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TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2015 RAMADAN 6, 1436 AH www.kuwaittimes.net Asian driver Palestinians and Aussies upset crashes into Israel may have Brazil; France Emsak: 03:04 electronics committed war shine as Canada Fajer: 03:14 Shrooq 04:49 showroom crimes in Gaza scrape through Dohr: 11:50 Asr: 15:24 Maghreb: 18:51 2 7 20 Eshaa: 20:23 Rising construction costs Min 32º Max 44º delay Al-Zour oil refinery High Tide 04:35 & 15:40 Low Tide Cost of facility previously pegged at KD4 billion 10:40 & 22:50 40 PAGES NO: 16560 150 FILS

LONDON: The start-up of Kuwait’s Al-Zour crude oil refin- Ramadan Kareem ery is expected to be delayed after rising construction costs forced state refiner Kuwait National Petroleum Co (KNPC) to Fasting experience seek more money to finance the plant, a KNPC spokesman said yesterday. Officials had previously said start-up would By Teresa Lesher occur by late 2018 or early 2019 and pegged the cost of the facility at 4 billion dinars ($13.3 billion). amadan is like spring cleaning: an annual ritual But KNPC spokesman told Reuters by telephone: “We that results in the cleansing of the body, the are seeking additional funds to start awarding (con- Rairing out of the mind, and the beautification tracts). We are already two months behind and we don’t of the soul. It provides the opportunity for reorgani- know when we will get the funds.” KNPC said in a state- zation and the fine tuning of the soul that is needed ment that a request for the new government money periodically to remind us of our roles and responsi- would be submitted to the Supreme Petroleum Council, bilities and to commit to a fresh start in our faith. In a a top oil policy body. purely physical sense, fasting provides an opportuni- The company did not say when the request might be ty to rid the body of an array of unhealthy habits. approved or how much extra money KNPC needed, but Caffeine, sugar and nicotine cannot be consumed a Kuwaiti daily quoted the company’s chief executive throughout the day as is the habit of many people. Mohammed Ghazi Al-Mutairi as saying the amount was When fasting ends at sunset, the body craves plenty estimated at KD800 million. The 615,000 barrel per day of liquids and a nutritious, balanced meal. By the oil refinery, originally planned more than a decade ago, end of Ramadan, one can accomplish a healthy would be the biggest in the Middle East, but the project weight loss and improved eating habits. Compared has been repeatedly delayed by bureaucratic and politi- to the spiritual benefits of Ramadan, however, this is cal issues, including tensions between Kuwait’s parlia- insignificant. First and foremost, fasting is an act of ment and the cabinet. obedience to the Lord’s command to do so. At the KNPC said it had asked companies which had bid for least, one can fast as an act of submission. work on the project to extend the validity dates of their This is the first step towards piety and Prophet bids until it obtained the new funds. Bids for one of the Muhammad (PBUH) said that “Whoever fasts in the contracts, related to the tank farm, did not meet specifica- month of Ramadan with full consciousness of his tions so the company is inviting fresh bids and set July 7 as faith and a sense of accountability, will have all his KUWAIT: Photo shows a mosque in the middle of a roundabout in Murgab Kuwait City. Muslims around the the date for them to be submitted. The refinery will make previous sins forgiven.” world are celebrating Ramadan during which followers are required to abstain from food, drink and sex diesel, kerosene and naphtha for export and low-sulphur Continued on Page 13 from dawn to dusk. — Photo by Joseph Shagra fuel oil for domestic power stations.— Reuters

PAGE PAGE Ex-death row inmate Fake degree scam set to return home rocks Kuwait, GCC

National Assembly to pass domestic helper laws today Islamist MP questions visit of Iraqi cleric By B Izzak teed under existing regulations. The Assembly is also expected to pass a related KUWAIT: The National Assembly is scheduled today law to set up shareholding companies to be responsi- to have the second and final votes on a number of ble for the recruitment of domestic helpers with the key legislation dealing with the rights of domestic aim to reduce the costs and regulate the process. helpers besides debating budgets. MPs are highly Lawmakers will likely approve a law to establish the expected to pass the first Kuwaiti legislation ever to national human rights commission, also the first gov- regulate the affairs of maids, cooks, private drivers ernment-sponsored human rights body in the coun- and alike after they have been governed by a ministe- try. Head of the Priorities Committee MP Youssef Al- rial decision. The law provides a number of important Zalzalah said a request to debate statements by the rights to domestic helpers including an eight-hour oil minister will not be taken up today but will be working day, a weekly rest, an annual leave and end delayed for tomorrow. of service indemnity, all of which were never guaran- Continued on Page 13 Pakistan heatstroke death toll nears 200

KARACHI: Nearly 200 people have died in a heat wave in southern Pakistan, officials said yesterday, as the gov- ernment called in the army to help tackle widespread heatstroke in the worst-hit city Karachi. The death toll in Karachi, the country’s largest city, where tempera- tures hit 45 degrees Celsius (111 Fahrenheit) at the weekend, is at least 180 and a further 11 deaths were reported in southern parts of central Punjab province. The deaths come a month after neighboring India suffered the second deadliest heat wave in its history, with more than 2,000 deaths. Continued on Page 13 Agility unit to invest $225 million in UAE DUBAI: Agility said yesterday a unit of the Kuwaiti logistics firm had agreed with a real estate subsidiary of National Real Estate Company to invest $225 mil- lion in a shopping mall in Abu Dhabi. The mall will be a partnership project in which investment from United Projects Company for Aviation Services (UPAC) may reach $225 million in the coming three years, it said in a statement to the Dubai bourse. The financial impact of the investment on the company will be announced during phases of the project, Agility said. No details of the project were given. UPAC manages commercial space in Kuwait and real ISLAMABAD: Pakistani youths cool themselves off at estate in Kuwait International Airport, according to a river during a heat wave on the outskirts of Agility’s website. — Reuters Islamabad yesterday. — AFP LOCAL TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2015 Private universities struggle to absorb students on scholarships

By A Saleh students’ safety even during students’ “Assaulting doctors is becoming a fights, the comprehensive court phenomena spreading in various hos- KUWAIT: The Private Universities recently ordered the Ministry of pitals, thus affecting doctors’ perform- Council (PUC) stressed that private Education and a student’s parent to ance, and subsequently the quality of universities in Kuwait were almost at jointly compensate the parent of services they provide,” Qana’e said. full capacity now and that unless new another student with KD 50,000 for universities were opened, they would the injuries the kid sustained in a fight New Egyptian ambassador be unable to increase the number of in school. The injured student’s lawyer Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al- scholarships next year. The council Hisham Abdulaziz said that his client Sisi recently approved appointing the added that three more universities; sustained eye injury that affected the foreign minister’s deputy assistant for the Canadian Algonquin College, the vision in his left eye. The injury hap- European affairs Yasser Atef as the Aviation Technology College and pened when the other boy hit him new Egyptian ambassador to Kuwait, Kuwait Technology College, are set to with a pen, Abdulaziz said. replacing the current envoy Abdul open by the beginning of the next Kareem Suleiman. This comes within semester in September. The Ministry Doctors’ protection several changes in many Egyptian of Higher Education had announced Kuwait Medical Association (KMA)’s embassies and consulates around the Sunday that 3,600 students were Secretary General Dr Mohammed Al- world including Washington, accepted in the internal universities’ Qena’e said that KMA had recently Germany, London, Milan, Tel Aviv, scholarship program. proposed an amendment to the med- Cuba, Chicago, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, ical profession practice law to include Bahrain, the Vatican, the Czech, Student compensated a three-year prison penalty and/or a Ethiopia, Cyprus, Norway, Slovenia, In an unprecedented court ruling KD 5,000 fine for those who assault Islamabad, Los Angles, Brazil, Croatia KUWAIT: Kuwait Times Editor-in-Chief Abd Al-Rahman Al-Alyan received Mexico’s Ambassador to Kuwait Miguel that asserts teachers’ responsibility for doctors or any medical staff member. and Oman. Angel Isidro yesterday, and discussed with him matters of mutual concern. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat KUWAIT VOICES Ramadan soap operas’ review Working hard By Nawara Fattahova what he did. He leaves and threatens her of asks her to help him die. His wife comes goes back. The Kuwaiti students in for his family making her pay for it. over and promises not to leave him. Germany have a meeting for the new stu- KUWAIT: Kuwait Times is publishing a daily Hadeel takes her brother Fahd to get Ali Farouq’s wife complains of her husband dents, and Noora narrates her experiences. By Ben Garcia review of three Kuwaiti soap operas aired out of jail after being arrested at a party cheating on her. Futuh advises her to pack Mashael’s mother suspects her husband’s on Al Rai TV. Here are the reviews of the where he was the DJ. She asks him to stop her bags and tell him she is travelling with weird acts and nights out of the house. She elebrities, politicians, athletes, actors and crimi- fourth episodes: doing this work and focus on his other her friends. She packs her luggage while asks her son to follow his father to watch nals typically dominate headlines. Meanwhile, business of repairing mobile phones and Futuh calls Farouq and tells him about the him and find out where he disappears. He Cbillions of people go about their lives away from ‘Qabil lil Kaser’ computers and producing perfumes. Rakan plan, so he kicks his wife out of the house, always goes to the new house he just built the media spotlight. All of them - regardless of their Wed, the sister of Jinan, comes home calls Ali and tells him he is in the hospital telling to go for her trip. While Farouq is at and said he will rent it out. They arrive age, gender, nationality or occupation - have a story to and her brother tells her Jinan is in the hos- after being stabbed in a fight, and Ali visits his second wife’s house, her mother comes there and knock at the door, and the tell. This Ramadan, Kuwait Times wants to shift the pital. Then he finds out she was at the him there. to visit her with her baby son and ex-hus- woman inside doesn’t open the door, so conversation to the ordinary folks that make up the police station to give a testimony where band who proposes to get back with each they enter by the window to find the majority of this country. By listening to their stories she denied knowing Rakan and swore she ‘Ummina Rwehit Al Jannah’ other again, as they don’t know she is mar- woman is his second wife. Fawaz, Shouq’s and recognizing their humanity, we can remind our- is telling the truth. Sulaiman comes to the Fatma cooks the breakfast she used to ried, as it’s a secret marriage. brother, asks his girlfriend to marry him, selves and hopefully our readers of the ties that bind hospital and Jinan tells him she was behind serve to her children 30 years ago and puts but tells his mother if she agrees, he will us all together as a species. the miscarriage and that it wasn’t the first a plate of eggs and tomato in front of the ‘Thakira min Waraq’ not marry her. She comes to his house and Walking outside one of the biggest malls in Salmiya time as there were two before. She then door of each flat of her seven children, Mashael goes after Najd to the hotel meets his mother at the door, who tells her at eight in the morning, I saw a man in a cleaner’s uni- tells her friend that she felt good for mak- which reminds them of their childhood. and apologizes. She convinces her to come the truth, so she leaves. Fawaz then yells at form looking restless. In sympathy, I approached him ing him miserable, which was revenge for Fatma takes care of paralyzed Faisal who back to the flat, so she forgives her and his mother. and asked, “What is bothering you my friend”? The man said his family was in danger in Bangladesh since they have been battling the worst Former death row monsoon rains in months. “The non-stop rain has con- tinued for the past three days now,” he said. “I just spoke with my wife today. They said the water is high convict in Kuwait and my wife and my only child are moving to a higher area. I am wondering about their situation right now - set to return home hopefully they’ll be okay,” he said. MANILA: A Filipina who had languished in death row and The man introduced himself as Patchu and said he had been detained for more than 10 years in Kuwait is set hails from Sylhet, a major city in northeast Bangladesh, to return to the Philippines yesterday at 4:25 pm, the which lies on the banks of the Surma River. “We are Philippine Embassy in Kuwait reported. The Filipina’s case near the riverbank, so I am really concerned about the was all over the news in 2005, when she was arrested and safety of my family there. They said they are okay, but sentenced to death by a Kuwaiti Court for the murder of of course until the monsoon is over, I cannot be reas- her employer. sured. I know how hard it is when it rains in my place,” Following her arrest, the Department of Foreign Affairs he said. (DFA) crafted a legal strategy to ensure the protection of Later, Patchu revealed that he arrived only a month her rights throughout the legal process. Her death sen- ago in Kuwait. “I do not have a visa yet. My employer tence was commuted to life imprisonment in 2007, and said they will provide the visa. I have only worked for eventually to 10 years imprisonment in 2009. them for a month, so let us see what will happen next. “We are very happy that she will go home and be I am here to work,” he asserted. reunited with her family. We wish she could start anew,” I asked him about the situation in Bangladesh, and Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Renato Villa said. why he decided to accept a job here. “I was in Saudi During a regular jail visit by Embassy officials, she per- Arabia for eight years. I stayed there without visa. You sonally thanked the Embassy for providing all-out support know when you do not have a visa, you are in trouble. and assistance. She also conveyed her excitement over her But I survived eight years until I was caught by the homecoming. police. When I returned to Bangladesh, I got married The Embassy closely coordinated with the Deportation and had a son. It was hard without a regular job in my Department of Kuwait to expedite her repatriation to the country, so I accepted this cleaning job in Kuwait,” he Philippines. explained. The Embassy continues to regularly visit Filipino I asked Patchu what he has been grateful for in his detainees at the Kuwait Central Prison and provide legal life. “There are many things to be thankful in life. To be assistance to secure their pardon or commutation of sen- given a chance to work in Saudi Arabia without a visa is tence and eventual release from prison. — dfa.gov.ph one. I remember I landed in Saudi for hajj, but I never Army officers promoted returned. I thanked Allah for that experience and I want to be able to get and save more money so I can stay in my country with my family. That is my hope,” he said. A to Brigadier General few minutes later, five of Patchu’s colleagues arrived. News “These are my co-workers. They come from Jleeb Al- KUWAIT: Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the Armed Forces the Crown Prince and HH the Prime In brief Shuyoukh by another bus. I came earlier because I Minister of Defense Sheikh Khaled Al- Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Minister, the Ministry of Defense said woke up early and I got the first bus. Now, excuse me, I Jarrah Al-Sabah promoted a number Sabah. in a statement. Army Chief of Staff have got to go,” he said, before hurrying off. of army officers with the Brigadier In a ceremony held for the promo- Lieutenant General Mohammad Longest days of General rank. The promotion came in tion of military officers, Sheikh Khaled Al-Khoder and several other year to continue line with an Amiri decree issued by His Khaled Al-Jarrah congratulated the high-ranking officers attended the KUWAIT: The longest days of the year which started since Man drives through Highness the Amir and the Supreme officers on behalf of HH the Amir, HH ceremony. — KUNA the summer solstice on Sunday will continue in the north- ern hemisphere of the earth till June 25, as the daytime electronics showroom will last for 14 hours and three minutes, astronomer and historian Adel Al-Saadoun said yesterday. He added that By Hanan Al-Saadoun the sun’s appearance on Sunday was perpendicular with Manpower authority to reveal the tropic of cancer which resulted in the longest daytime KUWAIT: An Asian man was detained at Hawally police sta- in the year, as the shadows reach its lowest level in coun- tion for driving his vehicle into the storefront of a well- violating companies’ names tries located northern the equator. The temperature will known electronics showroom in Hawally and damaging a increase in Kuwait as the sun rays will be vertical, especial- lot of its contents. The driver was not drunk and the acci- By Meshaal Al-Enezi or not, Subaih added. Licenses of non- Sheikha Khalifa Al-Ali Al-Sabah follow- ly during the noon time, while the sun will later start to dent probably happened because of confusion or lack of existent or ‘fake’ companies are often ing the heated exchange between the decline gradually until reaching the vernal equinox by experience, the sources noted. No injuries were reported in KUWAIT: The Manpower Public used to facilitate human trafficking by two in regards to the closing of Al- September 22. —KUNA the incident. Authority took action against compa- issuing and selling visas to people Watan newspaper. In another case, a nies which could not be found based willing to pay money in order to come suspect in a drugs case told the judge: on the addresses in their licenses, but to Kuwait for work. “I do not want to be released; I am Power consumption whose employees are out in the labor comfortable in prison,” security KUWAIT: Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) market, Minister of Social Affairs and Court cases sources said. announced yesterday a plan to launch a project aimed Labor Minister Hind Al-Subaih said. The criminal court sentenced a citi- at rationing electrical consumption at residential The names of 60 companies will be zen to death for killing then torching Building residences apartments and commercial towers. The real-estate published to be followed by others, so his friend’s body in Zour. Separately, State Minister for Municipal Affairs company chosen for co-launching the project will offer workers can be aware of their legal the court yesterday extended the Essa Al-Kandari opposed the decision necessary facilities to install measuring devices to status, the minister said. The authority detention of several citizens on accu- of the Municipal Council to adjust the monitor the power consumption at several buildings gave those workers two months; from sations of harboring former MP clearance space between private resi- and complexes, said Dr Ahmad Al-Mullah, director of June 1 until August 1, to adjust their Musallam Al-Barrak, and decided to dential buildings with an area less energy efficiency technology at KISR. These devices situation, and is revealing the compa- consider the case during the June 29 than 750 square meters, because the will be helpful to rationalize on the electrical con- nies’ names so that workers will know hearing. Meanwhile, the court post- matter was not considered by the sumption, particularly at peak times, he said, noting whether the companies they are reg- poned hearing the complaint of Maj executive department which is a vio- that the plan is in line with KISR’s broad 8th strategy, istered in are suspended permanently Gen Abdelfattah Al-Ali against lation of Item 12 of Law 5/2005. intended to reap economic and environmental bene- fits at the national level. — KUNA

Interior Ministry marks Combat against epidemics KUWAIT: The State of Kuwait made major strides in the combat against epidemic diseases through effective pre- int’l day against drugs ventive measures, Minister of Health Dr Ali Al-Obaidi said. “Kuwait has won praise of the World Health Organization for responding to pandemic and epidemic diseases,” he KUWAIT: On the occasion of the International Fairgrounds in Mishref Bashaer Al-Khair Charity Organization. International Day Against Drug Abuse with participation from various gov- In other news, Ministry of Interior’s told reporters Sunday on the sidelines of his meeting and Illicit Trafficking, the Interior ernment and private bodies including Undersecretary Lieutenant General with representatives of the medical sector on the occa- Ministry is due to hold a special cere- Kuwait National Guard, ministries of Suleiman Fahad Al-Fahad yesterday sion of the holy month of Ramadan. “The Ministry of mony on June 28 under the auspices defense, education, social affairs, received the United States’ Health is working with the competent parties, including of Deputy Prime Minister and Interior health and Awqaf, the Kuwait Society Ambassador to Kuwait Douglas the state departments the Ministry of Interior, health Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al- For Smoking and Cancer Prevention, Silliman and his accompanying dele- inspection department in the border areas and non-profit Khaled Al-Sabah. The event will take Public Authority for Youth and Sports, gation. The two sides discussed mat- organizations, to prevent any outbreak of diseases,” he place at hall number 7 at Kuwait the Customs General Department and ters of mutual concern. added. — KUNA TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2015 LOCAL

Fake degree scam Turkish embassy makes KRCS serves iftar reaches Kuwait visa announcement to 168,000 refugees KUWAIT: The Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) is carry- By Sara Ahmed KUWAIT: Thanks to our strong and deep rooted ing from various parts of the world. Turkish authori- ing out an annual program providing iftar (fast-breaking) meals during the holy month of Ramadan to 168,000 inter- KUWAIT: Dozens of professionals in Kuwait - and friendly and brotherly relations between Turkey and ties spend maximum efforts in a way to make all pro- Kuwait, each year more and more Kuwaiti guests cedures easier for visitors. In this context, the nally displaced persons (IDOs) and refugees in four coun- hundreds (perhaps thousands) across the region - tries, said chairman Hilal Al-Sayer. The meals are offered to have been visiting Turkey. Embassy kindly suggests our Kuwaiti guests to may hold fake degrees from non-existent universi- Syrian refugees in Lebanon and Jordan, in addition to the ties without even realizing it. One such professional Turkey attaches high importance and takes all rel- obtain their visas online from needy in Somalia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sayer added contacted by Kuwait Times and who asked that his evant measures to ensure her most welcomed https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/ prior going to Turkey. in a press statement yesterday. He noted that the KRCS is name not be revealed was shocked to learn that the Kuwaiti guests enjoying their travel to Istanbul Getting e-visa before the flight will help our Kuwaiti keen on supporting people affected by catastrophes or degree he has listed on his LinkedIn profile is from a which is one of the most well known and favorite guests to shorten their waiting time at the airport. E- armed conflicts worldwide. The meals project in Lebanon fictional university and that the company he earned holiday destination in the world. visa can be printed from the link just after the appli- includes 30,000 Syrian refugees, and 28,000 in Jordan, in the degree through now facing a federal investiga- However, visa procedures may take more time cation. Issuing of a stamp visa at airport will also be addition to 90,000 people in Somalia and 1, 000 families in tion in Pakistan. than expected at the Istanbul Ataturk Airport due to in practice for a while. Both stamp visa and e-visa is Bosnia, Sayer added. — KUNA The scam reaches across more than half a dozen the high season and large numbers of tourist com- absolutely free for Kuwaitis. Kindly he informed. countries and several years, and involves what may end up being hundreds of thousands of dollars. In May, a newspaper in the United Arab Emirates exposed what it labeled a diploma mill based in Pakistan, the Axact IT company. The firm reportedly operated hundreds of fake online universities and sold degrees - essentially worthless paper printed diplomas - to unsuspecting students across the Gulf. Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) raided the company’s headquarters in Karachi and arrested Shoaib Shaikh, CEO and owner of Axact, Gulf News reported in June. Degrees cost around $4,500 and were often awarded based on ‘experience’ with even advanced degrees included. Some students interacted with who they thought were ‘professors’ and even sub- mitted papers and other school work. Payments were often made using wire services. A LinkedIn search for the name of the universi- ties + Kuwait turned up hundreds of such fake degree holders here including people teaching in schools and working in managerial positions.

