign the contract with the company that won the tender for the KD 46 mil- lion project nearly a year ago. But before that, it wants per- mission to remove the Matabba Mosque that is classified as a heritage site by the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters. Officials from the awqaf ministry reiterated their refusal during a recent meeting with MPW and the Central Tenders Committee officials. This created a predicament that the MPW now has to consider three options, according to a ministry insider. The first option is to negotiate with the company before signing the contract, while the second is to sign the con- tract as it is and wait for change orders before going ahead with construction. The third option is to cancel the tender and place a new one after the project is rerouted, said the source who spoke to Al-Rai on the condition of anonymity. The Matabba Mosque was built in 1893 in the old ‘Matabba’ neighborhood in Sharq, one of four main areas that constituted old Kuwait City. Today, it is located on the First Ring Road’s route, exactly at its interjection with the Khalid bin Al-Waleed Road. The MPW insists that removing the mosque is essential to carry out the project, since rerouting is not currently an option due to the lack of space. CORRECTION

Kuwait Times incorrectly labeled the Fillipina Xylene involved in a murder investigation in yester- day’s newspaper as the wife of the murdered man. She is not the wife of the victim nor the alleged perpetrator. We regret the error. THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014 LOCAL

kuwait digest kuwait digest You reap Blaming expats what you sow for traffic jams?!

By Abdulaziz Al-Fadhli By Iqbal Al-Ahmad

hen freedom to make a choice becomes available to P Kamel Al-Awadhi asked the Interior Minister man, and he willingly chooses the wrong path, then he a question recently related to traffic jams that Whas to suffer the consequences and avoid blaming oth- have increased in the past few years. Most of ers afterwards. M When you participate in somewhat free and fair elections to Kuwait’s streets are jammed with a huge number of choose representatives in the parliament, municipal council, co- cars, causing slow traffic and waste of time almost all operative societies, labor unions, student unions, etc, then you day. I was hoping to hear questions that address the ignore more qualified candidates and instead vote on basis of main reasons behind traffic jams. However, the lawmak- tribalism, family ties, self-interest or favoritism, you have to real- er’s question focuses on the number of expatriate car ize that you are a partner in setbacks or violations that happen owners, and mainly people of Arab or non-Arab nation- as a result. Furthermore, you lose the right to speak about the alities who own two or three cars. causes of corruption because you are involved and a supporter Owning more than one car is not the problem, since for it. When a parliament member abandons his duty towards the owner, whether Kuwaiti or not, will not use all cars his country and voters, and instead focuses primarily on grow- that he owns at the same time. The issue depends on ing his bank account and become a millionaire, even if that hap- pens on the expense of his legislative and monitoring duties, I the owner’s ability to own more than one car, in addi- would not blame him alone for that. Part of the blame is also tion to the facilities offered by car dealers that make shared by whoever voted for him while knowing that he is cor- owning cars an easy deal. I believe that whoever really rupt. When we find financial losses, thefts and unfair distribution cares about resolving the traffic jam issue should ask deeper questions that address the main causes of the problem, so that correct and logical solutions can be When a parliament mem- made. — Al-Anbaa The issue is more complicated than what the MP’s ber abandons his duty question addresses. The main problem lies in the fact that local streets that were built in the 1960s and 1970s towards his country and kuwait digest are no longer capable of handling the huge number of cars which increased simultaneously with the increase voters, and instead focuses in population and people’s need for cars. on growing his bank Why the West is Furthermore, most public services and ministries are concentrated in Kuwait City or around it. This requires account, I would not blame thinking about reorganizing the population by creating new cities outside the perimeter of the country’s capi- him alone for that. more advanced?! tal, provided with all services that people need without going to Kuwait City, thus reducing the traffic jam there. And before asking about the number of expatriates’ cars, why do we not go around Kuwaiti areas and count of profits in a co-op society, then we cannot acquit area resi- By Abdulaziz Al-Kandari dents and shareholders who voted based on relations or the number of cars outside the houses?! The solution for the traffic jam problem is related to the driver, and favoritism, while knowing that the person they voted for is not have seen newspaper pictures and media footage show- systematic killing? Why have they not visited Syria’s orphans how much he or she complies with the laws, regardless suitable to run a baqala (small grocery store), let alone an estab- ing members of the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and the and listened to them how Bashar’s army killed their parents of his or her nationality. lishment with a multimillion-dinar capital. Levant (ISIL) killing dozens of Iraqi citizens who had their in front of their eyes? When we neglected the importance of choosing strong and I — Translated by Kuwait Times from Al-Qabas honest representatives, and instead gave top priority to our per- hands tied behind their backs, by shooting them in a brutal We have become part of a barbaric Arab where there is sonal interests, weak parliaments appeared; ones that fail to way that no human being can ever accept. It is strange to no place for the weak. Survival is for the fittest, as if we live in meet expectations or make achievements. Our main problem is see people leave their countries and follow those who hurl a jungle. We see a legitimate president elected in Egypt, that we kill the victim then weep at his funeral. We strive to them into wars that serve self-interests in the name of reli- before he is overthrown in a coup that is supported by politi- improve our condition to the better, yet fail to abandon individ- gion. cal enemies of the Muslim Brotherhood who ask the military kuwait digest ual interests. When the Turkish people wanted to improve their And after all these horrifying scenes, people among us to persecute their enemies. country, they elected strong and honest leaders. They sent a accuse the West of conspiring against us! Or express surprise The events in the Arab world and what happened follow- Time for govt to message during the last municipal elections that their country is on why Western countries are far advanced compared to ing the Arab Spring revealed the fact that Arab and Islamic above all, therefore we saw some non-Islamists vote for candi- Arab states despite the fact that our region contains the countries are the ones that conspire against themselves and dates of the Justice and Development Party, which is chaired by majority of the world’s natural resources. their own people, and that the Western presence provides change policy Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Observers of Turkish affairs cannot but notice improvement and advancement on many fields, includ- The difference is very clear. The reason why the West is protection to those people from the tyranny of their regimes ing the economic, political, military, and touristic. All that would more advanced than us is because human beings there have - all so these people never get their rights or take the route By Dr Shamlan Y Al-Essa value and dignity. The presidents in Western countries con- of democracy. have never happened had Erdogan’s party not been supported espite warnings by the International Monetary by a wise nation capable of electing those who strive to build stantly change, while the people remain the same. The story One Arab scholar accuses another of sectarianism, then their nation; not who seek to improve their wealth and benefit is completely the opposite in Arab states - where the presi- calls for a sectarian war because that is the only way out. All Fund and the World Bank, as well as international people within their circles. dent remains the same and the people change. The Western we do is increase sectarianism more. The first party says that Dadvisors about the importance of the government God Almighty says in the Holy Quran: “Indeed, Allah will not media respects viewers’ intelligence, while some media out- this is a holy war, while the other responds by saying it is a changing its spending and squandering policy because it change the condition of a people until they change what is in lets in the Arab World have lost their conscience. public revolution. And between this and that, thousands of will face a suffocating economic crisis in 2017, the govern- themselves,” - Surat Ar-Ra’d, verse 11 (13:11). This verse diag- In the Arab World, some politicians go to Damascus in innocent civilians fall victim. The current events in the Arab ment is still continuing with its old method of very expen- noses the problem and offers the solution. It is the best mes- order to congratulate Syria’s pharaoh Bashar Al-Assad for World show that the problem with our nations is internal. sive subsidies. sage to every person who complains about the terrible per- Assistant undersecretary for operating and maintaining formance of parliaments that he took part in helping their being reelected. What is history going to say about them? That is why the West is more advanced than us, because they Have they not seen barrel bombs falling on top of unarmed are a lot more honest than we are. water at the Ministry of Electricity and Water Eng members reach office. Mohammad Bushehri spoke about the rise in water con- — Translated by Kuwait Times from Al-Rai civilians? Have they not seen the daily scenes of torture and — Translated by Kuwait Times from Al-Rai sumption volume with the rise in temperature. The min- istry registered consumption reaching 450 million gallons last week, and is expecting consumption to rise during the kuwait digest month of Ramadan to around 450 million gallons, adding that the rate of individual consumption in Kuwait is very high, reaching 450 liters per day compared to 220 liters for Partners in corruption an individual in Europe. The question: Why does water and power consumption exceed that of Europe and the United States, although those countries are industrial and agricultural and have By Basel Al-Zeer rain all year long as well as rivers and waterfalls for energy? While we in the countries of the backward world do not he situation in Kuwait is depressing, since every- average of employees’ performance compared to work- of the country? I think we all helped in destroying our have industry or agriculture and our rain is scarce and sea- one is complaining and trading blame. The gov- ing hours is less than 15 minutes! Meanwhile, most citi- lovely land, which was once known as the ‘Bride of the sonal, and we do not have rivers or snow, and despite this Ternment, MPs and Kuwaiti people are partners in zens look for nominal jobs that allow them to receive Gulf’, since everyone is giving priority to personal inter- we consume more water and power than industrial coun- the corruption and ruining of the country. If we try to their salaries while they sit at home. Nonetheless, they ests ahead of national good. tries. There are many reasons for this phenomenon, most find out who is responsible for delaying Kuwait’s devel- demand pay hikes, and eventually get them in coopera- We live in a society where it is hard to accept each importantly backwardness, as the individual in Kuwait opment, we will find that everyone is blaming each tion with the government and the parliament. other and tolerate those who have different opinions. does not feel that he has a responsibility towards his coun- other. The government holds parliament responsible, The government is taking random decisions without Therefore, we accuse each other without any evidence. try, and that he is supposed to preserve its natural resource while the latter puts the responsibility on the govern- thorough study or planning solutions for the chaos that While we are controlled by some individualistic figures ment. In the meantime, the Kuwaiti people hold both the country faces. It spends state funds in grants to other who are looking for personal glory. authorities responsible without having any idea about countries randomly, leaving the people to continue This means that Kuwait’s democracy is still fruitless, His abnormal situation the details. I believe that everyone living on this land is demanding basic needs of health, education and hous- and only applied limitedly in our society. responsible for the delay in Kuwait’s development. The ing. So who is responsible for delaying the development — Translated by Kuwait Times from Al-Qabas requires efforts from the government, National Assembly and people to rescue the country’s budget and its natural wealth.

(oil) and the little underground water. The second reason is the government’s wrong policy of subsidizing all products and services and does not ask the citizen to pay even the cost of fuel for power or water desalination. Is it realistic for the Kuwaiti citizen to pay 2 fils per kilowatt of electricity, while the government’s cost is 42 fils, which means the government is paying 40 fils for each kilowatt consumed by the citizen? Does the citizen expect the government to pay KD 3 billion per year to subsidise electricity and water? Is this normal? The answer is definitely no. The tragedy is that the citizen does not care about wasting electricity and water, because he does not share in paying this highly expensive cost, while in other countries, the citizen is keen on the rational use of power and water, because a rise in consumption means he will pay more money. This abnormal situation requires efforts from the gov- ernment, National Assembly and people to rescue the country’s budget and its natural wealth. It is not acceptable for the state to pay more than KD 3 billion only to produce power and desalinate water. The government proposed a long time ago to resort to the tier system, which means simple and poor people will not pay any more money if their consumption of power and water is within certain limits, but those who consume more must pay more that 2 fils. The broken record we hear from members of parliament that people cannot pay more than 2 fils is incorrect, because a large group of citizens who own chalets and farms pay 5 fils per kilowatt, and pay KD 5 for water tankers of 300 gallon capacity, while the citi- zen in towns pay 2 fils for electricity and 850 fils for water. Finally, it is time for the government to change its poli- cy towards subsidies, because it is logically not right for electricity prices to continue as they since they haven’t changed since 1966. In other words, half a century has elapsed without the government reviewing its wrong policy. The world has changed today, and preserving wealth requires a government with future vision and peo- ple who are ready to work and produce and bear the responsibility towards what they waste in form of energy by paying the actual price. — Translated by Kuwait Times from Al-Watan LOCAL THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014

KUWAIT: Maj Gen Saleh Al-Ghannam and other officials at the exhibition. Kuwait doing its best to fight peril of drugs Constructive strategies planned

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s General Directorate of Kuwait keenness on “charting constructive Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister, the on the deadly drugs’ hazards, such as deaths Furthermore, the department has also organ- Narcotics Control exerts relentless efforts to keep strategies to fight the peril of drugs and illegal Acting Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs and caused by overdose. Brochures and other publi- ized enlightenment gatherings and activities, in the country free of all kinds of narcotics or ecsta- ecstasy pills,“ through cooperation with local, the Chairman of the National Committee for cations including information about dangers of coordination with the ministries of education, sy pills, said a senior official of the Ministry of regional and international organizations, noting Drug Control, Sheikh Mohammad Khaled Al- the narcotics were distributed among the atten- social affairs and labor, universities, Ali Al-Sabah Interior. Speaking a day ahead of the the concern for keeping the danger of drugs Hamad Al-Sabah, acts diligently against this peril dees. The MoI department has recently taken Military Academy, the National Guards and Saad International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit away from the youth, in particular. by clamping down on traders. part in an exhibition to enlighten the youngsters Al-Abdullah Academy for Security Sciences. Trafficking, Maj Gen Saleh Al-Ghannam, the MoI Narcotics have become an international prob- Moreover, families play a prime role in guid- about the hazards of narcotics and agreed with He stressed on necessity to maintain close Acting Director General for Drug Control, said lem, a headache for states and peoples and their ing the youngsters to be aware of falling prey to Kuwait National Cinema Company to display, cooperation among the various national the department spares no effort to prevent use has spread due to various reasons, such as the drug dealers, he added. regularly, its documentary about the same issue. authorities in the fight against drugs, noting growth of puppies or hashish, transit or produc- ignorance of the drugs’ potential hazards, said Turning to activities by the General An agreement was also reached with Zain and in particular the key role of departments such tion of narcotic products or ecstasy drugs. Maj. Gen. Al-Ghannam. Directorate of Narcotics Control, the official said Ooredoo telecommunication companies to as the customs and the anti-drugs national Maj Gen Al-Ghannam affirmed the State of The anti-drugs department, guided by the it has recently held an exhibition, shedding light broadcast SMSs about this peril. committee. — KUNA Arab organization honors KOC for social services

DUBAI: The Arab Organization for Social ment knowledge and awareness. Responsibility has granted its Golden Award to Moreover, KOC grants higher study scholar- Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) in appreciation for the ships abroad annually. Up to 30 students, includ- company’s chain of initiatives in Kuwait, namely ing 15 whose parents serve in the oil sector, are its programs to solidify patriotism and encourage given this privilege. The Arab Organization for youth to pursue higher education. Social Responsibility also honored the Arab KOC received its trophy at a ceremony held by Union for the Youth and the Environment, a body the organization here, Tuesday night. The cere- affiliated to the Arab League, during last night’s mony was attended by the General Consul of the ceremony in Dubai. Dr. Nasser Al-Masri, a board State of Kuwait in Dubai, Dhiab Al-Rashidi, and a member, said the federation earned the trophy number of consuls representing Arab and GCC due to 30 years of hard work in service of youth in states. The Arab organization has chosen KOC for 22 member countries of the Arab League. this honoring in view of its initiatives in the area Al-Masri, a Kuwaiti citizen, said he considered of social responsibility, affirmed KOC Deputy the award an honoring for the State of Kuwait, as KUWAIT: Narcotics officers arrested an Arab drug Chief Executive Officer (DCEO) for Administrative he currently serves as union chairman and chief trader following tips received by the international and Financial Affairs Saad Al-Azmi, who received of the federation Gulf affairs branch. unit. The man’s home was raided and one kilogram of the shield on behalf of the company. Last night’s ceremony began with a statement hashish was found. He was referred to concerned Al-Azmi said the special KOC department for by the Chairman of the Arab Organization for authorities. — By Hanan Al-Saadoun social services granted a financial award to citi- Social Responsibility, Pierre Mukarzel, followed by zens for the best decoration of their houses dur- distribution of awards of Sheikh Nasser Bin ing Kuwait’s National Days earlier this year, with Abdulaziz Al-Manea; an Award granted by Saudi Indian in custody aim of enhancing patriotic sentiments and Arabia for encouraging ideas that serve educa- KUWAIT: The Commercial Bank of Kuwait received Loyak volunteers who will take expression of such sentiments among nationals. tion in the Arab world. The Lebanon-based Arab part in a summer training program that the bank organizes this year. The students for money crimes It had also produced a television program of stu- Organization for Social Responsibility has a will be distributed at different CBK branches to gain experience in working in the dent competitions in the field of oil and environ- bureau in Dubai. — KUNA banking sector during the summer break. By Hanan Al-Saadoun

KUWAIT: An Indian was arrested at Kuwait International Airport on arrival with KD 12,000 in cash ($40,000) and referred to the money crimes department, said security sources. The man told detectives that he was carrying the money for someone who would receive him at the airport, and that he knew nothing about international and local laws and regulations banning travelers from carrying more than $10,000 in cash.

Wallet stolen A policeman filed a complaint accusing an unidentified thief of stealing his wallet with KD 30 and his military ID in it while he was at a fast food restaurant in Hadiya. Sheikha Fariha honored for humanitarian services

MANAMA: Bahrain’s Regional Network for Social Responsibility has honored the Kuwait Association for the Ideal Family, namely its chairperson Sheikha Fariha Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and Al-Awqaf Secretary General Dr. Abdulmohsen Al-Kharafi as Gulf personalities of distin- guished humanitarian services. The two eminent Kuwaiti personalities were honored dur- ing a ceremony, held yesterday by the network, under spon- sorship of Bahraini Minister of State for Defense Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Bin Abdullah Al-Khalifa. It was held to honor six Gulf figures and a single establishment of a remarkable humanitarian role. Speaking at the ceremony, Board Chairman Yusuf Abdulghaffar said the Kuwaiti association and Sheikha Fariha earned the award due to the society humani- tarian efforts. Humanitarian activities in the GCC “have become a minaret for other nations of the world and have drawn applause from various corners of the globe,” he said. Mentioning some terms to grant the award, Abdulghaffar indicated that the association chosen must be governmental, or supported by the government with beyond borders’ activi- ties. Dhari Al-Yusuf, a diplomatic attaché at the Kuwaiti Embassy in Bahrain, received the award on behalf of Sheikha Fariha and the association. —KUNA LOCAL THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014

Dr Fayeza Al-Kharafi opening the event. Sebamed at the event. Educational film on MERS coronavirus launched

By Abdellatif Sharaa

KUWAIT: An educational film on the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) coronavirus was launched on Tuesday under the patronage of the chairwoman of the Social Committee of National Assembly Speaker Dr Fayeza Al-Kharafi. The film is directed towards children to increase their aware- ness about the disease. Chairwoman of the Coronavirus Awareness Committee Dr Ghalia Al-Mutairi said the commit- tee, out of its keen interest in increasing aware- ness about MERS among various groups of the society, made an educational film about the virus for children, especially since the number of cases in children is considered small compared to the elderly, as well as that the majority of infections in children are without symptoms and can be identi- fied when tests are made on those who are in contact with confirmed cases in the elderly. Mutairi said this does not mean that children are not exposed to the danger of being infected with MERS, as some cases in children can led to The audience at the event. dangerous complications and even death, while considered the first line of defence against the to seek the help of experts specialized in anima- The committee is working on broadcasting the and travel abroad season is upon us”, which at the same time, children are considered a disease. tion to guarantee the good quality of the film. She movie on various media and children’s programs. requires extra efforts to spread health awareness source of infection for the rest of family members Mutairi said the committee was keen on pre- said that the committee consulted basic educa- She said the film will be distributed in schools to to avoid the disease entering the country. She said including the elderly and those suffering from senting correct information about the coronavirus tion experts to simplify the medical information be shown in the next school year. the committee, in cooperation with various min- chronic diseases. She said that due to the lack of a for children through this animated film, because it and make it suitable for this age group. The film Mutairi thanked all those who contributed to istries has organized lectures in schools, universi- vaccine for the virus so far and the lack of effec- is the most attractive means of communication includes information about the virus and how it is the success of the movie, adding that committee ties and ministries about MERS, and also distrib- tive treatment for it, following sound behavior is for children, adding that the committee was keen communicated, and practices that help prevent it. efforts will continue “since the pilgrimage season uted educational literature on the disease. Drunk man shoots self outside police station Woman assaults police officer

KUWAIT: A drunken man was hospitalized with to the Criminal Investigations Department for in Mangaf. The juvenile’s father told local police a self-inflected gunshot wound. Officers at the further action. that unidentified suspects initially tried to Sulaibikhat police station went out to investi- abduct his child, then stole his phone and ran gate the sound of a car horn right outside the Defamation away when they failed. Investigations are ongo- building. They found a person inside the car A restaurant owner filed a case against an ing to identify and arrest the offenders. bleeding from his abdomen, and carrying a gun. Instagram user, accusing her of posting video The man also appeared to be in an inebriated footage deemed disparaging to his restaurant. Policeman offended state. The 30-year-old Kuwaiti man was taken in The 55-year-old Kuwaiti man told officers at the A traffic police officer filed a case against a an ambulance to Sabah Hospital where he was Andalus police station that the person speaking Kuwaiti woman and charged her with assaulting admitted under tight security. in the video deliberately defamed his restaurant an officer on duty. The policeman told officers at Police found an imported liquor bottle inside and the quality of service there, arguing that the Maidan Hawally police station that he the man’s car later. Preliminary investigations the footage could cost him financial losses. pulled a car over and asked the female driver for indicated that the man accidently shot himself, Investigations are ongoing to identify the her license and registration. The woman refused Zain holds technology while the circumstances behind the incident account user and summon her for questioning. to cooperate, and instead verbally assaulted remain a mystery. Police are waiting for the man him, according to his statements. Investigations innovation workshop to be discharged from the hospital so that he Suicide attempt are ongoing. can be questioned and face charges of public A woman was hospitalized in a critical condi- BEIRUT: Zain Group, the leading mobile abilities, increasing employment opportunities intoxication, possession of an alcoholic drink tion after a suicide attempt. Preliminary Car theft telecommunications provider in the Middle East for the young generation and limiting the brain and possession of an unlicensed firearm. Investigations showed that the Sri Lankan A Kuwaiti man reported that unknown and North Africa organized “Zain Innovation drain that Lebanon suffers from.” national consumed a large amount of sedatives assailants broke into his car and stole items Day”, a workshop on innovation in ICT. The event Fugitive nabbed in a bid to end her life. She was rushed to Adan from it. The man filed a case at Mina Abdullah was held under the patronage and in presence of Ideal platform A fugitive wanted for an attempted kidnap- Hospital where her condition later stabilized. A police station, after discovering that his car’s the Lebanese Minister of Telecommunications Minister of Telecom, Boutros Harb, stated, ping of a minor was arrested in Fahaheel. Patrol case was filed, and investigations are ongoing to window was smashed, and that his sunglasses, Boutros Harb, on Tuesday, June 24, at the Four “We thank Zain for this workshop, which serves officers had pulled the Kuwaiti man over on a know the reasons behind her attempted suicide. smartphone and 50 Saudi riyals were missing. Seasons Hotel in Beirut. This first of its kind work- as an ideal platform to speak about the Ministry’s street in the area, then inspected his ID after he The complainant, a Ministry of Electricity and shop shed light on Zain’s plan of reshaping the future aspirations for the telecom sector in became nervous, raising their suspicions. They Smartphone stolen Water employee, did not charge anyone with future of the ICT market through innovation, as a Lebanon. The Ministry will continue to take bold arrested the suspect after the verification A hunt is on for thieves who stole a teenag- the theft. Investigations are ongoing to find the number of success stories were presented in the steps to enhance the telecom sector on the tech- revealed his criminal record, and referred him er’s smartphone and attempted to kidnap him offender. same activity. nical level or increasing coverage of services and Zain Group CEO Scott Gegenheimer noted, “I improving them and making services available would also like to take this opportunity to thank to every Lebanese citizen through price reduc- Kuwait reviews administrative specifically the Ministry of Telecommunications, tion, improving quality of services, and control- Kuwait,Egypt hold for being a strong and able partner throughout ling expenditure, and continual innovation.” development experience the development of the mobile communications The Minister added: “We embrace the theme economic meeting sector in the country. Zain Group also remains of this event, as we adopt change and modern- committed to Lebanon as a country, and we look ization as our motto. I am determined in choos- DOHA: Kuwait was reviewing its cussed the issue of administrative CAIRO: Egypt and Kuwait have held here yesterday a one- forward to achieving many more milestones in ing an option that confirms Lebanon’s pioneer- experience in terms of leaders’ role in change and creativity in GCC govern- day economic meeting dedicated to thrashing out econom- the future. We recognize the strong educational ing role, and keeps it punctual with the techno- promoting civil servants’ professional ment organizations, noting necessity ic issues of bilateral benefit at a crucial time as Egypt seeks system that continually develops many young logical developments, while equipping ourselves skills at a GCC conference currently of such gatherings for inter-GCC avenues to redress some of its perennial economic woes. untapped talents and we cherish the strong with a futuristic vision, embracing challenges, as hosted by Qatar, with two documents expertise exchange. The meeting had been decided upon on the direct entrepreneurial culture of all Lebanese. we head to a world of new discoveries which you outlining avenues for attaining the key One of the two Kuwaiti papers, he instruction of First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Lebanon’s adoption of technology and innova- are discussing today. Evolution is essential, as we objective; administrative overhaul. adds, addresses the issue of preparing tion is one of the fastest and highest in the deem it necessary to stay well-informed of the Minister of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Sabah in concert A delegation of the Civil Service second-rank personnel to occupy top with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shukri, said head of region and all Lebanese should be proud of the recent developments in the technological world, Commission (CSC), representing the posts. Moreover, it mentions neces- many home grown successes in the technology specifically in the telecommunications sector, the Kuwaiti team to the meeting ambassador Abdelhamid and innovation arena.” which has become an important element in our State of Kuwait at the Third sary characteristics and potential on Al-Failakawi, who heads the department of Arab world In his welcoming speech, Wassim Mansour daily lives.” Conference of the Institutes of Public the part of those assigned to lead the affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. GM of touch, said “touch aims to be an innova- This workshop falls under the corporate Administration and Development process of change and advancement. He said the Kuwaiti side to the meeting will propose a tion’s incubator in the telecom sector on a social responsibility initiatives of Zain, who is Management in GCC countries, has Meanwhile, Me’jel Al-Ebkel, the number of ideas and projects which, it is hoped, would be of national scale, as we promote creativity and committed to the development of the telecom put two working papers on the con- head of the Human Resources immense benefit to both countries, adding that the eco- entrepreneurship, especially amongst the youth. sector in all its markets. The Group seeks to sup- vention table. The documents tackle Development Center, said he pre- nomic meeting takes place at a time the two countries find In line with this direction, touch has implement- port local initiatives by launching programs that leaders’ role in masterminding sented a document to the conferees, themselves getting closer to each other. ed several initiatives urging the youth to com- contribute to the development of local commu- change, boosting employees’ creative dealing with issues related to admin- He reiterated Kuwait’s congratulations to Egypt on having pete around creating the most innovative ideas nities and leveraging growth areas in various potential in government depart- istrative renovation, work of the in developing mobile apps. We will put forward sectors. The program of the innovation work- a successful presidential election and on the winning of at the end of this workshop a set of recommen- shop included lectures by renowned internation- ments, and administrative develop- human resources center at the CSC, President Abdelfattah Al-Sisi the presidential race. dations, which we aspire to activate and realize al speakers who discussed topics revolving ment. and training of civil servants in In a similar statement to KUNA, head of the Egyptian side on ground. These recommendations aim primari- around the importance of innovation and cre- CSC Assistant Undersecretary for Kuwait. The conference that began to the economic meeting ambassador Nasser Kamel, who ly to contribute to the Lebanese economy’s ativity as well as brainstorming sessions on what Development Nabil Abdullah Al- on June 23 would conclude later holds the position of Assistant Foreign Minister for Arab growth, promote opportunities to support local will serve Lebanon’s telecom sector best. Me’jel said that the conferees dis- today. — KUNA Affairs, indicated that the meeting showed Kuwait’s keen- ness to respond to the needs of Egypt at a time of transition and change. Call for legal commitment to He stressed the fact that Kuwait has always been at the vanguard of nations in supporting Egypt politically and eco- nomically, noting that the economic meeting today could be seen as the harbinger for a future strategic partnership people with special needs between the two nations. He thanked Kuwait, government and people, for standing KUWAIT: Director-General of the Public Authority for He stressed the necessity of ensuring partnership private sector should make up at least four percent of with Egypt particularly after the events of June 30. People with Disabilities Jassem Al-Tamar said here yes- between both public and private sectors in order to their staff, he said, noting that such agencies cannot terday it is necessary to abide by legal commitments to enable the handicapped to get incorporated in the reject the appointment of people with special needs. The Kuwaiti team to the economic meeting has among its helping the handicapped by offering them better life society, saying it is the responsibility of the entire soci- Suitable means of transport, including special vehi- members Kuwait’s ambassador to Egypt Salem Al-Zamanan, conditions. ety to take care of this category of the society. cles, should be provided to people with disabilities, the Deputy director of the economic department at the Foreign A congenial local atmosphere should be created for Just like other ordinary people, those with special chief of the handicapped people body pointed out. Ministry Tariq Al-Faraj, as well as representatives from the answering the needs of people with disabilities by needs should have their civil rights guaranteed as per He voiced hope that such legal commitments Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, the Public means of providing appropriate educational, religious, Law No. 8/2010, Al-Tamar added. This law stipulates would be fully met with a view to enabling the handi- Authority for Investment, Kuwait Chamber of Commerce social and sports curricula, he told a news conference. that handicapped workers at all state bodies and the capped to lead better lives. — KUNA and Industry, and Kuwait Petroleum Corporation. — KUNA THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014

Legislating love? Gunmen open fire on jet landing in Pakistan Myanmar mulls marriage curbs Page 11 Page 12 Qatar emir reeling under father’s legacy

DUBAI: Qatar, facing growing corruption allegations by global campaigns demanding an end to alleged vio- Sheikh Tamim, who is now 34 years old, has been in to disappear, according to Abdullah. “This country will over the 2022 World Cup and a backlash over Islamists it lations of the rights of migrant workers employed to an “awkward position” since he took over. “He has been still stumble but it can rely on its gas wealth, its network supported, finds itself isolated a year after its young build a massive infrastructure to prepare for football’s torn between his desire to have his own style of power of regional and international relations, and Al-Jazeera, emir acceded to the throne. But analysts say the gas- showpiece tournament. “As Qatar does not favor an and adhering to the policies set by his father,” he said. to bounce back,” he said. To do so, “Qatar has begun to rich emirate could bounce back by being “pragmatic” agreement with its Gulf neighbors by maintaining its “The old guard remains strongly present,” said Abdullah, understand the reality in a rational and pragmatic way,” and capitalizing on a legacy of aggressive diplomacy bet on a comeback by the Muslim Brotherhood... it will pointing out that Sheikh Tamim had pledged good rela- according to one foreign observer who requested not and media clout represented by its Al-Jazeera television continue to pay the price,” said Abdullah. tions with “all countries”. But the role of Qatar is unlikely to be named. — AFP network. “Qatar hasn’t been the same” since former emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani handed over to his son, Sheikh Tamim, on June 25, 2013, said UAE political science professor Abdulkhaleq Abdullah. “It hasn’t been playing the same role and doesn’t have the same influence,” he said. “In one year, Qatar has become isolated and distant from its closest partners in the Gulf and has lost its bet on political Islam, which had suddenly risen to power before it rapidly deteriorat- ed” in the countries of Arab Spring uprisings, Abdullah added. Qatar had been accused of backing Islamist groups like the Muslim Brotherhood, which gained the upper hand in the wake of Egypt’s 2011 popular uprising. But the tide has since changed and Islamists have lost ground, espe- cially in Egypt where the army ousted Islamist pres- ident Mohamed Morsi in July last year following huge nationwide protests. “Regardless of whether The Emir of Qatar Sheikh Sheikh Tamim had Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani intended to change the policies set by his father or not, the events have largely been decided for him,” said Olivier Da Lage, who has written extensively about the emirate. Da Lage recalled that a week after Sheikh Tamim acceded to the throne, Morsi was removed from power and Tunisia’s Islamist Ennahda party-”another Qatar protege”-withdrew from government after a tumultuous period in power. “Sheikh Tamim had to deal with this reality, without disowning the policies of Sheikh Hamad or withdrawing the emirate’s support for the Muslim Brotherhood,” he said. The support for the Muslim Brotherhood antago- nized neighboring Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates which saw the Islamist movement as a serious threat to their political systems, he added. In March, the two Gulf states, along with Bahrain, pulled their ambas- sadors from Doha in an unprecedented escalation. This mounting tension was preceded by Riyadh replacing Doha as the key ally of the Syrian opposition after Qatar had led regional support for the rebels fighting to oust President Bashar Al-Assad.

‘Tarnished image’ Meanwhile, the Gulf emirate’s image has been tar- nished by accusations of vote-buying to win the right to host the 2022 World Cup. Doha has also been targeted Palestinians halt 62-day hunger strike after deal RAMALLAH: Dozens of Palestinian prisoners who had refused food for 62 days have suspended their hunger strike after reaching a deal with the Israel Prisons Service, their lawyer said. The prisoners began refusing food on April 24 in protest at being held by Israel without charge or trial under a controversial procedure called administra- tive detention, which can be indefinitely extended for years. “The strikers, who have reached an agreement with the Israeli prison authorities, have decided to suspend their action with the approach of Ramadan,” Ashraf Abu Snena said, referring to the Muslim fasting month which begins this weekend. Israel confirmed the agreement, details of which have not immediately been made public. “The hunger strike was suspended overnight,” Israel Prisons Service (IPS) spokeswoman Sivan Weizman said, saying the sides had reached a “short-term agreement”. “This arrangement does not involve any suspension or cancellation of the use of administrative detention,” Weizman said. But former Palestinian prisoners’ affairs minister said there could be limits to its use under the deal. “One stipulation was that their administrative detentions would not be renewed for more than six months,” Issa Qaraqe told Voice of Palestine radio, adding that there had been “European intervention” to persuade prisoners to accept the deal. “This deal will not cancel the law... but bringing this issue to fore is one step towards cancelling it in the future,” Qaraqe said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the agreement, saying in a statement it would entail “means which will ensure there are fewer prisoner (hunger) strikes in the future”. He did not elabo- rate. Some 75 prisoners were on hunger strike when the deal was reached, according to the IPS. Earlier this month, the IPS said the hunger strike was the longest- ever staged by Palestinian detainees. Some of the hunger-strikers were kept alive with vita- mins and sugars, but others took only water for the dura- tion, according to prisoners’ rights group Addameer. Administrative detention is a procedure dating back to the British Mandate of Palestine (1920-1948) under which prisoners can be held for six-month periods, which can be indefinitely renewed by a court order. Around 200 of the 5,000 or so Palestinians held by Israel are administra- tive detainees, although that number looks set to double as Israel presses a major arrest operation in the West Bank following the disappearance of three teenagers believed kidnapped by Hamas. — AFP p8_Layout 1 6/25/14 9:46 PM Page 1

THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014 INTERNATIONAL Mosul wonders what ISIL rule will bring Christians, minorities flee city

MOSUL: Two weeks after Sunni insur- Islam by force, carrying out beheadings are here in force,” said one fighter who stop selling tobacco. “I’m really feeling country’s three-year-old uprising. Within gents overran northern Iraq’s biggest and lopping off hands. said he was Syrian and that he was down because I don’t know what I’ll do a year, ISIL pushed out rival insurgents city Mosul, shrines lie smashed, non- In a massive show of strength late on about 17 years old. “From here we will for work after that,” he said. A shopkeep- and the city soon became a byword for Sunnis have fled and armed men have Monday, thousands of their fighters go to Baghdad, and from there to er who sells women’s underwear also its uncompromising rule, so loathed by warned women not to walk in the paraded through central Mosul, bran- Damascus.” said he had been asked to stop his trade some residents that it led even some streets unescorted. Residents who wel- dishing assault rifles, anti-aircraft guns ISIL’s rule has already started to dis- and leave it to women. At a clothing staunch opponents of President Bashar comed the expulsion of the Shiite-led and rocket-propelled grenade launchers. rupt commercial life in Mosul - if only in shop, the owner said he had put head- Al-Assad to say they regretted the revolt. government’s soldiers and police from Ahmed Al-Saffar, a 22-year-old com- the mostly Sunni city are now asking puter shop owner, said he thought some what life will bring under the Al-Qaeda of ISIL’s moves in Mosul so far were posi- offshoot calling the shots, the Islamic tive - like banning tobacco and stopping State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). the display of women’s underwear in Ahmed Khalil, an engineering stu- shop windows - but he was pained by dent in Mosul, said the government of the destruction of shrines and the Syrian Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki had felt like example worried him. “Definitely, we’re an occupying force, and he was glad to afraid. The future is dark and unknown,” see it go. But the rise of ISIL has put him he said. As in Syria, there has already on guard. “The first impression was like been friction between ISIL and other the prison gates were broken, and we constituents of its coalition of Sunni mili- started to taste freedom,” Khalil said. “But tias - in Hawija, near Kirkuk, 170 km after the spread of too many armed north of Baghdad, ISIL has clashed with groups, including Al-Qaeda, I’ve gotten the Naqshbandi Army, a group that cautious about what’s next.” His con- includes former army officers and loyal- cerns were repeated in over a dozen ists of Saddam Hussein’s Baath Party. interviews with Mosul residents, although most said ISIL had acted with Waiting for passports more restraint than in Syria. Men still ISIL has cast itself as liberator during smoke in the streets, women drive cars, a two-week campaign that has shocked and no one can confirm any beheadings Iraqi and Western officials by swooping or floggings. up cities and threatening the collapse of Yet there has been plenty to presage the country. Supporters have posted a different future. After Mosul’s fall, ISIL videos and photos online of crowds wel- issued a “city charter” outlining its vision: coming insurgents and life in Mosul con- Tobacco, drugs and alcohol would be tinuing normally after the city’s fall. But banned, “pagan shrines” destroyed, and while the group enjoys support from women were to dress modestly and stay some Sunnis who sympathize with its home. Last week militants got to work, MOSUL: An image grab taken from a video shows Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) militants taking part in a mili- aim to restore an Islamic Caliphate or smashing statues of musicians and tary parade in the northern city of Mosul. — AFP who simply despise the Shiite-led gov- poets and desecrating the tomb of a ernment of Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki, 12th century philosopher. And ISIL has “The Islamic State is here to stay,” men subtle, specific ways. A cigarette vendor scarves on all the mannequins after men it has evoked mostly fear in minorities. previously shown no compunction chanted as families gathered to watch who asked not to be named said four warned him not to leave them uncov- Nearly all of Mosul’s Christians have fled, about using violence. In parts of Syria, and fighters posed for pictures with chil- men approached him recently and, ered. Many are worried by the precedent as have smaller groups like the Shabak where the group controls swathes of ter- dren. “We’re here to reassure the people although they spoke politely, their mes- of Raqqa in Syria, the first and only Shiite Muslims and members of the syn- ritory, it has imposed a rigid vision of of Mosul that we are here, and that we sage was firm: Finish your stocks and major city to fall to rebels during that cretic Yazidi sect.—Reuters

Cheney slams wrong Bahrain opposition leader US direction in Iraq cleared of terror charges WASHINGTON: Former vice-president Iraq. I don’t think it was consistent with Dick Cheney, an architect of the 2003 the campaign he’d run when he cam- invasion of Iraq, on Tuesday defended his paigned against our forces in Iraq and Island kingdom denies discrimination against Shiites choices at the time, and slammed the cur- promised to bring them all out during the rent US course as opening the door to course of the campaign,” Cheney said. MANAMA: A senior member of Bahrain’s Shiite insurgents. Cheney spoke to PBS televi- And the former vice president still opposition said he was cleared of terrorism sion as the first of up to 300 US military defends the choices of the George W Bush charges yesterday, a move that could help advisers began their mission in Baghdad administration which he served in-saying stalled talks with the government to try and end Tuesday to help the Iraqi army, and the it did the right thing in 2003 though its months of sporadic unrest. Khalil Al-Marzouq Pentagon said the American troops were intelligence (arguing Iraqi dictator from the Al-Wefaq party, was one of a number of not taking on a combat role. Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass opposition figures and activists detained since The primary task of the advisers was to destruction, and ties to Al-Qaeda) later majority Shiite Muslims led mass protests in evaluate the state of Iraqi forces and not was shown to have been flawed. Asked 2011 demanding a greater role in running the to turn the tide against militants from the what mistakes were made, Cheney said: “It Sunni-ruled island kingdom. Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), was not a flawless war, but I’ve never seen “My innocence was inevitable from day one,” which have swept across western and one that was.” he told reporters outside the court after the ver- northern Iraq, the Pentagon’s press secre- Cheney also recalled how Intelligence dict. “The political process has to develop and tary said. Referring to an op-ed article he about Saddam’s WMDs seemed so clear at become effective for us to lead Bahrain to the wrote with his daughter Liz Cheney, the the time saying that then CIA chief shores of safety through negotiations and a former vice president and ex defense “George (Tenet) said, ‘It’s a slam dunk, Mr. comprehensive process that serves the interests chief said: “We don’t mean to be disre- President, slam dunk.’” “I don’t hesitate to of all the citizens of Bahrain,” he said. Wefaq, spectful to the president (Barack Obama), defend what we did,” Cheney said. “And which says it advocates non-violent activism, but I have got-and as did my co-author ... with respect to whether or not we did the boycotted reconciliation talks with the govern- we feel very, very strongly that we’re right thing going into Iraq, I believe it. I ment after Marzouq’s arrest in September. headed in the wrong direction. “This don’t want to argue about it. Different A meeting between Bahrain’s crown prince administration is taking exactly the oppo- people have different views.” Asked if ISIL’s and opposition leaders in January pulled the dis- site direction from which we ought to be inroads were an intelligence failure of the cussions back from the brink of collapse but headed,” Cheney stressed. United States, Cheney said: “I don’t auto- mutual mistrust runs deep. Little progress has MANAMA: Bahraini former MP for the main Shiite opposition movement Al-Wefaq, Khalil He believes Obama never meant to matically assume our guys missed it. I just been made since and the opposition had said Marzooq (center), arrives with representatives of the opposition at the courthouse for a hear- leave troops in Iraq - and that his decision don’t know. “I think there’s a real possibili- talks are “frozen”. Protests and clashes continue ing yesterday in the Gulf kingdom’s capital Manama. The Bahraini court acquitted the promi- to withdraw led to the current instability. ty that it didn’t track with the narrative almost daily in the country that hosts the US nent Shiite opposition figure who was arrested on September 17, 2013 on charges of inciting “The president did not want to have, I that we got Bin Laden, terrorism problems Navy’s Fifth Fleet and is seen in the West as a key terrorism in the Sunni-ruled kingdom. —AFP don’t believe, any stay-behind force in solved.”— AFP regional ally. A member of Marzouq’s defense team said the court had acquitted him on leader, but said the government needed to do nating against Shiites and is demanding a con- Wednesday on charges of inciting terrorism in a more. “Marzouq needs to be out of jail to be stitutional monarchy with a government chosen number of speeches and had removed a travel part of a negotiated settlement to Bahrain’s cri- from within a democratically-elected parlia- Libyans vote in poll hoping ban on him. sis. But so do other political leaders still in ment. The government denies any discrimina- A tweet by Bahrain’s public prosecutor’s prison. If real dialogue is ever to begin it will tion. It has accused Shiite power Iran of foment- to end post-Gaddafi chaos office said it would study the court’s ruling and have to include opposition figures beyond al- ing unrest in Bahrain, a charge Tehran denies. make a decision whether there were legal Wefaq,” the group’s Brian Dooley said in an Bahrain passed strict laws against what it called TRIPOLI: Libyans were voting yesterday in due to expire, decided to prolong its man- grounds for an appeal. Campaign group emailed statement. acts of terrorism in 2013, setting tougher penal- a legislative election the authorities hope date until December. That sparked street Human Rights First welcomed the ruling on The opposition has accused the government ties including longer prison terms and the strip- will end political turmoil and deadly vio- protests and forced lawmakers to Marzouq, political secretary to the party’s led by the Sunni al-Khalifa dynasty of discrimi- ping of Bahraini nationality.— Reuters lence that has gripped the country since announce the election. Almost 3.5 million the ouster of dictator Muammar Gaddafi. Libyans are eligible to vote but only 1.5 Voters in Tripoli and Benghazi took advan- million have registered, a far cry from the tage of a public holiday called for the elec- more than 2.7 million who registered two Iraqi Turkmen take up arms against militants tion, trickling in to cast their ballots. years ago. Voters are choosing from Security was tight around some polling among 1,628 candidates, with 32 seats in TAZA KHURMATU: In the Iraqi “Awakening” force-a reference to fulltime to the Sahwa force in the icons of the sect’s most revered stations in the capital, while totally absent the 200-strong GNC reserved for women town of Taza Khurmatu, a motley the collection of largely Sunni town of Taza Khurmatu, 20 kilome- figures feature as prominently as at others. and would-be MPs banned from belonging brigade of Shiite Turkmen locals Arab militiamen who helped US ters south of Kirkuk, for the past the Iraqi Turkmen flag, a light blue In the past few weeks, Libya has been to any political party. Polling ends at 8:00 adjust their weapons and head- forces turn against Al-Qaeda from year. Locals say the force was ini- banner with a white crescent and rocked by a crisis that saw two rival cabi- pm (1800 GMT), and final results are scarves before heading out to late 2006. At the time, the shifting tially formed in 2009, after a mas- star. Many of the men in the town nets jostling for power amid a crippling expected in “several days”, according to defend their homes from loyalties helped turn the tide of sive truck bomb in the area killed cite religion as a reason for joining showdown between Islamists and liberals, electoral officials. encroaching Sunni militants. The Iraq’s insurgency. “During the time dozens. With a drop in violence, its up, and particularly a call from top as violence raged in the east, where a men range from those in their of the Americans, the Sahwa force members returned to civilian life, Iraqi Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah rogue general is battling jihadists. A patch- ‘Shadow MPs’ teens, yet to grow a moustache or fought the terrorists, and our men but in the past year the force Ali Al-Sistani. Sistani urged Iraqis work of militias, including Islamic extrem- The UN Security Council has expressed see combat, to elders approaching here were part of that,” says the regrouped as Sunni militant activi- to “bear arms and fight terrorists,” a ists, who helped to overthrow Kadhafi in hopes that the vote can be a stepping retirement and weary of war. local commander of the force, ty in the area grew. Then, this demand many of the town’s resi- the NATO-backed uprising of 2011 have stone out of the chaos. “These elections They are armed with assault Issam Abbas. “The force that is month, insurgents led by the dents say they are religiously obli- been blamed for violence that has contin- are an important step in Libya’s transition rifles, machineguns and a few fighting today is built on that jihadist Islamic State of Iraq and gated to fulfill. “He who fights to ued unabated since the end of the revolt. towards stable democratic governance,” it rocket-propelled grenade launch- force.” the Levant (ISIL) group overran protect his money, to protect his “These are the last chance elections. We said this week. For analyst Salem Soltan, ers, and describe themselves as Abbas, 45, used to work in com- swathes of five provinces north honor and to protect his religion is are placing much hope in the future parlia- none of the candidates standing in the members of a Sahwa or merce, but has committed himself and west of Baghdad. They a martyr,” says another fighter, who ment to restore the security and stability of elections “carry the political or social attacked the area around Taza gives his name only as Ahmed. “I our country,” said Amr Baiou, 32, as he weight” needed in the assembly. The new Khurmatu, seizing the neighbour- decided to join the Sahwa for the emerged from a voting centre in a residen- parliament risks “being run by shadow ing Shiite Turkmen town of sake of the nation, my principles tial Tripoli neighborhood. MPs, who will act according to instructions Basheer, and the Sahwa force and my faith-the religious call from The heavily armed rebels who ousted from warlords and militias,” he said. swelled with new volunteers. Imam Sistani.” On the front line and killed Gaddafi have carved out their But some of those taking part in yester- between Taza Khurmatu and own fiefdoms in the deeply tribal country, day’s poll disagreed. “We are voting so as Fighting for nation, faith Basheer, the Turkmen patrol with some even seizing oil terminals and crip- not to repeat the mistakes of the past,” said “We took the decision to form Kurdish peshmerga forces. pling crude exports from a sector key to Salah Al-Thabet. “We voted in the first elec- this force to protect ourselves government revenues. The General tions just to vote. This time I have really because of the growing terrorism,” An uneasy alliance National Congress (GNC), or parliament, researched the candidates, and I voted for says 45-year-old Amer Abu Qarar. Publicly, both sides proclaim which has served as Libya’s highest politi- the right people,” added the 62-year-old “We’re fighting for the sake of the “100 percent cooperation” but the cal authority since the 2011 revolt, was pensioner, after casting his ballot in central country and the honor of our reli- alliance is an uneasy one thanks to elected in July 2012, in the country’s first Tripoli. There are concerns that violence gion,” he adds, at a defensive line longstanding tensions between ever free polls. But it has been mired in will mar polling day, particularly in the less than a kilometer (half a mile) Iraqi Kurds and Turkmen in the controversy and accused of hogging pow- unrest-hit east, scene of a deadly 2012 from where the Sunni militants region. The Turkmen consider er, with successive governments complain- attack by jihadists on the US consulate in patrol. There are no firm figures for much of the territory now incorpo- ing its role as both executive and legisla- Benghazi. “Generally, we are optimistic, but Iraq’s Turkmen population, which rated into the autonomous three- tive authority has tied their hands in tam- there is a risk that the vote will be disrupt- is largely concentrated north of province Kurdish region of north ing militias. ed in some polling stations, namely in TUZ KHURMATU: Iraqi Shiite Turkmen patrol an area in the northern Baghdad and includes Sunni and Iraq to be their land, and reject The crisis came to a head in February Benghazi and Derna,” both Islamist strong- city of Tuz Khurmatu, close to locations of jihadist Islamic State of Iraq Shiite Muslims. In Taza Khurmatu, Kurdish attempts to extend control when the assembly, whose term had been holds, an electoral official said.—AFP and the Levant (ISIL) fighters. — AFP Shiite professions of faith and over ethnically-mixed Kirkuk.—AFP INTERNATIONAL THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014 US govt raps GOP over ambassadorial logjam

