Mps Slam Flight Cancellations by Wataniya, Demand Damages KAC to the Rescue After Crown Prince Orders Bringing Back Stranded Passengers

THULHIJJA 16, 1439 AH MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 2018

Max 46º 28 Pages Min 29º 150 Fils Established 1961

ISSUE NO: 17616 The First Daily in the Arabian Gulf www.kuwaittimes.net

Sabeeh: 70% expatriates in Rouhani’s woes mount as Iran American football is not a Chelsea leave it late as Yedlin 2 private sector not qualified 11 economy minister impeached 22 men-only affair in Morocco 28 own goal kills off Newcastle

MPs slam flight cancellations by Wataniya, demand damages KAC to the rescue after Crown Prince orders bringing back stranded passengers

By B Izzak that passengers should be brought back home. Wataniya Airways resumed operations a few the T4 terminal, which has been allocated to Kuwait Wataniya Airways expressed deep regrets for what months ago after several years of stoppage due to Airways. He said on Twitter that the company cannot KUWAIT: Lawmakers yesterday questioned the can- happened and said that the cancellations were forced losses and debt. Kuwait Airways said it will send a fully operate the terminal because it does not have cellation of several flights by private Kuwaiti carrier because the company could not find planes to lease plane to bring back the stranded passengers in enough employees, adding that the government failed Wataniya Airways and demanded compensation, after due to the heavier than expected summer rush. The Istanbul and vowed to do the same with other desti- to issue visas under pressure from a competing local the civil aviation directorate issued an ultimatum to the company said it will take all the necessary measures to nations. airline in order to benefit from the summer rush. Mutair carrier. Kuwait Airways rushed to help yesterday by rectify the situation. The civil aviation authority issued In a related development, MP Mohammad Al- also charged that Kuwait Airways flights and luggage deciding to bring back stranded passengers in Istanbul a statement on Saturday giving the airline until Sept 5 Mutair yesterday charged that the government was are being deliberately delayed to make people dislike and some other places after Deputy Amir and Crown to deal with the situation and set its record straight, delaying the issuance of visas and providing residence the national carrier. He warned that he plans to grill the Prince HH Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah ordered otherwise it will suspend its operating license. permits to employees of a private company operating prime minister over the matter.

US mourns John Kuwaiti shooter, karateka strike Asiad gold McCain, war hero and political icon WASHINGTON: Flags were flying at half-staff yesterday over the White House and US Capitol in honor of John McCain, the Vietnam War hero and two-time presidential can- didate known for a leg- endary temper but whose personal courage and insis- tence on treating even his foes with respect earned him near-universal admira- John McCain tion. McCain died on Saturday, four days shy of his 82nd birthday, following a yearlong battle with an aggressive brain cancer. He leaves a wife, Cindy, and (Left) Gold medalist Kuwait’s Mansour Al-Rashidi bites his medal during the awards ceremony for the men’s skeet shooting final during the 2018 Asian Games in seven children, three by an earlier marriage. Palembang yesterday. (Right) Gold medalist Kuwait’s Ali Al-Shatti bites his medal during the awards ceremony for the men’s 67-kg category karate event in Jakarta He will lie in state in the US Capitol - an honor yesterday. — AFP (See Page 28) accorded only a few notable Americans, including John F Kennedy, Ronald Reagan and civil rights icon Rosa Parks - as well as in the Arizona Capitol, the state he KUWAIT: Shooter Mansour Al-Rashidi yesterday Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, HH the Crown ed his win to HH the Amir, HH the Crown Prince, HH represented for 35 years. His funeral is expected to take bagged Kuwait’s first gold medal at the Asian Games Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Prime Minister and the Kuwaiti people. He noted place in the National Cathedral, the massive Gothic held in Indonesia. Rashidi won his gold medal in the HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al- that his achievement was due to tremendous efforts structure overlooking Washington, before he is laid to men’s skeet category, in Kuwait’s first official partici- Hamad Al-Sabah and all Kuwaiti people. and serious training, thanking his family, especially his rest according to his wishes at the Naval Academy in pation after the lifting of an international sports sus- Later yesterday, karateka Ali Al-Shatti won a sec- mother, for supporting him all these years. President nearby Annapolis, Maryland. pension. Vice president of Kuwait shooting federation ond gold medal for Kuwait at the Games after defeat- of Olympic Council of Asia Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahd Former presidents George W Bush, a Republican, Duaij Al-Otaibi said in a phone call with KUNA that ing Kazakhstan’s Didar Amirali in a 4-0 match. Shatti Al-Sabah sponsored the inauguration ceremony for and Barack Obama, a Democrat - his successful rivals he dedicates this big win to HH the Amir Sheikh expressed joy over his achievement and also dedicat- Shatti and his colleagues. — KUNA in, respectively, the 2000 and 2008 elections - are to Continued on Page 24

overturned decades of precedent and News in brief Palestinians see prompted the Palestinian leadership to break off relations with the White House. Jaber Hospital opens next month The US president responded by threaten- US ‘liquidating’ ing to withhold aid until they returned to the KUWAIT: Kuwait is putting the finishing touches on negotiating table, and Friday’s announce- a new medical facility, while two others will complete their just cause ment of the cut appeared to be in line with renovations in September, Health Minister Sheikh Dr his stance. For many Israelis, the changes Basel Al-Sabah said yesterday. The Jaber Al-Ahmad JERUSALEM: US President Donald made by Washington are long overdue and Hospital will soon be up and running, while major Trump’s cut of more than $200 million in bring years of failed peace efforts closer in refurbishments are being carried out at Amiri aid for Gaza and the West Bank is the line with reality. But Palestinian leaders Hospital and Sabah Al-Ahmad Medical Center, he latest in a series of steps Palestinian argue the White House is playing into the said in a statement after meeting officials from across leaders say aims to “liquidate” their hands of Israeli politicians. the health ministry. — KUNA cause. The move follows Trump’s recog- Speaking in June, when the US aid nition in December of the disputed city was merely frozen instead of cut, long- of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital as well as time Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Health official faces graft charges his freezing of $300 million in annual Erekat spoke of the need to “defeat the funding for the United Nations agency American-Israeli scheme to liquidate the KUWAIT: The Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) NABLUS: Palestinian women stand outside the gate of the closed-down Institut for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA). Palestinian cause”. Francais (French Cultural Institute) in the occupied West Bank yesterday. — AFP referred yesterday a former senior health ministry Washington’s new policy on Jerusalem Continued on Page 24 official and others to the public prosecution on charges of corruption. Dr Mohammad Bouzuber, Nazaha’s assistant secretary general for investiga- tions and official spokesman, told KUNA that the around six months of losses, but the days suspect and others were allegedly involved in a sus- Cryptominers of generating €15,000 ($17,450) profit picious transaction regarding the import of heartbeat per computer seem long gone. He regulators. The suspect abused the ministry’s pur- acquired his first rig, an assembly of six chase procedures and made a direct deal with a local dreaming of graphics cards, in Jan 2017, and was just supplier, importing the devices in exchange for about to buy his seventh. This investment unlawful commission, said Bouzuber. — KUNA price rebound totalled around €13,000, soon paid off LONDON: Surrounded by the cryp- with his initial gains. But the cryptocurrency boom at the US playwright Simon dies tocurrency mining “rig” that is taking over his bedroom, “Ali” lays bare the end of 2017, of which bitcoin was the risks of his trade, revealing his profits best-known example, has multiplied the NEW YORK: Neil Simon, the prolific and Pulitzer “are a tenth of what they were”. Prices number of miners. Many virtual curren- Prize-winning US playwright who wrote for stage, of cryptocurrencies have plunged since cies require that machines are connected television and cinema, and won more Oscar and Tony to the network and miners are rewarded nominations combined than any other writer, died the heady heights of last year, slashing with units of currency when they create yesterday. He was 91. A legend of American theater, the profits of miners such as Ali. “This is a new block, achieved by solving com- Simon was credited with shaping American humor in the worst possible time to invest,” the young Lyon native, who preferred to plicated mathematical problems. the 1960s and 1970s in a vein similar to film director KIRISHI, Russia: An employee inspects machines for the production of bitcoins and keep his name secret, told AFP. However, the more units are mined, the Woody Allen, with a focus on life in the big city and lightcoins at the “Kriptounivers” (CryptoUniverse) mining center during a presenta- Ali still ekes out a profit and has more the currency is devalued. family conflict. —AFP (See Page 24) tion of the largest cryptocurrency center in Russia on Aug 20, 2018. — AFP amassed enough reserves to absorb Continued on Page 24 2 Established 1961 Local Monday, August 27, 2018 70 percent expats in private sector not qualified: Minister

‘Important decisions’ soon to address demographic imbalance

By Meshaal Al-Enezi and A Saleh Sabeeh also mentioned that the Supreme Committee with law 6/2010. Directorate (KFSD) to build storage areas in Kuwaiti for Demographic Structure is set to meet soon and governorates to avoid the use of basements in private KUWAIT: Seventy percent of expatriate workers in make ‘important decisions’ in order to help address the Proposed laws residential areas to Kuwait Municipality and asked for the private sector are not qualified, Minister of Social demographic imbalance in Kuwait by targeting visa The government is preparing its opinion. Director General of KFSD Lt Gen Khalid Affairs and Labor and State Minister for Economic trafficking. Separately, Acting Director General of the to approve seven new pro- Al-Mikrad said in a letter to Deputy Premier and State Affairs Hind Al-Sabeeh said. Workers who make up this Public Authority for Manpower Abdullah Al-Mutoutah posed laws and send them to Minister for Cabinet Affairs Anas Al-Saleh that inspec- percentage do not have intermediate or university said inspections on roaming laborers and violating the National Assembly to com- tions of investment residences revealed that many degrees, the minister explained, adding that they need butchers resulted in the arrest of 112 roaming laborers. plete the laws with regards to businesses resort to renting building basements for to be “filtered” through a mechanism that assesses the Separately, Director of the Central Inspection the legislative requirements storage, which is something very dangerous in case of actual need for their services. Department at the Public within the development plan. Hind Al-Sabeeh fire. He called for the state to make available storage Speaking to reporters dur- Authority for Manpower The proposals include a law to facilities of various sizes in Kuwaiti governorates, ing a reception for Eid Al- Mohammad Al-Ansari said organize programs and privati- which should meet the standards of KFSD. He pro- Adha well-wishers yesterday, Violators the authority succeeded in zation operations for the technical agency for the priva- posed the establishment of a government company Sabeeh said that the Public suspending the files of all vio- tization program, including amendment of law 116/2014 specialized in logistics, transport and storage, which all Authority for Manpower arrested lating farms through field with regards to partnership projects between the pub- investors can utilize. inspected several companies tours by the department dur- lic and private sectors, tourism law of the information around Kuwait during the hol- during Eid ing the past two years. He said ministry, amendment of the commercial register, tax Hajj mission iday, and detected a ‘large that the authority received a procedures, psychological, social and educational advi- Deputy head of the medical services team of Kuwait number’ of violations, adding crackdowns letter from the Public sory services for the supreme council for family affairs hajj mission Mugheer Al-Shimmari said the number of that proper legal procedures Authority for Agricultural and the civil aviation law. Meanwhile, four government Kuwaitis who received treatment in all clinics since they will be taken in that regard. Affairs and Fish Resources areas are working on developing the environmental were opened on Aug 13 until Aug 26 in Naseem, Mina Nearly 60 percent of expa- not to renew files of farms system in the country through the implementation of and Arafat were 1,340 - 1,105 men and 325 women. He triates working in the private sector in Kuwait have an that obstruct the path of the railway project. He said six projects worth nearly KD 1 billion. said the medical services team completed its job and intermediate degree or lawyer, according to statistics there will be a new mechanism to monitor workers allo- the clinics were shut down after making sure all pil- released by the Labor Market Information System of cated to the farms by moving the authority to the need Storage areas grims returned home safely. He said the team will return the Central Statistical Bureau as of the end of March estimation department. He said the department carries Assistant Secretary General of the Committees today, and lauded the support of Health Minister Sheikh 2018. Meanwhile, less than 11 percent of expatriates in out periodic inspections on companies of the private Secretariat at the Council of Ministers Saleh Al-Mulla Dr Basel Al-Sabah and Undersecretary Dr Mustafa the private sector have university degrees. and oil sectors to make sure they are in compliance sent the proposal of the Kuwait Fire Service Redha. Foreign Minister receives Eid well-wishers

Dallal proposed Ghanem blasts yesterday the formation of a crisis team from those who the interior, com- merce and social caused sport affairs and labor ministries to resolve what he suspension called a maid Marzouq By B Izzak problem in Al-Ghanem Kuwait. The law- KUWAIT: National Assembly maker charged KUWAIT: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah receives well-wishers on the occasion of that influential Eid Al-Adha. — KUNA Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem yes- terday said the credit of the lifting of people who own a three-year suspension on Kuwaiti private offices for KUWAIT: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign sports should go to HH the Amir, HH the recruitment Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al- the Prime Minister, the government of maids have Sabah met yesterday with Acting Deputy and specifically the defense minister, refused to imple- Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al- in addition to the commerce and ment decisions by Mohammad Al-Sabah and the heads of diplo- information ministers. He however the government matic missions in the country on the occasion blasted those who caused the sus- to limit the cost MP Mohammad of Eid Al-Adha. Sheikh Sabah expressed hope pension in the first place and of recruitment, Al-Dallal to all on this auspicious occasion of health and charged they were still trying to re- but those offices wellness and to perpetuate our country’s pros- impose the sanctions on Kuwaiti have failed to perity under the wise leadership of His sports. International sports bodies observe the set prices. He said the Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- had suspended Kuwaiti sports due crisis team should confront those Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Crown to alleged government interference owners and other pressure groups Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- in the sports movement. that are benefiting from the high Sabah. The meeting was attended by Assistant Meanwhile, MP Mohammad Al- cost of domestic helpers. Foreign Minister and a number of senior min- istry officials. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Minister of Oil, Minister of Electricity and Water Bakheet Al-Rasheedi yesterday attended a reception held at the Ministry of Electricity and Water, where he received well-wishers on the occasion of Eid A- Adha. —Photos by Fouad Al-Shaikh 3 Local Monday, August 27, 2018 Crown Prince receives top state officials at Seif Palace Amir sends condolence cable over Iranian earthquake victims

KUWAIT: His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al- Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with National Assembly Speaker Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Sabah meets with Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanem. — KUNA photos Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. and Acting Defense Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.

KUWAIT: His Highness the Deputy State for Housing and Services Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Affairs Dr Jenan Boushehri. Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah In other news, His Highness the received at Seif Palace yesterday Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Sabah sent a cable of condolences Ali Al-Ghanem and His Highness the to Iranian President Dr Hassan Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Rouhani, expressing his deepest sym- Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. His pathies over the victims of the earth- Highness also received Deputy Prime quake that hit Kermanshah Province Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs yesterday. In his cable, His Highness the and Acting Defense Minister Sheikh Amir also wished a speedy recovery Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al- for all those wounded, hoping officials Sabah, as well as, Deputy Prime will overcome the effects of this natural Minister, Minister of State for disaster. His Highness the Deputy Amir Cabinet Affairs and Acting Interior and Crown Prince and His Highness the His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Minister Anas Al-Saleh. In addition, Prime Minister sent similar cables to Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of State Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with Minister of State for Housing and Services His Highness received Minister of the Iranian President. — KUNA for Cabinet Affairs and Acting Interior Minister Anas Al-Saleh. Affairs Dr Jenan Boushehri.

Cabinet Minister meets US Ambassador KUWAIT: Deputy Prime Minister and developments regionally and internation- Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Anas ally. They also discussed ways to strength- Al-Saleh met yesterday US Ambassador en and reinforce relations, and agreed to to Kuwait Lawrence Silverman. During the push forward bilateral cooperation in all meeting, they discussed ties and the latest fields in the upcoming period. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Anas Al-Saleh meets with US Ambassador to Kuwait Lawrence Silverman. — KUNA

KRCS launches charity campaign in Avenues Mall KUWAIT: Kuwait Red Crescent Society launched yesterday a charity campaign called ‘Donate to Educate’ for the fourth Kuwait Red Crescent Society’s Deputy consecutive year in the Avenues mall to aid Chairman Anwar Al-Hassawi families in need in Kuwait. Deputy Chairman Anwar Al-Hassawi, said in the campaign’s press conference, KRCS seeks to provide between private institutions and companies, education to all poor families in Kuwait that and to promote their leading role in support- are unable to pay for learning which may ing human and social issues by providing reach up to five thousand students. Hassawi financial aid in order to provide best learning added that this campaign is being launched opportunities for the children. He also appre- for the fourth year in row and aims to sup- ciated the cooperation with the National port the biggest amount of students possi- Bank of Kuwait and its role in social responsi- ble. Hassawi also assured that this campaign bility to come up with a strategic partnership seeks to reinforce social responsibility to support those families. — KUNA

KUWAIT: A donor uses a machine provided by the Kuwait Red Crescent Society as part of a charity campaign to aid families in need in Kuwait. — KUNA 4 Monday, August 27, 2018 Local

Photo of the Day

KUWAIT: Shop fronts at Souq Al-Mubarakiya. — Photo by Aisha Al-Jalahmah (KUNA)

main entrances to Kuwait City and part of Kuwait’s Third Third Wall’s Wall which was built in May 1920. The Wall, which was completed in two months, remains an evidence of Kuwait’s history and is still gates: Evidence instilled in the memories of Kuwaitis. The third wall was half-circle in shape located five miles behind Kuwait of Kuwait’s history from the sea, and about 27.4 meters high. It contained 26 observation towers. In 1957, this wall was demolished except for its five gates, which were kept to commemo- KUWAIT: Five old and famous gates including Bneid Al- rate the memory of the wall that remains instilled in Qar, Shamiya, Al-Maqsab, Al-Shaab and Jahra were the Kuwaitis’ hearts. — KUNA

Al-Shamiya Gate

Al-Jahra Gate Al-Shaab Gate

KUWAIT: The Corporate Communications Department at the Commercial Bank of Kuwait (CBK) organized a staff visit to the pediatric section at the Amiri Hospital during the Eid Al-Adha holiday. Al-Maqsab Gate Al-Jahra Gate Established 1961 T 5 L o c a l Monday, August 27, 2018 One hurt in six-storey building fire in Salmiya Three arrested in connection to Asian man’s death

KUWAIT: This handout photo shows an apartment where a fire was reported yesterday. The scene inside the apartment after the fire was extinguished.

By Hanan Al-Saadoun and Agencies when they were abusing the psychoactive drug ‘chemi- man, who is wanted on theft charges, showed fierce to lower the noise. A police patrol went to the flat and cal’, which is a street name for a drug prepared from resistance before his arrest which came two weeks arrested the two women for disturbing the peace. KUWAIT: Hawally and Salmiya fire centers tackled a ‘Spice’ (synthetic marijuana) after he stole a car from a blaze reported in a six-storey building in Salmiya yes- with added chemicals. The Shuwaikh garage, and was Thefts terday. Firefighters evacuated the building as soon as victim lost consciousness found driving it using fake Two thieves stole a citizen’s car at gunpoint. A secu- they arrived to the scene in response to an emergency and started bleeding from Fugitive license plates. The suspect rity source said the citizen, who was terrified, told call, then extinguished the flames which had engulfed a the mouth and nose, so his is a bedoon (stateless) and Sabahiya police that while he was driving, a car third floor apartment. One person suffered from smoke friends dumped him between arrested after has a record of theft and approached him and told him to stop. When he did, one inhalation, as investigations began to determine the cars and escaped, they said. drug use. of the men walked towards him, pulled a pistol in his cause of the fire. They were sent to con- fierce face and ordered him to leave the car. The person then cerned authorities. Disturbance got in and drove away. The victim said his phone and Drug abuse resistance Hawally police arrested wallet remained in the stolen car. Ahmadi police are Interior Ministry operations received a call about a Fugitive arrested two drunk women in Nugra working on the case. Separately, a thief broke into an dead body found in the parking lot of a Salmiya school. A person with a criminal following several calls from a Egyptian mandoob’s (company representative) car and Investigations revealed that three of the Asian man’s record added yet another building’s residents. Police stole mobile phone accessories worth KD 3,200. The friends were involved in his death. The three were charge to his record when he resisted arrest and received calls about disturbance at an apartment, victim lodged a complaint at Abu Halifa police station. arrested and confessed that the victim was with them stabbed a detective in his hand, Al-Rai reported. The adding they were admonished by a woman when asked Detectives were asked to look for the culprit.

KUWAIT: Acting head of the emergency team at Hawally Municipality Ahmad Ramadan said inspectors issued 182 warnings for encroachment on state property during a recent campaign. Furthermore, the municipality per- sonnel removed 35 encroachments, and issued four real estate warnings, seven warnings to bachelor resi- dences and 11 citations for illegal use of pavement. —By Hanan Al-Saadoun InternationalMONDAY, AUGUST 27, 2018 Pontiff ‘begs for God’s forgiveness’ for abuse Iraqi grandmother faces daily battle caring for 22 kids Page 7 Page 8

MOON TOWNSHIP, Pennsylvania: In this file photo taken on Nov 03, 2008 Republican presidential candidate Arizona Senator John McCain speaks at a campaign rally. — AFP McCain: Unbridled titan of US politics Republican maverick shared and defended America’s values worldwide

WASHINGTON: John Sidney McCain III had but one ambitions grew, and he rose quickly to the Senate, the Christian conservatives that his opponent George W Bush values should be shared and defended worldwide. He rou- employer throughout his iconic and tempestuous career: most powerful political body in America. It became his had successfully seduced. McCain came up short, but tinely hopped a flight to Baghdad, Kabul, Taipei, or a revo- the United States of America. It was a family tradition. second home for 30 years. solidified his stature and eventually seized the Republican lution-wracked Kiev, received more like a head of state McCain was a direct descendant, he claimed, of a captain McCain long cultivated the image of a Republican mav- torch from the unpopular president Bush. In 2008, he than a lawmaker. After the annexation of Crimea, Russia in George Washington’s army during the Revolutionary made peace with the party establishment, and finally won placed his name on a blacklist in retaliation for US-led War. And like his father and grandfather before him, each the presidential nomination. sanctions. “I guess this means my spring break in Siberia is four-star admirals named John McCain, he lived in the With the White House within reach, he made an instinc- off,” he shot back. Regarding Russia or Syria, McCain’s service of his country: First as a US Navy fighter pilot, Senator was tive - and deeply controversial - call. Many of his associ- voice carried far. But the senator was in effect a general then as a lawmaker until his death Saturday at age 81, fol- ates would never forgive him for choosing as his running without an army. lowing a brain cancer diagnosis in the summer of 2017. He in effect mate a virtual unknown, the untested Alaska governor Trump’s election seemed to trample on the struggles too might have become an admiral, if a Soviet-made sur- Sarah Palin. The decision helped usher in the grassroots Tea and ideals of the veteran Republican, who quickly grew face-to-air missile had not cut short his own high-flying general Party revolution and the rise of populism later embodied by dismayed by the billionaire businessman’s nationalism and military trajectory on October 26, 1967. On the day of his Donald Trump. Democrat Barack Obama easily prevailed in protectionism, his flirtation with Putin and his seeming 23rd mission over Vietnam, his A-4 Skyhawk was hit as he without army the election. McCain, now twice defeated, took to joking contempt for the dignity of the office of president. He even flew across Hanoi’s skies. about how he started sleeping like a baby: “Sleep two took issue with Trump’s multiple draft deferments during McCain ejected, and parachuted into a small lake in the hours, wake up and cry, sleep two hours, wake up and cry.” the Vietnam war, granted after he was diagnosed with center of town, where he was nearly lynched by a furious bone spurs in his foot. But none of it made McCain want to mob. His two arms and right knee were badly broken. With Dismayed by Trump recede into happy retirement. Perhaps thinking of his his father the commander of all US forces in the Pacific, erick, defying his party on issues ranging from campaign McCain could work a crowd. In Washington, he held grandfather, who died just days after returning home fol- McCain would remain a prisoner of war for more than five finance reform to immigration. He saw little use for party court with reporters in the halls of Congress, at times pithy lowing Japan’s surrender in World War II, McCain sought years. He was released in 1973 after the Paris Peace discipline, an attitude reinforced by his past episodes of and impatient. “That’s a dumb question,” he told one prob- to remain in the Senate for as long as he could, even faced Accords, but the physical consequences of his deliberately rebellion-as an unruly student at the US Naval Academy, ing journalist. But the snappy tone could turn to self-dep- with a diagnosis of aggressive brain cancer. Since ill-treated fractures - and torture in prison - would cost him or a hotheaded prisoner provoking his Vietnamese jailers. recation: “I don’t think I’m a very smart guy,” he once said. December 2017, he was kept away from the Senate floor his career as a pilot. “For some reason it was not my time “Surviving my imprisonment strengthened my self-confi- He could also be volcanic, especially about causes dear to as he underwent treatment in Arizona-and received at his then, and I do believe that therefore because of that, that I dence, and my refusal of early release taught me to trust him: the armed forces, American exceptionalism and, in his ranch a steady stream of friends and colleagues come to was meant to do something,” he said in a 1989 interview. my own judgment,” McCain wrote in his 1999 memoir, later years, the threat posed by Russia’s Vladimir Putin, bid him farewell, away from the media gaze. On the eve of “Faith of My Fathers.” whom he branded “a murderer and a thug.” McCain’s fel- his death, his family announced that he was ending his Defeated by Obama It was this unorthodox, unbridled McCain, disdainful of low Republicans occasionally mocked his interventionist treatment. McCain let it be known in his memoir published That something, it became clear, would be politics. authority and occasionally arrogant, who threw his hat in reflexes, noting he could never say no to a war. After all, he in May, “The Restless Wave,” that he wished to be laid to After a few years as the Navy’s Senate liaison, McCain the ring in the 2000 presidential race. A self-proclaimed once referenced a Beach Boys tune when singing about rest in Maryland, near his old Navy pal, Chuck Larson. He moved to Arizona, the home state of his second wife, and “straight talk” campaigner, he offered Americans his mod- whether to “bomb bomb bomb” Iran. is survived by his wife Cindy and seven children, three of won a seat in the US House of Representatives in 1982. His erate-right vision, while keeping at arm’s length the To the end, McCain remained convinced that America’s them from a previous marriage. — AFP

walls. In his memoirs, McCain wrote that solitary “put McCain’s ‘Hanoi me in a pretty surly mood” and that he would ward off depression by hollering insults at guards. And then there Kerala flood were the interrogations and beatings. “Ropes were put Hilton’ jailor recalls on me and I sat that night bound with ropes,” McCain wrote after his 1973 release, recalling one brutal session. toll hits 445 the stubborn POW “For the next four days, I was beaten every two to three hours by different guards. My left arm was broken again KOCHI, India: The death toll from devastating floods in the and my ribs were cracked.” southern Indian state of Kerala rose to 445 yesterday with HAIPHONG: As a prisoner of war in the “Hanoi Hilton”, the discovery of 28 more bodies as the waters recede and a navy pilot John McCain was known as uncompromising, English classes, jokes massive cleanup gathers pace, government officials said. frank and an avid reader who fiercely debated the war Duyet denies McCain or others were mistreated and Around a million people are still packed into temporary relief with his Vietnamese jailors. One of them, the former says he punished any fellow guards who stepped out of camps and 15 are reported missing even as the government director of the infamous Hoa Lo prison, recalls verbally HAIPHONG, Vietnam : This photo taken on Jan 3, 2018 line. “There was no torture, Vietnamese people saved shows Tran Trong Duyet, the former director at the Hoa mounts an operation to clean homes and public places that sparring with the famous inmate and says McCain’s him,” Duyet said in an interview earlier this year at his have been filled with dirt and sand left by the floods. refusal to budge on his views eventually earned his Lo prison in Hanoi, speaking in front of photos of US home in the port city of Haiphong, where he displays both prisoners of war on display in his home. — AFP Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in a tweet said that admiration. “It was his stubbornness, his strong stance photos of American POWs and more recent images of more than 130,000 flood-hit houses had been cleaned, or that I loved when arguing with him,” retired colonel Tran himself in military uniform posing with US officials. By the nearly a third of those affected. Authorities are also in the Trong Duyet said. In the decades following the Vietnam end of his long years in prison, Duyet said his relationship Republican Senator for Arizona. But his “Hanoi Hilton” process of restoring electricity connections. People returning War, McCain - who died Saturday at the age of 81 - for- McCain started to warm. “Out of working hours, we con- experience resonated throughout his life. Donald Trump to their homes have been told to stay alert as receding gave the enemies who once held him captive, and helped sidered each other friends,” he said. “He taught me said during the campaign for the presidency that waters leave behind a glut of snakes. State authorities and reconcile the two countries that today enjoy strong ties. English... he had good teaching skills.” In his post-prison McCain was “not a war hero” because he was captured wildlife experts have formed teams to come to the aid of His five and a half years in prison began in October writings, McCain said things got easier for him in the ear- in Vietnam. The controversial comments inflamed his those who have found snakes in their home, according to 1967 when McCain was thrown into the French-built jail ly 1970s, which he called the “coasting period”. throngs of supporters, many of whom saw his time as a local media. With death toll rising daily, Kerala authorities after his Skyhawk divebomber was shot down over He read propaganda texts about Vietnam communist POW as a defining experience. “John McCain will always Hanoi’s Truc Bach lake. Fished out with a broken leg and said “due process will be followed to ascertain if all these revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh, and was allowed to be America’s prisoner of war, that experience is now two broken arms he was shipped to the cold, crowded deaths are flood related”. A 68-year-old man committed sui- roam the prison yard with fellow Americans, who named inseparable from the name John McCain and the person facility where some 500 prisoners of war were held. His cide Wednesday after seeing the state of his home at Kothad different sections of the compound after Vegas hotels. that has been John McCain,” said Alvin Townley, author captors quickly learned McCain’s father was a navy in Ernakulam district. A 19-year-old boy took his own life of “Defiant” about American POWs held in Hoa Lo. admiral, and the young prisoner soon developed the His former jailor preferred to focus on the rosier memo- earlier in the week because his school certificates were McCain was also celebrated for his role in reconciling the nickname “Crown Prince”. The early years were grim. ries, recalling how they joked, shared stories about fam- United States and Vietnam, which in the half century destroyed by the floods, police said. The government says McCain was held in solitary confinement and suf- ily and travel, and even dished about women. “We since the war’s end have become close allies. “(His) that more than 10,000 km of roads have been destroyed or fered from dysentery. For months on end, he was fed laughed together and agreed that women are the same openness towards Vietnam and the willingness to revisit damaged while a legislator said 50,000 houses had been only bread and pumpkin soup. He communicated with everywhere - they like flattery, they like to sulk, and not only the country, but his experiences there have cer- wiped out. — AFP fellow inmates by tapping codes on the thick concrete they’re jealous,” he said, smiling. McCain left the navy in 1981 for a long career in politics, most notably as tainly helped heal a lot of wounds,” Townley said. — AFP 7 International Monday, August 27, 2018 Mnangagwa sworn in as president of Zimbabwe bitterly-contested election Opposition leader rejects court ruling, vows ‘peaceful protests’