Some of the fake degrees were awarded from fic- titious universities including the following: • Rochville University • Belford University • Midtown University • Edgebrook University • Belltown University • Ashley University • Port Jefferson University • Paramount California University • Orlando University The UAE, a primary target for the fake degrees scam, has responded to the scandal, first reported by the UAE publication, XPRESS. In a press confer- ence, the Ministry of Higher Education and Research said a law is being drafted to punish those caught faking degrees and called on all govern- ment departments and private companies to check the degrees of their employees for authenticity. A June 11 XPRESS report citing AXACT whistleblower Yasir Jamshaid said over 200,000 people in the region have bought fake degrees from the dubious Pakistani IT firm including many working in top positions such as vice presidents and CEOs. TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2015

Photo of the day

A photograph from the book ‘Voice of Oud’ by Jehan Rajab (researched by Mahmoud Zakariya) shows the port of Kuwait as it looked like in 1950. VIVA shares Ramadan’s joy with the elderly As part of its corporate social responsibility

KUWAIT: VIVA, Kuwait’s fastest-growing and most developed munity by spreading the spirit of goodness amongst Kuwaiti telecom operator, announced that it organized a Ramadan society. visit to the elderly at the Social Care House continuing its sup- VIVA reiterates through actions its commitment to being port towards the local community. an active member of the local community in Kuwait as part of The visit was attended by VIVA’s Corporate its CSR commitment. VIVA’s Corporate Social Responsibility Communications team who took the opportunity to spread (CSR) activities can be reviewed on the company’s website at joy and happiness in the elderly’s hearts as well as distribut- https://www.viva.com.kw/csr. This offers a description of each ing gift bags to them. VIVA took the opportunity to show its CSR initiative that VIVA has supported, or taken on since its respect and appreciation to the elderly that have con- inception. To find out more information about VIVA’s products tributed greatly to the development of this community and and services, visit any of the company’s 69 VIVA branches, or the younger generations throughout their years. VIVA is keen the website at www.viva.com.kw, or simply call VIVA’s 24 hour to continue its ongoing socially responsible role in the com- call center at 102.

1436 - 2015 06. What is the name of tribe of our Holy Prophet Sallallahu ‘Alaihi Wa Sallam?

Qura’ish Alkwarej Alkhazraj

VIVA’s Corporate Communications executives handing gifts to the elderly.

TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2015 From the Arabic press

Crime Al-Anbaa Report Employees in Ramadan! Language of ‘Mean joke’ sends compassion citizen to prison By Nermin Al-Hooti KUWAIT: A joke became trouble for a citizen when he sent a death threat to his friend from a new phone number. A security source said a man was surprised to receive a mes- rophet Mohammad, peace and blessings be sage from an unknown person threatening to kill him, so upon him, said: “The example of the believers in he rushed to Farwaniya police station and filed a com- Ptheir affection, mercy and compassion for each plaint. When detectives checked the number, they discov- other is that of a body, when any limb aches, the whole ered the owner was a friend of the complainant. Further body reacts with sleeplessness and fever.” investigations revealed that there was no problem Yes, this is a language many societies lack, except between the two, and the SMS was sent only as a joke. Still, for our Islam, which is built on compassion and was police kept the suspect for questioning and further action. among the foundations of the faith. If we read the Holy Quran, we find the word compassion mentioned more than once and in many verses. In fact, we find, in many hadiths and stories on the life of the Prophet that the Insulted messenger (PBUH) had called for and reminded of it. A citizen told police a female Arab tailor insulted her Yet as time went by and life changed, we lost the lan- over a piece of fabric. Police are investigating the case. guage of compassion and its meaning, and we became In another story, police had to interfere to break up a like other societies and lacked compassion in our fight between two men in a Salmiya café who fought hearts. because of old disputes between them. Compassion is not limited to giving to the poor, Al-Anbaa feeding the hungry and helping the needy. Mercy is showing compassion in your words before your action ‘Kidnapping’ and that is the language of compassion, which the A citizen accused her Egyptian husband of kidnapping majority of the Muslim society is lacking. While many their daughter and taking her out of the country over fami- Al-Jarida rich people give donations out of mercy for the poor, ly disputes. The citizen filed a complaint at Abu Halifa we see some using that language for media publicity police station. and announcing their donations and charities without A referendum having mercy on the needy and placing them in a situ- ation they do not like, since the poor’s need for com- passion makes them bow down to those who do not Wanted man arrested ByMudaffar Abdullah have mercy. Police in Ahmadi sent a citizen to criminal detectives Among the most beautiful things our Prophet hat if the Cabinet or the Ministry of l Will the education minister be able to change after arresting him in Fahaheel and was found wanted (PBUH) recommended is that if your right hand gave for seven felony cases. The arrest was made when Planning decides to conduct the following curriculums with political interference? you goodness, your left hand should not see it. That is l police noticed a sports utility vehicle (SUV) without a Wsurvey among citizens? Rather, why not In your opinion, who is behind the soaring prices mercy that is between the Lord and his worshipper license plate, so they stopped it and when they made adopt such a scientific approach as a policy to of bringing in new domestic helpers? without declaration and media. When you have mercy an inquiry to the driver’s identity, they found that he investigate what is on citizens’ minds concerning l Do you feel job security by getting a job in a pri- on the poor and the needy, then you are taking from was wanted. those running the country? vate sector company? the name of the ‘Compassionate and Merciful,’ so you Resorting to public opinion surveys or referen- l Do you feel that state apparatuses protect you will be rewarded by Him alone. Yet today, we find the dums might give us some shocking results. It is against soaring prices, commercial fraud, as well majority of those who claim to have the language of Three injured over ‘shisha’ absolutely untrue that local dailies reflect what as foul and inedible food? compassion do it for propaganda alone, without think- An argument over who gets the shisha first broke into a goes on in people’s minds. Social media networks l Have you ever reported a corruption incident ing about the reward from the Compassionate which is fight between 20 persons, according to the emergency call are becoming the last resort for thousands of peo- you personally witnessed to the Public most noble and sublime above any ad or media, so report. Patrol cars and six ambulances were dispatched to ple wishing to express themselves freely despite the Anticorruption Authority? where are you from the Mercy of Allah to human the scene, and three injured persons were sent to hospital. legal repercussions of what some people may write, l Do you see any benefit in continuing the over- beings? Two persons were arrested. something that is usually settled in courts of law seas treatment policy? In conclusion: To those who do not know the lan- and has limited the freedom of expression out of l Why do you think the government changed its guage of compassion, remember this statement: ‘In the fear. mind on privatizing Kuwait Airways? name of Allah, most Compassionate most Merciful.’ Salon break-in The following are some public concerns: l How do you view state officials’ confessions that —Translated by Kuwait Times l A citizen who owns a ladies’ beauty parlor in Salmiya Do you see that some of the government’s poli- bribery is widespread in all government depart- told police that unknown people damaged the cies promote racism and sectarianism? ments and that they are too weak to change it? salon’s doors and stole KD 332. Detectives are work- l Do you see that both powers earnestly pursue l Have you sensed Kuwait’s setback in freedom of ing on the case. public fund violators? expression? Al-Jarida l Do you trust politicians’ ability to solve the coun- l Do you think withdrawing or revoking citizen- try’s problems? ships should be subjected to the judiciary? l Car break-in Do you trust that the Cabinet is capable of pro- These are sample questions that we can add to Hanan’s Letter viding a fair and comprehensive solution to the probe what goes on in citizens’ minds, which we A Kuwaiti woman in her fifties told Bayan police that upon bedoon problem within a year? believe should be taken as a neutral and scientific leaving a mosque, she found her car glass shattered and l Do you sense any danger in the fact that the oil method to solve their problems. her civil ID, 3 ATM cards and an iPhone 5 were missing. sector is now subject to settling old scores? — Translated by Kuwait Times By Arwa Al-Waqian — Al-Rai, Al-Anbaa

anan’s letter was just like any other of the thousands of letters from Syrian refugees Hyou and I have been receiving, requesting aid through random messages sent via WhatsApp. I initially ignored her letter but when I was in Djibouti on a voluntary mission, I received another one from Hanan saying that she was to undergo a caesarian operation soon and sent me all informa- tion about her. For some reason, I thought she might be honest. I asked for more information and for her per- mission to publish some of it and promised to help her with a meager sum. A month later, she sent another message saying that she was due in a month and that neither the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) nor the hos- pital she was going to in Jordan would pay the cost of her operation. I wanted to help, but I was in doubt and did not want my money to go to IS or any other terrorists. Consulting my friend and colleague Khalid Al- Zaid from Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) about the matter, he suggested having a counter- part of his in the Jordanian Red Crescent Society check the whole thing to verify if her story was true, and accordingly arrange the payment of hos- pital fees without giving her any cash. I also spread the word among friends and fami- ly if any wished to contribute to paying the cost of her surgery and luckily, a friend’s aunt gave me the surgery fees, just two days before childbirth. The money was transferred under supervision of KRCS Zain platinum sponsor of and as soon as she gave birth, she sent me a photo of her newborn. I was so happy to mediate between a donor and a refugee who no one might have believed in. On a recent trip to Jordan to distribute aid relief to ‘Rijeemy’ Health Program Syrian refugees in various Jordanian cities, I saw many refugees including the honest ones, even those who lied because they had been marginal- Health event held for second year at 360 Mall ized and received nothing. So many stories were true and so many others were false. Still, these are stories about distressed refugees: people who KUWAIT: Zain, the leading telecommunica- will be held as part of the ‘Rijeemy’ program. have to do anything to provide for his daily suste- tions company in Kuwait, unveiled its plat- The daily Walkathon, one of the event’s nance and other expenses. inum sponsorship of the sixth edition of the most exciting main activities, will offer par- Refugees there do not respect childbirth limita- ‘Rijeemy’ Health Program for the second ticipants and mall visitors a chance to speed tions. They keep on having children when they do year running. The event, considered one of walk in Mall 360 alongside renowned not even have the least of basic daily needs. They the biggest health programs in Kuwait, is Clinical and Sport Nutrition consultant Dr held on a daily basis at Mall 360 except for Abdullah Al-Mutawa, where he will give live have their children raised in tents and learn beg- Fridays and Saturdays from 5-6 pm health and sport tips. ging. One can see those children begging all over throughout the Holy Month of Ramadan to Zain added that this year’s edition of the the streets in countries where Syrians have been promote a healthier and more active ‘Rijeemy’ health program will witness the displaced to like in Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan lifestyle during fasting. participation of a large number of certified where they become heavy burdens to host coun- Zain announced that its sponsorship of volunteers from ‘Rijeemy Center’, who will tries as they have been taking job opportunities this distinguished health program comes as be providing medical advice and health tips from citizens in exchange for lower wages. For part of its extensive Corporate Social to participants as they join the daily activi- example, Jordan is a very poor country with a Responsibility campaign of special activities ties. In addition, Zain was keen on inviting weak economy. It is certainly unfair that refugees and initiatives that are held throughout the its own employees to participate and volun- get everything and all the aids while the citizens Holy Month of Ramadan. The previous edi- teer in the programs’ activities to further tions of the ‘Rijeemy’ program witnessed affirm its commitment towards its own there remain poor. the massive participation of nearly 1,500 human resources. War does not only affect a certain country, it participants per day, which further encour- It is worth noting that ‘Rijeemy’ aims at affects the whole Arab World. Arriving at a cross- aged the company’s support of this pro- elevating the level of health awareness road, I asked Hanan to meet me so that I could gram to actively affirm its CSR strategy among people who are fasting during the give her some aid. She arrived and showed me her towards the health and sports sectors. holy month of Ramadan. The event is keen first baby, Omar. I kissed them both and she The company explained that it has pre- on promoting a healthier and more active thanked me for ‘believing her.’ pared a number of special programs for its lifestyle during fasting through engaging — Translated by Kuwait Times customers thorough the daily activities that participants in exciting activities. TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2015 Taleban make brazen Solidarity in Charleston before victims’ funerals attack on Afghanistan parliament Page 9 Page 11

GAZA CITY: In this July 24, 2014 file photo, a Palestinian shouts in an area damaged in an Israeli airstrike. — AP photos UN Gaza report: Both sides guilty of war crimes Both rulers reject report’s findings

JERUSALEM: A much-awaited United Nations report into the 2014 the 50-day war, it said. Gaza war released yesterday found that both Israel and Palestinian mil- Palestinians have said that the Israeli army violated the rules of war, itant groups may have committed war crimes during the conflict. Both which include giving adequate warning to civilians, using proportion- Israel and Gaza’s Hamas rulers quickly rejected the report’s findings, ate force and distinguishing between civilians and combatants. They which said Palestinian militants targeted civilians in their rocket have pointed to the high civilian casualty count as evidence. Israel attacks, while Israeli forces likely used “disproportionate” force in civil- claims that Hamas is responsible for the civilian casualties because it ian areas of the Gaza Strip - both identified by the UN committee as used Gaza’s residents as “human shields” by firing rockets from residen- potential war crimes. tial areas and operating in schools, hospitals and mosques. It also While Israel long has had a contentious relationship with the United notes that Hamas’ rockets and mortar shells were aimed at Israeli pop- Nations, the stakes now are much higher as Palestinians have joined ulation centers. the International Criminal Court and are pursuing war crimes charges Israel has argued that it took unprecedented measures to avoid against Israel. Yesterday’s report could play a key role in the case civilian casualties, ordering residents to evacuate through leaflets, against Israel. phone calls, radio broadcasts and warning strikes with unarmed shells “The extent of the devastation and human suffering in Gaza was ahead of live airstrikes. However, the UN commission said that in many unprecedented and will impact generations to come,” said Mary incidents “the weapons used, the timing of attacks, and the fact that McGowan Davis, the chair of the commission. “There is also ongoing the targets were located in densely populated areas indicate that the fear in Israel among communities who come under regular threat.” The Israel Defense Forces may not have done everything feasible to avoid war started July 8, 2014, after the kidnapping and killing of three or limit civilian casualties.” Israeli teenagers in the West Bank, as well as the subsequent kidnap- In its conclusions, the commission said Israel “released insufficient ping and burning alive of a Palestinian teenager in an apparent information regarding the specific military objectives of its attacks.” It revenge attack. Israel responded to the teens’ kidnapping by arresting also noted Israel refused to allow its investigators to enter Gaza. The hundreds of Hamas members in raids in the West Bank, prompting mil- report also criticized Hamas, saying that its rocket attacks toward Israel itant groups in Gaza to step up their rocket attacks. “caused immense distress and disruption to the lives of Israeli civilians, More than 2,200 Palestinians, including hundreds of civilians, were especially those living in the southern regions.” It also noted that while killed during the fighting, according to UN and Palestinian officials, Israel had taken steps to investigate its own alleged violations, it con- while 73 people, including six civilians, died on the Israeli side. Israel cluded that “investigations by Palestinian authorities are woefully preemptively criticized the report as biased. In particular, Israel took inadequate.” It also condemned the extrajudicial killings in Gaza of issue with the UN Human Rights Council that commissioned the alleged “collaborators,” which it also called a potential war crime. — AP inquiry, saying it is stacked with countries that focus disproportionate attention on Israel while having poor human rights records themselves. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted that throughout the conflict Israel acted according to international law and he criticized the UN Human Rights Council yesterday as a body that does “every- thing but worry about human rights.” “Israel does not commit war crimes. Israel defends itself against a ter- rorist organization that calls for its destruction and car- ries out many war crimes,” Netanyahu said. “We will continue to act forcefully and determinedly against those who seek to harm our citizens and we will do this according to international law.”

False balance Hamas was similarly defiant, with senior official Ghazi Hamad telling The Associated Press the UN report created a false balance “between the victims and the killers.” He said Hamas rockets and mortars were aimed at Israeli military sites, not at civilians. Israel has attacked the council’s latest investigation since it was ordered last July. Israeli claims of bias forced the head of the investigation, Canadian law pro- fessor William Schabas, to resign earlier this year after it was discovered he had provided legal advice to the Palestine Liberation Organization. Schabas was replaced by Davis, an American jurist. The other mem- ber of the commission was Doudou Diene of Senegal. Israel’s Foreign Ministry said it was studying the full UN report, but noted “it is well known that the entire process that led to the production of this report was politically motivated and morally flawed from the out- set.” It said the UNHRC “has a singular obsession with Israel, passing more country specific resolutions against Israel than against Syria, Iran and North Korea combined - in fact, more than against all other coun- tries combined.” A report by the council into the 2008-2009 war, con- ducted by South African jurist Richard Goldstone, found evidence that Israel and Hamas both committed war crimes, though Goldstone later backed off his key allegations against Israel. The UN commission, which presented its findings in Geneva, said the 2014 hostili- ties saw a huge increase in firepower, with more than 6,000 airstrikes by Israel and approximately 50,000 tank and artillery shells fired. Palestinian armed groups fired 4,881 rockets and 1,753 mortars toward Israel during INTERNATIONAL TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2015

European police team to take on IS social media propaganda

LONDON: A Europe-wide police unit is to be set Up to 5,000 people from Western Europe are advanced and had moved into social media in a rather than just playing a simple numbers game,” up next month with the aim of shutting down thought to have travelled to Syria and Iraq, many to way no militant group had done before. The new he said. Peter Neumann, director of the London- social media accounts used by key Islamic State join Islamic State, causing widespread concern police unit, initially made up of about 10-20 offi- based International Centre for the Study of (IS) militants to spread propaganda and recruit for- among European states that their citizens could cers from across Europe, will work with unnamed Radicalisation and Political Violence, which has eigners to their cause, Europol said yesterday. return radicalized and ready to carry out attacks at social media companies to target the accounts closely studied the internet use of European fight- The small police team will scour the internet home. Two British cases have highlighted its allure used by prominent IS figures in multiple lan- ers in the region, said the unit should have some and try to take down accounts of IS ringleaders in the last week: a 17-year-old from northern guages. A report by US think-tank the Brookings impact, but would be reliant on social media firms’ within hours of being detected, in a bid to dent a England became Britain’s youngest suicide bomber Institution in March estimated there were at least cooperation. propaganda machine which is reckoned to send in an IS attack in Iraq, while three sisters abandoned 46,000 Twitter accounts supporting IS and possi- “It’s not only about reducing the supply of out about 100,000 tweets a day. “It’s a reasonable their husbands and are believed to have taken their bly as many as 90,000, and Wainwright accepted it extremist material on the internet, it’s also about estimate and it indicates the scale of the problem nine children to join the militants in Syria. would be impossible to get rid of all internet pro- increasing the amount of counter-extremist mes- that we are up against,” Rob Wainwright, Director files. sages that directly challenge the extremist narrative,” of Europol, the Hague-based police agency which Internet profiles “In the end, what we are hoping to have is a he told Reuters. “You have to accept that you will will coordinate the unit, told BBC radio. Wainwright said IS was technologically strategic impact against the problem as a whole never be able to take everything down.” — Reuters Israel, Jordan foster ties in the midst of regional chaos Ensuring the stability of the pro-Western kingdom