WASHINGTON: The White House blamed Senate ting the blame squarely on Republicans. “They Republicans Tuesday for putting US national have consciously chosen a strategy to do noth- security at risk by thwarting the swift confirma- ing, pass nothing, approve nothing and leave key tion of a long list of President Barack Obama’s diplomatic posts unfilled for months-threatening ambassador picks-some to hot-spot nations. national security and our ability to conduct for- National Security Advisor Susan Rice said 48 of eign policy,” Menendez said. Menendez’s commit- Obama’s nominations for ambassador overseas tee sent the nominations of a clutch of ambassa- were pending and awaiting confirmation by the dors to the Senate floor on Tuesday, though it chamber. “I am focused every day on keeping our was unclear when they would get a full vote. country secure and our citizens-at home and Unless Republicans and Democrats in the abroad-safe,” said Rice in a White House blog post. chamber can agree on a deal on blanket confir- “These goals are hindered and our stature abroad mations, it could take many months before all the is weakened when we are not fielding a full team,” ambassadors are in place if each one is consid- she said. ered separately. The nominees passed out of the Rice said a quarter of US ambassadors in Foreign Affairs committee Tuesday included Africa were awaiting Senate confirmation, even envoy picks for Egypt, Qatar and Iraq-crucial as extremist threats, like the Boko Haram Islamist posts given the wave of violence and unrest that group, pose rising national security risks. She also is sweeping the Middle East. The delay in confirm- warned that the US envoy’s seat to the ing ambassadors has been put down to a general Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) logjam in the Senate, where partisan wrangling also remained vacant, at a time when regional between Democrats and Republicans in a mid- tensions are soaring over China’s territorial claims term election year has become extreme. in the South China Sea. In addition, US positions The flow of ambassadorial nominations has at the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, been crawling along amid a row over a decision the Inter-American Development Bank and the by the Democratic majority last year to eliminate European Bank for Reconstruction and a 60-vote threshold for some judicial nominee KRASNOARMEYSK: The wreckage of an Ukrainian armed forces Mi-8 helicopter lies in a field near the small town of Krasnoarmeysk, outside of Development remain unfilled. votes-a move minority Republicans opposed. The Slavyansk yesterday, after it was shot down by separatists of the self-proclaimed “Donetsk People’s Republic”. — AFP Senate has confirmed only five ambassadors to ‘Unacceptable’ foreign nations since the beginning of May: to White House spokesman Josh Earnest also Switzerland, Belize, Angola, Jordan and Peru. raised concerns about the jammed-up ambassa- Republicans argue that Democratic Senate Ukraine seeks Putin help dorial nominations in his daily briefing. “These Majority Leader Harry Reid, an Obama ally, is in nominees have been waiting an average of 262 charge of scheduling votes on nominees, and has days, and these delays are simply unacceptable,” in several cases given priority to judges over US he said. “It’s time Republicans in the Senate end- envoys abroad. ed their obstruction and allowed these qualified Republicans have also pilloried Obama’s to save crumbling truce individuals to do their important work protecting choices for several ambassadorial posts after American interests around the world.” widely lampooned hearing performances by Democratic Senate Foreign Relations nominees earlier this year, including several who Committee Chairman Robert Menendez com- did not know basic facts about nations where Ukraine to sign EU deal that sparked revolution plained about the situation last week, also put- they were to be stationed. —AFP s SLAVYANSK: Ukraine’s new Western-backed leader sive and indirect talks. Putin urged both sides to in Brussels amid pleas from ex-Soviet satellite nations - sought urgent talks with Russian President Vladimir extend the truce and further asked senators to for the alliance to beef up its military presence along e NY Congressman Rangel claims Putin yesterday after separatist rebels shot down an revoke his March 1 authorization to invade his west- Russia’s western frontier. NATO chief Anders Fogh g army helicopter despite orders from their own com- ern neighbor in a self-proclaimed bid to “protect” Rasmussen noted entering the meeting that the s victory in Democratic primary mander to observe a fragile truce. The death of nine ethnic Russians from the nationalists now in power in alliance intended to “review our relations with Russia l Kiev. Russia’s rubber-stamp upper chamber and decide what to do next.” “I regret to say that we w NEW YORK: Congressman Charles Rangel of in November. The race was a rematch servicemen outside the pro-Russian stronghold city s New York declared victory in his Democratic between Rangel and Espaillat. Two years ago, of Slavyansk and loss of two other soldiers in militia approved Putin’s request yesterday in a 153-1 vote. see no signs that Russia is respecting its international - primary election on Tuesday, after facing one Espaillat, 59, came within 1,000 votes of oust- attacks prompted Ukrainian President Petro commitments,” NATO’s top civilian official said. The y of the most serious challenges of a four- ing Rangel after the district boundaries were Poroshenko to threaten to unleash a powerful new NATO warns Russia meeting will also see US Secretary of State John - decade career as he tried to win a 23rd term redrawn. military campaign in the industrial east. But Kiev and Washington still accuse Putin of Kerry conduct his first bilateral talks with Ukrainian in Congress in November. Rangel’s The two men had few policy disagree- An AFP team in Slavyansk heard a wave of covertly arming the rebels in retaliation for the Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin-a veteran diplomat Democratic challenger, state Senator Adriano ments, but sparred over whether it was time shelling being launched by Ukrainian forces who February ouster of a pro-Russian administration that who had represented Poroshenko in closed door Espaillat, has not conceded defeat, and the for Rangel, who has indicated this will be his have effectively surrounded the devastated city of abruptly ditched an historic EU agreement and pre- negotiations with Russia that resulted in Kiev’s deci- New York Times and other news outlets said last election, to yield to the next generation nearly 120,000 yesterday morning. Their push was ferred closer ties with Moscow instead. Poroshenko sion to call a temporary truce. the race was too close to call. of politicians. “Who can walk into the national met with extended rounds of anti-aircraft and heavy will sign the final chapters of that pact in Brussels on The current negotiations are being led by an With 99 percent of precincts reporting, arena with the most friends, the most sup- machinegun fire that echoed through deserted city Friday despite the strong likelihood that Russia will unusual assortment of figures who include former Rangel was leading 47 percent to 44 percent, porters, who’s fought the good battles?” streets. “This is the calm before the storm that begins follow up a cut in gas deliveries it imposed on June Ukrainian leader Leonid Kuchma and Viktor according to NY1, a local television station, Rangel told supporters. once the ceasefire ends,” said a 42-year-old rebel who 16 with punishing new trade restrictions. The Medvedchuk-the one-time chief of staff of ousted which called Rangel the winner. Rangel, 84, is Rangel, who entered Congress in 1971, is simply known to his unit as “Oleksandr the Soldier”. Ukrainian leader now hopes that German Chancellor President Viktor Yanukovych who is currently on a US among the longest-serving and best-known was a founding member of the Congressional Poroshenko’s warning dealt a crushing blow to Angela Merkel and French President Francois sanctions list. He unofficially represents the sepa- black lawmakers. Black Caucus and chaired the powerful House hopes of the sides mediating an end to 11 weeks of Hollande will join him on a conference call to Putin ratist cause but is seen to be so close to Putin that his Espaillat hopes to become the first Ways and Means committee. But his political fighting that has killed more than 435 people and that could decide the immediate faith of diplomatic daughter is rumored to have the Russian strongman Dominican-American elected to Congress. In brand was dealt a serious blow in 2010, when efforts to resolve Ukraine’s worst crisis since its inde- as a godfather. Some analysts believe Putin trusts this liberal bastion of New York City, where he was censured by the House after failing to brought the ex-Soviet nation to the brink of collapse. blacks and Latinos form the majority, the win- pay taxes on rent he earned from a property Kiev’s temporary ceasefire was picked up by sepa- pendence in 1991. Medvedchuk enough to believe he will lead negotia- ner of the Democratic primary is all but guar- in the Dominican Republic and misusing his ratist commanders on Monday but was due to expire The crumbling hopes for a quick solution will also tions that result in the Kremlin preserving its influ- anteed to win the mid-term general election office to secure fund-raising. —Reuters on Friday morning after just one round of inconclu- confront NATO foreign ministers when they huddle ence over eastern Ukraine. —AFP Swathes of Northeast Nigeria ‘no-go areas’

MAIDUGURI: At a camp for people who near the big road. But if you go to vil- by Boko Haram who have hoisted their have fled Boko Haram insurgents in lages situated far from the big road, flags. The whole situation is confused northeast Nigeria, Zannaram Bukar tells where you don’t even hear the sound of and people are terrified,” he said. “All an increasingly familiar story of blood- a passing car, you cannot find any soldier these areas are occupied by Boko Haram. shed, fear and abandonment. It’s a tale of there.” The apparent lack of a military In some of these areas they move freely violence and destruction, of homes, mar- presence in some areas of Borno has led with their guns because there is no one kets and even mosques, robbing villagers to claims that many parts of the north- challenging them.” not just of life but vital food stores and east are effectively lawless, “no-go” areas the precious commodity of cattle for for the security services. In the latest sign Rural security those who survive. But Bukar, from of the vulnerability of civilians, militants According to security analysts, Abbari village, in the Konduga district of abducted more than 60 women and Nigeria’s military-over-stretched and Borno state, and the 4,600 or so others in young girls in a raid in the Damboa dis- under-resourced-is incapable of fighting a displaced persons’ camp in Maiduguri, trict of Borno last week. an effective counter-insurgency. “Large also tell another story, backed up by A local senator said Boko Haram parts of Borno state are beyond the those still living in the harsh, semi-desert struck as people returned to tend their reach of security forces and are effective- scrub of Borno state’s rural hinterland. farms during the rainy season and there ly unprotected,” said Andrew Noakes, “There were soldiers in some villages was no military presence. In Chibok, who co-ordinates the Nigeria Security surrounding us but the soldiers only pro- where the Islamist militants abducted Network of security analysts. “Boko tect us during the day. more than 200 schoolgirls in April, trig- Haram are often able to operate with As soon as evening approaches, they gering global outrage, elder Pogu Bitrus impunity.” Amnesty International claimed would all leave,” said the 52-year-old. agreed the problem was widespread. that military commanders in Borno had “The soldiers are stationed in villages “Some areas have been totally taken over advance warning of the Chibok abduc- tion but could not muster enough troops to send. Locals say security forces are now avoiding areas near the border with Cameroon. Residents in Bama, 70 kilo- meters from Maiduguri, reel off a list settlements taken over by the group. Bukar was just one of more than 6,000 people who fled their homes within a week earlier this month, after hundreds were killed when Boko Haram stormed villages in the Gwoza district of Borno. “In many cases the military do not respond or take several hours to reach an area under attack. This is what happened in Chibok. They have also been known to flee from Boko Haram attacks,” said Noakes. A state of emergency imposed in Borno and neigh- boring Yobe and Adamawa in May last year forced Boko Haram fighters out of urban centers. But analysts say the focus on high-intensity com- bat in places such as Maiduguri has come at the expense of protecting people in the countryside, where attacks have increased dra- matically. “Security within rural northeastern Nigeria was not prioritized to the same degree as urban envi- rons within the region and civilian massacres continued almost unnoticed,” said Ryan Cummings, a security analyst at Red 24. —AFP p10 2_Layout 1 6/25/14 9:46 PM Page 1

THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014 INTERNATIONAL Poland’s rising diplomatic star Sikorski in a pickle

WARSAW: Poland’s top diplomat, others (eurosceptics). But instead, he macy, an area in which member states future of its centre-right government. Radoslaw Sikorski, who burnished his provided them with the means to want to retain strong influence,” a Prime Minister Donald Tusk has dubbed credentials in the Ukraine crisis, is now humiliate him,” he is heard telling diplomat in Brussels told AFP Tuesday the leaks an attempted “coup d’etat” in the spotlight over leaks in which he Rostowski in the recording, purportedly on condition of anonymity. aimed at “destabilising” Poland. Two appears to rubbish Polish-US ties and made in a Warsaw restaurant earlier this Sikorski was defense minister in people have been charged over them Britain’s prime minister. The Oxford- year. 2005-7 before taking over as chief so far, including the manager of the educated former war correspondent, “It’s either a very poorly thought out diplomat, a job he has held in two suc- restaurant in which Sikorski dined and a who is married to the Washington move or, not for the first time, his cessive centre-right administrations led waiter at another upmarket eatery fre- Post’s Anne Applebaum, has always incompetence in EU affairs.” He also by Tusk. He played a high-profile role in quented by the capital’s business elite. been outspoken and difficult partner characterized Warsaw’s alliance with the bloc’s attempt to calm the Ukraine Poland’s leading Gazeta Wyborcza daily for the United States, despite also being the US as “worthless... even harmful crisis in February. He has also been a has suggested extortion could be the determinedly pro-American. Poland because it gives Poland a false sense of key advocate of the EU’s Eastern real motive behind the leaks, claiming recently floated the 51-year-old to suc- security” according to the recordings, Partnership program, which is designed three waiters at Warsaw’s Sowa & ceed Catherine Ashton, whose term as which were apparently made by wait- to draw ex-Soviet states closer to the Przyjaciele restaurant have been impli- European Union foreign policy chief ers. Sikorski has blasted the recordings West to the dismay of their former mas- cated. The first recording purportedly ends this year. as an “attack on the government by an ter Russia. Ukraine is the largest mem- features central bank chief Marek Belka But remarks leaked Monday by organized criminal group”. ber of the group, which also includes telling Interior Minister Bartlomiej Poland’s Wprost weekly attributed to Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia Sienkiewicz he would support the gov- Sikorski in a private conversation with ‘Too strong a personality’ and Moldova. A correspondent for the ernment’s economic policy if former finance minister Jacek His reputation for blunt talk has British press in Angola and Afghanistan Rostowski-then finance minister-left its Rostowski could undermine his ambi- already earned him a spot on the 2012 in 1986-89, Sikorski spent two decades ranks. The conversation allegedly took tions. The pro-European Sikorski, who is Top Global Thinkers list compiled by in Britain before returning to Poland place at Sowa & Przyjaciele in July 2013. Radoslaw Sikorski known for his hawkishness on Russia, Foreign Policy magazine for “telling the after communism’s demise. Months later, Rostowski was turfed out allegedly said British Prime Minister truth, even when it’s not diplomatic”. of his job. Days after Wprost posted the alarm at home and abroad over press David Cameron’s concessions to But it is precisely this quality that has ‘Destabilizing Poland’ embarrassing audio, government freedom. Polish media reports indicate eurosceptics showed his “incompe- divided opinion over his bid to succeed The high-profile eavesdropping agents raided its offices and tried to there are several hundred hours of tence in EU affairs”. “He should have Ashton. “Sikorski is probably too strong scandal has sparked a political crisis in wrestle a laptop out of the editor-in- recordings of politicians and top busi- tried to convince people and isolate the a personality to head up Europe’s diplo- Poland and called into question the chief’s arms in a scene that has raised nessmen that could still surface.—AFP

UK PM under News pressure after in brief

hacking verdict Trains derail, killing 4; sabotage probed LONDON: British Prime Minister David Cameron was braced PATNA: Two trains derailed in eastern India yester- yesterday for difficult questions over his decision to hire Andy day, killing at least four people, and authorities Coulson as his media chief, as the former News of the World were investigating whether Maoist rebels were editor convicted of phone hacking awaited a verdict on other responsible, officials said. Eleven coaches of the charges. Coulson was found guilty on Tuesday following an Rajdhani Express passenger train went off the eight-month trial, in which the jury dramatically cleared his tracks near Chhapra town in Bihar state, killing four co-defendant, former colleague and one-time lover Rebekah passengers and injuring eight others, district Brooks of any wrongdoing. administrator Kundan Kumar said. That accident Within hours of the verdict, Cameron issued a somber tele- was followed by a second derailment by a freight vised apology for hiring Coulson as his head of communica- train in nearby Motihari town, leading railway offi- tions in 2007 despite rumors about his involvement in hacking cials to suspect sabotage by Maoist rebels, who are at Rupert Murdoch’s now-defunct News of the World tabloid. active in eastern and central India. “The cause for But the prime minister is likely to face a grilling in the House the derailment seems to be sabotage by the of Commons on Wednesday by opposition Labour leader Ed Maoists,” said Arunendra Kumar, a top railway offi- Miliband, who has accused him of bringing “a criminal into the cial. Federal Home Minister Rajnath Singh said the heart of Downing Street”. The sister of a prominent hacking government would wait for an investigation before victim, murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler, added to the pres- reaching a conclusion. “It is too early to blame the sure by calling on Cameron to keep his promise to change the Maoists. Let us wait for the report on the incident,” way newspapers are regulated following the hacking scandal. Singh told reporters. The revelation in 2011 that the News of the World had accessed Dowler’s voicemail messages when she went miss- ing caused public revulsion and prompted Murdoch to close down the 168-year-old tabloid in disgrace. “Ordinary people have suffered terribly from journalists who recklessly intruded into private grief and stole private information,” Dowler’s sister Gemma said. She added: “Please keep your promise to us the victims that you will deliver real and permanent change to make sure what happened to us will never happen again.” BARCELONA: This combination of two images shows Spain’s Princess Cristina and Spanish King’s son-in-law and While Cameron comes under fire, the acquittal of Brooks husband of Princess Cristina, Inaki Urdangarin arriving to the courthouse in Barcelona. —AFP on charges of phone hacking and bribing public officials took some of the pressure off Murdoch. She was once a protege of the media mogul, editing both the News of the World and its Judge seeks graft trial for sister paper The Sun before becoming chief executive of his British newspaper empire. However, Murdoch now faces the Spain’s Princess Cristina prospect of being interviewed by police over allegations of BRUSSELS: N-VA chairman Bart De Wever gives a crime at his British papers, according to The Guardian newspa- press conference after he ended his information per. The daily, which helped expose the hacking scandal, said Princess Cristina, husband suffer downfall mission at the Senate in Brussels yesterday. — AFP detectives agreed to wait until the trial ended before formally interviewing Murdoch. MADRID: A Spanish judge ruled yes- Harry Potter books but tearfully abdicated in favour of Language-split Belgium terday that King Felipe VI’s sister, The judge, Jose Castro, has delved his son on June 18. teeters back into crisis Cameron’s ‘bad decision’ Princess Cristina, and her husband into allegations that Cristina’s hus- BRUSSELS: Belgium risked plunging into a fresh Coulson made no comment following his conviction, for should face graft charges, opening band and a former business partner Fall from grace political crisis yesterday after attempts to form a which he could face jail, and was back at London’s Old Bailey the way to an unprecedented criminal creamed off six million euros ($8 mil- As prince, Felipe was unscathed by coalition government collapsed amid allegations court on Wednesday as the jury considered further charges trial. Six days after Felipe, 46, took the lion) in public funds from contracts royal scandals. But now that he sits on Flemish nationalists were not committed to keep- against him. The 46-year-old denies two counts of conspiring Spanish throne promising an “honest awarded to a charitable foundation, the throne, it is unclear how his repu- ing the country together. Tough-talking Flemish with the News of the World’s former royal editor, Clive and transparent” monarchy, the deci- Noos. Cristina sat on the board of tation will fare in light of the allega- nationalist Bart De Wever, whose separatist N-VA Goodman, to agree to pay police officers for two phone direc- sion refocused attention on a scandal Noos and Urdangarin was its chair- tions against his sister and brother-in- party won last month’s general election, has been tories of the royal household. Whatever the verdict, his convic- that had blighted the reign of his 76- man. Together with her husband, the law. Cristina and Urdangarin have suf- tasked by the king to form a coalition government. tion for phone-hacking has raised questions about Cameron’s year-old father Juan Carlos. Cristina, princess jointly owned another com- fered a dramatic fall from grace since But Centrist Benoit Lutgen refused to join the pro- judgment. 49, once considered untouchable, is pany, Aizoon, which investigators sus- they married in 1997 in a lavish cere- posed coalition, saying he had failed to win assur- The prime minister hired Coulson within months of his res- accused of tax and money laundering pect served as a front for laundering mony in Barcelona and were ances that De Wever would keep the language- ignation as editor in 2007 following the jailing of Goodman crimes linked to the allegedly dodgy embezzled money. In February this bestowed the titles of Duke and divided nation intact. A De Wever-led government and private investigator Glenn Mulcaire for phone-hacking. business affairs of her husband, 46- year, the investigating judge grilled Duchess of Palma. The couple were would be “a Belgo-sceptic project,” Lutgen told Coulson always denied knowledge of the practice but the year-old former Olympic handball Cristina in a six-hour hearing over living in Washington, where the blue- Belgian broadcaster RTL late Tuesday. “The wolf prime minister promised when the scandal broke three years player Inaki Urdangarin. But Cristina’s accounts indicating the use of money eyed, 6-foot 6-inch tall Urdangarin does not become a lamb in a few weeks. ago that he would apologize if Coulson was found guilty. lawyers and the anti-corruption pros- from Aizoon for personal expenses, worked as a telecommunications Honoring that pledge on Tuesday, Cameron said: “It was a sec- ecutor announced immediately they including work on the couple’s executive, when the allegations of Council of Europe’s head ond chance, it turns out to be a bad decision and I’m extreme- would appeal the investigating Barcelona mansion, dance lessons and corruption broke in Spain. gets another 5-year term ly sorry about that.” The revelation that Dowler’s phone was judge’s decision to pursue charges Harry Potter books. The family returned in August 2012 STRASBOURG: The Council of Europe said yester- hacked in 2005 was the final straw in a drip of revelations against the princess. “The basis of this But the princess, a mother of four to Barcelona, where they own a multi- day that Thorbjoern Jagland had been elected to a about illegal practices at the News of the World, Britain’s top- appeal is that there is no crime. There with a master’s degree from New million-euro mansion. It has since second five-year term at the head of the pan- selling Sunday newspaper at the time that was read by more is no evidence of crime, and that is the York University, said she had simply been impounded by the courts. After European body that has recently played an active than three million people. same thing that the tax office and the trusted her husband and had no a year in Barcelona, they moved to role in the Ukraine crisis. Jagland, a 63-year-old The paper was later found to have hacked a long list of prosecutor say,” the princess’s lawyer, knowledge of his business affairs. In Geneva. Cristina has in any case been Norwegian, beat off competition from former public figures including Prince William, the second-in-line to Miquel Roca, told journalists. A royal his 167-page ruling wrapping up sidelined from royal activities since German justice minister Sabine Leutheusser- the British throne, his wife Kate, and leading politicians includ- palace spokesman expressed “full four years of investigations, the the scandal broke. She was notably Schnarrenberger to win another mandate at the ing former deputy prime minister John Prescott and celebri- respect for judicial decisions” but judge said that in regard to absent from ceremonies marking her head of the rights body. It is the first time since the ties such as actress Sienna Miller. The hacking scandal prompt- declined further comment to AFP. A Urdangarin’s alleged tax crimes: “It brother Felipe’s ascension to the Council of Europe was established in 1949 that a ed a judge-led inquiry into the ethics of Britain’s famously final decision on whether to put the would be difficult to have commit- throne on June 19. Since Felipe secretary general has been re-elected. Jagland has aggressive press, which made recommendations for reform- suspects on trial is expected to be tak- ted them without at least the knowl- became king, neither Cristina nor her played an active role in trying to ease the crisis in ing the way it is governed. However, they have yet to come en by the Palma de Mallorca provin- edge and acquiescence of his wife.” elder sister Elena, 50, form part of the Ukraine, making several visits to Kiev as the unrest into force following strong opposition by many newspapers, cial court. If the investigating judge’s The scandal overshadowed the final official Royal Family. Under Spanish threatened to spiral into all-out war in Europe. including the Murdoch press. Coulson is expected to be sen- findings are upheld, Cristina would be years of the reign of Juan Carlos, law, the representatives of the crown Aside from running the Council of Europe, Jagland tenced within days, along with four other ex-News of the the first direct relative of the Spanish who guided Spain from dictatorship comprise only the king, his wife, his also heads Norway’s Nobel committee which hands World senior journalists and Mulcaire, who all pleaded guilty monarch in history to stand in the to democracy after the death in immediate forebears, his descendants out its famous prizes each year. He is also a former to hacking before the trial began.—AFP dock as a criminal defendant. 1975 of General Francisco Franco and the crown prince.— AFP leader of Norway’s ruling Labor Party who has served as prime minister, foreign minister and speaker of parliament in his country. Blasts hit Cairo metro stations US Congress honors Martin Luther King WASHINGTON: Holding hands and singing “We Shall CAIRO: Five makeshift bombs exploded at tions, the police official said. Four people Overcome,” US lawmakers on Tuesday marked the four Cairo metro stations yesterday morning, were wounded by the first string of blasts, 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act by conferring wounding at least five people, while another senior health ministry official Ahmed Al- Congress’s highest honor on the late Martin Luther detonated near a courthouse in the capital, Ansari said, while a fifth was hurt in Ezbet Al- King (MLK). A 2004 resolution accorded the officials said. Militants have stepped up Nakhl, the police official said. Interior ministry Congressional Gold Medal to the civil-rights icon and attacks in Egypt, mostly against security spokesman Hani Abdel Latif said a man who his wife, Coretta Scott King. But King’s wife died in forces, since the army ousted Islamist presi- had been carrying one explosive device in his 2006 and it was their children who accepted the dent Mohamed Morsi in July 2013 and the bag was among the wounded at Shubra Al- medal on the Kings’ behalf Tuesday in a ceremony in authorities launched a deadly crackdown on Kheima. Latif said the man “appeared to be a the rotunda of the US Capitol. “Through their actions, his supporters. Four bombs exploded within Muslim Brotherhood member” as an image of their speeches and their writings, they have created minutes of each other at three metro stations a four-finger salute used by Morsi supporters the climate for the passage of the Civil Rights Act of as commuters made their way to work during was found on his telephone. 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and President morning rush hour, while a fifth went off The authorities have blamed the Lyndon Johnson signed these two pieces of legisla- hours later at another station, a police official Brotherhood, from which Morsi hails, for the tion into law,” said House Democrat John Lewis, him- said. One struck at Ghamra station, in central attacks rocking the country and have black- self a civil-rights icon who worked alongside King in Cairo, and the others hit Hadayek Al-Kobba in listed the Islamist movement as a terrorist the 1960s. The Civil Rights Act, initially proposed by the north, and Shubra Al-Kheima and Ezbet organization. Another makeshift bomb President John F Kennedy, was adopted July 2, 1964, Al-Nakhl on the outskirts of the capital. placed under a car exploded near a court- after intense political battles in the Senate, where All of the blasts were caused by “very pri- house north of Cairo, wounding a woman, southern lawmakers used all obstructionist tools at mary” devices of “low intensity” that were and a second was defused at the site, said CAIRO: Egyptian passengers gather at a metro station in Shubra El-Khemia on the their disposal to block its passage. placed in trash cans on platforms of the sta- Abdel Latif. —AFP outskirts of Cairo after a makeshift bomb exploded at the site yesterday. — AFP INTERNATIONAL THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014 800 Taleban fight Afghan troops in five-day battle

KANDAHAR: More than 800 Taleban insur- en back. “There was a major attack by the gents have launched a major offensive in Taleban and their supporters,” ministry southern Afghanistan to try to gain territory spokesman Siddiq Siddiqi said. “We have recently vacated by US troops, officials said reports of a lot of enemy attackers over the yesterday, with 40 civilians killed in five days last few days. “We are reinforcing Afghan of fighting. About 100 Taleban have been national security forces and have suffered no killed, according to the interior ministry, in major loss of territory. About 100 Taleban clashes that erupted as Afghanistan wrestled have been killed so far.” Siddiqi said that 18 with a political crisis over alleged fraud in the policemen were killed on Tuesday. June 14 election to choose a successor to President Hamid Karzai. Power knocked out The assault highlights the challenges fac- Local officials said the Taleban had ing Afghan security forces battling the launched overnight attacks on police check- Taleban as US-led NATO forces pull out. Local points, and that power from the Kajaki dam officials in Helmand province said that 800 to Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand, and militants were involved in attacks centred on to Kandahar city had been cut, causing long the Sangin district of Helmand province, a outages. Haji Akhtar Mohammad, an elder in hotbed of fighting during the 13-year insur- Sangin said that the insurgents had placed gency. The last US troops pulled out of Sangin improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in villages only last month, handing over their remain- and along roads used to transport supplies to ing bases to Afghan soldiers and police who Afghan government forces. He added that have now taken on full responsibility for civilians were running short of food due to fighting the militants. “About 800 fighters the fighting. Afghan politicians remain locked started to storm four districts of Helmand last in a dispute over the ongoing election vote Thursday night,” Helmand provincial governor count, with presidential candidate Abdullah spokesman Omar Zwak said. “At least 21 Abdullah alleging massive fraud by his poll Afghan forces have died and close to 40 civil- rival Ashraf Ghani, the election authorities ians were killed.” and outgoing President Karzai. A government official in Kabul confirmed On Tuesday, the UN said it had stepped in PESHAWAR: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) officials move the dead body of a woman to an ambulance at the Bacha Khan International the figure of 800 Taleban fighters. Zwak said to help broker an end to the stand-off, host- Airport in Peshawar yesterday after an attack on a Pakistan International Airlines flight. — AFP reinforcements had been sent to repel the ing talks between Abdullah and the attacks in Sangin, Nowzad, Kajaki and Musa Independent Election Commission. According Qala districts, where 2,000 families have fled to reports, Ghani has made a surprise come- Gunmen open fire on the violence. The threat of a Taleban revival as back and is ahead in the vote count after fin- NATO combat troops withdraw after more ishing well behind Abdullah in the first-round than a decade of war is a major fear for many election on April 5. Foreign diplomats have Afghans, though government and NATO offi- expressed alarm at the prospect of a disputed jet landing in Pakistan cials insist that the national army and police outcome that could trigger a spiral of instabil- are increasingly effective. ity as the NATO combat mission wraps up this Yesterday, the interior ministry confirmed year. The preliminary election result is due on the scale of the fighting in Helmand but July 2 and the final result, after adjudication At least 8 bullets hit plane, woman dead insisted that the insurgents were being beat- of complaints, is scheduled for July 22. — AFP PESHAWAR: Holed up deep inside a Taleban-friendly minute from Islamabad to the eastern city of Lahore fol- efforts to land the aircraft safely as bullets whizzed by. “I neighborhood, gunmen waited patiently for the passen- lowing violent clashes on the ground between his sup- saw several bullets flashing towards the cockpit and fuel ger plane to approach the airport before raising their porters and police. The Civil Aviation Authority said all tank and tried to avoid them,” the senior PIA official quot- guns into the night sky and unleashing a hail of bullets flights were suspended after the latest attack, but ed the captain as telling ground staff after landing the to shoot it down. Although only eight bullets hit the domestic flights resumed operations yesterday. airplane. “The cockpit and fuel tank were safe but eight plane, one woman was killed and three crew members International flights remained suspended. “After last bullets hit the right side of the plane, near the service were wounded as the Airbus 310 plane carrying 178 pas- night’s attack, I don’t think international airlines would door. The second engine, which was close to the fuel sengers from Saudi Arabia landed in the northern take the risk to come to Peshawar,” said a senior CAA offi- tank, was also hit.” Pakistani city of Peshawar on Tuesday night. Airline offi- cial who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the One bullet also hit one of the passengers, Matnoon cials said the gunmen had aimed specifically at the high- sensitivity of the matter. Begum, striking her in the thigh and passing through her ly flammable fuel tank as they sought to blow up the air- body before exiting though the throat. She died on the craft, as well as the cockpit, to kill the pilot. Tough landing way to the hospital. “Her nine-year-old daughter was sit- “It would have been a disaster had they hit the fuel Positioned outside the perimeter fence of the airport, ting next to her, but she was all right,” the airline official tank or cockpit,” said a senior Pakistan International militants opened fire on the plane roughly six minutes said. Police said they combed the area near the airport Airlines official, who declined to be named because he before it landed at Peshawar’s Bacha Khan International and arrested about 200 people in connection with the was not authorized to discuss the matter with the press. Airport. The bullets came from the areas of Badhber and shooting. No one immediately claimed responsibility It was the third incident of violence to affect Pakistan’s Mashukhel near Peshawar, which are considered inse- and the Taleban were not available for comment. The airports this month as international airlines review the cure and full of Taleban supporters. “The aircraft is very attack came after the militants announced they would safety of flying to a country with an increasingly violent strong and can withstand pressure at 36,000 feet, but it’s step up attacks against high-profile targets in Pakistan in Taleban insurgency. On June 8, a group of militants surprising how easily the bullets penetrated the plane,” response to the army’s military operation in the tribal KANDAHAR: Members of the US Army wait to demolish Hesco barriers during the stormed Pakistan’s biggest airport in Karachi in a com- said one security official. It was unclear what type of areas. The airline official added: “There are two options dismantling process ahead of the withdrawal from Forward Operating Base Pasab in mando-style attack that prompted the army to start weapons the militants used. The security official said the now: either stop night landings at the airport or close the Kandahar province. The US-led NATO force in Afghanistan has begun closing, demol- bombarding Taleban positions in tribal areas. bullets were of a larger caliber than those used by AK-47 airport for all types of operations due to security con- ishing or shrinking bases and other facilities in preparation for the inevitable with- In the second incident, a passenger plane carrying an Kalashnikov rifles, the weapon of choice of most Taleban cerns. The federal government would make the decision drawal of combat troops and transition to Afghan control of the country. — AFP anti-government preacher was diverted at the last fighters. The captain of the plane described his frantic in this regard.” —Reuters Malaysia gets new transport minister amid MH370 crisis KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s premier yesterday appointed a though it lost the popular vote for the first time. new transport minister to replace Hishammuddin Hussein, who MCA delegates reversed the decision not to accept posts took the lead during the search for missing flight MH370. earlier this year. Besides Liow, two other ethnic Chinese politi- Hishammuddin, who is also defence minister, had provisionally cians were also named ministers, and three others deputy min- held the transport portfolio after the post was left vacant fol- isters. “These appointments reflect my desire to ensure that the lowing the last elections a year ago. He led the nation’s search make-up of the Cabinet, and the government, broadly reflects for the Malaysia Airlines plane that vanished on March 8 with that of our nation,” Najib said. Flight MH370 went missing en 239 people aboard. route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. The Boeing 777 is believed Prime Minister Najib Razak said in a widely-expected to have veered far off course and crashed into the southern announcement that Liow Tiong Lai, a former health minister Indian Ocean. But an extensive search in a remote stretch of and president of the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), ocean off western Australia has so far turned up no sign of any would helm the transport ministry. The post has usually been wreckage. Angry relatives of those aboard have accused held by a representative of the ruling coalition’s main Chinese Malaysia’s national carrier and the government of doing too lit- party. But MCA refused to accept any Cabinet posts last year tle and hiding information over the missing plane. The govern- after a poor electoral performance amid anger among ethnic ment has rejected such accusations, and Najib has supported Chinese and other minorities about perceived discrimination Hishammuddin, his cousin, in his handling of the crisis. Two- by the ethnic Malay-dominated coalition. Najib’s Barisan thirds of the Southeast Asian nation’s 28 million people are Nasional (National Front) coalition, which has ruled the country Muslim ethnic Malays, but it has sizable ethnic Chinese and since 1957 independence, was reelected in May last year Indian minorities. —AFP Nearly 50 die in fresh wave of CAR violence

BANGUI: Nearly 50 people have been from the African Union force MISCA said. aimed at civilians and the burning down killed in three days in a fresh surge of “Most of the victims were shot or of houses, there are also clashes that sectarian violence in the Central African stabbed to death.” appear to be coordinated attacks by Republic, a peacekeeping officer said Peacekeepers say there have been a armed groups,” both from Christian and yesterday. The violence was triggered by series of tit-for-tat attacks in the region Muslim militias, said the officer, who the killing of 17 Muslims at a camp in the following the massacre. The officer said spoke on condition of anonymity. central Bambari region on Monday, by that the violence has been carried out The Central African Republic has seen gunmen claiming to be from a mostly both by “uncontrolled individuals and by more than a year of unrest since the Christian militia called the anti-balaka. small groups”, and that civilians were mainly Muslim Seleka rebel group seized “Nearly 50 people have been killed since fleeing towards the cathedral, the arch- power in a coup, unfurling a vicious Monday during violence in the Bambari bishops palace, and local government cycle of violence with largely Christian region and nearby villages,” the officer buildings for safety. “Apart from attacks militias. The fighting has left tens of thousands dead and about a quarter of the population of some 4.5 million dis- placed. Bambari, where the ex-Seleka rebels have established their new head- quarters, is being closely watched by French soldiers from the Sangaris mis- sion and African peacekeepers from the MISCA force, although they have not been able to contain the violence. Fighting in a village outside Bambari in early June left at least 22 people dead, both Muslim and Christian, according to security officials and last week 10 bodies showing signs of torture were found in a river in the region. In a report released on Tuesday, advocacy group the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) said that “war crimes and crimes against humanity” continue to be carried out as the “conflict of impunity” rages in the for- mer French colony. “The international community must BANGUI: French soldiers of the ‘Sangaris Operation’ and soldiers of the support African, French and soon UN African-led International Support Mission to the Central African Republic forces in putting an end to these crimes, (MISCA) contingent take part in an operation to secure the perimeter protect civilians and bring those respon- around a site where World Cup football matches will be broadcast, in sible for these crimes to justice,” FIDH Bangui, Central African Republic. — AFP president Karim Lahidji said. — AFP INTERNATIONAL THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014 HK activists predict biggest protest ever

HONG KONG: Activists said yesterday they expect future may be oppressed by the central government,” democrats fear Beijing will hand-pick sympathetic can- will provoke more people to come out (for the July 1 more than half a million people to take to the streets he added. The July 1 rally in the semi-autonomous didates. Anger in the city has grown following a white rally),” he said. Three leading Taiwanese activists, one of on Hong Kong’s annual protest day in what would be Chinese city sees citizens protest on multiple issues, paper published by Beijing earlier this month that whom was planning to attend the march, said yester- the biggest march since Britain handed the city back usually dominated by calls for democratic reform. reasserts China’s control over Hong Kong. The city was day that Hong Kong had turned down their visa appli- to China. The predictions for the largest July 1 protest handed back to China by former colonial power Britain cations for the visit. “We can’t think of any reason to since the handover in 1997 came after 740,000 people A ‘landmark’ year on July 1, 1997 under a “one country, two systems” deny our entry to Hong Kong other than political rea- voted in an unofficial poll organized by pro-democra- The rally will come two days after the close of the agreement, which allows residents civil liberties not sons,” Lin Fei-fan, one of the student leaders who occu- cy activists. “We expect the numbers of participants in unofficial referendum organized by pro-democracy seen on the mainland, including free speech and the pied Taiwan’s parliament in March, said in a statement. the rally might actually exceed the numbers of 2003,” group Occupy Central. The referendum, which has right to protest. But there is increasing concern those Hong Kong lawmaker and veteran protester Leung Johnson Yeung, head of the Civil Human Rights Front, angered Beijing, puts forward proposals that would freedoms are being eroded. “I would call it a landmark Kwok-hung, known as “Long Hair”, will also not be which organizes the annual march said. give the public a say over the choice of candidates for year because the release of the white paper has present at this year’s rally after he was jailed earlier this That march saw 500,000 take to the streets in the city’s leader. Hong Kong’s chief executive is cur- aroused the fears of many people over whether ‘one month for disorderly behavior. Occupy Central is plan- protest at a security bill, which was then shelved. “If rently appointed by a 1,200-strong pro-Beijing com- country, two systems’ has come to an end,” said Ivan ning to paralyze Hong Kong’s financial district with the number exceeds that, this will be the largest (since mittee. Residents will be able to vote for chief execu- Choi, a political lecturer at the Chinese University of thousands of protesters at the end of the year if offi- the handover), said Yeung. “Hong Kong people have tive in 2017, but China has rejected the idea of giving Hong Kong. “Hong Kong society has a strong senti- cials do not allow public nomination for the city’s started to think about their future and they fear that them a say in who can stand for the post. Many pro- ment against the government, and the white paper leader. — AFP China official woos Taiwan

TAOYUAN: China’s top official in charge of tural connection to China today. Taiwan ties arrived on the island yesterday to His trip comes at a sensitive time. Protesters begin landmark talks aimed at wooing occupied Taiwan’s parliament and mounted Taiwanese who remain suspicious about a mass demonstrations over a three-week period pending trade pact and autocratic China’s starting in March in anger at the trade pact, designs on Taiwan. “It took three hours for me which will open various sectors in both to fly here from Beijing, but it took 65 years for economies. both sides across the Taiwan Strait to come this The opposition calls the pact a threat to far,” said Zhang Zhijun, director of China’s Taiwanese industry and fears it could open the Taiwan Affairs Office, as he sat down for talks door to Chinese influence on the island’s poli- with Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Minister Wang tics. Signed a year ago, it remains stalled in Yu-chi. Taiwan’s parliament and legislators are set to “I come here full of sincerity in my heart,” discuss it during a session which overlaps with said Zhang, the first head of the Taiwan Affairs Zhang’s visit. Advocates including Ma say it is a Office to visit the self-ruled and democratic vital step to normalizing ties with Beijing and island where defeated Nationalists fled after los- will provide jobs and raise living standards. ing a civil war to China’s Communists in 1949. His four-day trip will focus not on the affluent Trade no panacea capital Taipei but on the poorer middle and Nevertheless, booming trade worth nearly south, which have benefited less from trade $200 billion last year has not brought progress with China and where pro-independence senti- on political reconciliation or reduced military ment can run deep. While China regards Taiwan readiness on either side. Many Taiwanese, espe- as a renegade province and has never ruled out cially in the south, fear autocratic China’s the use of force to bring the island under its designs for their free-wheeling island. In 2008, a control, relations have improved markedly since vice president of China’s Association for China-friendly President Ma Ying-jeou took Relations Across the Taiwan Strait, a separate office in 2008. semi-official body that handled cross-strait ties China’s charm offensive with Taiwan stands in the absence of official contacts, was attacked in contrast to its ties with several countries in by independence activists while in Tainan, YANGON: Photo shows a couple crossing a road before Sule pagoda in Yangon. Proposals by radical Buddhist monks to criminalize inter-faith Asia where bitter territorial rows have flared Taiwan’s former capital and which is located marriage in Myanmar face strong opposition from women’s rights groups in a tussle over the nation’s religious identity that has sparked inter- over maritime boundaries. China has also close to Kaohsiung. recently denounced people in Chinese-run “We expect at least a dozen separate groups national alarm. — AFP Hong Kong, where hundreds of thousands have will come out to protest in Kaohsiung,” said been pushing for greater democracy. Zhang’s Shinichi Chen, general secretary of the pro- main talks, in Taoyuan just outside of Taipei, will independence South Taiwan Society. “Our Legislating love? Myanmar mulls religious marriage curbs

YANGON: Proposals by radical Buddhist monks Rohingya Muslims in western Myanmar’s religion to seek permission in writing from his to criminalize inter-faith marriage in Myanmar Rakhine state in 2012, leaving more than 200 Buddhist bride’s parents. face strong opposition from women’s rights people dead and 140,000 displaced. The dis- Nearly one hundred women’s groups signed groups in a tussle over the nation’s religious placed were mainly Rohingya, who had already a statement last month criticizing the proposals, identity that has sparked international alarm. been subject to marriage restrictions and a “two- saying they failed to acknowledge Buddhist Buddhist nationalists, feeding off the fear and child policy” in some areas.Anti-Muslim blood- women’s ability to “think rationally and make uncertainty caused by successive waves of anti- shed spread to other parts of the country last decisions” about their own lives. Muslim violence, have issued fiery pronounce- year, unearthing deep-seated animosities as the Many have since found themselves subjected ments that the very fabric of the country’s main nation emerges from totalitarian junta rule. to threats of violence through anonymous calls religion is under threat, casting a dark shadow If enacted, Farrelly said the laws could receive and messages. US Ambassador Derek Mitchell over ongoing democratic reforms. “wide support”, particularly in working-class and has said these are “unconscionable and danger- The marriage law is one of four bills suggest- middle-class Buddhist areas “where angst about ous for the health of this nascent democracy”. ed by a hardline faction within the Buddhist cler- Muslim ‘incursions’ is high” at a time of huge May Sabe Phyu, of the Gender Equality Network, gy and put to the fledgling parliament by the transition in the country. The proposed restric- said the marriage plans would do little to stop TAOYUAN: Chinese official Zhang Zhijun (left), director of the Taiwan Affairs Office, president. To “protect” Buddhism-the religion of tions-on marriage, religious conversion, abuses affecting women across communities in shakes hands with his Taiwanese counterpart Wang Yu-chi, director of Taiwan’s more than 80 percent of the population-radical polygamy and birth rate-were put forward by a Myanmar-from domestic violence, to sexual and Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) at a hotel in Taoyuan yesterday. China’s top Taiwan monks have urged boycotts of Muslim business- 200-strong group of monks called “Mabatha”, or conflict-related assaults. “We believe that nation- affairs official Zhang arrived in Taiwan for a landmark visit in a further sign of warm- es, including of Qatari telecoms firm Ooredoo, the Committee for the Protection of Nationality ality and religion are not things that have to be ing ties between the former bitter rivals. — AFP despite its promise to bring much-needed and Religion. A draft of the conversion bill- protected by legal force,” she said. She echoed affordable mobile access. And they have which would require anyone wanting to change the widely-held belief that the rise of Buddhist be with Wang. He will not meet Ma, who has demands are very simple: we want Zhang to warned that Buddhist women are at risk from religion to seek a slew of bureaucratic permis- nationalism is being used as a political tool to never held talks with senior Chinese officials as acknowledge that Taiwan is a nation that Muslim men, a tactic “calibrated for emotional sions-has already been produced. The bill “has wrong-foot Aung San Suu Kyi’s opposition president. Wang said he hoped that Zhang belongs to the Taiwanese, and that Taiwan’s impact”, said Nicholas Farrelly, a research fellow no place in the 21st century”, according to the ahead of key 2015 elections. The Nobel laureate, would come away with a better understanding future will be decided by the Taiwanese.” While at the Australian National University. US Commission on International Religious one of the few women in Myanmar’s parliament, of Taiwan and its political system. Chinese President Xi Jinping said in October Freedom, which warned that together the pro- has spoken out against the inter-faith marriage “We hope China can understand Taiwan’s that a political solution cannot be put off forev- ‘Uncertain times’ posals risk stoking violence and discrimination. proposals, but she has also disappointed political climate,” Wang said. “He will get to meet er, Ma has repeatedly said the time is not right “These calls help to generate a mood of crisis activists for saying little to dampen religious Taiwan’s grassroots. We hope he can listen to for political talks. that radicalizes those who would otherwise be ‘Protecting’ Buddhist women? intolerance. Hate speech has proliferated online the Taiwanese and understand Taiwanese peo- Tsinghua’s Zheng said Zhang’s goal was relatively apathetic about other religions in A leaflet from Mabatha claims the ills of inter- as strict junta-era controls relaxed under the ple’s life style.” Zhang’s visit also includes a more about setting up a regular channel for Myanmar,” he said. While the country is dominat- faith marriage range from rape, murder and quasi-civilian government that took power in meeting with opposition party stalwart and high-level dialogue, and that with presidential 2011. mayor of the heavily pro-independence south- elections in Taiwan just two years away he ed by ethnic Bamar Buddhists, it has sizeable forced conversion to “not saluting the Myanmar ern port city of Kaohsiung, Chen Chu. While would avoid touching on the prickly subject of religious minorities thanks in part to the legacy national flag”. It says men of minority faiths “I want to pull the hair and slap that kind of Chen has previously visited China and met political talks. “There’s no way to resolve these of British colonial rule. Christians make up should be jailed for up to a decade if they marry girl,” said one commenter on a recent Facebook Zhang there, spearheading efforts by the sensitive subjects at the moment. But perhaps around four percent of the population, and Buddhist women without first converting. posting about a Buddhist woman allegedly Democratic Progressive Party to engage with in the future this channel might be used for Muslims are thought to account for between Leading Mabatha monk Sopaka defended the abandoned by her Muslim husband. Another Beijing, such high level meetings in Taiwan itself communication on the matter,” he said. China’s four and 10 percent. The commercial hub of measures, saying they would help combat vio- said organizations opposing the inter-faith mar- with opposition figures are almost unheard of. efforts to be friendly toward Taiwan were Yangon is dominated by the glittering lence. “I really believe that this law can protect riage law were “whores”. “Nationalists who say “This will be an opportunity for Taiwan’s underscored last week by comments from its Shwedagon, a revered golden pagoda, but the Myanmar Buddhist women,” he told AFP, dis- they want to protect the country and religion opposition and people who don’t like the main- number four leader, Yu Zhengsheng, who said city also boasts dozens of churches and missing the group’s critics as having “wrong are very rude,” said May Sabe Phyu, vowing to land to get to know Zhang Zhijun, to listen to Beijing respected Taiwan’s social system and mosques. views”. Human Rights Watch has said one ver- continue to speak out “bravely and freely” him and understand that China wants to help, values. In contrast, China has branded as illegal Conflict flared between Buddhists and sion of the marriage bill requires men of another despite the threats. — AFP not harm, Taiwan’s economy,” said Zheng the campaign for more democracy in Hong Zhenqing, assistant professor at Tsinghua Kong, where many residents are concerned that University’s Institute of Taiwan Studies in civil liberties are being eroded. “The difference Beijing. Chinese state media has said Zhang Apology for World War? between Hong Kong and Taiwan is night and would also talk to small-and medium-sized day,” said Bruce Jacobs, a Taiwan expert at industries which have been hit by competition Australia’s Monash University, pointing to Hong from low-cost China and engage with Kong’s almost complete reliance on China for Taiwanese youth, few of whom feel much cul- even basics like water. —Reuters Sex slaves is again an issue t a time when constructive relations insist the women were prostitutes and were not apology. It’s time Abe made it clear to his country between Japan and South Korea are more forced into servitude by the authorities. Abe has and to the world that the “deniers” are wrong. His Aimportant than ever to Asian security, the done an injustice to the victims of this wartime continued willingness to play to that political two countries, allies of the United States, have crime and hurt his country by pandering to a nar- fringe is interfering with Japan’s ability to carry on been unable to put a difficult history behind row nationalist political fringe in ordering up the its leading role in the region. Any reasonable them. Unfortunately, that seems unlikely to report in the first place. During his first time as American strategy for managing China’s increas- change soon given the release tomorrow of a prime minister, in 2006 and 2007, he endorsed ingly aggressive actions in Asia depends heavily Japanese report on World War II sex slaves. the nationalists’ position; during his second on cooperation with Japan and South Korea. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe used the report’s tenure, which began in late 2012, he signaled that This is also an especially awkward time for release to reaffirm Japan’s commitment to a 1993 he might seek to revise the apology. Japan to leave any doubts about the issue of its statement admitting for the first time that thou- Subsequent statements, including Abe’s insis- wartime sex slaves. There has been increasing sands of women from Korea and other countries tence in March that he shared his predecessors’ and proper attention focused by the international had been coerced into providing sex to Japanese “heartache” over the women’s plight, have done community on sexual violence in armed conflict; soldiers and apologizing for those atrocities. But if little to calm South Korean apprehensions. For governments and human rights groups have this was supposed to calm tensions with South South Koreans the report - by revealing the con- demanded that offenders be prosecuted and vic- Korea it misfired, because the report appeared to sultations between the two governments when tims cared for. raise doubts about the accuracy of the 1993 apol- the 1993 statement was being drafted - shows At a conference on that issue in London this ogy. It said the apology resulted from intense that Japan has never been sincere about the month, the head of the Japanese delegation, behind-the-scenes negotiations with South Korea apology. Consultations are crucial for relations Nobuo Kishi, Abe’s brother, said: “Sexual violence and seemed to question whether it was based on between countries, especially on sensitive issues, is a crime. It is important to eliminate the culture solid evidence. and it is perverse that talks would be cast in a of impunity against the perpetrators and to TAOYUAN: A group of slogan-chanting demonstrators holds up “red cards” asking Many historians outside of Japan agree that negative light. change our mind-sets.” As a democracy and the Zhang Zhijun to leave Taiwan, outside the hotel near the airport in Taoyuan where a the Japanese military forced women to work in Japanese nationalists will undoubtedly use world’s third-largest economy, Japan cannot be meeting between China’s top Taiwan official Zhang Zhijun and Wang Yu-chi, the brothels, yet Japanese nationalists continue to the report to push the government to retract the seen as trying to rewrite its past. chairman of Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council, was to be held yesterday. — AFP

THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014 ANALYSIS

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Focus Dumb in Duma?