HARARE: Emmerson Mnangagwa was officially sworn in as tion activists. At the inauguration, Mnangagwa vowed to the swearing-in but was represented by his daughter president of Zimbabwe yesterday after winning a bitterly- open a probe into the violence, which he called “regret- Bonu, who had previously called Mnangagwa a “traitor” contested election which was the country’s first since the table and most unacceptable”. Supporters, many wearing after her father’s ousting. ousting of strongman Robert Mugabe. Mnangagwa, whose caps and T-shirts emblazoned with Mnangagwa’s image, victory in the July 30 polls was challenged by the main filed into the stadium yesterday under banners proclaiming ‘Peace and unity’? opposition, pledged to “protect and promote the rights of “Celebrating a new Zimbabwe” and “Unity takes us for- Mnangagwa of the ruling ZANU-PF party won the Zimbabweans” at an inauguration ceremony attended by election with 50.8 percent of the vote - just enough to thousands of supporters at a stadium in Harare. meet the 50 percent threshold to avoid a run-off against “I Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa swear that as his main opposition challenger Nelson Chamisa, who president of the republic of Zimbabwe I will be faithful to Zimbabwe’s scored 44.3 percent. International observers said the polls Zimbabwe (and) will obey uphold and defend the consti- were largely free of the violence which characterized pre- tution of Zimbabwe,” he said to thunderous applause first since the vious votes in Zimbabwe. from a crowd that also included several African heads of However, the European Union earlier expressed concern state. “We must now focus on addressing the economic ousting of that Mnangagwa had benefited from heavy state media challenges facing our nation,” he said. “We are all coverage. Similarly, US monitors said yesterday that Zimbabweans, what unites us is greater than what could Mugabe Zimbabwe had “not yet demonstrated that it has established ever divide us. a tolerant, democratic culture”. The country’s top court on Since independence from Britain in 1980, Zimbabwe Friday dismissed Chamisa’s bid to have the results annulled has known only two presidents - Mugabe, who ruled with on grounds they were rigged. But the opposition leader has an iron fist for 37 years, and his erstwhile right-hand man rejected that ruling and vowed to lead “peaceful protests”. Mnangagwa. Nicknamed “The Crocodile”, Mnangagwa ward, peace keeps us going.” “I have a legitimate claim that I am supposed to lead was appointed after Mugabe was forced out by the mili- “We were stressed with what was happening with the the people of Zimbabwe,” Chamisa, who heads the tary in November last year. The newly-minted leader court procedures but we are happy now because every- Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party, said yesterday hailed his victory as a new “dawn” for thing has been finalized and we want people to unite and Saturday. “The court’s decision is not the people’s deci- Zimbabwe after years of repression and economic mis- work together,” said supporter Malvern Makoni of the sion. The people who voted do not believe in management which left the country burdened by shat- opposition’s legal appeals over the vote. Other supporters (Mnangagwa). We have got a clear majority.” HARARE: Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa (left) tered public services, mass poverty and unemployment. also expressed an appetite for reform. “Our country is now Mnangagwa has sought to turn the page on the issue, arrives with his wife Auxilia to take his oath of office in But his promises of reform and pledges to entice back going to develop with president Mnangagwa now in calling for “peace and unity” in a televised address after Harare yesterday. Emmerson Mnangagwa was officially investors were marred by the army opening fire on pro- charge. Mnangagwa is the right man to lead Zimbabwe to the court decision. “Let us put whatever differences we sworn in as president of Zimbabwe after winning a bitterly testers, killing six shortly after the poll, as well as allega- prosperity,” said 41-year-old Blessing Muvirimi. “We want might have behind us. It is time to build our nation and contested election that marked the country’s first vote since tions of vote-rigging and a violent crackdown on opposi- Zimbabweans to work together.” Mugabe did not attend move forward together.” — AFP Robert Mugabe was ousted from power. — AFP

organizations placed on alert. But the local director Two dead, 255 of crisis management, Reza Mahmoudian, told the Mehr news agency that “the situation was under Iraqi grandmother injured in Iran control” and no request for help had been sent to neighboring provinces. There were reports that the faces daily battle quake was felt far across the border into Iraq. earthquake Images on social media showed people being rushed to hospitals, but suggested relatively light damage to caring for 22 kids infrastructure. TEHRAN: A strong 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck MOSUL: More than a year since the Islamic State Iran sits on top of two major tectonic plates and western Iran near the border with Iraq early yesterday, group’s expulsion from Mosul, Sana Ibrahim bears daily sees frequent seismic activity. Kermanshah is still killing two people and injuring more than 250, officials hardship to look after her 22 grandchildren, after losing recovering from a devastating 7.3-magnitude quake said. The shallow quake hit 26 kilometers southwest of five family members during the jihadists’ occupation of that struck last November, killing 620 people in the the city of Javanrud in Kermanshah province, the US the Iraqi city. Dressed in a long black robe, 61-year-old province and another eight people in Iraq. That quake Sana never seems to stop. She is surrounded by children Geological Survey said, near the site of a powerful left more than 12,000 people injured and damaged - little girls with pigtails and little boys in colorful t- quake last year that killed hundreds. Kermanshah gov- some 30,000 houses, leaving huge numbers homeless shirts, the youngest of whom is just two years old. ernor Houshang Bazvand told state broadcaster IRIB at the start of the cold season in the mountainous She also cares for her 71-year-old husband, Mowafaq MOSUL: Sana Ibrahim, a 61-year-old Iraqi matriarch and care- that two people were killed and 255 injured. The head region. Local officials said the estimated cost of Hamid, who has Alzheimer’s disease. Sana’s greatest taker of 22 grandchildren, poses with her family and husband of the emergency department at Kermanshah University reconstruction would be measured in the billions of challenge is finding enough food for the household, Mowafaq Hamid in their home on Aug 14, 2018. — AFP of Medical Sciences, Saeb Sharidari, said the two dead which in total comprises 32 people. During the jihadists’ dollars, at a time when Iran is struggling with a deep- were a pregnant woman and a 70-year-old man who ening economic downturn. three-year rule of Mosul, her sons Fares and Ghazwan suffered a heart attack. were abducted by the Islamic State group, along with have died from hunger and illness,” she said. During There was criticism that much of the new social State news agency IRNA quoted local officials say- her son-in-law Massud. The men were members of the AFP’s visit, one such benefactor appeared bearing bags housing built as part of a scheme championed by ex- security forces and considered “apostates” by IS. of clothes and food. The civil servant said she gives part ing that electricity had been cut to 70 villages but that president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had failed to with- The group probably killed them, says Sana, who of her monthly salary and that of her son to help strug- it was restored to at least 50 by dawn. It added that stand the tremor. President Hassan Rouhani said those hopes one day to find their bodies. Throughout the IS gling families. She is far from the only one to help, said there had been more than 65 aftershocks. Bazvand said responsible would be held to account. Iran’s deadliest occupation, hundreds of government soldiers and police Sana as she separated two squabbling grandchildren and at least 500 buildings had been destroyed and would quake in recent years was a 6.6-magnitude tremor that officers were kidnapped and executed by the jihadists, cleaned the face of a third. In the small kitchen behind need to be completely rebuilt. There were potential struck the southeast in 2003, decimating the ancient their bodies dumped in mass graves around the northern Sana, her youngest son’s wife was busy preparing food problems with drinking water due to damaged infra- mud-brick city of Bam and killing at least 31,000 peo- city. Iraqi forces launched an offensive in 2016 to retake for the increasingly impatient children. structure in villages, but the local Red Crescent chief, ple. In 1990, a 7.4-magnitude quake in northern Iran Mosul, prompting a months-long battle into the heart of Mohammad Reza Amirian, said it had not yet been nec- killed 40,000 people, injured 300,000 and left half a the city which culminated in the jihadists’ ouster in July Future hopes essary to distribute food and tents. million homeless, reducing dozens of towns and nearly Despite her busy daily life, Sana was clear when 2017. Two of Sana’s other children were killed in the bat- A crisis centre was set up, with hospitals and relief 2,000 villages to rubble. — AFP tle. Her 20-year-old son Youssef and her daughter Nour, asked about her hopes for the future. She wants her 18, were shot by snipers as they tried to flee their long- grandchildren “to study so that they can find good jobs time home in the Old City. and can get by,” she added. “I don’t want them to beg on the streets like many other orphans.” In the absence of Living on donations official statistics, non-governmental organizations have The historic district of western Mosul was devastated estimated there are more than 3,000 orphans in Mosul. in the fighting. Sana and her family had to rush to find a Sana is already “very proud” of her grandchildren who new place to live after their home was destroyed. They are old enough to attend school, all of whom passed moved to the eastern part of the city, paying 500,000 their end-of-year exams. Ahead of the new academic dinars ($430) a month to rent a house where they year, 12-year-old Iman was enthusiastic about returning squeeze into a 150 square meter space. Paying the rent is to the classroom. “At the moment I’m at secondary a struggle for Sana, whose four surviving children are all school, but I want to continue my studies,” she said, as unemployed. “We live thanks to the donations of charita- her grandmother looked on. “I will go to university and ble souls in Mosul. Without them we would have already become a doctor.” — AFP

HIV, which are common among the Warao. Public health Venezuela crisis has been especially hard hit by Venezuela’s disintegration, with hospitals lacking almost everything. turns indigenous Artisanal crafts The majority of Warao here are familiar with being on people into the the move. They typically follow the tourist seasons, selling their artisanal wares, said anthropologist Emerson Rodrigues, who works at Pintolandia. In Brazil there are lost tribe many Warao in the Amazon region cities of Manos and CARACAS: Auxiliano Zapata may be a Warao chief but Belem, as well as in Roraima state. They are scattered but after fleeing chaotic Venezuela for neighboring Brazil his secure. “Here it’s a safe zone where they can stay and build people are a lost tribe, wondering if they will ever settle in some kind of future,” Rodrigues said. Help is given to the their beloved Orinoco river delta again. The Warao, who Warao to go out and sell their handmade goods, to find number around 20,000 and usually alternate between work and to organize the communal kitchen and other towns and traditional rural areas in Venezuela’s northern basics of camp life. No one knows how long they’ll be Orinoco River region, were among the first to flee to Brazil there. “They aren’t thinking about going back right now,” from the economic near-collapse and political unrest Rodrigues said. “They come and work, put some money under hard-leftist President Nicolas Maduro. together, then go back to bring money and food, but not to “There was no medicine, no food, no transport, nothing. go back and stay — not till there’s a better outlook.” Everything became too expensive. To get here I had to sell everything. I had a television, a cellphone, a fridge,” said Missing the river Zapata, 43, at the Pintolandia refugee camp in Boa Vista, At the Janokoida shelter in Pacaraima, about 125 miles the capital of Brazil’s frontier state of Roraima. The tribal (200 kilometers) from Boa Vista, Warao children gather outside at dusk. Reggaeton plays on a small loudspeaker chief, sheltering at Pintolandia with some 600 other and volleyball and football games get underway as adults Waraos, came across the border five months ago with his cook chicken and tortillas on open fires. Camp administra- wife and 12-year-old son. tors at first offered the refugees prepared meals but the Bit by bit the emergency sanctuary, run by the local indigenous people prefer going out into the countryside to government, NGOs and Brazil’s military with help from the collect firewood and prepare their own food, said Socorro UN refugee agency, has taken on a more permanent look. Lopes dos Santos, who has been coordinating the White gravel has been spread over the ground and a vol- Janokoida shelter for six months. leyball court - almost always in use - set up. A new shelter Just as at Pintolandia, the common refrain at the shelter, capable of housing a hundred more sleeping hammocks is which houses 426 people, is a longing for the distant river under construction. While he doesn’t have any work yet, and opportunities to hunt and fish that are integral to the Zapata at least knows his family can get food, feel safe and tribe’s culture. “Recently, we did a group activity where we have access to a school. Such basics have been stripped asked them to paint something. Every one of the drawings from society in Venezuela, sending growing waves of depicted water,” dos Santos said. “It’s a community that migrants and refugees into neighboring countries. needs to find its way, and we are trying to help them to “I would return to Venezuela but I have to wait. I went take new paths, whether in Brazil or returning to their back three weeks ago to see my father, who is looking country of origin,” dos Santos said. Zapata thinks he may after our house, and there is nothing there,” Zapata said. “I end up as far away as the Brazilian Amazon city of won’t tell you more because it makes me sad.” He says he Manaus, several hundred miles to the south, but he still feels pain for other tribal members who have not managed hopes to return to Venezuela one day. “God wants us to to get away, especially those suffering from tuberculosis or get our country back,” he said. — AFP 8 Monday, August 27, 2018 International Pontiff ‘begs for God’s forgiveness’ for Catholic sexual abuse scandal Vatican official accuses Pope of ignoring abuse claims KNOCK: Pope Francis in Ireland yesterday “begged for said inaction over “these repellent crimes has rightly given God’s forgiveness” for the child sexual abuse scandal rise to outrage, and remains a source of pain and shame for rocking the church but faced accusations by a former the Catholic community. I myself share those sentiments”. Vatican official that he had personally ignored allegations Francis on Saturday also met eight abuse victims, against senior clergy. Francis is due to speak in front of including a woman assaulted by a priest when she was in some 500,000 faithful in Dublin’s Phoenix Park as part of hospital aged 13 and a man who was illegally adopted his two-day visit to the former Catholic stronghold of because his mother was unmarried. In a strongly-worded Ireland, as abuse victims and their supporters gathered in speech at the start of the pope’s visit, Varadkar said the a “Stand for Truth” rally in the city centre to demand jus- abuses in Ireland were “stains” on the Catholic Church, the tice. During the address to state and Irish society as a 45,000 supporters at the rain- whole. “There is much to be soaked Knock shrine in the west done to bring about justice of the country, the pope and truth and healing for vic- “begged for God’s forgiveness” Irish leader tims and survivors. Holy Father, for the “open wound” of the I ask that you use your office scandal and demanded “firm and urges pope and influence to ensure that decisive” measures to find “truth this is done here in Ireland and and justice”. to take action across the world,” he said. The scandal has dogged the He demanded of Francis visit, and intensified overnight “that from words flow when a former Vatican envoy to actions”. Paul Jude Redmond, the US accused Francis of per- who was illegally adopted sonally ignoring sexual abuse claims against prominent US from a Church-run “Mother and Baby Home” and met the cardinal Theodore McCarrick, who was forced to resign pope on Saturday, said the pontiff appeared “genuinely last month. Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano wrote in a let- shocked” by the stories of abuse. But at a news conference ter published in the National Catholic Register that he had in Dublin on Saturday by the group Ending Clergy Abuse told Francis of the allegations in 2013, but that he had (ECA), victim Mark Vincent Healey said the pope’s speech responded by lifting sanctions imposed on McCarrick by in Dublin was a “total missed opportunity”. “We’re still DUBLIN, Leinster: Pope Francis leads the Holy Mass at Phoenix Park in Dublin yesterday, during his visit to predecessor Pope Benedict. waiting. We’re left with uncertain silence. When is he going Ireland to attend the 2018 World Meeting of Families. — AFP “He (Pope Francis) knew from at least June 23, 2013 that to act? What is he going to do?” McCarrick was a serial predator,” wrote Vigano,” adding Catholic mores, voting earlier this year to legalise abortion souvenirs complained of sluggish trade, as protesters “he knew that he was a corrupt man, he covered for him to Silent vigil after approving same-sex marriage in 2015. rubbed shoulders with devout Catholics in the streets of the bitter end.” The Vatican said it had no comment to make This is the first papal visit to Ireland since John Paul II The pontiff is in Ireland to close the 2018 World the city. In Tuam, a town in western Ireland not far from on the claims. Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar on spoke in front of 1.5 million people during a visit in 1979. Meeting of Families (WMOF) - a global Catholic gathering Knock, a silent vigil was planned in solidarity with victims Saturday directly urged the pope to take action against The Church’s role and standing has been badly dented by that addressed issues including the treatment of gay peo- of “mother and baby” homes-institutions accused of being abuses and ensure justice for victims worldwide. Francis the abuse scandals and the Irish have shed traditional ple in the Church. Street vendors in Dublin selling papal punishment hostels for unwed pregnant women. — AFP

Sweden’s far-right Ethiopian PM poised for record vows ‘free and election score STOCKHOLM: Barring a major upset, Sweden’s far-right fair’ 2020 polls is on course for a record result in September 9 legislative elections, capitalizing on the mood of voters who feel they ADDIS ABABA: Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed are being left behind in favour of hundreds of thousands of yesterday pledged the 2020 election would be “free newly-arrived asylum seekers. With two weeks to go to and fair” and promised a democratic transition if his the election, opinion polls suggest the anti-immigration party loses, as he pushes forward with lightning Sweden Democrats (SD) could sweep around 20 percent reforms to transform the one-party nation. Abiy, who of votes, making them the second- or third-biggest party. took office in April, has prioritized reconciliation That could give SD - an offshoot of the neo-Nazi between critics and the ruling Ethiopian People’s movement but now clamoring for political legitimacy - sig- Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), which has nificant influence over Swedish politics. SD has said it is held power unopposed for 27 years. willing to collaborate with either the left or right, as long In an announcement on Saturday night, he said work as it can shape the country’s immigration policy. However, had been done to make the Electoral Commission “non- it will have a hard time wielding any newfound clout. partisan and credible”, adding that the country could While some parties on the right-wing have occasionally adopt an electronic voting system for the upcoming appeared tempted to court the SD for informal support to polls. In his first press conference since taking office, he pass legislation in parliament, none of them seems ready to ruled out postponing the polls and said the ruling party forge a more formal collaboration with a party still seen as wanted to “conduct truly democratic elections”. pariahs by a large majority of Swedes. The far-right first “EPRDF’s desire at this moment is to conduct a truly entered parliament in 2010, garnering 5.7 percent of votes democratic election,” he said. “If EPRDF wins a truly cast. Four years later, they more than doubled their score, SUNDSVALL, Sweden: File photo show Jimmie Akesson - leader of the Sweden Democrats, campaigns in democratic election it can implement its agenda with taking 12.9 percent of votes and 42 of the 349 seats in the Sundsvall, Sweden. General elections will be held in Sweden on September 9, 2018. — AFP full confidence, and if EPRDF loses, it will fulfil its long- 2014 election. SD also holds one of three deputy speaker held pledge to implement democratic transition.” The positions in parliament, a post occupied by Bjorn Soder, a EPRDF has held power unopposed since the elections hardliner who in June said the country’s Jews were “not Social inequality asylum seekers since 2015 — the highest number in Europe of May 2015 when it scooped up all 547 seats in the Swedes”. While Sweden’s economic indicators all look rosy - per capita, pushing the Swedish population over the 10 mil- parliament, in a ballot denounced by the opposition as Founded in 1988 and headed since 2005 by Jimmie unemployment is at its lowest level in a decade, growth is lion mark. At the height of the migrant wave in the autumn a “farce”. Observers say the EPRDF, which has held Akesson, SD appeals to young voters and those disillu- forecast at around three percent this year - income of 2015, the Scandinavian country was overwhelmed: power since 1991, has been forced to change course sioned by social democracy, as well as those in declining inequality is growing faster than in any other OECD coun- migrants were crammed into overcrowded school gyms, due to a wave of anti-government protests by the rural areas where industries, schools and maternity wards try, a thorn in the side of a nation that has long prided social services were swamped, and asylum housing centers country’s two largest ethnic groups that began in late are shutting down. Prime Minister Stefan Lofven’s Social itself on its egalitarian values. “These new social gaps have were torched by angry locals. Three years later, after the 2015, leaving hundreds dead. Democrats are expected to remain the country’s biggest to be addressed to keep Sweden cohesive. If we do that, government sharply curbed its refugee policy and sus- A year later, with the unrest ongoing, the govern- party, but polls suggest they are headed for their worst then there’s no room for extremism,” Goran Persson, who pended family reunifications, the situation has calmed down ment of then prime minister Hailemariam Desalegn election result since proportional representation was served as Social Democratic prime minister from 1996 to considerably. The massive chaos predicted by those imposed a state of emergency. But he resigned in introduced in 1911. They are seen winning around 25 per- 2006, told AFP on Friday. The Social Democrats, which opposed to the initially-generous refugee policy never February this year, paving the way for Abiy to take over, cent of votes, down from 31 percent four years ago. have dominated Sweden’s political scene since the 1930s, materialized. But Sweden now finds itself confronted with becoming the first leader to ever come from the Oromo are paying the price after welcoming in more than 300,000 the challenge of integrating its new arrivals. — AFP people, Ethiopia’s largest ethnic group. Since then, Abiy has launched a series of sweeping changes which have across borders and communities”. “But we shifted the power balance within Africa’s second-most Italy lets cannot always wait for this type of good- populous country. He has shaken up the security servic- will solidarity. We need to have structural es, ended the state of emergency, freed jailed dissidents measures,” he said in a statement. and signed a peace deal with neighboring Eritrea, end- migrants off ing two decades of hostilities. — AFP A warning to Italy stranded boat The Diciotti standoff was the latest in a string of incidents involving Italy’s recent- as deal reached ly-installed populist government, which has Russia calls Black increasingly refused to take in boats carry- ing migrants rescued off Libya, prompting ROME: Nearly 140 migrants who had been sharp divisions across the EU. On Friday, Sea interceptions stranded on a boat at a port in Sicily were Rome threatened to pull funding for the EU allowed to disembark early yesterday after unless it agreed to take in some of those on ‘dangerous’ Ireland and Albania agreed to take some of board the Diciotti. But Avramopoulos them in. The boat docked at Catania port warned that Italy would end up “shooting on Monday but Italy had refused to let itself in the foot” by its ongoing attacks MOSCOW: Russia accused Britain’s Royal Air Force (RAF) those on board disembark in the absence over the bloc’s policies on migrants. “I of intercepting its military aircraft over the Black Sea in a of any EU commitment to relocate them, think that politicians in your country need dangerous fashion designed to provoke Moscow after the prompting a new bitter row with Brussels. to understand that you are not alone, that RAF made two such interceptions in a single week. The Europe is trying to help you. On the con- But following a deal brokered by the CATANIA: Migrants gather on the deck of the Italian Coast Guard vessel accusation, leveled by Russia’s embassy in London, came Catholic Church late on Saturday, Italy’s trary, anyone who attacks the EU is shoot- after the RAF intercepted a Russian maritime patrol air- ing himself in the foot,” he told Sunday’s ‘Diciotti’ in the Sicilian port of Catania as they wait to disembark following a far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini rescue operation at sea. — AFP craft over the Black Sea on Friday and scrambled to inter- agreed to allow them to leave the Diciotti, edition of La Repubblica newspaper. cept two suspected Russian fighter aircraft on Wednesday. the Italian coastguard ship which rescued Leading the charge has been Salvini, “.... What kind of threat to Britain or even its allies does a them some 10 days ago. There were initial- who heads the far-right League party and Ditmir Bushati sent a message to his Italian have arrived since 2013, fleeing war, perse- Russian patrol aircraft hypothetically pose while conduct- ly around 180 migrants on board when it Luigi Di Maio, leader of the anti-establish- counterpart Enzo Moavero Milanesi which cution and poverty in the Middle East, ing flights near Russia’s own coastline, more than 2,000 arrived at Catania, but Rome allowed 27 ment Five Star. “The Commission has was published on Twitter, saying Tirana Africa and Asia. Under EU rules people km (1242.74 miles) from the British Isles,” the Russian unaccompanied minors to disembark on clearly said ‘no’ to threats, that they are was “ready to help”. “We cannot replace must seek asylum in their country of arrival, embassy said in a statement released on Saturday. Wednesday and a dozen women and men unacceptable. All governments are Europe but we are always here, on the oth- but Rome has recently moved to block “Instead of strengthening anyone’s security, the British left the boat Saturday following a request required to respect their obligations er side of a sea where once we were the boats from docking at its ports. Speaking on authorities are using such a military presence (in the Black from health authorities. regarding membership in the EU,” Eritreans suffering for days and nights in Friday, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Sea area) for provocative actions. Not just by making ver- Albania, which is not a member of the Avramopoulos said. And he stressed the the middle of the sea, waiting for Europe to Filippo Grandi said Europe had “a funda- bal statements, regrettable as they are, but also in real mil- EU, was the first to offer safe haven to 20 need for a clear policy on how to handle wake up,” Bushati wrote. After the fall of mental moral and legal obligation” to help itary terms, which is simply dangerous.” The British of the migrants. The migrants disembarked any future incidents involving migrants res- communism in early 1990s, Italy accepted those fleeing war and persecution. “The defense and foreign ministries declined to comment yes- several hours after Sicilian prosecutors cued at sea. “We cannot move ahead with thousands of people who fled Albania by time has come to end the back-and-forth terday. Three countries bordering the Black Sea - said they had opened an inquiry into ad hoc solutions for each boat. The migra- sea, with Tirana keen to return the favor. that has seen countries competing in a race Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey - are NATO allies of Britain. Salvini for “illegal confinement, illegal tion phenomenon is not going to stop “Yesterday, Italy saved us, today we are to the bottom on who can take the least Britain’s Minister of State for the Armed Forces, Mark arrest and abuse of power” over his refusal overnight so we need to manage it togeth- ready to give a hand,” the minister said. responsibility for people rescued at sea,” he Lancaster, spoke about “an ever more assertive Russia” in to allow the migrants to disembark, media er as one European family,” he said. said. “It is dangerous and immoral to put the a speech in London in July. He said the RAF had been reports said. EU migration commissioner Race to the bottom lives of refugees and asylum-seekers at risk forced to intercept Russian military aircraft more than 80 Dimitris Avramopoulos welcomed the deal, ‘Once we were Eritreans’ Migration is a hot-button issue in Italy, while states engage in a political tug-of-war times over the last decade. — Reuters saying it was the result of “solidarity On Saturday, Albania’s Foreign Minister where hundreds of thousands of people on long-term solutions.” — AFP Established 1961 9 International Monday, August 27, 2018 Afghan leader rejects resignation letters from spy chief, ministers Government faces fierce criticism over deadly insurgency

KABUL: Afghan President Ashraf Ghani yesterday repeated warnings from local officials that the city was rejected the resignations of the intelligence chief and in danger. the interior and defense ministers, as the government Militants held large parts of the city for days and faces fierce criticism over an increasingly deadly insur- Afghan forces needed US air power to push them back, gency. Ghani called on Defense Minister Tariq Shah resulting in widespread destruction and estimates of Bahrami, Interior Minister Wais Ahmad Barmak and hundreds of deaths. The resignation letters came a intelligence chief Masoom Stanekzai to continue their week after Ghani offered a conditional three-month duties, after rejecting their resignation letters submit- ceasefire to the Taleban, a move welcomed by the ted Saturday and demanding they help bolster the United States and NATO after nearly 17 years of war. country’s defenses. “President Ghani did not approve The Taleban have yet to officially respond to the offer. their resignations... and gave them the necessary A brief ceasefire in June had sparked hopes that a path instructions to improve the security situation,” said a for talks with the insurgents was opening. palace statement. Earlier Saturday Ghani’s Islamic State leader killed powerful national security The leader of the Islamic adviser Mohammad Haneef Afghan officials State (IS) in Afghanistan was Atmar had resigned, in a killed by airstrikes over the blow to the embattled unity say Islamic weekend along with 10 other government before parlia- people, government officials mentary elections scheduled State leader said Sunday following a for October. The palace string of deadly attacks by announced later that Atmar killed by airstrikes the extremist group. The had been replaced by intelligence agency said Hamdullah Mohib, who was Saad Arhabi died in a joint KABUL: Smoke and dust (center) rise following an air strike from an Afghan military helicopter during ongoing clashes serving as Afghanistan’s operation with coalition between Afghan security forces and militants near the Eid Gah Mosque in Kabul. — AFP ambassador to the United forces late Saturday in the States. “Accepting the resignation of a long-time friend group’s eastern stronghold in Nangarhar province near and colleague was a difficult decision for me, but the the border with Pakistan. “The Emir of Daesh in tion involving strikes. US forces in Afghanistan con- claimed by IS in recent weeks, including assaults on decision had to be taken for the sake of the interest of Afghanistan along with 10 others was killed,” said a firmed they had conducted a strike in the location several government installations in Kabul and a bomb- the country,” said Ghani, according to a statement. statement by the National Directorate of Security, call- described by Afghan officials, which “targeted a senior ing at a school in a Shiite area of the capital that killed The Ghani administration has been widely criticized ing the group by an Arabic acronym. Arhabi is the leader of a designated terrorist organization”. IS has a at least 37 people. The group, however, has suffered for its inability to counter an energized insurgency. The fourth leader of IS’s Afghan branch to be killed since relatively small but potent presence in Afghanistan, repeated setbacks in the latest fighting season amid a Taleban have intensified assaults on police and troops the group first emerged in the country around 2014. mainly in Nangarhar but more recently in the northern bloody turf war with the much larger Taleban. Estimates across the country and the Islamic State group has tar- The agency also said a large number of weapons, province of Jowzjan. Hours before the raid the group of their numbers in the country run as high as around geted the capital Kabul. This month has seen an ammunition and explosives were destroyed by the air claimed a deadly suicide attack which appeared to tar- 2,000. More than IS 150 fighters surrendered to extraordinarily violent series of incidents, including an attacks. get a sit-in protest outside an election commission Afghan forces in Jowzjan on August 1, a move which attack that saw the Taleban storm the provincial capital Provincial governor’s spokesman Attaullah Khogyani office in the city of Jalalabad. Two people were killed. troops and the Taleban hailed as the end of the group’s of Ghazni - just a two-hour drive from Kabul-despite confirmed the leader’s death, also citing a joint opera- The bombing followed a number of bloody attacks foothold in the north of the country.— Agencies