AMMAN: A new Jordanian think tank that focus- tion groups has rallied against the gas deal, robust democracy, but noted that freedom does es on Israel is tucked away on the seventh floor under the slogan, “Gas of the Enemy is not extend to Palestinians under Israeli occupa- of a glass-fronted Amman office building, with- Occupation.” tion. Sawalha, who does not speak Hebrew, said out a sign announcing the presence of the In such a climate, the Center for Israel Studies he’s heard Israeli Arabs complain of discrimina- Center for Israel Studies. It’s the sort of discretion quietly began operations, setting up a website tion, but that he felt that “overall, the Arabs are still customary in Jordan when it comes to any- this year that publishes Arabic translations of living in good conditions.” Activists in Jordan’s thing concerning Israel. Broad segments of Israeli articles about Israel and its views of the anti-normalization movement view the study Jordanian society, where a majority have Arab world. The Amman center also produces its center’s claims of objectivity with suspicion. Palestinian roots, oppose “normalization” with own studies about Israel. Director Abdullah Thoraya El-Rayyes, a researcher at the Jordanian Israel even 21 years after the two countries Sawalha said he is trying to provide more accu- National Campaign to Block the Gas Deal with signed a peace deal. rate information about Israel, arguing that Israel, said she believes the think tank is meant Yet ties have grown stronger between the Jordanians know little or have been misin- to promote a more positive view of Israel in governments since the regional rise of Islamic formed. Jordan. She also questioned the center’s unwill- militancy unleashed by the 2011 Arab Spring “Israel exists in this region,” he said, adding ingness to disclose sources of funding. uprisings. Israel and Jordan have signed deals that “many, many people (in Jordan) have an on natural gas and water desalination in recent interest in this subject, but they don’t talk about Leftists to Islamists months and Israeli officials say security cooper- it.” Sawalha, a former employee in Jordan’s gov- El-Rayyes said the anti-gas group represents a AMMAN: In this Wednesday, June 10, 2015 photo, Abdullah Sawalha, director of the ation is closer than ever. Israel needs Jordan as ernment spokesman’s office, said his center is broad range of Jordan’s political opposition, Center for Israel Studies, talks about the motives and structure of the new research a security buffer on its eastern flank, and is put- independent, but declined to reveal sources of from leftists to Islamists. Activists argue the gas center focused on increasing Arab understanding of Israel. — AP ting a premium on helping to ensure the stabil- funding. Sawalha said he tries to show Israel in a deal could make Jordan dependent on Israel and ity of the pro-Western kingdom, which faces realistic light, but doesn’t hide his politics: He that taxes flowing into Israeli’s treasury could potential threats from Islamic State militants supports the establishment of a Palestinian state finance Jewish settlements and military action who control large areas in neighboring Syria in the lands Israel occupied in 1967 and opposes against Palestinians. Iran hopes EU meeting and Iraq. violence. In a reflection of the public mood, the lower Jordan, chronically short on water and ener- For the time being, it’s “not useful” to adver- house of Jordan’s parliament overwhelmingly gy, needs Israel as a supplier to diversify imports tise the center’s location by putting a sign on the rejected the gas deal in December in a non- can boost nuclear talks and prevent further shocks to its fragile econo- door, he said, referring to the prevailing mood in binding vote. The agreement, which could my. Israel, meanwhile, is considering hiring Jordan. The center might adopt a higher profile secure a large chunk of Jordan’s energy needs, is TEHRAN: A top Iranian official said he take place on the sidelines of the monthly workers from Jordan’s troubled tourism sector in in coming months, said Sawalha, who has been hung up over regulatory issues in Israel. hopes a meeting yesterday with three meeting of heads of diplomacy of its Red Sea port of Eilat. “The relations have interviewed by the Jordanian media. He asked Israeli-Jordan relations also hit a rough spot European foreign ministers will address key European Union members. Zarif will hold indeed become closer,” said Emmanuel Nahshon, not to disclose the location of 10 Hebrew trans- late last year amid Jewish-Muslim tensions over disagreements in nuclear talks, noting that talks with Britain’s Philip Hammond, the Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman. “We see lators who are based in another Arab country, prayer rights at a key contested shrine in “this marathon is nearing its end”. Abbas Laurent Fabius of France, Germany’s Frank- Jordan as a strategic partner, and have every suggesting they could otherwise face problems. Jerusalem, where Jordan serves as custodian. In Araghchi, a negotiator, said Foreign Walter Steinmeier, and later a joint meeting intention of assisting and cooperating.” Another key figure at the study center is a sign of the importance Israel places on its ties Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif is due in with EU foreign policy chief Federica Yehiyeh Matalka, who oversees translations from with Jordan, the Israeli government moved Luxembourg for discussions with his Mogherini. ‘National interests’ Amman. Matalka said he learned Hebrew by quickly to restore calm after Jordan temporarily British, French and German counterparts There will then be bilateral talks Jordanian officials are more guarded. accident, starting in 1993, when Baghdad recalled its ambassador. on the potentially historic accord that between Iran and the three ministers. Iran “Jordan’s relations with Israel are subject to University mistakenly signed him up for the lan- Oded Eran, a former Israeli ambassador to could resolve a 12-year dispute over the and the P5+1 have been engaged in nego- Jordan’s national interests,” government guage instead of German and refused to change Jordan, said he believes some Jordanians are re- Islamic republic’s atomic program. A final tiations for 21 months on ending interna- spokesman Mohammed Momani said. “The gov- the registration. Sawalha and Matalka, who have evaluating their country’s relationship with deal is due by June 30. tional concern that Iran is developing an ernment does not force any Jordanian to engage both visited Israel, displayed detailed knowledge Israel, but that real peace would likely only be “Differences on the text of the agree- atomic bomb, an allegation denied by in relations with Israel, but those who do are not of Israeli politics and the country’s social prob- possible if progress is made toward an Israeli- ment have been reduced but the progress Tehran. It is “probable” that US Secretary of breaking any laws.” lems, such as the recent anti-discrimination Palestinian deal. In the meantime, the study cen- hasn’t been what we expected,” said State John Kerry, who has been recovering Many Jordanians oppose ties with Israel, protests by Jews of Ethiopian origin and the ter fulfills an important role, he said. “I really Araghchi, a deputy foreign minister who from a broken leg, will travel to Vienna “at arguing there can be no normalization as long deep divide between secular and religious admire their courage because it is not easy in an was to join Zarif, according to state televi- the end of this week” for bilateral talks as Israel occupies war-won lands the Palestinians Jewish Israelis. Arab country to speak objectively about Israel,” sion. Araghchi has been in Vienna where ahead of the June 30 deadline, said want for a state. A coalition of Jordanian opposi- The two said they were struck by Israel’s he said. — AP talks between experts from Iran and the Araghchi. “The rest of P5+1 foreign minis- P5+1 bloc (Britain, China, France, Russia ters are expected to join. This marathon is and the United States plus Germany) have nearing its end,” he added. World powers sought to narrow gaps. say a final agreement must guarantee the “We hope that during the meeting of peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program. the ministers today there will be more dis- In exchange, international sanctions that cussion about differences in several key have ravaged Iran’s economy would be lift- issues,” Araghchi said. The meeting is to ed. — AFP

Ethiopian ruling party wins every parliamentary seats

ADDIS ABABA: Ethiopia’s ruling party The elections were culminated in a and its allies celebrated a clean sweep free, fair, peaceful, credible and demo- victory in parliament Monday with the cratic manner.” EPRDF, in power in announcement of last month’s elec- Africa’s second-most populous nation tion results. The Ethiopian People’s for over two decades, along with its Revolutionary Democratic Front allies also won a near clean sweep in (EPRDF) of Prime Minister regional state councils, winning all but Hailemariam Desalegn secured all 546 21 of the 1,987 seats. parliamentary seats, including the African Union observers said the sole seat held by an opposition MP in May 24 polls passed off without inci- the previous chamber, said Merga dent, but the opposition alleged the Bekana, chairman of the electoral government had used authoritarian board. tactics to guarantee victory. Ethiopia, Preliminary results for the last out- whose 1984 famine triggered a major standing constituency, the southwest- global fundraising effort, has experi- ern Bonga district where elections enced near-double-digit economic were delayed, showed the EPRDF also growth and huge infrastructure invest- winning that seat. “The performance ment-making the country one of of the ruling party is good but the Africa’s top-performing economies and RIYADH: Saudi and foreign Muslims break their fast during the holy month of Ramadan at Turki bin Abdulaziz grand mosque in the capital. — AFP competition was strong,” Merga told a magnet for foreign investment. It also reporters at the release of final results. remains a favorite of international “The general elections were character- donors-despite concerns over human Burundi rivals trade blame over grenade attacks ized by high voter turnout and orderly rights-as a bastion of stability in an oth- conduct of the elections proceedings. erwise troubled region. — AFP BUJUMBURA, Burundi: Burundi’s government and ment in violence, condemning the attacks “in the seriously, a police officer said, adding that three sus- opposition yesterday traded blame for grenade strongest terms” and accusing the government of pects had been arrested. In the neighboring north- attacks that killed four people and wounded trying to “exploit” them to get rid of their oppo- ern Kirundo province, another person was wound- around 30 in ongoing violence a week ahead of key nents. ed in a blast, while a grenade was also thrown into a Swiss maintains freeze on parliamentary elections. The troubled central “Our movement is and will remain peaceful,” said bar in the northeastern Muyinga district, although African nation has been in crisis since late April over Jeremiah Minani, spokesman of the Arusha no one was hurt in that attack. In Bujumbura, two President Pierre Nkurunziza’s controversial bid to Movement coalition, which includes opposition policemen were wounded by a grenade yesterday Assad’s wealthy cousin stand for a third consecutive five-year term, a move parties and civil society groups opposed to morning. branded by opponents as unconstitutional and a Nkurunziza’s third term. “We think it could be a plot “These people want to frighten the population violation of a 2006 peace deal that ended 13 years to sow terror, and to blame that on his opponents to prevent them from voting,” said Muyinga district GENEVA: The financial assets of one of Assad’s rule, Makhlouf presented himself as of civil war. in order to stop those who oppose the third term.” governor, Aline Manirabarusha. “It is clear that all Syria’s wealthiest men-a cousin of Syrian the principle donor to a foundation for Many fear a repeat of that violence, which split these grenade attacks are related to each other, this President Bashar Al-Assad-will remain orphans and widows, and said he wanted the country along ethnic lines between the majori- ‘Attacks are related’ is a terror campaign organized by opponents of the frozen in Switzerland, the Swiss Federal to separate from the Syriatel group. But ty Hutus and minority Tutsis, as well as between Meanwhile, EU foreign ministers threatened to third term of President Pierre Nkurunziza, to desta- Administrative Court said in a statement. Swiss authorities say his contribution to rival factions within those groups. The European sanction individuals involved in Burundi’s political bilize and try to prevent the elections,” a senior The court rejected an appeal by billionaire this foundation does not prove he has dis- Union yesterday threatened sanctions against those violence. “The EU is determined to adopt, if neces- police officer said. Rami Makhlouf to reverse a federal decision tanced himself from his cousin’s reign of involved in the violence. Presidential communica- sary, targeted restrictive measures against those Last week, the Burundian human rights group blocking an undisclosed amount of money terror. tions chief Willy Nyamitwe blamed the opposition whose actions would have led or lead to violence Aprodeh said at least 70 people have been killed, in his Swiss accounts — which the govern- “The defendant has a personal and for the unrest, saying they wanted a replay of the and repression in serious violations of human 500 wounded and more than 1,000 jailed since ment says helps “finance” and “support” al- direct interest in maintaining the current situation in 2010 when they boycotted polls. “This rights,” it said in a statement. The grenade blasts, late April, when the opposition took to the streets Assad’s violent regime. regime if he wants to keep his status and terror campaign has a similarity with what hap- which took place overnight Sunday, were the latest to protest Nkurunziza’s bid to remain in power. Makhlouf owns 40 percent of Syria’s his way of life,” the court said. This is not pened in the aftermath of 2010,” he said, blaming in a string of attacks in recent days. On Friday night, More than 100,000 people have fled the violence largest mobile provider, Syriatel, and his the first time that Makhlouf and his family the attacks on “politicians and civil society activists 11 police officers were wounded in a series of to neighboring countries. Nkurunziza survived a assets in the Swiss affiliate of the British have faced problems in Switzerland. In who promised the people that there will be no elec- explosions. coup attempt last month and has since faced HSBC bank are estimated at around $30 2013, the court refused an entry visa appli- tions at all in 2015.” Parliamentary elections are The most serious attack was in the northern down international pressure, including aid cuts, million. In an effort to clean up his image cation from his brother Hafez Makhlouf, planned for June 29, ahead of the presidential vote town of Ngozi where a grenade was hurled into a aimed at forcing him to reconsider his attempt to after he was vilified by opponents of al- head of the Syrian secret service. — AFP on July 15. The opposition rejected any involve- bar, killing four and wounding 25 others, 10 of them stay in power. — AFP TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2015 INTERNATIONAL Solidarity in Charleston before victims’ funerals ‘There’s so much love out here’

CHARLESTON: Bells tolled across “It feels great,” she said. “There’s so workers used a tarp to cover up the Study next to a pastor for almost an the city, thousands linked up on a much love out here.” Before the graffiti, police said. Photos on local hour and then you just stand up and towering bridge and a historic sanc- march, Shulonda Powell said she news websites from before the tarp shoot to kill? That kind of hate, that tuary reopened in displays of unity drove 45 miles from McClellanville to was put up showed the graffiti in kind of evil - we need God y’all. We as Charleston heals from a church participate because she wanted to bright red paint, along with the need Jesus,” McDonald said. Goff, a massacre and gets set for a week of show solidarity with the victims. message “This is the problem. # presiding elder of the 7th District victims’ funerals. “I grew up in the AME church, so RACIST.” AME Church in South Carolina, was Area residents repeated mes- everyone is family,” she said. “I want appointed to lead the historic sages of solidarity, love and even people to learn from this experience ‘We need Jesus’ Charleston church after Pinckney’s defiance of evil at the remem- and see everyone coming together.” Around the country, pastors death. A black sheet was draped brances, hopeful their expressions The bridge is named after a former asked people to pray for Charleston. over Pinckney’s usual chair, which PANCHIMALCO: In this May 28, 2015 photo, suspected members of the 18th would drown out the hate embod- state lawmaker and vocal In Atlanta’s 1st Iconium Baptist sat empty. At least one parishioner Street gang stand handcuffed in pairs at a police station. —AP ied in the slayings at Emanuel Confederate flag supporter. The Church, a predominantly black kneeled down in front of it and African Methodist Episcopal Church. slayings have renewed calls for the church with a tradition of speaking prayed. Authorities say a white gunman was flag to be removed from the South out for social justice, the Rev Gail Lincoln said she typically Bloodshed in El Salvador welcomed into a bible study last Carolina Statehouse grounds, in part Timothy McDonald told his congre- attends another AME church nearby, week at the historic black church reaching civil war levels before making racially offensive remarks and shooting nine people to SAN SALVADOR: Word on the street is that only and they will kill you.” death. “Because the doors of Mother the girlfriends of gang members are allowed to Emanuel are open on this Sunday, it be redheads or blondes. So in this violent place, Worsening insecurity sends a message to every demon in women are scurrying to salons to give up their Police officials and others blame the worsen- hell and on earth,” said the Rev blond hair and highlights, to dye it all black - not ing insecurity on the breakdown of a truce Norvel Goff, who led the first Sunday out of fashion sense, but out of fear. “They also made between the gangs and the government service since the killings at the say you can’t wear yellow or red clothing,” said in 2013. While the homicide rate plunged, critics church known as “Mother Emanuel” Claudia Castellanos, a beautician at an upscale say the truce gave the gangs time to strengthen, because it is one of the oldest black salon. “Can you believe it? They’ve already train and acquire heavier arms than they had in congregations in the South. attacked a woman on a bus for wearing yellow.” the past. Jailed gang leaders were moved from During the service, many stood - There’s no evidence the rumors are true. The maximum-security prisons to more lax facilities some holding small children - to gangs, sophisticated criminal organizations, where they were able to run their criminal oper- shout their praises or raise their even issued a statement to deny the hair-color ations remotely. hands toward the church’s vaulted decree. But with violence in El Salvador reaching But in January, the 6-month-old government ceiling. For added security, police levels rivaling those of the civil war that ended of President Salvador Sanchez Ceren publicly officers stood watch over worship- more than two decades ago, few are willing to rejected any truce and launched an aggressive pers. As Emanuel’s congregation take risks. crackdown, putting gang leaders back in maxi- sang a gospel hymn, church bells El Salvador has just experienced one of its mum-security cells. The change has meant the rang throughout the “Holy City” - most violent months since the end of the civil streets now are controlled by younger, better- nicknamed because of the numer- war in 1992, with 635 homicides reported in May armed criminals who are willing to be reckless. ous churches here. for the country of just over 6 million people. June “You take away the mature leadership, and is on track to break that mark, with the latest you get a structure that is made up of younger, Bridge march bloodshed coming Sunday when suspected fanatical people who want to make a name for Later Sunday, thousands of peo- gang members killed two soldiers guarding a bus themselves,” said Raul Mijango, a former guerril- ple gathered on either side of the terminal in the capital. Fear is pervasive across la and a facilitator of the truce. “They want war.” city’s iconic Arthur Ravenel Jr Bridge San Salvador. As daylight fades, stores close early The police say they are ready for battle. “Things and marched across in a showing of and streets empty. At night, roadblocks go up to have to get worse before they get better,” said a solidarity and healing. Underneath CHARLESTON: Dorothy Marshall, (from left) Valerie Gross and Christian Younts embrace during a thwart possible grenade attacks on police sta- police official, who agreed to comment only if the more than 2-mile span with tow- moment of prayer as thousands of marchers meet in the middle of Charleston’s main bridge in a tions, where officers sleep rather than risk being not quoted by name for fear of reprisals. “When I ering cable supports, dozens of show of unity after nine black church parishioners were gunned down during a Bible study. —AP attacked while riding buses home. see one (gang member) on the street, I’m going boats gathered and blew their air Taxi drivers memorize signals to give gang to shoot him before he shoots me.”Police say the horns in support, while cars honked because photographs of suspect gation Sunday that he had met but felt compelled to visit Emanuel lookouts who guard neighborhoods, flashing government’s crackdown on gang strongholds as they passed on the bridge. When Dylann Roof in a purported mani- shooting victim the Rev Clementa this week. Lincoln said she was glad codes with their high beams and rolling down in the cities has caused members to flee to sur- the marchers from the two sides met festo showed him holding Pinckney, Emanuel’s senior pastor, visitors who came to Charleston in their windows to make themselves visible. rounding rural areas, bringing violence with near the middle, they cheered, Confederate flags. The 2,500-word last April during a visit to Columbia, the days after the shooting took Castellanos counts the number of women them. On a warm, muggy May night in clapped and broke into songs manifesto also contained hate-filled South Carolina, with a group of min- note of how gracious people have who’ve come to her salon recently seeking to Olocuitla, a town about 20 miles south of San including “This Little Light of Mine.” writings. isters. been in the face of despair and color their hair dark: One, two, three, four ...”You Salvador, the bodies of two teens were found in Juliett Marsh, a 56-year-old from Less than 2 miles from Emanuel, “You talk about a promising indignation.”It sends a message to don’t wait for clarifications,” said Maria Jose a steep gully after a shootout with police near Summerville, described the walk someone vandalized a Confederate young man,” he said, expressing everyone that people are people,” Estrada, a former blonde who lives on the out- an old cattle stable, which gang members had through humid air and temperatures monument, spray-painting “Black shock at the manner of Pinckney’s she said, “and just like we can grieve skirts of San Salvador. “These people are crazy turned into a shooting range. —AP in the 90s as tough but “exhilarating.” Lives Matter” on the statue. City death. “How do you sit in a Bible others, they grieve with us.” —AP Clinton embraces ‘first mama’ role in presidential campaign