By Anna Smolchenko

f Russian lawmakers have their way, smoking for women under 40 will soon be banned, advertisement Ifor condoms and pregnancy tests will be banished from the pages of mainstream media and using foreign words will result in a steep fine. The latest string of initia- tives by MPs have become so bizarre that Russians say they don’t know whether to laugh or cry. One lawmaker with the Russian parliament’s lower house, the State Duma, recently proposed introducing official standards for footwear, charging that high heels and ballet flats were bad for women’s health. A legislator from the ruling United Russia party, Elena Mizulina, has put forward so many controversial ideas including proposals to ban abortions and surrogate motherhood that Russians have launched an online peti- tion calling for her sanity to be checked. “It is no secret that Elena Mizulina, chairperson of the State Duma’s fami- ly issues committee is coming forward with increasingly absurd bills,” said the petition signed by more than Palestinians say hunger strike ‘only choice’ 100,000 people. “We request that the health ministry allo- cate its best experts to have Elena Mizulina’s mental By John Davison his only weapon against administrative 75 of them were being treated in hospital double following a vast arrest operation to health examined,” it said. “Mentally ill people have no detention. due to their rapidly failing health, the IPS find those behind the suspected kidnap- place in the State Duma.” tuck indefinitely in Israeli jails, “When a person is being oppressed, he said. Some of the strikers were kept alive ping of three Israeli teenagers on June 12. While some of the bills may not pass muster, others Palestinian prisoners see starving will do anything. By striking, I just wanted with vitamins and sugars, but others took So far, Israel has arrested 371 Palestinians are likely to sail through. President Vladimir Putin has Sthemselves - to death if necessary - as to end my oppression - either by being only water for the duration, according to with most expected to be held without signed off on a ban on the use of swear words in films, their only choice in the face of archaic freed, or to the point where I didn’t want to prisoners’ rights group Addameer. charge. Amal Irhiyeh, mother of the theatre, media and art that will enter into force on July 1. detention laws. During the night, dozens live anymore,” Labboum told AFP by tele- Administrative detention is a procedure youngest hunger striker, 19-year-old The initiatives come amid a fresh wave of anti-Western of prisoners who had refused food for 62 phone. He was never given a reason for his that dates back to the British Mandate of Ahmed al-Rimawi, despaired that the cycle propaganda and the deadly crisis in Ukraine. Many say days ended their hunger strike following a arrest, nor for his eventual release. “They Palestine (1920 to 1948), allowing would never end. “Tomorrow, they’ll round some bills - like the proposed ban on foreign words - call deal with the Israel Prisons Service (IPS). All accused me of belonging to Hamas, but I detainees to be held without charge for up dozens of young men and go through to mind the infamous Stalin-era “anti-cosmopolitan” cam- were protesting over being held without told them this wasn’t true... they kept me indefinitely renewable six-month periods. the same motions, putting them in admin- paign that sought to root out all things bourgeois. trial or charge under procedure called locked up telling me it was a ‘secret’ mat- Rights groups have slammed Israel’s use of istrative detention and accusing them of administrative detention, which can last ter, and brought no charges against me.” the colonial-era laws, and the Palestinian belonging to Hamas,” she said. ‘A New Level of Idiocy’ for years. Although there were no immedi- leadership has urged international pres- Despite the risks, the families fully sup- Everyday Russians don’t mince words, saying the par- ate details on the deal, the IPS said it ‘Secret Evidence’ sure on Israel to “annul” the procedure. port their loved ones’ decision. “At first I liament has gone off the deep end. “When I heard about would not involve suspending administra- Fellow prisoner Rami Barghuti refused Although the army did not respond to didn’t agree with it, but when I saw that a ban on trainers and high heels I was puzzled,” said tive detention, a practice which has driven food for 26 days, and was released late an AFP request for comment, former IPS this is a case of a person exercising the one Elizaveta Krasnopevtseva, a 17-year-old Muscovite. “I had many to the brink of despair. May after four months of detention with- commissioner Orit Adato said holding pris- right he has, I accepted it,” Irhiyeh said. In a thought you can’t reach such level of idiocy. You can’t Nidal Labboum, one of the first to join out trial. “I had headaches, joint and mus- oners without charge was the only way to move aimed at thwarting future hunger impose all these bans on an entire people,” she added. the strike when it began on April 24, vivid- cle pain, and I’m still suffering from pain protect Israel’s network of Palestinian strikes, Israel is rushing through a bill Russian lawmakers insist though that they are deadly ly recounts his ordeal a month after he was today, in my intestines and in my stomach. informants. “This procedure is used when allowing the force-feeding of those in criti- serious. Ivan Nikitchuk, a Communist Party deputy, vigor- hospitalised and then released from Israeli I still can’t eat all foods,” Barghuti said. it’s clear we have someone dangerous on cal condition after refusing food, with a ously defended his bill to ban smoking for women under custody. “I lost around a quarter of my “Administrative detention is tyrannical. our hands... but a trial would involve parliamentary vote due Monday. Rights 40 and in the presence of children under 14. “We don’t body weight during the strike. My own son There are no accusations - anything they revealing our sources, putting them in groups are up in arms over the bill, and the want to ban everything,” the 70-year-old told AFP. “What didn’t even recognise me when I got out,” claim to have against you is a ‘secret’. “So danger,” she said. families are deeply concerned. “It just we want is to leave behind a healthy generation.” he said after 36 days of refusing food the strike was the last resort and our only denies them their rights, and denies them Mikhail Degtyaryov of the ultra-nationalist Liberal which left him exhausted, with viral infec- choice - even if it led to death.” The only Right Remaining their only form of resistance,” said Sima Democratic Party who is promoting the foreign words tions and liver disease. But 34-year-old The Palestinian Prisoners Club says Of the 5,000 Palestinians held in Israeli Mutawalli whose fiance was one of those ban said Russians need to be prodded in the right direc- Labboum, who spent 16 months locked up around 120 prisoners began the latest prisons, around 200 are administrative refusing food. “Even if it saved my fiance’s tion. “If people are allowed to do everything they want, without being told why, said the strike was strike, and by the time the deal was struck, detainees, but that number looks set to life, I’d be against it.” — AFP we would return to the Stone Age,” the 32-year-old deputy told AFP. The State Duma in its current make-up was elected in 2011 amid claims of rampant fraud in favour of the ruling party. Widespread electoral violations Belief they can stay drive migrants to US triggered huge anti-Kremlin protests but Putin dismissed calls to disband the parliament. By Alberto Arce safely surrender to authorities the moment native countries. “The story is that you farm in the countryside. “I lived through they set foot in the US has changed the have to give yourself up to the Border the war but this is different,” he said. ‘Lawmakers are no Fools’ n the last day of school Gladys calculus of tens of thousands of parents Patrol, provide a contact in the United “Before, we knew who was shooting. Perhaps, analysts say, it is not surprising then that the Chinoy memorized her mother’s who no longer worry about their children States and you’ll be freed even though Today nobody knows ... If you have little compliance of the rubber-stamp parliament reached new Ophone number in New York City and finishing the dangerous trip north through they give you a court date far in the kids, young ones, it’s better to go so they heights during Putin’s third term. “Lawmakers are not boarded a bus to Guatemala’s northern Mexico with a potentially deadly multiday future,” said Ruben Figueroa, a member of don’t go into the gangs . the stores are fools or psychopaths. They are trying to guess what the border. With nothing but the clothes on hike through the desert Southwest. “The the Mesoamerica Migrant Movement, who closing because they get asked for payoffs system - that is Putin - wants from them,” said pro-opposi- her back, the 14-year-old took a truck-tire United States is giving us a great opportu- works in a shelter for migrants crossing the and can’t pay, so it’s better to close.” tion analyst Dmitry Oreshkin. “What would appear com- raft across the Naranjo River into Mexico nity because now, with this new law, we southeast Mexico state of Tabasco. “If you Quinteros said she believed she was sav- pletely absurd five years ago today is being discussed and joined a group of five women and a don’t have to try to cross the desert where combine this information with the vio- ing her children by fleeing to a place where and sometimes adopted.” Soon after Putin was inaugurat- dozen children waiting with one of the so many people die. We can hand our- lence in the streets and extortion keeping they wouldn’t be subject to gang recruit- ed for the new term, Russian legislators moved to smugglers who are paid $6,000 to $7,000 selves over directly to the authorities,” people from living their lives, the result is a ment. “On the way north you have the unleash a crackdown on dissenters. Then they pushed for each migrant they take to the US. Gladys said, adding that she hopes to massive exodus.” hope of living and the risk of death,” she through bills banning gay propaganda to minors in a bid The women and children waited by the become a doctor. Rocio Quinteros worked selling snacks said. “Back home death is certain.” The to promote the country as a bastion of family values. train tracks in this small town in the south- in front of a school in San Miguel, 80 miles Obama administration said Friday that it The new eyebrow-raising initiatives, critics say, reflect ern state of Chiapas until the shriek of a Worth it outside the capital of El Salvador, until was opening family detention centers on a severe crisis of ideas in a country whose authorities train whistle and the glare of headlights The smiling teenager with long black gangsters’ demands for a percentage of the border to reduce the number of brook no dissent. “There is almost no need for lawmakers pierced the night. Suddenly, dozens of hair said she was more excited about see- her income made it impossible to make a women and children that are released. Vice to write normal bills: everything that should be passed teens and mothers with young children ing her mother again than she was scared living. She said that when she could no President Joe Biden flew to Guatemala the gets submitted to the Duma from the Kremlin or the gov- flooded out of darkened homes and budg- about the trip. Her mother said she was longer afford to pay, members of the Mara same day to emphasize the dangers of the ernment,” wrote mass-circulation daily Moskovsky et hotels, rushing to grab the safest places aware of the dangers but finally decided Salvatrucha gang threatened to recruit her northbound journey and the low chances Komsomolets. The newspaper suggested that the law- on the roof of the northbound freight train the risk was worth it after five years apart. 14-year-old son instead. This month, she of staying in the US for good. It’s a tough makers proposing seemingly absurd initiatives were and join a deluge of children and mothers Reached by phone at home, the mother told local gang members she was taking sell for Central American migrants who say guided by an ulterior motive and sought to raise their that is overwhelming the US immigration said she decided to send for her daughter her four children, ages 11 to 17, to see life at home has simply become intolerable. profile ahead of parliamentary polls in 2016. “The only system. because “if she gets across she can stay their sick grandmother in another city. As Gladys and her companions boarded hope is that the Kremlin’s patience will one day run out The number of unaccompanied minors here, that’s what you hear.” “Now they say Then they abandoned their packed-dirt the train Thursday night, Natanael Lemus, and the Duma will get a bill banning lawmakers from detained on the US border has more than that all children need to do is hand them- home on the northeastern edge of the city a 30-year-old mechanic from El Salvador, writing bills themselves,” the daily quipped. tripled since 2011. Children are also widely selves over to the Border Patrol,” said the and headed north. dragged his 10-year-old son, Edwin, and Russians say there is little they can do, especially now believed to be crossing with their parents mother, who declined to provide her name “They ask you for 100 and you give it, 12-year-old daughter, Cynthia, by the that the parliament has all but outlawed opposition rallies in rising numbers, although the Obama because she is in the US illegally. then they ask for 200, and they suffocate hands as he ran alongside, asking those and curtailed freedom of speech. And like many times in administration has not released year-by- The migrants’ faith isn’t totally mis- you until you have to hand over every- already aboard for help getting them onto the past they fall back on gallows humour to tough it out. year figures. The crisis has sparked weeks placed. While Mexicans generally are thing, even your house,” she said as she the roof. On the crowded and slippery roof, “It is 2015,” goes a joke posted by Twitter user Alexei of bitter political debate inside the US, returned across the border quickly when waited with her youngest child in the Lemus cut black plastic trash bags into Fedotov. “A woman who wore trainers, smoked at a bus with the administration saying crime is they’re caught, overwhelmed border facili- women’s section of Arriaga’s migrant shel- raincoats for his wife and kids and tied stop and publicly pronounced the foreign word ‘manage- driving migrants north from Central ties leave the government with no way to ter. “If we had stayed in El Salvador, I them to the train with ropes so they ment’ was burnt on Red Square.” — AFP America and congressional Republicans care for most Central American children already would have had to bury one of my wouldn’t fall off. He explained that he saying Obama’s policies is leading and their parents. The Central American sons.” With no toys to entertain them, the wanted to leave behind his workshop in migrants to believe children and their minors who cross the border alone have children in the women’s section watch TV the capital, San Salvador, because extor- mothers will be allowed to stay. generally been released into the care of until their parents hear the train is on its tion made it impossible to earn a living. All articles appearing on these In interviews along the primary migrant relatives already in the US, while mothers way. As she waited, Quinteros spoke to her “If you buy a car, they come to extort pages are the personal opinion of route north to the United States, dozens of with children are let go with a notice to older children through the bars of the met- you. A machine for the workshop, they the writers. Kuwait Times takes no migrants like Gladys indicated that both appear later in immigration court. al door of the men’s section of the shelter. come to extort you. If they see you put on responsibility for views expressed sides are right. A vast majority said they While many children and families may some nice pants or sneakers, they come were fleeing gang violence that has eventually be ordered out of the US, many Constant Fear to extort you,” Lemus said. “You can’t work therein. Kuwait Times invites read- reached epidemic levels in Guatemala, are reporting in calls back home that In Carmensa, the neighborhood that like that. You go bankrupt.” He said that ers to voice their opinions. Please Honduras and El Salvador in recent years. they’re free to move around the US while she and her children abandoned, dozens after taking his wife and children safely send submissions via email to: opin- The migrants also uniformly said they their cases wind through a process that of homes sit empty because their owners north he would wait in Mexico for a decided to head north because they had can take years. The Obama administration have gone to the United States. The chance to cross on his own and hopefully [email protected] or via snail heard that a change in US law requires the estimates that between Oct 2013 and Sept remaining residents described daily lives not get caught. But most important, he mail to PO Box 1301 Safat, Kuwait. Border Patrol to swiftly release children 2014 it will have caught 90,000 children marred by constant fear. Gonzalo said, was getting his wife and children The editor reserves the right to edit and their mothers and let them stay in the trying to illegally cross the Mexican border Velasquez, 66, said he had fled the coun- into the hands of the Border Patrol, the United States. without their parents. Last year, the US tryside for San Miguel when El Salvador’s first step in what he hoped would be a any submission as necessary. The belief that women and children can returned fewer than 2,000 children to their 1980s civil war forced him off his small new and better life. — AP NEWS THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014

Some of the thousands of platinum mineworkers report for work at the Lonmin Anglo American platinum mine in Marikana, South Africa yesterday, following the resolution of a five-month strike in the sector. — AP

Amir warns ‘futile’ row can destabilize... 72 in race for 5 seats Continued from Page 1 tion or corrupt persons. We can never accept any infringe- Continued from Page 1 whelmingly a pro-government house. ment on the sanctity of public funds. In another development, the National Assembly yester- “I’ve had candid brotherly meetings with a number of “To the contrary, we stand firm against anybody who Opposition groups, which boycotted the previous two day agreed to refer the controversial Gulf security pact to its citizens and I felt their concern and dismay over the futile might think of tampering with public funds and call upon parliamentary elections in Dec 2012 and July last year in legal and legislative committee to examine if its articles are controversy which could destabilize the country. There is all citizens to follow suit and cooperate with the investiga- protest against the amendment of the electoral law, are in line with the Kuwaiti constitution. The decision was taken urgent need to break this vicious cycle in order to continue tive agencies by providing them with any relevant docu- again shunning the polls. Nevertheless, a number of promi- despite protests by a number of MPs, but Speaker Marzouq our march towards comprehensive development. Now ments. It hurts me the most that such acts and practices nent politicians, former MPs and candidates are in the fray. Al-Ghanem said that the decision will resolve constitutional that the whole case and documents are in the hands of the take place while Kuwait is under great dangers and facing In the second constituency, former Shiite MP Ahmad Lari is doubts about the pact, which Kuwait is the only Gulf public prosecution, everybody, I say again everybody, has serious challenges, as around us the displaced are in the contesting against 21 other candidates who include former Cooperation Council (GCC) member that has not ratified. to stop the controversy over this subject pending a verdict millions and victims are falling by the hundreds day by candidates Khalifa Al-Khorafi, Abdulwahed Khalfan and The Assembly also passed key amendments to the 1993 by our judiciary, known for their fairness and integrity. day,” the Amir said. Islamist Abdulrahman Al-Nassar in addition to prominent and 1995 housing welfare laws to accelerate the pace of “I assure you there will be no leniency for anybody who “We are in dire need for unity and cohesion, and stand- writer Fajr Al-Saeed. Lari is the official representative of the providing houses to Kuwaiti citizens who now wait for as proves to be tampering with state funds or involved in illic- ing together in order to escape these dangers. We do not National Islamic Alliance which has two MPs in the long as 15 years to get homes. Around 110,000 Kuwaiti it gains. If anybody has documents relevant to the case, have the luxury of division, useless controversy and politi- Assembly. couples are waiting for their turn to get houses. The law they should present them to the public prosecution - this cal bickering while calamities are at our doorsteps. Are you In the third constituency, prominent candidates include allows for the participation of the private sector in solving is a national duty. It’s now clear that raising this issue and aware of what is happening not so far from us? As proud members of the scrapped Dec 2012 Assembly Abdullah the housing problem in Kuwait and makes it mandatory for relating rumors after referring the issue to the public pros- as we are of the virtue of freedom as a civilized achieve- Mayouf, Nasser Al-Marri, Hisham Al-Baghli and business- the government to provide land to build 50,000 homes in a ecution is not a pointless matter; it’s rather part of a ment, we also must maintain it - its value is in its legal and man Saud Sahoud Al-Mutairi. Former minister and MP year’s time. planned and large-scale design aiming to destabilize the moral frameworks that respect freedoms of others and Thekra Al-Rasheedi is the most prominent candidate in the Head of the housing committee MP Rakan Al-Nasef said country, its constitution and institutions, and undermine safeguard their dignities. Freedom, responsibility and dia- fourth constituency along with former members of the Dec the amendments provide for partial reforms to the housing the principles on which the Kuwaiti society is based,” logue are inseparable, or chaos, destruction and conflict 2012 Assembly Mohammad Al-Barrak and Mubarak Al- law and more reforms will be made later. During the ses- Sheikh Sabah warned. would be the alternative. Najadah. Polls open at 8.00 am for 12 hours with results sion, MPs traded barbs about events in Iraq and Syria, but “This design aims also to undermine the trust of the citi- “Freedom is useless if it jeopardizes Kuwait’s safety and expected well before midnight. The outcome is not expect- deputy speaker Mubarak Al-Khrainej immediately inter- zens in the future of their homeland, weaken national uni- security, goes against our religion and sharia, tears down ed to change the balance in the Assembly, which is over- vened to stop the debate. ty, and make our country, God forbid, a prey to our ene- our values and ethics, crosses over the law and disrespects mies. Do you accept such a fate? It’s a sacred duty to judiciary, spreads prejudice and brings about chaos and defend the security, stability and sovereignty of Kuwait; we destruction. I am certain that our beloved Kuwait is dedicate ourselves to this responsibility which should be immune against whoever wants to harm it and will always shouldered relentlessly by all of us. Everybody has to be home to prosperity and safety and a beacon of civiliza- understand that we never allow connivance over corrup- tion,” Sheikh Sabah concluded.

Maliki rejects salvation govt

Continued from Page 1 offensive was repelled in Haditha, in western Anbar province. elections, which they describe as a sham, Maliki said that The local unit of Al-Qaeda’s Syrian branch in the tinder- would be a “coup against the constitution and the political box town of Albu Kamal on the Iraqi border pledged loyalty process”. The incumbent premier, whose electoral bloc won yesterday to ISIL, giving it control over both sides of the fron- by far the most seats in April, said such a move was “an tier. The move reflects how ISIL is fast gaining the upper attempt by those who are against the constitution to elimi- hand in eastern Syria, where it has been locked in combat nate the young democratic process and steal the votes of with fighters from the Al-Qaeda franchise, Al-Nusra Front, the voters.” He warned against exploiting “what the country and allied local rebels virtually all year. is facing... in order to achieve political gains.” ISIL seized Abu Qaim on the Iraqi side earlier this week, Though Washington has pressed for Iraq’s leaders to with Albu Kamal opposite it in Syria. An ISIL jihadist con- unite in the face of the two-week campaign, led by the firmed the reports on Twitter, posting a photo showing an Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), the country’s frac- Egyptian Al-Nusra Front commander shaking hands with an tious political blocs have shown little sign of coming togeth- ISIL leader of Chechen origin. Although both ISIL and Al- er. US “support will be intense, sustained, and if Iraq’s leaders Nusra are rooted in Al-Qaeda, they have been rivals for take the necessary steps to bring the country together, it will much of the time since ISIL became involved in Syria’s civil be effective,” Secretary of State John Kerry said during a visit war in spring 2013. “They are rivals, but both groups are to Iraq in which he met numerous politicians and urged jihadist and extremists. This move will create tension now them to work together. with other rebel groups, including Islamists, in the area,” said However, US President Barack Obama has so far refrained Syrian Observatory for Human Rights director Rami Abdel from carrying out air strikes on the insurgents, as urged by Rahman. Maliki. Washington has stopped short of calling for Maliki to Meanwhile, Deir Ezzor province’s rebel spokesman Omar go, but there is little doubt it feels he has squandered the Abu Leyla warned that “Albu Kamal is a red line.” If ISIL fight- opportunity to rebuild Iraq since American troops withdrew ers cross over from Iraq, he said the opposition “Free Syrian in 2011. Kerry is to hold back-to-back meetings today with Army will fight them.” Rebels fighting ISIL and the regime of Gulf allies in Paris to brief them on his talks in Iraq and dis- Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad distributed amateur video cuss Syria’s three-year civil war. footage of a rebel parade in Albu Kamal, which Abu Leyla Yesterday, Maliki’s security spokesman said US advisers described as a warning to the jihadists positioned just across had begun meeting with Iraqi commanders, adding that: the border. Abu Leyla complained that “the FSA has received “We hope that there will be a true (US) intervention in order no external support at all, even though we are fighting ISIL.” to offer real help for Iraq.” The first of up to 300 US military Separately yesterday, the Syrian air force raided ISIL-con- advisers began their mission to help the Iraqi army on trolled Raqa in the north of the country and Muhassen in the Tuesday, but the Pentagon said they were not taking on a east. In Raqa, “12 civilians, including a woman and a child, combat role. “This isn’t about rushing to the rescue,” were killed in the air strikes. Not one strike directly hit an ISIL spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby said Tuesday. Their pri- position.” The Assad regime has rarely targeted ISIL-held mary task is to evaluate Baghdad’s forces, with the Pentagon areas, except in recent days after the group and other Sunni saying the US had expanded its surveillance flights over Iraq, militants launched an offensive in Iraq, wresting control of conducting 30-35 sorties daily. Mosul and other parts of Iraq. Washington has said it has received legal guarantees Yesterday, militants bombed two Shiite places of worship from Iraq to shield the advisers, but they fall short of the par- known as husseiniyahs, damaging the structures in northern liament-approved legal immunity it demanded during talks Iraq without causing any casualties. ISIL adheres to a harsh on a post-2011 American military presence in the country. interpretation of Islamic law and considers Iraq’s majority The US advisers come as the Iraqi military is performing bet- Shiite population to be heretics. It aims to create an Islamic ter after wilting in the initial stages of the militant onslaught, state straddling Iraq and Syria, where it has become a major which began on June 9. Loyalists fought off insurgent force in the rebellion against President Bashar Al-Assad. It attacks on a major air base and a key western town yester- has commandeered an enormous quantity of cash and day, after repelling assaults on Iraq’s biggest oil refinery. resources during the advance, boosting its coffers. The Militants and security forces clashed periodically overnight, United Nations says at least 1,075 people have been killed, but government troops maintained control of the Balad air an estimated three-quarters of them civilians, and 658 base, said a tribal leader and a security official. Another wounded in Iraq between June 5 and 22. — Agencies

UK minister: ISIL poses no immediate... Continued from Page 1 terms of captured territory are largely by default since in many instances the Iraqi army did not resist or abandoned US President Barak Obama has also called on Maliki to their posts. “They are an opportunistic insurgency group,” form a unity government in order to draw support away he said, noting ISIL would find difficulty in holding territory from ISIL, which in the last few weeks has taken a broad when faced with a well trained and disciplined military. swathe of northern and western Iraq including Mosul and Hammond suggested that Baghdad would need to com- has wide support among Iraq’s politically marginalized mit to a unity government that allowed for greater power Sunni tribes. sharing among the country’s various sects and groups and Hammond also noted that ISIL’s military successes in that more power would need to devolve to the regions. p16 2_Layout 1 6/25/14 9:45 PM Page 1

THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014 SPORTS

Mancini early favorite Giro stage winner Promising Pollard gets to be next Italy coach Ulissi fails drugs test Bok cap against Scots CAPE TOWN: IRB Junior World Player of the Year Handre Pollard will receive his RIO DE JANEIRO: Former Inter Milan and Manchester City manager PARIS: Italian rider Diego Ulissi failed a drugs test conducted during this first South Africa cap when he starts at flyhalf in the one-off test against Scotland Roberto Mancini has emerged as the early favorite to be the next Italy year’s Giro d’Italia for the banned substance salbutamol, his Lampre- in Port Elizabeth on Saturday. The rising Bulls star, who recently captained South coach after Cesare Prandelli resigned following the Azzurri’s World Cup exit Merida team said yesterday. on Tuesday. Italy’s 1-0 defeat by Uruguay sent them out of the tournament “The results of the test from the UCI (International Cycling Union) Africa to second place at the Junior Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, is one of following a loss to Costa Rica and a win over England in Group D and report the presence in the urine of the athlete of an abnormal amount of five uncapped players in the 23-man matchday squad announced by coach Prandelli said he took responsibility for the failure. salbutamol (1900 ng/ml), higher than the limit allowed by the regula- Heyneke Meyer on Wednesday. Influential daily newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport tions, which sees the limit at 1000 ng/ml,” Lampre-Merida said in a state- “Handre is a very talented player and has a big opportunity cited Mancini as the most likely to be offered the ment. The test was carried out after the 11th stage in the Giro last month. this week, but he’ll have (scrumhalf) Fourie du Preez’s experi- job along with former AC Milan coach Massimiliano Ulissi, 24, won the fifth and eighth stages before dropping out of the ence next to him, while he’s played a lot with (centre) Jan Allegri. Mancini is available after leaving Turkish race after the 17th stage. Lampre-Merida said the rider had declared, pri- Serfontein before,” Meyer said in a statement. club Galatasaray this month and he has the back- or to the test, having taken Ventolin, an asthma treatment that contains The other four uncapped players are on the bench and con- ing of Sampdoria coach Sinisa Mihajlovic. salbutamol. “Ventolin is permitted and was necessary because Ulissi was sist of prop Marcel van der Merwe, lock Stephan Lewies, “I think of the names being mentioned, Mancini suffering from bronchospasm,” the team statement added. “As usual, all loose-forward Teboho Mohoje and fyhalf Marnitz is the most appropriate - he is relatively young but previous inhalations of Ventolin had been correctly declared. Boshoff. Other changes to the starting lineup from the has experience. He has coached in Italy and interna- “The rider, as per internal team sanitary code, will be provisionally side these squeezed a fortuitous 31-30 victory over tionally, he has won in Italy and abroad,” Mihajlovic, suspended. Consequently he will not be attending the (Italian) nation- Wales last weekend see wing Lwazi Mvovo, flank who was a team mate of Mancini’s at Lazio, told al team training camp, and he requests the opening and analysis of Schalk Burger, lock Lood de Jager and prop Coenie Gazzetta.—Reuters sample B.—Reuters Oosthuizen all return to the team.—Reuters

VIVA organizes Murray dumps Rola as exciting World Cup #VIVAVespa draw Li Na, Venus advance at 360 Mall LONDON: Defending champion Andy three-time quarter-finalist at the All KUWAIT: VIVA, Kuwait’s fastest-growing and most Murray handed out a tough Wimbledon England Club, swept to a 6-2, 6-2 victory developed telecom operator, announced that it will lesson to Slovenian grasscourt rookie Blaz over Austria’s Yvonne Meusburger, hitting hold the upcoming draw for both its postpaid and pre- Rola yesterday as Li Na and Venus Williams 33 winners to just four from the world paid customers to win Vespa scooters with World Cup struck early blows for the thirty-some- number 38. designs at 360 Mall today at 6pm. things. Murray, the third seed, coasted to a Second seed Li, 32, goes on to face The 360 Mall prize draw will be for a Manchester 6-1, 6-1, 6-0 mauling of 23-year-old Rola Barbora Zahlavova Strycova of the Czech United branded Vespa scooter, where VIVA’s customers who was playing just the 10th match of Republic. She said she was unconcerned as well as mall visitors can enter this draw through his career having only graduated from uni- about her 21 unforced errors. coupons they receive at the Mall when they go to versity in Ohio last year. “If you want to play more aggressive, attend the event. To be eligible to enter the draw, par- The British star eased to victory in just this is the normal way,” she explained. ticipants must be present at the event wearing any 84 minutes, hitting seven aces and 27 win- Five-time champion Williams, 34, and Manchester United memorabilia. This process will be ners against the world number 92 and playing in her 17th Wimbledon, defeated under the supervision of VIVA’s executives along with goes on to face either Jan Hernych of the pint-sized Japanese Kurumi Nara 7-6 (7/4), the Ministry of Commerce’s Consumer Protection rep- Czech Republic or Spanish 27th seed 6-1 in a battle of little and large on Court resentative. Roberto Bautista Agut for a place in the 3. The American, who is the oldest woman In addition, VIVA will be organizing a treasure hunt last 16. left in the draw, stands at an imposing at 360 Mall to win the remaining two Vespa scooters. “It’s his first year on grass so it was 1.85m (6ft 1in) compared to Nara’s 1.55m The treasure hunt is a social media campaign that VIVA tough for him. But he has a good game (5ft 1n) and the difference in stature-both will launch ahead of the draw event, where partici- and he’ll keep improving,” said Murray. “I physical and sporting-eventually told pants who answer specific questions correctly and fol- took care of my serve for the majority of despite the world number 41 breaking lowing the electronic draw, four winners will be select- the match and I played well. If you can fin- early in both sets. ed to enter the treasure hunt competition at the mall. ish matches as quick as possible then Williams will face 2011 champion Petra Each of the four winners can bring three team- that’s better in the long run.” Kvitova in the third round if the Czech mates, making the four teams of four players compet- French Open semi-finalist Ernests sixth seed beats Germany’s Mona Barthel. ing in the live treasure hunt following the Manchester Gulbis became the highest ranked man to “Feeling good getting into the next United Draw. The two winning teams will win a Vespa lose so far when the 12th seed went down round,” said Williams.”I think we both play each to be given to the team leader. The first of these 2 to Sergiy Stakhovsky of the Ukraine, 6-4, 6- a similar game, really go for it and she’s winners will choose his/her Vespa, the 2nd winner will 3, 7-6 (7/5). one of the kind of players that can get take the other. Stakhovksy, who shocked Roger really hot and every time she plays me, The draw campaign started on 22 May and will last Federer in the second round in 2013, next she plays really well, so I have to be ready WIMBLEDON: Li Na of China plays a return to Yvonne Meusburger of Austria during until 14 July 2014, where postpaid and prepaid cus- faces either France’s Jeremy Chardy or for that.” their women’s singles match at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships.—AP tomers will earn one point for every KD5 spent on their Australia’s Marinko Matosevic. Polish fourth seed Agnieszka bill payment or recharge usage. Each point will count The colourful Gulbis then denied he Radwanska, the 2012 runner-up, also went only top seed in the history of the tourna- 11th seeded Bulgarian, faces Australia’s as one entry into the draw, so the more points accu- had lost all of his $500,000 winnings from through with a 6-4, 6-0 win over Australia’s ment to lose in the second round when he Luke Saville in a clash of two former junior mulated by a customer, the more chances they will the French Open in a Riga casino. “I went Casey Dellacqua and next meets either was beaten by Peter Doohan 27 years ago. champions. have of winning. to play blackjack, but there was no word Portuguese qualifier Michelle Larcher de Djokovic, the champion in 2011, isn’t likely Meanwhile, 1997 singles champion The upcoming draws will take place on 3 July, 10 how much I won or how much I lost. They Brito or Australia’s Jarmila Gajdosova. to fall into the same trap as he takes a 10-1 Martina Hingis appears at the All England July and 14 July 2014. VIVA invites its customers to par- (reporters) asked me how much I lost. I Later Wednesday, top seed Novak career record over Stepanek into their Club for the first time since 2007 when she ticipate in this exciting draw campaign which is appli- said, A lot. I was joking,” he said. Djokovic takes on Czech veteran Radek Centre Court meeting. teams up with Russia’s Vera Zvonareva in cable for existing and new postpaid (Voice and data) “Next day in Latvia they say I lost all my Stepanek for a place in the last 32 hoping Stepanek beat Wimbledon champion the women’s doubles first round. and prepaid (voice only) customers who pay their bills winnings. My mother sends me a message to avoid the fate suffered by his coach Andy Murray at Queen’s Club two weeks Hingis won nine Grand Slam doubles through VIVA’s website, VIVA’s application or by calling next day asking am I crazy. I may be but Boris Becker in 1987. ago but his sole win over Djokovic was titles in her career but she and Zvonareva the Call Center at 102 giving customers a chance to I’m not stupid.” The German legend, who captured way back in 2006. have a tough opener against fourth seeds win a brand new World Cup Vespa scooter. Australian Open champion Li Na, a three Wimbledon titles in his career, is the Queen’s champion Grigor Dimitrov, the Cara Black and Sania Mirza.—AFP Nationals beat Brewers

MILWAUKEE: Ryan Zimmerman’s two-run home pitcher for Arizona, pitched a scoreless 14th. run single in the ninth that pulled Tampa Bay to run in the 16th inning lifted the Washington 6-5. Chris Archer (4-5) gave up five runs and sev- Nationals to a 4-2 victory over the Milwaukee DODGERS 2, ROYALS 0 en hits in seven innings for the Rays, who have Brewers on Tuesday. Clayton Kershaw followed his first career no- lost 20 of 28. Zimmerman hit a 2-0 pitch off Mike Fiers (0-1) hitter with eight marvelous innings, amd Adrian over the wall in left field to score Adam LaRoche Gonzalez and Andre Ethier drove in a run apiece BLUE JAYS 7, YANKEES 6 for the Nationals fourth consecutive win. Tyler to lead Los Angeles. Kershaw (8-2) allowed six Jose Reyes atoned for a pair of misplays by Clippard (5-2) pitched a scoreless 15th for the hits and a walk while striking out eight. The two- hitting a leadoff double in the ninth inning and win. Rafael Soriano pitched the 16th for his 18th time Cy Young winner hasn’t allowed a run in 21 scoring when Yankees third baseman Yangervis save. With one out in the 16th, LaRoche hit a 1-3 innings, spanning his near-perfect game Solarte threw away a bunt, lifting Toronto past sharp single that bounced off the wall in right against Colorado on Wednesday - the only run- New York. field. Zimmerman then hit his third home run of ner occurred on an error - and his previous start The Yankees trailed 6-0 before tying it, then the year to give the Nationals the lead in a game against Arizona. lost their fourth in a row. Reyes doubled off that took 5 hours, 22 minutes. The Brewers Kenley Jansen pitched a perfect ninth for his Adam Warren (1-4) into the right-field corner. threatened in the 13th, 14th and 15th innings, 23rd save. Danny Duffy (4-7) dueled admirably Melky Cabrera followed with a sacrifice bunt, and but couldn’t score. with Kershaw for six innings, allowing one run on Warren and Solarte seemed to hesitate over who four hits and four walks. But the left-hander was would field it. Solarte picked up the ball and DIAMONDBACKS 9, INDIANS 8 done in by a high pitch count, needing a season- threw it past second baseman Brian Roberts cov- Aaron Hill singled in Gerardo Parra from third high 105, and was eventually lifted to protect his ering at first. The ball sailed into foul territory in the 14th inning to lift Arizona past Cleveland surgically repaired shoulder. down the right-field line and Reyes trotted MILWAUKEE: Washington Nationals’ Jayson Werth makes a sliding catch on a ball hit by just past midnight in a game that matched the home. Casey Janssen (2-0) worked one inning for Milwaukee Brewers’ Jean Segura during the 14th inning of a baseball game. —AP longest in Chase Field history. PIRATES 6, RAYS 5 the victory. ond, four pitches after Granderson hit a two-run Parra tied his career high with five hits in a Andrew McCutchen drove in two runs, Jeff drive for the Mets first back-to back homers since TIGERS 8, RANGERS 2 game that saw Cleveland tie it with a run in the Locke pitched into the eighth inning, and WHITE SOX 4, ORIOLES 2 Sept. 14. Ian Kinsler homered in the first at-bat of his ninth and both teams score two in the 11th. At 5 Pittsburgh beat Tampa Bay. The Pirates have the Jose Quintana allowed one run in seven return to Texas as an opponent and J.D. Martinez hours, 32 minutes, the game matched the NL’s best record (27-18) since May 6, and moved innings, Gordon Beckham homered and Chicago PHILLIES 7, MARLINS 4 had a tiebreaking two-run shot as the Detroit Diamondbacks’ 10-9 win against St. Louis on above .500 (39-38) for the first time since starting snapped a five-game losing streak. Marlon Byrd hit a two-run homer, David Tigers beat the Rangers 8-2 on Tuesday night. April 3, 2013. the season 7-6. Alexei Ramirez had two hits and scored twice Buchanan threw five effective innings and The AL Central-leading Tigers won their fifth Parra singled off Mark Lowe (0-1), the McCutchen had an RBI single during a three- for the last-place White Sox, who had lost nine of Philadelphia beat Miami. Buchanan (4-3) allowed consecutive game. Kinsler spent the first eight Indians’ 10th pitcher. He stole second and run third inning that put the Pirates ahead 4-0. 11 overall and eight straight on the road. two runs and six hits to help the Phillies snap a seasons of his career in Texas before being trad- advanced to third on a fly ball. Carlos Locke (1-1) allowed three runs and eight hits over Quintana (4-7) gave up six hits - including a solo three-game losing streak. The rookie right-han- ed for Prince Fielder in a swap of All-Stars last Santana’s two-run homer put Cleveland up 8- 7 1-3 innings. His night ended in the eighth when homer by Steve Pearce - struck out eight and der struck out Marcell Ozuna on a 3-2 changeup winter. Kinsler got more cheers than boos when 6 in the 11th. David Peralta homered in the Evan Longoria trimmed the Rays’ deficit to 6-3 walked three. The left-hander was 0-3 in four with two runners on and two outs in the fifth, he was introduced in the first inning, then sent a bottom of the inning and Ender Inciarte’s RBI with a two-run homer. Mark Melancon got his starts since May 26. preserving a 4-2 lead. He pumped his fist and pitch by Colby Lewis (5-5) into the left-field seats. single tied it. Josh Collmenter (6-4), the ninth 13th save despite giving up Brandon Guyer’s two- One night after blowing a ninth-inning lead shouted as he walked off the mound. Miami’s Martinez homered to center off Lewis in the in the series opener, White Sox closer Ronald Garrett Jones hit a two-run homer off B.J. seventh, a pitch after Victor Martinez doubled, Belisario entered in the ninth with no outs and a Rosenberg in the eighth. Jonathan Papelbon for a 3-1 lead. Adrian Beltre went 4 for 4 for Texas, MLB results/standings runner on first. tossed a scoreless ninth for his 18th save in 20 pushing his career total to 2,503 hits. Drew Smyly He surrendered a pinch-hit RBI single to tries. Andrew Heaney (0-2) gave up five runs and (4-6) allowed only one unearned run over six Chicago White Sox 4, Baltimore 2; Philadelphia 7, Miami 4; Toronto 7, NY Yankees 6; NY Mets 10, Oakland 1; Delmon Young before getting pinch-hitter Ryan four hits in five-plus innings in his second career innings. Pittsburgh 6, Tampa Bay 5; Detroit 8, Texas 2; Chicago Cubs 7, Cincinnati 3; LA Dodgers 2, Kansas City 0; Flaherty to bounce into a double play for his start for the Marlins. Washington 4, Milwaukee 2 (16 Innings); Atlanta 3, Houston 2; Colorado 10, St. Louis 5; Arizona 9, Cleveland 8 (14 eighth save. Miguel Gonzalez (4-5) yielded three Innings); LA Angels 8, Minnesota 6; Seattle 8, Boston 2; San Diego 7, San Francisco 2. CUBS 7, REDS 3 runs and a career-high tying nine hits in five BRAVES 3, ASTROS 2 Jake Arrieta retired his first 18 batters and American League National League innings for Baltimore. Brothers BJ and Justin Upton tied the major struck out nine in seven impressive innings for Eastern Division Eastern Division league record for brothers homering in the same Chicago. Arrieta (4-1) was working on a perfect W L PCT GB Washington 41 35 .539 - METS 10, ATHLETICS 1 game as teammates, accomplishing the feat for game before rookie Billy Hamilton started the Toronto 44 35 .557 - Atlanta 39 37 .513 2 Baltimore 40 36 .526 2.5 Slumping outfielder Chris Young homered the fourth time, to lead Atlanta past Houston. seventh with a single up the middle. The right- Miami 38 39 .494 3.5 twice, Travis d’Arnaud hit a three-run shot in his NY Yankees 39 37 .513 3.5 NY Mets 36 41 .468 5.5 B.J. Upton’s homer was a solo shot off Scott hander allowed two runs and three hits while Boston 35 43 .449 8.5 Philadelphia 35 41 .461 6 return from a demotion and the towel-waving Feldman (3-5) in the third inning that put Atlanta improving to 3-0 with a 1.14 ERA in five June Tampa Bay 31 48 .392 13 Central Division New York Mets roughed up Scott Kazmir and up 2-1. Younger brother Justin connected off starts. Anthony Rizzo belted a solo homer for the Central Division Milwaukee 47 32 .595 - Oakland. Feldman the next inning to push the lead to 3-1. second straight night for the Cubs, who snapped Detroit 41 32 .562 - St. Louis 42 36 .538 4.5 Bartolo Colon (8-5) shut down the team that Kansas City 40 37 .519 3 It was a nice bounce-back game for the a three-game losing streak. Welington Castillo Cleveland 37 40 .481 6 Pittsburgh 39 38 .506 7 didn’t want him back this year despite an 18-win brothers, who were coming off a four-game drove in two runs, including a sacrifice fly in Minnesota 36 39 .480 6 Cincinnati 38 38 .500 7.5 season, pitching four-hit ball for eight innings series against Washington in which they went a Chicago’s three-run eighth. Devin Mesoraco Chicago White Sox 36 42 .462 7.5 Chicago Cubs 32 43 .427 13 against the AL West leaders. combined 2 for 27. homered for the fifth straight game for Western Division Western Division Curtis Granderson homered, he and David Aaron Harang (6-6) allowed two runs and six Cincinnati, matching a franchise record. Oakland 47 30 .610 - San Francisco 45 32 .584 - Wright had RBI groundouts, and Daniel Murphy LA Angels 42 33 .560 4 LA Dodgers 43 36 .544 3 hits in six innings. Craig Kimbrel pitched a score- Mesoraco’s 14th homer came with one out in the Seattle 42 36 .538 5.5 Colorado 35 42 .455 10 added a run-scoring single for the Mets, who less ninth for his 22nd save. Houston rookie ninth against Neil Ramirez. Texas 35 41 .461 11.5 San Diego 34 44 .436 11.5 scored at least 10 runs in consecutive games for George Springer hit his team-leading 14th home The start of the game was delayed 53 minutes Houston 33 45 .423 14.5 Arizona 33 47 .413 13.5 the first time since June 28-29, 2011, in Detroit. run and Jose Altuve added two hits to give him a by rain. Homer Bailey (7-4) retired his first 11 bat- Young homered off Kazmir (9-3) in the sec- major league-best 105. ters, striking out five, for Cincinnati.—AP THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014