“landslide victory for Abe, as he has already obtained Japan PM seeks support from an overwhelming majority of MPs.” The election is decided 50-percent by MPs and the other half by the LDP’s rank-and-file members. “There is no ‘record tenure’ one else qualified to lead Japan in an environment where (President Donald) Trump’s US and China con- China’s transport TOKYO: Shinzo Abe confirmed yesterday he would run tinue their trade battles that could hit the world econo- in his ruling party’s leadership election, putting him on my,” Masuyama said. ministry censures track to become Japan’s longest-serving premier and bolstering his dream of reforming the constitution. Abe ‘Forever renounce war’ is expected to be re-elected head of the conservative Analysts believe Abe, 63, will seize on the expected Didi after murder Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) easily, with the vast victory to resume his push to reform Japan’s post-war majority of lawmakers behind him and only one chal- constitution, specifically an article that forces the coun- lenger, former defense minister Shigeru Ishiba. try to “forever renounce war” and that armed forces BEIJING: China’s transport ministry yesterday “I have decided to lead Japan as the LDP leader and will “never be maintained.” The article creates a slammed Didi Chuxing’s safety lapses as the ride- the prime minister for three more years, and with this headache for Japan’s Self-Defence Forces (SDF), a hailing giant said it would suspend its Hitch service determination, I will run for the leadership election next well-equipped military stuck in a constitutional grey TARUMIZU, Japan: Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe after the rape and murder of a passenger, the sec- month,” Abe told reporters in a televised news confer- zone. With regional tensions still high, allies have urged speaks to the media as he announces his candidacy for ond such killing this year. A 20-year-old female ence. Winning the September 20 run-off would effec- Japan to bolster the role of the SDF but former foes in the upcoming ruling Liberal Democratic Party presidential passenger was raped and killed by her driver on tively keep the hawkish Abe in power for another three- Beijing, Seoul and Pyongyang would likely react furi- election, during a press conference yesterday. — AFP Friday in the eastern city of Wenzhou, barely three year term at the helm of the world’s third-largest econ- ously. “The revision of the Constitution is a long-held months after a similar incident in May. “These two omy, with no real political party opposition to speak of. policy goal” of the LDP, Abe said earlier this month. vicious incidents that have violated the life and would take a path towards military power,” said the Abe pledged yesterday to focus on the demographic “We cannot keep just discussing (it),” he said. safety of passengers has exposed the gaping oper- analyst. issues raised by Japan’s rapidly ageing society as well Revising the Allied-imposed Constitution is a very ational loopholes of the Didi Chuxing platform,” as the “tumultuous changing international situation.” His sensitive matter in pacifist Japan and an August 5 poll in Abe took power in December 2012 after a landslide the Ministry of Transport said in a statement. “The rival Ishiba has also identified demographic concerns the Asahi Shimbun newspaper showed 52 percent of general election victory for the LDP, making a dramatic Ministry demands that Didi... stops making empty and the regional security threat from nuclear-armed people were opposed to changing it, compared to 31 comeback after a bowel ailment forced him to resign promises and takes concrete steps to ensuring North Korea as the two biggest challenges facing percent in favor. Moreover, more than two-thirds of the premiership in 2007 following a year in the role. Japan. In April, Abe found himself on the ropes amid people in an NHK poll in April said there were more Currently, the longest serving Japanese prime minister passengers’ safety.” twin cronyism scandals that reignited the debate over pressing issues in Japan, which continues to battle is Taro Katsura, who served as premier three times Among a list of demands, the ministry called on whether he had sufficient backing to win a third term as deflation and problems relating to an ageing society. between June 1901 to February 1913. If Abe serves the Chinese firm, which calls itself the world’s lead- LDP leader as his approval ratings dipped. According to Masuyama, Abe intends “to clarify the beyond November next year, completing more than ing mobile transportation platform, to improve its But Mikitaka Masuyama, professor of political sci- role of the Self-Defense Forces, and nothing more,” 2,886 days as premier including his 2006-2007 term, driver vetting and driver education process. The ence at the National Graduate Institute for Policy whereas defense hawk Ishiba prefers a deeper reform he will be the longest serving prime minister in the statement was released after a meeting yesterday Studies (GRIPS), predicted the election would be a of Japan’s military strategy. “It’s unthinkable that Japan country’s history.—AFP between the company, the public security ministry and the transport departments of Beijing and Tianjin. Didi said earlier yesterday that it would suspend the Hitch service — which links up com- muters travelling in the same direction - beginning Australia’s new PM midnight on Monday. Passengers flee The announcement came a day after the compa- rewards allies, keeps ny admitted it bore responsibility for the crime, as ‘illegal’ boat failing to act on a complaint about the same driver from another passenger. She claimed he drove her rebels in his cabinet to an isolated area and followed her in his vehicle runs aground after she left the car. “The incident shows the many deficiencies with our customer service processes, SYDNEY: New Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison especially the failure to act swiftly on the previous SYDNEY: An unknown number of people were rewarded supporters and extended an olive branch to rebel right-wingers as he unveiled his “new generation” passenger’s complaint and the cumbersome and believed to be on the run in a crocodile-infested cabinet yesterday after taking power in a party-room rigid process of information-sharing with the region of north-eastern Australia after a fishing coup. Morrison, the former treasurer (finance minister), police,” Didi said in a statement yesterday. boat ran aground yesterday, authorities and was sworn in as prime minister Friday after winning a It would also launch a review of the Hitch serv- reports said. An illegal fishing vessel was located Liberal Party leadership challenge against incumbent mod- CANBERRA: Australia’s outgoing Prime Minister Malcolm ice and look again at its emergency response but- in the vicinity of Daintree River, a mangrove estu- erate Malcolm Turnbull. Turnbull walks back with his granddaughter after a press ton. The head of Didi Hitch and the vice president ary in Far North Queensland state, the home The challenge had been instigated by Home Affairs conference in Canberra. —AFP of customer service have been removed from their affairs department said. “We can confirm that 11 Minister Peter Dutton, whom Morrison — also to the right positions. Wenzhou police said the driver, identi- people have been located. The first priority is to of the party - defeated in a secret ballot. He sought to heal fied by the surname Chung, picked up the victim on confirm the safety and welfare of the people on the wounds exposed by the infighting. “This new Liberal- the foreign affairs portfolio after incumbent Julie Bishop resigned yesterday. Bishop, a rare female voice in the Friday afternoon but she went missing soon after the fishing vessel,” the department added in a National team is a next-generation team,” Morrison told sending a friend a text message asking for help. reporters in Canberra of the governing coalition between Australian government, had put her hand up to be one of statement. This prompted a manhunt which saw the driver the Liberals and the rural-based Nationals party. three candidates to replace Turnbull. But she received The department did not respond to questions arrested in the early hours of Saturday, police said. of whether the vessel was carrying asylum-seek- “What we have done today in pulling this team together minimal support from colleagues, even as opinion polls pointed to her popularity among voters. Her departure has ers, illegal migrants or fishermen. Brisbane’s is provide for stability... it does begin the process of heal- ing.” Dutton kept Home Affairs but his super-sized portfo- raised questions about whether she fell victim to party ‘Get out’ Courier Mail and commercial television broad- politics and to a perceived glass ceiling for women in The killing has sparked fresh criticism of Didi - caster Channel Seven said those on board were lio was split to separate immigration and national security, with migration issues to be handled by former assistant Canberra. Renowned for her steely gaze dubbed the which muscled Uber out of the market following a either asylum-seekers or illegal immigrants. finance minister David Coleman. The environment and “death stare”, Bishop’s highlights as foreign minister bruising battle - as angry users voiced concern Channel Seven said those found were Indonesian, energy portfolio, which was held by the man who is now include her strong condemnation of Russia’s role in the about its safety. “Since the company can’t regulate while The Australian newspaper said they were Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, was also broken up in an shooting down of Malaysia Airlines MH17 in 2014. itself, get out of the market,” wrote one user on the believed to be Vietnamese, adding that up to 40 acknowledgement of the tensions the two issues caused Moderate Christopher Pyne was promoted to defense Twitter-like Weibo. In a scathing commentary, the people were believed to have been onboard the minister, while Dutton allies Matthias Cormann (finance), within the party. official Xinhua news agency yesterday pointed out vessel. A local tourism operator said he had seen Environment and energy policies were key bones of Mitch Fifield (communications) and Greg Hunt (health) an empty boat that “looked like Chinese junk”. remained in their cabinet roles. Former deputy PM and that Didi has been slapped with over one million contention between Turnbull and the right-wingers, who yuan ($148,000) in fines over the past 10 months in “Apparently, other boaties were saying over the wanted him to prioritize older electricity generation Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce, who was forced to quit in radio, it was adrift and before that people were sources such as coal over renewables and emissions miti- February and move to the backbench over his affair with Wenzhou alone. “Despite repeated punishment, seen leaving it and running off into the bush,” gation. Wind-farm critic and Dutton supporter Angus his younger former media adviser, returned in a drought there has been recalcitrant behavior and no David Patterson told national broadcaster ABC. Taylor was chosen as energy minister, tasked with the job advisory role. But there was no room for ex-PM Tony change, a reflection of the company’s indifference “We saw this boat and didn’t think a lot of it really, of lowering soaring electricity prices. MP Melissa Price, Abbott - a vocal critic of Turnbull after Turnbull ousted to safety and social responsibility,” the commen- then after the radio chatter (we heard) it was who represents major mining and agriculture centers in him as leader in 2015. Morrison said he was open to tary said, calling on Didi to be punished if it fails to deserted and people were seen leaving it.” —AFP Western Australia state, picked up the environment min- Abbott, who had supported Dutton, being involved in gov- put customer safety first. —AFP istry. Marise Payne, the former defense minister, was given ernment decisions in an advisory capacity.—AFP 10 Established 1961

Analysis Monday, August 27, 2018

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Trump’s social media ‘censorship’ claim is fake but widely believed

here is little evidence to back up Donald Trump’s persistent claim that social media Tfirms “silence” or “censor” conservatives, but the notion has nonetheless gathered widespread acceptance among his considerable following. The US president returned to the topic on Friday with a tweet saying: “Social Media Giants are silencing mil- lions of people... People have to figure out what is real, and what is not, without censorship!” How Venezuelan crisis affects South America The comments marked the second time in a week Trump has attacked tech platforms over alleged political bias. Days earlier, he tweeted that “Social enezuela has seen a mass exodus of citizens plummeted in 2014, causing shortages of foreign capi- tal beds there, leading a band of local vigilantes to Media is totally discriminating against fleeing poverty, hyperinflation, failing public tal. The government’s response was to print more mon- torch migrant camps and chase them back over the Republican/Conservative voices. Speaking loudly Vservices and shortages of basic necessities. ey, but that only pushed up inflation, ushering in four border. “We’re close to breaking point,” said Roraima and clearly for the Trump Administration, we won’t Here, AFP looks at how this situation came about and years of recession. Paez says “insecurity” and the state government secretary Marcelo Lopes. let that happen.” Both Twitter and Facebook deny its impact not just on the country, but also on South “repudiation of the... ownership of one’s own life,” are But Iannucci thinks things are going to get worse: bias in policing their platforms, and various studies America as a whole. the main factors driving Venezuelans to flee the coun- “This is just the tip of the iceberg.” The impact isn’t suggest conservatives are thriving on social media. try. Add to that “economic deterioration ... the terrible entirely negative, though, and can also be of great ben- Still, a Pew Research Center survey released in What is the scale of Venezuelan migration? scarcity and value of the bolivar” and the situation has efit to host countries, Perez Bravo says. “In Argentina June found 43 percent of Americans think major According to the United Nations, 1.6 million become “a humanitarian crisis,” Paez argues. they say that those arriving are young, entrepreneurial technology firms support the views of liberals over Venezuelans have been displaced in the region since and well-qualified. “Some 60 percent of doctors apply- conservatives, and 72 percent accepted the idea that 2015 as the fallout from the country’s economic crisis How does it affect Venezuela? ing for jobs in Chile are Venezuelan.” Peru and Ecuador social media platforms actively censor opposing took hold. It says 2.3 million Venezuelans are now living Initially the country was hit by a brain drain and an both announced stricter border controls before then political views. Among Republicans and Republican- abroad but others put the figure much higher. The exodus of capital. “At first the immigration was by peo- easing them. Ecuador is organizing a meeting of 13 leaning independents, a whopping 85 percent said Central University of Venezuela’s diaspora think-tank ple with capital and a university education,” said Latin American countries next month while the UN is to they think social media sites intentionally censor says 3.8 million people have left the country since Alfonzo Iannucci, who runs a website that diffuses tes- set up a special team to ensure a coordinated regional political viewpoints, Pew found. The blocking of Alex socialist revolutionary Hugo Chavez came to power in timonies from the Venezuelan diaspora around the response to the crisis. Jones, who operates the conspiracy theory site 1998. Venezuelan sociologist Tomas Paez says between world. Tomas Perez Bravo, of the Central University of Infowars, has given ammunition to those claiming 10 and 12 percent of Venezuelans currently live abroad Venezuela diaspora think-tank, says now there is only How does it compare to other migrations? motivations behind bans. in more than 90 countries. Traditionally, the majority one type of person leaving the country. “The poor are In terms of numbers it has already surpassed the And on Friday, a US House committee announced were in Colombia, the United States and Spain - but leaving because now everyone is poor.” Cuban exodus following Fidel Castro’s revolution that that Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey and other tech execu- Peru has seen the biggest influx percentage-wise since He adds they are fleeing on foot “not because toppled the Fulgencio Batista dictatorship. Around 1.4 tives will appear before a panel on September 5. 2015 with the numbers increasing more than 150-fold. they’re not chemists, sociologists or engineers” but million Cubans fled to the US with another 300,000 Dorsey acknowledged in a recent CNN interview As most are leaving on foot, it’s an arduous journey in a because “it would take 30 years to save up for an air- heading for other parts of Latin America, the Caribbean that the company’s bias “is more left-leaning” but continent that has an area of 17.8 million sq km. Many plane ticket”. Carlos Malamud, Latin American analyst and Europe, according to the Washington-based that this is not reflected on the platform. “The real end up sleeping in makeshift camps or on the streets, at the Elcano Royal Institute think-tank in Madrid, says Migration Policy Institute think-tank. But that was over question behind the question is, are we doing some- living off food donations and trying to earn scraps the exodus is a deliberate ploy orchestrated by six decades, not four years. thing according to political ideology or viewpoints? cleaning car windows at traffic lights. Maduro, who’s “using migration as a political weapon Most Cuban migrants went to the US, but “Latin And we are not. Period,” Dorsey said. against the opposition.” American societies aren’t prepared for such wide-scale Why did this happen? arrivals,” says Malamud. The Venezuelan exodus “is a ‘Game the refs’ It all began when president Hugo Chavez entered How does it affect the region? complete crisis”. “Given the distances covered, this According to Angelo Carusone, president of the office in 1999, according to Paez, but the crisis has Iannucci says “the avalanche of Venezuelans” has phenomenon could be compared to the refugee crisis in left-leaning media watchdog group Media Matters accelerated since current President Nicolas Maduro’s “collapsed” border towns ill-prepared for such an Syria,” he said. According to the UN, 5.6 million for America, conservatives are railing at social media assumption of power in 2013. Venezuela’s over-reliance influx, such as Paracaima and Boa Vista in Brazil’s Syrians have fled the country while another 6.6 million firms “to game the refs,” and put more pressure on on its vast oil reserves - 96 percent of its earnings Roraima state. Venezuelan migrants were blamed for a are internally displaced as a result of seven and a half the platforms. Carusone said this strategy worked in come from crude - caused a problem when the price rise in petty crime and competition for jobs and hospi- years of brutal civil war. — AFP 2016 when Facebook “essentially fell for a fake news story” after claims of bias against conservatives and eliminated its “trending topics” section. Social media contain himself no longer. firms are to blame in part, because “in an attempt to McCain and “Today’s press conference in Helsinki mollify their right wing critics they have reinforced was one of the most disgraceful per- and validated the critiques even though they are formances by an American president in baseless,” he said. Trump: No memory,” McCain said in a blistering Carusone said a study by his group and another statement. “The damage inflicted by by the social media monitoring firm NewsWhip love lost President Trump’s naivete, egotism, false found no systematic bias on tech platforms and con- equivalence, and sympathy for autocrats cluded that conservatives had substantial presence ne of John McCain’s final wishes, is difficult to calculate.” Even as on tech platforms. But the loud complaints from the as he struggled against a devas- McCain’s health ebbed, he missed few president and his supports can still influence public tating brain cancer, could not opportunities to lash out at the presi- opinion even if the claims are untrue, notes Jeff O have been more clear: He made it known dent. He was one of just three Hemsley, a Syracuse University professor of informa- that he did not want Donald Trump to Republican senators to vote against - tion studies. “Conservatives have long held the view attend his funeral. The two men never and thus defeat - a Trump-backed effort that all media is liberal, so this is an old complaint pretended to like each other. It was not to repeal Barack Obama’s signature they’re now applying to social media,” Hemsley said. just their clashing personalities or vastly healthcare law. That single vote earned dissimilar backgrounds. Their differences lasting disdain from the president. Algorithms, legal questions were fundamental, their values dramati- But McCain did not back down. In an Complicating the debate is how social media cally at odds, and their disagreements op-ed article in the Washington Post, he feeds are organized by algorithms based on user public and pointed. called the president “impulsive” and profiles. While some users might claim bias, “the When Trump announced his candida- “often poorly informed”. In a prepared algorithms take into account your interests, your apology “to the families of those who have Putin and Trump cy for the Republican presidential nomi- speech that seemed directed at the habits and those collectively can influence what you sacrificed in conflict” and of those taken One day in Nov 2016, not long after nation in June 2015, suggesting that president and his aides, McCain see,” said Liz Woolery, a policy analyst at the prisoner while “serving their country”. The Trump’s surprise victory over Democrat many Mexican immigrants were crimi- denounced the “spurious nationalism” of Washington-based Center for Democracy and rise of Trump’s populist candidacy in 2016 Hillary Clinton, the Arizona senator nals and “rapists”, McCain denounced people who “would rather find scape- Technology. Trump’s assault however raises of host was widely seen as a disavowal of exploded when journalists in the him for using language that “fired up the goats than solve problems”. And when of legal and political issues about the rights and obli- McCain-style Republicanism and of the Capitol continued to pummel him with crazies”. Trump’s response: McCain was more establishment approach he took questions about the incoming president: an Oct 2017 interview turned to the gations of social media platforms. subject of service in the Vietnam War - As private entities, they can set their own terms. If a “dummy” who had barely managed to during his own presidential run in 2008. “Do not ask me about Donald Trump. I graduate from the US Naval Academy. Eight years later, here was a man who do not want to be rude to anyone, but I a profoundly marking experience in they are not public spaces they can’t be accused of McCain’s own life - he did not hold censorship. Conversely, the president’s threats could Never one to give in, Trump then openly professed his love of money, who do not want to be asked about Donald attacked the former navy pilot over what had avoided military service because of Trump.” It was not an easy vow to carry back. “One aspect of the conflict, by the be viewed as an infringement of the constitutional way, that I will never countenance is that rights of the companies, legal scholars say. “Even if might have seemed his least vulnerable a foot problem he later said had healed out, given Trump’s undeniable talent for point: The military career - including itself, a man who bragged about greas- dominating political debate even while we drafted the lowest-income level of social media providers were biased against conserva- America, and the highest-income level tives (and there is no evidence to support this), they more than five years as a wounded and ing the wheels for his New York real blowing up long-established norms and tortured prisoner of war in Vietnam - for estate empire by donating to both tenets of American domestic and for- found a doctor that would say that they would be fully permitted to do so - just like the con- had a bone spur,” he said. “That is stitution protects Fox News’s or Breitbart’s strong which he received a slew of decorations Democrats and Republicans, a man who, eign policy. wrong. That is wrong.” editorial biases,” Eric Goldman, co-director of the including the Silver Star, the Legion of in short, unapologetically flouted the But what most scandalized the aging The allusion to the medical deferment High-Tech Law Institute at Santa Clara University, Merit and three Bronze Stars. Trump, long-established traditions of American senator was the new president’s persist- that saved a young Donald Trump from said in a blog post. “As a result, any action Trump who received serial deferments and did politics and the presidency. As McCain ent refusal to acknowledge and confront serving in that war could not have been might take against social media providers would be not serve in the military, said that pursued his own re-election to the Russian meddling in the US political clearer. The patent contempt the two clearly and unambiguously unconstitutional.” McCain was “a war hero (only) because Senate in 2016, he broke with his party’s process. As time went on, McCain’s men displayed for each other showed no Still, social media firms could face pressure from he was captured,” adding, “I like people nominee after a video aired in which resistance grew more direct and his sign of fading, even as McCain contin- the unrelenting attacks by the president, said that weren’t captured.” That comment Trump could be heard bragging that words sharper. As chairman of the ued to weaken. A few weeks ago, Trump Hemsley. “I’m not sure the president has much legal that drew widespread condemnation, when he saw beautiful women he would Senate Armed Services Committee he could not even bring himself to say recourse but I wouldn’t put it past this administration including from several veterans groups. sometimes “grab ‘em by the p***y”. opened his own inquiry into Russian McCain’s name during a signing cere- to try to institute laws that give the government more McCain’s response starkly illustrated McCain announced that he would interference. And when he heard mony for a defense funding bill that fel- control over media in general and that includes social the two men’s different characters: The instead vote for “some good conserva- Trump’s accommodating words toward low senators had named in the Arizona media,” said Hemsley. — AFP senator sought no apology on his own tive Republican who is qualified to be Russian President Vladimir Putin when behalf but said that Trump did owe an president.” the two met in July in Helsinki, he could lawmaker’s honor. — AFP Established 1961

MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 2018 Business

Kazakhstan’s port in decline ‘No grass’: Europe’s livestock Britons living in EU could lose 12bids for slice of China trade 13 sector stricken by drought 14 access to UK bank services

TEHRAN: Iran’s Economy Minister Masoud Karbasian (second left), Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zangeneh (center), and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (second right), attend a parliament ses- sion in the capital Tehran yesterday before a vote by lawmakers which saw Karbasian impeached. — AFP Iranian parliament removes finance minister Economic situation worsening amid sharp fall in rial TEHRAN: Iran’s parliament sacked the minister of eco- President Hassan Rouhani replaced the head of the central ‘Complicated situation’ ers, farmers and merchants in Tehran’s bazaar, have nomic affairs and finance yesterday, state media said, amid bank. The US sanctions, reimposed after President Donald Other parties to the 2015 accord - China, Russia, continued regularly since then and have occasionally a sharp fall in the rial currency and a deterioration in the Trump pulled the United States out of a 2015 international Germany, Britain and France - are trying to salvage the resulted in violent confrontations with security forces. economic situation. deal aimed at curbing Tehran’s deal, which lifted some eco- The head of Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards, Major The Iranian economy is dogged by high unemployment nuclear program, have exacer- nomic sanctions against Iran in General Ali Jafari said yesterday Iran was facing a and the rial has lost half its value since April. The United bated an already difficult eco- return for curbs on Tehran’s “unique, complicated and sensitive” situation, with States reimposed some sanctions in early August and a nomic situation in Iran. nuclear program. both external and internal threats to its security, second set targeting Iran’s oil industry is due to take effect “(America’s) focus is on a But their companies now Tasnim reported. The US withdrawal from the nuclear in November. psychological war against Iran Rouhani’s woes face the risk of US penalties deal has undermined Rouhani, a relative pragmatist, The head of the elite Revolutionary Guards said Iran and its business partners,” mount as if they do business with Iran. and emboldened his hardline opponents who always faced “unique” challenges and the foreign minister Foreign Minister Mohammad Washington also wants opposed any compromises with Washington. accused the United States of waging “psychological war” Javad Zarif said yesterday, sanctions bite Tehran to end its support for Zarif appeared to offer guarded criticism of on his country. The Iranian parliament backed the removal according to the Tasnim news militant groups in Syria and Rouhani’s opponents. “There are some in the coun- from office of Masoud Karbasian, minister of finance and agency. “From the time that Iraq. Protests linked to the try who, instead of laying the groundwork for using economic affairs, by 137 votes to 121 against, state media Trump announced the with- tough economic situation in the opportunities presented by the nuclear deal, said. The sacking was the latest in a continuing shakeup of drawal from the nuclear deal, Iran began last December, chose a political fight,” Zarif said, according to top economic personnel. In early August Iranian lawmak- America has not been able to reach its goals,” Zarif added, spreading to more than 80 cities and towns and result- ISNA. “And this political fight led to despair and ers voted out the minister of labor and last month according to the Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA). ing in 25 deaths. Sporadic protests, led by truck driv- disappointment.” — Reuters

after cuts in capital income during his first target for a public deficit of 2.3 percent of and a summer scandal over his top body French growth year in office which he said encouraged economic output. The government has been guard beating May Day protesters helped investment. His government has sold its pro- under pressure from Brussels and the push his approval ratings to a record low of business reforms on promises they will boost International Monetary Fund to detail plans only 34 percent in August, according to an forecast for growth and jobs, but Philippe said growth to rein in public spending, which is among the Ifop poll for Le Journal du Dimanche. Philippe would be weaker than expected next year. highest in the world. responded to criticism saying that the gov- 2019 cut to 1.7% Philippe told Le Journal du Dimanche that Philippe said that the government wanted ernment’s policies were designed to reward the 2019 budget would be based on a to reduce spending in particular on what he workers and discourage unmeasured increas- PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron’s growth forecast of 1.7 percent, instead of the described as ineffective policies like housing es in welfare handouts. government will tackle social spending in the 1.9 percent forecast in April. or subsidized jobs. Philippe said that tax on overtime pay next wave of its reforms, the prime minister The prime minister acknowledged that He said that housing allowances, family would be axed as of September 2019 on top said in an interview, even though France will that was likely to weigh on the public budget welfare benefits and pension payouts would plans do away with worker contributions job- face a weaker growth outlook in next year. deficit, which was already under pressure increase only 0.3 percent in 2019 and 2020. less and health benefits and housing tax. Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said in an due to plans to make a payroll tax credit That is far less than the 1.5 percent average Meanwhile, he said that efforts to shrink interview in Le Journal du Dimanche yesterday scheme permanent. “But that does not pre- inflation rate economists polled by Reuters France’s vast public sector would be main- the government would press on with its reform vent us from sticking to our commitments on expect next year and the 1.8 percent expect- tained with plans to cut 4,500 state jobs in drive in the face of record unpopularity after reducing taxes while reining in public spend- ed in 2020. Meanwhile, the government would 2019 and more than 10,000 in 2020. “This is little more than a year in office. ing and debt,” he added. The slower growth consider reducing unemployed people’s job- going to be a real bloodbath for the state and Macron has so far largely turned a deaf outlook raises the chances that when the less benefits over time as part of a reform of the public services,” far-left leader Jean-Luc PARIS: Prime Minister Edouard Philippe leaving his weekly ear to criticism of his reforms, with detrac- government produces its 2019 budget at the unemployment insurance, Philippe said. Melenchon told reporters, responding to meeting at the ElysÈe palace. — AFP tors dubbing him the president of the rich end of September it may need to change its Criticisms of Macron’s aloof leadership style Philippe’s comments. — Reuters 12 Established 1961 Business Monday, August 27, 2018 Kazakhstan’s port in decline bids for slice of China trade

China’s trillion dollar Belt and Road initiative remains a buzz-phrase

AKTAU, Kazakhstan: With the outlines of its six idle commodity dependence. cranes obscured by thick fog and pouring rain, Oil once underpinned business at the port-more Kazakhstan’s Caspian seaport Aktau seems an unlikely than 14 million tons of crude passed through annually- stop on China’s much-hyped new silk road. before a more economically efficient network of But the sleepy port, which has been badly hit in pipelines grew up, reducing the figure tenfold and recent years by new oil routes, is vying for a slice of the triggering layoffs. But port president Abai pie as competition for Chinese trade warms up on the Turikpenbayev now expects Aktau to emerge as an shores of the world’s largest inland sea. important overland trade node that can offer an alter- China’s trillion dollar Belt and Road initiative has native to the better-known northern route to Europe been a buzz-phrase in Kazakhstan ever since via Kazakhstan and Russia. Chinese leader Xi Jinping unveiled the overland trade “The Chinese call our route the middle route,” and infrastructure vision during a 2013 visit to the Turikpenbayev said of the route boosted by capital Astana. Kazakhstan’s own investments in domestic road and rail For the moment, evidence of Beijing’s economic infrastructure. Authorities hope these investments can might is light on the ground at Aktau, more than 2,300 kickstart stagnating regional economies. kilometers (1,400 miles) from the China-Kazakhstan The “middle route” includes a Caspian crossing and border crossing that is a key entry point for goods allows a shipment of goods from Chengdu in China to bound for Europe overland. “This used to be an old reach Istanbul via Aktau in just over 20 days by rail. port in poor condition with old equipment,” said Oraz This is both slower than the northern route, via which Koptleuov, a native of Turkmenistan who began work- trains can reach Vienna in a fortnight, and more expen- ing at the port of Aktau as a machinist in 1995. sive than sea journeys that take over a month and “Now we have new technology... But there is not account for over 90 percent of East-West trade. enough work. Let there be more work!” he told AFP of Nevertheless, the route via Aktau offers exporters the port where 500 people are now employed, down access to very different markets in Turkey, the from 700 several years ago. Caucasus and Iran. It could also offer cover for busi- During a recent visit, an AFP correspondent saw nesses suffering in the Moscow-Brussels sanctions bat- a corrugated steel container marked China Shipping tle. Turikpenbayev said the involvement of Dubai-head- AKTAU: Men work in the Kazakhstan’s Caspian seaport of Aktau. — AFP being unloaded on an otherwise deserted dock. The quartered logistics giant DP World in port operations- container had carried a shipment of engine oil from ”their specialists and their brand”-has been a key part Turkey to Kazakhstan via Azerbaijan’s capital Baku, of convincing investors in China the new route is viable. Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov unveiled a $1.5 billion and businessmen by Kazakhstan’s 78-year-old Koptleuov said, but would make the return journey Aktau port expects to process 1,500 containers port in Turkmenbashi in May, while on the other side of President Nursultan Nazarbayev this month. empty. from China in 2018, he says-double last year’s figure the Caspian Azerbaijan has invested heavily in a new Adil Kaukenov, director of China Centre-a think tank but still only three percent of the port’s own modest port called Alat. based in Kazakhstan’s largest city Almaty-said there Middle Kingdom, middle route overall turnover. Domestically, the Aktau port might also one day be may well be enough trade to go around so long as The experience of the Aktau port mirrors broader overtaken by rapidly modernizing Kuryk, which lies “conservative” businessmen in China buy into the less economic struggles in energy-rich Kazakhstan, which Neighborhood competition three hours south and benefits from a slightly milder established routes. “If these routes take off the problem was badly burned by the oil price collapse in 2014 and Aktau is not the only Caspian port jockeying for the climate. Kuryk, where many former Aktau laborers now might be that these ports lack the capacity to meet hopes a trade and transit boom can ease an unstable China trade. Neighboring Turkmenistan’s leader work, was presented with great fanfare to diplomats demand,” Kaukenov said. — AFP