ROCHESTER: Eight years ago, Hillary reflects both a personal evolution and “There will be some who wonder, ‘If Rodham Clinton arrived in New a wider cultural shift in the country. In she’s running for president, why is she Hampshire as a presidential candidate the early weeks of her presidential bid, talking about babies and toddlers,’” with something to prove. “We have to she has staked her campaign on dis- Clinton said. “Do I love little kids? You pick a president who is ready on day tinctly domestic issues such as child- bet I do. Always have. But do I love this one to do the job - the tough, difficult care and education. country and want it to be successful? job that will await,” she told a cheering Absolutely.” audience at a Democratic party Struggles of a mother The decision to infuse gender into fundraising dinner in January 2008. “I Her first policy push was a pledge her campaign reflects a strategic calcu- know how to stand my ground.” to make pre-K education universal, lation that Clinton’s last presidential run Back then, Clinton believed she coupled with a tax cut to help parents fundamentally changed what voters needed to project an image of strength with the costs of raising young chil- expect in a president and helped foster and experience in order to convince dren. She never misses a chance to tell the growth of a feminist presence voters she could be the first woman to audiences about the struggles of her online that is ready to pounce on any- serve as commander-in-chief - a “kind of mother, Dorothy, and hopes for the thing resembling sexism. tough single parent” rather than a “first future of her granddaughter, mama,” as her chief strategist Mark Penn Charlotte. “Everything we need to do Personal story described at the time. in our country really starts with how Those close to Clinton say that her This time around, as she mounts her we treat our children,” Clinton said at a success at making initiatives for women second run for the White House, Clinton’s recent campaign event, surrounded and girls worldwide a key part of her gender isn’t something she seeks to by parents and preschoolers at a tenure as secretary of state convinced explain or defend. Rather, her potential YMCA in Rochester, New Hampshire. her that she could do the same in a to make history as the nation’s first “My mother really taught me that presidential campaign. Her mother’s female president has become one of her everyone needs a chance, and every- death in 2011 prompted the fiercely private politician to become more open with her personal story. “Both she and her campaign are at ease with making the point: What does it mean for women to run for presi- dent?” said Ann Lewis, a former senior adviser to Clinton. “It’s in the fabric of her message.” Clinton and her staff believe that her almost-successful last run settled the debate over having a female commander-in-chief. “Part of what I tried to do in that campaign was to begin to answer that question,” she said last week in an interview with The Des Moines (Iowa) Register. “Now I feel like the question’s been answered.” And after seeing several Republican stum- bles in recent elections on issues including rape and conception, those close to Clinton’s effort believe her gen- der is an advantage. “Women understand the challenges that women and families face in their daily lives,” said Jessica O’Connell, the executive director of Emily’s List and the former national director of opera- ROCHESTER: In this June 15, 2015, file photo, Democratic presiden- tions for Clinton’s 2008 campaign. Last tial candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton meets with a group of week in New Hampshire, Clinton was preschoolers during a campaign stop. —AP relaxed and playful as she settled into a rocking chair at the Strafford County biggest applause lines. It’s an approach one needs a champion.” YMCA and prepared to read “The Very that also addresses what many saw as a Her voice cracked with emotion at Hungry Caterpillar” to a group of failing of her 2008 campaign, when the event as she promised a woman preschoolers. Clinton was seen as wooden and overly raising her grandchildren that she “You’ve got to get closer, because scripted. would do everything she could to you have to help me with this,” she told “I realize I might not be the improve childcare for young kids. A few the children as cameras flashed. “I’ve youngest candidate in this race,” she days later at the National Association of got to learn how to read it for my said again last week at another Latino Elected and Appointed Officials granddaughter.”Circling behind her was Democratic party dinner in New in Las Vegas, she made an impassioned a video camera manned by Jim Hampshire. “But with your help, I will push for parents to read, talk and sing Margolis, her media adviser, carefully be the youngest woman president.” to their babies - arguing that helping capturing those grandmother Clinton’s decision to fully embrace her kids is an economic initiative to prepare moments for history - and future cam- gender is a strategic revision that the country for “the jobs for tomorrow.” paign ads. —AP INTERNATIONAL TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2015 One migrant’s journey from Syria to France

PARIS: Adnan’s three-month journey left around midnight on a 15-metre (50- ‘Completely disorientated’ ers, who loaded him into the back of a bus, and headed straight for the police from the bombed-out wreckage of foot) motorboat with 32 passengers, Adnan ended up in Athens, staying in lorry with other migrants that meant he station to ask for asylum. A Tunisian in Aleppo to Paris took him on a treacher- including two children and a pregnant a hostel for five Euros a night, but he felt saw nothing during his three-day jour- detention helped him translate from ous voyage by sea, foot, lorries and woman.” No smugglers travelled with nervous surrounded by hundreds of oth- ney across Serbia. “When we got out of Arabic. “The police did their report and trains in search of safety and freedom. “I the group, and no one on board knew er migrants and determined to keep the truck, I was completely disorientated. took my fingerprints. At midnight, they was wanted. I had taken part in demon- how to drive the boat. moving and reach France. “France is a We were in Croatia. Our group split up, told me to leave but it was snowing. I strations for democracy and had been “The motor cut out in the middle of civilized country. I heard Sweden was but I stayed with another Syrian.” asked them to lock me up for the night imprisoned four times,” said Adnan, the sea. We tried to phone the smugglers more welcoming but Paris is Paris,” he The pair tried to reach Austria via because I didn’t have anywhere to go. using a false name for fear of repercus- on their mobile but there was no answer. said. Getting there meant a grueling trek Slovenia, but were stopped at the They let me stay in a cell on condition sions, in a recent interview near Paris. “Luckily, a Sudanese on board had the across southern Europe, crossing into Austrian border and held for three days. that I left at 8:00 am.” The next day he By November 2013, Adnan had had number of a group that we were able to Macedonia with a group of 15 others. His companion decided to stay and take took the train to Lyon and on to Paris, enough of persecution and the brutal give our coordinates to, and we were “We entered by night. A Pakistani asylum there but Adnan decided to keep arriving at last on February 18, 2014. The civil war in Syria and crossed the porous saved by the Greek coastguards.” showed us the way. Sometimes we moving. “I was using a GPS on my phone journey had taken all his strength and border into Turkey. He headed to the Landing in Lesbos was a moment of walked for 20 hours straight in a line. We and two maps. A taxi took me to Trieste cost him 2,250 Euros but he had made it. Turkish coast with a smuggler to catch a incredible relief for Adnan. “Lesbos was crossed valleys, ravines. It was hard. I station in Italy for 70 euros. From there, I He has since gained asylum and found ride to the Greek island of Lesbos. “I paid Europe. For me, it was the most beautiful slept in the forest in the rain.” The next took a train to Milan.” an apartment in France, where he hopes 1,000 Euros ($1,100) to get to Greece. We town in the world.” stretch was done with a group of traffick- He managed to cross into France by to build a new life. — AFP Danish Liberals to attempt forming a minority govt

COPENHAGEN: Denmark’s centre-right erendum by the end of 2017 after rele- Liberals will try to form a minority gov- gating the terms of UK membership. The ernment this week despite suffering their DF is also insisting on the imposition of worst election result in 25 years, while physical border controls, immigration the right-wing eurosceptic Danish curbs and an increase in state spending. People’s Party (DF) said it was still in the But DF confirmed it was still in the coali- coalition talks. The centre-right bloc won tion talks, which means the Liberals may a slim majority in last Thursday’s parlia- have ditched one or two of the smaller mentary election, defeating the Social centre-right parties that were unable to Democrat-led government of Prime stomach DF’s demands for more state Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt. spending. The DF is the second biggest party in the new parliament after the Social Still at the table Democrats but has so far expressed no “There’s a Queen’s Round (of coalition interest in leading the coalition talks. talks) today and that means new negotia- Four-party talks involving the pro- tions where we’re also at the table,” European Union Liberals, the DF and two Martin Arnoldus, a political adviser to DF smaller centre-right parties collapsed leader Kristian Thulesen Dahl, told over the weekend, raising the prospect of Reuters on Monday. Arnoldus said it had a weak minority government led by taken 17 days to form Denmark’s last Liberal leader Lars Lokke Rasmussen. coalition government. “My conclusion is that it is not possible Technically, all options are still on the to establish a majority government,” table-the Liberals could form a minority Rasmussen said on Sunday after two days government by themselves, or with the of talks, adding that he expected to ask two smaller parties without DF and pass Queen Margrethe yesterday for a man- legislation on an ad hoc basis. Agreement date to form a minority government. between the Liberals and DF is not guar- BERLIN: US Secretary of Defense Asthon Carter lays a wreath at the Memorial for the Murdered Jews of Europe. — AFP Rasmussen, a former prime minister, did anteed and other, less conventional, not say why the four-party talks broke options could become more realistic as down, saying only that a four-way com- the talks drag on, including some kind of promise would leave the government rapprochement with Thorning-Schmidt’s inflexible in its policy making. Social Democrats, who hold 47 seats. Carter: NATO must be From the outset the DF has made clear Riding a wave of Danish euro-skepti- it will not row back on its demand for an cism, the DF has won 37 seats, its best in-out referendum on Denmark’s EU election result in its 20-year history, in membership if the British should go the 179-member parliament against the united against Russia ahead with theirs. British Prime Minister Liberals’ 34. A majority government David Cameron plans to hold such a ref- would need 90 seats. — Reuters ‘We do not seek a cold nor a hot war’

EU extends sanctions BERLIN: Defense Secretary Ash Carter called on Enhance ties ‘Backward-looking’ Germany and other NATO allies to stand togeth- He said that as Russia modernizes its military, Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Carter er in the face of Russian aggression and other it also is trying to undermine NATO and threat- questioned whether Moscow’s “backward- against Russia security threats in the region, but insisted no ening to erode economic and security stability looking” aggressive behavior will change while one is looking for another Cold War or new hot with its recent nuclear saber-rattling. His stop in President Vladimir Putin remains at the helm. LUXEMBOURG: The European Union Ukraine and persists despite a ceasefire conflict with Moscow. Speaking not far from Germany underscores the ongoing efforts of the Carter said he can’t be certain Putin will yesterday extended economic sanctions agreed in Minsk, Belarus, in February Berlin’s iconic Brandenburg Gate, Carter pointed two nations to work together, despite differ- change direction, so allies must use a two- against Russia until January to keep that calls for the pullback of heavy to the progress that Europe has made since the ences. And he said the US and Germany must pronged approach that works with Russia on pressure on Moscow over the conflict in weapons from the front line. The Russian end of the Cold War, and said Russia must not be find new ways to enhance military ties, training some issues while also girding to deter and eastern Ukraine, drawing a rebuke and a Foreign Ministry said in a statement yes- allowed to turn back the clock. and exercises. respond to Moscow’s aggression. warning of retaliation from Russian offi- terday it was “deeply disappointed that “We do not seek a cold, let alone a hot war Carter lauded German leaders for playing a The Pentagon chief, who will attend his first cials. once again in the EU, the view of the with Russia,” Carter said in prepared remarks at leading role in the effort to defuse the Russia- NATO meeting as secretary of defense this An EU statement said the decision Russophobic lobby has prevailed” in the Atlantik Brucke, a Berlin think tank that focuses Ukraine crisis, and sending military support week, said he wants to lay out America’s bal- was taken without debate by the bloc’s extension of the “illegal restrictions.” The on the German-US relationship. “We do not seek and observers to the mission in Ukraine. He anced approach, which involves bolstering foreign ministers at a meeting in ministry said it was wrong to hold Russia to make Russia an enemy. But make no mistake: also continued to urge Germany and others to Europe’s military ability to deter Russia’s mili- Luxembourg, in response to “Russia’s fully responsible for the implementation we will defend our allies, the rules-based inter- adhere to promises made at the NATO summit tary actions. At the same time, allies need national order, and the positive future it affords in Wales last year and increase defense spend- Moscow as they fight terrorism and hammer destabilizing role in eastern Ukraine.” of the Ukraine peace agreement and us all. We will stand up to Russia’s actions and ing. He warned that there is an “undeniable out a nuclear agreement with Iran. The sanctions include limits to access on that the key to a settlement was in Kiev’s their attempts to re-establish a Soviet-era sphere tendency to turn inward” and everyone must Carter’s trip comes as the European Union is some financial markets, a ban on certain hands. of influence.” Carter’s stop in Berlin is the first of guard against that temptation. As part of that technologies and exchanges between The ministry also said “it looks partic- several in Europe, where a key theme is how the effort Carter said that he and German Defense expected to extend economic sanctions the bloc and Russia in energy and ularly cynical” that the EU made the United States, NATO and other partners can best Minister Ursula von der Leyen will visit NATO’s against Russia until January to keep pressure defense sectors. Enacted last July and decision on June 22, the date in 1941 deal with the Kremlin in the wake of Moscow’s new very high readiness joint task force, which on Moscow over the conflict in eastern reinforced in September, the sanctions when Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea region and its has been put together to better prepare Ukraine. And it follows Putin’s announcement had been due to expire in July. Union. Russia still holds memorial servic- military backing of separatists battling Ukraine’s European and NATO allies to respond to that he will add more than 40 new interconti- They are now expected to expire on es on this day. “We would like to believe government on the eastern border. But part of threats more quickly. His stop in Berlin will be nental ballistic missiles that are capable of piercing any missile defenses. Putin’s remarks Jan 31. In response, Russia is expected to that this is a coincidence, not a specially the calculus, Carter said, will be a new playbook followed by a visit to Estonia, in Russia’s back- for NATO that deals with Russia’s aggression yard, and Brussels, where he will attend a about the missiles were deemed “nuclear extend its ban on the import of many designed step,” the ministry statement saber-rattling” by NATO Secretary-General Jens agricultural products from the EU, which said. German Foreign Minister Frank- while also recognizing its important role in the meeting of defense ministers. His overall mes- nuclear talks with Iran and the fight against sage is that the US and NATO need to have a Stoltenberg. Carter called it inappropriate was imposed as a countermeasure to Walter Steinmeier said the extension of Islamic State militants. “strong but balanced” approach to Russia. behavior. — AP the EU sanctions. “Since they were sanctions was already likely before yes- extended, we will act on the principle of terday’s gathering. “In other words, all reciprocity,” said Dmitry Peskov, countries agreed,” he told reporters dur- spokesman for Russian President ing a break in the EU talks. “Because as Vladimir Putin. long as the Minsk agreement is not ful- EU launches navy operation Fighting between Ukrainian forces filled and also Russia has some responsi- and Russian-backed rebels has killed bility for that, it was agreed that the more than 6,400 people in eastern measures would be extended.” — AP against migrant-traffickers LUXEMBOURG: The European Union launched a the roots of the problem. Libya’s divided factions Italian light aircraft carrier Cavour will be joined by naval operation yesterday to try to stop human- have also been reluctant to approve any operation two submarines, three maritime surveillance traffickers from bringing migrants across the in its waters or on land, which means that the tran- planes, two drones and two helicopters for the Mediterranean to Europe in unseaworthy boats, a sition to more robust phases of the naval mission operation. lucrative and at times deadly practice. More than could take months. A senior EU diplomatic official, EU boats and planes will only operate in inter- 100,000 migrants have entered Europe so far this speaking on condition of anonymity so as to pro- national waters and skies, and will be involved in year, with some 2,000 dead or missing during the vide operational details, said five naval units led by rescue work if needed. —AP perilous quest to reach the continent. Dozens of boats set off from lawless Libya each week, with Italy and Greece bearing the brunt of the surge. The naval operation, which was officially launched by EU foreign ministers meeting in Luxembourg, will operate in international waters and airspace until the EU can secure a U.N. Security Council resolution endorsing its effort and permis- sion from Libyan officials to enter their territory. “We will start implementing the first phase of the operation in the coming days. This covers informa- tion-gathering and patrolling on the high seas to support the detection and monitoring of smug- gling networks,” said EU foreign policy Chief Federica Mogherini.

Fleeing poverty “The targets are not the migrants. The targets are those that are making money on their lives and too often on their deaths,” she told reporters. The EU aims to “dismantle the business model” of the traffickers by destroying their boats, she said. But LUXEMBOURG: Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn, (center) speaks with the UN has been slow to endorse the operation Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics, (left) and European Union High amid criticism from refugee groups that the move Representative Federica Mogherini during a meeting of EU foreign ministers at the will only deprive migrants fleeing poverty and con- ITALY: Crew members of the Belgian Navy Vessel Godetia exercise on the helipad bridge dur- EU Council building. — AP flict of a major way to escape, rather than address ing a migrants search and rescue mission in the Mediterranean Sea off the Sicilian coast. — AP INTERNATIONAL TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2015 Death threats stalk Afghan acid victim