FAN FERVOR Algeria look for historic progress against Russia

CURITIBA: Algeria can make history by qualifying for the second round of the World Cup for the first time in four appearances at the tournament when they face Russia in Curitiba yesterday. The Desert Foxes will be assured of their place in the last 16 with a win, but should also progress with a draw so long as South Korea don’t beat the already qualified Belgium by at least three goals in the other match in Group H. Algeria ended a 32-year wait for a World Cup win in emphatic style with a 4-2 demolition of the Koreans on Sunday, becoming the first African side to ever score four goals in a World Cup game in the process. Granada midfielder Yacine Brahimi was among those on the scoresheet in Porto Alegre and he is eyeing more glory against a Russian side that has failed to live up to expectations so far. “It is one of the most important matches of my career, it is a match which can write a new chapter in the history of our country, and that is very much in our heads,” he said on Tuesday. With just a point needed, Bosnian coach Vahid Halilhodzic is likely to tinker with the side that starred against South Korea with Mehdi Lacen and Riyad Mahrez replacing Abdelmoumene Djabou and Carl Medjani. And captain Madjid Bougherra has urged his side to keep their feet on the ground after the euphoria of BRAZIL: Players of the Algerian soccer team join hands as they celebrate in this file photo. finally ending the wait for a World Cup win. and get our feet back on the ground.” bouncing back against Algeria and securing their “I’m very proud to be the captain of an Algerian For Fabio Capello’s Russia the match represents a passage into the next round. team that has won a World Cup match for the first final chance to rectify two disappointing results as “It’s very difficult to draw any positives when you time in 32 years,” said the former Rangers defender. they were held 1-1 by South Korea before being lose like that,” Kozlov told FIFA.com. “We’re all disap- “It’s a great honor for me to make Algerian foot- beaten 1-0 by Divock Origi’s winner for Belgium two pointed about what happened late on, but we’ve still balling history as part of this very close-knit squad minutes from time on Sunday. got a chance of continuing in the tournament. While who put in an exceptional performance. A lot more had been expected of Capello’s men that’s the case, we can’t start thinking about any- “The most important thing is for us to play our after an impressive record in qualifying, which saw thing else.” own game and also play to our strengths. We have them top their group ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Capello is also expected to make a few changes made our fans happy with this win and we now have Portugal. with CSKA Moscow’s Alan Dzagoev and Zenit St a chance to make it through to the round of 16, but However, defender Aleksei Kozlov is hoping to Petersburg’s Aleksandr Kerzhakov likely to come into we need to forget about the victory over Korea first wipe away the pain of Belgium’s late winner by the side that started against Belgium. —AFP

Ghost of World Cup past looms over US, Germany RECIFE: The spectre of one of the most infamous episodes in World Cup history looms over Germany and the United States as they clash today for a place in the last 16. The two teams each have four points heading into their final Group G match and a draw in Recife would see both qualify at the expense of Portugal and Ghana, who play in Brasilia. The sense of intrigue has been heightened by the fact that Germany coach Joachim Loew and the United States’ boss Jurgen Klinsmann are old friends. The match scenario has evoked mem- ories of a notorious 1982 World Cup game between Austria and West Germany. That match in the Spanish city of Gijon ended in controversy after the BRAZIL: Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Alves (left) look on during a training session. —AP two sides effectively conspired to secure a 1-0 victory for the Germans, allowing them to qualify ahead of Algeria. The Portugal face early exit shockwaves from that encounter contin- ue to be felt today. BRASÔLIA: Cristiano Ronaldo’s ity is that if the United States and him out of the rest of the tourna- FIFA subsequently changed the rules, Portugal face a sobering early World Germany draw in Recife, Portugal ment. Portugal’s task is made all the ordering that all final games in the Cup exit yesterday even if their world and Ghana, who also have one point, more difficult by their goal difference group phase of the World Cup should footballer of the year produces are doomed. of minus four, meaning they must kick-off simultaenously. pyrotechnics in their final group Portugal have insisted through- score a hatful of goals even to be in Press conferences for Germany and game against Ghana. out the tournament that their star the mix. Ghana’s goal difference is the United States this week have been The Real Madrid player came to player is fit but he has failed to domi- minus one. And they are unlikely to littered with references to the 1982 the World Cup bracketed alongside nate matches in the way he does for have it all their own way when they scandal, with Klinsmann forcefully Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Brazil’s his club and admitted that his side’s take on Ghana in Brasilia after the rejecting any suggestion of an arrange- Neymar as one of a triumvirate of task is “virtually impossible”. Ronaldo Black Stars gave Germany a fright ment this time. true global superstars. was sanguine after the match before Miroslav Klose equalised to “You’re talking about a game that is But while the Barcelona pair have against the Americans, admitting rescue a 2-2 draw. decades ago,” Klinsmann said when produced moments of sublime skill that Portugal, despite their lofty Despite that setback Ghana, who asked about the match known as the and goals, the attention surrounding ranking, were never among the reached the quarter-finals in South “Disgrace of Gijon.” “That is only a part of Ronaldo has mainly focused on the favourites to lift the World Cup. Africa in 2010, still harbour hopes of Germany’s history and not part of the health or otherwise of his trouble- “I never thought we would be progressing to the round of 16. United States’ history. I think if you look some left knee. world champions. We have to be The exact make-up of the team is at the past of the US team, we always try Portugal-fourth in the FIFA world humble and recognise our limita- difficult to predict after Ghana coach to make things happen,” Klinsmann rankings-are rock bottom of Group G tions. There are things we cannot do, Kwesi Appiah made four changes for added. “We have that fighting spirit, and with a solitary point from their like running faster or having more the Germany match from the side matches against Germany and the quality,” he said. that lost their opening game to the we give everything in every game. We United States, both of whom have “At the moment there are better United States, bringing in Schalke will go to Recife and we will give every- four points. teams and better players than our star Kevin-Prince Boateng, although thing to beat Germany. That is our goal.” They were pummelled 4-0 by own,” added the 29-year-old, who he was taken off early in the second- Germany’s coaching staff and players Germany and the fact they still have had an outstanding season for Real half. “We ran ourselves into the also dismiss repeated questions about any chance of progressing at all is that culminated in a 10th Champions ground and played really well the possibility of anything untoward. “I down to Ronaldo, who delivered a League title for the club. against a team of the calibre of can only say a concrete ‘no’, we’ve sublime cross for their equaliser in a Paulo Bento’s side have also had Germany,” said defender Harrison already said we want to win the game 2-2 draw against the United States. to cope with a one-match suspen- Afful. “We’ve still got a game to go and that’s how we’ll play over 90 min- Despite that goal, headed in by sion for defender Pepe after a red and we’re going to give it our all to utes,” assistant coach Hansi Flick said. Silvestre Varela in the dying seconds card in the Germany match and an go through. If we don’t qualify, it Germany’s centre back Mats of time added on, the cold, hard real- injury to Fabio Coentrao that ruled won’t be for lack of effort.” —AFP Hummels said the Germans had no interest in anything other than a victory. “It would be unsportsmanlike to do that Koreans need magic against Belgium and not fair, besides we want to win the game,” he added. “We’re not playing for SAO PAULO: Struggling South Korea things have been different. The 1-1 World Cup but I’ve made a difference any result other than a victory.” will need to rediscover the magical draw with Russia owed much to Igor and that’s what the coach has asked of Germany team manager Oliver spirit of 2002 as they fight to rescue Afinkeev’s goalkeeping howler, and me,” Hazard said this week. Bierhoff also dismissed the possibility of their dismal World Cup campaign South Korea were then taken apart by “I understand that people expect a collusion to. “We want to win. Everything against unbeaten Belgium today. unfancied Algeria. “Now we have to lot of me and I know I can do better.” else is uninteresting.” A draw today After drawing with Russia and los- turn the page,” said Hong after the Although Belgium have a spine of top- would see Germany finish on top of ing 4-2 to Algeria, Group H’s bottom Algeria defeat. “This result is the level stars in Thibaut Courtois, Vincent Group G, ahead of the United States on side need to win big against already- reward for our preparation. We must Kompany, Hazard, Marouane Fellaini goal difference. qualified Belgium if they are to stay in prepare better for the next game, it’s and Romelu Lukaku, it’s a new face Klinsmann’s side are still kicking the tournament. Logic decrees the our only option.” On-loan Arsenal strik- who has been making headlines. themselves over their failure to clinch a Koreans will soon be following Japan er Park Chu-Young remains goalless Divock Origi, 19, from Hazard’s for- remarkable qualification on Sunday in home as their attack has been largely and Hong had some choice words for mer club Lille, is the latest headline- their thrilling 2-2 draw with Portugal. toothless so far, coupled with severe his defence after they conceded three maker off the production line with two problems in defence. in the first half against Algeria. sparkling substitute appearances A brilliant header by Portugal’s But coach Hong Myung-Bo can In South Korea’s favour is that including the winner against Russia. Silvestre Varela in the final seconds of draw at least on his experiences at the Belgium, who are top of the table with “It hasn’t sunk in what’s happening stoppage time denied the the United 2002 tournament, when he was part of maximum points, are expected to rest to me. Playing at a World Cup, scoring States a win which would have seen the team that shocked the world by some of their first-choice players. at the Maracana in front of my parents them qualify. reaching the semi-finals. Centre-back Thomas Vermaelen and my sister. It’s crazy,” said the “We did so much work and we were That year, the unquenchable desire looks set to miss out with a hamstring teenager. His emergence only intensi- almost there already, apart from this lit- of Guus Hiddink’s team and some strain but coach Marc Wilmots may fies the troubles of Hong, who would tle phase (against Portugal) we were favourable refereeing decisions helped give more game time to Chelsea’s Eden have hoped to have been in a slightly there to be already qualified for the the Taeguk Warriors upset Portugal, Hazard, who is yet to hit top form. better position come their final group knock-out stage,” Klinsmann said.—AFP Italy and Spain. This time around, “I haven’t played well yet at this game.—AFPw THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014

FAN FERVOR Iran eliminated

SALVADOR: Edin Dzeko weighed in with a first-half goal as Bosnia-Hercegovina knocked Iran out of the World Cup with a 3-1 win in Salvador yesterday. Iran had needed to beat Bosnia and hope Nigeria lost to Argentina to keep alive faint hopes of reach- ing the last 16, but Carlos Queiroz’s side came up well short in the Group F clash. A powerful strike by Manchester City star Dzeko gave Bosnia an early lead before Miralem Pjanic added a second just before the hour to settle a relatively dull affair at Salvador’s Arena Fonte Nova. The game burst into life in the final minutes as Iran striker Reza Ghoochannejad netted his side’s first goal of Brazil 2014, but Bosnia replied immediately with an Avdija Vrsajevic goal. The result confirmed both teams’ exit as Argentina and Nigeria reached the knock-out stages by finish- ing first and second respectively in the table after the Argentinians’ 3-2 win in Porto Alegre. Bosnia, whose elimination had already been con- firmed prior to the game, are left to rue what might have been after refereeing mistakes contributed to their 1-0 defeat to Nigeria in their previous match. Safet Susic’s side ended on a high to claim third and leave Iran bottom of the group with a single point from their draw with Nigeria. Salvador has now seen 21 World Cup goals in four group games after the Netherlands destroyed Spain 5-1, Germany thumped Portugal 4-0 and France dominated Switzerland 5-2 with a last 16 match and quarter-final still to come in the stadium. Dzeko had the best of the early chances when he fired over after a powerful run into the area, then headed straight at Iran goalkeeper Alireza Haghighi. His much-threatened goal arrived on 23 minutes when Dzeko unleashed a fierce drive into the bottom right-hand corner past two defenders, which gave SALVADOR: Iran’s Reza Ghoochannejhad (left) fights for the ball with Bosnia’s Sead Kolasinac during Haghighi no chance. Iran almost hit back immediate- the Group F World Cup soccer match. —AP ly as midfielder Masoud Shojaei clattered the cross- bar. But for all of Iran’s attacking efforts, Bosnia’s which killed off Iran’s hopes from a defensive error. verted a cross eight minutes from time, although Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Bgeovic was solid A poorly timed pass out of the Iran defence was replays suggested he was offside. between the posts, especially from crosses. snapped up by Tino-Sven Susic who fed Pjanic and Bosnia responded immediately to snuff out any With his side 1-0 down at the break, Iran’s Queiroz the Roma midfielder drilled his shot home on 59 hopes of a fight back as right-back Vrsajevic smashed brought on experienced forward Khosro Heydari to minutes. Charlton Athletic striker Ghoochannejad home his shot after a charging run down the right boost their attack. But Bosnia grabbed the goal finally got Iran’s first Brazil 2014 goal when he con- flank.—AFP World Cup fever in Amazon rainforest

MANAUS: Even in the Amazon rainforest of Brazil, the World Cup is big news-and big business. The two dozen or so Indians in the tiny village of Tupe - with one cheek cov- ered in ritual tattoos and the other painted in the nation’s green and yellow - are closely following the world’s premier sporting event. They are also warmly welcoming an influx of tourists keen to add a bit of indigenous culture to their World Cup experience-monkeys, vultures, traditional cos- tumes and all. Normally, only two or three groups of intrepid tourists a week head to Tupe, which is located about 35 kilometres (20 miles) from Manaus, the regional capital and host of four World Cup matches. But since the start of the World Cup, the numbers of groups headed to the village-which was established in 2002 and is home to 25 residents from five different tribes-has been rising from a trickle to a BRAZIL: US forward Clint Dempsey (center) takes part in a team training session in Sao Paulo steady flood. during the 2014 FIFA World Cup football tournament. —AFP One day earlier this week-as Brazil took on Cameroon, eventually winning a spot in the final 16 — tourists flocked to Tupe, which is on a section of the Taruma Mirim river, US goes soccer crazy as which flows into the Rio Negro. As one group of visitors waits outside the community, admiring handicrafts and jewelry, others watch a carefully choreographed show-one team eyes second round performed many times. It is a colorful spectacle, geared for maximum impact- the tribespeople are wearing feathered headdresses and LOS ANGELES: Record numbers of football fans in helping turn the tide against soccer detractors. loincloths, and dancing bells on their feet. the United States are bracing for another edge-of- “The popularity of the sport is growing signifi- Village women invite the tourists to take part in the the-seat match today as their team battles to make cantly in the United States among that young audi- dancing, and then everyone poses for the obligatory sou- the World Cup second round-and prove the sport’s ence. We believe that bodes well for the future venir photos-the visitors of course don’t forget first to place growing popularity. Nearly 25 million viewers increase in popularity,” he told AFP. a few coins in baskets set out for that purpose. One detail tuned in to watch their last game against Portugal, “We certainly believe that the US is rapidly doesn’t quite fit with the traditional image-one of the astonishingly more than the NBA finals or base- becoming a soccer nation,” he added. USC profes- dancers is clad in branded Celio boxer shorts. ball’s World Series, mainstays of the US sporting sor Durbin said football is benefiting from a gener- Raimundo Veloso Vaz, a 78-year-old shaman who has landscape along with American football. al trend of increased demand for live televised made several visits to Europe to defend tribal culture, acts Sports bars and pubs across the country were sports, even if the uninterrupted format of games as head of the community and a self-styled “ambassador of heaving with fans Sunday night, when the US team may take time to catch on here. the Indians.” came within a whisker of winning an instant pass “US viewers have been trained to see their “A hotel had just been built nearby and we thought it to the second round, only to be cruelly deprived by sports narratives broken up by constant commer- was a good opportunity for our traditions to be discovered,” a last-gasp Portuguese goal. cial breaks. They’ve been taught by baseball, foot- he explains. “Gradually, other Indians have joined us.” But will the millions of football fans evaporate ball, and ... basketball broadcasts to follow very The village, which includes a school which offers dis- once the US team is out of the contest, maybe as brief and swift chunks of action...” tance learning over the Internet, has two generators that early as Thursday when they take on European “Soccer doesn’t lend itself to this type of broad- hum into the night in order to generate electricity. “People heavyweights Germany? cast,” he said, but added that US tastes are “chang- live a traditional life here and that allows us to keep our cul- Opinion is divided. “I don’t think the spike is a ing as more and more US audiences consume ture intact,” says Vaz. blip,” professor Daniel Durbin, director of the international sports such as soccer and rugby.” “Some are open to that; others less so. We have never Annenberg Institute of Sports, Media and Society Consultant David Carter of The Sports Business forced anyone” to follow a particular cultural path, he at the University of Southern California (USC), told Group was more skeptical, saying US fans are insists, a cigarette dangling from his mouth after the day’s AFP. “Interest is high partially because the US team watching now through patriotism and excitement tourist swarm has left. has had some success. However, (sports broad- rather than long-term loyalty to soccer. “We live off tourist revenue. For some groups, it’s just a caster) ESPN has used all its considerable resources “The massive TV ratings are the result of a com- show, while others are really interested in it. We’d like to do to promote the World Cup and will continue to pelling global event that has captivated casual more to restore our environment, but we can’t touch the flood media with promotion.” fans,” he told AFP. “Diehard fans are sure to remain forest” to develop the area, he says. But blogger Matt Verderame of the SB Nation engaged in the sport once the World Cup is over. “So we have to buy food. I like what I do but I know I am website said the current surge in interest in foot- “However, many that are tuning in now are participating in a system,” he reflects. Quickly, his interest ball-or, soccer for Americans-will likely be short- doing so due to the sense of nationalism and patri- shifts-to the national football team, which the community lived. “I think once the United States is knocked out otism. “These large audiences are tuning in for the watches on their flat-screen televisions. of the World Cup, soccer will go back to being a combination of the sport, the spectacle, national “We support them all the more as we are more Brazilian distant fifth sport in America,” he told AFP. “While pride, and the ability to party. When these ele- than the rest-we were here first, after all,” Vaz says with a soccer has made great strides in the US, it still lacks ments wane, so too will TV ratings.” —AFP smile. He says his community backs the World Cup, even if star power.” The biggest star who has tried to boost some Brazilians are upset at the cost of some $11 billion. football in the United States-where the sport is tra- “This World Cup is a good thing for the country. For us, it is ditionally seen as a children’s and women’s game- Matches on TV the chance to earn some more money and I hope people has been Britain’s David Beckham, who spent six (Local Timings) will get to know our culture better and respect it more.” years with the Los Angeles Galaxy from 2007. Brazil’s goals are celebrated with blasts on foghorns and But his efforts are part of a long history of trying flares. As the match wears on, beer cans and candy wrap- to promote the world’s most popular sport to often FIFA World Cup pers pile up on the ground. skeptical Americans. In the 1970s, the North American Soccer League “Every Saturday, we have matches in the community United States v Germany 19:00 (NASL) recruited foreign stars like Brazil’s Pele and and the girls have penalty shot sessions-that’s the bit that is beIN SPORTS exciting,” enthuses 25-year-old Umussi. Germany’s Franz Beckenbauer to inspire the locals. The league folded in 1984. The young woman, whose enthusiasm knows no Portugal v Ghana 19:00 But the decision to award the 1994 World Cup bounds as Brazil seal their win, says she likes the simple life beIN SPORTS she leads. “It’s great for us here. We can easily buy food in to the United States gave it a bigger boost. A year later, a new professional championship was born. Manaus and there is a children’s hospital. Where we lived South Korea v Belgium 23:00 Major League Soccer (MLS) has gone from strength before, the forest vegetation was very dense. beIN SPORTS “If we didn’t work with the tourists, we’d be unable to to strength since then. MLS spokesman Dan Courtemanche said make ends meet,” she explains, handing out her Facebook Algeria v Russia 23:00 booming numbers of Latinos-a growing demo- details. —AFP beIN SPORTS graphic in America-and young millennials were Available at The Sultan Centre & Carrefour Murray dumps Iran Rola as Li Na, eliminated Venus advance

THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 201416 18

Algeria look for historic progress against Russia Page 17

Argentina top Group F

Suarez braces for ban after bite storm PORTO ALEGRE: A double from Lionel Messi crack a Nigerian defence that had not con- a day after his 27th birthday inspired ceded a goal in their previous two matches. RIO DE JANEIRO: Football disciplinary chiefs gath- required professional help. Argentina to a 3-2 win over African champi- A telling pass by Fernando Gago found ered evidence against Luis Suarez yesterday as calls “This is behavior that’s happened two times ons Nigeria and assured them of finishing top Angel di Maria only for the Real Madrid man’s mounted for the Uruguay star to be kicked out of (before). You cannot justify it. I seriously think he of Group F at the World Cup finals yesterday. shot to ricochet off the near post. As the loose the World Cup after his latest biting storm. needs help,” said Everton manager Roberto Nigeria’s defeat-their fourth in four meet- ball bounced Messi magically appeared to The Liverpool striker shocked the footballing Martinez. Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler ings at the finals against Argentina-came with slam into the roof of Vincent Enyeama’s net. world when he sank his teeth into Italian defender admitted he was “flummoxed” by the case and said the considerable consolation that they still Argentina’s lead lasted all of 80 seconds Giorgio Chiellini during Uruguay’s 1-0 victory over the Anfield club should now seek to sell Suarez. progressed to the second round as Iran lost 3- when CSKA Moscow striker Ahmed Musa the Azzurri on Tuesday. “You can’t defend him,” Fowler said. “I love him as 1 to Bosnia-Hercegovina in the other group curled the ball artfully past Sergio Romero Suarez, banned twice before for biting opposing a player, but you cannot condone what he has game. into the far post. players, could be expelled from the tournament if done.” Gordon Taylor, the head of England’s players Argentina, who are set to face either Enyeama then did well to keep the scores found guilty. Suarez and Uruguayan officials have union the Professional Footballers’ Association, Switzerland or Ecuador in the second round, level when keeping out di Maria’s thunderous until 5:00pm (2000 GMT) to submit evidence to a expressed dismay over the incident. began to turn on the style after low key wins low drive from 30m out. On 38 minutes disciplinary panel set up by football’s governing “It was just so disappointing really,” Taylor said. over Bosnia-Hercegovina and Iran. Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella was forced body FIFA. Former England captain Alan Shearer, working in Nigeria, who will be appearing in the sec- into an unscripted change of personnel when “The disciplinary committee is working to get a Brazil for the BBC, said FIFA should impose a lengthy ond round for the first time since 1998, are Sergio Aguero limped off to be replaced by decision as early as possible,” FIFA spokeswoman global ban. “I would give him a worldwide ban for as likely to face France next Monday. Ezequiel Lavezzi. Delia Fischer said when asked if a decision would long as I could,” Shearer said. “I feel honored, and happy it’s going our As the interval approached Messi struck a likely be made before Uruguay’s last 16 match “It’s not the first time, it’s not the second time, it’s way, I want to thank the players and the fans peach of a free kick from outside the box, against Colombia on Saturday. the third time- to actually bite someone on a foot- and some of the media,” commented Nigerian only denied by another fine save from Fischer would not speculate on the possible ball pitch in front of millions. It’s unacceptable.” coach Stephen Keshi. Enyeama. terms of any punishment, although she confirmed Luis Suarez Many in Uruguay defended Suarez, echoing sug- On Messi’s impact he added: “Messi is one But the Lille stopper couldn’t perform the Suarez’s previous offences could be taken into during his club career as well as racially abusing gestions by coach Oscar Tabarez that he was being heck of a player, he’s blessed, but with due same heroics when from a near identical posi- account. Manchester United player Patrice Evra during a unfairly persecuted. respect to Messi there are other calibre play- tion shortly after another Messi free kick “The disciplinary committee can take all ele- game in 2011. But a notable exception was ageing national ers in Argentina that are very strong, but thudded into the near corner for his fourth ments into account as it deems necessary,” she said. The latest flashpoint occurred towards the end hero Alcides Ghiggia, who scored Uruguay’s World Messi is from Jupiter.” goal of the tournament. While Suarez had “a right to be heard”, he was not of Uruguay’s clash with Italy. Replays showed Suarez Cup-winning goal against Brazil in the 1950 tourna- Keshi reported that Ukraine-based for- Musa levelled only two minutes into the expected to travel to Rio from Uruguay’s training biting Chiellini’s shoulder as the two players made ment in Rio. ward Michael Babatunde’s world Cup was second half when, getting the better of base to address any disciplinary hearing, Fischer contact in an off-the-ball incident. “This boy’s clearly not right in the head. That’s probably over after suffering a broken wrist in Argentine defenders Federico Fernandez and said. Suarez was nowhere to be seen early yesterday Chiellini angrily remonstrated with Mexican ref- just not something you do on the pitch,’ said the second half. Marcos Rojo, he clipped the ball past Romero. as his Uruguay team-mates trained in Natal amid eree Marco Rodriguez, pulling his shirt off his shoul- Ghiggia. “He already did it before in England and His Argentina counterpart Alejandro In an at times breathtaking encounter Rojo the raging controversy. der to show red marks on his neck. now he’s done it again. It’s abnormal. It’s a football Sabella for his part observed: “As we advance bagged his first international goal three min- Suarez, who plays in the English Premier League Afterwards, Chiellini told Italian television: “He bit match-not a war or a fight.” we start improving our structure, in general I utes later, knocking the ball home with his for Liverpool, is one of the world’s biggest stars, and me, it’s clear, I still have the mark.” Suarez sought to Uruguayan daily El Observador said the inci- saw improvement today. knee off a corner after Nigeria failed to clear could theoretically be banned for up to 24 games play down the incident in comments to Uruguayan dent was “the return of Suarez’s madness.” Suarez “We’ve got nine points, but we can always Ezequiel Garay’s header. With his work done under FIFA rules. Fischer declined to say whether television, claiming Chiellini had barged him. “There had tried to improve his image after the earlier get better.” On Messi, who came off with half Sabella rested Messi on the hour, Ricardo any potential punishment of Suarez could extend to are things that happen on the pitch and you should bans, it said, but “against Italy the evil version of an hour to go, he added: “It seemed to me at Alvarez coming on in his place. Musa had ‘hat- club football as well as international football. not make such a big deal out of them,” Suarez said. Suarez reappeared.” With the Suarez controversy 3-2 that we needed Messi to rest - it was trick’ flashing in front of his eyes in the final “It’s the disciplinary committee which decides However the damning video evidence drew dominating the off-field headlines, it was left to agreed beforehand.” The match got off to a quarter of an hour when he cut inside Pablo the scope of any potential sanctions,” she said. almost blanket condemnation on Wednesday Argentina captain Lionel Messi to put the focus stunning start as Messi fired home his third Zabaleta only for the Manchester City defend- Suarez has already received long bans for biting across the globe, with many stating that Suarez back on football. — AFP goal of the finals after two-and-a-half-min- er to produce a superb tackel to deny him the utes-the fastest goal of his career-to finally scoring opportunity. — AFP Dubai’s Nakheel to pay off bank debts ahead of plan

Page 22 Business Oman suspends decision to scrap price controls THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014 Page 22 New Mercedes-Benz World saves $3.5tn from emergency oil stocks: IEA C-Class on display Page 23 Page 26

TOKYO: Toyota Motor executive vice president Mitsuhisa Kato introduces the company’s sedan-style hydrogen fuel cell vehicle (FCV) during a press preview at a Toyota Motor showroom yesterday. —AP (See Page 23) Britain’s first Islamic bond draws torrent of bids UK becomes first Western country to sell Islamic bond LONDON: Britain became the first Western country to sell reflecting bumper demand. The strong demand belies concern from some ana- sterling-denominated sukuk assets. The Bank of London an Islamic bond yesterday, attracting 2.3 billion pounds However, some analysts questioned whether the rela- lysts that the low yield for the 2019 sukuk, and the use of and the Middle East (BLME), Britain’s largest stand-alone ($3.9 billion) in orders, more than 10 times the amount it tively small issue was enough to kick-start Britain’s Islamic sterling, might have dampened its appeal to overseas Islamic bank, said it was satisfied with its allocation, con- was looking to sell. The government raised 200 million finance market. Robert Stheeman, chief executive of the investors, who are used to higher yields and other cur- sidering the high demand. pounds from the five-year sukuk issue, part of an effort to UK Debt Management Office, told Reuters that it had rencies. However Khalid Howladar, Moody’s global head Its chief executive, Humphrey Percy, told Reuters that boost London’s position as a centre for Islamic finance. been hard to find suitable assets to structure the issue, of Islamic finance, said that the “modest” 200 million the sukuk was likely to be relatively illiquid when it starts Finance minister George Osborne said he hoped the deal which does not pay interest in the same way as a conven- pound sukuk issuance “really doesn’t move the dial in to trade on July 2, as the scarcity of the debt meant most would spur more corporate issuance of Islamic bonds, tional bond. terms of the $60-65 billion in global sukuk issuance investors intended to hold the bond for the long term. which cannot pay interest but instead offer a fixed profit expected this year.” But he said the strong demand should boost corporate stream based on underlying assets such as property. Strong demand “Demand for high credit quality sukuk in the triple-A issuance of sterling-denominated Islamic debt in “Today’s issuance of Britain’s first sovereign sukuk “At this stage it’s planned just to be a one-off,” and double-A space far exceeds supply, particularly London. delivers on the government’s commitment to become Stheeman said. “It has not proven easy to find sufficient among the fast growing Islamic banks who need an “It is hoped that the high level of demand ... will the Western hub of Islamic finance and is part of our plan assets either for bigger size or for a program of issuance. increasing amount of high grade assets to address forth- demonstrate to large UK corporates that Sukuk is a viable to make Britain the undisputed centre of the global But we are pleased with the result.” The sukuk is under- coming Basel III liquidity requirements,” he added. Britain and competitive method of fund raising and directly financial system,” he said. The Islamic bond was priced to pinned by rents from three government buildings. Earlier said that the sukuk was bought by banks, central banks comparable in pricing terms to the conventional bond give a profit rate of 2.036 percent, the same as the yield in the day, speaking at a Euromoney conference, and sovereign wealth funds based in Britain, the Middle market,” he said. British bank HSBC structured the sukuk on Britain’s benchmark five-year government bond, or Stheeman described the bond sale as an essentially polit- East and Asia. deal, and acted as a bookrunner alongside Qatar’s Barwa gilt. That is less than the premium of up to 2 basis points ical decision and not a way to meet core British funding Around a third of the issuance went to Islamic banks Bank, Malaysia’s CIMB, National Bank of Abu Dhabi and over the conventional bond that was initially indicated, needs. operating in Britain, for whom this is a rare chance to buy Standard Chartered. — Reuters Etihad rescues Alitalia with deal to take 49% Iraq crisis deepens,

MILAN: Emirates airline Etihad Airways tied tied up because it is now obvious to everyone unions which are strongly opposed to job up a deal to rescue debt-laden carrier Alitalia that it amounts to a big industrial investment cuts, said that Alitalia had but two options: hits oil market yesterday by taking 49.0 percent of the Italian with concrete chances of development for our “the plan for recovery with Etihad, or the LONDON: Oil markets have staged only a mut- “With the exception of the first couple of days company. The two groups gave no details of company.” abyss.” ed reaction to the bloody insurgency gripping following the onset of the Iraqi crisis, oil mar- the value of the deal or of any conditions, but Etihad has insisted that the debt be On June 11, Lupi mentioned that Etihad OPEC’s number two producer Iraq, but ana- kets have remained admirably calm,” said ana- two key issues are debt of about 1.0 billion restructured. Alitalia is now in the hands of might make an initial investment of 560 mil- lysts warn any disruption to supplies could lysts at PVM. euros ($1.36 billion) and overstaffing at private shareholders, but has its roots in the lion euros ($762 million). To this might be push prices to record peaks. The offensive led That is mainly because there has been little Alitalia. The government has warned that this days when most European countries had their added “690 million euros in four years for the by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) actual disruption to exports from Iraq so far. is the last chance for Alitalia which has own state-owned airlines. The debt and staff development and renewal of the fleet of air- that has swept through the north of the coun- Insurgents have forced the shutdown of the lurched from crisis to crisis for years. cuts are believed to have been central sticking craft.” The prospect of Etihad as a key share- try and is now threatening to rip Iraq apart has country’s main oil refinery but have not man- A stake of 49.0 percent means that Alitalia points in the negotiations, but the break- holder is causing deep concern in northern sent prices to nine-month highs but they aged to break into the key Kirkuk oilfield in the retains its advantageous status as an through came late on Tuesday at a meeting Italy with fears that it would reduce activity at remain $30 below the peaks hit in 2008. autonomous region of Kurdistan or hit the European airline. The deal, concluding tough between banks and shareholders. Milan’s Malpensa airport. “This contrasts with the period of civil war main oil fields in the south. OPEC’s second- negotiations which began at the end of last Alitalia employs 12,800 and it is believed The business plan for the new entity is in Libya in early 2011 that halted production. largest supplier produces around 3.3 million year, means that Etihad Airways is in effect that about 2,200 jobs will have to be axed. believed to put an increased focus on long- Back then, oil prices, volatility and skew all barrels of crude a day (bpd) and exported rescuing Alitalia, playing a role which Air Etihad Airways has expanded rapidly in recent haul international flights which are more reacted far more aggressively,” said BNP around 2.6 million in May-less than the 3.52 Paribas analysts Harry Tchilinguirian and million bpd the IEA estimates the cartel could France once considered but then dropped years, largely on a rise of air travel in the Gulf profitable than short routes where low-cost Gareth Lewis-Davies. “The reason for the order- produce if needed. because of the scale of the problems. Alitalia, region of the Middle East. In a joint statement, competition is fierce. Etihad Airways already ly advance this time is simple: we have not had rescued several times over several years, is the two airlines said they had agreed the has already expanded in Europe, acquiring an actual supply disruption.” Brent oil has risen Limited spare capacity again in dire straits. If it had gone bankrupt, “terms and conditions of a proposed transac- 29 percent of Air Berlin and 3.0 percent of by only 6.0 percent since the beginning of the Commerzbank argues any real disruption the fall of this high-profile name would have tion whereby Etihad Airways will acquire a 49 Irish airline Aer Lingus. It also owns 40 per- latest crisis in Iraq to a high point of $115.71 in to exports is “very unlikely” as the militants are had a severe financial and psychological percent equity stake in Alitalia.” They said they cent of Air Seychelles and 19.9 percent of the middle of June. unlikely to make any real headway in the impact on Italy which is struggling to climb would tie up the deal as soon as possible sub- Virgin Australia. Alitalia is owned by about The price had surged by almost 35 percent Shiite-dominated southern regions, which out of a deep recession lasting more than two ject to approval from regulators. 20 companies, all of which are private except in 2011 to a high of $127.02. Another example account for 90 percent of exports. “It is first years. The agreement also marks a big step in the Italian postal service Poste Italiane which is the 16 percent the European benchmark and foremost the fear of disrupted supply in the rise of Etihad Airways as a young and rap- Etihad, ‘or the abyss’ acquired an interest of 19.48 percent last jumped in a month to $128.40/bbl when the Iraq that is causing the risk premium on the oil idly growing company. It now becomes a key The chief executive at Alitalia, Gabriele del year during a capital increase. Italian bank EU imposed an embargo on Iranian oil at the price to rise,” said analysts at the bank. shareholder in one of the old names of Torchio, said early in June that Alitalia would Intesa Sanpaolo owns 20.59 percent and end of January 2012. “Assuming-as we expect-these interruptions European aviation, and increases its reach into have to face a “complex, exhausting and UniCredit bank 12.99 percent. Air France- In Dubai, oil futures have even turned bear- fail to materialize, the oil price is likely to shed European markets and global routes. Italian painful” restructuring, but that there was “no KLM refused to participate in the capital ish, dropping a fifth from their May peak as its fear-driven gains again, just like it did in the Transport Minister Maurizio Lupi said: “It’s alternative”. And he mentioned 2,200 job cuts. increase and so its holding fell from 25.0 per- traders fret about what impact the crisis in Iraq late summer of 2013, and to fall back to below could have if it spills into the broader region. the $110 per barrel level.” — AFP increasingly clear that this marriage must be Lupi, in a warning on Monday to Italian trade cent to 7.08 percent. — AFP BUSINESS THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014

Dubai’s Nakheel to pay off bank debts ahead of plan

DUBAI: Nakheel, the real estate giant at the heart of fund of the government,” said Lootah. The bulk of the group, bolstered by $20 billion in aid from neighbor- lished reputation as a safe haven in a period of region- Dubai’s financial crisis, said yesterday it will pay off all company’s debt — 6.8 billion dirhams-was due in ing Abu Dhabi. al political turmoil. In addition to property develop- its bank debt of 7.9 billion dirhams ($2.15 billion) September 2015, in addition to 200 million dirhams As part of the restructuring of Nakheel, the govern- ments, Nakheel has been involved in retail and hospi- ahead of schedule. “Our payment is covering up to the due in March 2016 and 900 million dirhams two years ment injected $9.5 billion that were converted into tality. The company appears set to shift its main focus last installment (scheduled for) 2018,” Nakheel chair- later. Nakheel had piled up a large mountain of debt equity, separating the company from Dubai World and to those sectors instead of property. man Ali Rashid Lootah told reporters. during five years of rapid growth in Dubai’s property becoming fully owned by the government. Nakheel “We’re trying to focus on building assets for The full amount would be paid in August despite sector, before the global financial crisis hit the Gulf appears to be benefitting from a strong rebound in Nakheel, for recurrent income, not to depend on prop- an earlier pledge to only settle 1.65 billion dirhams emirate in 2009. Dubai, where economic growth has been steady erty sale,” said Lootah, adding hotels were among the this summer. The government-related entity, which The company was part of government-linked thanks to the trade, transport and tourism sectors after interests for the company. The company said in a built Dubai’s palm-shaped island and a cluster of isles Dubai World group, which sent jitters in global mar- contracting 2.9 percent in 2009. Dubai’s property sec- statement that “diversifying Nakheel’s business to in the form of a world map, is to meet its obligations kets when it signaled in autumn 2009 that it was fac- tor has also recovered after taking a nosedive during increase cash-generating assets” is part of achieve- from its own revenues. “All this cash is generated ing difficulties paying off debts that totaled around the crisis. Prices have rocketed amid a rejuvenated ments made in the period that followed Nakheel’s from Nakheel’s own income, not from the support $24.9 billion. The government intervened to buoy the demand in the past year, helped by Dubai’s estab- restructuring. — AFP Oman suspends decision to scrap price controls

MUSCAT: Oman’s ruler Sultan Qaboos bin Sultan Qaboos, who has been ruling Said has put on hold the government’s Oman since 1970, responded by suspend- decision to scrap price controls for most ing the rules based on his understanding products after a public uproar triggered of the needs of the public, ONA reported. an intervention by his consultative coun- The new rules had caused an unusual pub- cil, state news agency ONA said. Under lic furor in the absolute monarchy, with new rules announced last week, retailers hash tags objecting to the reform drawing and traders no longer needed to ask the tens of thousands of tweets, even though government for permission to raise prices, economists predicted only a minor impact except for 23 basic items such as rice, tea on inflation. and fish which remained controlled. But Oman, a small oil exporter, faced spo- after debating the new rules on Tuesday, radic street protests in 2011 that demand- the advisory Shura Council drafted a letter ed jobs and an end to corruption. It to the sultan, recommending that he post- responded by boosting welfare spending pone their adoption until other laws pro- and creating tens of thousands of public tecting consumers and preventing sector jobs that burden the state budget. monopolies could be enacted. Sultan Qaboos’ decision to suspend the “The Council agrees completely with price deregulation illustrated how difficult the principles of free-market economy it can be to introduce economic reforms in and that the state shouldn’t intervene in the Gulf monarchies, since rulers are wary the market, leaving it to the power of of public discontent even if they have supply and demand,” ONA quoted the ample power to act. Last December, letter as saying. “And for this to happen, Bahrain announced it would raise fuel it is important to maintain a balance prices to save on state subsidies, but between traders’ rights and consumers’ backed off from implementing that plan BERLIN: German Chancellor Angela Merkel is surrounded by lawmakers as she waits to cast her vote during the budget debate at the parlia- rights,” added the council, whose elected after members of parliament protested. ment yesterday. — AP members received a public motion Oman’s cabinet has yet to reveal when it signed electronically by about 2,000 plans to discuss consumer protection and petitioners. anti-monopoly legislation. — Reuters Germany and Italy align on EU policy Britain set for showdown

BRUSSELS: Britain’s slender hopes of securing Italy’s initially shared Cameron’s reservations, both Britain and Germany all had reason to share Renzi’s support in its bid to stop Jean-Claude Juncker announced they would not block Juncker and a sen- view and had to one extent or another given their becoming European Commission president crum- ior German official forecast “a very large, dominant support. bled yesterday when Germany offered Rome a gen- majority” in favor of the appointment. The tentative tler interpretation of EU budget rules. Chancellor convergence between Italy and Germany points the Moment of truth Angela Merkel’s acknowledgement that European way towards a German-style “grand coalition” of the Going against the European grain, Cameron has Union deficit curbs should be applied flexibly to pro- centre-left and centre-right at European level, with waged a vocal campaign against Juncker, 59, casting mote growth was a gesture to Italian Prime Minister Renzi, the young reformer, in the frontline with him as an old-school federalist who does not have the Matteo Renzi, all but ensuring he backs Juncker’s Merkel. skill or energy to breathe new life into the EU. He has nomination at a summit tomorrow. Renzi, whose centre-left party won a resounding also objected to the principle of EU leaders’ letting the Al-Danah’s 2nd Quarterly Prize “The German government agrees that the victory in European elections last month, boosting European Parliament effectively determine the Stability and Growth Pact offers excellent conditions his profile on the EU stage, has made budget flexibili- choice, since Juncker was the leading candidate of for (promoting growth and competitiveness), with ty a central issue as he searches for ways to kickstart the centre-right group that topped the poll in the Draw to take place today clear guard rails and limits on the one hand and a lot his flaccid economy. Sandro Gozi, Italy’s undersecre- European elections. of instruments allowing flexibility on the other,” tary for EU affairs, accepted there was no question of British Europe Minister David Lidington said KUWAIT: Gulf Bank has announced that increasing their deposits. This will also Merkel told Germany’s lower house of parliament. altering the 2005 stability pact, just a need to apply it choosing the Commission president from among the second major Al-Danah draw of 2014 is increase their chances of winning one of “We must use both just as they have been used in more flexibly to favor investment spending and those leading candidates risked making the EU exec- scheduled to be held at 12:30 pm today at the two KD 1,000 prizes, which are drawn the past.” The EU summit starts today with a solemn allow countries implementing growth-enhancing utive a “creature of the European Parliament”. But the bank’s Head Office branch. The draw each working day. commemoration in Ypres, Belgium, of the outbreak reforms extra time to meet deficit and debt targets. Juncker, who was prime minister of Luxembourg for will be for cash prizes of KD 250,000, KD Gulf Bank’s Al-Danah draw account of World War One a century ago in which millions of “No one is asking to revise the pact but to use the 19 years and has been at the heart of EU decision- 125,000 and KD 25,000. The draw event, offers its customers the biggest cash prizes Europeans died. That will be followed by a working rules to their maximum,” he told la Repubblica news- making since the early 1990s, including shaping the which is organized with a Kuwaiti ‘Graish’ in Kuwait, while at the same time helping dinner on the EU’s long-term policy agenda before paper. Stability and Growth Pact, has firm backing from theme welcoming the holy month of them to save money. Customers increase the contentious decision on the Commission presi- In a warning shot to placate German fiscal hawks, Merkel and most other EU leaders. Ramadan will be held in the presence of a their chances of winning by keeping as dency tomorrow. Merkel’s conservative parliamentary group said Renzi Conservative Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik representative from the Ministry of much money as they can in their Al-Danah The tilt in economic policy and the likely appoint- wanted to deviate from the path of stability but Reinfeldt, said yesterday he was ready to support Commerce and Industry and will be broad- account, for as long as possible. In addi- ment of Juncker highlight a new political balance in Berlin would not allow any “dirty tricks” that put Juncker if a majority of leaders backed him, and cast live on Marina FM’s diwaniya show. tion to the unique prize draws, the Al- Europe that is set to shape the EU’s institutions for Europe on a “comfortable but fatal debt track”. Italy Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte told parliament he To participate in the Al-Danah draws, Danah account also offers an Al-Danah the next five years, with the risk of Britain drifting takes over the EU’s rotating presidency six months in would not block Juncker if it came to a vote, leaving customers must have an Al-Danah account ATM Deposit-Only Card to help account away. British Prime Minister David Cameron renewed July, determined to re-energise the union and the British leader virtually isolated. Herman Van containing at least KD 200. Customers can holders deposit their money easily and his promise in parliament to fight to the end against change the way it works. In a speech to parliament Rompuy, president of the European Council and open a new Al Danah account at any one of quickly, and the Al-Danah Calculator, Juncker’s nomination but seems set to be over- on Tuesday, Renzi, 39, said he was fed up with the EU chairman of EU summits, is determined to secure the 58 Gulf Bank branches in Kuwait. which helps customers calculate their win- whelmingly defeated in an unprecedented summit acting like a “nagging old aunt”. Asked who Renzi Juncker’s nomination before the summit ends tomor- Customers who already have an account ning chances from their current Al-Danah vote he has demanded. saw as his natural allies in overhauling the EU row, even if it means a vote that leaves Britain isolated can increase their chances of winning by account balance. The leaders of Sweden and the Netherlands, who machinery, a senior Italian diplomat said France, and defeated.—Reuters EXCHANGE RATES