Trade tension, strong dollar hit S African farmers ‘furious’ Latin America’s over Trump land reform tweet growth BELA BELA, South Africa: South racial imbalances in land ownership. African farmers have demanded “‘South African Government is now MEXICO CITY: Latin America’s economic Donald Trump “leave us the hell seizing land from white farmers’,” said growth is set to come in lower than expected alone” after the US president criti- Trump’s post, which tagged the show’s this year, as US protectionism and widespread cized the country’s land reform plans, host, Tucker Carlson, as well as the wariness of emerging markets put a drag on the accusing him of trying to deflect channel. region, a UN panel said. attention from his own scandals. “I think Donald Trump must really The Economic Commission for Latin “The people were furious about take his long hair... and leave our peo- America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) slashed Trump-and I think they still are,” said ple the hell alone,” added Swart. its growth forecast for the region by 0.7 point Preline Swart, a 37-year-old black While many of the farmers at to 1.5 percent, saying the “complex global sce- woman who farms grain and cattle Thursday and Friday’s land summit nario” had dimmed the outlook since its last with her husband east of Cape Town. rejected Trump’s intervention, many report in April. It has been a tough year for “He’s an outsider and he knows are unsure what the government’s plan emerging markets across the board, with global PACARAIMA: A woman shows new bills of the new Venezuelan currency, the Bolivar nothing about farming,” she said on to expropriate land to fix historical trade tension taking its toll and the strong US Soberano, at a barbershop in the border city of Pacaraima, Roraima State, Brazil. — AFP the sidelines of a summit of farmers, injustices will mean for them. dollar battering many currencies and bonds- officials and industry players in Bela “The deputy president assured notably in Argentina and Turkey, which have Bela, 100 miles (160 kilometers) farmers government isn’t going to do faced full-blown currency crises. have taken their toll-now exacerbated by the quotas, along with the European Union, Canada impact of US President Donald Trump’s protec- and other countries. The region also has suf- northeast of Johannesburg. Trump’s anything reckless,” said conference Wednesday tweet, posted on the eve speaker Tshilidzi Matshidzula, 30, a ECLAC cited a laundry list of problems tionist policies and the soaring dollar. fered the indirect effects of the current global of the “Land Solution” gathering, dairy farmer with 1,000 cattle on his slowing Latin America’s economies: Latin America’s economies posted solid climate, one “marked by uncertainty and volatil- touched on the overwhelmingly ranch in the country’s Eastern Cape • “trade disputes between the United States, growth of 6.2 percent in 2010, but then tipped ity,” said ECLAC. white ownership of farmland in province. China and other nations” into a two-year regional recession in 2015. The South Africa-one of the most sensi- “(But) as a farmer, although I’m • “growing geopolitical risks” region’s gross domestic product returned to Uneven outlook tive issues in the country’s post- black, expropriation is a serious con- • “a decline in capital flows toward emerging growth of 1.2 percent last year. But now its Ironically, Latin America’s fundamentals apartheid history. cern. The sooner we get formal clarity markets in the last few months and a rise in sov- tepid recovery is in jeopardy. remain relatively solid. ECLAC predicted the “I have asked Secretary of State... on how it will be handled, the better.” ereign risk levels” region-wide primary deficit would fall to 0.5 (Mike) Pompeo to closely study the As he spoke, other black dele- • “depreciations of local currencies against Trump effect percent of GDP this year, and that average South Africa land and farm seizures gates congratulated Matshidzula for the dollar” Some Latin American countries have found inflation would remain within the expected and expropriations and the large scale the speech he had just given on how • “a global economic expansion that is tend- themselves in Trump’s firing line. The most range at 6.5 percent to June-excluding region- killing of farmers,” tweeted Trump to to resolve land inequality. According ing to lose momentum” notable case is Mexico, which sends some 80 al basket-case Venezuela. his 54 million followers. His tweet to President Cyril Ramaphosa, who It has been a roller-coaster ride for emerging percent of its exports to the United States But the outlook is uneven across the apparently followed a segment on himself farms cattle on a 5,100 markets in recent years, and Latin America has under the North American Free Trade region, said the head of the United Nations conservative Fox News about hectare ranch, the white community been whipped around as much as any region. Agreement. Trump has insisted on renegotiat- panel, Alicia Barcena, who presented the Pretoria’s plan to change the constitu- that makes up eight percent of the Growth in the emerging economies helped pull ing that deal, and threatened to scrap it alto- report in Mexico City. “Mexico and Central tion to speed up expropriation of land population “possess 72 percent of the world out of recession after the 2008 finan- gether. The US president has hit Brazil, Mexico America are doing better than South America without compensation to redress farms”. — AFP cial crisis, but the lingering effects of that crisis and Argentina with steel and aluminum tariffs or in 2018,” she said. — AFP

funds embezzled from PDVSA. Krull became involved Swiss banker in 2016 when another member of the ring asked him to EXCHANGE RATES help launder the proceeds. They used Florida real estate and “sophisticated pleads guilty in false-investment schemes to conceal that the $1.2 billion was in fact embezzled from PDVSA,” the BAHRAIN EXCHANGE COMPANY WLL Indian Rupee 0.003862 0.004634 statement said. Indonesian Rupiah 0.000017 0.000023 $1.2bn Venezuelan Japanese Yen 0.002648 0.002828 He pleaded guilty in a Florida court to conspiracy to CURRENCY BUY SELL Korean Won 0.000262 0.000277 commit money laundering. He is scheduled to be sen- Europe Malaysian Ringgit 0.070631 0.076631 British Pound 0.384067 0.397967 laundering scam tenced October 29. Krull’s co-conspirators “include Nepalese Rupee 0.002626 0.002966 Czech Korune 0.005704 0.015004 Pakistan Rupee 0.001941 0.002711 former PDVSA officials, professional third-party money Danish Krone 0.043288 0.048288 Philippine Peso 0.005693 0.005993 MIAMI: A former Swiss bank manager pleaded guilty launderers, and members of the Venezuelan elite, some- Euro 0. 346296 0.359998 Singapore Dollar 0.217304 0.227304 Georgian Lari 0.137727 0.137727 in a US court on Wednesday for his role in a $1.2 billion times known as ‘boliburgues.’” Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001561 0.002141 money laundering scheme involving Venezuelan state Hungarian 0.001144 0.001334 Taiwan 0.010421 0.010601 US authorities arrested Krull in Miami last month, Norwegian Krone 0.032409 0.037609 Thai Baht 0.008963 0.009513 oil company PDVSA, the Justice Department while Gustavo Hernandez Frieri, a Colombian, was Romanian Leu 0.065042 0.081892 announced. arrested in Italy and is awaiting extradition. Russian ruble 0.004550 0.004550 Arab Matthias Krull, 44, a German national and Slovakia 0.009067 0.019067 Bahraini Dinar 0.790468 0.806968 The Venezuelans indicted in the case are Francisco Swedish Krona 0.029305 0.034305 Egyptian Pound 0.014341 0.020059 Panamanian resident, was one of a ring of conspirators Convit, shareholder of energy company Derwick Swiss Franc 0.302869 0.313869 Iranian Riyal 0.000084 0.000085 and he admitted the scam began in late 2014 with “a Associates; Carmelo Urdaneta, former petroleum and Iraqi Dinar 0.000200 0.000260 currency exchange scheme that was designed to Australasia Jordanian Dinar 0.424048 0.433048 mining ministry legal advisor; Abraham Ortega, ex- Australian Dollar 0.214705 0.226705 Kuwaiti Dinar 1.000000 1.000000 embezzle around $600 million from PDVSA,” the PDVSA staffer; and Jose Vicente “Chente” Amparan, a New Zealand Dollar 0.197465 0.206965 Lebanese Pound 0.000156 0.000256 Justice Department said in a statement. businessman and “professional money launderer” with Moroccan Dirhams 0.022432 0.046432 PDVSA was the crown jewel of Venezuela’s implod- America Omani Riyal 0.782513 0.788193 links to Spain and Malta. Canadian Dollar 0.228077 0.237077 ing economy and remains virtually the only source of Qatar Riyal 0.079129 0.084069 Venezuela’s economic freefall continues, with hyper- US Dollars 0.299600 0.304900 Saudi Riyal 0.079900 0.081200 hard currency for the embattled government. But it also inflation expected to soar to one million percent, US Dollars Mint 0.300100 0.304900 Syrian Pound 0.001287 0.001507 has made the company a target of theft and graft. The according to the International Monetary Fund. On Tunisian Dinar 0.106397 0.114397 Justice Department said the stolen fund were “obtained Asia Turkish Lira 0.047107 0.058607 Tuesday, President Nicolas Maduro introduced a new Bangladesh Taka 0.003029 0.003830 UAE Dirhams 0.081261 0.082961 through bribery and fraud.” currency, dropping five zeros and devaluing the “sover- Chinese Yuan 0.043124 0.046624 Yemeni Riyal 0.000987 0.001067 Hong Kong Dollar 0.036946 0.039696 The conspiracy in 2015 doubled to $1.2 billion in eign bolivars” by 96 percent. — AFP Established 1961 13 Business Monday, August 27, 2018 ‘No grass’: Europe’s livestock sector stricken by drought

Farmers send much of their herds to slaughter due to lack of feed

PARIS: “Our cows have been living off hay is estimated to be 40 to 60 percent, the number of cattle slaughtered jumped by cut in June, there isn’t any grass,” says according to the agricultural association, 18 percent in July, with dairy cows making Jean-Guillaume Hannequin, a farmer in with the deficit for grain at 20 percent. up a large portion, according to the AHDB. eastern France, who like his counterparts In Germany, where the government has across much of northern Europe is wonder- Price gouging unlocked emergency aid for farmers, there ing how he will feed his animals this winter. The English countryside is far from its was a 10 percent increase in animals Mediterranean countries long ago normal undulating green this year, having slaughtered in the first two weeks of July, adapted their farming practices to little rain, not seen a drought like this in 80 years, according to authorities. but this year it is the north of Europe con- according to the official Agriculture and The Swedish government has responded fronting a widespread drought that could Horticulture Development Board (AHDB). by pledging 1.2 billion kronor (117 million see farmers having to send much of their Milk production is down sharply due to a euros, $135 million) in aid for farmers to herds to slaughter due to a lack of feed. lack of hay. buy fodder and avoid sending their animals In Sweden, where swathes of territory In France, “the east has been suffering to the slaughterhouse. were burned by wildfires this summer as since the beginning of July, and the rest of French farmers are concerned due to the country baked under century-high tem- the country since August with an extend- the monopoly on slaughterhouses by the peratures, the grain harvest is expected to ed heatwave,” said Patrick Benezit of the Bigard group. be down around 30 percent and it is FNSEA umbrella group of French farm- “We are afraid they’ll turn the drought unclear whether recent cooler temperatures ers’ unions. into a bonanza by buying our animals at will allow farmers to take in more hay. “In many places, even in the Massif even lower prices when we already have “The feed shortage will be felt this com- Central, the ‘water tower’ of France, there difficulty surviving,” said one livestock PARIS: This year the north of Europe is confronting a widespread drought that could see ing winter,” Harald Svensson, chief econo- won’t be a second cutting of hay, this is farmer who requested anonymity. farmers having to send much of their herds to slaughter due to a lack of feed. mist for the Swedish Board of Agriculture, really worrying,” he said. told AFP, explaining that “most farmers Benezit also criticized the price gouging Throwing in the towel? have relied on their winter feed reserves for straw. “Farmers need to buy straw to The situation is dire for dairy farmers, According to Erwin Schoepges, presi- the drought, their production costs will during the drought this summer.” mix with hay to feed their animals, and the who have already been complaining that dent of the European Milk Board which increase further, he said. The situation is similar in Germany, traders are profiting from the situation” by they are not being paid enough for their counts as members more than 100,000 The European Commission has promised where officials say one in 25 farms is at risk asking for up to 100 euros ($116) per tonne, milk to survive. “The winter risks being cat- small dairy farmers, “even before this exceptional aid to farmers, like speeding up of going out of business. In Lower Saxony, he said, when straw sold for between 60 astrophic,” said another French farmer. “To drought, production costs weren’t being aid payments and allowing farmers to cut a key region for growing fodder crops, the and 80 euros last year. complement the rations of the animals we covered.” hay from fallow land. But French farmer harvest is expected to be more than 40 As prices for fodder and hay climb high- are going to have to buy grain, the price of He said farmers were producing milk at Hannequin is not optimistic. “There are percent down from normal years. er, farmers are sending animals to the which went up this summer, so milk will 40 to 45 cents per litre, but able to sell it going to be a massive number of farms In the Netherlands, the deficit for fodder slaughterhouse earlier than usual. In Britain, become more expensive to produce.” for only around 30 to 33 cents a liter. With abandoned,” he warned. — AFP

Trump hints US and Mexico on “The Americans are in fact pressing US pushing for for very rapid results,” Haber said at verge of trade an event to unveil plans for more than 1,000 events in the United States next quick progress year aimed at strengthening bilateral agreement ties. “As far as the timelines go, I would point out that we have WASHINGTON: The United States and on EU trade European Parliament elections next Mexico are close to reaching a consensus year, and an agreement would have to over key issues stunting efforts to renegotiate issues: Germany be reached in a timely manner before the North American Free Trade Agreement, these elections,” she said. officials from both countries said Saturday. Trump agreed during the meeting The trilateral treaty, which includes BERLIN: Washington is pressing the with Juncker to refrain from imposing Canada, has been a key target in the US pres- European Union to move more quickly threatened car tariffs on European ident’s aggressive trade strategy, and he has ontrade negotiations launched after firms while the two sides launched repeatedly threatened to scrap it altogether, last month’s meeting between US negotiations to cut tariffs on steel, alu- branding it a “disaster.” President Donald Trump and EU WASHINGTON DC: In this file photo taken on August 23, 2018, Mexico’s Secretary of minum and other goods. But after a year of intense negotiations to Commission President Jean-Claude Economy Ildefonso Guajardo speaks to reporters outside the Office of the US Trade The surprise agreement eased the salvage the 25-year-old pact, the US and Juncker, two German officials said on Representative during a day of meetings on the NAFTA treaty in Washington DC. — AFP threat of a transatlantic trade war, but Mexico now appear close to a point where Saturday. US officials have grown frustrated Canada-which had been waiting for US- Emily Haber, Germany’s ambassa- about the slow pace of progress in Mexican agreement on auto industry rules- Washington, Mexican Economy Minister bilateral stumbling blocks, including rules for dor to the United States, told subsequent weeks, with the first work- can rejoin the talks. Ildefonso Guajardo praised the US presi- the auto market, before the end of August. reporters that a working group ing group meeting postponed until Speaking to reporters Saturday, Mexico’s dent’s “optimism,” but remained cautious. Jesus Seade, an economic advisor to Mexico’s formed after the Trump-Juncker after European holidays. incoming government’s negotiator suggested “I think, depending what happens today, incoming president, Andres Manuel Lopez meeting had convened for the first US Treasury Secretary Steven the US has even eased off on demands for a we could confirm it,” he said. “But we are still Obrador, has also been participating in por- time this week, and U.S. officials were Mnuchin said last month he was contentious “sunset” clause. not there, as I have said before.” “Today will tions of the talks. pressing “for very rapid results”. She hopeful the issue could be resolved “Our relationship with Mexico is getting be an important day,” he added. “Nothing is According to him, the US’s “sunset” pro- said EU officials would need a clear “very quickly.” A European closer by the hour,” US President Donald finished until everything is really finished.” posal-to require that the pact be reautho- mandate to move beyond the current Commission spokesman confirmed Trump tweeted. “Some really good people Guajardo and Mexico’s Foreign Minister rized every five years — has been “taken “scoping exercise” and an agreement that a meeting of the EU-US working within both the new and old government, and Luis Videgaray have been shuttling back and out,” with new alternatives under discussion. would need to be reached well ahead group took place this week but gave all working closely together....A big Trade forth to Washington for more than a month “It is no longer what the US proposed in of European Parliament elections in no details. — Reuters Agreement with Mexico could be happening for meetings with US Trade Representative any way, it is an approach focused on future May 2019. soon!” On his way into Saturday’s talks in Robert Lighthizer to try to iron out major evaluation and continuation,” he said. — AFP 14 Monday, August 27, 2018 Business Britons living in EU could lose access to UK bank services in no-deal Brexit EU action needed to help minimize disruption

LONDON: Britons living in the European Union could lose “passporting” rules. Without a deal, banks, insurers and access to their UK bank account services and businesses pension providers would have to establish operations in on the continent could be cut off from investment banks in the EU or be legally barred from serving clients or sending London if there is a no-deal Brexit, the British government out payments. said. In a document detailing contingency planning if Brexit minister Dominic Raab played down the threat Britain leaves the EU in March with no transition deal, the that tens of thousands of British retirees in the EU - many government said unilateral action on several fronts could of whom live on the Spanish Mediterranean coast - could only minimise disruption up to a point. lose access to their pensions. While Britons will still be able to use their bank cards “It’s hardly in the interests of southern Spain to do to withdraw money in EU countries, over a million UK citi- harm to the UK pensioners out there,” Raab told zens living abroad may not be able to use their British reporters. The government said it was committed to giv- accounts for borrowing and deposit services, or insurance ing regulators such as the Bank of England and the contracts such as annuities that pay pensions, the docu- Financial Conduct Authority a “general transitional tool” ment said. to phase in changes easing the Banks offering these services impact if no deal is agreed. may also be affected. “This However, the EU would also could impact these firms’ ability Britain to take need to take action to avoid to continue to service their disruption in cross-border existing products,” it added. All measures financial services, it said. Britons will face higher costs to Brussels has said it is primarily make card payments in the EU to cushion up to banks and insurers them- when travelling or shopping selves to prepare for Brexit, online. The EU agreed this year impact such as by opening new hubs to cap the fees retailers pay to in the bloc. process debit and credit card transactions. Without a deal EU action needed between London and Brussels, British customers will no The document said the EU needed to reciprocate longer be covered by a ban on cross-border surcharges, British action to ensure continuity in cross-border insur- which prevents business from imposing excessive charges ance policies, derivatives contracts, and core market serv- on consumers. ices for companies and people. Without EU action, it said, BRUSSELS: In this file photo, Britain’s Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union Dominic Raab and European The government had previously said those charges cost businesses across the bloc could no longer use investment Union’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier brief the media after a meeting at the EU Commission headquarters in Britons about 166 million pounds ($212 million) in 2015. banks in Britain. Brussels, Belgium. — Reuters “Leaving the EU without a deal would cause major incon- Brussels, for example, would need to give investors in venience to millions of pensioners, travellers and drivers,” the EU permission to continue using a share trading plat- said Hugh Savill, director of regulation at the Association form or clearing house in London, where most euro- exchanged for legal ownership of a stock or bond. this could continue. “The stark fact is that there can be of British Insurers. denominated derivatives are currently cleared. The finance Fund managers in the City of London operate many no continuity without EU reciprocity. Mutual interest Currently banks, insurers and fund managers in Britain ministry and the Bank of England will give details next funds listed in the likes of Luxembourg and Dublin, and may point to some deal, but the EU holds all the cards,” have unfettered access to the EU, their biggest export month on how customers in Britain can continue using a the plans said Britain was ready to agree cooperation said Simon Morris, a financial services lawyer at law market, worth 26 billion pounds last year, under the bloc’s settlement house in the EU, a critical step whereby cash is arrangements with the EU as soon as possible to ensure firm CMS. — Reuters

Alibaba’s revenue Burgan Bank jumps but investments announces to prolong winners of margin squeeze Yawmi draw BEIJING: Alibaba Group Holding Ltd , China’s biggest e- commerce firm, warned investments in its delivery business KUWAIT: Burgan Bank, the second largest in terms of would keep pressuring profits even as it reported its assets, announced yesterday the names of the daily strongest-ever quarterly revenue growth, largely in line draw winners of its Yawmi account draw, each taking with estimates. US-listed shares of Asia’s most valuable home a cash-prize of KD 5,000. public company rose early but then erased gains to end the day down 3 percent. While Alibaba makes money from The lucky winners are: its core businesses, including online marketplaces Tmall ● Raed Habbib Mohammad Al-Saffar and Taobao and payment platform Alipay, it also has far ● Wali Abdulwahab Dolati Ghadhban flung investments in sports content, microchips and facial ● Ali Hussain Abbas Al-Saffar recognition technology. ● AmAr Abdulqader Baqer Alawadhi “As Alibaba continues to invest in New Retail initiatives, Profit margins at Alibaba are typically well above 20 income would have risen by 33 percent from the year-ago ● Ayten Shareef Allabban the consolidation of lower margin businesses such as percent. On Thursday, the company said it had formed period. Excluding one-off items, the company earned 8.04 In addition to the daily draw, Burgan Bank also offers Cainiao, Ele.me, and Lazada is shifting the long term mar- a holding company for its food delivery platform Ele.me yuan per share, or $1.22 per share, missing the average a quarterly draw with more chances to win higher gin profile of the core business,” Baird analyst Colin and food and lifestyle services firm Koubei, for which it estimate of 8.15 yuan per share. rewards, offering the chance to one lucky customer to Sebastian said in a note. had received over $3 billion in new investment commit- Ant Financial, China’s largest financial technology com- win KD 125,000 every three months. The Yawmi “We expect management’s ongoing focus on New ments, including from SoftBank Group Corp and pany, is controlled by Ma and has a profit sharing agree- Account offers daily and quarterly draws, wherein the Retail market share will continue to be a profitability head- Alibaba itself. ment with Alibaba. It announced a $14 billion fundraising quarterly draw requires customers to maintain a mini- wind for the foreseeable future,” said Sebastian, cutting his Quarterly net profit at Alibaba, led by China’s second- in June, which valued it at around $150 billion. Ant mum amount of KD 500 in their account for two months price target on the stock by $5 to $215. In April-June, richest man Jack Ma, plunged 41 percent, hurt by a one- Financial, which is expanding rapidly into foreign markets, prior to the draw date. Additionally, every KD 10 in the Alibaba’s gross margin was 11 percent versus 29.2 percent time charge for stock-based compensation paid to is locked in a costly battle for market share at home with account will entitle customers to one chance of winning. a year earlier, the lowest since the company’s 2014 stock employees to account for a jump in valuation of its affiliate WeChat Pay, owned by Alibaba’s arch rival Tencent If the account balance is KD 500 and above, the exchange listing. Ant Financial. Without the charge, Alibaba said its net Holdings Ltd. — Reuters account holder will be qualified for both the quarterly and daily draws. Burgan Bank encourages everyone to open a Yawmi UK and EU would cease,” the guidance account and/or increase their deposit to maximize their No-deal Brexit said. Chris Goodfellow, who runs logistics chances of becoming a winner. The higher the level of WALL STREET WEEK AHEAD group Lockerfreight, said his clients were the deposit, the higher the likelihood to win. asking if they needed more staff to handle for a weaker dollar.” US-based curren- will bring tangle customs. “My head is spinning and my US stock fund cy-hedged funds have logged $10.2 bil- clients are panicking,” he told Reuters. “My lion in withdrawals this year, while their of red tape, phone has not stopped.” investors show unhedged counterparts have attracted “The companies that only deal with $30.7 billion, according to FactSet Britain warns Europe don’t realize how much more work Research Systems Inc. Hedged funds took is involved.” Supporters of Brexit say there Al-Tijari announces no fear of in $51.9 billion in 2014 and 2015 as the may be some short-term pain for the dollar leapt by more than a fifth, FactSet companies British economy but it will prosper in the winner of Al-Najma King Dollar data shows. Currency-hedged ETFs near- long-term when cut free from the EU’s ly tripled in number from 20 to 58 from LONDON: Britain told companies trading rules and regulations. A European 2014 to 2016 in the United States. The fig- with the European Union they would face a Commission spokesman said it was clear new prize program tangle of red tape, possible border delays NEW YORK: US fund investors are in ure has not grown since 2017. that the withdrawal of the UK was going to and more costly credit card payments if no rush to shore up defenses against the In the more than eight months of the lead to disruption “with a deal or without a the government fails to negotiate an exit KUWAIT: Commercial Bank of Kuwait announced the strong dollar. The greenback’s 6 percent year-so-far, the dollar has depreciated deal. And that’s why everybody, in particu- deal before Britain leaves the bloc. winner of the weekly draw as follows :- leap over the past six months has flum- about 2 percent against the yen but lar economic operators, needs to be pre- Brexit minister Dominic Raab said he Weekly draw prize KD 5,000- Ibtesam A A moxed markets from Turkey to gained more than 3 percent against both pared.” The government asked drugmakers remained confident the two sides would Behbehani Argentina, whose governments have to the euro and a basket of top trading to stockpile medicines for six weeks above reach a deal, but set out in a series of 25 The draw was conducted in the presence of repay debt in dollars. The stronger cur- partners’ currencies. normal operations - a target the industry notes what could change without one. Ministry of Commerce and Industry representative Ms. rency, which makes US exports more The euro’s decline helped the said would be challenging - and called for With little more than seven months to Latifa Al-Jeean. expensive to foreign buyers, has also WisdomTree Europe Hedged Equity medicines with short shelf-lives to be flown frustrated President Donald Trump, who Fund, up 5.2 percent this year, signifi- go until it leaves the EU on March 29, in to the country. The bank stated that the account prizes this year is Britain has yet to reach an agreement with featured by the highest cash prize and diversity of is trying to reduce US trade deficits. cantly outperform the nearly flat 0.4 per- The drugs sector is one of the most vul- Yet among the least popular cent return of the unhedged Vanguard the bloc on the terms of its departure. nerable because of uncertainty as to how prizes throughout the year clarifying that Al-Najma Prime Minister Theresa May’s plan for a Account will offer weekly prize of KD 5,000 and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) this year FTSE Europe ETF, according to medicines oversight will function. It wel- Thomson Reuters’ Lipper research unit. “business-friendly” deal has failed to monthly prize of KD 20,000 and a semi-annual prize of are “currency hedged” funds, which comed plans to recognise EU tested and Nonetheless, the hedged WisdomTree impress negotiators in Brussels and has KD 500,000 in addition to the grand prize (the biggest invest in stocks abroad but strip out the licensed products, but said the EU needed Europe fund hemorrhaged $2.2 billion been heavily criticised at home. prize in the world) of KD 1,500,000 for which the draw effect of a foreign currency’s perform- to show similar flexibility, echoing warnings because of withdrawals this year, far “We have a duty, as a responsible gov- will be held in January 2019. Al-Najma Account can be ance using derivatives. That makes the from other industry bodies that govern- higher than the $755 million investors ernment, to plan for every eventuality,” opened by depositing KD 100, and customer should funds more resilient in a “King Dollar” ment contingency plans could be blunted pulled from the unhedged Vanguard Raab said. “To do this, we need to have a maintain a minimum amount of KD 500 to be eligible to world, when the greenback is dominant, unless the EU cooperates. Group Inc product, Lipper said. sensible, responsible and realistic conver- Industry also welcomed the fact that enter all draws on Al-Najma Account prizes. As for the which hurts US investors converting for- Fast-trading investors are playing a sation about what a no deal situation really import Value Added Tax on goods would chances of winning, the more balance a customer main- eign stock gains back into dollars. risky game. Morningstar Inc analyst means in practice.” After more than 40 not have to be paid upfront under a new tains in Al-Najma Account, the more chances the Some investors are betting that the Daniel Sotiroff studied the performance years in the EU, Britain is having to set out “postponed accounting” rule, but UK account holder will get to win, where each KD 25 will dollar’s run has gone too far given the risk of seismic US congressional elec- of the currency-hedged funds from 2010 its plans for every aspect of life. Around 80 recipients of expensive parcels from EU give the customer one chance to win, the account also to 2018 and found investors typically technical notices are expected over the businesses will have to pay tax in line with offers additional benefits like the ATM card, a credit tions in November or the potential for the US Federal Reserve to slow down underperformed the market by attempt- coming weeks, with the first 25 covering current rules for non-EU countries. On card against customer’s account and all CBK banking the pace of interest rate hikes. ing to time the currency market. everything from the movement of organs, financial services the government said services that customer can enjoy. “We’re not really hedged right now Still, the dollar tends to falter later in blood and sperm to nuclear regulation and Britons will have to pay more to make card Now CBK existing customers can open Al-Najma even though the consensus is for a the year, especially ahead of US midterm organic food. payments in the EU and businesses on the Account through Al-Tijari Online and enter all draws strong dollar,” said Komson Silapachai, elections, Silapachai said. The November The guidelines make it clear that com- continent could be cut off from investment without visiting the Bank’s branch. However, CBK non- vice president of research and portfolio elections could hand control of the US panies trading with Europe would face new banks in London if there is a no-deal customers can submit an account opening application strategy at Sage Advisory Services Ltd. Senate or House of Representatives to customs and excise rules and require Brexit. More than a million Britons living via the Bank’s website where the Bank’ Sales Unit will “We think there’s a bigger chance that Democrats, who are currently in the paperwork covering customs and safety abroad may not be able to access their UK call them to arrange a visit to the customers to com- the market is underpricing the chance minority, opinion polls show. — Reuters declarations. If Britain left without a deal bank services to receive pensions and plete the account opening formalities. “the free circulation of goods between the salaries, the document said. — Reuters Established 1961 15 Technology Monday, August 27, 2018 Delayed wages and lower profits: Chinese gaming companies fret Chinese gaming industry expected to rake in $37.9bn this year