KUNDUZ: Four years after a militiaman bars. “They threatened to behead me. ‘We doused Mumtaz with a flesh-searing acid will kill your whole family when we get for rejecting his marriage proposal, leav- out of prison’, they said. ‘We will come ing her disfigured, scarred and trauma- after you’,” Mumtaz said. Armed intruders tized, death threats have forced the 20- have attempted to break into her house, year-old Afghan into hiding. Her ordeal said Women for Afghan Women (WAW), a encapsulates the major issues roiling nongovernmental organization which Afghanistan-a silent tsunami of violence helped Mumtaz with legal aid and seek- against women, anti-Taliban militias ing treatment for acid burns in India. bringing further turmoil to an already “We are very concerned about her conflict-torn country and a seemingly safety,” Haseena Sarwari, the Kunduz dysfunctional state unable to offer manager for WAW, told AFP. “The men in Afghans even a modicum of security. Mumtaz’s household are forced to carry Swaddled in a cobalt blue scarf partly firearms and take turns to sleep at night,” covering her jagged facial scars, Mumtaz she said, clarifying that the motive of vividly recalls the horrors of that night those intruders was not always clear as when the jilted lover stormed into her cracks of mock gunfire from inside were house with six other assailants, holding enough to deter them. up the corrosive liquid. Mumtaz’s father, Sultan, said the “He grabbed me by my hair and attempted intrusions forced them to hurled the acid at my face with such move houses but going to his farm was vengeance, as if to say ‘now let’s see who fraught with risks. Relatives of the jailed will marry you’,” Mumtaz, who goes by assailants have chased him down by one name, told AFP in a safe house in the motorcycle, threatening him with conse- volatile northern province of Kunduz. She quences if they did not get out of prison remembers screaming and writhing as soon. “They will never leave us alone,” the acid, some of which splattered on her Sultan said with a lump in his throat. The sisters and mother, burned through her attack on his daughter makes him writhe flesh. Mumtaz has undergone multiple with fury but also shudder with fear. “We surgeries and painful skin grafts since the are barely living, confined to our home, attack in 2011 — and is now forced to live stripped of our livelihood,” he said. “It’s a KABUL: Afghan security forces stand guard near the dead body of a Taleban attacker after clashes in front of the Parliament. — AP in hiding due to threats purportedly from helpless feeling.” the assailants, some of whom are still at large. ‘Abusive militias’ Taleban make brazen attack Her plight is worsened by an escalat- AFP could not access the families of ing conflict in Kunduz, where the Taliban the assailants, residing in an outlying vil- recently launched a large-scale offensive, lage of Kunduz city that has seen regular creeping ever closer to the provincial skirmishes between insurgents and mili- on Afghanistan parliament capital and trapping civilians between tias. In recent years Afghanistan has seen insurgents and a miscellany of pro-gov- a rise of militias, former mujahideen ernment forces and militias. Statistics are strongmen both feeding off and fuelling Gunfire and explosions send lawmakers scurrying scant but acid attacks are common in the conflict, and accused of a litany of Afghanistan, often used to deface and abuses including rape and forcibly col- KABUL: Two people, including a child, died all foreign troops in Afghanistan. Ghani last month nominated Mohammad cripple women even for minor transgres- lecting “protection tax” from civilians. when Taleban militants launched an assault NATO’s combat mission formally ended in Masoom Stanekzai, a top official in the gov- sions such as refusing to wear a head When he came to power last year on the Afghan parliament yesterday, trigger- December but a small follow-up foreign force ernment body overseeing the country’s scarf or rebuffing unsolicited lovers. President Ashraf Ghani vowed to disarm ing gunfire and explosions and sending law- of about 12,500 mainly US troops has stayed peace process, for the job. The post had the militias, blamed for devastating makers scurrying for cover in chaotic scenes on to train and support local security person- been left vacant for months due to disagree- ‘Helpless feeling’ Afghanistan during the country’s civil war relayed live on television. The attack came as nel. President Ashraf Ghani’s government has ments between Ghani and his chief execu- When she was 14, Mumtaz, known in the 1990s and setting the stage for a the Afghan president’s nominee for the crucial drawn criticism for failing to end growing tive and former presidential election rival, within her extended family for her doe Taliban takeover. But as the Taliban insur- post of defense minister was to be introduced insurgent attacks, which critics partly blame Abdullah Abdullah, but Stanekzai is expect- eyes and flawless skin, hid herself behind gency spreads north from its southern in parliament and ended two hours later on political infighting and a lengthy delay in ed to be confirmed by Afghanistan’s parlia- the folds of a burqa to evade the stronghold, the government appears to when all seven attackers, including a suicide appointing a defense minister. ment soon. — AFP amorous advances of a militiaman called be remobilizing them to augment Afghan car bomber, were dead. Nasir. The daughter of a wheat farmer security forces. The assault on such a high-profile target in stopped going out unchaperoned and “The predatory behavior of these mili- downtown Kabul raises fresh questions about avoided the main village thoroughfares. tias, and abuses that include extrajudicial security as Afghan forces battle a resurgent Mumbai toxic alcohol But Nasir, who gained local infamy for his killings, beatings, and looting, have left Taleban for the first time without the aid of links to an anti-Taliban militia, stubbornly civilians trapped between them and the NATO forces, who ended their combat mission lingered outside her house and waylaid Taliban and has bolstered some support in December. Death toll reaches 100 her even as her family in a heated for the insurgents,” Patricia Gossman of “First a car bomb detonated on the main exchange warned him to back down. Human Rights Watch said in a recent road near the parliament building, then a MUMBAI: The death toll from India’s latest the country where it is sometimes sold for less Two years later, when Mumtaz got statement. “But the Afghan government group of attackers entered a building in front case of mass bootleg liquor poisoning rose to than a dollar for a 25-centilitre bottle, with engaged to another man, he burst into is again reactivating militias that threaten of parliament,” Kabul police spokesman 100 yesterday as authorities in Mumbai deaths frequently reported. her house to avenge the humiliation of the lives of ordinary Afghans. If there is to Ebadullah Karimi told AFP. Two civilians, a pledged to crack down on the illicit trade. rejection by wrecking her beauty. He be any hope of a long-term security in woman and a child, were killed in the attack, Dhananjay Kulkarni, deputy police commis- ‘Our tears have dried up’ escaped after the horrific attack but a Kunduz-and across Afghanistan-this according to police and the United Nations. sioner in the western Indian city, announced It is rare however for such incidents to court sentenced three of his accomplices reliance on abusive militias has to end.” Deputy interior ministry spokesman Najib the updated toll in Mumbai’s deadliest inci- occur in a major city like Mumbai, with most to a decade in prison, a rare judgment in Earlier this year Mumtaz married the man Danish said there were seven attackers and dent of alcohol poisoning for over a decade. cases taking place in poor rural villages. The a nation that offers female victims little she was engaged to, bringing a faint the health ministry reported 31 people, “The death toll is now 100 and 47 people latest incident is the worst case of its kind to legal recourse. glimmer of hope in her life. “But I live in including five women and a child, wounded. are receiving treatment in hospital,” he told be recorded in Mumbai since 2004 when AFP. Victims first started to fall ill during the around 100 people died. Mourners yesterday Ironically, though, Mumtaz’s real trou- constant fear that they (the assailants) middle of last week after drinking the illegal attended a somber Hindu ceremony for one bles began when they were put behind will find me one day.” — AFP Surging attacks Dramatic television footage of the moment home-made moonshine in a slum in the north of the victims, 32-year-old Shyam Dhotre. “Our of the city, India’s financial capital. “We are tears have dried up,” his father Lalu Dhotre the first explosion struck showed pandemoni- confident that we have seized all of the spuri- told AFP. “We’ve lost our son. Thirty-two is no um and screams inside parliament, with ous liquor so the death toll may stabilize age to die.” Police have come in for criticism Speaker Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi sitting in his soon,” the deputy commissioner said. with eight officers suspended for “negligence” chair, calmly telling lawmakers “it’s an electri- Kulkarni said police had arrested two for allowing the sale to take place on their cal issue”. MP Mohammad Reza Khoshak, who women accused of supplying the liquor, rais- patch. was in the chamber at the time, described ing to seven the number of people detained The Press Trust of India news agency quot- hearing “a loud explosion, followed by several for distributing the alcohol in the suburb of ed Fateh Singh Patil, additional commissioner other smaller explosions”. Malad West. He added that one of the women of police in Mumbai’s north, as saying he had “In a few seconds the hall was filled with detained was suspected of having sold boot- instructed all units in the area “to ensure that smoke and MPs began fleeing the building,” leg moonshine in the area for ten years. Police the entire zone is free of country-made liquor”. he told AFP. The Taleban launched a country- are still waiting for the results of an investiga- He wanted to see that “no further loss of life is wide offensive in late April, stepping up tion to determine whether high levels of reported due to this social evil”, PTI added. attacks on government and foreign targets in methanol were present in the so-called coun- Patil also called on women to act as “inform- what is expected to be the bloodiest fighting try liquor, Kulkarni added. ers” against bootleggers, the agency said. season in a decade. The militants recently Methanol, a highly toxic form of alcohol There have been numerous cases of mass rebuffed requests from senior Afghan clerics used as anti-freeze or fuel, is often added to alcohol poisoning in India in recent years. The to halt attacks during the fasting month of illicit booze in India as a cheap and quick worst was in 2011 when nearly 170 people Ramadan even as a surge in violence has sent method of raising the alcohol content. died in the eastern state of West Bengal after civilian casualties soaring. A group of suicide Unlicensed liquor is widely consumed across drinking moonshine. — AFP attackers last tried to storm parliament in 2012 as they launched coordinated attacks in KUNDUZ: In this photograph taken on May 20, 2015, twenty year old Afghan acid attack several parts of the capital, including several victim Mumtaz walks outside a safe house. — AFP diplomatic enclaves. The Taleban, toppled from power in the 2001 US invasion of Afghanistan, swiftly Three killed in 15 hour claimed responsibility for the latest attack. “Several mujahideen have entered the parlia- ment building,” Taleban spokesman gun battle in Kashmir Zabihullah Mujahid posted on Twitter. “The SRINAGAR: Two suspected rebels and a “They were trying to help the trapped attack happened at a time when the defense civilian were killed in a gun battle in militants escape,” said the police officer, minister was being introduced.” Indian Kashmir that lasted more than 15 speaking on condition of anonymity. hours, police said yesterday. The shoot- Police fired tear gas to disperse the pro- Heavy toll ing began Sunday when government testers, he added. Army spokesman N N Police denied that Taleban fighters had forces cordoned off a village on a tip-off Joshi said two soldiers were being treat- breached the high-security complex. The that armed militants were hiding there. ed in hospital for gunshot wounds. United Nations Assistance Mission in “Both the militants were local resi- Kashmir has been divided between Afghanistan (UNAMA) strongly condemned dents, one of them had recently joined India and Pakistan since the two coun- the raid, saying it was a “clear and deliberate LeT,” said inspector general of police tries gained independence from Britain affront to democracy in Afghanistan”. The Javid Gillani, referring to Lashkar-E-Taiba, in 1947. Both countries claim the dis- recent surge in insurgent attacks has taken a a banned Pakistani group. Gillani said a puted territory in its entirety. Since heavy toll on ordinary Afghans, according to stray bullet killed the civilian in Redwani 1989 several rebel groups have been the UN mission in Afghanistan. village, 65 kilometers south of the main fighting hundreds of thousands of Almost 1,000 civilians were killed during city of Srinagar. A police officer on the Indian government forces deployed in the first four months of this year, a sharp jump scene said hundreds of residents from the region, for independence or a from the same period last year, it said. Afghan nearby villages came out to protest as merger of the Himalayan territory with authorities have repeatedly tried to jumpstart troops cordoned off the village, throwing Pakistan. Tens of thousands of people, talks with the Taleban in the hope of ending rocks at them and shouting “we want mostly civilians, have died in the fight- the 13-year conflict, but the militants have set MUMBAI: An Indian woman (center), who lost her husband to the consumption of toxic freedom”. ing. — AFP tough conditions, including the withdrawal of home-made liquor, holds her child as she sits in her house. — AFP Police arrest Bollywood director accused of rape

NEW DELHI: Indian police said yesterday they have arrested Police spokesman Rajan Bhagat said the woman, a US citi- Farooqui co-directed with his wife Anusha Rizwi, who on news reports and a police source said. the Bollywood director Mahmood Farooqui after an American zen aged 30, was visiting India at the time of the alleged attack Sunday dismissed the complaint against her husband as No one at the US embassy was immediately available for woman accused him of rape. Farooqui, best known for co- at Farooqui’s home in the capital. “Based on her complaint, the “manipulated and false”. “We are determined to fight this till the comment. India introduced tough laws against sex offenders in directing the 2010 satire “Peepli Live” about farmers’ suicides, accused has been arrested and sent to judicial custody,” he told reality is presented before the people,” she said in a statement. the wake of the fatal gang-rape of a Delhi student in the capital was taken into custody in New Delhi on Saturday after the AFP. “Peepli Live”, which explores the divide between urban and The alleged attack occurred in March but the woman returned in December 2012 that sparked mass street protests. But high alleged victim went to the police. rural India, was produced by Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan. to the US shortly afterwards and only reported it on Friday, levels of sexual violence against women continue. — AFP INTERNATIONAL TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2015 Indonesia court rejects Frenchman appeal

JAKARTA: An Indonesian court yester- executed 14 people, mostly foreigners, “Jokowi” Widodo denied clemency in Hollande has warned of diplomatic it with our client, his family and the day denied the final appeal of a French convicted in drug cases. Officials justify December. Prosecutors dismissed the consequences and possible economic French Embassy. Attorney General’s citizen who faces execution for drug the death penalty by pointing to the legal maneuvering as only an effort to fallout if Atlaoui is executed. The office spokesman Tony Spontana said offenses, setting the stage for diplo- estimated 18,000 young Indonesians buy time but did not try to block the Frenchman was arrested in 2005 for the execution would happen after the matic retaliation by France after execu- who die each year from drug use. appeal. Officials have been at pains to involvement in an ecstasy factory on holy month of Ramadan, which ends tions of other foreigners strained rela- Presiding judge Ujang Abdullah said show Atlaoui was not denied any of his the outskirts of Jakarta. His lawyers say July 17 in Indonesia. tions with Australia and Brazil. The the court has no capacity to rule on the rights under Indonesian law after he was employed as a welder at the “We welcome the Jakarta administrative court in Jakarta said it case since granting clemency is the France’s Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius factory and did not understand what Administrative Court’s decision reject- did not have judicial authority to over- prerogative right of the president. “The condemned the handling of his case. the chemicals on the premises were ing Atlaoui’s last appeal,” Spontana turn a presidential rejection of clemen- President’s right to grant clemency is used for. said. “This is good news for us, but we cy for Serge Atlaoui. granted by the constitution while the ‘Totally mobilized’ “From the beginning of this case, we will not do anything related with his His case has drawn attention in authority of the Administrative Court is In a statement, Fabius said the know and believe that our client is case during Ramadan.” In April, France, which vigorously opposes the just to judge on decrees issued by French government is opposed to the innocent,” said lawyer Nancy Yuliana. Indonesia executed eight people con- death penalty. Muslim-majority administrative officials,” Abdullah said. death penalty “in all places and under She said the legal fight will continue victed of drug trafficking, straining rela- Indonesia takes a hardline stance Lawyers for Atlaoui, 51, made the all circumstances.” He said France is even though the court said all legal tions with Australia and Brazil, whose against drug crimes and resumed exe- last-ditch appeal which had little “totally mobilized” in support of options are exhausted. “But I can’t say citizens were among those shot by a cutions in 2013. So far this year it has chance of success after President Joko Atlaoui. French President Francois what we would do next. We will discuss firing squad. — AP

Lawyers seek new ways to help HK’s human trafficking victims

HONG KONG: An Indonesian domestic Liberty Asia and law firm Reed Smith worker arrives in Hong Kong and has her Richards Butler have joined forces to passport taken away, a Bangladeshi analyse Hong Kong’s legal framework and teenager is coming to work on a construc- suggest strategies to improve prosecution tion site but he is denied a fair wage - two rates and the protection of trafficking vic- examples of the many forms that modern- tims. “The Hong Kong Legal Gap Analysis” day slavery can take. Neither case could be report, released yesterday, pinpoints how tried in Hong Kong’s courts under human existing laws can be applied in suspected trafficking laws because the territory nar- human trafficking cases. Kotecha cited false rowly defines it as a crime only involving imprisonment - for example if a domestic cross-border sex trafficking for prostitution. worker is held in a home against her will, “This means it excludes trafficking for which is tantamount to slavery - as an labor exploitation, debt bondage, domestic offense that could be tried as a civil case to servitude or similar practices,” Archana hold the perpetrator to account and com- Kotecha, head of legal at Liberty Asia, a pensate the victim. charity that fights against modern-day slav- “Civil law is becoming increasingly ery, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. important in human trafficking cases, and it As a result there are few human trafficking is an option that puts the victim in the driv- prosecutions in Hong Kong, which the US ing seat whereas in a criminal case, the vic- State Department in 2014 identified as a tim is practically a disempowered destination, transit and source territory for bystander,” said Kotecha. Other cases to be adults and children subjected to sex traf- tried in the civil courts could include sexual ficking and forced labor. But lawyers say harassment and employment law claims. other laws already on the books could be Anti money-laundering laws can also play a used to prosecute perpetrators of traffick- crucial part in tackling human trafficking, ing. Cases such as withholding a passport said Kotecha. “You can’t divorce money- or not paying a fair wage, for example, laundering from human trafficking and it is could involve more than 50 breaches of imperative for Hong Kong to identify these Hong Kong’s laws. tainted funds,” said Kotecha. Hong Kong’s anti-money laundering ‘A crime of many crimes’ regime is well-placed to deal with the pro- With its large migrant population - ceeds of crime arising from human traffick- including some 320,000 domestic workers, ing but it would be more effective if the mostly from the Philippines and Indonesia - definition of human trafficking was broad- YULIN: In this Sunday, June 21, 2015 photo, dogs in cages are sold by vendors at a market during a dog meat festival in south China’s Guangxi Hong Kong needs a more comprehensive ened, said Kotecha. The US State Zhuang Autonomous Region. — AP definition of human trafficking, said Department’s 2014 Trafficking in Persons Kotecha. “There is a clear legal gap when it (TIP) report said people from mainland comes to tackling human trafficking here,” China, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Chinese eateries hold dog said Kotecha. “But human trafficking is a Vietnam, Nepal, Cambodia and other crime of many crimes, which means other Southeast Asian countries as well as laws may be applied to help trafficking vic- Colombia, Chad and Uganda had become tims.” victims of sex trafficking and forced labour meat festival amid outcry To shed light on the legal situation, in Hong Kong.— Reuters International agencies deem event cruel and cultureless BEIJING: Restaurateurs in a southern Chinese ... the dogs are screaming and trying to get away said a receptionist at the Longmen Dog Meat town held an annual dog meat festival yesterday and it’s really heartbreaking.” He said he was Restaurant reached by phone. Parascandola said despite international criticism of the event as struck by “the huge variety of breeds” of live he had met people who had traveled to Yulin to cruel and unhygienic. The Yulin government dis- dogs, delivered on the backs of scooters and try and save dogs by buying them, but that the tanced itself from the festival and announced trucks, on sale at a market. “I saw a Dalmatian festival was proving popular and there were new restrictions, but eateries reached by tele- and a chow and many dogs wearing collars that lines outside many of the restaurants as people phone reported brisk business during the event indicated the likelihood they were stolen pets,” waited for seats. ostensibly held to mark the summer solstice. he said. Celebrities such as British comedian Ricky Restaurant owners say eating dog meat is tra- Gervais and Brazilian supermodel Gisele ditional during the summer, while animal rights Adverse publicity Bundchen have called for an end to the festival, activists say the festival has no cultural value and Apparently concerned about the adverse and more than 3 million people have signed was merely invented to drum up business. As publicity, the local government disavows any petitions protesting it, according to Shareeza many as 10,000 dogs, many of them stolen pets, ties to the event, issuing a statement saying it Bhola, communications manager for change.org. are slaughtered for the festival held deep inside did not officially sponsor or promote the festival. Dog lover Yang Xiaoyun traveled from her the largely rural and poor Guangxi Zhuang It said authorities would tightly control public hometown, Tianjin, in northern China to Yulin Autonomous Region. Adam Parascandola, direc- order and punish any incidents of stealing or and spent about 7,000 yuan ($1,150) over the tor of animal protection and crisis response at poisoning dogs. Traders would no longer be weekend buying up 100 dogs at a market to the Washington DC-based charity Humane permitted to slaughter dogs in public, place car- save them, news website 163.com reported. Society International, said he and Chinese casses on display or serve meals outdoors, it Dog is eaten in some parts of China but is not activists had witnessed dogs being maltreated said. a common dish. Owning dogs as pets was dis- in a Yulin slaughterhouse on Sunday morning. Despite such restrictions, restaurant owners couraged under early Communist Party rule but “A man would go in the cage with a club and said the festival continued to attract enthusiasts has become increasingly popular among the just start clubbing the dogs, just beating them for the dish. “Eating dog meat is a local tradition, Chinese public, especially the urban middle and beating them, not killing them at that point it has nothing to do with the local government,” class. —AP SEOUL: South Korean protesters stage a rally to demand to break up diplomatic rela- tions between South Korea and Japan in front of Japanese Embassy. — AP Warm words as Japan, S Korea Malaysia bids farewell to nameless Rohingya dead KAMPUNG TUALANG: Malaysian authorities reflect on what it means to be Muslim. month that 12 Malaysian police officers were mark 50 years of bilateral ties yesterday held a somber mass funeral for 21 sus- being investigated for possible involvement in pected ethnic Rohingya found in human-traf- ‘Allah will punish the traffickers’ the camps, but authorities have since released TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Years of frostiness ficking graves last month, with fellow Muslims “I hope Allah will punish the criminals who no new information on their investigations. pledged yesterday to improve ties with South Abe said yesterday that Japan and South praying for the unidentified victims to find a were responsible for their deaths. The Rohingya Earlier in May, Thai police said seven camps were Korea after years of strain over history and Korea now have close economic relations, place in heaven. The remains were what police people did not do anything wrong. They were found on their side, and 33 bodies have been with a trade volume 110 times larger than it territory, as the two countries held low-key said were the first of 106 exhumed so far from only looking for a better life,” Mohamad Yusuf discovered. Fifty-one people have been arrested, was 50 years ago. “Such prosperity between celebrations of their relationship. “In this year pits at trafficking camps found in late May in jun- said. A Malaysian police officer, speaking on con- including a senior army general, and more are Japan and South Korea was built despite a marking half a century since diplomatic nor- gles in northern Malaysia along the Thai border, dition of anonymity, said the remains of 106 being sought. Rights groups-which have long number of obstacles, thanks to continuous malization, I think it’s important to confirm a discovery that laid bare the brutal extent of the people had been exhumed so far and that accused Malaysian authorities of tolerating abu- efforts by many people,” he said. South the feeling we have towards each other by region’s migrant crisis. authorities were still conducting post-mortems sive and deadly human-trafficking-and the US Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-Se read a looking back over... the past 50 years,” Abe About 100 local villagers offered quiet on the majority of them. Police had earlier said government have called for a full and transpar- message from Park, in which she said there said at a reception hosted by the South Muslim prayers as 21 wooden coffins containing 139 grave sites were found at more than two ent investigation. “The (traffickers) will never are “issues that are entangled tightly like a Korean embassy in Tokyo. 19 men and two women-were lowered into dozen abandoned jungle camps in the have a place in heaven. All for money, they are ball of yarn,” although she did not single out “Let us build a new era for our two coun- deep graves cleared by earth-movers at an Malaysian state of Perlis. They are yet to offer a prepared to beat and kill a human being,” the sex slavery issue. “It is important that tries over the next 50 years... To achieve this, I Islamic graveyard in the northern state of Kedah. final tally of dead, or announce the suspected Mohamad Noor Abu Bakar, 48, a Rohingya both countries build relations with the idea of want to join hands with President Park (Geun- The discovery of camps and graves on both causes of death. A government minister said last Muslim resident of Malaysia, said. —AFP reconciliation and harmony so that we can Hye) and make efforts together.” As well as sides of the Thai-Malaysian border and a flood of lessen the burden of history.” Park was due to the cream of Tokyo’s diplomatic community, thousands of starving boat people to Southeast attend a similar ceremony in Seoul later yes- including US ambassador Caroline Kennedy, Asian shores in May has highlighted the plight of terday. While limited and still some way short at least two former Japanese prime ministers the Rohingya. of a summit, the gestures by Abe and Park were in the audience. A Muslim minority from Myanmar, they have appear to indicate a gradual warming of rela- for years sought to escape what they say is wors- Pointing to some of the weighty issues at tions after several years of frostiness. ening persecution by the country’s Buddhist play was the presence of Yohei Kono, the man The two have not held formal bilateral majority. Fleeing abroad by the thousands each who, as chief cabinet secretary, penned the talks since taking office. Ahead of the recep- year, they typically put their lives in the hands of landmark 1993 apology for Japan’s wartime tion, Abe told Yun he would like to meet Park, often brutal smugglers and traffickers who system of sex slavery, which saw up to something he has said numerous times arrange a perilous passage by sea and land, usu- 200,000 mainly-Korean women forced to before. ally destined for Muslim-majority Malaysia. serve Japanese soldiers. The subject still poi- Yun, on his first official visit to Tokyo, had “These are innocent Muslims, like brothers sons relations between the two US allies, with held talks Sunday with his Japanese counter- and sisters to us. We are really sad that they had Japan insisting the problem has been dealt part Fumio Kishida, when the two men to undergo misery and pain. I am sure they will with, while South Korea says Tokyo does not agreed there would be a summit “at an take their rightful place in the heavens above,” fully accept its guilt and has not sufficiently appropriate time”. said Mohamad Yusuf Ali, 57, a local carpenter of atoned. Park has previously maintained there can Rohingya origin. Despite not knowing the The issue, which has provided the diplo- be no meeting with Abe until Japan makes unidentified victims, scores of Malaysians and matic backdrop for the last few decades, has amends for its “comfort women” system. But Rohingya turned out for the ceremony in the blistered to the fore since Abe and Park-both in a recent interview with the Washington sleepy village of Kampung Tualang despite fast- nationalists-came to power in 2012 and 2013 Post, she said: “there has been considerable ing for the month of Ramadan. During Ramadan, KAMPUNG TUALANG: A Malaysian Muslim man sits near a pit during the re-burial of remains respectively. The two countries also squabble progress on the issue of the comfort women” the faithful avoid consuming food or liquid dur- believed to be those of ethnic Rohingya found at human-trafficking camps in the country’s over the ownership of a pair of sparsely and the two countries were “in the final stage” ing daylight hours, offer more prayers, and north. — AFP inhabited islets in the Sea of Japan (East Sea). of negotiations. — AFP NEWS TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2015