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. UAE Exchange Centre WLL Syrian Pound 2.895 Sierra Leone 0.000069 0.000075 Nepalese Rupees 3.910 Singapore Dollar 0.222766 0.22766 Malaysian Ringgit 88.485 South African Rand 0.020606 0.029106 ASIAN COUNTRIES COUNTRY SELL DRAFT SELL CASH Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001870 0.002450 Japanese Yen 2.774 Chinese Yuan Renminbi 45.785 Australian Dollar 269.69 266.69 Taiwan 0.009309 0.009489 Indian Rupees 4.702 Thai Bhat 9.690 Canadian Dollar 263.32 264.32 Turkish Lira 131.890 Thai Baht 0.008372 0.008922 Pakistani Rupees 2.863 Swiss Franc 320.22 318.22 Srilankan Rupees 2.167 Euro 386.63 387.63 Arab Nepali Rupees 2.954 US Dollar 282.15 285.15 Singapore Dollar 226.840 Bahraini Dinar 0.743544 0.751544 Sterling Pound 483.92 486.92 Bahrain Exchange Company Egyptian Pound 0.036714 0.039814 Hongkong Dollar 36.477 Japanese Yen 2.91 2.93 Bangladesh Taka 3.636 Iranian Riyal 0.000078 0.000079 Bangladesh Taka 3.632 3.902 CURRENCY BUY SELL Iraqi Dinar 0.000181 0.000241 Philippine Peso 6.452 Indian Rupee 4.693 4.993 Thai Baht 8.726 Europe Jordanian Dinar 0.394580 0.402080 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.166 2.601 Belgian Franc 0.007349 0.008349 Kuwaiti Dinar 1.0000000 1.0000000 Irani Riyal transfer 0.271 Nepali Rupee 2.935 3.470 Irani Riyal cash 0.273 British Pound 0.474190 0.483190 Lebanese Pound 0.000137 0.000237 Pakistani Rupee 2.871 2.790 Czech Korune 0.005967 0.017967 Moroccan Dirhams 0.024394 0.048394 UAE Dirhams 76.89 77.35 Danish Krone 0.047442 0.052442 Nigerian Naira 0.001135 0.001770 GCC COUNTRIES Bahraini Dinar 750.97 753.04 Euro 0.378503 0.386503 Omani Riyal 0.728383 0.734063 Saudi Riyal 75.430 Egyptian Pound 39.45 40.05 Norwegian Krone 0.042153 0.047359 Qatar Riyal 0.076954 0.078167 Qatari Riyal 77.721 Jordanian Dinar 401.57 407.22 Romanian Leu 0.087260 0.87260 Saudi Riyal 0.074763 0.075463 Omani Riyal 734.800 Omani Riyal 733.77 741.07 Slovakia 0.008094 0.018094 Syrian Pound 0.001753 0.001973 Bahraini Dinar 751.300 Qatari Riyal 77.91 78.46 Swedish Krona 0.038095 0.043095 UAE Dirham 77.033 Saudi Riyal 75.37 75.77 Tunisian Dinar 0.166199 0.174199 Swiss Franc 0.309104 0.319304 Turkish Lira 0.134086 0.141086 ARAB COUNTRIES Turkish Lira 0.134086 0.141086 UAE Dirhams 0.076001 0.077150 Egyptian Pound - Cash 38.936 Yemeni Riyal 0.001275 0.001355 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 39.465 Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Australasia Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.320 Australian Dollar 0.257945 0.269445 New Zealand Dollar 0.239976 0.249476 Tunisian Dinar 169.570 Rate for Transfer Selling Rate Jordanian Dinar 399.450 America Al Mulla Exchange US Dollar 282.500 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 1.898 Canadian Dollar 0.258082 0.266582 Canadian Dollar 265.630 Syrian Lira 2.016 US Dollars 0.278650 0.283000 Sterling Pound 481.955 Currency Transfer Rate (Per 1000) Morocco Dirham 35.0344 US Dollars Mint 0.279150 0.283000 Euro 382.905 US Dollar 282.150 Euro 385.450 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES Swiss Frank 315.995 Asia US Dollar Transfer 282.750 Bahrain Dinar 751.900 Bangladesh Taka 0.003294 0.003894 Pound Sterlng 481.650 Euro 385.570 UAE Dirhams 76.890 Chinese Yuan 0.044102 0.047602 Canadian Dollar 264.450 Sterling Pound 482.510 Qatari Riyals 78.475 Hong Kong Dollar 0.034385 0.037135 Indian Rupee 4.696 Canadian dollar 264.620 Saudi Riyals 75.605 Indian Rupee 0.004509 0.004910 Egyptian Pound 39.450 Turkish lira 132.390 Jordanian Dinar 398.125 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000019 0.000025 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.165 Swiss Franc 316.980 Egyptian Pound 39.456 Japanese Yen 0.002687 0.002867 Bangladesh Taka 3.631 Australian Dollar 267.480 Sri Lankan Rupees 2.169 Kenyan Shilling 0.003229 0.003229 Philippines Peso 6.443 US Dollar Buying 281.550 Indian Rupees 4.698 Korean Won 0.000267 0.000282 Pakistan Rupee 2.863 Pakistani Rupees 2.869 Malaysian Ringgit 0.084003 0.090003 Bahraini Dinar 751.400 GOLD Bangladesh Taka 3.637 Nepalese Rupee 0.002986 0.003156 UAE Dirham 76.850 20 Gram 245.000 Philippines Pesso 6.457 Pakistan Rupee 0.002675 0.002955 Saudi Riyal 75.400 10 Gram 124.000 Cyprus pound 693.875 Philippine Peso 0.006358 0.0066338 *Rates are subject to change 5 Gram 64.000 Japanese Yen 3.767 THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014 BUSINESS

Real estate sector continues to perform strongly in May

NBK ECONOMIC UPDATE

KUWAIT: Coming off a record perform- the same period in 2013. and sale of land or vacant plots. percent of all transactions in the invest- experience some cooling at the begin- ance in April, Kuwait’s real estate market, Sales in the residential sector reached Sales in the investment sector stood ment sector. Individual apartments ning of the year, another solid perform- naturally, witnessed a drop in the value KD 170 million in May, a 15 percent y/y at KD 145 million in May, up 41 percent came in second, comprising 37 percent ance appears in store for 2014. The of sales and the number of transactions increase. The number of transactions in y/y. The sector, however, also experi- of all transactions. The majority of these Kuwait Credit Bank approved 551 loans in May. However, May continued this May, at 462, is still down compared to enced a decline of 22 percent y/y in the were in Mahboula for May. Transactions worth approximately KD 33 million in year’s strong showing, with sales reach- the same month last year, possibly number of transactions. These involving vacant plots accounted for 10 May. The value of loans approved ing KD 355 million-an increase of 24 per- reflecting tighter conditions for residen- decreased to 136. With larger values but percent. declined on a y/y basis by 16 percent. cent year-on-year. Sales were up from a tial properties. In terms of geographical fewer transactions, the average transac- Sales in the commercial sector The past year has been a very active one year ago, across all sectors. As the end of distribution, 35 percent of all transac- tion size increased in May to KD 1.1 mil- climbed to KD 40 million in May, an for the bank even if there has been a the second quarter approaches, Kuwait’s tions took place in Ahmadi governorate, lion. The sector continues to grow on the increase of 12.5 percent y/y. The sector noticeable slowdown in the distribution real estate market looks to have per- followed by 24 percent in Mubarak Al- back of burgeoning demand as many recorded 10 transactions, two of them of plots in recent months. Meanwhile, formed very strongly during the first half Kabeer and 15 percent in Hawalli. In the investors view real estate investments as were each worth KD 7.5 million. Sales in the value of loans disbursed by the of 2014. Sales were up 30 percent in the residential sector, the bulk of transac- an attractive asset alternative. this sector can be relatively volatile from Credit Bank reached KD 16 million, an first five months of the year compared to tions, 57 percent, involved the purchase Whole buildings accounted for 48 month to month. While the sector did increase of 60 percent y/y. World saves $3.5tn from emergency oil stocks: IEA Costs of stockpiling more than offset by the benefits

LONDON: The world has saved $3.5 trillion over imports. At the end of March 2014, member Gas supplies the last 30 years by maintaining emergency oil countries’ stores totaled 4.1 billion barrels, equiv- Though the IEA does not require members to stocks to offset supply shocks and curb price alent to about 44 days of total global demand, hold emergency gas reserves, the rapidly grow- surges, the West’s energy watchdog said yester- the report said. By the end of 2013, 60 percent of ing use of gas has also led to fundamental day. The International Energy Agency (IEA) said oil stocks in IEA member countries were crude changes. With Europe remaining the world’s in a report that emergency oil stocks held by oil and 40 percent refined products such as biggest gas importing region, the IEA said emer- member and non-member states have acted as gasoline and diesel. Stockdraw has proven to be gency gas stocking capacities needed to be an “insurance” against oil supply disruptions. the most powerful mechanism available to IEA expanded in order to deal with potential import Spiraling violence in key oil producer Iraq in member countries during an oil supply disrup- disruptions. Russia’s state controlled Gazprom, recent weeks has pushed global oil prices to tion, the Paris-based IEA said. Europe’s biggest gas supplier, halted deliveries nine-month highs, reviving speculation of a Limiting oil consumption, particularly within to Ukraine this month, the third disruption over release of strategic stocks in case of severe sup- the transport sector which accounts for more payments in a decade. The IEA said 14 member THESSALONIKI: Students shout slogans outside of the ministry of Macedonia-Thrace, ply disruptions. countries have storage capacity that can meet at than half of all oil use in IEA members, was during a protest yesterday. Students are protesting against reforms promoted by the “Significant economic benefits are derived least 10 percent of annual demand, 8 countries another way to offset supply disruptions, it said. government in the field of education. The banner reads “Break off the health and the primarily from offsetting oil supply losses and had storage capacity that surpasses 20 percent education”.— AP thereby reducing potentially significant oil price The IEA was created in 1974 by 16 Western coun- of annual demand, while only three countries increases. These consist of reduced GDP losses tries in the wake of the 1973 oil supply shock in have gas storage capacity that surpasses 50 per- and reduced import costs,” the IEA said. Using a an effort to limit the impact of future crisis. cent of annual demand. model to simulate tens of thousands of possible The IEA estimated the cost of stockpiling at The IEA said it expected global gas trade to Toyota names price for oil supply disruption scenarios and market out- $7-$10 per barrel per year, depending on the grow by 30 percent between 2012 and 2018, comes, the report estimated global net benefits size and type of storage. Holding reserves in reaching almost 700 billion cubic meters (bcm). new fuel cell car derived from existing emergency stocks amount underground caverns is about 30 percent cheap- “Global LNG (liquefied natural gas) trade is to $41 per barrel per year after storage costs. er than in aboveground storage facilities, it said. expected to grow slightly faster than pipeline TOKYO: Japanese auto giant Toyota will sewage system,” said Toyota vice president This equates to some $3.5 trillion over 30 The last major supply disruption occurred in trade and gain 31 percent, thanks to rapidly start selling its first fuel cell sedan this Mitsuhisa Kato. years, it said. The 29 IEA member states must 2011 when output from OPEC member Libya expanding LNG liquefaction and import capacity financial year, with a price tag of around 7 “We believe hydrogen could become a hold stocks equivalent to at least 90 days of net dropped sharply due to civil war. built in new markets,” the IEA said. — Reuters million yen ($70,000), the company very important source of energy in the announced yesterday. The vehicles will future.” This is the first time Toyota has giv- begin rolling out by March in the home en a specific timeframe for its fuel cell cars, market, it said, and during the summer of which it had previously said would go on 2015 it will make the environmentally the market in 2015. The announcement friendly cars available in the United States came a day after Japan’s industry ministry and Europe. “Hydrogen is a particularly said the government will strongly support promising alternative fuel since it can be the hydrogen and fuel cell sector in a produced using a wide variety of primary “strategic roadmap”. energy sources, including solar and wind The ministry said the market related to power,” the automaker said in a statement. hydrogen and fuel cell products and infra- Fuel cell cars are seen as the Holy Grail structure is expected to expand from of green cars as they are powered by a about one trillion yen in 2030 to about chemical reaction of hydrogen and oxy- eight trillion yen within two decades. gen, which produces nothing more harm- While automakers expect eventual govern- ful than water. Toyota’s fuel cell sedan can ment subsidies to make fuel cell vehicles travel about 700 kilometers (435 miles) more accessible for general drivers, the without refueling, about three times fur- price tag unveiled by Toyota yesterday is ther than an electric car, and it only takes also a nice surprise for potential cus- three minutes refuel, similar to a gasoline tomers-it had been widely expected that a engine car, Toyota said. fuel cell vehicle would cost around 10 mil- The company, while not abandoning lion yen. But many hurdles still need to be electric altogether, sees the fuel cell as the overcome before fuel cell vehicles become next logical step after its big early success a common sight on roads, most notably, with the Prius gas-electric hybrid, which the network of hydrogen refueling sta- has sold about 3.7 million units since its tions, Toyota said. The Japanese govern- launch in the late 1990s. “Hydrogen does ment has also said it will try to make not emit CO2, so it could be a key player to hydrogen available at a price similar to or realize a low-carbon society. It can be pro- less than gasoline fuel, while increasing duced with fossil fuel such as natural gas the number of hydrogen refueling stations and even with sludge accumulated in the to about 100 next year. — AFP Cyprus recession to be shallower than expected MUMBAI: An Indian trader carries a sack of onions at a wholesale market in Vashi on the outskirts of Mumbai. — AFP NICOSIA: Cyprus’s shell-shocked econo- said. “2013 was a year in which our coun- my will perform better than expected in try faced an unprecedented situation, a Inflation strains mount for India’s new govt 2014 as the island meets its bailout tar- year of consequences we would all like to MUMBAI: New Indian Prime Minister Wholesale Price Index, the most closely gets and the troubled banking sector quickly overcome,” said Georghadji. Narendra Modi’s promises to revive the watched cost-of-living indicator, rose to gets back on its feet, the central bank In return for the bailout, Cyprus Passengers sleep chief said yesterday. In her first press con- agreed to a severe austerity program and economy face a gathering threat from infla- 6.01 percent in May driven by food and fuel ference since taking office in April, a profound restructuring of the bloated tion, which is creeping up again due to oil prices-the highest figure since December in Paris airport Chrystalla Georghadji said the economy banking sector. The deal included a prices, weak monsoon rains and hoarding, and compared with 5.20 percent in April. was proving resilient to predictions of a restructuring of the banks, with the analysts say. Food inflation, one of the rea- ORLY: At least 200 passengers were forced to spend deeper recession. island’s second-largest lender, Laiki, sons voters resoundingly ejected the previ- Deficient monsoon Tuesday night in a Paris airport after an ongoing air traffic She said proof of this was the econo- wound up and its good assets folded in ous Congress government in elections in Other inflationary factors are beyond controllers’ strike disrupted their flights to Spain and my shrinking 4.1 percent in the first quar- to the largest lender, Bank of Cyprus April and May, is gathering pace with trou- Modi’s control. Global oil prices have been Portugal. An airport source said the passengers, most of ter of 2014 compared to 5 percent in the (BoC). Deposits above 100,000 euros in blesome onion prices in the spotlight. rising as worsening strife in Iraq triggers whom had been due to travel with low cost airline Vueling, last quarter of 2013. International lenders both banks were subjected to so-called The new government announced meas- fears of supply disruptions-a key concern in were given camp beds to help them through their night in predict the Cyprus economy will shrink “bail-ins”. Those amounts from Laiki were ures last week to tackle the problem after India, which imports more than 80 percent Orly airport and were joined yesterday morning by scores 4.2 percent this year before experiencing converted into BoC shares, and 47.5 per- winning the general election on a platform of its crude oil needs. India is one of the of others whose flights were cancelled or delayed. marginal growth in 2015, but the bank cent of deposits already held in BoC were of good governance and jump-starting the world’s top producers of rice, wheat and The strike, which kicked off on Tuesday, is due to last governor said this was rather a bleak out- also converted. economy, which is growing at its slowest sugar but relies heavily on the southwest until Sunday as some of the country’s air traffic controllers look. “Based on developments, the provi- The troika said the recession in Cyprus pace in a decade. “All efforts will be made monsoon, which sweeps the subcontinent protest against what they say is a lack of sufficient funding sion of the troika held under the fourth looks set to be shallower this year than to ensure there is no shortage of onion, from June to September to water its crops. for a sector in dire need of modernization. Representatives evaluation, for a total decrease of GDP by expected, but recovery will also be slow- potato and tomato anywhere in the coun- This year the annual downpour looks of the union that called the work stoppage are expected to 4.2 percent for 2014, seems to be rather er than anticipated. It said Cyprus contin- try,” said Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan threatened by the El Nino phenomenon, a meet transport officials yesterday afternoon, after which pessimistic,” Georghadji told reporters. ued to meet its targets under the austeri- on Thursday, blaming hoarders for the warming of waters in the Pacific that has in they will decide whether to pursue the strike. She was referring to the troika of ty plan, which included both tax hikes problems. the past-but not always-led to a weaker France’s civil aviation watchdog said yesterday around international lenders-the European and sharp spending cuts, as well as par- He called on onion producer states such monsoon in India. The India Meteorology one in five flights going to and from several cities in south- Commission, the European Central Bank tial privatization of some state-owned as Maharashtra, of which Mumbai is the Department says rains have been deficient ern France, or taking off from Paris to the south, Spain, and the International Monetary Fund- utilities. capital, to ensure uninterrupted supplies of over 80 percent of the country so far. Portugal, Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria, were cancelled-the who bailed out Cyprus in March 2013 Fears of a bank run in March 2013 the staple vegetables to keep prices steady. Further price rises threaten to hit tens of same situation as Tuesday. The strike has been blasted by and have since been carrying out regular forced the government to close all the The day before, the government millions of India’s poor who live on less airlines and trade groups, with the International Air assessments of the island’s compliance island’s banks for nearly two weeks and announced a minimum export price for than one dollar a day, and who have Transport Association condemning “unions bent on stop- with the terms of the deal. Georghadji impose the draconian controls when onions of $300 per ton in a bid to prevent already struggled with high levels of infla- ping progress” at the height of the tourist season in France. said she expects GDP to contract by they reopened. Georghadji said external overseas sales and reduce prices in the tion for years. Air traffic controllers involved in the action want airport around 4 percent this year. The 58-year- capital controls would be lifted as soon local market. Tackling hoarders-large The Reserve Bank of India chief fees for airlines to increase by 10 percent, but companies old former finance ministry official is the as “trust in the banks was fully restored”. traders who keep food in stock while wait- Raghuram Rajan, who has raised interest want them to go down and the government is caught in first woman to be appointed as the She said Cyprus was on the right track ing for prices to rise-has long been a priori- rates three times to tame consumer prices between. island’s top banker and has a reputation despite concerns over bad loans and The SNCTA, the country’s biggest air traffic control union, ty for Indian governments, but with few since coming to the helm in September, as a tough campaigner against corrup- youth unemployment estimated at decided not to go on strike following last-ditch negotiations results. told reporters last week that combating tion in public life. around 40 percent. with the government but has echoed mounting concerns Analysts say the new attempts to slam a inflation would continue to be the priority “It should be emphasized that the that French air navigation tools are becoming dangerously lid on prices are a good first step by the in the next few quarters. Without the gov- ‘Year of consequences’ road is long, many challenges still exist obsolete. The system used in the country to enhance radar Signs that Cyprus was rising from the and there is no room for complacency,” Modi government-although there are limits ernment’s help to tackle inflation, Rajan is monitoring and for separation of air traffic dates back to the rubble of near economic meltdown, were said Georghadji. “Continued effort is to how much the central government can unlikely to cut interest rates any time soon, 1980s, and is due to be replaced by a new system. The tools recent favorable assessments by interna- required with the same intensity and do without state cooperation. “Cartels are despite the clamor from businesses for low- used to control air traffic are also in need of change. tional credit agencies, a return to debts prudence until the effect of the crisis is unfair business practices. So cracking down er borrowing costs to spur the economy. According to the SNCTA, for instance, all radar screens in the markets-the fastest by any bailed-out completely reversed. Already internation- on such won’t make the PM anti-business. “One lever which is key to reviving growth Aix-en-Provence control centre in southern France were euro-zone country-and the lifting of all al markets are sending the first positive Such steps are needed to control inflation goes missing if inflation is not tamed,” said recently “urgently” changed after around 20 screens sud- domestic capital controls in May, she signals,” she added. — AFP expectations,” said Rupa Rege Nitsure, chief DK Joshi, chief economist with rating denly went blank over the space of 18 months. — AFP economist at Bank of Baroda. The agency Crisil. — AFP BUSINESS THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014 Abe’s ‘drill bit’ hits resistance on Japan labor reform

TOKYO: When Prime Minister Shinzo Abe see in labor regulation. In March, John vowed at the World Economic Forum in Rice, GE’s vice chairman, appealed directly Davos to take a “drill bit” to the “solid rock” to an Abe-appointed panel on foreign of vested interests in reforming Japan’s investment to give employers more flexi- economy, executives at companies such bility and make it easier for employees to as General Electric and IBM paid attention. move between companies. In the months that followed the January “If labor mobility is high, productivity appearance at Davos, blue-ribbon panels would go up and we could take on the sought out GE and IBM for advice on how challenge of managing through the busi- to give companies more flexibility in hir- ness cycle,” Rice said, according to a tran- ing and pay. script of the Japanese translation. IBM, But the labor market deregulation to which has clashed with Japanese unions be announced on Tuesday, as part of an over its dismissal of workers who received economic package aimed at boosting below-average appraisals, was also con- investment in Japan and lifting growth, sulted, officials involved in the process stops far short of the sweeping change said. foreign business leaders had sought. That GE confirmed its executives talked to marks a setback at a time when investor the government and provided the tran- optimism about the pace of “Abenomics” script of Rice’s appearance at the panel. reforms has ebbed. The Nikkei stock IBM Japan’s spokesman Takeo Tamagawa index, a closely watched indicator for declined to provide the details of consul- Abe’s closest advisors which rose more tations, but said that two main issues dis- then 50 percent in 2013 as investors cussed with the government were the cheered the first blast of Abenomics, is flexibility of working arrangements and a down 5 percent this year. working culture in which workers were “Changes in labour regulations will be evaluated based on performance, not the incremental. It’s a step forward, but it’s not time spent at work. that big,” said Robert Feldman, chief econ- omist at Morgan Stanley MUFG in Tokyo. ‘No overtime’ The story of how Abe’s promised deregu- Japan’s rigid labor laws allow almost all lation faltered on job market reforms workers to claim overtime if they work when confronted by resistance from more than eight hours a day or 40 hours a Japan’s bureaucracy and political contro- week, with a narrow exception for execu- versy illustrates the challenge for Abe’s tives and some occupations. Labor unions “Third Arrow”, a growth strategy intended say the rules prevent abuses and “karoshi”, to boost private investment and compli- the coined-in-Japan term for death by ment earlier programs of fiscal stimulus overwork. and monetary expansion by the Bank of “The people who die by overwork in Japan. Japan are mostly white collar workers,” Although Abe’s reform panel sought said Yosuke Minaguchi, a lawyer specializ- ideas from companies such as Ikea and ing in labor law. “These are not laborers Danone in recent months, the crucial toiling in factories but they also need pro- decisions were made behind closed doors tection.” For his part, Abe has wanted to by about half a dozen Tokyo bureaucrats take on overtime rules since his first brief over a few days in June, according to stint as prime minister in 2006 and 2007, interviews with 11 people who participat- officials involved say. But a plan to carve ed in the process. The result: a pledge to out a “white collar exemption” for over- end compulsory overtime allowance for time in Abe’s first term met strong opposi- workers earning more than the equivalent tion and contributed to a decline in his of $100,000 per year, a change affecting support ratings. This time, advisers say, he less than 4 percent of Japan’s workers. wanted to make sure that any reforms The more contentious question of how would not be characterized as an attempt and whether to make it easier for compa- to strip hard-working voters of overtime nies to fire workers was left unanswered that could cost him support. with the government pledging to find a “The prime minister had one request. “place for debate” on the issue next year. To clarify to the public the difference Both rules on overtime and firing will be between this proposal and the previous further discussed in a council at Japan’s one,” said Futoshi Nasuno, a Ministry of Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, Economy, Trade and Industry official who where unions have a strong voice and prepared drafts of the policy proposals. have made it clear they will fight to pre- After the consultations that included IBM vent change. and GE, the advisory panel proposed two “It’s true that right now it is only limited kinds of exemptions from overtime to the group which supports competitive- allowance - one for mid-level managers ness the most, but I think it is still mean- and creative workers and another based ingful to offer them to be able to work on income for high performers earning according to new rules,” said Makoto more than about $100,000 per year, a Murayama, the labor ministry official in threshold taken from a precedent in the charge of negotiations. “We can’t go United States. ahead looking only at the economic Then, in late April, Asahi Shimbun, impact, but also have to protect the work- Japan’s second-largest newspaper, ran a ers and gain the understanding of the citi- front page story that raised questions zens.” about whether the exemption was so broad it would amount to a “no overtime Long hours, low productivity pay” policy. The leak of the plan put the At a London event targeting foreign advisory panel on the defensive, officials investors in May, Abe seemed to promise a involved said. Wary of a public backlash, lot. “Japan’s population is declining. In Trade ministry officials from the govern- order to grow, we must raise productivity,” ment’s reform taskforce decided to nar- he said in answer to a question. “We need row their demand to seek an exemption to reform labor market regulation in order only for those earning more than to make working conditions more flexible.” $100,000. The exemption was so limited Abe’s comments suggested that he was that officials decided not to even run an aiming at an overhaul of Japan’s lifetime economic simulation of what it would employment system. That entrenched mean for growth or income. practice gave workers secure jobs until Around the same time, trade ministry retirement and was a feature in Japan’s officials who were pushing reform were astonishing economic rise in the 1960s and running up against resistance from the 1970s. But it has been unraveling since an labor ministry on the wording of the final asset bubble burst in the 1990s and propo- policy plan. “We were pushing to get spe- nents of reform argue that a freer job mar- cific dates and implementation periods ket would lift growth and incomes. for our projects into the bill. We asked for “This is a system that was built up over concrete words like ‘establish’ and ‘create’. 30 or 40 years bit by bit,” said Junji Annen, The labor ministry would come back with Chuo University Law School professor ‘consider’ or ‘study’ and vague commit- who advises on one of Abe’s reform pan- ments for implementation,” Akiko els. “No one thinks it can go on like this, Sugahara, who joined the government but they are scared to change it.” The reform taskforce from business lobby Japanese work long hours, but remain far group Japan Association of Corporate less productive than workers in the Executives told Reuters. United States or the European Union. Foreign investors had asked for Rules on firing are complicated and the changes to Japan’s labor law, which gives outcome is uncertain for employers. In broad discretion to judges in settling dis- part because of the unpredictable costs of missal cases. As a result, labor-related cas- restructuring in a downturn, employers es take on average, twice as long as other are reluctant to hire full-time. Almost 40 civil cases, court data show. In the end, percent of workers are in a temporary the Abe plan commits only to further class with limited protections and fewer debate on a “dispute resolution system” by benefits. stakeholders. Labor unions are already Between the start of the year and April, girded for a fight. “We don’t need this new representatives of Abe’s economic reform system,” Nobuyuki Shintani, director at the team sought ideas from foreign compa- Japanese Trade Union Confederation, nies such as Procter and Gamble and Japan’s most powerful labor union, told Unilever on the changes they wanted to Reuters.— Reuters

BOSTON: A worker positions iron girders at a building construction site in Boston. The Commerce Department released first-quarter gross domestic product yesterday. — AP BUSINESS THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014 ‘Ratatouille’ ride tops record investment year for theme parks

PARIS: Disneyland Paris recently unveiled a new ride attraction without having tested it first in a park in the draw in ever more fickle clients” and is an “imperative to “It is a virtuous circle: investments increase supply, which based on its animated film “Ratatouille”, topping off a United States,” said Sophie Huberson, managing director remain profitable,” said Huberson, who estimates parks lengthens and intensifies consumption while visitors are record year for investment in Europe’s theme parks with of union SNELAC. Disneyland Paris remains Europe’s top invest between 8-25 percent of their revenues every year. on site.” — AFP the region’s most expensive attraction ever. Visitors to tourist attraction, but it is drawing smaller crowds than it “Ratatouille: The Adventure” are made to feel they have used to: last year visitor numbers fell by a million to shrunk to the size of Disney’s gourmet rat Remy as he below 15 million. scurries around a giant kitchen, chased by his nemesis from the film, Chef Skinner. Virtuous circle Seated in their own “rat-mobile,” they are plunged into It isn’t the only European theme park to rachet up the cold of a huge fridge, confronted with a fish 7.5 spending in 2014. An “unprecedented” 500 million euros meters long and a ham weighing a ton-but luckily the were invested in theme parks, attractions and shows in oven isn’t quite so realistic. Euro Disney spent more than the region this year, according to the amusement indus- 150 million euros ($204 million) on the ride inspired by try’s largest trade association IAAPA. In April, Germany’s the adventures of Pixar character Remy, a rat with a Europa Park, Europe’s number two after Disneyland with remarkable sense of smell who ends up as a chef in one almost five million visitors last year, launched its largest of Paris’s top restaurants. Outside, the park has also creat- indoor attraction since it opened: “The Kingdom of the ed an entire Parisian quartier, including the 370-seat Minimoys Arthur”, developed with French film director Bistrot Chez Remy, that will, of course, serve ratatouille. Luc Besson. The Puy du Fou medieval theme park in Vendee, west- Record investment ern France, also invested 20 million euros this year on The five-year project, which will be inaugurated on new rides, decorations and a new four-star hotel, double July 10, cost a European record of 200 million euros in what it spent in 2013. “This is not an arms race”, total. It is also expected to add 200 jobs to Disneyland Dominique Hummel, head of Futuroscope, told AFP. The Paris’s workforce of 15,000. Holding company Euro park, near Poitiers in central France, spent six million Disney will no doubt hope the ride will revive Disneyland euros on a time machine ride, which launched just before Paris’s ailing fortunes. Euro Disney has struggled to make Christmas. net profits since the park’s inception-it’s last was in 2008 Europe has a total of 300 parks, concentrated mainly — but the US group regards its 20-year-old Paris opera- in Britain, France, Germany in Spain. They are a significant MARNE-LA-VALLEE: Bob Iger (third left), CEO of The Walt Disney Company, Paris Disneyland tion as an important branding showpiece. “This is the first draw for tourists, with a total of 150 million international President Philippe Gas (second left) and Disney Parks and Resorts Vice President Tom Staggs (third time that Disney is taking the risk of launching a major tourists visiting every year. Innovation “is necessary to right) inaugurate the new attraction “Ratatouille” at Disneyland Paris. — AFP S Africa miners return to work

Strike cost producers over $2bn in lost revenue

MARIKANA: Thousands of miners on South Africa’s platinum belt streamed back to work yes- terday after reaching a wage deal with leading global producers that ended a crippling five- month strike. Workers at Anglo America Platinum (Amplats), Impala Platinum and Lonmin started making their way to the mines outside Rustenburg from as early as 5.00am (0300 GMT), setting the northwestern town abuzz for the first time in months. “I feel like a new employee all over again,” said Andries Phala. “I’m glad the strike is over. I’m also happy that our return will make a small difference in our wages,” said Phala, LEIPZIG: German journalist Greta Taubert shows herself (right) looking for things to who has worked at Lonmin for 14 years. recycle and use in waste containers during the period where she renounced the con- Some workers were in full underground min- sumer society. — AFP ing gear, with hard hats and reflective overalls, but it is expected to take several weeks for pro- duction to get into full swing. Companies report- Living without money, ed a combined loss of 24 billion rand ($2.27 bil- lion) in earnings and said workers lost 10.6 billion rand in wages, as a result of the longest mining German woman’s strike in South Africa’s history. “Being without income was difficult for every- year-long adventure one, everything stood still. This bit of an increase will definitely motivate us to work harder,” said an LEIPZIG: For one year, Greta Taubert coffee-just a couple of hours after a hearty underground employee at one of Anglo MARIKANA: South African platinum miners queue to undergo essential medical and safety renounced our consumer society. Eating, lunch. “When I said ‘I would like some milk’, my American Platinum mines. “We also deserve our procedures before working yesterday. — AFP drinking and dressing without spending a granny put on the table powdered flavors to share in the wealth of this country,” he added. cent, the 30-year-old German woman wanted add chocolate, banana, vanilla or strawberry The wage deal signed by the three companies on the year, but many media commentators warned strike was over, saying he “lucky to even make a to see what life would be like if the economic taste,” Taubert recalled. “Our economic system Tuesday will see the lowest paid workers whose more problems lie ahead. sale of few basics a day since the end February”. system collapsed. The first thing she badly is based on the perspective of infinite growth, basic salary is less than 12,500 rand ($1,180) “What has been achieved through this settle- “We had to remain hopeful, one month passed, wanted after her 12 months of consumer but our ecological world is limited,” she wrote. increase by 1,000 rand ($95) a month for two ment is no more than a reprieve,” Business Day then two, three and four. Hope was beginning to abstinence? “Tights,” she replied spontaneous- “The mantra ‘more, more, more’ will not take years and by 950 rand in the third year. said in an editorial. It created “a breathing space fade,” said Saaif Asmal, who runs a small super- ly, nursing a cappuccino in a cafe in Leipzig, a us very far.” Workers had originally demanded that basic that must be used to restructure the mining market. “I was ready to close down.” In Nkaneng, city in what used to be East Germany. “And toi- In Germany, in 2012, nearly seven million wages be increased to 12,500 rand-which would industry so as to avoid a repeat performance in a squalid slum near Lonmin mine, mineworkers’ letries,” she added quickly, pushing aside a tons of food landed in the garbage, averaging have represented a more than doubling of three years-or sooner if other sectors are families were also elated at the prospect of pay strand of her long blonde hair. 81.6 kilograms (180 pounds) per person. income for many. The union representing the impressed enough with the settlement terms to day coming around again. The settlement is a Gone now are the homemade deodorants, Taubert says Europe’s years of crisis have workers, the Association of Mineworkers and follow the platinum miners’ lead.” stones’ throw from the infamous Marikana hill, face creams and toothpastes, all guaranteed heightened awareness about the limits of the Construction Union (AMCU, acknowledged that the scene of an August 2012 bloodbath where 100 percent organic. “I even made my own current economic model. “People have real- not all workers would reach a 12,500 rand basic Hope returning police opened fire on striking mineworkers, shampoo,” she said. “But I started to look like a ized that they haven’t settled anything with wage under the new three-year deal, but has But a sense of victory was also felt in the killing 34. “I was beginning to worry that we were Neanderthal. My friends told me, ‘Now you’re the bailouts and the European Stability described the strike as a victory. impoverished Marikana area, where minework- now going to witness more deaths, deaths going too far’,” she laughed. For an entire year Mechanism,” she said. “We’re just continuing The government and business have wel- ers’ income is the main lifeblood. The strike had caused by starvation and stress,” said Anna Taubert, a freelance journalist, swapped skirts as in the past, but this system doesn’t have a comed the end to the strike, which pushed the caused some businesses to close. A Somali shop- Makua, whose husband survived the 2012 and trousers at second-hand clothes sound basis.” economy into contraction in the first quarter of keeper in the town, said he was relieved that the killings. — AFP exchanges and tilled the soil to grow cabbage Her arguments reprise those made in the and potatoes in a community garden. 2012 book “How Much Is Enough?” by British For a holiday, she hitchhiked some 1,700 writers Robert and Edward Skidelsky, who Zimbabwe banks seek ‘Big kilometers (more than 1,000 miles) to take argue that the modern world is ruled by an time out in Barcelona, albeit in a squat. Having insatiable desire to accumulate ever more endured the extreme experience, she wrote a money and things. The less-is-more trend has book, “Apokalypse Jetzt!”-German for drawn a growing band of followers, spawning Daddy’ investors abroad “Apocalypse Now”, the title of Francis Ford online food-sharing sites and “book trees” in Coppola’s epic 1979 Vietnam war movie- Berlin where people leave and pick up their which came out in February. In the book, she favorite reads. In southern Europe, hard hit by recounts her life far from the clothes racks of the crisis, unemployed Greek youths are Banks seek foreign shareholders to recapitalize H&M, the cardboard boxes of discount super- teaching skills such as gardening in exchange market chains, and from the considerable for English language courses. During her HARARE: A series of Zimbabwean-owned banks Capital’s license because it was unwilling to inject amounted to $3.6 billion, RBZ data shows. Of these, waste of modern consumer society. adventure, Taubert met neo-hippies, eco- are struggling to stay above water as loan defaults more capital. In many cases, bad lending is the 17 percent were classified as non-performing, extremists and end-time “preppers” or sur- grow, forcing lenders to turn to foreign investors if result of mismanagement or abuse of deposits, much higher than the southern African regional ‘More, more, more mantra’ vivalists and, as she humorously recounts in they can and undermining President Robert experts on the sector say. Most banks have fallen average of 10 percent. The eco-minimalist adventure began one her book, learned to negotiate the finer points Mugabe’s black economic empowerment drive. victim to non-performing loans made to their own Sunday afternoon at her grandmother’s of an outdoor composting toilet. “Today I try With the Zimbabwean economy slowing sharply, shareholders and executives, said Anthony Bloated books house, where she contemplated a table laden to incorporate into my daily life what I learned some banks have already closed, weighed down by Hawkins, a business professor at the University of “For the small and aggressive banks, most of with ham and cheese canapes, apple pie, during this year,” she said. “But I’m glad I no indiscriminate lending and their failure to raise Zimbabwe. “It is an issue of corporate governance their loan books are likely to be bloated with deals cheesecake, cream pie, vanilla biscuits and longer live as radically.” — AFP new capital to cover loan losses. Several local where you have shareholders holding sway in the that barely passed the banks’ relaxed credit worthi- banks already have British or South African owners way the banks lend,” he told Reuters. ness standards,” said Ray Chipendo, head of and a few have found backers abroad such as for- The government is drafting a new banking law research at Johannesburg-based Emergent Ousted American Apparel mer Barclays boss Bob Diamond, who has bought which would cap individuals’ shareholdings at 5 Research. Dozens of Zimbabwean companies have into a regional lender active in Zimbabwe. But life percent to curb their influence, while making direc- collapsed this year due to a lack of capital. “This is CEO fights to get job back is tough for many of the rest. tors and executives liable for bank failures. Of the expected to worsen as more banks realize losses on “The ones without support from international 18 banks operating in Zimbabwe, five are owned loans in a worsening macro-economic environ- NEW YORK: The ousted founder of US fash- stock filing seen Tuesday by AFP, Charney, banks are going to struggle. You need a bit of a Big by British and South African institutions. Four ment,” Inter-Horizon Securities said in a research ion label American Apparel, Dov Charney, is 45, said he would vigorously fight what he Daddy to sometimes help you out of the deep end,” banks hold 60 percent of the $4.7 billion deposits note. Zimbabwe’s biggest banking group, CBZ fighting to get back his job as chief execu- called an unjustified decision by the board. said Abri Du Plessis, chief investment officer at in the system. RBZ Governor John Mangudya Holdings, reported a 43.7 percent decline in after- tive, and as the company’s stock price con- He said he had been approached by people Cape Town-based Gryphon Asset Management. declined to comment for this article although a tax profit in the first quarter of this year, weighed tinues to plunge. American Apparel shares including shareholders who plan a shakeup After scrapping the worthless Zimbabwe dollar five senior central bank official said Zimbabwe’s bank- down by a growing number of loans on which bor- fell another 21.35 percent to 53 cents of the board. years ago, the economy recovered steadily from ing sector was “safe and sound”. But Allied Bank, rowers are not keeping up with interest or capital Tuesday on Wall Street, making for a mar- If his dismissal proceeds, Charney, who hyperinflation and a decade in which GDP shrank owned by Transport Minister Obert Mpofu, this repayments. CBZ said it could not comment as it ket capitalization of just 91.69 million dol- owns 27 percent of the group, told the by an estimated 40 percent. month put 92 percent of its staff on unpaid leave was in a closed period before publication of its lars. In the company’s heyday the shares Financial Times on Tuesday he will seek sev- However, activity is now slowing again. The until September to cut costs. half-year financial results. Some banks are seeking had been worth as much as 15 dollars. erance pay of between 23 million and 25 World Bank has cut its 2014 growth forecast to 2 Mpofu said he was not involved in running to draw on foreign investors. Last month Tetrad Charney was suspended with immedi- million dollars. He hit back at the board for percent, a third of the government’s projection. Allied, while the bank said it was trying to raise Investment Bank agreed to sell a majority stake to ate effect last week by the board of direc- the way it dismissed him. Whatever the reality, the International Monetary new capital and reduce its non-performing loans, Russia’s Horizon Capital for $50 million. Tetrad said tors and will go within a month. Charney, “I think it’s highly unusual that a board - Fund noted this week that “financial sector vulnera- which stand at 69 percent of the total. “The funda- it would comment only when the deal was com- who was known for sometimes walking any board - would indulge in such a hateful bilities persist, stemming from the high levels of mental challenge for Allied Bank since inception pleted. around his factories in his underpants, has PR campaign against its founder. I think it’s non-performing loans, low capitalization and low has been the issue of inadequate capitalization. Atlas Mara - an African investment vehicle set been accused of sexual harassment by sev- grotesque. It’s a lash-out that stems from a liquidity”. Earlier this month, the Reserve Bank of The bank is implementing this voluntary unpaid up by Bob Diamond after he was forced out of the eral of his own employees. The board said false place due to a lack of research into the Zimbabwe (RBZ) shut Capital Bank after finding it leave scheme in an effort to contain operational British lender in 2012 - paid $265 million in March he was being let go as part of a probe into work I’ve been doing over the last year,” was under-capitalized and saddled with too many costs, staff costs included,” the lender said in to buy BancABC , Zimbabwe’s third largest bank in his conduct. But Charney filed papers Charney told the Financial Times. Besides non-performing loans. Capital is the fifth bank to emailed responses to questions. Smaller banks terms of deposits. BancAbc has set up base in Monday with the American Arbitration his odd behavior, Charney is blamed for his fold in two years. Its major shareholder, the such as Metbank are limiting cash withdrawals. neighboring Botswana for expanding into south- Association to try to get his job back, failure to halt the firm’s slide on the stock National Social Security Authority, a state-owned Metbank did not respond to requests for comment. ern Africa but its Zimbabwean operation remains according to sources close to the case. In a market. —AFP pension fund, asked the central bank to cancel Total outstanding loans in the January-April period its largest. —Reuters BUSINESS THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014 New Mercedes-Benz C-Class on display at Albisher & Alkazemi’s showroom