BEIJING/SHANGHAI: As a publisher of res ranging from sports to puzzles. technology, who scrutinise things like con- family-friendly games like “Gardenscapes” The company was previously listed on tent and copyrights. Additional approvals and “Toy Blast”, iDreamSky Technology the United States’ Nasdaq board and is are required for imported games. never expected to get caught up in a tangle backed by Tencent, which is its second- “You need licenses for everything in with Chinese regulators. largest shareholder with a 20.65 percent China,” said David Hanson, co-chief execu- But the Shenzhen-based gaming compa- stake. iDreamSky did not respond to tive of the gaming distribution platform ny is enduring an unprecedented wait for requests for comment. Ultra. “But in the West it’s instant - you work over a dozen of its games to be approved in a basement and then release your game.” for release in China, a situation it fears could Rich pickings impact profits this year. China overtook the United States as the Long queues iDreamSky is one of many Chinese gam- largest single gaming market by revenue in Tencent last week said a government ing firms fretting over the implications of a 2016, and is expected to rake in $37.9 billion restructuring had caused a temporary sus- regulatory hold-up that began in March and this year, up 17 percent from last year, pension of approvals that would have prompted Tencent, China’s largest social according to the research firm Newzoo. allowed it to monetize its most popular media and gaming company, to warn of game. The Chinese government in March slower revenue growth. split the industry’s main regulator into two The reason for the approval slowdown units, while transferring some power to the appears to be the result of a bureaucratic Communist Party propaganda department, reshuffle this year as China tightened its Regulatory in a step aimed at strengthening its grip FUYANG, China: People playing online games at an Internet cafe in Fuyang, Anhui grip on content for entertainment ranging over content and ideology. Government province, China. — Reuters from video games to television reality approval data shows that the reorganization coin- shows. Those changes have bogged down cided with a halt in approvals. the approval process as the purview of freeze hits China gave the green light to 1,982 company has seven employees. “My goal for city of Hangzhou who examines games each regulatory office is refined, industry domestic and foreign online games this year is not to go bankrupt.” before they go to the central regulator for insiders say. While analysts expect Tencent between January and March this year Fuchun Technology Co Ltd, which makes further checks. He said that there had been to bounce back thanks to its many busi- before suddenly stopping approvals, mobile, console and online games, said in a tightening this year on what types of ness streams, they say many smaller com- according to government data. In 2017, it July that it would likely report a fall in profit content were acceptable. panies that rely on a few game releases a The Chinese gaming industry comprises approved a total of 9,651 domestic and for- of up to 75 percent for the first half as it was Content seen as being at odds with year are at risk. over 200 companies, 188 of which are pub- eign online games. China’s Ministry of unable to release new games as scheduled. China’s “socialist core values” is being “It’s hurt us a lot,” said one iDreamSky licly listed and earn 90 percent of total rev- Culture and Tourism did not respond to scrubbed, while games that are too violent employee, referring to the approval situa- enue, Newzoo said. These companies are requests for comment. A founder of a gam- No zombies and gory - for example those involving tion. “This will have an impact on our busi- subject to complicated game approval pro- ing studio in the northern province of Hebei, Some reprieve has been given in the zombies - are being rejected, said the cen- ness in the second half of this year and next cedures in China, with executives saying who would only agree to use his surname, form of a “green channel” which allows sor, who only gave his surname as Zhang. year.” The employee spoke on condition of that it can take six months or more for a Cang, said he been forced to delay salary new games to obtain one-month temporary For now, companies can only keep apply- anonymity, citing market sensitivities. game to be approved for sale. payments and use his own money to keep licenses for new games, but only ten have ing for approvals and hope things change, iDreamSky, which is planning to list on Games have to be approved by the gov- his business going. so far been granted this, industry execu- said the iDreamSky employee. “We’re still fill- the Hong Kong stock exchange, said in May ernment watchdogs for media publication, “The approval freeze hits small game tives said. The government is still assessing ing out all the applications,” she said. “Maybe it expected to launch 13 licensed and self- cyberspace and intellectual property, as well companies like mine the hardest, it makes it games despite the halt in approvals, said a things will get back to business by October or developed games in 2018 and 2019, in gen- as the ministries for culture and information hard for us to go on,” said Cang, whose censor at a publishing house in the eastern end of the year. We all hope so.” — Reuters

Drones offer high-tech help Facebook, Twitter, Google and Tech giants aim Microsoft blocking accounts from to Japan’s Russian and Iranian entities which the to coordinate companies said were propagating ageing farmers misinformation aimed at disrupting the November US elections. TOME, Japan: The next generation farm- fight on On Thursday, Google said that hand in Japan’s ageing rural heartland may be working with the cybersecurity firm a drone. For several months, developers and misinformation FireEye, it linked the accounts to the farmers in northeast Japan have been testing Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting a new drone that can hover above paddy as part of an effort dating to at least fields and perform backbreaking tasks in a WASHINGTON: Major technology January 2017. fraction of the time it takes for elderly farm- firms including Facebook, Google and Earlier this week, Facebook ers. “This is unprecedented high technology,” Twitter were set to meet Friday as announced it removed more than 650 said Isamu Sakakibara, a 69-year-old rice part of an effort to coordinate the pages, groups and accounts identified farmer in the Tome area, a region that has battle against misinformation cam- as “networks of accounts misleading supplied rice to Tokyo since the 17th century. paigns by foreign agents, a media people about what they were doing.” Developers of the new agricultural drone TOKYO: Developers of the new agricultural drone say it offers high-tech relief for rural report said. Separately, Twitter said it suspend- say it offers high-tech relief for rural commu- communities facing a shortage of labor as young people leave for the cities. The report by BuzzFeed based on a ed 284 accounts “for engaging in nities facing a shortage of labor as young leaked email said the companies were coordinated manipulation,” adding people leave for the cities. set to meet at Twitter’s headquarters that “it appears many of these “As we face a shortage of next-generation The Nile-T18 was developed by drone “It’s a matter of whether the body breaks in San Francisco. Microsoft, Snapchat accounts originated from Iran. farmers, it’s our mission to come up with new start-up Nileworks Inc and recently tested in down first, or the tractor,” he added. and other tech firms were expected to Former Facebook security chief ideas to raise productivity and farmers’ collaboration with JA Miyagi Tome and trad- Compared to larger radio-controlled mini- participate in the gathering called by Alex Stamos said in a blog post income through the introduction of cutting- ing house Sumitomo Corp. helicopters that cost around 15 million yen Facebook cybersecurity head Wednesday that gaping holes remain edge technologies such as drones,” said Their aim is to ease the physical burden ($135,758) with spray equipment, the drone is Nathaniel Gleicher. in online platforms and that not Sakakibara, who is also the head of JA Miyagi and improve productivity in rural areas bat- smaller and cheaper, with a pricetag of about “As I’ve mentioned to several of enough is being done to counter for- Tome, the local agricultural cooperative. tling decades of falling birth rates and migra- 4 million yen. Nileworks is negotiating with you over the last few weeks, we have eign interference ahead of the elec- The drone can apply pesticides and fertil- tion to urban areas. In Tome, farmers are an authorities to allow operators to fly its drone been looking to schedule a follow-on tions. “The revelations are evidence izer to a rice field in about 15 minutes - a job average 67-68 years old and they may only without a license. It can be controlled with an discussion to our industry conversa- that Russia has not been deterred and that takes more than an hour by hand and have another 4-5 years of farming left, iPad and runs on mapping software that is tion about information operations, that Iran is following in its footsteps,” requires farmers to lug around heavy tanks. Sakakibara said. simple to operate. — Reuters election protection, and the work we Stamos wrote on the Lawfare blog. are all doing to tackle these chal- “If the United States continues lenges,” Gleicher wrote, according to down this path, it risks allowing its BuzzFeed. elections to become the World Cup of Twitter declined to comment on information warfare, in which US Data dump: China the report. Facebook and Google did adversaries and allies battle to impose not immediately respond to an AFP their various interests on the sees surge in query. The news follows actions by American electorate.” — AFP personal info up for sale standing on ever-shrinking terrain. The game passed a billion dollars in SHANGHAI: When William Zhang’s car insur- ‘Fortnite’ fever ance was about to expire in March, he didn’t revenue last month, after earnings from need to look far for renewal options. In the two may be cooling: sales of digital items such as dance months before the policy was up Zhang moves or avatar outfits climbed 7 per- received calls almost daily from insurers trying cent from April to May. to sell him a new one. Since his initial policy Market tracker Reasons for its popularity include was from Ping An Insurance Group, it was nat- that it can be played for free on a range ural the company had been in touch. of devices including smartphones, per- “What confuses me is how other insurance SAN FRANCISCO: The frenzy over sonal computers and consoles. companies knew about it,” said Zhang, a 26- the phenomenally popular video game “Fortnite”-the star of Los Angeles’ year-old government employee from “Fortnite” may be easing, according to Electronic Entertainment Expo video Shandong. Three other car owners told revenue estimates released Thursday by game extravaganza in Los Angeles in June-still remained the top money maker Reuters that they had experienced the same People have their picture taken by the China International Big Data Industry Expo logo in market tracker SuperData. on consoles in July, according to problem. Personal data has become widely Guiyang, Guizhou province. — Reuters The free online game’s revenue grew available in China and can be scooped up for just 2 percent in July from the previous SuperData. pennies by insurance companies, banks, loan month-despite creator Epic Games However, the game faces increasing sharks, and scammers alike, according to sell- online data sellers, who themselves have Tencent’s instant messaging service QQ and releasing a new season of its “battle competition as game makers add battle ers and financiers interviewed by Reuters. acquired the information illegally, according to Baidu Inc’s forum site Tieba. pass” offering digital perks and added royale modes to popular titles and pro- In May, China introduced its most compre- people in the industry. Baidu declined to comment. In a statement challenges. “Fortnite’s peak may be mote eSports leagues to win over play- hensive data protection laws to date, tighten- Some companies illegally buy information emailed to Reuters, Tencent said it was “com- behind us,” SuperData said. ers. Metrics from Amazon-owned game ing restrictions on the sharing of private data from the department of motor vehicles, car mitted to the protection of user privacy and However, some game industry insiders play streaming service Twitch on held by financial institutions and other firms. licensing authorities, car sellers, or from police maintaining data security”. contend that the game’s typically Thursday showed that “Dota 2” was the “Personal information leaks are risky,” said stations, said Michelle Hu, a partner at Boston Information sellers post ads in the online school-age fans may just be on summer most popular title with viewers so far Susan Ning, a partner at the law firm King Consulting Group who has been a consultant groups and negotiate with buyers through pri- vacations-and could come back in force in August, relegating “Fortnite” to sec- & Wood Mallesons in Beijing. “Such infor- on insurance deals. vate messages on QQ or WeChat. Five sellers once lessons get back underway. ond place. mation can facilitate other crimes,” she added. By entering keywords like “personal data” offered to sell Reuters lists from financial insti- “Fortnite” became an eSports phe- Players worldwide spent $8.2 billion or “cellphone data”, in Chinese, Reuters found tutions of “people who need loans”, “people nomena after last year’s release of a free on digital games in July, in a 3 percent increase from the same month late year, Data trade more than 30 groups created for the purpose who need insurance”, and “Shanghainese men “Battle Royale” mode that lets up to 100 Insurers often buy numbers from shadowy of selling and buying personal information on aged between 30 to 50”. — Reuters players vie to be the last character SuperData said. — AFP 16 Monday, August 27, 2018

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Boars ravage land, crops as their population soars

SAINT-MALO, France: With a gaping fertile, reproducing quickly and adapting to create business and don’t maintain their hole in the ground and tangled corn stalks pressure from hunting,” says ONCFS fences.” The Regional Hunters’ Federation strewn across Yves Rolland’s field, it looks researcher Christine Saint-Andrieux. offers compensation to farmers whose land as if it has been hit by a tornado. He already Various factors have encouraged the pigs is wrecked by boars, but Jean-Baptiste knows who the culprits are. “Every year it to multiply and to leave the woods, she Mainsard, a member of France’s Chamber of gets worse. They destroy everything,” the says, notably urbanization and climate Agriculture, says it is not enough. “When French farmer fumes, striding through change which is altering their traditional they send an expert who decides that the what’s left of the crop. “The boars come habitats. damage comes to less than 200 euros or every night, in a pack. They nibble a little three percent of the land, the farmer gets bit over here, a little bit over there, tram- Ageing hunters nothing and has to pay for sending them pling on everything.” In the Ille-et-Vilaine area of Brittany out,” Mainsard says. Among possible solu- Like farmers across Europe, Rolland is where Rolland lives, 3,000 boars have been tions, he adds, “We have to make hunting suffering the consequences of an explosion killed this year, but farmers say recreational easier.” Regional measures such as a 50 in the wild boar population euro fee for each boar shot discourage over the past three decades, hunting, he complains. venturing off woodland in search of food. They have Anger in the countryside already ravaged eight The farmers meeting near Saint-Malo hectares of his land this have created a petition urging the state to year — 10 percent of his The boars come act, including by setting up a volunteer farm on the edge of the hunting force that could spring into action Paimpont forest in the every night when needed. Regional hunting chief Andre northern French region of Douard says he is already doing “every- Brittany. As well as the valu- thing possible to encourage” people to take able crops lost, the large aim at the pigs. “Hunting is a hobby, it’s vol- RHODES, France: This file photo shows a wild boar at the Animal Park of Sainte-Croix bristly pigs have munched untary. We don’t have the power to force in Rhodes, eastern France. —AFP through feed he was growing for his live- hunting is failing to keep their numbers in anyone,” he says. The 50 euro fee per boar stock, which he will now have to buy. “My check. Under the driving rain in a field near goes to the compensation fund for farmers father never saw boars when he was a the Breton port city of Saint-Malo, a dozen whose land gets trampled, he adds, so industry already in crisis because of rising banker. Any government moves to encour- farmer. Now we’ve been invaded,” he says. farmers meet to brainstorm solutions. scrapping it would not help. costs and falling prices. Douard says that age hunting will meet with stiff opposition The number of boars shot by French “Some hunters are doing their bit but oth- A large part of the problem, according to centrist President Emmanuel Macron is from the animal rights lobby, however. hunters gives an idea of how their numbers ers prefer to hunt just on the weekends Douard, is that hunters are “getting older already aware of the problem. Actress and vocal animal rights activist have soared. Some 150,000 were killed in during the hunting season. They’re not put- and rarer” as rural France empties out Yet the boars add to a litany of issues Brigitte Bardot has already called on envi- 1990-91, according to hunting authority ting in the work,” one farmer grumbles. towards the cities. One farmer warned that causing anger in the countryside, where ronment minister Nicolas Hulot to resign, ONCFS, but by 2016-17, the figure had Another charges that private companies the boars could be “the straw that breaks critics say their struggles are low down the saying he is not cracking down on hunting swelled to 700,000. “The animals are very that rent hunting land “feed the boars to the camel’s back” for French farming, an list of priorities for the former investment enough. —AFP

Birds that blush:

in the worst-hit areas of northern and Scientists ‘Snake alert’ central Kerala had reported an increase in the number of patients document an seeking treatment for snake bites. Vava issued in India’s Suresh, a local snake handler, told the Hindustan Times newspaper he had animal mystery flood-hit Kerala received some 22 calls from worried residents and caught 5 cobras in NEW DELHI: Hospitals are readying Ernakulam district. “One was found WASHINGTON: Have you ever heard of anti-venom and flood victims returning inside the wardrobe on the second macaws that blush, much like humans do at an home in the Indian state of Kerala have floor of a house... while another one emotional moment? Researchers still don’t been told to stay alert as receding was inside a shelf in a house,” he said. quite understand how it works, but a French waters leave behind a glut of snakes. State authorities and wildlife team says they have observed the phenome- Local media reports warned that experts have formed teams to come non multiple times in a group of five captive snakes may be “hiding in cupboards” to the aid of those who have found blue-and-yellow macaws (Ara ararauna) WASHINGTON: This undated handout photo shows a ‘blushing’ Macaw, left, compared to a or under carpets, among clothes or snakes in their home, according to macaws. They published their findings ‘non-blushing’ Macaw, right. —AFP inside washing machines in homes pre- local media. The PTI news agency Wednesday in the journal PLOS One. viously submerged by floods that have said the government had roped in a Blue-and-yellow macaws have a part of devastated parts of the southern state. local snake expert, who advised their cheeks that is naked, uncovered by experiment to film and photograph the birds birds remain a mystery, plenty is known, how- “Snakes are spotted at many flood- returning residents to use a stick to feathers, and researchers noticed that this fair on perches during organized interactions with ever, about their intelligence, which can be hit homes and alerts have been issued sift through their belongings and not skin would redden during interactions with their habitual human handlers, such as talking high and comparable to that of some mammals. to exercise caution when returning to touch household appliances with their handlers. “Birds don’t have muscles in and looking at them. Sure enough, they saw Many birds are known to be able to use home,” Kerala government spokesman bare hands. their faces,” explained lead researcher Aline the birds’ skin reddened around the eyes dur- tools in order solve problems, for example. Subhash T.V said on Friday. “Hospitals Around a million people are still Bertin of INRA, a French public research ing these encounters. When it comes to emotions and stress, scien- too have been equipped to face the packed into temporary camps even institute dedicated to agricultural science. The experiment was limited by its small tists have described birds ruffling their feath- situation. Instructions have been given though the floods, which have left at “Their facial expressions have never been size-only five birds were studied. So scientists ers during mating rituals, or conflict situa- to arrange facilities to treat snakebite least 420 dead and missing, are fast studied,” she told AFP. cannot say for certain why the birds appeared tions. “People don’t usually think of birds as victims. “Anti-venom and other neces- subsiding. The government says that Anecdotally, people who took care of to blush. “We don’t know if these birds can feel having an emotional life that is as complex as sary medicines are stored at all hospi- more than 10,000 kilometers of roads macaws noticed them blushing, their cheeks positive emotions,” said Bertin. But the an ape, a dog, or a cat,” said Bertin. “It tals, especially those in flood-hit have been destroyed or damaged reddening with increased blood flow, much research could pave the way for more experi- doesn’t shock anyone to see a parrot in a pet areas,” he added. while a legislator said 50,000 houses like in humans, But they still needed to docu- ments on aimed at “better understanding the store cage. We don’t really see this with pri- Local media said several hospitals had been wiped out. —AFP ment the phenomenon. So they set up an sensibilities of birds.” If the emotional lives of mates. There’s a disconnect there.”—AFP

Rain brings relief to Saga of early humans DR Congo rolls drought-stricken etched in DNA of out prototype Australia farmers mixed-species child Ebola drugs PARIS: Denny was an inter-species love child. Her mother was a Neanderthal, but her father was SYDNEY: Widespread rain fell across drought-affect- BENI, DR Congo: An outbreak of Ebola in east- Denisovan, a distinct species of primitive human that also ed parts of eastern Australia over the weekend, bring- ern DR Congo has killed 67 people this month, roamed the Eurasian continent 50,000 years ago, scien- ing relief to farmers struggling to cope with the driest authorities said yesterday, as they roll out a bat- tists reported Wednesday in the journal Nature. conditions in more than half a century. Grazers have tery of new drugs to tackle the virus amid con- Nicknamed by Oxford University scientists, Denisova 11 had to hand-feed sheep and cattle, sell down stock-and cerns it has spread to a rebel-encircled area. A — her official name-was at least 13 when she died, for in some cases even shoot them to end their suffering-as total of 105 cases have been reported since the reasons unknown. they run out of hay and grain in the severe conditions flare-up of Ebola began on August 1 in Mangina “There was earlier evidence of interbreeding between affecting Queensland and New South Wales states. in North Kivu province, according to the health different hominin, or early human, groups,” said lead The wet weather was the first farmers in some ministry, out of which 77 have been confirmed by author Vivian Slon, a researcher at the Max Planck areas had seen for more than a year, and even includ- laboratory tests. Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology. “But this is the ed hail. But locals cautioned the ground had become It said 11 people have recovered from the virus first time that we have found a direct, first-generation so dry in recent months that more downpours over the and 67 had died. Health minister Oly Ilunga offspring,” she told AFP. Denny’s surprising pedigree was next few weeks and months would be needed to make Kalenga travelled to Mangina on Thursday and saw unlocked from a bone fragment unearthed in 2012 by a difference. “Those rains will be far from drought two patients being discharged after they were Russian archeologists at the Denisova Cave in the Altai breaking,” National Farmers’ Federation president treated with a new prototype treatment called Mountains of Siberia. Analysis of the bone’s DNA left no Fiona Simson told the Australian Broadcasting TAMWORTH: Sheep eat grain on a drought-affected mAb114. “These two people are among the first 10 doubt: the chromosomes were a 50-50 mix of Corporation on Sunday. paddock on a property on the outskirts of Tamworth, patients to have received the therapeutic molecule Neanderthal and Denisovan, two distinct species of early “What we need is 20 next week on 20 the next New South Wales in Australia. — Reuters mAb114,” the ministry said in a statement. humans that split apart between 400,000 to 500,000 week, 20 the next week, and... (in the) next few Developed in the United States, it is the first years ago. “I initially thought that they must have months... to aptly build up those depleted soil and therapeutic drug to be used in an active Ebola epi- screwed up in the lab,” said senior author and Max moisture reserves in the soil.” The respite came as new Morrison to factor the battle against climate change demic in the DRC. Earlier this week, the health min- Planck Institute professor Svante Paabo, who identified Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he would make into his drought policies, amid a push by the right wing istry said four other experimental drugs had been the first Denisovan a decade ago at the same site. addressing the drought the top priority of his govern- of his Liberal Party to ditch an emissions mitigation approved for treating infected patients. On Friday, Worldwide, fewer than two dozen early human ment.”It was pleasing to see the report on the rain yes- policy which contributed to Turnbull’s ousting. the World Health Organization warned that signs genomes from before 40,000 years ago-Neanderthal, terday in the last 24 hours,” Morrison, who will visit “If he is not prepared to stand up and say ‘this is a the virus had spread to the city of Oicha in North Denisovan, Homo sapiens-have been sequenced, and the stricken areas with the deputy PM this week, told ABC consequence of climate change and I am going to Kivu could frustrate efforts to contain the virus. chances of stumbling on a half-and-half hybrid seemed radio early Sunday. “That is encouraging, but we know commit to both mitigation and adaptation’, then he While Oicha itself is not under rebel control, vanishingly small. Or not. “The very fact that we found that is nowhere near what is obviously needed.” will fail farmers,” shadow agriculture minister Joel WHO emergency response chief Peter Salama said this individual of mixed Neanderthal and Denisovan ori- The government under previous PM Malcolm Fitzgibbon told Fairfax Media. While droughts are the city was entirely surrounded by territory held gins suggests that they interbred much more often than Turnbull, who was ousted in a party coup Friday, had not uncommon in Australia, the length and severity of by a feared Ugandan insurgent group known as the we thought,” said Slon. Paabo agreed: “They must have pledged Aus$1.8 billion in financial aid for grazers and the dry conditions have strained farmers’ efforts to Allied Democratic Forces (ADF). —AFP quite commonly had kids together, otherwise we local communities. The Labor opposition called on stay afloat. —AFP wouldn’t have been this lucky.” —AFP 18 Established 1961 Stars Monday, August 27, 2018

CROSSWORD 1993 STAR TRACK

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

It may seem as if your life has taken on a somewhat mystical quality at an emotional You may find your life taking on a kind of mystical quality on the emotional and and instinctive level. You find your dreams take priority over your realities. Forgiveness instinctive levels. Dreams and illusions, forgiveness and understanding of human is on your mind and you long to have harmony in all of your relationships. A sense of frailties are the things that arouse deep feelings. The past and the future come true peace is what you desire. You may find with minimal effort today is a day that you together. The stumbling blocks between people seem to dissolve on their own. are able to dissolve barriers. Fences may be mended, and awkward relationships may Things seem to be falling in place around you. Little or no effort needs to be made fall right back into place. You long for peace and it may seem as if peace is longing to by you. This is the key to the greater psychic and spiritual sensitivity that you may return to your life. Wishes do come true and today will be proof of this in your world. be feeling now. Everything surrounding you and everyone you encounter seem to Enjoy all this day has to offer. bring out the best in you.

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

Scorpio, you may find your life taking on a kind of mystical quality on the emotional Whether a surprise to day is good or bad depends on your interpretation. Look on the and instinctive levels. Dreams and illusions, forgiveness and understanding of human positive side of things. Assume the situation will have a good outcome, and then work frailties are the things that arouse deep feelings. The past and the future come togeth- to make it happen. You can do anything you set your mind to do. You have tremendous er—thankfully the stumbling blocks between people go away. This is the key to the powers that are waiting to be activated. Believe in yourself, Taurus. In addition to con- greater psychic and spiritual sensitivity that you may be feeling now. This a great time vincing others, you may have to convince yourself. for you to be in group setting and be able to express yourself with great understand- ing of your audience. You value your own life situation at this time.

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

Forgiveness and understanding are two awesome qualities to possess. You are able to put both of these to great use today. Both mending It seems as if your job requirements could stifle your sensitivity and hold you back fences and repairing relationships are on the top of your priority list. You seem to be ACROSS 81. Take in solid food. from growing. Do not let all the seriousness take away your emotion. Take special care focused not only on the past but also on the future. You know to move forward and be when handling this situation. It seems as if everything is bringing out the best in you. 1. A change in the electrical properties of at peace you need to let by gones be by gones. This will be a very emotional but Your unique and unusual qualities seem to shine now. You are blessed to find someone the skin in response to stress or anxiety. DOWN empowering time in your life. The decisions you make today will have lasting effects close to you shows you much support. They may find your eccentricities refreshing 4. The visual percept of a region. 1. Offering fun and gaiety. on your life. You seem to really be in touch with a psychic ability you possess today. and find that they are drawn to you. This would be a great time to find new solutions 12. Aircraft landing in bad weather in 2. Speaking a Slavic language. You are able to read the reaction of the people you approach. Love and luck are in to old problems or great inventions. which the pilot is talked down by ground 3. A summary that repeats the substance your favor today. control using precision approach radar. of a longer discussion. 15. Fermented alcoholic beverage similar 4. A tricycle (usually propelled by ped- to but heavier than beer. alling). Cancer (June 21-July 22) Capricorn (December 22-January 19) 16. Trees or shrubs of the families 5. A loose sleeveless outer garment made Ebenaceae or Sapotaceae or Styracaceae from aba cloth. Call it intuition or psychic ability. Whatever label you choose, now is a or Symplocaceae. 6. The part of an organism that connects time you clearly see what the future holds, the next move others are 17. A white linen liturgical vestment with the head to the rest of the body. about to make, and the consequences before the action occurs. You are in touch with sleeves. 7. The smallest of the Great Lakes. You have the ability to get outside yourself and see what is going on with others. This your spiritual side. You are extremely sensitive to all that is around you. The feelings of 18. Resinlike substance secreted by certain 8. Having no parts resembling rays. may mean you see things others are unable to see. It is a gift that could serve you others seem to weigh heavily on you , as if they were your own. You may feel as if you lac insects. 9. An alliance of nations joining together to well in journalism or crime detection. Or, you may just find it useful in personal rela- are weighted down with emotional baggage. This is not from personal issues, rather 19. A metrical unit with stressed- fight a common enemy. tionships. You can see beyond the “what” and identify the “why” in the behavior. from the negative energy you seem to be absorbing from others. This is a good time for you to make arrangements to spend some time alone. This is a time to remember, unstressed-unstressed syllables. 10. A state in New England. the only person you can change is you. 20. A minor Hebrew prophet (8th century 11. The residue that remains when some- BC). thing is burned. 21. A genus of Indriidae. 12. Talks a great deal about uninteresting Aquarius (January 20- February 18) 23. The civil and religious leader of a topics. Leo (July 23-August 22) Muslim state. 13. Clear to the mind. 25. Nocturnal mouselike mammal with 14. Make less active or intense. forelimbs modified to form membranous 22. An ugly evil-looking old woman. Life seems to take on a mystical quality for you now. You may find you develop a wings and anatomical adaptations for 24. Easy and graceful in shape. This is a time of healing in your life. You may see barriers seem to dissolve and rela- greater understanding of just how fragile life is. A wake-up call seems to make you echolocation by which they navigate. 27. The blood group whose red cells carry tionships repaired. Life is to short to hold grudges and you seem to be willing to do realize each day you are alive is a blessing. You are determined to live life to the fullest. 26. Large burrowing rodent of South and both the A and B antigens. whatever it takes with anyone you feel as wronged you. This will bring peace and This is a time you may start living as tomorrow will not come. Life is short and you are Central America. 29. Be earlier in time. harmony into your life. determined to love hard. This seems to influence you to be more affectionate and lov- 28. A roll of photographic film holding a 31. An organ in its earliest stage of devel- ing to those you are close to. You are in love with your life and all those in it. series of frames to be projected by a opment. movie projector. 35. The cardinal number that is the sum of 30. (astronomy) The angular distance of a five and one. celestial point measured westward along 36. An island in Indonesia east of Java. Virgo (August 23-September 22) Pisces (February 19-March 20) the celestial equator from the zenith 37. Lacking sufficient water or rainfall. crossing. 38. A ruler of the Inca Empire (or a mem- 32. Light informal conversation for social ber of his family). occasions. 40. Of or relating to the hands. People are attracted to your non-judgmental attitude. You always give the benefit of You are sensitive and understanding. This makes you a friend that others want to have. 33. The provision of something by issuing 41. An alliance made up of states that had the doubt. This leads people to trust you when you make suggestions for change or Not only do you find others turning to you for advice, but you feel loved and admired. it (usually in quantity). been Soviet Socialist Republics in the improvement. Your friends and coworkers all know they can depend on you to come You are in a great position for your voice to be heard. You will be able to share your 34. A transuranic element that has not Soviet Union prior to its dissolution in Dec through for them. The downside may be that you don’t see character flaws. This can opinions on the matters that mean the most to you and will find that you will easily been found in nature. 1991. lead to deep disappointments. Don’t change your attitude Virgo. It’s a valuable asset. gain support and backing for your cause. You feel great about who you are and what 39. Being of delicate or slender build. 42. Medium-sized tree-dwelling monkey Just watch for the clues. you stand for and are eager to have others join your team. 45. Growing on or living among rocks. of the Amazon basin. 48. Lacking motor coordination. 43. A cord that is drawn through eyelets or 49. Imperfect development. around hooks in order to draw together 50. A ductile gray metallic element of the two edges (as of a shoe or garment). Wordsearch Puzzle Yesterday’s Solution lanthanide series. 44. A highly unstable radioactive element 51. An official prosecutor for a judicial dis- (the heaviest of the halogen series). trict. 46. Small often spiny insectivorous mam- 52. A program that is broadcast again. mal of Madagascar. 53. An event resulting in great loss and 47. Having an illustrious reputation. misfortune. 54. An intensely radioactive metallic ele- 56. Someone who engages in arbitrage ment that occurs in minute amounts in (who purchases securities in one market uranium ores. for immediate resale in another in the hope 55. Used by southerners for an inhabitant of profiting from the price differential). of a northern state in the United States 58. The sense organ for hearing and equi- (especially a Union soldier). librium. 57. Found along western Atlantic coast. 59. (used of count nouns) Every one con- 60. Tropical American trees with palmate- sidered individually. ly compound leaves and showy bell- 62. (biology) Having a nucleus or occur- shaped flowers. ring in the nucleus. 61. A ridge of the earth's crust that has 66. A plant hormone promoting elongation been forced upward between two faults of stems and roots. and so is higher than the surrounding land. 69. (used as a combining form) Recent or 63. Large sweet juicy hybrid between tan- new. gerine and grapefruit having a thick wrin- 70. Title for a civil or military leader kled skin. (especially in Turkey). 64. part of the peritoneum attached to the 71. A person who is deemed to be despi- stomach and to the colon and covering the cable or contemptible. intestines. 73. A bay on the Mediterranean Sea in 65. A circular segment of a curve. northern Egypt. 67. An association of people to promote 74. Turn sharply. the welfare of senior citizens. 76. A distillery where beer is brewed. 68. Make amends for. 78. The compass point that is one point 72. A nuclear reactor that uses water as a south of due east. coolant and moderator. 79. A local and well-defined elevation of 75. Angular distance above the horizon the land. (especially of a celestial object). 80. Strip something of drapery. 77. (Akkadian) God of wisdom.