HYDERABAD: Indian Muslim devotees pray prior to breaking their fast on the Islamic holy month of Ramadan at the Jama-e-Masjid Aiwan in Hyderabad yesterday. — AFP Pakistan heatstroke death toll nears 200 Germany frees Al-Jazeera Continued from Page 1 Doctors say most of those who have died suc- cumbed to heatstroke. The Islamic fasting month of Doctor Sabir Memon, a senior health official with the Ramadan, during which devout Muslims abstain from journalist sought by Egypt government in southern Sindh province, said the death all food and drink during daylight hours, began on BERLIN: German authorities yesterday ordered the release prison where the journalist was being held. They waved toll was 180 and warned it was likely to rise in the Friday, coinciding with what is usually the hottest time of Al-Jazeera journalist Ahmed Mansour, two days after banners that said “Freedom for Mansour”, with some evening. An AFP tally based on information from five of year in Pakistan. Sher Shah, a veteran medical practi- detaining him at the request of his native Egypt in a move demonstrators taping their mouths shut to symbolize what hospitals around Karachi suggested the toll there could tioner and former president of the Pakistan Medical that sparked outrage from rights groups. “We welcome this they charge is Egypt’s crackdown on free expression. be as high as 249. Association said Karachi’s poor were most at risk. In decision by the German prosecutor,” said Al-Jazeera German foreign ministry spokesman Martin Schaefer had National Disaster Management (NDMA) spokesman Karachi, a city of 20 million people, electricity shortages Ahmed Kamal told AFP the government had asked the crippled the water supply system, hampering the spokesman Hareth Adlouni, adding that all charges had earlier cited concerns about the rule of law in Egypt under army and paramilitary Rangers to help relief efforts pumping of millions of gallons of water to consumers, been dropped against 52-year-old Mansour, one of the President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, amid mass arrests and death which will include setting up heatstroke treatment cen- the state-run water utility said. best known TV journalists in the Arabic world. sentences against his political opponents. ters around the city. Coping with the scorching heat has Pakistan’s Met Office said temperatures hit 43 C in Berlin prosecutors in a short statement said they would “The government has repeatedly asked questions about been made harder by the power cuts that are a daily Karachi on Sunday and 49 C in the southwestern city of not seek his extradition and had ordered Mansour’s the rule of law in Egyptian criminal proceedings and has feature of life in Pakistan. Turbat, close to the Iranian border. More hot and humid release, citing both “legal aspects and possible political- repeatedly asked the Egyptian government to respect The Sindh provincial government has imposed a weather is predicted for the coming 24 hours, though diplomatic concerns”, without detailing them. Mansour, an human rights and freedom of expression,” he said. “Against state of emergency at all hospitals, cancelling leave for thunderstorms forecast for later in the week could bring Egyptian-British dual national, was controversially arrested this background, you will surely understand that there are doctors and other medical staff and increasing stocks of cooler weather. India’s brutal heat wave last month led Saturday at a Berlin airport, where he had been due to fly doubts in the Mansour case,” Schaefer said, stressing that medical supplies. Another 11 deaths were reported yes- to at least 2,005 deaths, most in the southern states of to Doha. He had been sentenced last year by an Egyptian for now “we are far, far away” from deciding on an extradi- terday in the southern part of Punjab province. “Eleven Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Hundreds of mainly court in absentia to 15 years in prison on torture and other tion. He added, on Egypt’s general use of capital punish- people have so far died because of heat related diseases poor people die at the height of summer every year in charges which he has rejected as “absurd”. ment, that “of course no one is extradited by Germany if he in South Punjab during last 48 hours,” a health official in India, but this year’s toll was the second highest in the Supporters and journalists massed outside the Berlin is in danger of facing the death penalty”. — AFP the city of Multan told AFP. country’s history. — AFP Fasting experience National Assembly to pass domestic... Continued from Page 1 restrain from vain talk and evil conduct while fasting.” Fasting can lead to greater productivity as well. When Continued from Page 1 Lebanon over reports of systematic torture of Sunni After experiencing prolonged hunger and thirst, one one is less bothered by the distraction of eating, drink- detainees with suspected sectarian motivations. MP can only become more empathetic and compassionate ing, preparing meals and casual socializing in his daily In a related development, Islamist Salafi MP Humoud Al-Hamdan, secretary of the National to the poor and disadvantaged, and more thankful for schedule, there is more time for fruitful work and wor- Abdulrahman Al-Jeeran yesterday asked the Interior Assembly human rights committee, said the govern- the blessings we enjoy every day. The effects of fasting ship. Ramadan is a perfect time for spiritual renewal, Minister about how Iraqi Shiite cleric Jaafar Al-Ibrahimi ment should revise its aid and donations to Lebanon last far beyond Ramadan, and one more readily offers study and meditation, prayer and increased charity. entered the country and who invited him. Jeeran where the government appears to be unable to control assistance to those who lack basic comforts in life. Fasting is only one aspect of Ramadan that also described Ibrahimi as an extremist who has insulted prisons. Hamdan said that according to reports there When one fasts for an entire month, he quickly includes the study and recitation of the Quran, intensi- thousands of the companions of the Prophet have been systematic torture of Islamist detainees and develops a level of patience and self-discipline that can- fied prayers, increased charity, and social visits, each of Mohammad (PBUH). The lawmaker asked the minister Syrian opposition members at the hands of sectarian not be achieved in easily in any other way. Indeed, which deserves a full description. Fasting itself is so rich about how Ibrahimi was given an entry visa and what Lebanese security officers. many of our challenges in life are easy compared with in sensations, experiences, thoughts, emotions and les- will the ministry do now after learning that he has been Meanwhile, the controversy over a draft law for the the hardship of fasting in summertime, so they, too, can sons that it is easy to see why it is a month that, by insulting Islamic religious figures. The entry of such per- independence of judiciary appears to be heading for a be met with resolve, patience and faith. Fasting not only depriving the body, enriches the soul. sonalities - both Sunni and Shiites had triggered sectari- solution that could allow the Assembly to debate and requires abstinence from physical pleasures but also an tensions in Kuwait in the past and led to authorities approve the bill before going into summer recess after from non-constructive or harmful thoughts, words and deporting or banning the entry of religious figures from two weeks. The bill has been widely criticized by law- actions. The latter is harder to achieve than the former, Courtesy of the TIES Center, the social and educational both sects. makers and even by the judiciary for attempting to but without it, the fast is absolutely useless. hub for English-speaking Muslims in Kuwait. For more In the meantime, another Islamist lawmaker called make the judiciary even more dependent on the justice Prophet Muhammad warned that “God has no need information, please call 25231015/6 or e-mail on the government yesterday to review its aid to ministry. for the hunger and thirst of the person who does not [email protected] or visit www.tiescenter.net. TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2015 ANALYSIS

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Issues Okinawans still haunted by horror of war 70 years on

By Alastair Himmer

eventy years after the Battle of Okinawa, Yoshiko Shimabukuro still has terrifying nightmares of watching Sfriends and Japanese soldiers die as they hid in caves to escape fierce American shelling. One of 222 female students mobilized as a battlefield nursing unit for the Imperial Army in March 1945, she also suffers deep pangs of guilt for surviving the war while many of her classmates perished in the hell holes that served as military hospitals on the island’s southern tip. “We only had basic training in how to put on bandages, but the wounded soldiers they brought in were beyond help,” Shimabukuro told AFP ahead of a ceremony Tuesday to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of the battle. “They had legs Kenya wages war on smugglers who fund militants ripped off, their intestines were falling out, faces missing. We simply had no idea what to do. I was 17. We all thought we By Drazen Jorgic mantle smuggling cartels, the security source said. Corruption would be back at school in a week.” Fewer than half of the girls From there, the trucks drive through Al Shabaab-con- known as the “himeyuri students”-an amalgam of the names of hen Kenyan police arrested six men in the vast ‘Secret’ document trolled territory to Kenya’s border. At one of two Al the two schools they came from-survived the 82-day battle, Dadaab refugee camp near the Somali border Days after the Garissa attack, Kenya published a list of Shabaab checkpoints, drivers pay $1,025 per truck to which wiped out a quarter of the subtropical island’s popula- Wlast April, their ultimate aim was to dismantle a 85 entities and individuals with links to al Shabaab. That pass. “Al Shabaab sometimes move the checkpoint,” said tion. decades-old sugar smuggling trade that is funding list did not elaborate on the links, but a government Hussein. “But you receive a slip from them, so you can Many died after being ordered by Japanese soldiers to Somali militants waging war on Kenya. The arrests, com- document marked “secret” and reviewed by Reuters show that if you run into them again.” Once at Kenya’s leave their caves in a hail of bullets as the enemy closed in. ing weeks after four Al Shabaab gunmen massacred 148 detailed how 30 listed people were involved in smug- frontier, officially shut to any traffic whether carrying Others plunged off cliffs or blew themselves up with grenades people at nearby Garissa university, were part of gling. The six men arrested in Dadaab on April 18 were goods or passengers, trucks pay 60,000 shillings ($600) rather than surrender. “We wanted to stay in the caves and die Nairobi’s new strategy to choke off the flow of money to on both lists. “The sugar barons pay illegal levies - or each to Kenyan police to cross. Somali authorities take a together but the Japanese soldiers sent us away,” said Islamists whose cross-border raids have hammered protection fees - to the Al Shabaab who in turn uses the separate cut along the way. Shimabukuro, fighting back tears. “People were quickly killed Kenya and its tourism industry. While cash from sugar proceeds to fund terrorist activities/operations,” says the Deputy County Commissioner Albert Kimathi acknowl- or badly injured. But we couldn’t take the injured with us, we smuggling may amount to only a few million dollars, “secret” document, drawn up by the government on edged some police were involved but said this was being had to leave them. “I still have dreams where I see my dead experts say such sums are enough for attacks that need April 25. tackled by steps such as moving officers who had been in friends and I wake up screaming. It breaks my heart that I just a few assault rifles, transport and loyalists ready to Sugar smuggling is lucrative in Kenya, where the post for three years. Those in smuggling “hot spots” could lived and my friends died, without me knowing how, when or die - such as the Garissa raid or the 2013 assault on local industry is protected from imports as part of an be moved after six months. “It’s the only way not to insti- where.” Nairobi’s Westgate shopping mall that killed 67 people. agreement with Kenya’s African trading partners. So the tutionalize the corruption issue,” he said. “If someone “It’s like the government is awakening,” said a senior commodity in Kenya is sold at an inflated price com- overstays, they become so well known to the locals that Ritual suicide Kenyan security source from Garissa region, adding the pared to global markets. Diplomats acknowledge they become part of the racket.” Hussein and Farah said The battle claimed the lives of more than 100,000 authorities had previously often “turned a blind eye to progress against smugglers has been made, but worry that, until the crackdown began in April, about 35 trucks Okinawan civilians and 80,000 Japanese troops, whose grim all these things because a lot of people were benefiting the authorities will not keep up the crackdown. “Those carrying sugar, rice and other contraband arrived each resistance only ended after Lieutenant General Mitsuru - but at a cost of security.” However if a lasting impact is sugar folks are connected (to the authorities), so the week at Dadaab, home to about 350,000 refugee Somalis. Ushijima, the senior officer on the island, committed ritual sui- to be secured more must be done, say security and question is what happens going forward,” said one They said others unloaded in Garissa and Wajir, further cide on a cliff. Almost every family in Okinawa suffered at least diplomatic sources. That includes rooting out corruption Western diplomat. Adding to skepticism, only mid-level north, but they were not sure how many. one casualty as the US bombardment-by land, sea and air- in the police force and going after smuggling cartel dealers have been arrested and no cartel bosses have Based on the Dadaab business alone, and the figures reduced the normally lush, green landscape to a scorched bosses as well as the middle men detained so far. even been named. for the amount earned with each truckload, Al Shabaab wasteland. More than 12,000 American troops also perished The move to tackle the cross-border trade may prove How the smuggling trade works and how cash is paid to earns about $1.9 million a year, according to a Reuters during the worst bloodshed of the Pacific War, in what many as vital as the military offensive against Al Shabaab two Al Shabaab was explained to Reuters by two ethnic- calculation. A senior police officer in Dadaab said feared at the time was a foretaste of the battle they would inside Somalia by African Union peacekeepers and Somali sugar smugglers from the Dadaab camp - Hussein, Kenyan smugglers “look at the money they make and have to fight for the Japanese mainland. That battle never Somali soldiers that has pushed the group into smaller a trader, and Farah, a broker linking smugglers and police. don’t think about the money they give to Al Shabaab, came, thanks in part to the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and pockets of territory. “Unless Al Shabaab sources of rev- Both men joined the flood of refugees who crossed into and the kind of damage that will do.” In Dadaab, the Nagasaki. Okinawa was the only part of Japan in which fight- enue are chopped off, we are not going to see the end Kenya after conflict erupted in Somalia in 1991. They April 18 arrests had an immediate effect, at least for a ing took place in World War II. of instability in south Somalia and the region,” said agreed to meet in a secluded area in a Dadaab hotel on short while, by driving sugar prices higher as shops Shimabukuro lost her two elder siblings and was almost Rashid Abdi, a Somalia expert based in Nairobi. condition only their first names were used. According to started sourcing more expensive Kenyan sugar from robbed of her sanity in the filthy underground hospitals, President Uhuru Kenyatta’s government has taken steps their accounts - corroborated by Kenyan and regional secu- Nairobi. “The fear is that if you are found with sugar you where soldiers had limbs amputated with little or no anaes- to halt the trafficking of sugar from the southern Somali rity sources - smuggled goods arrive in Kismayu port will be associated with Al Shabaab,” said one local thetic and begged doctors to kill them. Some troops became port of Kismayu to Kenya’s frontier and has set up a spe- where Kenyan-owned trucks are loaded with 50-kg bags of Dadaab politician, who also wanted to remain anony- deranged and grew violent as toxins infected wounds that cial unit in the National Intelligence Service (NIS) to dis- Brazilian sugar imported from the Middle East. mous. “No one wants that.” —Reuters were crawling with maggots, according to Shimabukuro. “They were taken to the back of the cave and put in isolation,” she whispered. “We weren’t allowed to go back there. The Faith, freedom and firebombs: Hong Kong tycoon Lai constant screaming was dreadful.” After the June 18 order to disband the himeyuri unit, Shimabukuro herself almost died By Laura Mannering “It’s very encouraging for Hong Kong (that the bill was the world and having a dictator like (President) Xi Jinping on from serious infection before being rescued by a US soldier. rejected),” he said. “What’s going to happen in the end? We top of it is making a lot of other countries restless,” says Lai. “We were told any women captured would be raped and s one of Hong Kong’s most outspoken democracy really don’t know. But once we give up, we are giving up “Also, domestically, a lot of people think Xi Jinping is becom- burned alive,” she said. “I would have killed myself if I’d had a advocates, media tycoon Jimmy Lai has been on the fighting for our democracy and freedom. We are kind of giv- ing Mao Zedong,” he says, referring to the founding father of grenade, but he gently nursed my wounds and took me to Areceiving end of everything from rotten animal ing up our dignity as humans,” he says. Founder of the stri- communist China. hospital.” entrails to Molotov cocktails in the past 12 months. When dent anti-government newspaper Apple Daily and the main “By giving Hong Kong democracy, people would look at Zenichi Yoshimine, who was waiting to begin elementary the city erupted into mass protests last year against a shareholder-along with his wife Teresa-in its publisher Next them as enlightened leaders. “(It) is actually a very cheap school when war broke out, said Okinawans-long discrimi- Beijing-backed plan for its next leader, father-of-six Lai, 66, Media, Lai draws both admiration and bile. His house and price for good PR.” Hong Kong was a British colony until it nated against by mainlanders-had been hoodwinked by became a frequent fixture at the major rally site and a regu- office were firebombed in January and putrid animal organs was handed back to China in 1997 and is ruled under a “one Japanese propaganda. “We were taught Japan was God’s lar target for pro-government supporters. thrown at him during the demonstrations. “You just get used country, two systems” deal that allows it far greater civil lib- country and couldn’t lose the war,” he said, overlooking the The contentious bill would have allowed the public to to it. I’ve never had a bodyguard,” says a matter-of-fact Lai. “If erties than those enjoyed on the Chinese mainland, includ- spot in Itoman dubbed “suicide cliff” by American troops. vote for Hong Kong’s leader for the first time, but kept to a I go to the MTR (Hong Kong’s subway) there’s always some- ing freedom of speech and the right to protest. However a “We believed the Americans were devils, that they were sav- Beijing ruling that all candidates must be vetted by a loyalist one shouting at me, pointing at me, calling me ‘traitor’. I number of incidents in recent months have sounded alarm ages and if they captured us they would cut our ears and committee-derided as “fake democracy” by Lai and opposi- don’t care. “I just do what I think is right.” bells over threats to press freedoms, from censorship and noses off, gouge out our eyeballs and run over us in their tion campaigners. After months of political wrangling the the strategic withdrawal of advertising to interference from tanks.” proposal was finally voted down on Thursday by lawmakers ‘China must change’ officials and physical assaults on journalists. in an unprecedented rebuke by the semi-autonomous city Beijing has shown no sign of compromise on future “It’s bad-a lot of the media are leaning to their (Beijing’s) ‘Mice in a trap’ towards Beijing. But with the defeat of the bill, Hong Kong’s reform for Hong Kong and there are fears of a backlash in side,” says Lai, but he believes technology will make control Yoshimine told how tens of thousands fleeing the leader will continue to be chosen by a pro-Beijing commit- the wake of the defeat of the bill, but Lai says China must more difficult. “Nobody will have control of the media in the advancing US troops poured onto clifftops, sending hun- tee and Lai is preparing for the next phase of battle. change. “China being the number two strongest country in future because user-generated content is going to become dreds toppling onto the rocks below as they were strafed by the major content.” More oppression in Hong Kong would enemy fire. “There was literally nowhere left to run,” he said. make the city increasingly ungovernable, says Lai, who also “We were caught like mice in a trap. Very soon there were so bats away concerns over the fragmentation of the democra- many bodies we were tripping over them.” Resentment over cy movement as new smaller groups emerge. “What we the war still runs deep in Okinawa, a formerly independent have to worry about is whether some of those organizations kingdom annexed by Japan in the 19th century. With thou- are set up by Beijing, pretending they are part of us, but try- sands of American troops still stationed on the island-a lega- ing to destroy unity,” he says. cy of a long US occupation-tensions run high, and the planned relocation of a controversial US air base, which some Rebel optimist locals want moved off Okinawa instead, has triggered angry Relaxing back into an armchair at Next Media headquar- protests in recent months. —AFP ters, Lai casts himself as a rebel optimist. At 12 years old he was smuggled in to Hong Kong by his family in a boat from the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou. He began work in a garment factory, becoming a knitter and teaching himself English before setting up a clothing firm in his late 20s. It All articles appearing on these was the bloody crackdown in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square in pages are the personal opinion of 1989 that hardened his politics and he set up Next Media the following year. the writers. Kuwait Times takes no “As long as I’m alive, I don’t think Next Media will change. responsibility for views expressed I don’t want my kids, my grandchildren, to say my father, my therein. Kuwait Times invites read- grandfather was very rich but he was an asshole,” says Lai. “I ers to voice their opinions. Please can’t rely on my money to be happy.” He converted to Catholicism in 1997, encouraged by his wife, and says his send submissions via email to: opin- faith makes him “worry less”. The daily crises of his early life [email protected] or via snail as an entrepreneur have also made him an optimist, he says. mail to PO Box 1301 Safat, Kuwait. But while Lai may be phlegmatic, he does not want his chil- dren to follow his path-they will not inherit his media The editor reserves the right to edit empire. “I don’t want them to go through what I went any submission as necessary. HONG KONG: Media tycoon Jimmy Lai gesturs during an interview in Hong Kong. —AFP through,” says Lai. “I’m from the street-they’re from a glasshouse. It’s a very different life.” —AFP TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2015 SPORTS