KUWAIT: Following months of anticipation, AR Albisher and Z Alkazemi Co - the exclusive general distributor for Mercedes-Benz in Kuwait - has surprised its eager customers by exhibiting two variants of the 2015 all new Mercedes-Benz C-Class in its showroom. Set up in a special area, the dealership is inviting C-Class enthusiasts to visit and view the New C-Class up-close. Over the last few weeks Albisher & Alkazemi Co has rolled some innovative tools developed by Daimler for the new C-Class for customers to glimpse the latest C-Class and its features via their mobile phones; with the mobile app delivering a close to reality, three- VIVA holds postponed dimensional view. In addition, customers could also visualize & pre-book their preferred Extraordinary General Meeting C-Class model and become one of the first to own their dream car through the bi-lingual KUWAIT: VIVA, Kuwait’s fastest-growing The postponed EGM was because the microsite developed keeping the local cus- and most developed telecom operator, required quorum for holding an Annual tomers in mind. held its postponed Extraordinary General General Meeting was not met, since the “We were receiving daily requests and Meeting (EGM) on June 25, 2014 at the attendance of shareholders did not exceed Regency Hotel in Bidaa, Kuwait. With a 75 percent. VIVA’s shareholders approved questions about the new C-Class and this interior that includes a host of innovative fea- the luxurious exclusive line, the AVANTGARDE quorum of 50.07 percent of shareholders, the recommendation of the board that the keen interest in this latest model has prompt- tures that deliver comfort, safety and agility. line with the star in the grill and the sporty the EGM discussed the items of the agenda company pursues its strategy and opera- ed us to immediately put it on display as soon The new model is also 3.7 inches longer and AMG line. As one would expect from a brand which included amendments to the statute tions without having to raise capital or take as our first shipment of few cars arrived. The 1.7 inches wider than the previous C-Class. The new Mercedes-Benz model, the 2015 C-Class is of the company in accordance to the com- any additional measures unless it is in the official launch is due later this summer, but new C-Class is initially available in the follow- loaded with technology including optionally panies’ laws as well as the future vision of best interest of the company and its share- customers can now come in and have a first- ing engine models: C 180, C 200 and C 250. available equipment such as AIRMATIC air sus- the company. holders. hand look at this amazing new car. We have Customers have the choice of three differ- pension, Head-Up Display, a larger display tried to give customers a feel for the car ent lines to choose from, in the new C-Class, screen at 8.4 inches as well as 19 inch wheels. through the online and mobile tools that were developed exclusively for the C-Class, CFC announces but ultimately customers in Kuwait like to see the car in the metal and we have responded to their request as quickly as possible,” said Ramadan timings Michael Ruehle, CEO of Abdul Rahman KUWAIT: Commercial Facilities Company premium services. Nasser Ali Al-Mannai, Albisher & Zaid Alkazemi Company. (CFC) announced its new working hours Assistant Managing Director of “The new C-Class is without a doubt the during Ramadan. The CFC branches will Marketing, CFC, said, “On this holy occa- best luxury mid-sized executive car to be open from 10:00 am to 3.30 pm, Sundays sion, we wish all our clients a blessed launched worldwide and customers in Kuwait to Thursdays. CFC is all ready to receive month. We welcome our clients to our can still pre-book online or come into our clients’ requests, facilitate their transac- headquarters in Sharq, in addition to our showroom for a personalized consultation. We tions and installments while providing other branches in Hawally, Al-Riggae, have a dedicated and trained sales staff to Fahaheel, and Jahra”. guide customers through the colors, features “Clients can also reach CFC through its and options that best suit them and their representative offices available at 21 car lifestyle,” added Ruehle. showrooms and agencies across Kuwait The 2015 C-Class is setting new bench- as per their morning and evening shifts marks in the luxury medium-sized executive as means to foster our communication car category, especially with the use of alu- channels with them”, Al-Mannai added. minum in the body to make it significantly Customers can submit applications very lighter than previous models, but also more easily at any of the company’s branches rigid and sturdy compared to other vehicles in across Kuwait and through sales employ- ees who are available in all car agencies its class. The exterior is as elegant and sensu- and suppliers. In addition they can also ous as the S-Class, but with a premium sporty pay monthly installments, enquire about their account balance and next install- Entesar Ali Bunajema wins KD 250,000 in ment due date through the company’s Citadel Capital website. As well as smart devices which NBK’s Al-Jawhara quarterly draw are compatible with systems “App Store” becomes Nasser A Al-Mannai, Assistant and “Google Play that are secure and flex- KUWAIT: National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) prize of KD 250,000 quarterly. Al-Jawhara account Managing Director of Marketing, CFC ible hence saving time. announced Entesar Ali Bunajema the winner of offers numerous benefits to NBK customers. Not Qalaa Holdings KD 250,000, NBK’s Al-Jawhara quarterly prize. The only is it an interest-free account with regular winner expressed her happiness in winning NBK’s deposit and withdrawal privileges, but also enti- Gulfmart to offer attractive Al Jawhara quarterly prize. “Winning KD 250,000 tles account holders to enter the weekly, monthly KUWAIT: Earlier this year, Citadel Capital came as a complete surprise. I truly thank NBK for and quarterly Al-Jawhara draws. Each KD 50 in an transformed its business model from a promotions for Ramadan its great services and offers and for always being Al-Jawhara account entitles the customer to one private equity firm to an investment number one in the market,” she said. chance in any of the draws. All prizes are automat- company that will focus on core sub- KUWAIT: Gulfmart, the supermarket chain expenses generally tend to soar. But this NBK has re-launched Al-Jawhara account by ically credited to the winners’ accounts the day sidiaries in energy, cement, agrifoods, that introduced the concept of ‘affordable year, in an attempt to ensure that families offering customers more chances to win bigger after the draw. The more money held in your Al- transportation and mining. As part of quality’ to retailing in Kuwait, is commemo- and individuals make the most of their prizes; NBK customers have chances to win KD Jawhara account, the greater your chances of the transformation and to reflect our rating the month of Ramadan with a slew of money, and are able to buy the widest 5,000 weekly, KD 125,000 monthly and a grand winning. new corporate identity, from today discounts, special offers and promotions choice of quality products at the most com- onwards, the company will be known as designed to make shopping during the holy petitive prices, we have marked-down Qalaa Holdings in the English language. month an affordable affair for everyone. prices across the board for items ranging Qalaa is a direct transliteration of the from food and garments, to cosmetics, Arabic word for “citadel”; moreover, electronics and household goods.” Qalaa has been the firm’s Arabic name Elaborating on the preparations for since it was founded in 2004. Ramadan shopping, Raju Sawlani, Group The company will continue to be a Purchase Head, added that all branches of long-term investor in Africa’s infrastruc- Gulfmart would remain open during ture and industrial sectors, helping build Ramadan from 9am till the last customers a better tomorrow for more than 1 bil- complete their purchases. “We are a brand lion citizens. A formal launch of the new that has built a reputation for delivering branding will be announced later this great customer service, and for offering year, however, going forward please quality products at the most competitive refer to the company by its new name prices. Our Ramadan offerings and extend- ed timings will ensure that everyone gets Qalaa Holdings (previously known as The winner receives the prize from Ghadeer Al-Awadhi, NBK’s Executive Manager, Consumer Citadel Capital). to shop at the time of their choice and that Banking Group. all products will be available at special Ramadan prices throughout the holy month. Thanking customers for their continued Dr. Remesh TA Infiniti appoints patronage over the years, and wishing Kuwait’s fastest growing supermarket everyone Ramadan Kareem for the holy chain with the largest number of branches month, Gulfmart’s country-manager added, in the country, is cementing its leadership “We have been privileged to enjoy the role in the retail landscape by offering for unstinted support of shoppers for over 15 MD in Middle East the very first time exclusive Ramadan offers years and this special Ramadan promotion across their entire product ranges. is our way of saying a big ‘Thank You’ to all Speaking about the ‘never-before’ pro- our customers. I would like to invite every- DUBAI: Infiniti has moved further forward motions planned for Ramadan this year, Dr. one to visit Gulfmart and avail of special with the implementation of its global transfor- Remesh TA, Country Manager for Gulfmart, offers presented exclusively for the holy mation plan which began in 2012. The compa- said, “Ramadan is a time when shopping month. ny has established a dedicated Managing Director role for its business in the Middle East Jazeera Airways secures $70.5 million which will give Infiniti a sharper structural focus on the premium segment and enhance facility from Kuwait’s Ahli United Bank the brand’s distinct identity. Ensuring the KUWAIT: Jazeera Airways Group it has with Jazeera Airways in serving their future brand has a dedicated leader in key markets is secured a $70.5 million dollar debt facility business plans. Jazeera Airways is a leading a central strategy of Infiniti’s global transfor- through Kuwait’s Ahli United Bank (AUB) as player and pacesetter in the aviation indus- mation plan. part of the group’s ongoing strategic debt try and this transaction reflects a long-term Juergen Schmitz will be Infiniti Middle restructuring plans to align with future partnership mutually beneficial to both our East’s first Managing Director, having been growth plans. The financing scheme has a organizations. We wish Jazeera Airways all General Manager for the past three years. three-year term with a roll-over facility. success as it continues to serve Kuwait and Schmitz will assume his new responsibilities Jazeera Airways Group Chairman, the Region. with immediate effect, and report to FranÁois Marwan Boodai, said, “This facility, which Jazeera Airways Group is a Kuwait Stock Goupil de Bouille, Vice President, Infiniti will help us fund our future plans, is signifi- Exchange-listed company with a fleet of 15 Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). cant for both its timing, as it comes at time wholly-owned Airbus A320s, through its Goupil de Bouille said: “Infiniti’s plans to when debt markets are favorable, and for wholly-owned leasing-arm Sahaab Aircraft become a global player in the premium auto- being secured through a leading bank that Leasing. Sahaab has assets placed with motive segment means we need to deliver our is based in our home market, thus further Virgin America, Sri Lankan Airlines, Flynas, full brand promise in every market. The Middle boosting the value Jazeera Airways Group TAP Portugal and Jazeera Airways. East is one of the most important regions in brings to our market.” Jazeera Airways, the airline, operates its the world for us and we have been strength- AUB Kuwait is one of the leading seven Airbus A320s with a two-class cabin ening our offering here since we launched the Juergen Schmitz comprising a Business Class and an Shariah-compliant banks in the Middle East brand in 2005. The announcement of a dedi- share here, which we and our partners plan to Infiniti and the premium automotive brand’s with strong on-ground retail, wholesale, Economy Class. cated Managing Director for our brand in the substantially increase in the coming years. I commitment to customers and partners here. and corporate banking operations in Business Class travelers get both an region, in-line with our global strategy, marks Kuwait, Bahrain, and other countries in the upgraded experience and exclusivity, start- am committed to realising those ambitions Schmitz, 45, joined Infiniti in the Middle East Middle East. ing with exclusive check-in lines, business the next step in the growth plan for Infiniti in while continuing to deliver our premium as General Manager in 2011 with 20 years’ AUB Kuwait General Manager Corporate lounge access, up to 60 kilograms in free the Middle East. “Today’s announcement rep- brand promise to our highly-valued cus- experience in the automotive industry. He was Banking, Hisham Zaghloul, stated, “In line baggage allowance, and an exclusive on- resents more than an important operational tomers.” As part of the plan to achieve its previously Regional Director, Infiniti Central with Ahli United Bank’s strategy to serve board cabin. The airline’s Economy Class change; it is also an affirmation of Infiniti’s growth plans, Infiniti will begin a recruitment Europe, in which role he was responsible for the local market and strengthen ties with offers travelers free baggage allowance of commitment to the Middle East.” Schmitz said: drive to add further talent to its regional team. the Sales & Marketing functions and develop- market players under various business sec- 40 kilograms and free on-board meals with “Infiniti is entering a new era and I’m fortunate This and the creation of a dedicated ment of the dealer network. Prior to that, he tors, we take pride in having collaborated a changing menu every month. to be leading the brand in the Middle East. Managing Director role reinforces both the had worked with several premium car brands Globally, Infiniti has its third largest market importance of the Middle East market to for 15 years. technology THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014

FDA outlines policy for overseeing nanotechnology

WASHINGTON: Federal regulators want to hear from making broad, general assumptions about the safety of ments focus specifically on food and cosmetics. reduce bacterial contamination in certain foods. companies using tiny, engineered micro-particles in nanotechnology products,” said FDA Commissioner The guidelines for food makers suggest any manu- In a separate guidance document, the FDA laid out their products, part of an effort to stay abreast of the Margaret Hamburg, in a statement. facturing changes involving nanoparticles could require suggestions for the use of nanotechnology in cosmetics, growing field of nanotechnology. Industry groups generally define nanoparticles as submitting additional data to show that the changes a common practice in the cosmetics industry since the The Food and Drug Administration issued final rec- those less than 100 nanometers wide. A nanometer is don’t affect the safety or identity of the food. Under 1990s. Nanoparticles are used in skin moisturizers, min- ommendations Tuesday for companies using nanotech- one billionth of a meter. A human hair, for example, is longstanding regulations, food companies aren’t eral makeup and other cosmetics. nology in products regulated by the government, which 80,000 nanometers thick, while a sheet of paper is required to seek regulatory approval for products con- The guidance encourages manufacturers to consult can include medical therapies, food and cosmetics. FDA 100,000 nanometers. taining established ingredients and materials, such as with FDA before testing the safety of nanoparticles used regulators want companies to consult with them before caffeine, spices and various preservatives. in cosmetics, noting that traditional testing methods launching nanotechnology products, though the deci- Additional data But the FDA states that “at this time, we are not may not pick up changes produced by adding nan- sion whether to go to market will essentially rest with These submicroscopic particles have been increas- aware of any food substances intentionally engineered otechnology. The FDA generally has less authority over manufacturers. The FDA doesn’t make a judgment call ingly showing up in FDA-regulated products, including on the nanometer scale” that would qualify for that cat- cosmetics than food ingredients. The FDA does not typi- on the overall safety of nanotechnology or even define food packaging, sunscreens, skin lotions and glare- egory of “generally recognized as safe” additives. cally review cosmetics before they launch, and compa- the term. “We are taking a prudent scientific approach reducing eyeglass coatings. The technology also has Food companies are studying nanoparticle coatings nies are responsible for assuring the safety of their prod- to assess each product on its own merits and are not potential uses in medicine, though the new FDA docu- as a form of preservation and as a way to potentially ucts. —- AP Google to show off smart home gadgets, wearables A time of transition

SAN FRANCISCO: An Android update, wearable At the same time, Google is angling to stay at opers will allow Google to move into the emerg- gadgets and so-called smart home devices are the forefront of innovation by taking gambles on ing market for connected, smart home devices. just some of the innovations Google is likely to new, sometimes unproven technologies that Experts expect that this so-called “Internet of show off at its two-day developer conference, take years to pay off -if at all. Driverless cars, Things” phenomenon will change the way peo- which begins today in San Francisco. In recent Google Glass, smartwatches and thinking ther- ple use technology in much the same way that years, the conference has focused on smart- mostats are just some of its more far-off bets. smartphones have changed life since the intro- phones and tablets, but this year Google’s duction of Apple’s iPhone seven years ago. GRAND FORKS: The Draganflyer X4-ES drone, a professional, GPS guided, four-rotor UAV Android operating system is expected to stretch New experiences Google is also likely to unveil some advances helicopter capable of autonomous flight, video and digital still images, during a demon- -into cars, homes and smartwatches. On the home front, Google’s Nest Labs -which in wearable technology. In March, Google stration for the media in the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, where the UAS Action Summit Pacific Crest analyst Evan Wilson believes makes network-connected thermostats and released “Android Wear,” a version of its operat- begins today. — AP Google will unveil a new version of its Android smoke detectors- announced earlier this week ing system tailored to computerized wristwatch- operating system - possibly called Lollipop - with that it has created a program that allows outside es and other wearable devices. Although there Crimes to crops: Drone a “heavy focus” on extensions for smartwatches developers, from tiny startups to large compa- are already several smartwatches on the market, and smart home devices. nies such as Whirlpool and Mercedes-Benz, to the devices are more popular with gadget geeks “We think Google will directly counter Apple’s fashion software and “new experiences” for its and fitness fanatics than regular consumers. But display shows potential use recent announcements of health products products. Integration with Mercedes-Benz, for Google could help change that with Android (Apple HealthKit) and home automation (Apple example, might mean that a car can notify a Wear. Android, after all, is already the world’s GRAND FORKS: An unmanned aircraft the size help farmers by using images taken from above HomeKit),” Wilson wrote in a note to investors. Nest thermostat when it’s getting close to home, most popular smartphone operating system. of a push lawnmower was launched shortly after with infrared photography and other technolo- Google’s I/O event comes at a time of transi- so the device can have the home’s temperature Google may also have news about Glass, a report of a person being held at knifepoint. gy to show the heat or water content of their tion for the company, which makes most of its adjusted to the driver’s liking before he or she including when the company might launch a With red, green and white lights flashing below plants. money from advertising thanks to its status as arrives.Nest’s founder, Tony Fadell, is an Apple new and perhaps less expensive version of its rotors, the drone slowly circled the scene and Michael Toscano, president and CEO of the the world’s leader in online search. The company veteran who helped design the iPod and the the $1,500 Internet-connected eyewear. relayed sharp images to those watching from Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems is trying to adjust to an ongoing shift to smart- iPhone. Google bought the company earlier this Google will likely have to lower the price if it afar on a digital screen. International, said Tuesday that drones could phones and tablet computers from desktop and year for $3.2 billion. wants Glass to reach a broader audience. But The mock police scene that played out help keep the family farm alive. laptop PCs. Though mobile advertising is grow- that’s just one hurdle. Convincing people that Tuesday kicked off an annual unmanned aircraft “The average farmer today is 58 1/2 years ing rapidly, advertising aimed at PC users still Internet of Things the gadget is useful, rather than creepy, is conference in Grand Forks, home to the first old,” he said. “One of the ways to keep the young generates more money. Opening the Nest platform to outside devel- another one. — AP drone test site in the country to open for busi- people on the farms is using robotics, because ness. Another demonstration featured the this is cool technology and farmers feel it’s a way Draganflyer X4ES recording evidence, such as to keep their sons and daughters on the farm.” skid marks and debris, from a two-car accident. Stoltz, who grew up in western North Dakota, “The possibilities are endless,” said pilot Jake agrees. “I think it’s another exciting piece of tech- Stoltz, who helped navigate the drone and its nology that younger farmers will probably sensors Tuesday. The exhibition was meant to embrace, versus the farmer who has been doing show the shape of things to come when drones it his way for 30 years already,” he said. reach the commercial market, he said. Based at the Grand Forks Air Force Base, the Big deal test site is one of six in the country where Watching the drones in action could also experts are working on the safety of flying ease the worries of some who perceive the air- drones in civilian airspace and the public per- craft as an invasion of privacy, said Tim Schuh, ception of having them above. The Federal the Grand Forks police corporal who led the Aviation Administration does not currently allow demonstration. the commercial use of drones, but it is working “People come and see this little 5-pound heli- to develop operational guidelines. copter and wonder why we were making such a big deal about it,” Schuh said. “I think when peo- Soil quality ple see a lot of the capabilities of the aircraft, it Stoltz touted the plane’s ability to go from a will put their minds at ease.” crime scene to a crop scene. “We’re already test- A survey unveiled at the conference Tuesday ing uses in agriculture,” Stoltz said. “I’m not an by UND professors Cindy Juntunen and expert, but I find it amazing that one day you Thomasine Heitkamp showed a high rate of will have farmers using them to check on the acceptance for the drones. The survey of 728 health of their crops.” participants in 16 northeastern North Dakota At least 75 percent of the drone use in civilian counties found that people’s top concern about airspace is expected to involve agriculture. When unmanned aerial systems is safety, not personal the Northern Plains Unmanned Aircraft Systems privacy. “That was a surprise,” Juntunen said. “It Test Site became operational last spring, it also may speak to the fact that we don’t know began testing how drones can check soil quality how educated people are about what (drones) and the status of crops. Unmanned aircraft could do.” —- AP

BEIJING: A China Southern Airlines plane is prepared at Beijing international airport. Already Asia’s biggest aircraft buyer, China is developing its own passenger jets and building scores of airports but aviation expansion faces turbulence from slowing growth, inadequate infrastructure and airspace limits. — AFP China plane demand surges but bumpy ride ahead

SHANGHAI: Already Asia’s biggest aircraft buy- els. Chinese GDP (gross domestic product), it’s Despite China’s vast skies, civilian air corridors er, China is developing its own passenger planes still at very good levels. Domestic consumption are said to be limited-exact details are secret- and building scores of airports but its aviation is growing,” said Jose Eduardo Costas, senior vice resulting in longer flight times, less efficient expansion faces turbulence from slowing president for market intelligence at Brazil aircraft routes and unaccountable delays. growth and inadequate infrastructure. As the maker Embraer. country’s carriers spend billions on jets to serve “All these are very positive drivers,” he said. Homegrown jets a growing middle class taking to the skies in But he added that “infrastructure and air Boeing forecasts Chinese carriers will need ever-increasing numbers, passengers face con- space authorisation in China may (still) continue nearly 6,000 new planes valued at $780 billion stant delays and longer flight times owing to to be a bottleneck”. over the next 20 years, accounting for around 16 ARIZONA: This artist rendering provided by World View Enterprises shows the World View military limits on airspace and poor manage- percent of world demand and nearly half of Voyager balloon carrying a pressurized space capsule that will be transported to the ment. Slowing growth Asia’s. edge of space. The Arizona company says it has successfully completed the first scale test Three of the mainland’s airports are among Expansion in China’s economy, the world’s China already takes 20 percent of the world- flight of a high-altitude balloon and capsule being developed to take tourists to the edge of space. — AP the world’s 20 busiest, with Beijing in global sec- second largest, is slowing. Chinese Premier Li wide production of Airbus. ond place on 78 million passengers a year, Keqiang in March announced a GDP growth tar- But the country also wants to challenge the behind only Atlanta in the United States. get of “around 7.5 percent” for this year, below global dominance of Boeing and Airbus by Company successfully tests At the same time, Beijing was worst in the 2013’s actual figure of 7.7 percent. ensuring part of its vast aircraft market goes to a world for delays last year with only 18 percent of “GDP growth has often been a very close cor- homegrown large passenger plane and smaller space-tourism balloon flights on time, followed immediately by relation to growth in air travel,” said Mark regional jet, but both projects are years late. Shanghai, according to the website www.flight- Clarkson, business development director for “The development of China’s homegrown big ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico: An Arizona one-tenth of what will be used to carry passen- stats.com. Angry Chinese passengers have on Asia-Pacific for aviation intelligence, schedules passenger plane is the dream of several genera- company said yesterday it has successfully com- gers. The company is still planning to begin its occasion stormed onto runways, fought with and data provider OAG. tions,” said Xu Xiaofei of the Commercial Aircraft pleted the first small-scale test flight of a high- $75,000 per-person flights in 2016, she said. The staff and smashed equipment, with dozens “Although there is fairly steady growth (in air- Corp. of China (COMAC), which is building them altitude balloon and capsule being developed balloons will lift a capsule carrying six passen- refusing to leave a delayed Hong Kong Airlines line seat capacity), undoubtedly, that growth both.The 168-seat C919 is scheduled to make its to let tourists float 32 km above the earth. gers and two crew members 32 km up, where flight bound for Shanghai last week, reports has slowed in recent months.” first flight in 2015, a year behind schedule, with World View Enterprises of Tucson said it they will float under a parafoil for about two said. China is scrambling to address the rapid At the same time, much-publicised govern- deliveries planned for 2018 — two years late. launched the flight last week from Roswell, New hours before floating back down to earth. The growth in demand by ramping up investments ment austerity measures and a corruption crack- COMAC claims 400 orders, most from domestic Mexico. capsule will be big enough for the passengers in aviation infrastructure. down have hit airlines as officials slashed travel, customers. CEO Jane Poynter said the system broke the to walk around. The country’s airlines carried 350 million pas- and authorities ordered state-owned compa- The delays are even worse for the ARJ21 world record for highest parafoil flight, lifting a sengers last year, up nearly 11 percent from nies-which include the nation’s three biggest regional jet. One made a successful test flight payload to 36,576 meters. “It went really, really, Selling point really well,” Poynter said. “Actually, the guys hit The selling point is the view of the Earth and 2012, official figures show, and the country’s civil carriers-to start paying the government higher this month, state media said, and the customers the ball out of the park. We’re thrilled.” The sys- seeing its curve, the company says. Other aviation authority said it will have more than dividends. are expected to start receiving them early next tem uses a balloon similar to that used in 2012 space-tourism ventures under development 230 airports by 2015, up from 193 last year. On shorter journeys, airlines face so much year. But the original delivery deadline was way to lift Austrian daredevil Felix Baumgartner will rocket passengers the full 100 km into China Eastern agreed to buy 80 of US aircraft competition from China’s huge and growing back in 2009. 39,014 meters to make a world-record breaking space but on much shorter flights. maker Boeing’s 737 jets, valued at more than $8 high-speed rail network that some routes have The pressures are mounting. President Xi said 38.62 km sky dive. That flight also launched In filings with the Federal Aviation billion, earlier this month after Europe’s Airbus been terminated. In the longer term, longstand- last month that there was no room for failure in from the Roswell airport. Administration, World View said it planned to won a similar-sized order from China Southern. ing issues over lack of infrastructure and air developing homegrown aircraft. “In the past, Poynter said that last week’s flight was the launch its flights from Spaceport America in Regional outfit Shandong Airlines and yet-to-be- space constraints remain. someone said the best choice for us is to rent first testing all the components together. It used New Mexico. But Poynter Tuesday said that no launched budget operator 9 Air took 50 Boeing Unlike in the United States, where the mili- from others and then to buy, and that the last a balloon about third the size of that planned final decision has been made on where to base 737s each. tary must get permission to use airspace, the option is to make our own,” he said. “But we have for passenger flight to lift a payload of about the flights.—AP “We see Chinese urbanisation at record lev- opposite is true in China, industry officials say. reversed this notion.” — AFP HEALTH & SCIENCE THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014

Washington state moves to keep recreational pot from kids

NEW YORK: Washington state, which is moving for- al marijuana at the state level, and Colorado has legalize this product understand that we’ve got to The Washington state Liquor Control Board on ward on allowing stores to sell pot for recreational allowed sales of the drug at retail stores for adult make sure that parents’ roles are respected and July 7 will issue licenses to roughly 20 marijuana use, will require child-resistant packaging on marijua- consumers age 21 and older since the beginning of emphasized and that the health of our children is of retail stores, said Sharon Foster, chairwoman of the na products and prohibit images that could appeal to the year. The drug is still banned under federal law, our paramount concern,” he said. To protect chil- state Liquor Control Board. They can open the next minors, Governor Jay Inslee said on Tuesday. The but officials with the US Department of Justice say dren, the state will not allow cartoons on packaging day if they have product on hand. None of those Democratic governor and other officials, speaking at they will not interfere with states’ efforts to regulate or toys to be sold with the drug, Inslee said. stores will immediately sell edible products because a news conference in the state capital of Olympia two and tax it, provided state officials are able to meet a The state also will require businesses to clearly no processor has obtained a license for a cannabis weeks ahead of the opening of the state’s first mari- minimum set of requirements that include keeping label their products, divide them into easily identifi- kitchen, said Liquor Control Board spokesman Brian juana stores, said their primary goal is to keep the it away from children.”If we fail to act, this effort to able servings with details on how much high- Smith. State regulators were prepared to license a drug away from those under age 21. legalize recreational marijuana could be in some inducing THC is contained and have their products total of 334 retail stores, but due to local moratori- Voters in Washington state and Colorado in 2012 doubt,” Inslee said. tested by an accredited private lab to screen for ums and bans the final number of pot shops is became the first in the nation to legalize recreation- “And I know those who have led the effort to such hazards as pesticides and mold, officials said. expected to be lower, Smith said. — AP

3-D technique improves on standard mammograms

NEW YORK: Combining digital mammography added, 16 fewer women were asked back for with a 3-D technique may improve doctors’ abil- additional screening per 1,000 breast exams. ity to identify breast cancers and decrease the Women who had breast exams with tomosyn- need for additional testing, according to a new thesis were more likely to get biopsies, but study. “We’re detecting more invasive cancers those biopsies were more likely to result in a while calling fewer women back for additional cancer diagnosis. Roughly one extra cancer was imaging,” said Dr Sarah Friedewald, the study’s detected for every 1,000 breast exams done lead author. “It’s a more accurate exam.” using tomosynthesis, the researchers calculat- Friedewald is co-medical director at the ed. Caldwell Breast Center at Advocate Lutheran “I think this is enough to show that 3-D General Hospital in Park Ridge, Illinois. Instead (imaging) is better than 2-D (imaging), but we of creating a two-dimensional or flat image like didn’t address the questions of who, when and a digital mammography machine, so-called how often patients should be getting mammo- tomosynthesis creates a three-dimensional grams,” Friedewald said. “In terms of that debate, image that allows healthcare providers to we didn’t set out to answer those questions.” As examine breast tissue from multiple angles. “It’s for whether women should seek out breast a more accurate picture of what’s going on with screening that uses tomosynthesis, Dr Etta the breast,” Friedewald said. Pisano from the Medical University of South Digital mammography has been criticized Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston and Martin Yaffe because it does not always spot cancerous from the University of Toronto write in an edito- tumors and sometimes identifies noncancerous rial accompanying the new study that it’s still masses in the breast, the researchers write in uncertain. JAMA, the journal of the American Medical “For those who interpret the evidence to Association. The US Food and Drug suggest that screening saves lives without Administration approved tomosynthesis to be undue false-positive results and over diagnoses, used in combination with digital mammogra- this study contributes to the case for tomosyn- phy in 2011. It requires a modified mammogra- thesis over digital mammography,” they write. phy machine and about doubles the dose of For those who question whether mammog- radiation. raphy is useful, they say the study may not be “Most patients won’t notice a difference,” enough to change opinions. Pisano, who is Friedewald said. “They’re still placed and com- dean of the College of Medicine at MUSC, said pressed. The machine still looks like a standard she’d like to see more information on an even mammogram.” Previous studies looking at newer tomosynthesis system that involves less FRANCE: French former doctor at the Bayonne hospital Nicolas Bonnemaison, flanked by his wife Julie (left, partially hidden) and his lawyers Benoit mammography plus tomosynthesis have found radiation. That system uses a synthetic two- Ducos-Ader (second ground left) and Arnaud Dupin, leaves the courthouse of Pau, southwestern France, after being acquitted by the criminal court benefit, but those studies tended to be from dimensional image. yesterday, at the end of his trial for allegedly poisoning seven terminally ill patients in 2010 and 2011 at the Bayonne hospital. — AFP individual hospitals in the US and Europe. For “I would like to see some data on that system the new study, the researchers analyzed data before people rush out and get (tomosynthesis),” from 13 hospitals. They compared outcomes for Pisano said. She added that newer technologies French court to rule in poignant women who were screened for breast cancer are not always better, compared to older tech- during the year before tomosynthesis was intro- nologies that may cost less. A digital mammo- duced at each center to outcomes for those gram costs between $200 and $300, but is cov- mercy killing doctor trial screened after the technique was put in place. ered by insurance for most women without co- pay. The addition of tomosynthesis can add an Breast screening extra $100 or more to the bill, which is not typi- FRANCE: Is he a criminal who broke the most tude of the doctor in taking decisions and the after being admitted to a hospital in the south- Overall, they had information on 281,187 cally covered by insurance. Friedewald said fundamental right to life or a man of compas- danger of his or her power, and vivid descrip- western city of Bayonne where he worked. breast exams without tomosynthesis and major medical centers in cities may offer sion who helped alleviate suffering? A French tions of agony were all touched upon. “No one 173,663 with it. After the 3-D technique was tomosynthesis. — Reuters court delivers its verdict yesterday in the case of here will go home unscathed after what was ‘Why did he not warn us?’ an emergency room doctor accused of poison- said here,” prosecutor Marc Mariee acknowl- Frederic Chaussoy, the doctor who in 2003 ing seven terminally-ill patients after a long, edged in his final statement Tuesday. The fami- ended the life of a young quadriplegic at the emotionally-charged trial that has revived the lies of the victims-some grateful to demand of the patient and his distraught moth- highly divisive debate on euthanasia in a coun- Bonnemaison, others who felt he did not keep er, called Tuesday for the debate on euthanasia try where the practice is illegal. The verdict will them informed-as well as a doctor who once to exit the courtroom. “It’s definitely not up to come just one day after France’s highest admin- made headlines for ending the life of a suffer- justice to settle these problems, but up to socie- istrative court authorized ending the life of a ing patient were just some of those who took ty and politicians to deal with this,” said the man quadraplegic in a vegetative state in a landmark the stand in a trial that revived the painful whose act prompted an outpouring of compas- decision that divided his family and was imme- debate on euthanasia. sion and condemnation, and eventually led to diately overturned by the European Court of The hugely divisive practice is illegal in the 2005 law that legalized passive euthanasia. Human Rights pending a review of the case. France but President Francois Hollande prom- But perhaps most poignant were the testi- Nicolas Bonnemaison faced life in prison ised during his 2012 campaign to look into monies of the families themselves. The daughter when he went on trial earlier this month but legalizing it. A 2005 law in France has already and wife of Fernand Dhooge, who died in March prosecutors decided to ask for just five years in allowed passive euthanasia, where a person 2010 aged 66 after fighting five cancers, told the prison-potentially suspended-for a man they causes death by withholding or withdrawing court earlier this month they had asked believe wanted to do good but still “did wrong treatment that is necessary to maintain life. Bonnemaison to alleviate his suffering. “Thank in the eyes of the law.” “I acted as a doctor... until And late last year, a panel set up by you. Thanks to you it was less difficult,” said his the very end,” the 53-year-old said Wednesday in Hollande recommended legalizing assisted sui- widow Patricia, crying. But the son of another his final statement to the court in the southwest- cide, which allows a doctor to provide a patient victim, who was unable to say his final goodbye ern city of Pau. with all the necessary lethal substances to end to his father, questioned the doctor’s process. their life, but lets them carry out the final act. “We left my father to go eat lunch. He should No one will go home ‘unscathed’ Bonnemaison, however, is accused of going not have let us go. Why did he not warn us?” The jury faces the tough task of deliberating beyond that by “poisoning particularly vulnera- Yves Geffroy said. Life. Death. Conscience. The on 11 days of intense-and sometimes ble people”-five women and two men who jury in Pau are due to deliver their verdict later poignant-hearings where compassion, the soli- died between March 2010 and July 2011 soon Wednesday. — AFP

US pediatricians urge reading NEW YORK: This undated combination provided by Hologic shows an image tak- en using conventional mammography, left, and an image using a 3D mammog- aloud to children raphy, right, with a tumor circled that wasn’t visible on the first image. — AP from birth

Obese mothers have babies NEW YORK: Parents bringing infants to the doctor for routine immunizations and growth charting can with more belly fat, study finds expect to hear new advice from their pediatrician: Read to your baby every day. NEW YORK: Babies of obese mothers tend to be bellies, according to findings published in Acta Story time routines benefit even the youngest born with more fat, especially around their mid- Paediatrica. Babies whose mothers gained more children, helping them to build vocabulary and com- dles, than babies with leaner mothers, according weight during pregnancy also tended to be munication skills critical to later success in school, to a new study. “There are differences in body born with more fat, regardless of the mother’s the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) said on composition, already at birth between obese pre-pregnancy weight.“This is a relatively small Tuesday in a new policy statement. women’s babies and normal weight women’s study, and it can be hard to extrapolate findings For babies, literacy can begin with cuddle time babies,” Emma Carlsen told Reuters Health in an - however it adds to a growing body of evidence and brightly colored books, the largest group of US email. She led the study at Hvidovre Hospital at that shows differences in body composition in pediatricians advised. Rhyming, playing, talking and the University of Copenhagen in Denmark. babies born to obese mothers,” Sian Robinson “It is important to notice that our study does told Reuters Health in an email. Robinson, who singing are among the age-appropriate activities not examine if there are any long term implica- has studied infant and childhood obesity at the promoting early literacy. “You’re not teaching a two- tions of these findings, and, therefore, follow-up University of Southampton in the UK, wasn’t month-old how to read,” said Dr Danette Glassy, a studies are needed,” Carlsen said. Among adults, involved in the current research. pediatrician near Seattle, Washington, who co-chairs having more belly fat is linked to a greater “To date there have been relatively few stud- the AAP’s Council on Early Childhood. “Your sitting chance of developing high blood pressure, type ies of body composition determined using DXA down with them makes your baby smart and wise.” 2 diabetes and heart disease. “We don’t know if and we don’t yet know what the differences Experts say reading or storytelling in early life pre- fat location in infants is important, although our described in babies signify in later life,” she said. dicts how well children will do when they enter pre- finding is interesting,” Carlsen said. Robinson’s own work has suggested that chil- school, which translates to how they do when they She and her colleagues recruited 231 obese dren’s body composition may change more over start kindergarten, associated with achievement lat- and 80 normal-weight mothers who had partici- the first few years of life than later in childhood. er in school and in life. Yet the 2011-2012 National pated in a prior study on obesity in pregnancy. But longer-term research is needed, she said. Survey of Children’s Health found that only one-third They measured the women’s newborns and Currently there is a lot of interest in whether of US children living in poverty were read to daily assessed their body composition using so-called excess weight gain during pregnancy can be from birth to five years of age. dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, or DXA scan- prevented, Robinson added. But, Carlsen said, By comparison, the survey found that 60 percent ning. The researchers found that infants born to “Our study indicates that it might be more effec- of children from higher-income families received dai- obese mothers were on average more than 6 tive to lose weight before becoming pregnant ly reading time. Pediatricians see room for improve- ounces heavier at birth with 2.5 percent more than to restrict gestational weight gain, if you PAKISTAN: Pakistani health workers administers the polio vaccine to children body fat than infants whose mothers were of a want to affect offspring body composition.” ment at all income levels. “Even the most affluent during a vaccination campaign in Bannu yesterday. Pakistan launched a fresh healthy weight. According to the American College of family can be distracted from interacting with their polio vaccination drive in its restive tribal belt late last month, but officials Obstetricians and Gynecologists, doctors should baby,” Glassy said. “They can entertain their babies in warned that nearly 370,000 children are likely to miss out because of security Body composition encourage obese women to lose weight non-human ways with all kinds of gadgets and giz- problems. Pakistan’s seven semi-autonomous tribal areas along the Afghan bor- What’s more, babies born to obese mothers through diet, exercise and behavioral changes mos that interfere with their development.”—AP der are the epicentre of the country’s polio cases and the government has set up had about half an ounce more fat around their before becoming pregnant. — Reuters checkpoints to ensure anyone leaving the belt is immunized. — AFP HEALTH & SCIENCE THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014

PAKISTAN: A Pakistani health worker administers the polio vaccine to a child during a vaccination campaign in Bannu.óAFP WHAT’S ON THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014

Movenpick free zone begins Ramadan with the Tallest Moon made of dates

n the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan Movenpick Hotel Kuwait free zone has started its IRamadan activities by hosting a large crowd from the press and valuable customers at ‘Quraish’ Event. This year’s innovation is the Moon made of dates created by expert chefs with a length of 2 meters and a weight of 250 lbs. It is specially designed for Ramadan - a decoration inspired from popular authentic traditions characterized by the great hospitality and generosity, in an atmosphere of modernity and simplicity. Guests were greeted by the hotel executive manage- ment, sales team and Communications. The ceremony began with a welcoming speech from the hotel’s general manager Hassan Hassanein, in which he thanked atten- dees for accepting the invitation, and wished them a pleas- ant evening while expressing its great gratitude to each press and media member for their high support, as he thanked all customers for their trust and loyalty. All attendees were impressed by Bays Restaurant in terms of its beautiful decor and its warm familial ambiance, in addition to delicious buffet characterized by its various dishes like pasta, saj, shawarma, fava beans and Al Qouzi, we can’t forget the Arabic coffee, a variety of Ramadan beverages and dates. Taiba tent and Cuts Restaurant in Movenpick Hotel are considered as the best places for companies and individuals to host a private Iftar or Ghabqa during Ramadan, which accommodate from 30 to 300 per- son.

About Movenpick Movenpick Hotels & Resorts, an international upscale hotel management company with over 16,000 staff mem- bers, is represented in 25 countries with 80 hotels, resorts and Nile cruisers currently in operation. Around 30 proper- ties are planned or under construction, including Chiang Mai and Koh Samui (Thailand), Istanbul (Turkey), Shanghai (China), and Marrakech (Morocco). Focusing on expansion in its core markets of Europe, Movenpick Kuwait free zone has large and diverse menus, Africa, the Middle East and Asia, Movenpick Hotels & in order to meet external orders for suitable prices, to give Resorts specializes in business and conference hotels, as everyone a great opportunity to honor their guests by deli- well as holiday resorts, all reflecting a sense of place and cious and tasty dishes which reflect the Swiss hospitality. respect for their local communities. Of Swiss heritage and Garden Cafe offers lftar and Suhoor with the most delicious headquartered in Zurich, Movenpick Hotels & Resorts is Meza, rich traditional dishes, Ramadan beverages, Julep, passionate about delivering premium service and culinary Licorice, Kamaruddin, as you can enjoy the different shisha enjoyment ƒ all with a personal touch. Committed to sus- flavors and watch all Ramadan programs and the World tainable environments, Movenpick Hotels & Resorts has Cup via TV inside each tent and spend best comfortable become the most Green Globe certified hotel company in times until early morning hours. Hotel chefs also prepared the world. a rich and varied list for the renowned Al Dente Restaurant The hotel company is owned by the Movenpick Holding with many famous Italian dishes, hot and cold appetizers, (66.7%) and the Kingdom Group (33.3%). For more infor- in addition to the finest nuts and dates section. mation please visit www.moevenpick-hotels.com. WHAT’S ON THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014

Ramadan timings

Bangladesh Embassy The Embassy of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh in Kuwait will follow the following office hours dur- ing the holy month of Ramadan. Sunday to Thursday: 09:00 am - 3:00 pm; Friday and Saturday- Weekly holidays.

South African Embassy During the Holy month of Ramadan, the South African Embassy will be open to the public, Sunday through Thursday from 09:00am to 13:00pm. Please note that the Consular Section operation hours will be from 09:30am to 12:00pm - Sunday through Thursday.

Canadian Embassy The consular section at the Embassy of Canada in Kuwait will be introducing temporary service times for consular services. Until further notice, the service hours will be: Sunday, Monday and Wednesday from 9.am to 11.am. Reminder: Payment for all consular services is by credit card only.

PLG Nursery School celebrated the graduation of 13 students in a ceremony attended by CEO Tahani Al-Shamlan, Executive Director Terry Allen, the children and their families. Lu&Lu Hypermarket celebrates Holy Month with Ramadan promotion

U&LU Hypermarket in keeping with their customer there will be counters offering exquisite fresh dates, as well centric initiatives is launching amazing offers at all its as an enticing Ramadan Iftar counter providing traditional Loutlets before and during the Holy Month of Ramadan specialties. Ramadan. The Hypermarkets have arranged special The Ramadan Kareem 2014 promotion is part of the Ramadan promotion, which allows customers to find great hypermarket’s well-known initiative to always be a part of deals on selected items through an attractive pricing struc- the social and cultural fabric of the country, by enthusiasti- ture, maximizing the benefits of shopping. cally joining in its various celebrations. This social partici- During the Ramadan Kareem Mega Promotion 2014, pation also reinforces the Lu&Lu Hypermarket’s commit- super-discount prices will be offered on all products across ment to always bring the best of the world to their cus- the aisle. In addition, special hot-food and fresh-juice tomers through providing the right products in the right counters are being arranged for the benefit of shoppers at place at the right time. The management of Lu&Lu all branches of the hypermarket. Reflecting the celebratory Hypermarket would like to take this opportunity to thank nature of the promotion, Ramadan themed decorations all its patrons, and to extend best wishes and greetings of will be displayed throughout all outlets of the hypermar- Ramadan Kareem to the government and people of Kuwait ket. And, in keeping with the customs of the Holy Month, on the Holy month of Ramadan.

Kuwait National English School Graduation Summer Concert

he Kindergarten children from Early Years celebrated the end of year with their annual TSummer Concert on Monday June 2nd 2014. The theme of the evening was “Dancing into Summer”. The theme seemed appropriate because the children were energized with music, summer expectations and dance. The night was colorful and fun for all the children and they were proud to show their parents how far they have come. This evening was also a celebration of the Graduation of our Pre-School children from Nursery into their first formal year of education into Kindergarten. The Director of the school. Madame Chantal Al-Gharabally congratulated each child on their achievements and was very proud of them. Recent Accreditation Inspectors have rated Kuwait National English School as out- standing in the area of Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural” development and this shows well in the attitudes and performances. Congratulations to all our Graduates and Kindergarten children for a Great Year! TV PROGRAMS THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014