Yesterday’s Solution

Daily SuDoku Yesterday’s Solution Established 1961

Lifestyle MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 2018

In this photo Bhutanese people monk walk in a square overlook by The Buddha Dordenma statue atop a hill in Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park in Bhutan’s capital Thimphu. — AFP Sent packing: Hong Kong’s elderly cardboard collectors er fingers are bent from 20 years of col- if I can still work, I don’t want to rely on others.” sions and savings in a city where the wealth gap is could be a “waste paper crisis” in Hong Kong as Au and her husband at least have a roof over lecting cardboard from Hong Kong’s Au turned to cardboard collecting after growing-the cost of living in Hong Kong ranked rubbish piles up, eventually ending up in landfill their heads-they own an apartment they bought Hstreets, but Au Fung-lan says she has no being laid off as a factory worker and courier. fourth highest in the world in 2018, according to sites, he said. in the 1970s, which gives them some security. desire to give up the grueling work. At 67- She has three grown-up children with jobs but the Economist Intelligence Unit. “Cardboard col- The city relies on landfills to dispose of most But it also precludes them from receiving gov- years-old she is one of around 2,900 collectors, does not want to depend on them for help. By lecting is part of a sub-economy activity which of its waste but they are already overloaded. ernment subsidies, except for a small monthly mainly women over the age of 60, whose frail working from pre-dawn until dusk, she earns up supports grassroots residents’ livelihoods,” says Lau says he hopes Hong Kong will still be allowance for the over 70s, which Au’s husband figures are a familiar sight, guiding trolleys to HK$300 (around $38) daily, selling 300 kilo- WPP spokesman Tang Wing-him. allowed to export some waste to China, given its receives on top of his pension as a former bus loaded with cardboard through a city clogged grams of cardboard at HK$1 (13 US cents) per status as a Special Administrative Region of the driver. Au’s children have urged her to give up with traffic and people. kilo. It is a phenomenal work rate and much Waste crisis country. Other countries are not an option due cardboard collecting, but she sees it as an They pick up discarded packing boxes from higher than the average collector who makes WPP estimates at least 193 tons of waste to the cost of shipping, according to Lau. He investment in her future. “I told them: ‘If you shops, markets and residential buildings, selling around HK$47.30 a day, according to concern paper is delivered to recycling depots by the also urged the Hong Kong government to speed think I bring shame on you, then don’t call me them for a few dollars to recycling depots, group Waste Pickers Platform (WPP). elderly collectors each day. Jacky Lau, director up a plan to build a local recycling plant to Mum when you see me,’” she told AFP. “They where cardboard is more valuable than plastic. Au attributes her bent fingers to years of of a local business association for the waste and process waste paper. With the future uncertain, kept quiet after that.”—AFP The depots then ship it abroad-up to 95 per- tearing cardboard with her hands to flatten it. recycling industry, said the China ban could not cent of it to mainland China in 2016, according She has been hit by a car twice, injuring her only wipe out work for collectors like Au, but to local authorities-as Hong Kong has no recy- shoulders and feet as she pushes her trolley would be devastating for the cities’ depots too. cling plants of its own to convert it into usable along a busy road to the local depot in the resi- If those businesses were forced to close there materials. However, as China closes the door to dential neighborhood of Kwai Fong. Her trolley imported rubbish, even from semi-autonomous and cardboard have also been confiscated sev- regions such as Hong Kong, Au’s livelihood is eral times by government hygiene inspectors. under threat. But she says she enjoys what she calls the free- Beijing no longer wants the country to be a dom of working for herself. “I’m not afraid. I do global trash can and has already started phasing it every day,” she says. out taking solid waste-a process it expects to As unofficial freelance workers, collectors complete by 2020. Pragmatic Au says she tries like Au have no legal recognition or employment not to think too much about her work drying up. rights. China’s imminent waste ban could wipe She continues to put in 14-hour days so she can out this informal economy, which NGO workers afford a carer for herself and her 77-year-old say is key to some of the city’s elderly. Eighty husband, also a cardboard collector, when they percent of the collectors are over 60, with the finally decide to give up work. “Some people oldest in their 90s. Eighty percent are women think our work is arduous and look down on us. and around a third work at least an eight-hour They say: ‘You are so old, go home and enjoy day, according to WPP. This picture shows the hands of life. Why collect cardboard?’” Au told AFP. “But Many are doing it to supplement their pen- cardboard collector Au Fung-lan.

This picture shows workers at a recycling depot loading cardboard into an industrial compactor.

This picture shows cardboard collector Au Fung-lan tying down her trolley full of cardboard before making her way to a recycling depot in the Kwai Fong district of Hong Kong. — AFP photos Cardboard collector Au Fung-lan pushes her trolley full of cardboard. 20 Established 1961

Monday, August 27, 2018 Lifestyle Music & Movies Glamorous Venice Film Festival courts controversy lobal superstars Lady Gaga, Ryan Water”. Australian Jennifer Kent is the only the first man to walk on the moon. However the Gosling and Vanessa Redgrave descend woman gunning for the Golden Lion this year, most eagerly awaited appearance on the red Gon Venice this week as the annual film with “The Nightingale”. The lack of female carpet will undoubtedly be that of provocative festival kicks off Wednesday to controversy directors was blasted by feminist associations pop superstar Lady Gaga, who stars in the out- over the inclusion of Netflix productions and in an open letter sent on August 11 to the festi- of-competition “A Star is Born”. there being just one female director in competi- val’s artistic director Alberto Barbera. Bradley Cooper plays a hard-drinking coun- tion. Some 21 features will be locking horns for The letter was a reaction not just to the fes- try artist who discovers a young singer played the prized Golden Lion, which will be awarded tival’s male-centric selection but also to state- by Gaga and is also making his directorial on September 8 at the Palazzo del Cinema on ments by Barbera, who in a recent press con- debut with the film. The pair also wrote and the Venice Lido, the iconic setting for Luchino ference explained that he made his choices recorded new songs for the film, the third Visconti’s masterpiece “Death in Venice”. based on “the quality of the film and not the sex remake of the entertainment industry romance The festival jury is chaired by Guillermo Del of the director”. “If we impose quotas, I resign,” classic. Among the major names expected on Toro, last year’s winner with “The Shape of he said, defending a selection criticised as the lagoon are Frenchman Jacques Audiard- “politically incorrect”, especially compared to who this time is taking on the Western genre the latest edition of Canne, which saw a call for with “The Sisters Brothers”-and his country- geneder equality in cinema. man Olivier Assayas, in competition with the A number of films being shown in Venice comedy “Non-Fiction”, starring his favorite have been picked up by streaming service actress Juliette Binoche. Netflix, including the the Coen Brothers’ “The Grand Prix winner at Cannes in 2015 and Ballad of Buster Scruggs”. Starring Tim Blake Oscar winner for best foreign film the following Nelson, James Franco and Liam Neeson, “The year with his first feature film “The Son of Ballad of Buster Scruggs” features six tales Saul”, the Hungarian Laszlo Nemes will return about the Wild West narrated by Joel and Ethan to big competition with “Sunset”. Big things are Coen. The inclusion of Netflix films and their also expected from “The Favourite”, a period contemporaneous release in theatres and online drama by Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos has drawn the wrath of Italy’s two major cinema that plunges viewers into the court of Queen US actor and director George Clooney signs autographs before the premiere of the movie ‘Suburbicon’ associations Anec and Anem, who feel people Anne at the beginning of the 18th century and presented out of competition at the 74th Venice Film Festival at Venice Lido. — AFP photos will stay at home rather go out to watch the stars Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz. As every movies. said during the press conference presenting the “First Man”, the new film from the Oscar-win- year, the festivfal will award two Golden Lions “I can’t see any reason why a film by (direc- festival to reporters last month. ning director of “La La Land” Damien Chazelle. for their career to two film giants, in this case British actress Vanessa Redgrave gestures as she tor of Golden Lion contender “Roma”, Alfonso) The film, which stars Canadian Ryan Gosling, the 81-year-old British actress Vanessa leaves a hotel during the 64th Venice International Cuaron or the Coens should be excluded just First Man follows the life of astronaut Neil Armstrong in Redgrave and Canadian director David Film Festival in Venice. because they’re produced by Netflix,” Berbera The star-studded festival kicks off with the years leading up to 1969, when he became Cronenberg. — AFP

ward-winning ratings smash “The Big on 279 episodes-is a rare example of a Bang Theory” will end with the finale long-running hit TV series that has managed Aof its 12th season in May next year, to retain its massive viewing figures. The last CBS said on Wednesday, lavishing praise on season attracted an audience of almost 19 the long-running comedy. Focusing on a million per episode, not far off its ninth sea- highly intelligent but socially-awkward pro- son peak of 20.4 million. It hit the headlines fessor and his group of scientist friends, “Big in its most recent seasons for a deal which Bang” was the biggest comedy ratings draw meant its lead cast of Jim Parsons, Johnny on broadcast television for years, winning 10 Galecki, Kunal Nayyar, Simon Helberg, Emmys. Kaley Cuoco, Mayim Bialik and Melissa “We are forever grateful to our fans for Rauch all earning the same-estimated at a their support of ‘The Big Bang Theory’ dur- shade under $1 million an episode. ing the past 12 seasons,” CBS said in a state- “There are many ways to look at the ment released jointly with producers Warner dozen years of ‘Big Bang Theory’ as we Bros. Television and Chuck Lorre draw to a close, but for me it will be the Productions. “We, along with the cast, writ- family that gathered each week to create a ers and crew, are extremely appreciative of true labor of love,” tweeted co-creator Bill the show’s success and aim to deliver a final Prady. “I will treasure my Big Bang family In this file photo a member of Sudan’s Nuba community season, and series finale, that will bring ‘The to the end of my days.” Last year CBS pre- version of nerdy genius Sheldon Cooper. It premieres on Monday September 24 dances during the Nuba Mountains Cultural Heritage Big Bang Theory’ to an epic creative close.” miered “Young Sheldon,” a prequel series begins its second season on CBS in before shifting back to its regular Festival, marking the International Day of the World’s The show-which will end its 12-year run starring Iain Armitage as a nine-year-old September. The main show’s final season Thursday time slot. —AFP Indigenous Peoples in Omdurman. — AFP raveling Africa in search of its music, Vik Sohonie was struck by a common influence- After US hype, Asia greets TSudan, whose songs still hold power over a gen- eration in much of the continent. Sohonie, the founder of Osinato Records, a New York-based label devoted to bringing the music of overlooked and conflict-riven ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ with a shrug countries to wider audiences, has led a restoration of razy Rich Asians has been hailed as a win for diversity Sudan’s musical heritage through a new album that in Hollywood and sparked controversy in Singapore arrives as the major artists of the country’s golden era for its portrayal of the city-state-but in much of Asia fade away. C the movie is being greeted with little more than a shrug. The “Two Niles to Sing a Melody,” which comes out on first Tinseltown film to feature a majority-Asian cast for a September 14 on three LPs or two CDs, follows generation, the adaption of author Kevin Kwan’s bestseller Osinato’s project on Somali music, “Sweet as Broken about Singapore’s ultra-rich Chinese elite has soared to the Dates,” which was nominated this year for a Grammy top of the North American box office. for Best Historical Album. Unlike Ethiopian or even The rom-com, which tells the Cinderella-like story of an Somali music, which soaked up the big-band brass and ordinary Asian-American woman and her super-rich jazz of the United States, Sudan’s music is notable not boyfriend, will likely do well in parts of Asia when it is for its foreign inspirations but the lack thereof. released this week. But it is not generating the same level of The Sudanese sound, as developed in the capital excitement as in Hollywood, where the Asian-American Khartoum in the 1960s and 1970s, was driven by community has long been marginalized, and many in the accordions and lush, precise violins-string arrange- Nejoud Al Yagout region may well be wondering what all the fuss is about. ments that were common elsewhere in the Arab world, — Photo by Djinane Alsuwayeh “Asians have been seeing themselves on screen in their including neighboring Egypt. But underlying the music oet, essayist, and founder of Co-Exist Kuwait own domestic films since cinema began,” Maggie Lee, chief was a distinctly African rhythm-the fast-paced tum- Nejoud Al-Yagout is releasing her groundbreak- Asia film critic for Variety, told AFP. Still, those that watch tum drumming that attest to Sudan’s Nubian culture. ing debut novel, set to release this fall from the movie are likely to enjoy the film for what it is-an enter- “Sudanese music seemed to be something that was P Luminare Press. Threading together the narratives of taining rom-com-and recognize the Hollywood hype is organically created and produced. Instead of absorb- multiple protagonists during their journey to distin- something particularly related to the Asian-American expe- ing a host of influences, it spread those influences out guish between their culture and their true selves, rience, she added. across Africa, not just musically but in terms of Motorbikes and Camels confronts the need for toler- stature,” Sohonie said. ance and acceptance in a society steeped in dogma. Fabulous wealth, stunning clothes Foremost in impact was Mohammed Wardi, Sudan’s Drawing from her own experience as a Kuwaiti as A two-hour celebration of fabulous wealth, stunning best-known singer who married classic poetry with well as a soul of the universe, Al-Yagout brings a relat- clothes and idealized love, the movie’s main character is eco- the nascent pop scene and challenged a succession of able and essential voice not normally seen in Middle nomics professor Rachel Chu-played by American actress political strongmen. A communist, Wardi was impris- Eastern literature. While the Kuwaiti narrative has tra- Constance Wu-who flies to Singapore for a break with her Actress Constance Lau poses at the film premiere of ‘Crazy oned and then fled into exile in Cairo and Los Angeles. ditionally been overlooked, Al-Yagout masterfully lecturer boyfriend Nick Young. It is only in the affluent city- Rich Asians’ at the Capitol Theatre in Singapore. — AFP photos He returned home before dying in 2012 at age 80. To brings not only one worthy new voice to the table, but state that Rachel realizes the man she has been dating for a Sohonie, Wardi was a historic figure who parallels representation. “What I would like to see as a Singaporean several through her dynamic and reflective characters. year, played by British-Malaysian actor Henry Golding, is is something that reflects my country and society in all our Nigeria’s Afrobeat activist Fela Kuti, although Wardi, The unique, interlaced narratives of different char- the scion to one of Asia’s wealthiest families. while packing crowds in Africa, remains far less known diversity and complexity,” she said. In other parts of Asia, acters per chapter examine the individual hardships Dazzling jewels, private jets and an imperious mother are the reception is likely to be much more muted, with a outside. Two of Wardi’s songs appear on the 16-track many people face in relationships and as members of a all thrown into the mix, as Rachel seeks to navigate the album. Other featured artists include Saied Khalifa, Hollywood production offering little real competition to larger community. The book is available on Amazon world of Singapore’s super-wealthy. The first Hollywood booming domestic entertainment industries, from Bollywood who had roots in the Sufi mystical tradition of Islam and other online retailers. Al-Yagout is also an occa- production since the “Joy Luck Club” in 1993 to have a and was a rare Sudanese singer to have formal musical and Korean movies to Chinese soap opera. sional contributor to the Kuwait Times. majority-Asian cast, the movie has generated frenzied pub- Even in Singapore, many accepted the film was meant to training, and Khojali Osman, whose songs of longing licity in the US and has generally been well reviewed. Asians won him a following across the Arab world. be light entertainment, rather than an attempt to accurately have often been relegated to sidekick roles in Hollywood in depict the city-state’s society. “People, it’s just a movie,” said recent times while there have also been much-criticized one Facebook post under an article on the website of broad- Focus on capital Abstract artist attempts at “yellowface” casting, when white actors attempt Few casual observers outside Africa are likely to caster Channel NewsAsia discussing the portrayal of to make themselves look Asian. This was the case when Singapore in the film. “Sit back and enjoy”. —AFP think first of music when considering Sudan. Military Scarlett Johansson was cast in the Hollywood remake of ruler Gaafar al-Nimeiry in 1983 began to impose a Nicolas Manev Japanese anime classic “Ghost in the Shell”. Other strict version of Islamic sharia law. By the 1990s in the Hollywood productions, such as “The Great Wall” set in early days of Sudan’s current president, Omar al- dies at 78 China and “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” in India, have Bashir, the government took off the airwaves most been criticized for drafting in a major white star to play the music that did not glorify Islam or military campaigns. lead role or their cliche-filled representations of Asia. While Sudan remains scarred by multiple conflicts, rench-Bulgarian artist Nicolas Manev, who worked in “Two Niles to Sing a Melody” focuses on the music of France for 50 years, died Saturday in Paris at the age Just a movie Khartoum, a decision Sohonie made reluctantly. Fof 78, his family told the Bulgarian BTA news agency. In Singapore, where much of the film’s action takes place, Sohonie’s attempts to gain access to Sudan’s Manev was hospitalized on Thursday after suffering a cere- there has predictably been considerable buzz, with many National Radio archives were rebuffed. The building is bral hemorrhage. His funeral will be held in Bulgaria, his son curious to see how local culture is depicted and happy that guarded by national security services-which Sohonie Alexandre Manev told BTA. After graduating from the their tiny country is starring in a Hollywood hit. But some likened to the CIA being stationed outside the National School of Fine Arts in Paris, Manev moved to have been angered about how the film focuses primarily on Smithsonian museum complex in Washington. Instead, France before making a series of trips around the world. the country’s ethnic Chinese, who make up about three- “Two Niles to Sing a Melody” relies on cassette tapes A landscape artist and creator of abstract compositions, quarters of the city-state’s inhabitants. The country of 5.6 recovered in nearby countries including Djibouti, Manev held more than 140 solo exhibitions, including in million, where the film is released Wednesday, is also home Egypt, Ethiopia and the breakaway Somaliland area- Paris, London and Geneva. More than 3,000 of his works to substantial ethnic Indian and Muslim Malay minorities, as attesting to the regional clout of the erstwhile are housed in collections and museums in some 30 coun- well as large numbers of expatriates. Khartoum music scene. — AFP tries. After the fall of communism in Bulgaria in 1989, Manev Singapore activist Kirsten Han has been strident in her Actor Henry Golding, right, and his wife Liv Lo, left, arrive at the often returned for exhibitions in his homeland. — AFP criticism, writing that the movie “isn’t really a win for diverse film premiere of ‘Crazy Rich Asians.’ Established 1961 21

Monday, August 27, 2018 Lifestyle Features

People pose for a photograph during the ‘Red Love Festival.’ ‘Red love’: Hundreds of redheads gather in western France

inger, auburn, strawberry blonde; all types of redheads turned out in their hundreds in Gwestern France yesterday for the first “Red Love” festival. “I was born red, I will stay red and I am beautiful like everyone around me,” declared Simon, a 32-year-old farm worker who travelled to the festival to hang out with “people like us”. “I was teased when I was young, called named like ‘carrot- top’,” he added, “it’s the same as if you’re fat.” Waiting to be served at a food truck, Liam Fife was standing with three friends he met at “Roodharigendag” (redhead day) the biggest get- together of redheads in the world which taken place every year in the Netherlands. “Until I was 15, it was awful for me,” said the young man with a long red beard. “Now when I see a child I encourage them. I don’t want them to be subjected to the same isola- tion,” he said at the festival, held in the Brittany town of Chateaugiron. The festival-goers enjoyed concerts and shows including a fashion parade of 18 redheads in wed- ding dresses. Among the best-selling items on dis- play were T-shirts emblazoned with the slogan “Ginger is the new black”. By midday, 1,200 people had showed up, said organizer Pascal Sacleux, who expressed the hope that “one day the jokes at the expense of redheads will be a thing of the past, when everyone realizes how unfounded and stupid Models present creations during a bridal fashion show as part of the ‘Red they are”. —AFP Love Festival,’ the first festival dedicated to redheads, in Chateaugiron, near Rennes, western France. — AFP photos

Alexia Barat, blogger and fashion designer of the brand ‘Tee by Alerte Rousse,’ poses with her t-shirts on which is written ‘Rouquine ta mere’ and ‘Forever Rousse’ during the ‘Red Love Festival.’ Syrian carpenters dust off workshops after years of siege

Hussam Obayd, a 46-year-old Syrian carpenter, measures wood at his store as he prepares for its reopening in the town of Saqba in Damascus eastern Ghouta. — AFP photos n a town outside the Syrian capital, Abu escalated. Suleiman headed to Germany, where stop people carrying their furniture to chop it As he gently raps on the door of a cupboard Suleiman dusts off his work table and pulls he remains today. His craftsman father only up for firewood, and beg them not to do it,” he to check its condition, he says he is delighted to Icobwebs from a cupboard he started making returned to the dusty workshop last week, after says. “I felt like every piece of wood I had be back doing a job that makes him proud. “I’ve before the war. Prior to the outbreak of the sev- regime forces retook control of worked with my hands was a being working in this trade since I was 10,” the en-year conflict, his hometown of Saqba near Saqba in March and the wider chunk of my heart.” burly 50-year-old says. Saqba used to produce Damascus was famed for its carpenters and their region of Eastern Ghouta the hundreds of complete bedroom sets before the handmade furniture. But Abu Suleiman was following month. It was a wel- Trade of the future war broke out, he says. Hundreds of businesses forced to shutter his workshop after rebels over- come return to his craft after The siege of Ghouta was drew in tradesmen from neighboring Lebanon, ran the town in 2012, sparking years of deadly five years of doing other jobs to “ one of the bleakest episodes of Iraq and Jordan, the Gulf-even Cyprus. regime bombardment and a crippling siege. survive the devastating siege. Every piece of the conflict, which has killed Not far off, Hussam Obayd nails two planks A 2011 calendar still hangs on the wall. “I Regime forces completely wood was more than 350,000 people and of wood together at a right angle. A large major- started making this bedroom set for my son surrounded Eastern Ghouta in “ caused millions to flee. But ity of Saqba’s inhabitants are carpenters, the lean Suleiman eight years ago, but I never finished it,” 2013, making any furniture a chunk of my heart today, Saqba’s workshops have 46-year-old says. “In each family, there are two says the 53-year-old carpenter, removing cob- shippings impossible as well as sprung back to life. Electric or three carpenters at least,” says Obayd, who webs from a cupboard festooned with wooden causing severe shortages of saws and sanding machines recently reopened his workshop with the help of flowers. “I’m waiting for him to return for us to food, medicines and fuel. spew out sawdust, their high- his teenage son. Even if orders are still few and finish it together, so I can give it to him as a wed- During the winter, many were pitched whirring filling the far between, he is excited about teaching 16- ding gift,” he says. forced to burn their furniture to street once again. In the town year-old Alaa the secrets of the trade. “This is a After protests against President Bashar al- keep warm, Abu Suleiman says, his voice centre, Yussef al-Qabuni has also gone back to trade of the future,” he says. With fighting over, Yussef al-Qabuni, a 50-year-old Syrian Assad first broke out that year, Abu Suleiman wavering. Fellow carpenter Abu Nader says work, fixing doors, windows and pieces of furni- “everybody is going to want to rebuild their carpenter and furniture store owner, trims a piece encouraged his son to flee in case the situation others smashed it up to sell as tinder. “I would ture for a handful of customers. home, and fix its windows and doors.”—AFP of wood at his workshop. 22 Established 1961

Monday, August 27, 2018 Lifestyle Features

Members of “The Pirates” American football team take part in a training session in the Moroccan capital Rabat. — AFP photos

nder the scorching summer sun in media and across social networks. But Rabat, coach Ichtar Zahraoui bellows Zahraoui says she has not once encountered Udirections to “The Pirates”, young a “problem of a sexist nature” since launch- Moroccan men and women learning to play ing the project. Female Moroccan athletes American football together on the gridiron. are nothing new, she says-they “have distin- Focused and sweaty, 30 players gather guished themselves in sports since the every Sunday to practice the sport, an 1980s”. “What we need are teams, a federa- unusual scene in a country obsessed with tion, coaches, referees, trainers and a cham- soccer, the variety of football far more com- pionship,” she insists. For now, the Pirates monly played across the globe. “It’s not easy prefer to play flag football, a watered-down, to make young Moroccans love American football,” 39-year-old Zahraoui says. “It’s an aggressive sport that requires a lot of energy, work and equipment,” says Zahraoui, who founded “The Pirates” men’s and women’s teams in 2017. Lacking numbers and resources, they have to train together on the same modest plot of land in the heart of Rabat’s Old Town-and if that’s not available, the beach. At practice the “Pirates Boys” and “Pirates Girls” zigzag between cones and plough into tackling dummies, training pads and some- times each other. Without hesitation, the players-mostly students aged under 30, recruited by word of mouth-form mixed teams and alternate between offence and defense. “We’re trying to make the sport known and to explain to people that football isn’t rugby,” Zahraoui says.

A ‘real team’ The breathless self-taught coach has dreams of setting up the kingdom’s “first real American football team”. To do so, she needs the support of an “American coach and a large NFL club”, she says, referring to the National Football League in the United low-contact version of the sport that States with which she has had “interesting requires little equipment. The lighter touch contacts”. American football made its debut has helped draw in participants from other in Morocco in 2012 with the creation of sports such as basketball and judo who oth- amateur teams in cities like Casablanca, erwise may not have joined. “I came to Rabat and Tangiers. Two years later, the watch a friend train, but the coach con- men’s national team won an inaugural vinced me to come and try,” says Ghita African championship. Ouassil. The chance encounter last year has In 2015, Morocco’s first women’s football turned the 21-year-old English literature team-the “Black Mambas”-was formed in student into a football regular. “Before I was Rabat. The sight of women playing the shy, but this sport helps develop your per- rough sport in the conservative Muslim sonality and self-control and to be less society has sparked interest from Moroccan tense.”— AFP

Russian artist is going back to the roots of photography, creating eye-catching wooden Acameras based on the basic principles of the art form and attracting buyers from around the world. Sergei Lebedev’s work, which includes both the cameras themselves and the unusual photo- graphs he creates, is now on show at an exhibition in his native region of Kaliningrad. His unique cam- eras cost around $150 each. The former factory worker uses driftwood, peb- bles and shells to create his cameras, combing the shorelines of his home for parts of fallen trees, nat- urally polished by the sea’s waves. From these, he crafts wooden boxes. “This is the simplest principle of cameras and the way in which photography began,” he explained. “Essentially, they were simple wooden boxes... Light penetrates through a small hole, made with a needle. This is all that is needed in order to get an image on the film”. — Reuters ClassifiedsMonday, August 27, 2018

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Mumbai 05:35 KAC 361 Colombo 17:35 THY 770 Istanbul 05:15 JZR 557 Alexandria 17:45 THY 1465 Istanbul 06:00 UAE 858 Dubai 17:40 KAC 1544 Cairo 05:20 QTR 1080 Doha 18:10 FDB 070 Dubai 06:00 KAC 381 Delhi 17:45 JZR 603 Mumbai 05:25 JZR 483 Istanbul 18:20 JZR 786 Riyadh 06:05 NIA 362 Alexandria 17:50 KAC 344 Chennai 05:30 WAN 874 Istanbul 18:25 THY 771 Istanbul 06:30 KAC 331 Trivandrum 17:55 KAC 332 Trivandrum 05:40 MSR 620 Cairo 18:30 GFA 212 Bahrain 06:50 KAC 283 Dhaka 18:00 JZR 561 Sohag 05:55 JZR 125 Bahrain 18:35 RJA 643 Amman 07:00 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15 BAW 157 London 06:10 RJA 640 Amman 19:00 JZR 164 Dubai 07:15 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 KAC 284 Dhaka 06:25 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:05 RBG 550 Alexandria 07:30 JZR 184 Dubai 18:20 WAN 338 Alexandria 06:25 UAE 875 Dubai 19:05 KAC 167 Paris 07:30 JZR 608 Hyderabad 18:25 KAC 204 Lahore 06:30 KAC 744 Dammam 19:10 KAC 173 Munich 07:35 JZR 240 Amman 18:30 KAC 678 Dubai 06:45 FDB 063 Dubai 19:10 KAC 413 Bangkok 07:40 JZR 538 Cairo 18:35 RBG 559 Alexandria 06:50 ABY 123 Sharjah 19:20 JZR 238 Amman 08:00 JZR 266 Beirut 19:15 WAN 342 Sohag 06:55 KAC 156 Istanbul 19:25 JZR 778 Jeddah 08:00 QTR 1081 Doha 19:20 KAC 302 Mumbai 07:00 KAC 776 Riyadh 19:35 KAC 193 TZX 08:00 KAC 345 Ahmedabad 19:20 JZR 143 Doha 07:20 KAC 674 Dubai 19:40 KAC 501 Beirut 08:00 KAC 151 Istanbul 19:25 JZR 529 Asyut 07:30 FDB 057 Dubai 19:50 BAW 156 London 08:20 MSR 621 Cairo 19:30 KAC 354 Bengaluru 07:45 KAC 174 Munich 19:55 JZR 503 Luxor 07:50 KAC 616 Bahrain 20:00 FDB 054 Dubai 08:35 GFA 218 Bahrain 19:50 FDB 053 Dubai 07:50 DLH 624 Frankfurt 20:05 KAC 691 Muscat 09:00 FDB 064 Dubai 19:50 KAC 384 Delhi 08:05 OMA 647 Muscat 20:05 KAC 117 SNN/New York 09:05 RJA 641 Amman 20:00 UAE 855 Dubai 08:25 KNE 381 Taif 20:10 KAC 161 Geneva 09:05 ABY 124 Sharjah 20:00 IAW 157 Al Najaf 08:30 MEA 402 Beirut 20:15 KAC 787 Jeddah 09:05 JZR 552D Alexandria 20:05 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 08:55 KAC 620 Doha 20:15 KAC 671 Dubai 09:15 FDB 058 Dubai 20:30 ABY 125 Sharjah 09:00 QTR 1088 Doha 20:40 IAW 158 Al Najaf 09:30 JZR 602 Mumbai 20:30 QTR 1070 Doha 09:30 KLM 445 Amsterdam 21:00 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:40 UAE 876 Dubai 20:35 SAW 703 Damascus 09:30 WAN 136 Doha 21:15 KAC 561 Amman 09:40 DLH 624 Dammam 20:50 FDB 055 Dubai 09:40 UAE 859 Dubai 21:15 JZR 534 Cairo 09:45 KNE 232 Riyadh 21:00 IAW 157 Al Najaf 10:00 ALK 229 Colombo 21:15 KAC 773 Riyadh 09:45 KAC 353 Bengaluru 21:00 MSC 405 Sohag 10:15 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:15 UAE 856 Dubai 09:50 OMA 648 Muscat 21:05 AXB 889 Mangalore/Bahrain 10:20 KAC 168 Paris 21:20 JZR 482 Istanbul 09:55 MEA 403 Beirut 21:15 WAN 312 Asyut 10:20 THY 764 Istanbul 21:30 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:00 KAC 301 Mumbai 21:35 JZR 787 Riyadh 10:30 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:50 KAC 101 London 10:00 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 KAC 564 Amman 21:50 KAC 541 Cairo 10:00 QTR 1089 Doha 21:50 MEA 404 Beirut 10:55 AZQ 4565 Baku 22:00 WAN 873 Istanbul 10:15 KAC 203 Lahore 22:00 SYR 341 Damascus 11:00 QTR 1082 Doha 22:05 KAC 617 Doha 10:20 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:05 QTR 1074 Doha 11:00 ETD 309 Abu Dhabi 22:10 KAC 155 Istanbul 10:25 KLM 445 Bahrain 22:10 JZR 1539 Cairo 11:05 KAC 162 Geneva 22:10 SAW 704 Damascus 10:30 KAC 1543 Cairo 22:15 JZR 165 Dubai 11:45 KAC 786 Jeddah 22:15 WAN 134 Doha 12:20 WAN 416 Beirut 22:15 QTR 1071 Doha 10:40 ALK 230 Colombo 22:20 SAW 701 Damascus 12:30 AIC 975 Chennai/Goa 22:25 FDB 056 Dubai 10:40 THY 1413 TZX 22:25 RBG 553 Alexandria 12:30 SVA 514 Riyadh 22:30 IAW 158 Al Najaf 11:00 KAC 783 Jeddah 22:25 UAE 871 Dubai 12:45 WAN 118 Bahrain 22:40 JZR 556 Alexandria 11:00 KAC 383 Delhi 22:25 THY 766 Istanbul 12:45 KAC 192 Tbilisi 22:45 MSC 406 Sohag 11:15 UAE 860 Dubai 22:35 JZR 239 Amman 13:00 SVA 502 Jeddah 22:45 AXB 890 Mangalore 11:20 JZR 604 Ahmedabad 22:40 MSR 610 Cairo 13:00 JZR 185 Dubai 22:50 JZR 788 Riyadh 11:20 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:50 IRA 667 Esfahan 13:15 JAI 574 Mumbai 23:00 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:35 ETD 310 Abu Dhabi 23:00 RJA 644 Amman 13:20 RBG 211 Luxor 23:30 MEA 405 Beirut 11:55 QTR 1083 Doha 23:20 KAC 774 Riyadh 13:30 MSR 2614 Cairo 23:30 SYR 342 Damascus 12:00 SVA 515 Riyadh 23:30 JZR 779 Jeddah 13:45 FDB 071 Dubai 23:35 JZR 776 Jeddah 12:05 WAN 337 Alexandria 23:40 FEG 341 Sohag 13:50 JZR 241 Amman 23:40 QTR 1075 Doha 12:10 SVA 503 Jeddah 23:45 KAC 672 Dubai 13:55 KAC 548 Alexandria 23:50 RBG 554 Alexandria 13:10 JZR 560 Sohag 23:45 24 Established 1961 News Monday, August 27, 2018