Maradona eyes FIFA presidency Vietto sold to Atletico Lee wins badminton title ARGENTINA: Argentine soccer great Diego Maradona has decided to stand as a MADRID: Villarreal have agreed to sell Argentine for- NEW YORK: Former world number one Lee Chong Wei won the US Open on candidate for the FIFA presidency to replace Sepp Blatter, Uruguayan journalist ward Luciano Vietto to Atletico Madrid, president Sunday to claim his first title since returning from an eight-month doping ban. and author Victor Hugo Morales has said. Fernando Roig said yesterday. The 32-year-old Malaysian, twice an Olympic silver medallist and world Morales said Maradona had told him of his intention when he called the former “He (Vietto) has been sold to Atletico,” Roig was championship runner-up, beat Hans-Kristian Vittinghus of Denmark 22-20 21- coach of the Argentina national team to check on the condition of his sick father quoted as saying in sports daily As. An Atletico 12 in Brentwood, New York. on Sunday. “He told me he was going to run for president of FIFA and authorised spokesman said “nothing has been officially finalised” “I’m happy with my performance in the US Open even though this is my me to inform,” Morales posted in Spanish on his twitter feed when asked about Roig’s announcement. (first) individual tournament after nine months. Thank you fans and supporters, (https://twitter.com/vh590). “‘I am a candidate’ were the two words Diego Vietto, 21, is considered one of the most exciting I love you all,” Lee posted on his Facebook page. The Perak- Maradona used to answer me when I consulted him about the nomination for the young talents in La Liga and will link up again with born shuttler only returned to the court last month after presidency of FIFA,” he added in another tweet. Venezuela’s President Nicolas compatriot and former coach Diego Simeone at Maduro earlier this month suggested Maradona become the next FIFA he tested positive for dexamethasone at the world Atletico, whose Croatia forward Mario Mandzukic is president. Maradona, 54, has long been a trenchant critic of Blatter and championships in August. last month said he was “enjoying” the corruption scandal that led the poised to join Italian champions Juventus. Facing a career-ending two-year ban, Lee argued Swiss to announce he would stand down at an extraordinary congress Simeone gave Vietto his professional debut at the that he gained no benefit from a supplement he had of soccer’s world governing body. Like Brazilian Zico, another great for- age of 17 when he brought him on for the last five taken inadvertently, convincing the BWF to reduce his mer player who has announced his candidacy, Maradona might strug- minutes of Racing Club’s 1-1 league draw at home to back-dated suspension to eight months. His inactivity gle to get the support of federations from five countries, as Lanus in October 2011 when he was coach at the has led to his world ranking tumbling to 180th, but his required under FIFA statutes. Liberia Football Association Argentine club. first title since winning the Japan Open a year Chairman Musa Bility is the other candidate announced so far Vietto capped a fine display at Atletico’s Calderon ago will give him hope of making an impres- for a ballot likely to take place later this year or in early stadium in December with a superb 84th-minute strike sion at the world championships in August 2016.—Reuters that secured a 1-0 win for Villarreal. —Reuters in Indonesia. —Reuters Tigers trounce Yankees, Pirates fall

NEW YORK: JD Martinez hit three homers and had six RBIs as the Detroit Tigers trounced the New York Yankees 12-4 Sunday to end a four- game skid. Martinez connected off Masahiro Tanaka (4-3) in the first. He struck out looking in the third and led off the fifth with another homer against the Japanese right-hander, who allowed three long balls for the first time in his big league career. Martinez then went deep off Danny Burawa with two on in the sixth. With a chance to tie the major league record for homers in a game, Martinez flied out to right in the eighth. Victor Martinez homered and drove in four runs for the Tigers. Anibal Sanchez (6-7) lost his scoreless streak at 21 2-3 innings when Brian McCann homered. Stephen Drew hit two home runs for the Yankees, who had won four in a row.

NATIONALS 9, PIRATES 2 Bryce Harper and Yunel Escobar homered during a nine-run burst in the first inning, leading Washington over Pittsburgh. Gio Gonzalez (5-4) pitched seven shutout innings as the Nationals completed a three-game sweep. Pittsburgh arrived at Nationals Park this weekend with an eight-game winning streak. Max Scherzer came within one strike of a perfect game while throwing a no-hitter Saturday, and rookie Joe Ross struck out 11 in the series opener. Charlie Morton (5-1) had won all five of his starts this season before the Nationals erupted for the biggest first inning in their history.

RED SOX 13, ROYALS 2 David Ortiz passed two Hall of Famers with his 476th home run as Boston banged out 13 extra-base hits against Kansas City. Hanley Ramirez hit his team-best 15th homer and Mookie Betts also went deep for the Red Sox, who set a season high for runs. Xander Bogaerts had three doubles, and Wade Miley (7-6) pitched six scoreless innings. Ortiz homered leading off the fourth to NEW YORK: Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira (25) prepares to tag Detroit Tigers Ian Kinsler (3) on a sixth-inning ground out ni a baseball game. —AP move past Stan Musial and Willie Stargell into 28th place on the career home run list. Chris to Father’s Day. Wacha (9-3) gave up five runs run on David Murphy’s bases-loaded sacrifice six scoreless innings before giving up Ryan inning with his 17th homer. All 10 runs came Young (6-3) gave up seven runs on three in five innings. fly in the ninth inning as Cleveland defeated Lavarnway’s two-out double and Ciriaco’s sin- off Matt Garza (4-9), who allowed 13 hits for homers, four doubles and three walks in 4 2-3 Tampa Bay. Rays starter Alex Colome retired gle in the seventh. Teheran (5-3) improved to the second straight start. The Brewers have innings. ORIOLES 13, BLUE JAYS 9 his first 16 batters, but Cody Anderson kept 4-0 at Turner Field. lost eight of nine. Rockies star outfielder Carlos JJ Hardy hit a tiebreaking single in the the game scoreless in his major league debut Jim Johnson pitched out of a ninth-inning Gonzalez left in the fifth with a mild sprain of PHILLIES 9, CARDINALS 2 ninth inning as Baltimore recovered after con- for the Indians. Murphy hit a 3-1 pitch from jam for his fourth save. Closer Jason Grilli was his left hand. He was injured swinging the bat, Adam Morgan won his major league debut ceding a seven-run lead to beat Toronto. reliever Kevin Jepsen (1-5) to center field. unavailable after earning saves in the first two then later jumped into the right-field wall try- in surprising style, outpitching Michael Wacha Jimmy Paredes hit a three-run homer and Kevin Kiermaier made a strong throw home on games of the series. ing to catch Ryan Braun’s triple. Chris Rusin (3- and leading Philadelphia past St. Louis. Chris Davis added a solo shot as the Orioles one bounce, but catcher Curt Casali couldn’t 2) got the win. Winless in the minors this year, Morgan (1- improved to 13-4 since June 4. come up with the ball as Perez slid across the ATHLETICS 3, ANGELS 2 0) allowed one run and six hits in 5 2-3 innings, Davis and pinch-hitter Nolan Reimold drew plate for Cleveland’s first walk off win of the Scott Kazmir pitched into the eighth inning DIAMONDBACKS 7, PADRES 2 striking six and walking two against the team consecutive walks against Brett Cecil (1-4) with season. Cody Allen (1-2) pitched the ninth for as Oakland withstood another home run by AJ Pollock and Paul Goldschmidt each sin- with the best record in the majors. one out in the ninth before Hardy grounded the win. Albert Pujols to beat Los Angeles. Pujols hit his gled home a pair in a seven-run second inning The 25-year-old lefty had been 0-6 in 13 an RBI single to center. Ryan Flaherty followed AL-leading 21st homer of the season, and tied as Arizona went on to beat San Diego. starts at Triple-A this season, and was 13-28 with a two-run triple and scored on a two-out CUBS 8, TWINS 0 Tim Salmon’s team record with 13 home runs Jeremy Hellickson (5-4) pitched six innings lifetime in the minors. He was called up before single by Manny Machado. Darren O’Day (4-0) Jake Arrieta pitched a four-hitter and in June. Kazmir (4-4) took a shutout into the for the win. He strained his left oblique while the game to pitch in place of Jerome Williams, got two outs to win for the second straight Dexter Fowler hit a grand slam, leading eighth and left with one out. Pujols hit a two- swinging at bat in the bottom of the sixth, but who’s out with a strained left hamstring. day. Chicago over Minnesota. After walking a run homer off closer Tyler Clippard. David said he expected to make his next start. Morgan snapped a 25-game stretch with- career-high six in his last start, Arrieta (6-6) Freese followed with a bloop single, but Two San Diego errors, two walks and a hit out a win for a Phillies starter dating to May INDIANS 1, RAYS 0 didn’t walk anyone and struck out seven for Clippard went on to finish for his 12th save in batter contributed to Arizona’s big inning. 23, a string that stretched from Memorial Day Roberto Perez slid home with the winning his second career shutout and first since last 14 tries. Garrett Richards (7-5) gave up three Only three of the seven runs off Andrew Sept. 16 against Cincinnati. runs in six innings. Cashner (2-9) were earned. Minnesota has lost 10 of its last 15 and has been blanked three times in June. Kyle Gibson ASTROS 6, MARINERS 2 DODGERS 10, GIANTS 2 (4-6) took the loss. Anthony Rizzo hit a solo Colby Rasmus and George Springer each Yasmani Grandal homered twice, Adrian home run in the fifth. Starlin Castro added homered to lead Houston over Seattle. Astros Gonzalez and Justin Turner also went deep as three hits and an RBI and rookie slugger Kyle rookie starter Vincent Velasquez permitted the Dodgers knocked two-time Cy Young Schwarber drove in two runs. only two hits in 3 1-3 innings. But he walked Award winner Tim Lincecum out of the game four and gave up a run, and was pulled after in the second inning en route to a victory over REDS 5, MARLINS 2 throwing 93 pitches. The Astros used five the Giants. All four homers came against Todd Frazier and Jay Bruce hit two-run relievers. Will Harris (4-0) went 1 1-3 scoreless Yusmeiro Petit during a span of 15 batters homers as Cincinnati beat Miami. Frazier hit a innings for the victory. JA Happ (3-4) allowed after the right-hander relieved Lincecum (7-4), two-run homer in the first inning off David two earned runs in five inning. and raised the Dodgers’ NL-leading total to 91. Phelps (4-4), his fifth homer in the last five In Petit’s 19 previous appearances this season, games. Bruce’s 11th homer in the sixth inning ROCKIES 10, BREWERS 4 he had allowed five home runs in 38 innings. snapped a 2-all tie and extended his hitting Charlie Blackmon drove in four runs and Grandal made it 6-1 in the third, leading off streak to five games. He’s 10 for 20 during the Troy Tulowitzki had three RBIs as Colorado with a drive into the right field pavilion. streak with a pair of homers. beat skidding Milwaukee. Gonzalez and Grandal hit solo shots in the Michael Lorenzen (3-2) went seven innings Nick Hundley had four hits and Nolan fourth, and Turner made it 10-1 in the fifth and singled home a run as he won back-to- Arenado led off Colorado’s three run fourth with a two-run drive to center field. —AP back starts for the first time in his career. Aroldis Chapman escaped a bases-loaded, none-out jam in the ninth, getting three MLB results/standings strikeouts for his 15th save in 16 chances. Detroit 12, NY Yankees 4; Baltimore 13, Toronto 9; Cincinnati 5, Miami 2; Cleveland 1, Tampa Bay 0; Washington WHITE SOX 3, RANGERS 2 9, Pittsburgh 2; Philadelphia 9, St. Louis 2; Chicago Cubs 8, Minnesota 0; Boston 13, Kansas City 2; Chicago White Gordon Beckham led off the bottom of the Sox 3, Texas 2 (11 innings); Oakland 3, LA Angels 2; Houston 6, Seattle 2; Colorado 10, Milwaukee 4; Arizona 7, 11th inning with a homer and Melky Cabrera San Diego 2; Atlanta 1, NY Mets 0; LA Dodgers 10 San Francisco 2. went 5 for 5 as Chicago beat Texas. The White Sox have won two straight after losing a sea- American League National League Eastern Division Eastern Division son-high eight straight games. Ryan Rua and W L PCT GB Washington 37 33 .529 - Leonys Martin homered for the Rangers. Tampa Bay 40 31 .563 - NY Mets 36 35 .507 1.5 Beckham homered on the first pitch in the NY Yankees 38 31 .551 1 Atlanta 35 35 .500 2 11th inning from Rangers reliever Alex Claudio Baltimore 36 33 .522 3 Miami 30 41 .423 7.5 (1-1). Jake Petricka (2-2) got Hanser Alberto to Toronto 37 34 .521 3 Philadelphia 24 47 .338 13.5 Boston 31 40 .437 9 Central Division ground into an inning-ending double play Central Division St. Louis 45 24 .652 - with the bases loaded in the 11th. Kansas City 39 27 .591 - Pittsburgh 39 30 .565 6 Minnesota 37 32 .536 3.5 Chicago Cubs 37 30 .552 7 BRAVES 1, METS 0 Detroit 35 34 .507 5.5 Cleveland 32 36 .471 8 Cincinnati 32 36 .471 12.5 Julio Teheran gave up only one hit in seven Chicago White Sox 30 38 .441 10 Milwaukee 25 46 .352 21 scoreless innings and pinch-hitter Pedro Western Division Western Division Ciriaco had an RBI single as Atlanta swept a Houston 41 30 .577 - LA Dodgers 39 31 .557 - three-game series from New York. Texas 37 33 .529 3.5 San Francisco 38 33 .535 1.5 The Mets have lost five straight and scored LA Angels 35 35 .500 5.5 Arizona 34 35 .493 4.5 Seattle 32 38 .457 8.5 San Diego 34 38 .472 6 WASHINGTON: Pittsburgh Pirates’ Corey Hart hits a two-run home run during the ninth no more than one run in four of the losses. Oakland 31 41 .431 10.5 Colorado 30 39 .435 8.5 inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals. —AP Matt Harvey (7-5) matched Teheran through TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2015 SPORTS Latvians claim volleyball gold

BAKU: Latvia’s Martins Plavins and Regza closed out the first set of the final but, with Haralds won a surprise gold in the men’s victory within grasp, lost five successive beach volleyball at the European Games on points in the second to be taken to a Sunday after playing just one tournament decider. In front of a passionate crowd who and one practice session together. The duo, were rooting for the unlikely duo, the temporary partners solely for the inaugural Latvians held their nerve to take the final Games, defeated Russians Dimitry Barsouk set, winning crucial points on their oppo- and Yaroslav Koshkarev 21-16 18-21 15-10 nents’ serve to claim their country’s first in the final at the European Games Park. gold and second medal of the Games. Plavins, who won bronze at the 2012 “For now it is perfect,” Plavins told London Olympics, and Haralds usually have reporters. “If we played one more tourna- different partners with whom they train ment maybe not, we would come third or and compete alongside permanently. fourth but for now it is perfect. “He has his partner, I have my partner “In the final you don’t want too many and we agreed with them to play this tactics, the most important is just serve and Olympic cycle together. This is just for the side-out (winning points on the opponent’s European Games,” Plavins told reporters. serve) and we did those well which is why “One practice, one final (is our only com- we won.” Czech pair Premysl Kubala and petition together).” The pair comfortably Jan Hadrava took the bronze.—Reuters ‘I’d be a movie star, not an archer’

BAKU: Slovenian archer Den Habjan in the last 16 at Tofiq Bahramov stadium. BAKU: Sarah Lagger of Austria competes during the women’s long jump event at the 2015 European Games yesterday. —AP Malavasic has no desire to become a “It’s nice that people recognise you, but it’s celebrity but appeared to enjoy his fleeting not everything. I mean, I shoot for me, not moment in the spotlight at the European to get famous. If I wanted to become a Games yesterday. celebrity I’d star in a movie or something,” His exploits did not quite live up to he said. “Of course it helps if people know British divers make Andy Warhol’s ‘everyone will be famous for you and maybe a few more doors are open 15 minutes’ quote but the world number to you than others. You can maybe achieve 206 more than surpassed his albeit limited certain things easier if you are perhaps expectations in Baku. more published.” The Slovenian’s run came a splash at Games With his main aim “to go out there and to abrupt end on a windy afternoon in the get some more experience in front of the capital, with Frenchman Lucas Daniel, the cameras”, the 22-year-old won two contests world number 17, having too much guile in the men’s individual before bowing out and accuracy. —Reuters BAKU: In 2008, a 14-year-old Tom Daley cap- events, and Katherine Torrance was victorious in clubs with two percent selected to join the pro- tured the imagination of the British public at the the 3 metre springboard competition in the gramme. The success of Daley, who also won a Beijing Olympics and if performances at the Azeri capital. bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics, has inaugural European Games are anything to go “This has to be one of the strongest teams boosted the profile of the sport and helped cre- by, Team GB have a host of young divers poised we’ve ever taken to a European championships,” ate a programme saturated with potential future to follow in his footsteps. Haslam told Reuters on Monday. “I think every- medalists. In an impressive display of diving at the Baku one here could have got a medal and everyone “We are right up there in Europe and even in Aquatics Centre, Britain’s juniors garnered four managed to reach the final. the world with people like Tom Daley,” Lee told golds, one silver and one bronze from eight “We’ve got a massive group of youngsters Reuters. “Not many people knew diving before events, suggesting Daley’s 2009 world title could now so hopefully us doing well will spur some of then and it wasn’t a popular sport. Words can’t soon be matched by any one of the current crop. them on.” Much of Team GB’s success can be describe how much he’s done for diving, it’s James Heatly led the way for his teenaged attributed to the Talent Identification (TID) pro- incredible what he’s done and we’re all so glad. team mates when the 18-year-old claimed gramme that was implemented in 2003 and “We’re incredibly strong and we are so suc- medals of all three colours, including a silver aims to identify potential future medalists and cessful. We’re really good (at identifying and nur- alongside 17-year-old Ross Haslam in the syn- nurture them through the crucial fledgling years turing talent) because we’ve had so much suc- chronised event, across the men’s springboard of their diving careers. cess. “We are getting closer and closer to that diving disciplines. In the 12 years since its introduction, nearly gold medal and who knows? In Rio (the 2016 Matthew Lee and Lois Toulson added gold 500,000 youngsters have been assessed in high- Olympics) or Tokyo (2020 Olympics) we might medals in the men’s and women’s platform performance centres and talent development get that gold.”—Reuters Phelps wins 200 individual medley