05:40 Extreme Makeover: Home 05:15 The Chase Edition 06:05 Dancing On Ice 17:45 Liv And Maddie 07:00 What Not To Wear 06:20 Extreme Makeover: Home 07:30 Breathless 18:10 Jessie 07:50 Say Yes To The Dress – Edition 08:25 The Syndicate 18:30 Austin & Ally Bridesmaids 00:45 Human Prey 07:40 Bargain Hunt 09:20 Take On The Twisters 18:55 Mako Mermaids 08:40 Something Borrowed, 01:35 Untamed & Uncut 08:25 Marbella Mansions 10:15 Murdoch Mysteries 19:20 Violetta Something New 20:05 Liv And Maddie 02:25 Shamwari: A Wild Life 09:10 Lorraine’s Fast, Fresh And 11:10 Emmerdale 09:30 Toddlers & Tiaras 20:50 Dog With A Blog 10:20 Say Yes To The Dress 03:15 World’s Wildest Cities: Easy Food 12:00 Coronation Street 21:15 Mako Mermaids 10:45 Say Yes To The Dress Manaus 09:35 Tareq Taylor’s Nordic Cookery 12:30 The Chase 21:40 Austin & Ally 11:10 Cake Boss 04:05 Wildest Indochina 10:00 The Restaurant UK 13:20 Dancing On Ice 22:00 Shake It Up 11:35 Jon & Kate Plus 8 04:55 Animal Cops Houston 10:55 Extreme Makeover: Home 14:45 Murdoch Mysteries Edition 15:35 Take On The Twisters 22:25 A.N.T. Farm 12:00 Little People, Big World 05:45 Dog Rescuers 22:50 Good Luck Charlie 12:25 Oprah: Behind The Scenes 06:10 Dog Rescuers 12:25 Extreme Makeover: Home 16:30 Big Star’s Little Star Edition 17:25 The Hungry Sailors 23:10 Wolfblood 13:15 Secret Eaters 06:35 Breed All About It 23:35 Wolfblood 14:05 Iyanla, Fix My Life 07:00 Animal Airport 13:10 Bargain Hunt 18:20 Murdoch Mysteries 19:10 Coronation Street 14:55 Extreme Couponing 07:25 Preposterous Pets 13:55 Marbella Mansions 14:40 Lorraine’s Fast, Fresh And 19:35 Take On The Twisters 15:20 Cake Boss 08:15 Wild France 15:45 What Not To Wear Easy Food 20:30 Big Star’s Little Star 09:10 Steve Irwin’s Wildlife Warriors 16:35 Toddlers & Tiaras 15:05 Extreme Makeover: Home 21:25 The Hungry Sailors 10:05 Shamwari: A Wild Life 17:25 Say Yes To The Dress Edition 22:20 Coronation Street 11:00 Animal Precinct 00:10 Hoarding: Buried Alive 17:50 Say Yes To The Dress 17:10 Lorraine’s Fast, Fresh And 11:55 Animal Airport 01:00 My Crazy Obsession 18:15 Jon & Kate Plus 8 Easy Food 12:20 Breed All About It 01:25 My Crazy Obsession 18:40 Little People, Big World 17:35 Bargain Hunt 12:50 ER Vets 01:50 My Strange Addiction 19:10 Oprah: Behind The Scenes 13:15 ER Vets 02:15 My Strange Addiction 20:05 Extreme Couponing 13:45 Max’s Big Tracks 02:40 Secretly Pregnant 20:30 Cake Boss 14:40 Shamwari: A Wild Life 00:00 Breakout 03:30 I Didn’t Know I Was Pregnant 21:00 Happily Ever Laughter 15:30 Tanked 01:00 Hard Time 03:55 Long Island Medium 21:30 Happily Ever Laughter 16:30 Wild France 02:00 Hunter Hunted 04:20 Say Yes To The Dress 21:55 Something Borrowed, 17:25 Dolphin Days 00:20 Tech Toys 360 03:00 Situation Critical 04:45 Say Yes To The Dress Something New 18:20 Mutant Planet 00:45 How Does That Work? 04:00 The Indestructibles 05:10 Toddlers & Tiaras 22:25 Something Borrowed, 01:10 Stephen Hawking’s Grand 06:00 Oprah: Behind The Scenes 19:15 Gator Boys 04:30 The Indestructibles Something New Design 20:10 Deadly Islands 05:00 Naked Science 02:00 Alien Encounters 21:05 Shamwari: A Wild Life 06:00 Megastructures 02:45 Mythbusters 07:00 World’s Toughest Fixes 22:00 Gator Boys 03:35 Sci-Trek 08:00 Breakout 22:55 Deadly Islands 04:30 Deadliest Space Weather 09:00 Hard Time Teenie Hodges, 05:20 Thunder Races 10:00 Hunter Hunted 06:10 Meteorite Men 11:00 Situation Critical genre-defining 07:00 Alien Planet 12:00 The Indestructibles 07:55 Prototype This 12:30 The Indestructibles 00:00 Doctors 08:45 Sci-Trek 13:00 Naked Science 2.5 Memphis player, dies 00:30 Zen 09:40 Meteorite Men 14:00 Megastructures 02:00 Alan Carr: Chatty Man 10:30 Superships 15:00 World’s Toughest Fixes 02:45 Twenty Twelve 11:20 Deadliest Space Weather 16:00 Breakout 03:15 Ashes To Ashes 12:10 Thunder Races 17:00 Best of Hard Time 04:05 Lark Rise To Candleford 13:00 How Does That Work? 18:00 Hunter Hunted 05:00 Nina And The Neurons 13:30 Sci-Trek 19:00 Mega Bridges 05:15 Poetry Pie 14:20 Mythbusters 20:00 Killing Kennedy 05:20 Mr Bloom’s Nursery 15:10 Unchained Reaction 22:00 Family Guns 05:40 Boogie Beebies 16:00 X-Machines 23:00 Brain Games 05:55 Teletubbies 16:50 Meteorite Men 23:30 Brain Games 06:20 Nina And The Neurons 17:40 Alien Encounters 06:35 Mr Bloom’s Nursery 18:30 Stephen Hawking’s Grand 06:55 Boogie Beebies Design 07:10 Teletubbies 19:20 Tech Toys 360 07:35 Twenty Twelve 19:45 How Does That Work? 08:05 The Cafe 20:10 Mythbusters VANISHING ON 7TH STREET ON OSN MOVIES HD ACTION 08:30 The Job Lot 21:00 Sci-Fi Science 00:30 The Daily Show With Jon 21:50 Close Encounters 09:00 Eastenders Stewart 04:00 Chicago Fire 03:50 Iron Chef America eenie Hodges, the diminutive guitarist and “Take 09:30 Doctors 01:00 The Colbert Report 05:00 Once Upon A Time 04:40 Chopped TMe to the River” songwriter who became a tower- 10:00 Only Fools And Horses 01:30 Sean Saves The World 09:00 Unforgettable 05:30 Unwrapped ing figure in the Memphis music scene, has died. 10:30 Big Cat Diary 02:00 Web Therapy 10:00 Chicago Fire 00:00 We Steal Secrets: The Story 05:50 Tastiest Places To Chowdown He was 68. Longtime friend and Royal Studio owner 11:00 Lark Rise To Candleford 02:30 Ja’mie: Private School Girl 11:00 Once Upon A Time Of Wikileaks-18 06:10 Chopped Lawrence “Boo” Mitchell said Tuesday that Hodges died 11:50 Twenty Twelve 00:00 Chelsea Lately 03:30 Back In The Game 12:00 Emmerdale 02:15 White House Down-PG15 07:00 Luke Nguyen’s Vietnam Sunday night from complications of emphysema at a 12:20 The Cafe 00:30 Married To Jonas 04:00 Seinfeld 12:30 Coronation Street 04:30 Moonrise Kingdom-PG15 07:25 Roadtrip With G. Garvin Dallas hospital. Hodges fell ill during a trip to the South 12:45 The Job Lot 01:25 Style Star 04:30 The Tonight Show Starring 13:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 06:15 Hope Springs-PG15 07:50 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 08:00 The Sapphires-PG15 By Southwest music festival in March and had been 13:10 Eastenders 02:20 E! Investigates Jimmy Fallon 16:00 Emmerdale 08:15 Iron Chef America hospitalized with pneumonia since. 13:40 Doctors 07:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 10:00 Three Investigators And The 03:15 Extreme Close-Up 16:30 Coronation Street 09:05 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Hodges, rapper Drake’s uncle, was the go-to gui- 14:10 Big Cat Diary 04:10 E!ES 08:00 Seinfeld Secret Of Terror...-PG 17:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show Basics tarist for Memphis soul in the 1960s and ‘70s. He helped 14:35 Only Fools And Horses 05:05 The E! True Hollywood Story 09:30 Trophy Wife 19:00 Switched At Birth 11:45 White House Down-PG15 09:30 Amazing Wedding Cakes define the sound by working with artists including Al 15:05 The Cafe 06:00 E!ES 10:00 Modern Family 20:00 Covert Affairs 14:00 Absolute Fear-PG15 10:20 Easy Chinese: San Francisco 15:30 The Weakest Link 07:50 Style Star 11:00 The Tonight Show Starring 21:00 Chicago Fire 16:00 The Sapphires-PG15 10:45 Fast Food Gone Global Green, Syl Johnson, and Etta James, and later would 16:15 Lark Rise To Candleford 08:20 E! News Jimmy Fallon 22:00 Intelligence 18:00 All In Good Time-PG15 11:35 Jeni & Olly’s West Coast Wine inspire dozens of others from Michael Jackson to Cat 17:10 Eastenders 09:15 Giuliana & Bill 13:30 Breaking In 23:00 Nip/Tuck 20:00 The Baytown Outlaws-18 Adventure Power. Born Mabon Lewis Hodges in Germantown, 17:40 Doctors 11:10 Eric And Jessie: Game On 14:00 Back In The Game 22:00 The Possession-PG15 12:00 Reza, Spice Prince Of India Tennessee, in 1946, and given his nickname because of 18:10 Hustle 12:05 E! News 14:30 Trophy Wife 12:25 Charly’s Cake Angels his size, Hodges was playing guitar in his father’s blues 19:00 My Family 13:05 Extreme Close-Up 15:00 Modern Family 12:50 Siba’s Table band by the age of 12. He made his first mark in the 19:30 The Cafe 13:35 E!ES 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon 13:15 Jenny Morris Cooks The music world with the help of his brothers, who joined 20:00 Ashes To Ashes 14:30 Style Star Stewart 00:00 PGA Tour Highlights 00:00 Commando-18 Riviera him to form most of the Hi Rhythm Section, the house 20:50 Waking The Dead 15:00 Keeping Up With The 16:00 The Colbert Report 01:00 European Tour Weekly 02:00 Cherry Falls-18 13:40 Andy Bates Brazilian Street band for influential Memphis label Hi Records. 21:40 Fawlty Towers Kardashians 17:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 01:30 Inside The PGA Tour 04:00 Special Ops-PG15 Feasts Hodges co-wrote “Take Me to the River” with Green 22:10 BBC Proms 2010: Jamie 17:00 Giuliana & Bill 18:00 Baby Daddy 02:00 Premier League Darts 06:00 Crimson Tide-PG15 14:05 The Next Food Network Star and though the soul singer didn’t have a hit with it, it’s Cullum 18:00 E! News 18:30 Arrested Development 05:30 European Tour Weekly 08:00 Vanishing On 7th Street 15:20 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 19:00 THS 19:00 Trophy Wife 06:00 Inside The PGA Tour been covered scores of times by artists as diverse as 10:00 Piranhaconda-PG15 15:45 Chopped 20:00 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 19:30 Brooklyn Nine-Nine 06:30 NRL Full Time Tina Turner, Talking Heads and Tom Jones and has 12:00 Alien Tornado-PG15 16:35 Fast Food Gone Global 21:00 Fashion Police 20:00 The Tonight Show Starring 07:00 Golfing World become part of the American songbook. He also 14:00 Vanishing On 7th Street 17:25 Jenny Morris Cooks The 21:30 Party On Jimmy Fallon 08:00 International Rugby Union penned “Love and Happiness” with Green and teamed 16:00 The Saint-PG15 Riviera 22:00 Party On 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon 10:00 PGA European Tour 17:50 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives with other Memphis legends including his mentor Stewart 18:00 Alien Tornado-PG15 Highlights 00:10 Tareq Taylor’s Nordic Cookery 20:00 In The Name Of The King: 18:15 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives Willie Mitchell and singer Isaac Hayes to craft a sound 00:35 Celebrity MasterChef 21:30 The Colbert Report 11:00 European Tour Weekly 18:40 Siba’s Table that’s easily identifiable and still influential. Two Worlds-PG15 11:30 Live PGA European Tour 01:30 Extreme Makeover: Home 22:00 Family Guy 19:05 Reza’s African Kitchen “What he did for Willie over at Hi was special and 22:00 Billy Bathgate-18 13:30 Trans World Sport Edition 22:30 Web Therapy 19:30 Andy Bates Brazilian Street 14:30 Inside The PGA Tour unique,” Stax Records guitarist David Porter was quoted 02:10 Extreme Makeover: Home 23:00 Ja’mie: Private School Girl Feasts 15:00 European Tour Weekly by the Commercial Appeal of Memphis as saying. Edition CHOICE HD 19:55 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 15:30 Live PGA European Tour “Teenie created the groove, the pocket, as one would 02:50 Bargain Hunt 20:20 Chopped 00:35 Dancing On Ice 18:30 NRL Full Time call it. That came from the way he played rhythmically. 03:35 Marbella Mansions 00:00 Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo 21:10 Chopped 02:00 Emmerdale 19:00 Golfing World That groove was what made the records for Al Green 04:20 Lorraine’s Fast, Fresh And 01:45 The Five Year Engagement 22:00 Jeni & Olly’s West Coast Wine 02:55 Coronation Street 01:00 Unforgettable 20:00 Trans World Sport and so many others such big hits. And that sound, that Easy Food 03:25 Breathless 04:00 Father Of The Bride-PG15 Adventure 02:00 Bates Motel 21:00 European Tour Weekly feel, it came totally from Teenie’s spirit. That’s what the 04:45 Celebrity MasterChef 04:20 The Syndicate 03:00 Nip/Tuck 06:00 Spy Hard-PG15 22:25 Jeni & Olly’s West Coast Wine 08:00 Think Like A Man-PG15 Adventure world should know about this man: His heart is in all 10:00 Snowmen-PG 22:50 Siba’s Table those records.” 12:00 Father Of The Bride-PG15 00:00 V8 Supercars Highlights 23:15 Siba’s Table Hodges and the Hi Rhythm Section disbanded after 14:00 Jingle All The Way-PG 01:00 World Match Racing Tour 23:40 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives Hi Records was sold in 1975, though it would often re- 16:00 Snowmen-PG 02:00 AFL Premiership form over the years, and he worked with a number of 18:00 Father Of The Bride Part II 04:30 IRB Junior World musicians in the last decades of his career. He was at 20:00 Office Space-PG15 Championship South By Southwest to promote the music documen- 22:00 Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo 06:30 Futbol Mundial tary “Take Me to the River,” one of two films he partici- 07:00 Trans World Sport pated in late in life. — AP 08:00 Total Rugby 08:30 AFL Premiership Highlights 09:30 V8 Supercars Highlights 00:00 Violetta 11:30 AFL Premiership 01:15 Beastly-PG15 00:45 The Hive 14:00 Golfing World 02:45 The Lady-PG15 00:50 Art Attack 15:00 International Rugby Union 05:00 The Flowers Of War-PG15 01:15 Art Attack 17:00 NHL 07:30 Hide Away-PG15 01:40 Wolfblood 19:00 WWE NXT 09:00 Beastly-PG15 02:05 Wolfblood 11:00 Magic Journey To Africa- 02:30 Violetta PG15 03:15 The Hive 13:00 The Double-PG15 03:20 Art Attack 14:45 The Intouchables-PG15 03:45 Art Attack 16:45 The Next Three Days-PG15 00:00 ICC Cricket 360 04:10 Jungle Junction 19:00 Blue Like Jazz-PG15 00:30 IPL Highlights 04:25 Jungle Junction 20:45 Drive-18 01:00 ICC World T20I Highlights 04:35 Jungle Junction 22:30 Cloud Atlas-18 02:00 IPL Highlights 04:45 Jungle Junction 03:30 ICC Cricket 360 05:00 Art Attack 04:30 ICC World T20I Highlights 05:25 Art Attack 05:30 ICC World T20I Highlights 05:50 Mouk 07:00 ICC Cricket 360 06:00 Austin & Ally 07:30 IPL Highlights 06:25 Dog With A Blog 08:30 IPL Highlights 06:45 Mako Mermaids 2:00 The Most Fun You Can Have 09:30 ICC Cricket 360 07:10 A.N.T. Farm Dying 10:00 ICC World T20I Highlights 07:35 Jessie In this June 23, 2014 photo provided by the Portland 04:00 Shadow Dancer 11:00 ICC World T20I Highlights 07:55 Good Luck Charlie Police Bureau Officer, Sarah Kerwin is seen with a cat in 06:00 Les Miserables 12:00 ICC Cricket 360 08:20 That’s So Raven Portland, Ore. — AP 09:00 Will 12:30 IPL Highlights 08:45 Suite Life On Deck 10:45 Arbitrage 13:30 IPL Highlights 09:05 Dog With A Blog 12:30 Quiet Flows The Don 14:30 ICC World T20I Highlights 09:30 Shake It Up 15:30 The Field 15:30 Best of ICC World T20I 09:55 Austin & Ally Cat’s cradle: Pet perches 17:30 Arbitrage 16:00 ICC Cricket 360 10:15 A.N.T. Farm 19:15 I, Anna 16:30 ICC World T20I Highlights 10:40 Good Luck Charlie atop investigating cop 21:00 Night Train To Lisbon 17:30 IPL Highlights 11:05 Suite Life On Deck 18:30 IPL Highlights 11:25 Jessie he cat. In the bathroom. On the officer’s shoulders? 19:30 ICC Cricket 360 11:50 That’s So Raven Nope, not a game of “Clue.” But police say one orange 20:15 Live Natwest T20 Blast 12:15 Hannah Montana T tabby wanted to be closely involved when officers 01:00 Bullet To The Head-18 12:35 Hannah Montana responding to a burglary report searched the cat’s home in 13:00 Wizards Of Waverly Place 03:00 G.I. Joe: Retaliation-PG15 southeast Portland. 13:25 Wizards Of Waverly Place 05:00 Blue Lagoon: The Sgt Pete Simpson says police were called Monday after- Awakening-PG15 13:45 A.N.T. Farm 14:10 Jessie noon when a woman returned home from work to find her 07:00 Salmon Fishing In The house burglarized. When police entered the home to Yemen-PG15 00:05 Fast Food Gone Global 14:35 Dog With A Blog 09:00 Despicable Me 2-PG 00:55 Jeni & Olly’s West Coast Wine 15:00 Good Luck Charlie search for a suspect, Officer Sarah Kerwin noted broken 11:00 Now You See Me-PG15 Adventure 15:25 Liv And Maddie glass on the floors of the basement and a bathroom. 13:00 Pop Star-PG15 01:20 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 15:50 Gravity Falls Because the resident cat was walking around on the 14:45 Life Of Pi-PG 01:45 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 16:10 Liv And Maddie floor, the officer picked up the cat to make sure it didn’t 17:00 Despicable Me 2-PG 02:35 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 16:35 Liv And Maddie step in the glass. The cat happily climbed onto Kerwin’s 19:00 After Earth-PG15 03:25 Andy Bates American Street 17:00 Dog With A Blog shoulders and stayed there as police finished searching the DESPICABLE ME 2 ON OSN MOVIES HD 23:00 The Iceman-18 Feasts 17:20 Good Luck Charlie house. No burglar was found. — AP Classifieds

THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014

Kuwait KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY (26/06/2014) UPTO 1ST DAY OF RAMADAN

Note:- The Day before Ramadan, All Cinemas will close at 1.00 am SHARQIA-1 FANAR-3 CUBAN FURY (DIG) 9:00 PM BORN TO RACE: FAST TRACK (DIG) 1:00 PM BORN TO RACE: FAST TRACK (DIG) 1:00 PM THE FAULT IN OUR STARS (DIG) 11:30 PM EDGE OF TOMORROW (DIG) 3:00 PM HUMSHAKALS (DIG) (HINDI) 3:00 PM BORN TO RACE: FAST TRACK (DIG) 5:30 PM BORN TO RACE: FAST TRACK (DIG) 6:00 PM 360º- 1 EDGE OF TOMORROW (DIG) 7:30 PM BORN TO RACE: FAST TRACK (DIG) 8:00 PM BORN TO RACE: FAST TRACK (DIG) 1:00 PM BORN TO RACE: FAST TRACK (DIG) 10:00 PM BORN TO RACE: FAST TRACK (DIG) 10:00 PM BORN TO RACE: FAST TRACK (DIG) 3:15 PM BORN TO RACE: FAST TRACK (DIG) 12:15 AM BORN TO RACE: FAST TRACK (DIG) 12:15 AM BORN TO RACE: FAST TRACK (DIG) 5:30 PM BORN TO RACE: FAST TRACK (DIG) 7:45 PM SHARQIA-2 FANAR-4 BORN TO RACE: FAST TRACK (DIG) 10:00 PM MALEFICENT (DIG) 2:00 PM MALEFICENT (DIG) 1:15 PM BORN TO RACE: FAST TRACK (DIG) 12:30 AM HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2 (DIG) 4:00 PM MALEFICENT (DIG-3D) 3:15 PM MALEFICENT (DIG) 6:15 PM MALEFICENT (DIG) 5:15 PM 360º- 2 MALEFICENT (DIG) 8:15 PM BLENDED (DIG) 7:15 PM EDGE OF TOMORROW (DIG) 2:15 PM BLENDED (DIG) 10:15 PM MALEFICENT (DIG) 9:30 PM EDGE OF TOMORROW (DIG) 4:45 PM MALEFICENT (DIG) 12:30 AM BLENDED (DIG) 11:45 PM CUBAN FURY (DIG) 7:15 PM EDGE OF TOMORROW (DIG) 9:45 PM SHARQIA-3 FANAR-5 EDGE OF TOMORROW (DIG) 12:15 AM FREEZER (DIG) 12:30 PM NINJA: SHADOW OF A TEAR (DIG) 1:45 PM BLENDED (DIG) 2:30 PM NINJA: SHADOW OF A TEAR (DIG) 3:45 PM 360º- 3 BLENDED (DIG) 4:45 PM THE FAULT IN OUR STARS (DIG) 5:45 PM HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2 (DIG) 2:00 PM THE WIND RISES (DIG) 7:00 PM THE FAULT IN OUR STARS (DIG) 8:15 PM HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2 (DIG-3D) 4:15 PM THE FAULT IN OUR STARS (DIG) 9:30 PM NINJA: SHADOW OF A TEAR (DIG) 10:45 PM HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2 (DIG) 6:30 PM BLENDED (DIG) 12:05 AM NINJA: SHADOW OF A TEAR (DIG) 12:45 AM HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2 (DIG) 8:45 PM Kuwait. Preference X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST (DIG) 11:00 PM MUHALAB-1 MARINA-1 SITUATION WANTED Marthoma, Orthodox, TUITION BLENDED (DIG) 12:30 PM BLENDED (DIG) 1:45 PM Jacobite and Evangelics. BLENDED (DIG) 2:45 PM BORN TO RACE: FAST TRACK (DIG) 4:15 PM AL-KOUT.1 Indian female (MBA in HR), E-mail: [email protected] Arabic Teacher for non- BLENDED (DIG) 5:00 PM BLENDED (DIG) 6:15 PM HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2 (DIG) 1:00 PM 10 years experience in (C 4802) native speakers beginners & THE WIND RISES (DIG) 7:15 PM BORN TO RACE: FAST TRACK (DIG) 8:30 PM MALEFICENT (DIG) 3:00 PM HR/Administration. Capable 22-6-2014 advanced - All levels of the BLENDED (DIG) 10:00 PM BLENDED (DIG) 10:30 PM HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2 (DIG) 5:00 PM of managing all functions in Arabic language - IGCSE & THE FAULT IN OUR STARS (DIG) 12:15 AM BORN TO RACE: FAST TRACK (DIG) 12:45 AM MALEFICENT (DIG) 7:15 PM HR/Admin. Proficient in MS GCSE, language training syl- MALEFICENT (DIG) 9:30 PM ACCOMMODATION labus foreign and common- MUHALAB-2 MARINA-2 MALEFICENT (DIG) 11:30 PM Office. Good communica- tion skills. Please contact wealth office. Only KD 10 for MALEFICENT (DIG) 1:30 PM THE FAULT IN OUR STARS (DIG) 2:00 PM A room available in 60636328. (C 4749) an hour & free books. CUBAN FURY (DIG) 3:30 PM EDGE OF TOMORROW (DIG) 4:30 PM AL-KOUT.2 Salmiya, in good location 22-6-2014 Contact: Mr Khalid: MALEFICENT (DIG) 5:30 PM THE WIND RISES (DIG) 6:45 PM BORN TO RACE: FAST TRACK (DIG) 1:30 PM for single European or Arab 99619998. (C 4740) MALEFICENT (DIG) 7:30 PM THE FAULT IN OUR STARS (DIG) 9:15 PM BORN TO RACE: FAST TRACK (DIG) 3:30 PM bachelor. Tel: 69637796, 22-6-2014 EDGE OF TOMORROW (DIG) 12:15 AM THE FAULT IN OUR STARS (DIG) 9:30 PM THE FAULT IN OUR STARS (DIG) 5:30 PM FOR SALE 66334748. (C 4750) CUBAN FURY (DIG) 12:05 AM BORN TO RACE: FAST TRACK (DIG) 8:00 PM 19-6-2014 MARINA-3 ELISA KHATAFHA JAMEEL (DIG) (Kuwaiti Film) 10:00 PM Toyota Camry 2004 Grandy, MUHALAB-3 CUBAN FURY (DIG) 1:30 PM BORN TO RACE: FAST TRACK (DIG) 12:45 AM 6 clr, white color, very good HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2 (DIG) 1:45 PM MALEFICENT (DIG-3D) 3:45 PM condition. KD 1450. Tel: HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2 (DIG) 4:00 PM HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2 (DIG) 5:45 PM AL-KOUT.3 66729295. (C 4803) Automated enquiry aboutthe Civil ID card is EDGE OF TOMORROW (DIG) 6:15 PM MALEFICENT (DIG) 8:00 PM EDGE OF TOMORROW (DIG) 1:00 PM BORN TO RACE: FAST TRACK (DIG) 8:45 PM MALEFICENT (DIG) 10:00 PM CUBAN FURY (DIG) 3:45 PM Nissan Altima 2008, silver 1889988 NO FRI CUBAN FURY (DIG) 12:05 AM EDGE OF TOMORROW (DIG) 5:45 PM color, full options, 4 clr, MALEFICENT (DIG-3D) 8:45 PM THE WIND RISES (DIG) 8:00 PM excellent condition. KD FRI AVENUES-1 CUBAN FURY (DIG) 10:30 PM 1800. Tel: 50994848. BORN TO RACE: FAST TRACK (DIG) 10:45 PM CUBAN FURY (DIG) 2:15 PM CUBAN FURY (DIG) 12:30 AM (C 4804) BORN TO RACE: FAST TRACK (DIG) 12:45 AM CUBAN FURY (DIG) 4:30 PM 24-6-2014 CUBAN FURY (DIG) 6:45 PM 112 AL-KOUT.4 FANAR-1 ELISA KHATAFHA JAMEEL (DIG) (Kuwaiti Film) 9:00 PM Mitsubishi Magna 2003 BLENDED (DIG) 1:15 PM EDGE OF TOMORROW (DIG) 2:00 PM ELISA KHATAFHA JAMEEL (DIG) (Kuwaiti Film) 12:05 AM model in very good condi- NINJA: SHADOW OF A TEAR (DIG) 3:15 PM EDGE OF TOMORROW (DIG) 4:15 PM tion. Please contact BLENDED (DIG) 5:15 PM EDGE OF TOMORROW (DIG) 6:45 PM AVENUES-2 94422739 or 24319673 Prayer timings NINJA: SHADOW OF A TEAR (DIG) 7:45 PM ELISA KHATAFHA JAMEEL (DIG) (Kuwaiti Film) 9:15 PM NINJA: SHADOW OF A TEAR (DIG) 1:45 PM before 12 noon. BLENDED (DIG) 9:45 PM ELISA KHATAFHA JAMEEL (DIG) (Kuwaiti Film) 12:05 AM NINJA: SHADOW OF A TEAR (DIG) 4:00 PM 22-6-2014 Fajr: 03:15 NINJA: SHADOW OF A TEAR (DIG) 6:15 PM NINJA: SHADOW OF A TEAR (DIG) 12:05 AM FANAR-2 NINJA: SHADOW OF A TEAR (DIG) 8:30 PM Shorook 04:50 BAIRAQ-1 HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2 (DIG) 1:30 PM NINJA: SHADOW OF A TEAR (DIG) 10:45 PM MATRIMONIAL HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2 (DIG) 3:45 PM NINJA: SHADOW OF A TEAR (DIG) 12:45 AM MALEFICENT (DIG-3D) 1:45 PM Duhr: 11:51 HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2 (DIG-3D) 3:45 PM THE WIND RISES (DIG) 6:00 PM Marthomite parents invite Asr: 15:24 CUBAN FURY (DIG) 8:30 PM AVENUES-3 HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2 (DIG-3D) 6:00 PM proposals for their son CUBAN FURY (DIG) 10:30 PM THE FAULT IN OUR STARS (DIG) 1:30 PM MALEFICENT (DIG-3D) 8:15 PM 26/180 BE civil, from par- Maghrib: 18:51 CUBAN FURY (DIG) 12:30 AM THE FAULT IN OUR STARS (DIG) 4:00 PM MALEFICENT (DIG-3D) 10:15 PM ents of professionally quali- THE FAULT IN OUR STARS (DIG) 6:30 PM MALEFICENT (DIG-3D) 12:15 AM fied girls, working in Isha: 20:24

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

Arrival Flights on Thursday 26/6/2014 FDB 8053 Dubai 14:20 Departure Flights on Thursday 26/6/2014 MSR 580 Sohag 13:50 Airlines Flt Route Time SVA 500 Jeddah 14:30 Airlines Flt Route Time MSR 611 Cairo 14:00 QTR 1084 Doha 00:05 KNE 472 Jeddah 14:40 AIC 976 Goa/Chennai 00:05 THY 767 Istanbul 14:10 JZR 239 Amman 00:20 KAC 788 Jeddah 15:00 JZR 562 Sohag 00:10 UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 JZR 267 Beirut 00:25 KNE 460 Riyadh 15:05 JAI 573 Mumbai 00:20 KAC 741 Dammam 14:35 JZR 539 Cairo 00:30 KAC 562 Amman 15:30 MSR 615 Cairo 00:30 FDB 058 Dubai 14:50 DLH 637 Dammam 00:35 ABY 127 Sharjah 15:35 BBC 044 Dhaka 00:35 QTR 1079 Doha 14:55 PGT 858 Istanbul 01:25 KNE 470 Jeddah 15:35 NIA 264 Alexandria 00:50 GFA 222 Bahrain 15:05 MSC 403 Asyut 01:30 MPH 093 Amsterdam 15:40 KLM 411 Amsterdam 00:55 KAC 673 Dubai 15:05 SAI 441 Lahore 01:35 OMA 645 Muscat 15:50 JZR 502 Luxor 01:30 FDB 8054 Dubai 15:10 THY 764 Istanbul 01:40 JZR 257 Beirut 16:00 DLH 637 Frankfurt 01:35 KAC 617 Doha 15:30 RJA 642 Amman 01:45 KAC 672 Dubai 16:00 THY 773 Istanbul 02:20 KNE 473 Jeddah 15:35 GFA 211 Bahrain 01:55 KAC 118 New York 16:00 MSC 404 Asyut 02:30 KNE 481 Taif 15:50 UAE 853 Dubai 02:25 JZR 535 Cairo 16:05 SAI 442 Lahore 02:35 JZR 188 Dubai 15:50 ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 02:30 QTR 1072 Doha 16:15 PGT 859 Istanbul 02:55 KAC 773 Riyadh 15:50 JAI 576 Kochi/Abu Dhabi 02:35 RJA 640 Amman 16:20 THY 769 Istanbul 03:40 SVA 505 Jeddah 16:00 THY 768 Istanbul 02:50 JZR 125 Bahrain 16:25 UAE 854 Dubai 03:45 ABY 128 Sharjah 16:15 FDB 5067 Dubai 03:05 FDB 055 Dubai 16:45 FDB 5068 Dubai 03:45 KNE 471 Jeddah 16:30 RJA 644 Amman 03:10 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 16:45 RJA 645 Amman 03:55 KAC 613 Bahrain 16:35 MSR 612 Cairo 03:15 NIA 251 Alexandria 16:50 MSR 613 Cairo 04:15 OMA 646 Muscat 16:50 QTR 1076 Doha 03:25 UAE 857 Dubai 16:55 ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:20 JZR 266 Beirut 17:05 MSC 401 Alexandria 04:00 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15 QTR 1077 Doha 04:25 MPH 093 Dubai/SIN 17:10 JZR 555 Alexandria 04:10 UAL 982 IAD 17:25 JZR 560 Sohag 04:50 JZR 512 Sharm el-Sheikh 17:15 THY 770 Istanbul 04:35 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 MSC 406 Sohag 05:00 QTR 1073 Doha 17:20 QTR 8646 Doha 04:50 KAC 742 Dammam 17:35 QTR 1085 Doha 05:20 RJA 641 Amman 17:20 DHX 170 Bahrain 05:10 JZR 177 Dubai 17:45 THY 765 Istanbul 06:00 JZR 538 Cairo 17:40 KAC 412 Manila/Bangkok 06:15 KAC 176 Geneva/Frankfurt 17:45 QTR 8646 Doha 06:20 ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 17:45 IRA 673 Ahwaz 06:20 JZR 777 Jeddah 17:50 JAI 575 Abu Dhabi/Kochi 06:30 NIA 252 Alexandria 17:50 JZR 563 Sohag 06:35 JZR 483 Istanbul 17:55 RJA 643 Amman 06:35 UAE 858 Dubai 18:15 BAW 157 London 06:35 TAR 328 Tunis/Dubai 18:00 THY 771 Istanbul 06:50 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15 JZR 1541 Cairo 06:40 KAC 542 Cairo 18:15 GFA 212 Bahrain 07:00 FDB 056 Dubai 18:20 FDB 5053 Dubai 07:00 QTR 1080 Doha 18:25 JZR 240 Amman 07:05 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 KAC 382 Delhi 07:30 KAC 786 Jeddah 18:30 JZR 150 Dubai 07:15 JZR 156 Dubai 18:35 JZR 503 Luxor 07:40 FDB 063 Dubai 18:35 IRA 672 Ahwaz 07:20 UAL 982 Bahrain 18:40 KAC 302 Mumbai 07:50 KAC 104 London 18:45 FDB 054 Dubai 07:50 JZR 238 Amman 18:45 KAC 206 Islamabad 07:50 AXB 393 Kozhikode 18:55 KAC 537 Sohag 08:00 TAR 328 Tunis 18:55 QTR 1086 Doha 07:55 ABY 129 Sharjah 19:00 BAW 156 London 08:25 FDB 064 Dubai 19:20 SVA 512 Riyadh 07:55 KAC 618 Doha 19:00 JZR 778 Jeddah 08:45 QTR 1081 Doha 19:25 KAC 332 Trivandrum 08:00 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:05 SVA 513 Riyadh 08:55 KAC 287 Dhaka 19:30 KAC 352 Kochi 08:05 FDB 051 Dubai 19:10 QTR 1087 Doha 08:55 ABY 120 Sharjah 19:40 UAE 855 Dubai 08:25 KAC 774 Riyadh 19:15 JZR 256 Beirut 09:15 GFA 218 Bahrain 19:50 KAC 362 Colombo 08:45 KAC 502 Beirut 19:20 JZR 534 Cairo 09:15 AXB 394 Kozhikode 19:55 ABY 125 Sharjah 08:50 KAC 674 Dubai 19:25 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:30 KAC 363 Colombo 20:05 KAC 284 Dhaka 08:55 JAI 572 Mumbai 19:35 KAC 787 Jeddah 09:35 FDB 052 Dubai 20:10 IRA 667 Esfahan 09:00 KAC 614 Bahrain 19:35 UAE 856 Dubai 09:50 JAI 571 Mumbai 20:35 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 09:30 OMA 647 Muscat 19:55 IRA 668 Mashhad 10:00 FDB 5062 Dubai 20:50 FDB 5055 Dubai 09:35 FDB 5061 Dubai 20:05 JZR 482 Istanbul 10:00 KAC 331 Trivandrum 20:50 IZG 4161 Mashhad 09:40 MEA 402 Beirut 20:15 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:15 KAC 343 Chennai 20:55 QTR 1070 Doha 10:00 DLH 634 Frankfurt 20:15 FDB 5056 Dubai 10:15 OMA 648 Muscat 20:55 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 JZR 189 Dubai 20:25 KAC 561 Amman 10:15 KAC 351 Kochi 21:05 MEA 404 Beirut 10:55 MSR 618 Alexandria 20:30 KAC 101 London/New York 10:25 JZR 554 Alexandria 21:15 TBZ 5483 Mashhad 11:00 KLM 417 Amsterdam 20:55 IZG 4162 Mashhad 10:40 MEA 403 Beirut 21:15 JZR 561 Sohag 11:15 KNE 480 Taif 21:00 QTR 1071 Doha 11:00 MSR 619 Alexandria 21:30 MSC 405 Sohag 11:20 ALK 229 Colombo 21:10 KAC 671 Dubai 11:20 KAC 543 Cairo 21:30 JZR 151 Dubai 11:50 UAE 859 Dubai 21:15 KAC 541 Cairo 11:30 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 FDB 8059 Dubai 11:55 QTR 1074 Doha 21:30 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:35 KLM 417 Dammam/Amsterdam 21:55 SYR 341 Damascus 12:05 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:30 KAC 501 Beirut 11:40 KNE 461 Riyadh 21:55 FDB 071 Dubai 12:35 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:45 KAC 165 Rome/Paris 11:45 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:15 JZR 241 Amman 12:40 AIC 981 Chennai/Hyderabad/Ahmedabad 22:25 MEA 405 Beirut 11:55 ALK 230 Colombo 22:20 UAE 871 Dubai 12:45 UAL 981 Bahrain 22:40 TBZ 5484 Mashhad 12:10 UAE 860 Dubai 22:25 MSR 610 Cairo 13:00 MEA 408 Beirut 22:50 JZR 776 Jeddah 12:15 KAC 381 Delhi 22:30 MSR 579 Sohag 13:05 FDB 059 Dubai 23:10 MSC 402 Alexandria 12:20 KAC 301 Mumbai 22:40 THY 766 Istanbul 13:10 BBC 043 Dhaka 23:10 KAC 785 Jeddah 13:00 QTR 1075 Doha 22:40 KAC 538 Sohag 13:40 JZR 157 Dubai 23:10 SYR 342 Damascus 13:05 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:45 QTR 1078 Doha 13:45 JAI 574 Mumbai 23:20 JZR 176 Dubai 13:10 KAC 203 Lahore 23:10 FDB 057 Dubai 13:50 MSR 614 Cairo 23:30 FDB 072 Dubai 13:15 KAC 205 Islamabad 23:35 JZR 779 Jeddah 14:20 JZR 513 Sharm el-Sheikh 23:30 FDB 8060 Dubai 13:25 KAC 411 Bangkok/Manila 23:40 GFA 221 Bahrain 14:20 THY 772 Istanbul 23:45 JZR 124 Bahrain 13:30 KAC 415 Kuala Lumpur/Jakarta 23:50 DIAL161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION stars34 THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014

CROSSWORD 590 STAR TRACK

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

You can be peaceful, calm and undisturbed regardless of what is going on Situations and people you thought you could rely on might not be so solid around you today. You are a genius at bringing out the best in others and this today. These are the ways we learn about people. It is very important that you do not hold is something you take great pride in now. Teaching, translating and conducting a tour or an grudges and you learn from your experience with others. Look for the truth in all of your orchestra are just a few of the things you could excel in today. An elderly couple or people affairs. There is a feeling that things will work out in positive ways. You should be able to show their gratefulness to you for some help or advice you shared recently. Ideas-philoso- improve your security now. This is a time of independence when you may try new and dif- phy and religion-are what make your life stimulating. Travel opportunities may come to ferent things. This is also a time during which you may be able to speed up your pace to your attention this afternoon and you can make future plans with your mate or loved ones. reach your goals and acknowledge your life’s purpose. You could receive unexpected help Before you relax this evening, you spend some time caring for animals or children. Tonight from someone older or from authority figures. Accept the good advice that somebody old- is for relaxing with bubbles, music and your heart’s desire. er gives you today-you won’t go wrong.

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

A talent of yours is required in the business place. There might be a conven- Your physical vitality, psychological or spiritual goals are highly emphasized tion in which your company is preparing to be represented or a new opening of a branch now. If there is something in your life that works against your progress-now company. Whatever the case, it could be that you will play the piano or greet people or is the time to weed through and eliminate or in some way divert or control the problem. help in some other way. You might set aside some time to visit with a past friend that This means an abundance of old clothes or too many animals or not enough time for a appears on the scene. The prospects for a spectacular day are promising. You help make the good night’s rest, etc. This is not a favorable time for establishing new life directions, but is a day a positive one for others. You manage to spend a lot of time in the spotlight. With fami- good time for creating a healthy balance. Stay away from arguments and possible hard feel- ly or friends this evening, there is talk of a vacation. There is a love of the sea and a great ings at this time. After the workday is over consider inviting a friend or loved one to enjoy a desire to take some time off for a while. Travel may be possible before the middle of next movie with you. You are a master of applied psychology and will be able to apply a subtle month. There is a lot of talk about the types of travel. influence on a young person in your family tonight.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21)

You could find yourself feeling rebellious and independent regarding your The idea of how you want your day to go and the plans of those around you current situation. Some difficult employee may bring opposition to a group, may be in conflict with others today. With communication, compromise and or just strain relationships. There is the possibility of new visions or sudden insights into the willingness to share, today can turn out to be one of your best family or friendship days. your ability to solve problems and others take your lead. Progress in the workplace is a The people or person you live with may agree to share or trade some book, equipment or ACROSS tecting the environment. miraculous thing today but it is possible. You naturally gravitate toward positions of power. chore with you today. Your eagerness to work or play with others and to be helpful will cre- 1. A white linen liturgical vestment with sleeves. 5. A gland in which gametes (sex cells) are pro- Others see in you a great practical ability and will accept you as a leader or authority figure ate some bonds that will last forever. This is an important time to be patient and tread light- 4. Of or relating to the self. duced. easily. This could be a very political time for you. It certainly is a time in which you can ly when it comes to indulgence and overextending yourself. Whether your relationships at accomplish much for the workplace or your community. A short story has a beginning this this time are partnerships, work and social or personal, they are very important now and 12. Top part of an apron. 6. Conspicuously or grossly unconventional or can have a very strong influence on your career and private life. 15. Any of numerous hairy-bodied insects unusual. evening and you will be pleased with the ending. including social and solitary species. 7. A Greek epic poem (attributed to Homer) 16. Medicine consisting of a soft heated mass of describing the siege of Troy. meal or clay that is spread on a cloth and 8. A thrusting blow with a knife. Capricorn (December 22-January 19) Cancer (June 21-July 22) applied to the skin to treat inflamed areas or 9. A local and habitual twitching especially in Although work is accomplished with little or no problems, there is a feeling of improve circulation etc.. the face. Close the page of yesterday and open your mind up to the possibilities of 17. A port in southwestern Scotland. low energy. This will pass but you can use the afternoon as an opportunity to 10. The formation of frost or ice on a surface. today and the future. Your life could be a book to write about and this next chapter will be clear away some of the things that you have been holding for too long. Those old books 18. Someone who is morally reprehensible. 11. Any of numerous trees of the family quite thrilling. If there are things left undone or decisions to be made, consider them done you would like to read again may better serve you as a gift to the library. Keep your 19. An agent that counteracts or neutralizes Cupressaceae that resemble cedars. or made. Behave as though all is complete and ready for the next adventure. As far as your favorites, but make room for the new books that will be coming into your life. You may want acidity (especially in the stomach). 12. Used as a Hindi courtesy title. profession goes, it wasn’t long ago that there was a report of a ninety-year-old man who to dedicate one room of your living quarters as a library or hobby room. Now is the time to 20. The cry made by sheep. 13. The eighth month of the civil year. received some educational degree. Grab the positive thinking and just start moving; things be creative-perhaps after you remove the old newspapers or magazines and as your energy 21. A detailed description of design criteria for a 14. (Scotland) A slope or hillside. will fall into place that will give you ideas or opportunities to achieve your heart’s desire. returns you could create an indoor herb garden that will be relaxing as you read. Education piece of work. Remember to be flexible and understand that what you want may not fit in one place but in law and philosophy impacts your lifestyle now. 22. The civil and religious leader of a Muslim will fit in another place. Happy birthday! 23. An Arabic speaking person who lives in state. Arabia or North Africa. 25. A unit of magnetic flux density equal to one 24. The essential qualities or characteristics by weber per square meter. Aquarius (January 20- February 18) which something is recognized. 27. An agency of the United Nations affiliated Leo (July 23-August 22) 26. Having help. with the World Bank. You have great internal strength and tend to be independent, preferring to 29. (archaic) Of persons. Fate sends opportunity your way if you listen to your instincts and give 28. A Russian river. lean on yourself more than on others. You may find opportunities to be self- 32. A logarithmic unit of sound intensity. your natural sense of curiosity a free rein. Travel and education can help uncover some of 30. A constellation in the southern hemisphere motivating-certainly no dependency here. This afternoon you may decide to sign up to 33. An equal exchange. the answers that will give you the power or advantage you seek. Allow yourself these expe- near Columba and Eridanus. work in a trade-day activity or a festival of sorts for this next weekend. You look forward to 37. A chain of coral and volcanic islands in riences. Mass communications can be financially rewarding in some way-think about earning a little extra money. Any activity that pulls in a little extra cash will also create an 31. Talk pompously. advertising, broadcasting, publishing, etc. Something as simple as owning a computer and Micronesia halfway between New Guinea and opportunity for you to show off your talents so also consider displaying your own talents. 34. Large North American deer with large belonging to a network would be what puts you into a new and rewarding business. The Family matters are enjoyed most of the late afternoon. Being more involved with family Japan. way in which you respond to change and maintain your independence is a major focus 42. A collection of objects laid on top of each much-branched antlers. now may involve some picture taking, social get-togethers, etc. Communicating ideas, 35. The mountain peak that Noah's ark landed now. A young person in your family wants more independence-give this person responsi- experiences and current affairs with loved ones is most important today. other. bilities and independence will come. 43. Any of a number of fishes of the family on as the waters of the great flood receded. Carangidae. 36. Small voraciously carnivorous freshwater 45. South American armadillo with three bands fishes of South America that attack and destroy Virgo (August 23-September 22) Pisces (February 19-March 20) of bony plates. living animals. 38. An anti-inflammatory drug that does not 46. Any of various plants of the genus Althaea. Mysterious or mystical information fires your imagination and you may find You are very communicative-not just a little curious. You enjoy talking and contain steroids. 48. A short high tone produced as a signal or there could be more imagination than knowledge for now. Keep an open writing skills. If you are in a job that calls for a creative expression, you can warning. 39. A radioactive element of the actinide series. mind and learn all you can, but do not take everything you hear for gospel. You may take excel in your presentation. Working with another person speeds the work along to a com- 50. A self-funded retirement plan that allows 40. A region of Malaysia in northeastern Borneo. action today, when an issue dear to your heart comes to your attention. Your theories are pletion this afternoon. At home you may become involved in much letter-writing or phone you to contribute a limited yearly sum toward 41. An organization of countries formed in 1961 good but facts will get you support for what you want to accomplish. Work on research conversations with family members you do not get to see very often. You could be most your retirement. to agree on a common policy for the sale of and creating a plan that will develop some positive outcomes. Patience is a key word when persuasive with others and moving in speech and communication. Study, research and 51. European strong-scented perennial herb petroleum. it comes to dealing with people-timing is essential. You may be pleasantly surprised with a investigations of all kinds appeal to you as well. If you are not traveling now, you will be 44. A metric unit of volume equal to one tenth call or letter you receive this afternoon. Contacts with an old neighbor or friend bring about thinking about it soon. The best places to visit, names of bed and breakfast places and the with gray-green bitter-tasting leaves. good memories from the past. 52. Port city that is the capital and largest city of of a liter. popular restaurants are topics of conversation this evening. Latvia. 47. Annual to perennial herbs of the 54. A woman's dress style that imitates the caf- Mediterranean region. tan cloaks worn by men in the Near East. 49. A river in northeastern Brazil that flows gen- Word Search Yesterday Solution 56. Before noon. erally northward to the Atlantic Ocean. 59. An Indian side dish of yogurt and chopped 53. Light informal conversation for social occa- cucumbers and spices. sions. 63. A bin that holds rubbish until it is collected. 55. A rotund individual. 66. From 190 million to 230 million years ago. 57. Old World nocturnal canine mammal closely 70. A slick spokesperson who can turn any criti- related to the dog. cism to the advantage of their employer. 58. A percussion instrument consisting of a pair 71. (in writing) See below. of hollow pieces of wood or bone (usually held 74. A member of the Siouan people formerly liv- between the thumb and fingers) that are made ing in Iowa and Minnesota and Missouri. to click together (as by Spanish dancers) in 75. Large genus of erect or climbing prickly rhythm with the dance. shrubs including roses. 60. The sacred city of Lamaism. 76. A tricycle (usually propelled by pedalling). 61. (of mines and mining) Worked from the 78. Title for a civil or military leader (especially in exposed surface. Turkey). 62. Being one more than one. 79. A translucent mineral consisting of hydrated 64. Wet feed (especially for pigs) consisting of silica of variable color. mostly kitchen waste mixed with water or 80. Low spreading tropical American shrub with skimmed or sour milk. long slender leaves used to make a mildly stim- 65. Monotypic genus of palms of Australasia. ulating drink resembling tea. 67. (informal) A bunch. 81. A Spanish title of respect for a gentleman or 68. The villain in William Shakespeare's tragedy nobleman. who tricked Othello into murdering his wife. DOWN 69. A bluish shade of green. 1. The elementary stages of any subject (usually 72. French marshal in the Napoleonic Wars plural). (1769-1815). 2. A light springing movement upwards or for- 73. A federal agency established to regulate the wards. release of new foods and health-related prod- 3. English monk and scholar (672-735). ucts. 4. A federal agency established to coordinate 77. An associate degree in nursing. programs aimed at reducing pollution and pro- Yesterday’s Solution

Daily SuDoku Yesterday’s Solution THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014 information

For labor-related inquiries and complaints: Call MSAL hotline 128 Al-Madeena 22418714 Al-Shuhada 22545171 GOVERNORATE PHARMACY ADDRESS PHONE Al-Shuwaikh 24810598 Ahmadi Sama Safwan Fahaeel Makka St 23915883 Sabah Hospital 24812000 Abu Halaifa Abu Halaifa-Coastal Rd 23715414 Al-Nuzha 22545171 Danat Al-Sultan Mahboula Block 1, Coastal Rd 23726558 Amiri Hospital 22450005 Sabhan 24742838 Maternity Hospital 24843100 Jahra Modern Jahra Jahra-Block 3 Lot 1 24575518 Madina Munawara Jahra-Block 92 24566622 Al-Helaly 22434853 Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital 25312700 Capital Ahlam Fahad Al-Salem St 22436184 Al-Faiha 22545051 Chest Hospital 24849400 Khaldiya Coop Khaldiya Coop 24833967

Farwaniya Hospital 24892010 Farwaniya New Shifa Farwaniya Block 40 24734000 Al-Farwaniya 24711433 Ferdous Coop Ferdous Coop 24881201 Adan Hospital 23940620 Modern Safwan Old Kheitan Block 11 24726638 Al-Sulaibikhat 24316983 Ibn Sina Hospital 24840300 Hawally Tariq Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St 25726265 Al-Fahaheel 23927002 Al-Razi Hospital 24846000 Hana Salmiya-Amman St 25647075 Ikhlas Hawally-Beirut St 22625999 Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh 24316983 Physiotherapy Hospital 24874330/9 Hawally & Rawdha Hawally & Rawdha Coop 22564549 Ghadeer Jabriya-Block 1A 25340559 Kindy Jabriya-Block 3B 25326554 Ahmadi 23980088 Ibn Al-Nafis Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St 25721264 Mishrif Coop Mishrif Coop 25380581 Al-Mangaf 23711183 Kaizen center 25716707 Salwa Coop Salwa Coop 25628241 Al-Shuaiba 23262845 Rawda 22517733

Adaliya 22517144 Al-Jahra 25610011 Khaldiya 24848075 Al-Salmiya 25616368 Kaifan 24849807 Shamiya 24848913 INTERNATIONAL Shuwaikh 24814507 CALLS Abdullah Salem 22549134