McLaren’s Spanish driver Fernando Alonso crashes during warm-up ahead of the Belgian Formula One Grand Prix at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Spa yesterday. — AFP

tweeted one customer. Cryptominers Mining can also be expensive due to the huge amount of electricity required to earn units. For exam- Depression in a family dreaming of... ple, the Antminer S9 - a mining device dedicated to bit- Prolific US where money was coin - is worth more than €600 and consumes €1,600 scarce. “He was a writer of electricity per year. Individuals, who generally focus and an artist who Continued from Page 1 on other virtual currencies that are easier to mine than playwright Neil couldn’t stop going bitcoin, tend to rely on graphic cards to do the heavy inside of himself and “We were of course very uneasy about seeing our lifting, which are less power hungry. finding new things. Like customers not getting what they expected,” recently Simon dead at 91 Those who get special rates on their electricity bills, any creative artist there admitted Genesis Mining, a company that rents com- such as EDF employee Philippe Vanbaelinghem, a miner NEW YORK: Neil Simon, the prolific and Pulitzer was a compulsion to puting power. It blamed the “downward trend” of for almost a year, can therefore exploit their “huge Prize-winning US playwright who wrote for stage, tele- explore and go deeper,” prices and the “heavily rising difficulty” of mining since advantage” for monetary gain. His staff discount allows vision and cinema, and won more Oscar and Tony nom- Evans told AFP. “He April. The collapse of bitcoin, which has lost two-thirds him to reduce his bill by €80 per month, helping him inations combined than any other writer, died yester- wrote every single day. of its value since December and dragged many more generate around €140 in monthly mining earnings. “Not day. He was 91. A legend of American theater, Simon He went to his office, a cryptocurrencies in its wake, has not discouraged min- everyone is equal on this,” he admitted, pointing out was credited with shaping American humor in the nondescript office and Neil Simon ers. On the contrary, the power dedicated to bitcoin that he could still have made a profit on standard tariffs 1960s and 1970s in a vein similar to film director wrote,” he added. “He mining has more than tripled since its peak prices, and when prices were high, but not now. As a tenant, Ali’s Woody Allen, with a focus on life in the big city and found a connection in all of us.” the trend shows no sign of abating, according to the electricity bill is fixed each month, and he has not family conflict. Simon first made a name for himself in the early bitinfocharts site. received any complaints from his landlord. His death, early yesterday in a New York hospital of 1960s, starting with “Barefoot in the Park,” about a A “farm” consisting of more than 3,000 mining units Other costs include technical faults, maintenance and complications from pneumonia, was announced by his bickering married couple, and “The Odd Couple” cred- was inaugurated in Russia last week, cutting profitabili- the hours required to learn how to optimize equipment, longtime friend Bill Evans. His wife, daughter and ited with capturing the zeitgeist of that decade. “The ty even further. In mid-December, the reference unit for meaning miners have little room to cut costs, despite grandson were at his bedside, Evans told AFP. He had phrase ‘odd couple’ is now used in so many different computing power, the THash/second, permitted the market prices. “As strong believers in the industry and represented Simon for three decades from 1976 to contexts. It was a privilege knowing him,” said Evans. equivalent of $3.84 to be mined in one day, compared its potential, we are certain the market will soon recov- 2006. Simon was the author of critically acclaimed and Simon followed up in the 1980s with trilogy to only 25 cents today. As a result, Genesis Mining er,” said Genesis Mining. Ali and Philippe are among commercial hits such as “The Odd Couple” (1965) “The “Brighton Beach Memoirs”, “Biloxi Blues” and offered its customers newer equipment to rent at a the many miners who have incorporated speculation Sunshine Boys” (1974) “Barefoot in the Park” (1963) “Broadway Bound” in which the leading character reduced price, halving maintenance costs, but the pro- into their business model, hoarding some of their mined and “Lost in Yonkers” (1990). Eugene Jerome is an alter ego for the playwright him- posal was not greeted warmly. “This is not fair! Your cryptocash. Ali hopes to stop mining in four or five Several of his plays went on to become major self. The trilogy starred a young Matthew Broderick, early customers helped you get to where you are now. years. With cryptos, “you have to expect everything,” Hollywood movies, including “The Goodbye Girl” in now the celebrated stage actor and husband of film star Give us a free upgrade, we deserve it and you know it,” said 25-year-old. — AFP 1977 that won Richard Dreyfuss an Oscar for best lead- Sarah Jessica Parker, as the leading character in what ing actor and “The Odd Couple” in 1968 about two Evans called a “Slice of Americana.” friends sharing an apartment starring Walter Matthau In 1991, Simon achieved the highest honor in US dra- erful advocate for the nation’s veterans. As a fervent and Jack Lemmon. While several of his plays were ma, winning the Pulitzer Prize for “Lost in Yonkers,” an US mourns John Atlanticist, a persistent critic of authoritarian leaders, darker, he was best known as the king of comedy, pep- autobiographical comedy about a mother and her and a frequent congressional traveler, he earned pering his plays with witty one-liners. daughter, which was his last big splash on Broadway. In respect around the globe. Much of his work explored the everyday struggles 1983 he gained the rare accolade of having a New York McCain, war hero... German Chancellor Angela Merkel called McCain of the middle-classes, or what he called “domestic stage, the Neil Simon Theatre, named in his honor. In “one of the great political figures of our time (who) wars” and inter-family conflict, influenced by his trou- addition to his Pulitzer, he won a Golden Globe and Continued from Page 1 fought tirelessly for a strong transatlantic alliance”; bled upbringing in the Bronx during the Great three Tonys. — AFP Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he was “an inspiration to millions”; British Prime Minister Theresa speak at the funeral, according to the New York May said McCain “embodied the idea of service over Times. Media reports earlier this year said the senator self” while French President Emmanuel Macron saluted The US funding that was cut was for humanitarian had expressly asked that President Donald Trump not “a true American hero”. Across the Pacific, the China Palestinians see programs, infrastructure and budget support in the be invited. Instead, Vice President Mike Pence is Daily referred to him as a “titan of American politics”. occupied West Bank. It also included assistance for expected to attend. Sarah Palin, whom McCain plucked from obscurity US ‘liquidating’... humanitarian programs, such as healthcare, in the Gaza As tributes poured in from the US and abroad, to become his 2008 White House running mate, Strip. The White House has maintained some $61 million Trump said simply that he sent his “deepest sympathies described him as “a fighter, never afraid to stand for his in assistance this year for the Palestinian security and respect” to the McCain family. Trump’s wife beliefs”. McCain drew criticism from the left for giving Continued from Page 1 forces, which coordinate with their Israeli counterparts. Melania, his daughter Ivanka and Pence saluted the a platform to Palin’s rightwing views, contributing to the The Trump administration is taking on core ques- senator’s service to the nation. A rare Republican critic rise of the Tea Party movement. But he also earned He and other Palestinian leaders reacted furiously to tions of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with Jerusalem’s of Trump, McCain had accused the president of respect on the left for his steadfast opposition to tor- Friday’s announcement, with one calling it “cheap status being the most controversial of them all. The “naivete”, “egotism” and of sympathizing with auto- ture and his push for immigration reform. Top Senate blackmail” to coerce them into accepting terms of the Palestinians see east Jerusalem as the capital of their crats, especially after Trump’s widely criticized appear- Democrat Chuck Schumer said he would seek to peace plan that the White House has promised to future state and almost the entire international commu- ance in Helsinki alongside Russian president Vladimir rename a Senate building in his honor. unveil. “America is now sharing in the dreams and the nity takes the position that the issue must be negotiated Putin. McCain cast a decisive vote last year that killed Praise for McCain however was not universal: policies of Israel’s right-wing government,” said between the two sides. After the dramatic reduction in Republican attempts to repeal Obama’s healthcare Chinese social media users called him an “enemy of Palestinian political analyst Jihad Harb. funding, refugees’ rights are now reportedly in reforms. The repeal was a Trump priority, and the pres- China” for his hawkish foreign policy views. And com- But for Kobi Michael, formerly in charge of Washington’s crosshairs. ident never forgave McCain. ments on the US far-right Breitbart website slammed Palestinian issues at Israel’s strategic affairs ministry, Some 750,000 Palestinians fled or were expelled The hawkish McCain was an unrelenting critic of the senator for his key vote against the Obamacare Trump’s approach serves as a necessary rude awaken- during the 1948 war surrounding Israel’s creation. Obama’s foreign policy, saying the Democratic presi- repeal. McCain had been away from the Senate floor ing for the Palestinian leadership. He cited Palestinians’ Those still alive today along with their descendants are dent was weak on Libya, Iraq and Syria. Still, Obama since December, remaining at his Arizona ranch for refusal to accept Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, coupled classified as refugees, amounting to a total of five mil- said he and the senator “shared, for all our differences, treatment of glioblastoma - the same form of brain can- with the UN’s method of classifying Palestinian lion people who are eligible for services provided by a fidelity to something higher - the ideals for which cer that took the life of another Senate giant, Democrat refugees, as “characteristics which are much more than UNRWA. Palestinians and rights groups say the agency generations of Americans and immigrants alike have Ted Kennedy, in 2009. absurd in the eyes of the majority of the Israelis”. provides vital assistance - including schooling for hun- fought, marched and sacrificed”. Bush, whose tough The son and grandson of four-star admirals, The aid cut adds to the financial woes of the dreds of thousands of students - that otherwise may campaign against McCain in 2000 left both sides McCain will be buried in the cemetery of the US Palestinian Authority, whose $5 billion budget for this not be available. bruised, praised the Arizonan as “a man of deep con- Naval Academy in Annapolis, on a peaceful hillside year includes a $1.2 billion deficit. Foreign aid was put But Israel argues UNRWA’s means of operation per- viction and a patriot of the highest order”. Hillary overlooking the Severn River. As a student at the at $775 million. Humanitarian conditions in the Israeli- petuates the refugee problem. It also insists on the Clinton, whose encounters with McCain also left bruis- academy he had a reputation as a rebel, but with a blockaded Gaza Strip, which is run by Islamist move- Palestinian leadership giving up its demand that es, called him “a patriot”. wit and charm that drew people to him. In 2015, ment Hamas, are also badly deteriorating. Just last refugees be granted the right to return to their former McCain spent more than three decades in the McCain himself revealed the simple epitaph he want- month, the World Bank announced it was increasing lands now inside Israel. On Saturday, Israeli television Senate, looming large in debates over war and peace ed on his tombstone, which will stand alongside those its annual allocation to the Palestinians to $90 million reported the US now wanted to cap the number of and the moral direction of the nation. As chairman of of naval heroes going back to the 1800s: “He served from $55 million “in response to an increasingly diffi- Palestinians classified as refugees to 500,000. A US the Senate Armed Services Committee, he was a pow- his country.” — AFP cult situation”. embassy official did not confirm the report. — AFP 25 Sports Monday, August 27, 2018 Rockies rock Cardinals with eight-run inning in 9-1 win Astros run winning streak to 4 with 8-3 win over Angels

DENVER: DJ LeMahieu and Nolan Arenado had two hits homer plateau. Clayton Kershaw gave up three runs (two each in Colorado’s eight-run eighth inning, Matt Holliday earned) on seven hits with nine strikeouts. Los Angeles is 2 homered and the Rockies pounded the St. Louis Cardinals 1/2 games back in the NL West. 9-1 in Denver on Saturday night. Carlos Gonzalez had three hits, including a tiebreaking double in the eighth, and YANKEES 10, ORIOLES 3 (GAME 1) reliever Adam Ottavino (6-2) got the win despite giving up Miguel Andujar, Brett Gardner, Gleyber Torres and a run to tie the game 1-1 in the top of the eighth. The Aaron Hicks all homered, and J.A. Happ kept host Cardinals had their nine-game road winning streak Baltimore quiet for six innings as New York cruised to vic- snapped and saw the National League wild-card race tory in the first game of a day-night doubleheader. Andujar tighten. The Rockies tied Arizona for first place in the NL hit a three-run homer during a four-run third inning that West. Colorado is also tied with Milwaukee for the second gave the Yankees control en route to their second straight wild-card spot a half-game behind St. Louis. Pinch-hitting win in this series. He finished the game 2-for-5 with four for German Marquez, who allowed just three hits in seven RBIs. Giancarlo Stanton nearly hit his 300th career homer, shutout innings, Holliday hit a solo homer in the seventh, but rookie center fielder Cedric Mullins made a leaping his first for the Rockies since 2008. The 38-year-old is in catch at the fence and robbed him in the sixth. his second stint with Colorado after being added to the roster earlier this week. YANKEES 5, ORIOLES 1 (GAME 2) Austin Romine homered while Aaron Hicks and MARINERS 4, DIAMONDBACKS 3 (10 INNINGS) Giancarlo Stanton each had RBI singles, and New York Denard Span hit a one-out homer in the 10th inning completed a doubleheader sweep at Baltimore. New York after Kyle Seager hit a two-out, two-run, game-tying dou- starter Sonny Gray (10-8) has been inconsistent through- ble in the ninth as Seattle rallied at Arizona. Span, who out much of this season but is 4-1 in five starts against the entered as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning, homered off Orioles, giving some of his best performances. The right- Jake Diekman (1-2) to give Seattle its first series victory hander allowed just three hits in 6 1/3 shutout innings, since a four-game sweep at Houston from Aug. 9-12. striking out seven. The Yankees will go for a four-game Edwin Diaz recorded his major-league-leading 50th save series sweep on Sunday night. Baltimore now has lost sev- by pitching out of trouble in the last of the 10th. Paul en consecutive games. Goldschmidt and David Peralta singled to put runners on DENVER: Matt Holliday #7 of the Colorado Rockies follows through after hitting a seventh inning solo homerun the corners, but Goldschmidt was thrown out at home on a RAYS 5, RED SOX 1 against the St Louis Cardinals at Coors Field on Saturday in Denver, Colorado. Players are wearing special jer- grounder before Diaz recorded two flyouts to end it. Tommy Pham homered, and Kevin Kiermaier tripled seys with their nicknames on them during Players’ Weekend. —AFP among two hits to score what proved to be the game-win- PIRATES 9, BREWERS 1 ning run and help lead Tampa Bay to its seventh straight Adam Frazier hit a three-run home run to help visiting victory with a win over visiting Boston. Joey Wendle and career-high seventh straight win, and Amed Rosario Pittsburgh end a four-game losing streak by pounding Matt Duffy each had two hits and a walk, and Ji-Man Choi homered in the sixth inning as New York dealt visiting ROYALS 7, INDIANS 1 Milwaukee. Gregory Polanco added a two-run single, Josh had an RBI triple for Tampa Bay, which has won the first Washington its third straight shutout loss. Wheeler (9-6) Ryan O’Hearn had three RBIs, including a tiebreaking Harrison and Colin Moran an RBI double each and Sean two of the three-game series with the Red Sox. Boston allowed six hits and frequently used his defense to work two-run double, and Lucas Duda went 3-for-4 with a Rodriguez an RBI single for Pittsburgh, which has scored 15 entered the weekend with a 14-series unbeaten streak (10- out of jams. He is 7-0 with a 1.68 ERA in his last eight homer as Kansas City routed visiting Cleveland. Right- runs in splitting the first two games of this series after totaling 0-4), the team’s longest since 1972 (10-0-6). The Red Sox, starts and picked up his latest win despite putting runners hander Heath Fillmyer (2-1) allowed one run and three hits seven runs total during a seven-game homestand. Christian who haven’t been swept in a series all year long and face on in five of seven innings. The Nationals were shut out in over six innings as the Royals notched back-to-back wins Yelich hit a solo homer for Milwaukee, which had won four of Rays ace Blake Snell on Sunday, last lost a series on June three consecutive games for the first time since moving to for the first time since victories on July 31 and Aug. 1. its previous five games. The Brewers fell 4 1/2 games behind 29-July 1 to the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Washington in 2005. The franchise last was shut out in Indians right-hander Corey Kluber (16-7) was tagged for the first-place Chicago Cubs in the National League Central. three straight games April 13-15, 2004, when the Montreal five runs and nine hits over 5 1/3 innings to squash his BLUE JAYS 8, PHILLIES 6 Expos were blanked against the Marlins. attempt to become the first 17-game winner in the majors. CUBS 10, REDS 6 Aledmys Diaz hit a three-run double with two out in the The loss was the fourth in a row for Cleveland, matching a Daniel Murphy and Kyle Schwarber launched two-run bottom of the eighth inning, and Toronto came back to ASTROS 8, ANGELS 3 season worst that occurred twice earlier this season. home runs, and Javier Baez added a solo shot and drove in defeat visiting Philadelphia. Toronto’s Kendrys Morales Marwin Gonzalez keyed a four-run eighth inning with a three runs overall as host Chicago battered Cincinnati. homered for the sixth game in a row, a two-run shot in the leadoff home run, and Houston extended its winning GIANTS 5, RANGERS 3 Murphy, playing in his fourth game for the Cubs since fourth inning, to equal the club record set in 2001 by Jose streak to four games with a win over Los Angeles at Left-hander Andrew Suarez shut out Texas over seven being acquired from the Washington Nationals, homered Cruz Jr. Morales has seven homers in the span. Billy Angel Stadium. Gonzalez slugged his 14th homer, and innings, and Brandon Crawford capped a four-run first to right-center field off Reds starter Luis Castillo. His McKinney added a two-run blast in the seventh inning for eighth this month, to end what had been a frustrating inning with a three-run home run to propel host San eighth home run of the season capped a three-run second the Blue Jays, who have won the first two games of the stretch for the Astros, who stranded runners at third base Francisco to victory. On a day when star catcher Buster inning. It was also Murphy’s second home run in two days three-game series as part of a five-game winning streak. in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings. Justin Verlander (13- Posey was shut down for the rest of the season in order to against the Reds. It was the fourth straight win for the 8) carried a 26-inning scoreless streak at Angel Stadium have hip surgery, the Giants held on to win for only the National League Central-leading Cubs, including the first MARLINS 3, BRAVES 1 into the fourth before Shohei Ohtani belted a two-run third time in their last 10 games. Suarez (5-9) limited the three games of the series. The Reds have lost four in a row Wei-Yin Chen continued his home mastery, and Brian homer the opposite way to left-center field. Verlander Rangers to three hits in seven innings. He walked three and five of six. Anderson hit a pinch-hit, two-run home run to lead host allowed three runs on six hits and two walks with six and struck out five. Miami over Atlanta. Chen (5-9) is 1-6 with a 9.35 ERA on strikeouts over six innings. DODGERS 5, PADRES 4 (12 INNINGS) the road this year. At home, however, he has been brilliant WHITE SOX 6, TIGERS 1 Justin Turner hit a game-winning RBI double in the 12th as he was once again this night, tossing six scoreless ATHLETICS 6, TWINS 2 Lucas Giolito pitched seven strong innings, and Kevan inning immediately following a 20-minute power outage as innings and striking out 10. He allowed six hits and two Jonathan Lucroy hit the 13,000th home run in Oakland Smith blasted a two-run home run as Chicago rolled to Los Angeles edged visiting San Diego. The Padres tied the walks and lowered his home ERA to 1.86. The Braves are franchise history, a three-run shot that paved the way to a victory at Detroit. Giolito (10-9) recorded his third con- game 4-4 in the ninth inning on a home run from Austin 13-5 against the Marlins this year. But, after winning on win over Minnesota at Minneapolis. Right-hander Mike secutive win and second against the Tigers this month. He Hedges off Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen. It was the third Thursday, Atlanta has lost two straight in this four-game Fiers (10-6) remained unbeaten in four starts since joining limited them to one run on three hits while striking out six. consecutive game Jansen gave up either the game-tying or weekend series. the A’s earlier in the month, limiting the Twins to one run in 5 Smith’s homer was his first of the year. Matt Davidson and go-ahead home run since coming off the disabled list 2/3 innings en route to Oakland’s second straight win after a Yoan Moncada each had two hits, a run scored and an RBI because of an irregular heartbeat. Dodgers sluggers METS 3, NATIONALS 0 loss in the series opener Thursday. With the win, the A’s for the White Sox, who have won two of three in the four- Manny Machado and Max Muncy each reached the 30- Zack Wheeler pitched seven gritty innings for his remained 1 1/2 games back in the American League West. game series. — Reuters

Tiger, Spieth Mercedes to confident in Ryder explore closer Cup security plans ties with PARAMUS: American stars Tiger Woods and Jordan Force India Spieth expressed their confidence in security arrangements for next month’s Ryder Cup team golf SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS: Formula One world showdown in France. Ryder Cup organizers have been champions Mercedes say they will explore closer working with French police and government agencies ties with Force India after that team’s change of on security measures at the course, Le Golf National, ownership, along the lines of Ferrari’s relationship and team hotel in Versailles since May 2011, when with Haas and Sauber. France was awarded the Ryder Cup. Some rivals-notably Renault, McLaren and The Telegraph of London reported earlier this Williams-have expressed concern that Formula One week a “Ring of Steel” would be in place. And if risks becoming even more of a two-tier championship BUENOS AIRES: Argentina’s Los Pumas Marcos Kremer (C) is tackled by South Africa’s Springboks Francois Louw (L) French President Emmanuel Macron and his US coun- with manufacturer ‘A’ teams and closely-linked ‘B’ out- and Lukhanyo Am (R) during a Rugby Championship 2018 test match at Malvinas Argentinas stadium in Mendoza, terpart, Donald Trump, were to attend, elite special forces would be placed on duty with mobile surface- fits. US-owned Haas have a close technical agreement some 1050 km west of Buenos Aires, Argentina on Saturday. Argentina’s Los Pumas won by 32-19. — AFP with Ferrari while Swiss-based Sauber have a long tra- to-air infrared missiles also deployed, according to dition of using the Italian team’s engines and running the story. As well, the Versailles area will be closed to results, and you’ve got to understand what you’re trying to air traffic, with the exception of registered helicopters drivers contracted to Ferrari. do. “We’re very fortunate we’ve got a strong squad and Red Bull also own two teams, with Toro Rosso the All Blacks still and fighter jets. An expected 50,000 fans are expect- what will make it stronger is giving people game-time ed to flock to the course, with the September 28-30 junior outfit, who will both have Honda engines next from time to time and trusting them. year. “Obviously a few years ago when Ferrari spotted event expected to be the strongest-guarded golfing likely to tinker “Through trusting them they will grow and all of a sud- event in the history of the ancient club-and-ball game. the potential in collaborating closely with another den people start talking about how much depth we’ve team it triggered a thought process with everybody Woods has played the Le National course just once, got.” That planning is likely to see players such as flyhalf back in 1994 as an amateur, and while he was named a else,” Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff told reporters at against Pumas Richie Mo’unga, who has just one cap off the bench, and the Belgian Grand Prix. USA Team vice-captain earlier this year, the 42-year- uncapped scrumhalf Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi getting the old winner of 14 major titles is expected to be “You can see that, and only Ferrari will know how nod in Nelson on Sept. 8. much benefit that has generated but there is benefit in announced by US captain Jim Furyk next month as WELLINGTON: The All Blacks are expected to stick to Loose forwards Shannon Frizell and Jackson Hemopo one of four captain’s picks for the 12-man roster. such a cooperation if it is structured well,” added the their strategic plan of giving some of their less experi- could also make the 23-man squad for the clash against Austrian, who also emphasised there were limits. “I have traveled all over the world playing golf, so enced players an opportunity to start against Argentina in the Pumas, who in recent years have often been competi- I’ve experienced different security scenarios where “No team wants to be a B team, no team wants to their next Rugby Championship match even though the tive for 60 minutes before falling away in the final quarter. be a junior team... everybody will want their own suc- ever I’ve been,” Woods said from this week’s PGA Pumas are coming off a win over the Springboks. Under Ledesma, the Jaguares-which is essentially the Northern Trust tournament. “I am sure the Ryder Cup cess and this is something you need to honour and to Steve Hansen’s team beat Australia 40-12 at Eden Park national side-advanced to the Super Rugby playoffs for respect in Formula One,” said Wolff. “If you can meet will be fine and the organizers will have covered every yesterday to sew up the Bledisloe Cup with a game to the first time this year and the players have appeared security issue. on an eye level then a collaboration can make sense. spare, while Mario Ledesma’s Pumas upset South Africa eager to adapt to a more free-flowing game plan. “They’re But making it happen is not trivial.” “We saw the security in place for the London 32-19 later in the day to record a rare victory in the south- going to be tough. They’ve had a good win (against South Olympics some years back and you could argue Wolff noted that Force India’s Silverstone factory ern hemisphere competition. Hansen had indicated prior to Africa),” Hansen said. “We know they’re a good side. was just a few miles down the road from Mercedes’ London is in a similar state of alert as France but I the tournament that his long-term goal was to develop (Ledesma) has got them going well, and playing probably have all confidence in the organizers.” Spieth, who Brackley base and said the champions would “explore experience this year as a means of bedding down tactics to a little more fluently than they were. “They’re using the all avenues” within the permissible regulations. automatically qualified for a third USA Ryder Cup take through to the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan. That Super Rugby style of game and we’d expect them to bring team berth, was equally supportive of security prepa- Force India already use Mercedes engines, as do had not changed, he told reporters in Auckland on Sunday, that into the test arena.” Hansen added that Ryan Crotty, former champions Williams whose Canadian driver rations and safety precautions. even if the temptation was to stick with a winning side, with who was concussed in the All Blacks’ 38-13 victory over “No, I’m not worried and I can imagine just how Lance Stroll looks set to switch to Force India after his several first-choice players likely to be rested ahead of the the Wallabies in Sydney last week and Rieko Ioane (ham- billionaire father Lawrence took over at the head of a security-tight the golf course is going to be,” Spieth clash with the Springboks in Wellington on Sept. 15. string) should be in contention for the Nelson game. Sonny said Saturday at the Northern Trust. “If anything, I consortium of associates. Williams are a family-run “You’re always flexible in your thinking but we’ve got a Bill Williams, however, was still a doubt after a shoulder independent constructor who have switched engine was more scared about going to Brazil two years back plan in place, and we’ve just got to trust everybody to do injury forced him out of the first two matches of the Rugby for the Olympic Games.— AFP supplier over the years.—Reuters their jobs,” Hansen said. “You can’t get sidetracked by Championship. — Reuters 26 Sports Monday, August 27, 2018 Governing body hopes Asian Games helps secure weightlifting’s future

N Koreans have won seven of 13 available weightlifting gold in Jakarta

JAKARTA: As weightlifting battles for its Olympic At the time of the ban the Chinese Weightlifting future, China and Kazakhstan’s absence from the Asian Association (CWA) expressed “regret” at the decision, Games due to doping suspensions indicates how seri- stating it was “firmly against doping and has a zero-tol- ously the sport’s governing body is taking the crisis. erance approach to this particular problem.” The two nations were among nine handed suspensions Despite an appeal before the Asian Games in by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) last Jakarta, the bans on China and Kazakhstan-winners of October as the body sought to crack down on doping, eight gold medals between them in Incheon four years which has plagued the sport and threatened its spot on ago-were upheld. the Olympic programme. “There is no other option (other than for China and The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has Kazakhstan to accept bans),” said Adamfi, who has threatened the sport with removal from the Olympic made it his mission to clean up the sport. “There are schedule for the Paris 2024 Games if it fails to improve rules and there was a decision and so you have to fol- its doping record and it remains on probation. low that decision. I believe that not only these coun- Several nations, including Russia and Kazakhstan, tries, but also the rest of our members fully understand will only be allocated two places each at the Tokyo and support these positive changes.” 2020 Olympics. This is due to the new rules stating that any nation with 20 or more doping violations from CAS APPEAL 2008 to 2020 will be allowed only one man and one Kazahkstan has twice challenged the IWF in the woman at the Games. Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The Kazahks lost The IWF has also changed the Olympic qualification the first case heard earlier this year, in which it chal- criteria to ensure athletes must compete at least six lenged its one-year suspension on the grounds that times during the 18-month qualifying period to secure doping violations were “outside its control”. an Olympic berth. The IWF hope these changes will not It is currently contesting the IWF’s new qualification only reward clean athletes, but also prove to the IOC rules at CAS. If Kazahkstan were to succeed in over- that they still deserve a place at sport’s top table. turning the new rules, Adamfi believes no positives will “It has been a balance between sanctions and edu- come of it. “Of course, we are not very happy because JAKARTA: North Korea’s Rim Jong Sim lifts during the clean and jerk women’s 75kg weightlifting group A event cation and support, because we would like to achieve we believe nobody will win in this case. It doesn’t mat- during 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta yesterday. —AFP long-term changes in the sport of weightlifting in these ter who wins legally, nobody will really win and the countries,” the IWF’s Director General Attila Adamfi sport will definitely lose,” said Adamfi, who sees the told Reuters yesterday. Kazakhs as going against the IWF, the IOC and the Kazakhstan and China-who have won more than twice have to repay, because whenever one person competes, “Not just banning them for one year or not having other national federations. the number of gold medals in weightlifting than any the whole team will support with our might,” Rim Jong- them here and then they return with the same system.” “I do hope that, sooner rather than later, they realise other country at the Asian Games-is North Korea. sim told reporters after her win yesterday. China, Kazakhstan and seven other countries were sus- that they can win something short term but the conse- The North Koreans have won seven of the 13 avail- The IWF says it is one of the few governing bodies pended by the IWF for 12 months due to committing at quences for our sport, I do believe, would be negative able weightlifting golds in Jakarta, including titles for to carry out independent out-of-competition testing in least three doping offences when samples from the so I hope they reconsider their position.” sisters Rim Jong-sim and Rim Um-sim. “Our special North Korea and is confident all those competing in 2008 and 2012 Olympics were reanalysed. One nation to benefit from the absence of training secret is just that we always remember that we Jakarta are clean. — Reuters

DAY NINE OF THE ASIAN GAMES Ginting sails

JAKARTA: Highlights of day nine of the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta into badminton and Palembang yesterday. CHINA’S WANG LEAPS TO LONG JUMP GOLD semi-finals China won their fourth gold medal of the day through Wang Jianan in the men’s long jump competition. His effort of 8.24m was the best by an athlete in the Games since 1994, when compatriot Huang Gang won gold with a leap of 8.34m. JAKARTA: Indonesia’s Anthony Sinisuka Ginting extended his giant-killing spree on the badminton CHANI LEADS BAHRAIN IN 10,000M RACE court with a stunning victory over the reigning Hassan Chani helped Bahrain clinch their fourth straight Asiad gold in the Olympic champion in the Asian Games quarter-finals men’s 10,000m event. His compatriot Abraham Cheroben was second. India’s yesterday. Lakshmanan Govindan came in third but was later disqualified to hand China’s Ginting beat Chen Long 21-19, 21-11 to sail Zhao Changhong the bronze medal. through to the semis, guaranteeing Indonesia a medal in the men’s singles event in Jakarta. HISTORIC GOLD FOR COMBINED KOREAN TEAM The 21-year-old, fresh from victory against The unified Korean team sealed their first gold medal in a multisport event yes- Japanese world champion Kento Momota on terday, with their canoeists winning the women’s 500 metre dragon boat race. Saturday, brought the curtains down on China’s medal “We showed the power and courage of the Korean people to the world,” To hopes after Shi Yuqi’s swift exit in the first round. The Myong-suk, who served as a drummer, said. “Although we didn’t have enough new Indonesian poster boy will now face Taiwan time, we were all united and achieved a big thing after 20 days.” The team had heavyweight Chou Tien Chen, who battled past NG won the bronze medal in women’s 200 metre competition on Saturday. Ka Long Angus of Hong Kong 21-18, 21-18. World number 10 Kenta Nishimoto kept up the Japanese GONG EXTENDS CHINA’S SUPREMACY fight after defeating Korea’s Son Wan ho in straight JAKARTA: Indonesia’s Anthony Sinisuka Ginting hits return against China’s Chen Long during their men’s China’s Gong Lijiao bagged the gold medal in the women’s shot put event with games and will meet Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie in singles quarter-final badminton match at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta yesterday. —AFP an effort of 19.66m. The Asian giants have triumphed in the competition at the final-four clash. In the women’s draw, India’s Saina every Games since 1978. Nehwal and PV Sindhu assured their country of at least a bronze after making the semi-finals. Sindhu, going on, nothing happening with my strokes. They Indian badminton. Proud moment for the country. HASSAN CRUISES TO MEN’S 400M GOLD who was recently listed as the world’s seventh highest were simple errors but I began to get more nervous,” Two singles players in the finals,” said Sindhu, who Abdalelah Hassan secured Qatar’s first gold medal at the these Games, winning paid sportswoman by Forbes, got past Thailand’s she said. Earlier Sindhu’s teammate and rival Nehwal recently lost the gold to Nehwal in the the men’s 400m event ahead of India’s Muhammed Anas Yahiya and Ali Khamis Nitchaon Jindapol 21-11, 16-21, 21-14 in the last-eight got past fourth-seeded Ratchanok Intanon of Commonwealth Games. “Definitely hoping to get the of Bahrain. Bahrain’s Salwa Naser won gold in the women’s race. India’s Hima match. But the lanky Indian-who is ranked third in the Thailand 21-18, 21-16. It is the first time in 36 years best. Not just the medal but it should be a gold. It’s Das was second ahead of Kazakhstan’s Elina Mikhina. world-admitted to making mistakes in the second that India will be getting an individual badminton not over yet and I have to keep going,” she added. game, saying she was nervous. medal at the continental games since the late Syed Nehwal will face the world number one from “I made unforced errors. I felt that I could have Modi’s gold in 1982. Taiwan, Tai Tzu Ying, who knocked out 2017 World DAVID WINS SQUASH GOLD ON 35TH BIRTHDAY finished off in two sets but I think due to my easy The Indian shuttlers will go head-to-head if they Champion Nozomi Okuhara of Japan 21-15 21-10. Malaysian squash great Nicol David defeated compatriot Sivasangari errors I gave her the second set,” Sindhu told win their respective semis on Monday and Sindhu is Sindhu will play world number two Akane Yamaguchi Subramaniam in the women’s singles final to win a record-extending fifth reporters. “I was leading and then I started giving off looking forward to the challenge. of Japan, who won her match against Chen Yufei of Asian Games gold medal on her 35th birthday. points and then I was nervous. I thought nothing is “Hopefully if that happens then it is very good for China 21-19, 21-11. — AFP KUWAIT OPEN ACCOUNT WITH SAOOTING GOLD Kuwait’s Mansour Alrashidi secured the country’s first medal at these Games by winning the men’s skeet shooting competition. China’s Jin Di claimed silver while Saif Almansoori of the United Arab Emirates took bronze. China star sets

DOUBLE DELIGHT FOR PHILIPPINES IN GOLF The Philippines claimed their second Asian Games gold medal in golf by win- Games record to ning the women’s team event. Yuka Saso, who also won the individual compe- tition, Bianca Pagdanganan and Lois Kaye Go teamed up to finish ahead of win Asian 100m South Korea and China.

INDONESIA SURPASS 1962 GAMES GOLD MEDAL TALLY JAKARTA: China’s Su Bingtian stormed to the Indonesia surpassed their previous record gold medal tally dating back to the Asian Games 100 metres title in a meet record of 1962 Jakarta Games by winning their 12th gold yesterday. Aqsa Sutan Aswar 9.92 seconds yesterday, missing out on a new conti- won the jetski endurance runabout to beat their previous record, which was nental best by a whisker. The 28-year-old streaked matched earlier yesterday when Rifki Ardiansyah Arrosyiid claimed the men’s away to win the Jakarta final ahead of Nigerian- 60kg karate event. Indonesia are on course to reach their pre-Games target born Qatari Tosin Ogunode-the younger brother of of 16 golds. Femi Ogunode, with whom Su shares the Asian mark of 9.91. THAI SHOOTER SUTIYA MAKES IT THIRD TIME LUCKY Su pumped his fists and roared in delight as he After finishing third in the last two editions, Thai shooter Sutiya won by eight-hundredths to improve on his 2014 Jiewchaloemmit won gold in the women’s skeet competition. China’s Wei silver medal. Japan’s Ryota Yamagata took the Meng won silver. South Korea’s defending champion Kim Min-ji settled for bronze. “All I was thinking about was winning the bronze. gold medal,” Su told reporters. “The time doesn’t matter. I was finding it a little hard to get up for the WEN CLINCHES KARATE GOLD FOR TAIWAN races and was doing just enough in the heats. But I Taiwanese karateka Wen Tzuyun defended her 2014 gold medal in the found a little something extra when it mattered.” women’s 55kg category. Iran’s Taravat Khaksar won silver while Indonesia’s Bahrain’s Edidiong Odiong snatched the JAKARTA: (L-R) Indonesia’s Muhammad Zohri, China’s Su Bingtian and Taiwan’s Yang Chunhan compete Cokorda Istri Agung Sanistyarani took bronze. women’s 100m title in 11.30 seconds after a photo in the final of the men’s 100m athletics event during the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta yesterday.— AFP finish with India’s Dutee Chand, who clocked 11.32 JAPAN’S NOGUCHI CLIMBS TO GLORY with China’s Wei Yongli taking bronze. Odiong, who Akiyo Noguchi claimed Japan’s first gold medal in sport climbing at the Asian originally hails from Nigeria, was one of six Bahrain’s Salwa Naser blazed to gold in the China’s Wang Jianan leapt to victory in the men’s Games with an assured performance in the women’s combined event. African-born athletes to snaffle track and field gold women’s 400m, silver dreadlocks billowing behind long jump with a new Games record of 8.24 metres, medals in Jakarta yesterday. her as the Nigeria-born sprinter clocked a Games- with countryman Zhang Yaoguang claiming silver CHELIMO HANDS BAHRAIN FIRST GOLD AT GAMES Chand’s silver came after she missed the 2014 record 50.09. Naser, who took silver at last year’s with a jump of 8.15. Japan’s Keisuke Ushiro retained World champion Rose Chelimo gave Bahrain their first gold medal at the 18th Games in a row over her elevated testosterone lev- world championships in London, led from wire-to- his decathlon title with 7,878 points to pip Asian Games by easily winning the women’s marathon yesterday. The Kenyan- els caused by hyperandrogenism, the condition that wire with India’s world junior champion Hima Das Thailand’s Suttisak Singkhon, while South Korean born runner’s winning time of two hours, 34 minutes and 51 seconds was the also affects South African middle distance star runner-up seven-tenths back. pin-up Jung Hye-lim won the women’s 100m hur- slowest at the Games since China’s Zhao Youfeng won clocked 2:35:19 in Caster Semenya. “I’ve gone through a lot of pain Bahrain’s Hassan Chani raced away to win the dles. Qatar’s Abdalelah Hassan bagged the men’s Beijing in 1990. Keiko Nogani won silver for Japan by finishing in 2:36:37, and anguish since the last Asian Games,” said men’s 10,000m in 28:35.54 with Abraham 400m title in 44.89 by some distance from India’s while North Korea’s Kim Hye Song took bronze. — Reuters Chand. “To come here and win a silver I feel is Cheroben, another naturalised athlete now compet- Asian title-holder Muhammed Anas, with Bahrain’s redemption for all that I’ve suffered in that time.” ing for the Gulf state, runner-up in 29:00.29. Ali Khamis third. —AFP 27 Sports Monday, August 27, 2018 Watford sink Palace to extend perfect start with 2-1 victory Capoue fortunate to escape with only a yellow card for an early foul

WATFORD: Watford extended their superb start to the previous two trips to Vicarage Road, was shown a yel- Premier League season with a 2-1 victory over Crystal low card almost immediately after for a challenge on Palace yesterday after Etienne Capoue escaped a red Holebas. Pereyra, who scored twice in the 2-0 victory card and created the Hornets’ opening goal. over Brighton on the season’s opening weekend, had Capoue could consider himself fortunate to escape the hosts’ first chances when he saw one shot deflect with only a yellow for an early foul on Wilfried Zaha. wide and another saved by Wayne Hennessey as they And that proved a crucial moment as Capoue set up gathered some momentum. Roberto Pereyra’s third goal of the season to put Inevitably it was Capoue who created the game’s Watford ahead. opening goal in the 53rd minute. He resisted two chal- Jose Holebas’s miscued cross found its way into the lenges in midfield to play in Pereyra and his team- net to double Watford’s lead. Zaha got one back for mate did the rest with a cool finish into the bottom Palace in the closing stages, but it came too late to stop corner. Watford rode their luck to make it two in the Watford securing their third successive league victory. 71st minute. Palace boss Roy Hodgson was furious that Capoue Holebas took a touch to move beyond Andros avoided a red card, saying: “We were unlucky he was Townsend and was fortunate when what appeared a not sent off. At the time I thought it was a bad chal- cross curled into the top right corner and beyond lenge. “It definitely affected Wilf. We didn’t see any- Wayne Hennessey’s reach. Zaha gave Palace renewed thing like the best of him until late in the game. belief in the 78th minute with his second goal of the “One can understand that type of challenge affecting season. him. Players of his match-winning ability do get target- Having played a one-two with substitute Max Meyer ed.” Capoue appeared to deliberately rake the Achilles he ran the ball down the left wing, moved into the area of Zaha in just the fourth minute under the nose of ref- and sent a powerful finish under Ben Foster. In stop- eree Anthony Taylor, who only gave a yellow card. page time, Joel Ward headed just wide as Palace came WATFORD: Crystal Palace’s English midfielder Andros Townsend (C) during the English Premier League football The Palace forward, who had been booked on his close to snatching an equaliser. — AFP match between Watford and Crystal Palace at Vicarage Road Stadium in Watford, north of London yesterday.— AFP Mitrovic shines as Fulham earn first win US Open celebrates

LONDON: Aleksandar Mitrovic inspired Fulham’s first 50th birthday with Premier League success this season as the Serb’s dou- ble secured a 4-2 win over Burnley yesterday. Mitrovic fired Fulham to promotion from the Championship with $600 million facelift 12 goals on loan from Newcastle last term. Now playing for Fulham on a permanent basis, he is NEW YORK: The US Open turns 50 this year and doing all he can to ensure their stay in the top-flight is rather than easing towards old age, it will celebrate not a short one. Jeff Hendrick had cancelled out a stun- the landmark birthday by unveiling a $600 million ning goal from Ivory Coast midfielder Jean Michael Seri facelift. A grand slam that began life in an elegant when Mitrovic struck with two headers in two minutes. country club in leafy Forest Hills, the US Open long James Tarkowski pulled one back for Burnley, but ago cast aside its quaint roots and has grown into a Andre Schurrle’s late strike ensured Fulham got off the big, bold and brash money spinning tennis machine mark after losing their first two matches against Crystal that according to Forbes will this year churn out a Palace and Tottenham. record $350 million in revenue. Just three minutes had elapsed when Seri came up “Forest Hills was very much a private club setting with a memorable first goal in English football. and the members took it as a sort of intrusion,” tennis Collecting a ball inside from Luciano Vietto 25 yards historian and author Steve Flink, who has attended out, Seri turned, looked up and launched a ferocious every U.S. Open, told Reuters. “A lot of them would shot which left Clarets goalkeeper Joe Hart grasping at have preferred it to themselves. thin air. Yet if Burnley were feeling the effects of their “They came there to play.” The Forest Hills mem- midweek trip to Greece it was not immediately appar- bers got their courts back in 1978 when the U.S. Open found a new home in Flushing Meadows, over- ent, as they took just seven minutes to equalise. A loose LONDON: Tottenham Hotspur’s English midfielder Dele Alli (L) vies with Fulham’s Dutch defender Timothy Fosu- hauling the decaying infrastructure left behind from pass from Maxime Le Marchand in midfield allowed Mensah (R) during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham at Wembley the 1964 World’s Fair. them to break with Aaron Lennon leading the charge. Stadium in London, yesterday. — AFP The grounds, now called the ‘Billie Jean King The winger raced to the edge of the area before National Tennis Center’ have been transformed into a squaring the ball to Hendrick, who needed a couple of state-of-the-art facility boasting 22 courts, including bites at the cherry before beating Fulham keeper this time with a glancing header. They could not muster a response after the break, two futuristic stadiums with retractable roofs. Marcus Bettinelli at the far post Shellshocked Burnley did manage to get back into it though, and Fulham wrapped up the victory seven min- While the move across the Borough of Queens However, when Hart misjudged Tom Cairney’s deep four minutes before half-time, although there was a hint utes from full-time. Mitrovic was denied a hat-trick when was just a few miles, it marked a seismic shift for the cross Mitrovic stole in at the far post to head Fulham of offside as Tarkowski prodded in Ben Mee’s header Hart pushed his shot against a post but Borussia sport. The switch from a private club setting to a back into the lead. Moments later Mitrovic struck again, from a corner. Dortmund loanee Schurrle drilled in the rebound. — AFP public facility meant tennis had moved from the “classes to the masses”. Suddenly the traditional ten- nis whites dress code had a blue collar. “It was sad in a way (the move) because it was such an elegant setting but it was too much of crush,” Vettel wins in explained Flink. “But it was also very wise to move it and go over to a public facility like Flushing Belgium to rein Meadows and establish a new identity and make it more for the “masses than the classes” that was the phrase we all used but it was true. in Hamilton “When they made that move that was what they were in the process of doing.” When the United States National Championships opened its doors to SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS: Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel professionals in 1968 and became the US Open, the sped away from first corner carnage to celebrate a well-mannered Forest Hills crowds still observed ten- commanding Belgian Grand Prix victory yesterday and nis etiquette. However, 40 years after the move to trim Lewis Hamilton’s Formula One lead to 17 points Flushing Meadows, the polite applause has gone the with eight races remaining. way of the wooden racket. Hamilton, last year’s winner in Belgium, started from Taking on the hustle and bustle personality of the pole position but finished second for Mercedes while Big Apple, the US Open is loud and proud, a rock and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen gave his army of Dutch fans roll show in tennis gear played out on the sport’s something to cheer with third place. biggest stage, the late night crowds in the City That In the battle of four times world champions, Hamilton Never Sleeps howling with each and every shot. “It’s now has 231 points to Vettel’s 214. “I had a great start, New York, and it’s a show,” said six-time US Open I’m not sure Lewis saw me as he pushed me to the left champion Chris Evert, who will be commentating for in the first lap, but after last year I ended up short, and ESPN from today when first round action gets under- this year it was the other way around,” said Vettel of his way. “Every Grand Slam has its charm, and every Grand Slam has its niche. In New York the US Open, the last decisive pass on Hamilton. one of the year, it’s showbiz. “It’s a spectacle. It’s an “As soon as I was ahead I relaxed. I had a good event, and it’s always exciting. “Night time is more restart after the safety car, and after that it was a very exciting in a US Open than any other Grand Slam.” smooth race,” he added. The start provided most of the Organisers have planned a major extravaganza for afternoon’s excitement, with Fernando Alonso’s the 50th milestone, turning the two week tournament into a three-week festival. The qualifying rounds to SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS: Winner Ferrari’s German driver Sebastian Vettel (R) celebrates on the podium with Ferrari the year’s final grand slam were given greater promi- aerodynamicist David Sanchez after the Belgian Formula One Grand Prix at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Spa nence in the week leading up to the Aug. 27 to Sept. 9 Matches on TV yesterday. —AFP tournament in what organisers called the ‘Fan Week’, (Local Timings) while 50 former champions (27 men and 23 women) were also being celebrated and recognised on-court ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE McLaren flying over Charles Leclerc’s Sauber at the La rival’s hand and offer congratulations. “They have got a during special legends matches. Source hairpin after being rammed by Renault’s Nico few trick things going on in the car,” he added. “I did There is a new sleek stylised logo and slogan Man United v Tottenham Hotspur 22:00 Hulkenberg. what I could, we did what we could so we have to keep “Built for Glory”. Built for Glory and turning a profit. beIN SPORTS HD 2 All three retired as the safety car was deployed for working.” The new 14,000-seat Louis Armstrong Stadium four laps but Leclerc had reason to thank the ‘halo’ It was the German’s fifth win of the campaign, marks the completion of an ambitious five-year $600 head protection system-introduced this season-for matching his British rival, and 52nd of his career-one million project that revamped nearly 90 percent of SPANISH LEAGUE allowing him to step away unscathed. Television close- more than the great four times champion Alain Prost the sprawling facility. Among other things, according to a Forbes report, the renovation has doubled the Levante v Celta de Vigo 21:15 up images after the race showed the structure heavily managed. Hamilton’s team mate Valtteri Bottas finished marked by the impact. “The Halo was a very good thing fourth, and set the fastest lap, after starting 17th. overall square footage of the retail, food and restau- beIN SPORTS HD 3 to have today. I think for him, it helped,” commented Force India began their existence under new owner- rant footprint on the grounds. “Obviously it cost a lot of money,” John McEnroe, beIN SPORTS MAX 4 FR Spaniard Alonso, who will be leaving Formula One at ship with a haul of points that lifted them immediately a native New Yorker and four-time US Open winner Athletic de Bilbao v Huesca 23:00 the end of the season. off the bottom of the standings. The team, who had told reporters during a conference call. “But I believe Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen, a four times winner in started with all their constructors’ points taken away beIN SPORTS HD 1 the US Open brings more money from what I under- Belgium, and Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo also collided following confirmation as a new mid-season entry, had stand... to the city than the money they receive from Cosmote Sport 2 HD at the start and retired after pitting, the Finn having to Mexican Sergio Perez fifth and Frenchman Esteban the (baseball teams) Yankees, Mets, (ice hockey’s) wait for his 100th career podium. At the front, Vettel Ocon sixth. Rangers and (basketball’s) Knicks combined. Haas duo Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen ITALIAN CALCIO LEAGUE swiftly seized the lead from Hamilton down the Kemmel “It’s obviously a big two weeks for New York, for straight on the opening lap and never looked back, tak- were seventh and eighth, with France’s Pierre Gasly tennis. “But even for the city, the excitement level is AS Roma v Atalanta 21:30 ing the chequered flag 11.0 seconds clear of Hamilton. ninth for Toro Rosso and Sweden’s Marcus Ericsson ramped up. I think it will be even more so. “I think beIN SPORTS HD 4 “He drove past me like I wasn’t even there on the 10th for Sauber. McLaren’s Belgian driver Stoffel people are going to love it.” — Reuters straight,” said Hamilton, who was quick to shake his Vandoorne was last in his home race. — Reuters Established 1961 Sport

MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 2018

Rockies rock Cardinals with China star sets Games record Watford sink Palace to extend 25eight-run inning in 9-1 win 26 to win Asian 100m crown 27 perfect start with 2-1 victory

Officials hail Kuwaiti gold medalists Proud to see Kuwaiti flag high, thanks to our heroes at Asian Games: Speaker

JAKARTA: Gold medalist Kuwait’s Ali Al-Shatti poses for a photo during the victory ceremony for the men’s 67kg category karate event at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta yesterday. — AFP Kuwait Shooting Federation Chairman Duaij Al-Otaibi with Kuwaiti shooter Mansour Al-Rashidi (right). — KUNA

KUWAIT: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad as it did for football. Al-Ghanem expressed his thanks just two days before the games began, but Rashidi Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah praised yester- Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to the youth and his constant sup- and appreciation to His Highness the Amir and His was prepared and performed heroically in all stages of day the achievements made by two Kuwaiti athletes, port for them to activate their positive participation Highness the Crown Prince for all their support the competition. Otaibi added that he was optimistic Mansour Al-Rashidi in the shooting competitions of in building the nation and its prosperity. He noted to towards their children who are fulfilling their duties in to continue on these achievements in light of the great Skeet and karate player Ali Al-Shatti for winning gold the great care given by the government, especially His this case and to the government side, represented by support given by the Kuwaiti government, expressing medals at the 18th Asian Games in the Indonesian Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al- His Highness Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al- the hope that the Kuwaiti and Arab teams will achieve capital Jakarta. His Highness expressed his sincere Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, through an ambitious Sabah, the Prime Minister who formed a ministerial more in this session. congratulations to the heroes of Kuwait and his pride national strategy to empower the Kuwaiti youth, sup- committee consisting of three ministers to follow up. Otaibi dedicated this victory to His Highness the in these results achieved during the Asian Games and port their initiatives and innovations, and develop He also thanked the First Deputy Prime Minister and Amir, His Highness the Crown Prince, His Highness the to raise the banner of Kuwait high in the skies at the their skills, which reflected positively on their partici- Minister of Defense Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Prime Minister and all Kuwaiti people. He thanked all Indonesian capital and through international sports pation in regional and international forums. Al-Sabah for his keenness and support to the organis- those who contributed to this achievement from the arena. His Highness stressed that the Kuwaiti youth is Kuwaiti National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Ali ers of this file led by Director General of the General family of the Kuwaiti Shooting Club, in particular the a source of pride for the country and its wealth, wish- Al-Ghanem expressed yesterday his joy in watching Authority for Sport, Dr Hamoud Fleith. He also honorary president of the club, the head of the ing everyone prosperity and success. the flag of Kuwait flying high thanks to achievements thanked the Information Minister, Minister of State for General Directorate of Civil Aviation Sheikh Salman Kuwait’s Information Minister and Minister of made by our heroes Al-Rashidi and Al-Shatti at the Youth Affairs Mohammed Al-Jabri, former youth min- Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah and other mem- State for Youth Affairs Mohammad Al-Jabri 18th Asian Games. “We were thrilled to see the flag of isters Khaled Al-Roudhan, who is currently Minister bers of the club, and also appreciated the support and expressed keenness yesterday to translate the direc- Kuwait flying high in a scene that we were deprived of Trade and Industry and Sheikh Salman Sabah Salem patronage of Minister Jabri, for all club activities. tives of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- of for a long time after Al-Rashidi won the gold medal Al-Humoud Al-Sabah, who currently serves as the The Secretary General of Kuwait and Arab Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to provide all means and in the shooting competitions (Skeet) and Al-Shatti Civil Aviation Chief. He thanked the parliamentary Shooting Federations Obaid Al-Osaimi said that this care for Kuwaiti youth, especially athletes. Jabri con- also in the karate competitions,” Al-Ghanem told Youth and Sports Committee and all the deputies who achievement is evidence of the distinguished Kuwaiti gratulated players Mansour Al-Rashidi, winner of the reporters at the National Assembly. He expressed his attended the session of December 3rd and resulted in champions in this heritage sport, stressing that gold medal in shooting game skeet and Ali Al-Shatti, hope that “more achievements will be achieved by our the adoption of Law No. 87 of 2017 on the sport. Kuwait has high-class shooters who are able to winner of the karate (67 kg) gold medal at the 2018 young heroes at the Games, despite the limited Meanwhile, President of Kuwait and Arab Shooting overcome all difficulties they face. Osaimi said that Asian Games in Jakarta. The Kuwaiti athletes always potential and lack of preparations because the ban Federations Engineer Duaij Al-Otaibi expressed great this win is of great importance and to have Rashidi prove their excellence and their ability in the interna- was just lifted.” He also congratulated His Highness pride in Rashidi’s gold medal achievement in the 18th raise the Kuwaiti flag at the Asian Games, although tional competitions and their keenness to raise the the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Asian Games in Jakarta and for raising the flag of the decision to participate came late because the flag of their country in all forums, affirming Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Kuwait in this prestigious continental sports arena. ban was lifted from the Kuwaiti sport just two days experiences and talents worthy of appreciation and Sabah and the Kuwaiti people in general and athletes Otaibi said that what has been achieved at this com- before the launch of the 2018 Asian Games in the pride, Jabri said. in particular for the Olympic suspension which was petition makes the Kuwaiti shooting sport ‘very hope that Kuwaiti shooters will continue to make Jabri praised the great interest paid by His temporarily lifted and hoping it to become permanent proud’, especially that this participation was decided achievements. — KUNA

lenge on Spanish defender Alonso produced At the interval, Newcastle must have Chelsea leave it a penalty. Newcastle responded with a goal sensed they could collect at least a point, a from Joselu in a rare attack and looked set to target that appeared to be more difficult steal a point before Chelsea’s last-gasp win- before the start when Benitez was forced to late as Yedlin ner made it three successive victories for the rule out two of his most influential players, Blues. Benitez will say his approach was jus- Jamaal Lascelles and Jonjo Shelvey. own goal kills tified and it acknowledged the gap in quality The official line was that both were between the two squads. Before this game injured, although there were unconfirmed he earmarked Sarri’s team as genuine title rumours that a training ground argument off Newcastle candidates and even gave them the edge between Lascelles and Benitez had prompt- over Manchester United, Tottenham and ed the manager to leave him out. Benitez NEWCASTLE: Chelsea required an own Arsenal, so Benitez was never likely to go insisted, however: “Shelvey has been playing goal from Newcastle’s DeAndre Yedlin to toe-to-toe with Chelsea. with pain, we tell him you cannot carry on maintain their 100 percent start to the Jorginho, a player Benitez bought while with pain because it will stop him. Jamaal Premier League season as the Blues ground he was in charge of Napoli, prompted intelli- came in with ankle problem.” out a 2-1 win at St James’ Park yesterday. gently in midfield and Hazard, starting for the It meant four of Newcastle’s summer Yedlin deflected Marcos Alonso’s shot into first time this season, twisted and turned as signings were starting a game for the first his own net in the 87th minute to settle a he probed for a gap in Newcastle’s defence time in a line-up and two of them-Schar and match that had threatened to end in frustra- that often featured nine men in front of Federico Fernandez-were at the heart of tion for Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri. keeper Martin Dubravka. Newcastle’s defence. Both performed well, Earlier, Chelsea needed a penalty from But too often, Chelsea failed to find a way particularly in the second half when the pat- Eden Hazard to finally breach a black and through and were particularly frustrated in tern was the same but Chelsea delivered white wall erected by manager Rafa Benitez, the first 45 minutes. Hazard placed two shots more crosses towards Alvaro Morata as they whose defensive approach succeeded for 76 wide, while Antonio Rudiger and Pedro was started to run out of patience. Rudiger minutes. The Newcastle manager acknowl- also off-target before Pedro finally forced almost made the breakthrough when he edged the massive gap in quality between Dubravka to make a save. powered a shot against the bar in the 72nd It was a satisfying half for Benitez, who minute, shortly before Hazard’s penalty. Even the two sets of players, packing his defence NEWCASTLE: Newcastle United’s US defender DeAndre Yedlin (L) challenges saw his side create two opportunities on the the most optimistic Newcastle supporter and granting Chelsea the ball for 80 percent Chelsea’s Spanish midfielder Pedro (R) during the English Premier League football of the game. break when Kepa Arrizabalaga had to save must have feared the worst, but Joselu’s 83rd from Jacob Murphy and Salomon Rondon minute header offered them hope before match between Newcastle United and Chelsea at St James’ Park in Newcastle- It was possession that they were unable upon-Tyne, north east England yesterday. — AFP to turn into goals until Fabian Schar’s chal- wasted an excellent chance by heading wide. Chelsea won it in dramatic fashion. — AFP