Nuzha 22526804 Afghanistan 0093 Iran 0098 Albania 00355 Iraq 00964 Industrial Shuwaikh 24814764 Algeria 00213 Ireland 00353 Qadsiya 22515088 Andorra 00376 Italy 0039 Angola 00244 Ivory Coast 00225 Dasmah 22532265 Anguilla 001264 Jamaica 001876 Antiga 001268 Japan 0081 Bneid Al-Gar 22531908 Argentina 0054 Jordan 00962 Shaab 22518752 Armenia 00374 Kazakhstan 007 Australia 0061 Kenya 00254 Qibla 22459381 Austria 0043 Kiribati 00686 Bahamas 001242 Kuwait 00965 Ayoun Al-Qibla 22451082 Bahrain 00973 Kyrgyzstan 00996 Mirqab 22456536 Bangladesh 00880 Laos 00856 Barbados 001246 Latvia 00371 Sharq 22465401 Belarus 00375 Lebanon 00961 Belgium 0032 Liberia 00231 Salmiya 25746401 Belize 00501 Libya 00218 Jabriya 25316254 Benin 00229 Lithuania 00370 Bermuda 001441 Luxembourg 00352 Maidan Hawally 25623444 Bhutan 00975 Macau 00853 Bolivia 00591 Macedonia 00389 Bayan 25388462 Bosnia 00387 Madagascar 00261 Mishref 25381200 Botswana 00267 Majorca 0034 Brazil 0055 Malawi 00265 W Hawally 22630786 Brunei 00673 Malaysia 0060 Bulgaria 00359 Maldives 00960 Sabah 24810221 Burkina 00226 Mali 00223 Jahra 24770319 Burundi 00257 Malta 00356 Cambodia 00855 Marshall Islands 00692 New Jahra 24575755 Cameroon 00237 Martinique 00596 Canada 001 Mauritania 00222 West Jahra 24772608 Cape Verde 00238 Mauritius 00230 South Jahra 24775066 Cayman Islands 001345 Mayotte 00269 Central African 00236 Mexico 0052 North Jahra 24775992 Chad 00235 Micronesia 00691 Chile 0056 Moldova 00373 North Jleeb 24311795 China 0086 Monaco 00377 Ardhiya 24884079 Colombia 0057 Mongolia 00976 Comoros 00269 Montserrat 001664 Firdous 24892674 Congo 00242 Morocco 00212 Cook Islands 00682 Mozambique 00258 Omariya 24719048 Costa Rica 00506 Myanmar (Burma) 0095 N Khaitan 24710044 Croatia 00385 Namibia 00264 Cuba 0053 Nepal 00977 Fintas 23900322 Cyprus 00357 Netherlands (Holland) Cyprus (Northern) 0090392 0031 Czech Republic 00420 Netherlands Antilles 00599 Denmark 0045 New Caledonia 00687 Diego Garcia 00246 New Zealand 0064 Djibouti 00253 Nicaragua 00505 PRIVATE CLINICS Dominica 001767 Nigar 00227 Dominican Republic 001809 Nigeria 00234 Ecuador 00593 Niue 00683 Egypt 0020 Norfolk Island 00672 El Salvador 00503 Northern Ireland (UK) Plastic Surgeons Paediatricians Ophthalmologists Endocrinologist England (UK) 0044 0044 Dr. Abidallah Al-Mansoor 25622444 Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalaf 22547272 Dr. Khaled Hamadi 25665898 Equatorial Guinea 00240 North Korea 00850 Dr. Abd Al-Naser Al-Othman 25339330 Dr. Samy Al-Rabeea 25752222 Dr. Abdal-Redha Lari 22617700 Dr. Abd Al-Aziz Al-Rashed 25340300 Eritrea 00291 Norway 0047 Dr. Masoma Habeeb 25321171 Dr. Abdel Quttainah 25625030/60 Dr. Zahra Qabazard 25710444 Dr. Ahmad Al-Ansari 25658888 Estonia 00372 Oman 00968 Dr. Mubarak Al-Ajmy 25739999 Ethiopia 00251 Pakistan 0092 Family Doctor Dr. Sohail Qamar 22621099 Dr. Mohsen Abel 25757700 Dr. Kamal Al-Shomr 25329924 Falkland Islands 00500 Palau 00680 Dr Divya Damodar 23729596/23729581 Dr. Snaa Maaroof 25713514 Faroe Islands 00298 Panama 00507 Dr Adnan Hasan Alwayl 25732223 Physiotherapists & VD Psychiatrists Dr. Pradip Gujare 23713100 Dr. Abdallah Al-Baghly 25732223 Fiji 00679 Papua New Guinea 00675 Dr. Zacharias Mathew 24334282 Dr. Deyaa Shehab 25722291 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Dr. Esam Al-Ansari 22635047 Finland 00358 Paraguay 00595 Dr. Ahmed Fouad Mouner 24555050 Ext 510 Dr Eisa M. Al-Balhan 22613623/0 Dermatology Dr. Musaed Faraj Khamees 22666288 France 0033 Peru 0051 French Guiana 00594 Philippines 0063 Dr. Abdallah Al-Ali 25644660 Gynaecologists & Obstetricians Dr. Mohammed Salam Rheumatologists: French Polynesia 00689 Poland 0048 Dr. Abd Al-Hameed Al-Taweel 25646478 DrAdrian arbe 23729596/23729581 Bern University 23845955 Gabon 00241 Portugal 00351 Dr. Sanad Al-Fathalah 25311996 Dentists Dr. Verginia s.Marin 2572-6666 ext 8321 Dr. Adel Al-Awadi 25330060 Gambia 00220 Puerto Rico 001787 Dr. Mohammad Al-Daaory 25731988 Dr. Fozeya Ali Al-Qatan 22655539 Dr Anil Thomas 3729596/3729581 Georgia 00995 Qatar 00974 Dr. Ismail Al-Fodary 22620166 Dr. Khaled Al-Jarallah 25722290 Dr. Majeda Khalefa Aliytami 25343406 Dr. Shamah Al-Matar 22641071/2 Germany 0049 Romania 0040 Dr. Mahmoud Al-Booz 25651426 Ghana 00233 Russian Federation 007 Dr. Ahmad Al-Khooly 25739272 Dr. Anesah Al-Rasheed 22562226 Internist, Chest & Heart General Practitioners Gibraltar 00350 Rwanda 00250 Dr. Salem soso 22618787 Dr. Abidallah Al-Amer 22561444 Dr. Mohamme Y Majidi 24555050 Ext 123 DR.Mohammes Akkad 24555050 Ext 210 Greece 0030 Saint Helena 00290 Dr. Faysal Al-Fozan 22619557 General Surgeons Dr. Yousef Al-Omar 24719312 Dr. Mohammad Zubaid Greenland 00299 Saint Kitts 001869 Dr. Abdallateef Al-Katrash 22525888 Dr. Tarek Al-Mikhazeem 23926920 Dr. Amer Zawaz Al-Amer 22610044 MB, ChB, FRCPC, PACC Grenada 001473 Saint Lucia 001758 Dr. Abidallah Al-Duweisan 25653755 Dr. Kathem Maarafi 25730465 Dr. Mohammad Yousef Basher 25327148 Assistant Professor Of Medicine Guadeloupe 00590 Saint Pierre 00508 Dr. Bader Al-Ansari 25620111 Guam 001671 Saint Vincent 001784 Dr. Abdallah Ahmad Eyadah 25655528 Internists, Chest & Heart Head, Division of Cardiology Dr. Nabeel Al-Ayoobi 24577781 Neurologists Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital 25339667 Guatemala 00502 Samoa US 00684 Dr. Adnan Ebil 22639939 Guinea 00224 Samoa West 00685 Dr. Dina Abidallah Al-Refae 25333501 Dr. Sohal Najem Al-Shemeri 25633324 Consultant Cardiologist Dr. Mousa Khadada 22666300 Guyana 00592 San Marino 00378 Urologists Dr. Jasem Mola Hassan 25345875 Dr. Latefa Al-Duweisan 25728004 Dr. Farida Al-Habib 2611555-2622555 Haiti 00509 Sao Tone 00239 Dr. Ali Naser Al-Serfy 22641534 Gastrologists MD, PH.D, FACC Holland (Netherlands) 0031 Saudi Arabia 00966 Dr. Fawzi Taher Abul 22639955 Dr. Nadem Al-Ghabra 25355515 Dr. Sami Aman 22636464 Inaya German Medical Center Honduras 00504 Scotland (UK) 0044 Dr. Khaleel Abidallah Al-Awadi 22616660 Dr. Mobarak Aldoub 24726446 Dr. Mohammad Al-Shamaly 25322030 Te: 2575077 Hong Kong 00852 Senegal 00221 Dr. Adel Al-Hunayan FRCS (C) 25313120 Dr Nasser Behbehani 25654300/3 Dr. Foad Abidallah Al-Ali 22633135 Fax: 25723123 Hungary 0036 Seychelles 00284 Dr. Leons Joseph 66703427 Ibiza (Spain) 0034 Sierra Leone 00232 Soor Center Iceland 00354 Singapore 0065 Psychologists [email protected] Tel: 2290-1677 Kaizen center Noor Clinic William Schuilenberg, RPC 2290-1677 India 0091 Slovakia 00421 /Psychotherapists www.soorcenter.com Zaina Al Zabin, M.Sc. 2290-1677 Fax: 2290 1688 25716707 23845955 Indian Ocean 00873 Slovenia 00386 Indonesia 0062 Solomon Islands 00677 lifestyle THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014

Gossip

MTV bringing ‘TRL’ back for 1 day with Grande

TV will reprise its former “Total Request Live” MTV’s most influential franchise, but the network pulled countdown show for a day with breakthrough the plug after declining ratings. Grande was the star of the Mpop singer Ariana Grande. The network Nickelodeon sitcoms “Victorious” and “Sam & Cat.” She announced yesterday it will bring back the series July 2. released her debut album last year, which featured the hit Grande currently has the No. 2 song in the country with “The Way.” The half-hour “Total Ariana Live” will air next the saxophone-laced “Problem.” The 20-year-old will per- Wednesday at 7 p.m. Eastern. form her latest hit on “Total Ariana Live,” debut her follow- up single and discuss her upcoming sophomore album. “TRL” ended its run in 2008 after 10 years. The show was

Ed Sheeran: Sam Smith is so sweet

d Sheeran was “bowled over” by how star. Speaking to Heat Radio, he said: “I’d sweet Sam Smith is. The ‘Sing’ hit- say that I’ve definitely changed. Not neces- maker, who has become friends with sarily in the negative way, but you do have

E I’ll wear the 22-year-old singer-songwriter was sur- to adapt to your surroundings when you’re prised by how nice he is and doesn’t think in this situation. Now and then I blow off he has a “bad bone in his body.” Ed said: steam, like anyone, but it’s not a regular “He’s just very calmly, quietly spoken and thing. Work definitely comes first. “There then this voice comes out of nowhere. If I are certain things you can do and certain have bad days, I might react badly, but if things you can’t do, and some places you Sam Smith has a bad day, I can imagine can go and some places you can’t go.” Ed him just being like, ‘Well, today isn’t going claims he has changed in the sense that his too well but it’s alright because tomorrow dreams and aspirations have become big- will be okay’. He doesn’t seem to be some- ger and they don’t have a limit now. He one that would get that angry. He’s never explained: “I want to tour this album exten- going to have a diva strop, I can tell you sively and move into bigger, bigger, bigger that for free.” The singer’s new album ‘x’ places.” went to number to number one on the iTunes chart in 65 countries after being released on Monday and he admits he has changed since he became a huge global US actor Eli heels at muddy Glasto Dolly Parton: Wallach dies at 98 olly Parton insists she will still be wearing her high heels in the mud at Glastonbury this week. The ‘9 to 5’ hitmaker, who is performing he prolific American actor Eli Wallach, known by Dat the festival at Worthy Farm in Somerset, is adamant she won’t be many for his role in the western “The Good, the Bad buying any wellies despite heavy rain predicted for the event and will stick Tand the Ugly” as part of a career spanning six to wearing sky-high shoes. She said: “What should I expect? Mud? I’ll be decades, has died at the age of 98, US media reports said. wearing my high heels, even if I’m up to my knees in mud. I’m a little bit The New York Times said Wallach’s death Tuesday was con- apprehensive. I’m excited, I just want to make sure I do the right show. I’ve firmed by his daughter Katherine. The cause of death was heard of Glastonbury because it’s one of the biggest in the world, right?” not given. Another big movie that the character actor The 68-year-old star claims fans have asked her for “years” if she would play Wallach starred in was the 1960s western “The Magnificent the festival and she’s never been featured on the bill until now and is still Seven,” in which he played a Mexican bandit. Wallach working out her set list for the event. She said: “I guess it’s never worked appeared in more than 80 films but was never nominated out where I could, and so now I am.”I’ve heard that people from all walks of for an Oscar. However, in 2010 the Academy of Motion life come to Glastonbury. I guess they smoke a lot of dope and drink a lot Picture Arts and Sciences gave him an honorary one. The of booze, like most festivals, right? But then there’s a lot of people that academy hailed him as “the quintessential chameleon, don’t, they just come to listen to music. Who cares, as long as they’re hav- effortlessly inhabiting a wide range of characters, while ing a good time?” The gates at Worthy Farm opened this morning and the putting his inimitable stamp on every role,” the Times festival headliners this year are Metallica, Arcade Fire and Kasabian. reported. At that awards ceremony, the Brooklyn, New York native said: “As an actor I’ve played more bandits, thieves, warlords, molesters and mafioso than you could shake a stick at,” the Hollywood reporter quoted him as saying. Wallach also did extensive work on stage and in television. In the 1950s he won a Tony-stage drama’s answer to the Oscar’s-for his role in Tennessee Williams’ “The Rose Tattoo.” There he played a truck driver who courts and wins over an Pharrell Williams Italian widow. The female lead, Maureen Stapleton, also won a Tony for her work in the play. In the spaghetti west- Campbell to create clothing line ern “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly,” Wallach played a plays intimate gig greedy Mexican who was pitted against Clint Eastwood and Lee Van Cleef. Wallach continued to work well into his harrell Williams performed for just 600 fans last aomi Campbell is in talks to create her own clothing range. 90s. He again appeared alongside Eastwood in the 2003 night. The ‘Happy’ hitmaker treated lucky competi- The supermodel has revealed she is due to follow in her dramatic thriller “Mystic River” and in 2010 played in both tion winners to an hour-long set that encompassed Nclose friend Kate Moss’ footsteps by branching out into fash- P Roman Polanski’s “The Ghost Writer” and Oliver Stone’s his career as both a performer and producer at the ion design. She confirmed to the MailOnline: “I’ve been approached “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps.” Wallach leaves behind Brooklyn Bowl at London’s O2. Pharrell was backed by a by a few brands to design a line for them, it’s something that inter- his wife Anne and three children. female dance troupe and opened with Daft Punk’s ‘Lose ests me and I’m in negotiations. So I’ll be sure to let you know as Yourself to Dance’ - a message the excitable audience were soon as I have an announcement to make... watch this space!” The happy to comply with. As well as solo tracks including 44-year-old star is considering developing her own lines of acces- ‘Happy’ - which closed the performance - and ‘Marilyn sories, lingerie and swimwear as well as womenswear. And Naomi Monroe’, the 41-year-old star also performed Snoop Dogg’s hinted some of her fellow 90s supermodels’ successful fashion col- ‘Drop It Like It’s Hot’, Robin Thicke’s ‘Blurred Lines’ and Daft laborations could have inspired her big move as she stepped out in Punk’s ‘Get Lucky’, all of which he performed on as a guest a Kate Moss for Topshop dress. She added: “I’m always so proud of artist. He also covered tracks which he produced, including my friends who develop great lines in fashion. I’m genuinely happy Nelly’s Hot in Here’ and Gwen Stefani’s ‘Hollaback Girl’. The to wear the clothes they create.” ‘The Face’ mentor revealed earlier gig was part of MasterCard’s Priceless Gigs series, which this year she was hoping to share her fashion vision with the world. brings music fans closer to their idols. Shaun Springer, She said: “I always had this feeling of, I love working with designers - Head of Brand and Sponsorship, MasterCard UK & Ireland I don’t want to be their competition, and maybe if I do my own line comments: “Our Priceless Gigs series is about creating they won’t work with me anymore.”I see there’s lots of things that priceless experiences that connect MasterCard cardholders are not there that I feel that I’d like to have, and so I’d like to share it to the things they love in new and surprising ways. Pharrell with everybody. So yes, I will, and hopefully one of the things will be delivered an amazing set making for an unforgettable out by 2015.” night.” Fans can enter future ballots at priceless.com/lon- don. For updates on Priceless Gigs and other Priceless London experiences follow MasterCard on Twitter @MasterCardUK.

Delevingne becomes face of Topshop

ara Delevingne has become the face of Topshop. brand. “It is so wild to realize that it has been an entire The 21-year-old model will front the brand’s year since we began planning this project together...goes Cautumn/winter 2014 campaign and will appear in to show that time does fly when you’re having fun.” Cara - the company’s advertising across print, outdoor and in- who is known for her androgynous style - has created the store graphics, according to Britain’s VOGUE magazine. 15 piece collection made up of mostly unisex items, The blonde beauty - who has worked with brands such as including beanies priced from $70, T-shirts from $150 and Burberry, Mulberry and Yves Saint Laurent in the past - a leather motorcycle jacket with removable sleeves for has also recently teamed up with DKNY to create a cap- $735. The stunning star will appear in the campaign her- sule line called ‘Cara Delevingne for DKNY’, which is due to self but also launched a competition on Instagram earlier hit stores in November this year. She said previously: “I this month to find additional models to join her. can’t believe that some random, rough ideas have finally turned into my own collection ... designs with my own — Bangshowbiz name on them and in collaboration with the iconic DKNY lifestyle THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014

Features

This photo shows a bucket hanging on a barn wall at the Kuerner Farm in Image shows the studio of artist NC Wyeth in Chadds Ford, Pa. This undated image shows Jamie Wyeth’s 1984 painting, ‘Kleberg,’ depict- Chadds Ford, Pa. ing a Labrador retriever owned by the Wyeth family. Christina’s world? Maine. Wyeth world? Chadds Ford

recent review of an Andrew Wyeth show calls objects that inspired them, like the rolling green “Temperas and Watercolors” through Oct 22. his famous painting “Christina’s World” the fields and hill outside Kuerner Farm, which figure in A“best-loved worst painting in history.” But Andrew’s work, and the bucket over the sink in the National gallery of art, Washington, DC don’t be a hater. Some of us love Wyeth, his work, Kuerner barn from Andrew’s rustic scene, “Spring The National Gallery of Art chose “Wind From the and well, his entire family - including his father NC Fed.” Sea,” part of its permanent collection, to advertise Wyeth and son Jamie. “Christina’s World” is at New the exhibit “Andrew Wyeth: Looking Out, Looking In,” York’s Museum of Modern Art, but fans can immerse Maine: Cushing and Rockland showcasing his images of windows. “Wind From the themselves in Wyeth world by visiting historic sites In the tiny coastal town of Cushing, Maine, you Sea” depicts sheer curtains blowing in a window of and permanent collections in Maine and can visit the house where Andrew Wyeth painted the Olson House, overlooking a field and trees fram- Pennsylvania, along with museums in Boston and “Christina’s World.” If you’re among those who view ing a gray sky and sliver of sea, elegantly rendered in Washington that are hosting special exhibits this the painting as middlebrow schlock, learning about neutral colors. Other works depict the Kuerner Farm, This April 23, 2012 file photo shows painting and sketches of President John F. summer. Here are the details. the real Christina Olson, and Wyeth’s interpretation apples on a weathered ledge, and geometric pat- Kennedy in the home and studio of artist Andrew Wyeth in Chadds Ford, Pa. of what he saw, may change your mind. Olson was terns of window frames. The show is up through Chadds ford, Pennsylvania crippled - though contrary to popular belief, not Nov 30, and it’s free. You’re not an uber-Wyeth fan until you’ve visited the from polio - but did not use a wheelchair. She Brandywine River Museum in Chadds Ford, crawled across the farmyard to garden and hang Boston Pennsylvania, which owns many works by all three laundry, a picture of dignity amid rural poverty. Opening July 16, the Museum of Fine Arts in Wyeths. A $40 package includes lunch, guided tours The painting was deemed a masterpiece by the Boston hosts what it’s calling the first major retro- of museum galleries, plus visits to NC’s home and New York art establishment just before Abstract spective of Jamie Wyeth, with over 100 works span- studio, and Andrew’s home and studio, where Jamie Expressionism rendered American realism passe - a ning six decades. The show is in Boston through Dec also worked. For another $8, you can also tour view that still colors how Wyeth’s work is sometimes 28; adults, $25. The exhibit travels next year to the Kuerner Farm, inspiration for many of Andrew’s perceived (witness the Washington City Paper Brandywine, San Antonio Museum of Art in Texas landscapes, still-lifes and portraits, including paint- review that recently called “Christina’s World” the and Crystal Bridges Museum of Art in Arkansas. ings of his secret muse Helga. You’ll not only hear “best-loved worst painting in history”). Jamie’s best-known works include portraits of stories about the Wyeths, but you’ll get a mini-art Tours of the Olson House, now a National Historic celebrities like Rudolf Nureyev, along with a appreciation course from the excellent docents. Landmark, tell not just Christina’s story but also how famous posthumous painting of John F. Kennedy. Among the museum’s most memorable works: Andrew befriended her. You’ll see the view from the But his repertoire also includes rustic landscapes, NC’s early 20th century illustrations for the children’s house that inspired works like “Wind From the Sea,” pets - including his dog Kleberg, painted with a book “Treasure Island.” One shows a mother weep- on display now in Washington. circle drawn around one eye to recall the “Little ing into her apron as her young son leaves home, The Farnsworth Art Museum in nearby Rockland Rascals” mascot, and images connected to his bag in hand, off on an adventure. The mother’s reac- has a Wyeth Center devoted to the family’s art. experiences in New York hanging out with Andy tion was not a big part of the story, but it’s the type Through Dec 31, the museum hosts “The Wyeths, Warhol’s crowd. — AP of emotional moment that NC zeroed in on. Maine and the Sea,” with landscapes, portraits of The tours also offer a look at artifacts the Wyeths fishermen and farmers, and other coastal motifs. The kept on hand to guide their realism, from helmets to Farnsworth also hosts two smaller Andrew Wyeth This image provided by the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC shows ‘Spring a full-size canoe. You’ll recognize landscapes and shows, “Portrait Studies” through Nov 2, and Fed,’ 1967, tempera on Masonite, by Andrew Wyeth, from the collection of Bill and Robin Weiss. — AP photos

Photo shows the exterior of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, with a sign for the ‘Andrew Wyeth: Photo shows the home and studio of artist Andrew Wyeth in Chadds Ford, Pa. Looking Out, Looking In,’ exhibit, open through Nov 30, showcasing Wyeth’s depictions of windows.

Go For the Food: Italian food in Wyeth country f you love art by the Wyeth family - NC, his son Andrew and Italian restaurant, Antica, is practically across the road from prosciutto. Sauteed clams are served with white beans, long jumped at seafood spezzatino, an off-the-menu special. Large grandson Jamie - then a day in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, the museum and filled with Andrew Wyeth prints. If you’ve hot peppers and sweet sausage. And eggplant Napoleon - seared scallops, flaky chunks of sweet crabmeat, and cherry Iis a must. Tour the places they lived, worked and were just come from Kuerner Farm, which inspired many of his breaded fried eggplant with mozzarella and red sauce - ful- tomatoes were served over linguini in a light red sauce that inspired, and enjoy three generations of their art at the paintings, pick a table at Antica beneath “Spring Fed,” a rustic filled my yearning for fill-in-the-blank parmigiana as an appe- was spicy, sweet and savory all at once. A side dish showcased Brandywine River Museum. A day-long tour package includes scene of a bucket on a barn wall. If you like his depictions of tizer, without erasing my appetite for more exciting options carrots sliced in long ovals, cooked in Marsala. a simple lunch of soup and half-sandwich in the museum cafe, Maine, where he spent summers, dine beneath “Airborne,” a for entrees. Need a break from all that art earlier in the day? Antica is with a view of the tree-lined Brandywine River that looks like a beach scene with floating seagull feathers. The restaurant staff I’m not a huge meat-eater, but braised short ribs, served also open for lunch. And if Wyeth paintings are not your thing, Wyeth painting. says Jamie Wyeth and other local artists sometimes even drop with a crispy cake of polenta, were perfectly done: not a trace Antica’s name evokes another reason to visit the Brandywine But after a day of tours, what about dinner? Philadelphia is by. of fat, which pleased my slightly squeamish palate - just rich, Valley: antiquing.—AP 40 minutes away; New York City’s 125 miles. Art fans may find The menu at Antica is enticing without being too precious. melt-in-your-mouth goodness. Spezzatino - a stew of sausage, it hard to leave Wyeth country so soon. Fortunately, a terrific For starters, the caprese salad comes tucked in a wrapper of peppers and mushroom ragout - is a house specialty, but I

Photo shows braised short ribs, served with a crispy cake of polenta, and a Photo shows the dining room at Antica, a restaurant in Chadds Ford. Photo shows Antica, a restaurant in Chadds Ford. side dish of carrots slice in long ovals, cooked in Marsala, at Antica, a restaurant in Chadds Ford, Pa. — AP photos lifestyle THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014

Music & Movies A Minute With Filmmaker Jose

ntonio Vargas on being ‘undocu- is a brown, Latino issue. I remember the mented’ in 1993 at the age of 12, first thing I did when I found out I was AJose Antonio Vargas said goodbye to illegal was to get rid of my thick Filipino his mother and boarded a plane in the accent. I figured that I had to talk white Philippines to join his grandparents in and talk black at the same time, like California. It would be four more years Charlie Rose and Dr Dre. If I can talk white before he would learn that he was in the and black then no one is ever going to United States illegally. “Documented,” the think that I’m “illegal.” debut film of the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who is still without the necessary Q: Through your group Define American papers, premieres on US cable network you have campaigned for the media to CNN on Sunday. It tells his story growing change the terms in which it talks up and working as a newspaper reporter about undocumented immigrants. without legal status and without a path to Why does language matter? reverse it. A: A lot of the reason I outed myself was to The documentary aims to put a human politely and aggressively ask my fellow face on the 11 million undocumented peo- journalists to think about language and ple in the country. Vargas said it is not “an the consequences of language ... To be immigration film,” but a “love story here illegally is actually a civil offense and between a mother and a son.” Vargas, 33, not a criminal one. spoke with Reuters about the emotional stress of feeling “illegal,” why language mat- ters in the US immigration debate and how talk show host Charlie Rose helped him act “legal.”

Q: You “came out” as an undocumented Indian Bollywood actor Riteish Deshmukh attends a party for the Hindi film ‘Humshakal’ in Mumbai. — AFP person in a 2011 magazine feature. What compelled you to share your sto- ry? A: It actually started when I was assigned to cover the presidential campaign in 2007. I N Korea slams Kim assassination spent two years and two months on that campaign trail following Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama and John Edwards and Sarah Palin. I didn’t have the right comedy as ‘act of terror’ papers and I’m on a campaign plane in Ohio. I think that’s when my madness orth Korea yesterday denounced a new ble,” the spokesman said. In his statement, he called Park, Kim appears in the trailer as an overweight, started ... It was either someone was Hollywood comedy about an assassination on the US administration to ban the film from cigar-chomping dictator, surrounded by security going to find out or I just out myself. And Nbid on leader Kim Jong-Un as a “wanton act being screened and warned that failure to do so guards. The scenes set in Pyongyang were filmed in really for me the hardest decision to make of terror” and warned of a “merciless response” would trigger a “resolute and merciless response”. Vancouver. was deciding whether I was willing to be unless the US authorities banned the film. “The It is not the first time Hollywood has poked fun In a recent interview with Yahoo Movies, Rogen, my own story. Interview” stars Seth Rogen and James Franco as at a North Korean leader. In the 2004 satirical who co-wrote the script, said the idea for the film two tabloid TV journalists who land an interview action comedy “Team America,” Kim’s father Kim came out of a discussion over how journalists with Q: Why make a film and not write your sto- Q: Did you find any catharsis making this with Kim in Pyongyang and are then tasked by the Jong-Il was portrayed as a speech-impaired, isolat- access to world leaders might have the opportuni- ry? film and reviving contact with your CIA with killing him. The film is due to be released ed despot. In the official trailer for “The Interview” a ty to act as assassins. “We read as much as we could A: The only reason I became a writer was so I mother after several years of silence? in the United States on October 14. CIA officer calls North Korea the “most dangerous that was available on the subject ... We talked to could exist on a piece of paper. That was A: Let’s put it this way: I got a therapist after In a statement carried by North Korea’s official country on earth”, and briefs the Rogen and Franco people in the government whose job it is to associ- really my own reason. To this day writing we edited the film ... It became very KCNA news agency, a foreign ministry spokesman characters on the cult of personality surrounding ate with North Korea, or be experts on it,” Rogen is the most painful thing to do ... Film, as apparent that my story doesn’t make said the film was the work of “gangster moviemak- the Kim family dynasty. said. — AFP any immigrant will tell you, television and sense without her. She’s the one who put ers” and should never be shown. “The act of mak- “Kim Jong-Un’s people believe everything he movies is the way we make sense of this me on the plane. She’s the one who made ing and screening such a movie that portrays an tells them, including that he can speak to dolphins, country when we first got here. Before I the sacrifice. My story is her story. That’s attack on our top leadership... is a most wanton act or that he doesn’t urinate or defecate,” the officer knew what a Republican or a Democrat when it became intensely personal. And of terror and act of war, and is absolutely intolera- says. Played by Korean-American actor Randall was, I think I’ve seen every Mike Nichols then to face myself, I had to face her. film (“The Graduate,” “Working Girl”) you could see at the library. Q: Do you daydream about what you would do with a passport? Q: What sort of psychological pressure did A: The daydream would be to be free, to go you feel knowing that you could be wherever I want to go. I’ve done every- deported? thing I’ve done in this country with the A: I think I’ve always been paranoid. I always limitations I have. — Reuters felt like I had the word “illegal” tattooed on my forehead. All of that is internal and the guilt of knowing that I am, and peo- ple not thinking that I am (illegal) because I look like this. People think this OSN to host ‘Meet & Greet’ with stars of Intikam Aziz at Marina Mall in Kuwait SN, the region’s leading pay-TV net- giving viewers complete control over their work and the gateway to premium viewing experience so they can watch what Ocontent this Ramadan, is ushering a they want, when they want. Shows will also season full of unparalleled Arabic content, be available to catch up on OSN Play, OSN’s with an exclusive ‘Meet & Greet’ with the award-winning online TV viewing platform stars of Intikam Aziz, in Marina Mall Kuwait. - giving viewers all the flexibility they need On June 26 and 27, OSN will host to personalise their Ramadan viewing. renowned and beloved Arab stars Naif Al- Rashid, Laila Salman, and Tahani Al- Marzouq, from 6pm to 9pm, giving fans the opportunity to interact with the superstars, pose for photographs, and take home auto- graphs. Scheduled to stun audiences across the Middle East and North Africa this Ramadan, Intikam Aziz tackles sensitive issues across the Gulf - from love and broken families, to An aerial view at night of the downtown Chicago skyline. the power of money and the strength of dreams. This year, OSN’s Ramadan programming boasts 13 new shows, including seven ‘Star Wars’ creator selects Chicago for museum exclusive shows, OSN’s Ramadan program- ming features the biggest Arab stars tar Wars” creator George Lucas has Lucas’ first choice of a location near the Golden praised Chicago for the attention it heaps on cul- including Jamal Sulaiman, Ghada Abdul selected Chicago to house his much Gate Bridge. ture, architecture, innovations and education - Razek, Maysa’a Moghrabi, Sharif Salama, “Santicipated museum of art and movie Emanuel has long been trying to portray some of which are the themes Lucas’ museum will and Sireen Abdul Noor. memorabilia, a spokesman for the mayor’s office Chicago as a global destination, and throughout seek to promote. — AP In addition to brand-new shows, audi- said Tuesday. The decision is a major victory for the the decision process, a spokesman for Lucas ences can also tune into OSN’s ‘On Demand’ nation’s third-largest city, which was locked in a service, ‘Ramadan Ma Fatak TV,’ which offers battle for the museum with San Francisco. Bill access to over 20 dramas, via OSN Plus HD McCaffrey, a spokesman for Mayor Rahm Emanuel, confirmed that Lucas had selected Chicago but did not immediately have any details. A spokesman for Lucas did not immediately return a call seeking comment. A message was left ‘Power’ star Hardwick, Tate with the San Francisco mayor’s office. The selection was somewhat of a surprise, given Lucas’ close ties new BET films to debut in July to San Francisco and California. He is a native of the state, Lucasfilm’s visual effects division is based in ET continues its strong push to shine a story of how she deals with his incarceration, the city and the headquarters for LucasFilm and spotlight on what it calls “Black and finds herself moving in a new direction Skywalker Sound is across the Golden Gate Bridge BHollywood” with its BET Premiere after meeting a hard-working bus driver, in Marin County. Los Angeles had also bid for the Cinema franchise. It does this with both origi- played by David Oyelowo. museum. nal productions, and strong acquisitions of “Middle of Nowhere” makes its television But Emanuel, President Barack Obama’s former existing films. The franchise is already responsi- debut on BET Wednesday, July 23 at 9/8c. chief of staff, pushed hard for Chicago, just as he is ble for the original film “Being Mary Jane,” Larenz Tate (“Ray,” “House of Lies”) stars in the pushing hard to persuade his former boss to build which performed so well for the network that it BET Premiere Cinema original production of his presidential museum in the city. Chicago was spawned a hit television series. One of that “Gun Hill.” In it, he portrays twin brothers, Trane always given a good chance, in large part because show’s stars, Omari Hardwick, is involved in one and Bird; one a cop and the other a con. When Lucas’ wife, Mellody Hobson, a prominent business- of BET Premiere Cinema’s acquisitions. “Middle Trane is killed, his con-man twin assumes his woman, is from Chicago. The city closed down of Nowhere” stars Emayatzy Corinealdi and identity. Written and directed by Reggie Rock Promontory Point on the lakefront so the couple Hardwick, and received the Best Director Bythewood, the film co-stars “Middle of could host a star-studded party to celebrate after Award at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival, as Nowhere” star Emayatzy Corinealdi,” as well as Lucas’ California wedding. well as the Independent Spirit John Cassavetes Tawny Cypress, Aisha Hinds, Michael Aronov, Lucas has called Chicago his “second home.” The Award. Phyllis Yvonne Stickney Shanti Ashanti, Hisham city offered up a slice of real estate along the Lake Hardwick, who can also be seen in Starz’s Tawfiq, and Daniel Stewart Sherman.—Reuters Michigan shore that is near other attractions, “Power,” portrays the husband of Corinealdi’s including the Shedd Aquarium and the Field In this March 1976 publicity photo released by Lucasfilm Ltd & TM, director, George Lucas, and character, who wound up in jail with an eight- Museum of Natural History. At the same time, San actor, Mark Hamill, who portrays young Luke Skywalker, are shown on the salt flats of Tunisia dur- year sentence. The film, which was written, Francisco suffered a setback when the city rejected ing principal photography of the original ‘Star Wars.’ — AP photos directed and produced by Ava DuVernay, is the lifestyle THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014

Music & Movies Bob Dylan lyrics for ‘Like a Rolling Stone’ sell for $2 million

ob Dylan’s original, handwritten manuscript for “Like a decade. The total was slightly more than $4 million, with near- Rolling Stone” sold for just over $2 million on Tuesday at ly 67 percent of the 150 lots sold. The other items did not BSotheby’s rock and roll auction, which also included meet their reserve price. memorabilia from the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and Elvis Sotheby’s said there were strong prices for material linked Presley. The price for the 1965 annotated lyrics for “Like a to Presley, the Rolling Stones and Joni Mitchell, among others. Rolling Stone,” considered one of the most influential songs in “We’re very pleased with the sale overall,” said Austin. “It’s an postwar music, makes it the most expensive rock music manu- interesting market and we look forward to seeing where it script sold at auction. goes.” Other top items included Ronnie Wood’s Zemaitis 1977 It shattered the previous record set in 2010 when John acoustic guitar that sold for $75,000, Bruce Springsteen’s auto- Lennon’s handwritten lyrics for “A Day in the Life,” the final graphed manuscript lyrics for “Thunder Road,” which fetched track from the 1967 album “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club $37,500 and Presley’s flamboyant peacock jumpsuit from his Band” sold for $1.2 million, according to Sotheby’s. “It is always days performing in Las Vegas, which went to the highest bid- pleasing to set the world record. It carried a strong estimate der for $245,000. (up to $2 million) as well, and we felt the estimate was justi- A Grammy Award for “Jackson” presented to Johnny Cash fied given the importance of the work,” said Richard Austin, and June Carter sold for $37,500 and Mitchell’s lyrics for Sotheby’s head of books and manuscripts. “Woodstock,” went under the hammer for $37,500. Items in “I’m a Dylan fan myself,” he added, “and I thought it was the auction, which ranged in price from an estimated $200- one of the coolest things that I have ever handled.” The auc- $300 up $2 million for the Dylan lyrics, came from collectors tion house described “Like a Rolling Stone,” which was sold to and people who worked in the music industry. an anonymous private buyer, as “one of rock’s most rousing Sotheby’s said it decided to hold the sale to test the market classics, its thick, layered sound and innovative organ riff and to see what collectors are interested in buying. Earlier this instantly recognizable.” month, original manuscripts and drawings by former Beatle The manuscript for Dylan’s “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall,” John Lennon sold for $2.9 million, more than double the esti- which fetched $485,000, was the second highest selling lot, mated price. — Reuters followed by the Vox guitar organ, a hybrid instrument given to This undated file photo provided by Sothebyís shows a In this Jan 12, 2012 file the Beatles by the inventor in 1964, which sold for $305,000. working draft of Bob Dylanís ìLike a Rolling Stone,î one of photo, Bob Dylan per- The sale, called A Rock & Roll History: Presley to Punk, was the most popular songs of all time. forms in Los Angeles. Sotheby’s first dedicated music history auction in more than a —AP photos

3T ending hiatus to take up Transformers raid Hong Kong Michael Jackson legacy ichael Jackson’s nephews and heirs to his musical talent say in ‘Age of Extinction’ they are ready to take up the pop superstar’s legacy, ending a M15-year hiatus prolonged by his dispute with Sony and untime- ly death. Taj, TJ and Taryll Jackson, sons of Tito, one of the original ransformers: Age of Extinction” the $165 million earned by their 2011 Jackson Five, are preparing for a European tour this fall and are working will debut in Hong Kong cine- installment “Dark of the Moon.” In the on a new album, they said in an interview on the sidelines of Milan “Tmas today, where audiences are United States and Canada, “Age of Fashion Week, which ended Tuesday. waiting to see giant shape shifting aliens Extinction” is expected to bring in $265 mil- Taj Jackson told The Associated Press that their career as 3T stalled try to destroy their city. The film, the fourth lion during its theatrical run, according to a when they lost rights to an album during Jackson’s dispute with Sony based on the Transformers franchise, is projection from Boxoffice.com. Paramount around the year 2000. They were planning a comeback in 2009, and “the expected to become one of the highest- spent more than $200 million to make the day we started recording was when Michael passed,” he said Monday grossing movies of 2014, with the three pri- film. evening at a fashion event. The brothers decided that focusing on or films generating $2.7 billion in ticket New IMAX technologies were used to Jackson’s three children was the priority, Taj Jackson said, adding now sales at global box offices. The series per- create the human and Transformer worlds the kids are pushing them to resume their careers. TJ has since become formed particularly well in China, which is in the action-packed movie. “You know the children’s co-legal guardian.—AP now the world’s second-largest film market, Michael makes it as realistic as possible, so and Paramount Pictures took steps to it’s the largest form of making pretend, but appeal to Chinese audiences with its latest with the most bells and whistles around installment. you,” said actor Wahlberg. During shooting Filming took place in Hong Kong and in Hong Kong last October, director Bay three mainland cities including scenes at was attacked by two brothers demanding the Great Wall. Chinese actress Li Bingbing money. One of them even confronted him was cast in the film, and four smaller parts with an air conditioner unit. were filled by actors chosen from a Chinese In the movie, an evil CIA assassin is killed TV reality show. with a falling air conditioning unit, which Last Thursday, the blockbuster had its Bay said was just a coincidence. Working in grand global premiere in Hong Kong, the China also caused some other headaches first Hollywood movie to do so in this Asian for the filmmakers. Last week, a Chinese financial hub. Director Michael Bay and his sponsor demanded edits to “Age of star-studded cast, including Mark Extinction” after it said Paramount failed to Wahlberg, Kelsey Grammer and Stanley fulfill its contract to feature the company’s Tucci, braved a short torrential downpour building in the movie. On Monday, a to walk the red carpet. After that, they went Paramount spokeswoman said the issues to Shanghai, where “Transformers 4” was had been resolved without any edits to the chosen to close a local film festival. film. — Reuters “Ensuring we have the best movie for Asia and for China is definitely part of the strate- gy,” said Rob Moore, vice chairman of Paramount Pictures. A day after its debut in This photo released by 3T group members from left, Taj, TJ and Taryll, nephews of late Hong Kong, the movie will be released Paramount Pictures shows Michael Jackson, pose as they attend a presentation of designer worldwide. Mark Wahlberg as Cade Angelo Galasso men’s Spring-Summer 2015 collection. — AP Moore said he hopes box office receipts Yeager in ‘Transformers: Age for “Transformers 4” in China will exceed of Extinction.’ — AP Gary Oldman slammed for Music powers rebirth in ‘Begin Again’

hen the bassist turned filmmaker anti-Semitic comments John Carney was young, a bor- ‘ ’ Wrowed Walkman played while cycling to school was an epiphany. “The ewish groups blasted British actor Gary Oldman on ‘politically incorrect,’ as Mr Oldman suggests, but of pay- idea of personalized music was outra- Tuesday for alleged anti-Semitic remarks defending ing the consequences for outing himself as a bigot and a geous to me,” said the Irish writer-director JMel Gibson and suggesting that Hollywood is run by hater. in a recent interview. “My life changed. I Jews. The “Dark Knight” star made the comments in an “It is disturbing that Mr Oldman appears to have could now make this journey in an imagi- interview with Playboy magazine, talking about Gibson’s bought into Mr Gibson’s warped and prejudiced world native state. You could suddenly be listen- notorious 2006 anti-Semitic rant at a US sheriff’s deputy view.” The Nazi-hunting Simon Wiesenthal Center’s ing to a Malcolm McLaren song or Grand who had arrested him for drunken driving. “Mel Gibson is founder, Rabbi Marvin Hier, added: “Gary Oldman wants Master Flash.” Carney’s latest film, “Begin in a town that’s run by Jews and he said the wrong thing, Jews to ‘get over’ what Mel Gibson said. Again,” which opens Friday, is a love letter because he’s actually bitten the hand that I guess has fed “But what Gibson said was the slogan that Adolf to the transformative power of music - the him-and doesn’t need to feed him anymore because he’s Hitler used to murder six million Jews during the way it can chart our lives and provide sol- got enough dough,” Oldman told the magazine. Holocaust. His own comment that Hollywood is a town ace for trying times. It’s an earnest “I just think political incorrectness is crap,” he added. ‘run by Jews’ has a very familiar sinister ring to it that is reminder of the simple majesty of music, The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Jewish lobby group the anthem of bigots and anti-Semites everywhere. even in the disposable age of iTunes. The said the 56-year-old actor “should know better than to “That has nothing to do with political correctness,” he original title was repeat tired anti-Semitic tropes about Jewish control of added in a statement. — AFP “Can a Song Save Your Life?” and there’s Hollywood.” “Gary Oldman’s remarks irresponsibly feed no doubt as to the film’s answer. It’s a fol- into a classic anti-Semitic canard about supposed Jewish low-up of sorts to Carney’s 2006 Oscar- control of Hollywood and the film industry,” said ADL winning indie sensation “Once,” which national director Abraham H. Foxman. “Mel Gibson’s chronicles a musical romance between a ostracization in Hollywood was not a matter of being Dublin busker and a recent Ireland immi- grant, who join for an unlikely, uplifting This image released by The Weinstein Company shows Mark Ruffalo, left, and recording session. “Begin Again” moves to Keira Knightley in a scene from ‘Begin Again.’ — AP New York, but it, too, exudes a heart-on- the-sleeve sincerity about collaborative Carney of cinema and music. Carney, 42, we’d jump out of the van and try to do it music-making and an abiding affection for was a member of the Irish band the there.” Levine was also trying something street-level authenticity. Frames before turning to directing their different - acting in a movie for the first Mark Ruffalo stars as a divorced, mid- music videos. time. As someone who experienced first- dle-aged record executive struggling in hand what it’s like to go from an unknown the modern, recalibrated music industry. Improvising dialogue to enormously famous nearly overnight, He’s grown cynical, furiously tossing CDs He also wrote some of the songs in he was uniquely qualified to play a charac- out of his car window, desperate for some- “Begin Again,” which came out of imagin- ter who did the same thing. “Having that thing with feeling. He drunkenly stumbles ing what happened to A&R guys he saw happen to you is a very unique and highly across it at a Lower East Side club, where trolling Dublin in early 90s, looking for “the unnatural situation to be put in,” Levine an unknown British singer (Keira next U2.” “He’s sincere,” says Ruffalo of says. “The things that kind of went haywire Knightley) bewilders him. He pursues her Carney. “He’s earnest about his art and his as a result ... it’s not going to be a smooth and cobbles together a band to back her filmmaking.” Ruffalo identified with what transition.” “That’s what connected me to on an outdoor album recorded around he calls “the inner unrest” reflected in this (character),” Levine says. “I saw so New York. “Begin Again,” a movie he said that’s about much of myself in him 10 years ago.” Knightley’s character is also lost, having people “getting back to themselves.” Shot Despite the influence of music on Carney’s come to the US with her musician in only 24 days, “Begin Again” was made life, he hasn’t personally listened to it for boyfriend (Maroon 5 frontman Adam with the same lo-fi aesthetic of its music, some time, following the death of a family Levine), only to see his sudden onset of which meant working quickly, improvising member. “Music is too much for me to lis- pop stardom leave her behind. The mix of dialogue and finding ad hoc locations. ten to because it’s like an intravenous disciplines - music and movies - is seen “I was completely out of my comfort expression of emotion,” he says. “I can’t go throughout “Begin Again.” CeeLo Green zone,” says Knightley. “I’d never really been there.” — AP and Yasiin Bey (also known as Mos Def) on films where the space isn’t safe. This This Jan 4, 2014 file photo shows actor Gary Oldman speaking at the Palm This April 10, 2014 file photo shows actor play supporting roles. Knightley sings film was very much like if there was a Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala. — AP Alec Baldwin at the 2014 TCM Classic Film despite little previous experience. “For me, street corner where it looked like we might Festival’s Opening Night Gala in Los Angeles. the two things are almost married,” says get away with shooting for a little while, Dylan lyrics for ‘Like a Rolling Stone’ sell for $2 million

THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014 39

Visitors watch a new night show called ‘Wings of Time’, featuring majestic water effects, fireworks and a light projection at Sentosa’s Siloso Beach in Singapore yesterday. The night extravaganza showcases water, laser and fireworks effects, set to majestic music and a panorama of vistas. — AFP Jeff Koons’ whimsy takes over NYC museum

eff Koons is taking over the Whitney Museum of The exhibition is a survey of his work from 1978 to the American Art. The contemporary artist’s oversized toy present, with the aluminum-cast 10-foot-high “Play-Doh” Jlike sculptures of a dog, gorilla, Popeye and other and a re-creation of the Liberty Bell among several new works spanning a three-decade career will fill nearly the works completed just days before the show’s opening. entire museum from June 27 through Oct 19. Among the exhibition’s 120 works are a Mylar-like bal- “Jeff Koons: A Retrospective” is the most comprehensive loon dog of polished steel and a gold ceramic Michael exhibition of the artist’s work - and the Whitney’s final Jackson with his pet chimpanzee Bubbles. Early works show at its Madison Avenue location before moving down- include vitrine-encased vacuum cleaners and basketballs town to a Renzo Piano-designed building in 2015. Koons is suspended in water tanks. But his work is not without con- arguably one of the most popular living artists today. Last troversy. In 1990, he created a stir with his “Made in year, he became the most expensive living artist, too, when Heaven” series of paintings and sculptures depicting his “Balloon Dog (Orange)” sold for $58.4 million at auction. explicit sexual poses with his then-wife, the Italian porn “From tchotchkes and kitsch objects to working with star and politician Ilona Staller, aka La Cicciolina. They’re pop stars like Lady Gaga on her recent album cover, he’s a being shown in a gallery with a parental warning. The exhi- rare artist who’s managed to find a broad audience,” said bition will travel to the Pompidou Centre in Paris in Scott Rothkopf, a Koons expert and curator of the exhibit. November and to the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, Spain, The show’s planning and installation, four years in the mak- in summer 2015. — AP ing, has been a herculean task for the museum. For the first time, it had to remove the front doors and find creative ways for getting the monumental pieces to upper galleries. His objects “are quite complicated to install in terms of their rigging and how they can be handled,” Rothkopf said. “They’re heavy, they’re big. They have very fragile surfaces that can crack or chip.” He added: “In terms of weight, size and delicacy, all together they create a trifecta.” The museum created full- scale models of some objects to test how they would fit in the elevators. It made videos, 3-D renderings and small models to test clearances. It worked with engineering firms, riggers, Koons’ own team and the objects’ fabricators. The sculpture court pavers were re-enforced to take the weight of two never-before-seen black granite pieces: a woman reclining in a tub and Popeye planted with live flowers. “It seems like an appropriate age to have a retrospective on this scale,” Koons, 59, said in an interview. “I was able to develop more work and execute ideas that I wanted to realize.” His eight children have been an inspiration, he said, adding that his work is about “embracing the things that we love and enjoy” and bringing “a time and memory” from youth “when we were open to everything.”

1942 Oscar auctioned

This undated in Rhode Island This undated photo released photo released by Briarbrook rare auction of an Oscar statuette has brought a total of $79,200. Nanci by Briarbrook Auctions shows Thompson of Briarbrook Auctions in Rhode Island said Monday that Auctions shows an Academy Aamount includes a 20 percent buyer’s premium for the 1942 Oscar. It a portion of an Award Oscar was awarded to Joseph C Wright for color art direction for his work on “My Gal Academy Award statue awarded Sal,” starring Rita Hayworth and Victor Mature. Oscar statue for color art Thompson declined to disclose the name of the buyer, but said “you would awarded for col- direction in 1942 recognize the name.” The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences doesn’t or art direction to Joseph C allow an Oscar statuette to be sold without first offering it back to the acade- in 1942 to Wright for his my for $1. But the auction house says that restriction doesn’t apply to awards Joseph C Wright work on ‘My Gal before 1950. Wright died in 1985. His nephew inherited the statue, one of two for his work on Sal.’—AP photos Wright won in 1942. — AP ‘My Gal Sal.’