SANTA CLARA: Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps knows training in Colorado Springs is good for his swimming career. That doesn’t mean he has to like it. “It’s painful,” Phelps said. “It’s mentally chal- lenging more than anything. I know, deep down inside, I do benefit from going.” Phelps took charge of the men’s 200 individual medley and raced to his second win of the Arena Pro Series on Sunday night. “It’s just good to push my body as hard as I can,” he said. “It helps prepare me. This has been a great confidence booster for me. I look at this and feel like I’m doing something right.” Phelps’ next focus is the national champi- onships, where he expects to swim the 100 fly, 100 individual medley and 200 individual med- ley, though he hasn’t confirmed anything. “I didn’t know what events I would swim here until I got here,” Phelps said. “I don’t know that I will be able to do all the events I want at nation- als.” First he has to survive a three-week training BAKU: Katie Taylor of Ireland reacts after her women’s light (57-60kg) boxing fight regimen at the Olympic Training Center. “You’re against Denitsa Eliseeva of Bulgaria at the 2015 European Games. —AFP locked in this compound for three weeks,” he said. “I can complain about going but I know it’s what I need.” SANTA CLARA: Michael Phelps wins the men’s 200m IM on day four of the 2015 Arena Pro Olympic champion Missy Franklin, in her first Swim Series at the George F. Haines International Swim Center. —AFP Taylor keen to keep long course event of the season, finished third in the 200 backstroke, an event in which she holds not there. It was important to figure out what Russian Yulia Efimova won the women’s 50 young in their place the world record, and sixth in the 100 freestyle works in the water.” breast, edging Trojan Swim Club teammate on the final day. “I have a lot of mixed feelings,” Hungary’s Katinka Hosszu won the women’s Jessica Hardy by a half-second. Efimova will be Franklin said. “I haven’t raced for a long time but 200 individual medley and the 200 backstroke, competing at the world championships in BAKU: Irish boxing great Katie Taylor her at the moment.” Taylor, who also rep- I felt strong and powerful. The speed just was her fourth and fifth victories of the weekend. Kazan, Russia, later this summer. —AP has accrued enough gold to make even resented Ireland in football and is a tal- King Midas jealous but she is not satis- ented Gaelic footballer, denied her fied yet and while delighted there is a appetite for more titles had diminished. Baseball and softball on shortlist for Tokyo 2020 younger generation emerging she is “Absolutely I want this title,” said keen to put them in their place, begin- Taylor, who is an ambassador for the TOKYO: Baseball and softball top the shortlist of Bach last year, Games hosts have the chance to Games, in Beijing in 2008. “This is a great day for ning in Baku. Games and also was the Irish team flag- sports competing for spots as additional attrac- bring in one or more sports popular in their our sport,” WBSC president Riccardo Fraccari said The 28-year-old Olympic lightweight bearer, as she was at the opening cere- tions at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics along with country to boost ratings and attract greater in a statement. “Today baseball and softball-and champion-who also has five world and mony of the London Olympics. homegrown favourite karate, organisers said sponsorship. the millions of athletes and fans who call it their six European crowns to her name-got “I am hungrier than I ever was to win yesterday. Bowling, roller sports, sport climbing, Organisers would prefer sports already popu- sport-reached first base.” her campaign for an inaugural European championships.” Taylor, who along with squash, surfing and wushu were also included lar in Japan so new venues would not need to be Karate has never been contested at the Games title under way by beating expe- fellow Olympic heroines British duo Jade among the final eight, whittled down by a com- built and add to ballooning costs. Olympics. Judo, its fellow homegrown martial rienced Bulgarian Denista Eliseeva, the Johnson and Nicola Adams have given mittee from the original 26 sports which applied Baseball and softball, united under the World art, first joined in 1964, when Tokyo last hosted last boxer to defeat her, albeit in contro- the Games a much-needed lustre with for inclusion earlier this month. Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC), are the Summer Games, and has been included on versial fashion, four years ago. the leading continental track and field As part of reforms initiated by International strong favourites to return to the Olympics for every programme since 1972. However, whilst Eliseeva at 34 is no athletes and swimmers absent, said the Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas the first time since Asia last hosted the Summer Squash officials, snubbed three-times in their bid for inclusion at the 2012 Games in London, longer the force she was others such as wrist injury she suffered when winning next year’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo 19-year-old Swede Ida Lundblad, whom her fifth world title in Korea last 2020, were delighted to have another opportu- she meets next on Wednesday, and four- November seemed resolved. nity. “We are confident that squash would bring time French champion and European sil- It is just as well for in Lundblad she something special to the programme of the ver medallist Estelle Mossely, 23 and will face a tough opponent. The Swede Olympic Games,” World Squash Federation presi- who is seeded to meet her in the final, had a top class junior record having dent Narayana Ramachandran said. “Squash is a are seen as the flagbearers of the new been crowned both European and world fine gladiatorial sport played all over the world wave. “It is always great to have a new champion in 2012 and 2011 respectively and featuring great athleticism, competition and generation coming through, it reflects before showing the senior ranks held no broadcast output.” Surfing’s governing body the way the sport is growing, both in fears for her when she was crowned emphasised its appeal to a younger audience. quality and interest, and the talent out European champion last year, admitted- “With its youthful values and engagement, there is outstanding,” said Taylor, who is ly in a different weight category. Surfing has incredible global appeal and a trained by her father Peter. “My wrist held up well, but sure I had unique and modern blend of high performance, “However, that is not to say I am two bouts before I came out here, so I style and culture,” International Surfing going to step aside and wave them on. I was already reassured it was in good Association President Fernando Aguerre said. think I have a lot to prove to the young enough shape,” said Taylor. “This is a significant milestone for our sport... boxers and I am looking to stamp my “Lundblad is a type who likes to with the new, cost-effective Surf parks that are revolutionising our sport, we are confident that authority on them. brawl, but I like that, someone who is this is the perfect time for Surfing to step up to “I want to leave a great legacy and prepared to stand there and fight and the greatest sporting stage.” continue to win every major champi- trade punches. “It is always good to get A final decision will come in August 2016. onships and I think it’s always great to the first fight out of the way and blow Other sports which had been bidding to take have new challenges. Mossely is a fan- away the cobwebs. I’ll be a lot sharper BAKU: People look at a fire installation at the shore of the Caspian Sea in Baku where the 2015 part included tug of war, bridge, chess, sumo tastic fighter but I’m not thinking about for the next one.” —AFP European Games are taking place.—AFP wrestling, billiards and orienteering.—Reuters TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2015 SPORTS

GERMANY: Boats of the Finn class sail during a race of the Kiel Sailing Week event off the Baltic Sea port of Kiel yesterday.—AP

Otago’s shining misfits light Shock win over Lynx up Super Rugby semi-finals MINNEAPOLIS: Skylar Diggins scored 26 points DUNEDIN: Far down the coast of New into it. “We work hard on our brotherhood. to help the Tulsa Shock beat the Minnesota Lynx Zealand’s South Island, the remote city of You see that on and off the field. The more 86-78 on Sunday and take over sole possession Dunedin might not be the first destination success you get and the pressure in hard of the first place in the Western Conference. in mind for rugby players seeking to re- situations, that tends to grow and The Shock (6-1) won the second of their last boot their careers. strengthen. That’s something we care 22 meetings with Minnesota (5-2) and extended Those pampered by big-city comforts about and we rely on.” their winning streak to six - a franchise best since might not be thrilled by the entertainment 2010. options of the Otago region’s principal ELECTRIC ATMOSPHERE Diggins kept the Shock close with 10 points town, notwithstanding its rowdy student The Highlanders have only three in the latter part of the third quarter, and Jordan population during term time. capped All Blacks-Fekitoa, scrumhalf Hooper’s 3-pointer with 2.9 seconds left gave Players raised in gentler climates might Aaron Smith and utility back Ben Smith-in the Shock a 58-57 lead going into the fourth. find the Antarctic blasts that pound the their roster, while New Zealand’s other Tulsa stretched it to 71-63 before Minnesota harbour city during bone-chilling winters four Super Rugby teams are full of estab- rallied within three with 1:50 left. Riquna a test. lished internationals. Williams and Diggins then hit back-to-back 3s to Yet the Otago Highlanders have Yet the Highlanders showed up their put it out of reach at 82-73. become an unlikely attraction for Super rivals by finishing the regular season sec- Williams finished with 17 points and Rugby cast-offs in New Zealand and the ond in the New Zealand conference and Courtney Paris added 16 points and 11 team’s success at coaxing the best out of on Saturday tackle the defending champi- rebounds for the Shock. them has been a big factor in their run to a on New South Wales Waratahs for a place Rebekkah Brunson led the Lynx with 18 first semi-final in 13 years. in a first Super Rugby final since 1999. points, Maya Moore scored 16, and Seimone On Sunday, Fiji-born winger Waisake The team’s success has created a buzz Augustus and Damiris Dantas added 15 apiece. Naholo became the team’s latest rough among Dunedin’s 120,000 residents not diamond to turn potential All Black when felt for years, and 22,000 crammed into SUN 76, SPARKS 68 he was named in a 41-man squad on the their home Forsyth Barr stadium to see the Alex Bentley had a season-high 21, and strength of a breakout season. Highlanders defeat a strong Waikato Chelsea Gray scored all of her 11 points in the The 24-year-old could not crack a game Chiefs side in their playoff on Saturday. final 14:24 to help the Sun beat the Sparks. Kelsey Bone added 14 points and Camille at the Auckland Blues but has scored a The electric atmosphere was a far cry Little 13 for Connecticut (6-1), which won its franchise record 11 tries at his new club from the sparse crowds that braved winter sixth in a row and snapped a six-game skid, dat- this season. nights at their former Carisbrook home in ing to Aug. 3, 2011, against the Sparks. Team mate Lima Sopoaga was also the not-too-distant past. Los Angeles (0-4), which has been without named in the All Blacks squad, though the After the turn of the century, and with Candace Parker, Kristi Toliver and Nneka flyhalf took longer to blossom after head- the retirement of a golden generation of Ogwumike all season - and leading-scorer Alana ing south from Wellington in 2011. players including Jeff Wilson and former Beard for the last two games - is off to its worst The pair join established international skipper Taine Randell, the Highlanders’ start in franchise history. The two teams will play PHOENIX: Phoenix Mercury’s Noelle Quinn (45) goes up for a shot in this file photo. team mate Malakai Fekitoa, the Tonga- hopes of a maiden Super Rugby title were again in Connecticut next Friday night. born centre, who also struggled at buried in a barren 12-year run broken by quarter. Sancho Lyttle made a 3-pointer and a pulled away with a 16-5 run in the middle of the Auckland before breaking into the All last year’s return to the playoffs. LIBERTY 73, DREAM 64 jumper to close a 10-0 run by Atlanta (3-5), trim- second quarter to a 38-28 lead. Blacks after a marauding debut season The Waratahs, coached by Wallabies Brittany Boyd scored a career-high 18 points ming its deficit to 63-56 with 1:59 to play, but Sue Bird rallied the Storm (2-4) within 71-69 with the Jamie Joseph-coached mentor Michael Cheika and boasting a raft as the Liberty beat the Dream. Carolyn Swords Boyd and Rodgers combined to go 10 for 10 when she put back her own missed 3-point Highlanders last year. of capped internationals, now await in had 12 points, three steals and a career-high five from the free-throw line down the stretch for attempt with 5:18 left in the game. But Phoenix “We get a lot of people from outside Sydney, having enjoyed the luxury of a blocked shots for New York (4-3), which had New York. closed on a 13-3 burst as Seattle’s offense suf- the region here but they come down and week off for finishing in the top two at the dropped two in a row. Sugar Rodgers scored 17 fered a pair of shot-clock violations in the final they get a real sense of who the people end of the regular season. points, and Tina Charles added 13 points and 12 MERCURY 84, STORM 72 1:30. Crystal Langhorne had 13 points to lead are here and that very solid foundation of “They’re a big powerful team who play rebounds. DeWanna Bonner scored 22 points and the Storm. Bird and Alysha Clark added 11 each. character,” Highlanders assistant coach intelligently and have been playing very The Liberty closed the first quarter with a 14- Candice Dupree added 15 to help the Mercury It was the sixth contest of Brittney Griner’s sev- Scott McLeod told Reuters. well of late, so we respect them a lot,” 2 run to take a 21-10 lead and never trailed beat the Storm. Monique Currie had 12 points en-game suspension for a domestic violence “They want to represent that and buy McLeod said of the Waratahs.—Reuters again. New York led by as many as 21 in the third and Cayla Francis 11 for the Mercury (33), who incident. —AP Rosberg title hopes right back on track

SPIELBERG: Having beaten his Rosberg is confident he has found the aggression. Rosberg, last year’s F1 his Mercedes rival after a convincing streak to overtake Hamilton at the first race, and gave a curt response in the Mercedes rival Lewis Hamilton in missing ingredient required to win the runner-up to Hamilton in a close title win at the Austrian Grand Prix on corner. “I think I have found what I post-race news conference when three of the past four races, Nico Formula One title this year: more race, now sits just 10 points behind Sunday, where he showed his steely needed to find last year in terms of in asked to explain his five-second time the races,” Rosberg said after his 11th penalty for swaying too far left when career win. “That’s what is really work- exiting the pit lane and going over a ing out for me this year.” designated white line. “I have no idea Hamilton has won five races to what happened,” he said. Rosberg’s three so far. But Rosberg will Mercedes will not be concerned have gained huge confidence from who wins the races, however. The Silver wins in Spain, Monaco - where he was Arrows drivers have clinched 23 of the helped by surprising team orders to past 27 races this season and last. Only call Hamilton in for a pit stop - and his Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel has beaten latest success at the Red Bull Ring. them this season, but that was in the Rosberg heads to the British GP in second race in Malaysia and the four- two weeks’ time in buoyant mood with time champion is drifting away, 49 the momentum seemingly swinging points behind Hamilton. back his way. In a further boost to Mercedes, “Now I’m really looking forward to Williams seems to be close to matching Silverstone, where I have good memo- Ferrari for race pace, with Felipe Massa ries with the pole last year and the win taking third place ahead of Vettel in in 2013,” the 29-year-old German said. Austria. Hamilton has concerns after being well “It’s even more special because we beaten, especially seeing as he started have three Mercedes engines in the from pole for the seventh time in eight top three,” Toto Wolff, Head of races. Furthermore, he also carelessly Mercedes-Benz Motorsport, said glee- picked up a five-second penalty after fully. Last year, the F1 title went down swerving off course when coming out to the wire in Abu Dhabi - but Rosberg of the pits after his tire change. was only in contention then because “It was not the best way to start the double points were on offer in the final race but it is something we will work race. Also, during the season, Hamilton on to improve on my side of the lost a potential 75 points when retiring garage,” the Briton said, reflecting on from three races, while Rosberg retired his poor start. “When I came off the from two. That unpopular double throttle, the revs stayed up. So, when I points rule has been scrapped, and dropped the clutch, I had too much Rosberg will want to be in a stronger wheel spin and lost ground.” Hamilton position next time Abu Dhabi comes speaking about elements being out of around on Nov. 29. “They are both his control will only boost Rosberg’s under pressure because they keep confidence, as they reveal the frustra- pushing each other so much,” Wolff SPIELBERG: Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg (right) of Germany steers his car in front of Mercedes driver Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain (center) tion that Hamilton must be feeling. He said. “It is going to go down to the and Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany during the Austrian Formula One Grand Prix race on Sunday, June 21, 2015.—AP stood glumly on the podium after the wire.”—AP TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2015 SPORTS A day to remember for the new face of golf

WASHINGTON: He won the first one the almost as much to him as winning his an of the future. Woods came here to try “This was just an odd deal, very odd,” something that I never could really fath- way players like to take majors, leading first green jacket. and salvage his game, while Spieth Spieth said. “I very much feel for Dustin. om somebody doing, considering I from the start at the Masters on a romp He’s now halfway to history, yet still came to cement his mark as a genera- He deserves to be holding the trophy watched Tiger win when he was winning to the green jacket. barely old enough to drink. The last tional champion in the making. just as much as I do, I think, this week. It whatever percentage of the majors he The second for Jordan Spieth came player who did things like Spieth was Woods didn’t even make it to the just came down to him being the last played in and he won the Tiger Slam, Sunday night with a bit more difficulty. named Tiger Woods, which seems so weekend in yet another display of how one to finish and I was able to have one but he never won the four in one year. I Had Dustin Johnson been a little more long ago. humbling golf can be. The greatest play- hole to rebound from my mistakes, and figured if anybody was going to do it, it steady with the putter on the final green Now he’s the youngest since Bobby er of his time seems forever stuck on 14 he wasn’t able to get that hole after- would be him.” Sunday, they might still be playing for Jones nearly a century ago to win back- majors, and it remains to be seen how ward.” That Spieth did it without his best After doing all the right things to win the U.S. Open trophy. Johnson wasn’t, to-back major championships. Spieth long he will keep embarrassing himself game should give his fellow competitors his second title, Spieth said all the right much to the astonishment of the 6,000 has a chance to do what even Woods like he did here when he couldn’t even pause. His ball striking was just a bit off, things. He thanked his caddie, said he or so who crowded the grandstands at couldn’t and win all four of golf’s major come close to beating a 15-year-old he said, his putting not always up to his was happy just to be the brother of maligned Chambers Bay for an Open fin- tournaments in one year. amateur before getting out of town on standards. Steven Spieth, a shooting guard at ish like no other. He had to settle for Watching him Sunday on the crunchy his private jet before the weekend It was the kind of thing Woods used Brown University. And he held the tro- holding his infant son off the 18th green greens at Chambers Bay, it was hard not began. to say, then go out and beat everyone phy and looked at his beaming father on Father’s Day, instead of the U.S. Open to get the sense that he’s only just It was Spieth who salvaged this anyway. It didn’t seem possible another just off the 18th green to show off the trophy. begun. “He’s gritty, he’s fiery, he doesn’t Open, making it one to remember for all player of that caliber would come along best Father’s Day present ever. That belonged to Spieth, the phenom give up on any shot,” caddie Michael the right reasons instead of the wrong. in his time, but here Spieth is at the age “To win this tournament on Father’s from Texas who impressed so many by Greller said. “If anything, this week just His 3-wood to the 18th green on Sunday of 21 brimming with confidence as the Day, I just hope my dad’s proud of me,” not only winning the Masters but the validated who I know he is, which is just was the kind of shot that will live in British Open at St. Andrews approaches he said. “Dad, this one was definitely for grace and composure he showed while a world-class player with an unbeliev- Open lore, even if Spieth didn’t make the and the possibility of a Grand Slam you today. This trophy is for you, and this doing it. He spoke after that win about able mind.” eagle putt and even if he had to rely on looms. “I’m just focused on the Claret is a day we’ll never forget.” They won’t, bringing a present home to his special The story line at this Open unfolded Johnson 3-putting from 12 feet to seal Jug now,” he said of the British Open tro- after a Sunday that a lot of people in golf needs sister, and it was clear that meant easily, like it was written by a golf histori- the deal. phy. “I think that the Grand Slam is won’t soon forget either.—AP Johnson’s dream falls 12 feet short

WASHINGTON: Dustin Johnson’s major green with major glory just a 12-foot eagle dream was just 12 feet from reality on the putt away. final hole of the US Open on Sunday before With the his fiancee Paulina Gretzky and two misdirected putts turned it into a their newborn son looking on, Johnson nightmare. calmly measured the putt, stepped up and Known more for his power with the driv- watched the ball roll past the cup. er than touch with the putter, Johnson He then missed a four-foot birdie putt came up with two brilliant shots on the coming back to squander the chance of par-five 18th hole to set himself up for an forcing an 18-hole playoff US Open title. yesterday.”Disappointed. I played really A three putt from 12 feet, however, well. I didn’t make any putts today, I really allowed Jordan Spieth to walk off with the didn’t,” Johnson told reporters. “I had all the trophy. “Whatever the putt did on the last chances in the world. hole, I don’t know,” a stunned Johnson told “I did everything that I could. I tried my reporters. “It’s tough. I’ve got a chance to damndest to get in the hole I just couldn’t win the US Open on the last hole. I was try- do it.” While Johnson received plenty of ing, just didn’t work out.” support and comfort from family and fans, Johnson has experience major disap- it was his partner’s father Wayne ‘Great One’ pointment before but Sunday’s finish may Gretzky, he said, he would turn to for some sting more than any other, coming on a perspective. Chambers Bay layout perfectly tailored to The former-NHL great had plenty of his power game. At the 2010 US Open at experience of dealing with disappointment Pebble Beach, Johnson squandered a over a record smashing career in ice hock- three-shot lead in the final round with an ey. 82. “I’ll see him in a few minutes as soon as I That same year at the PGA leave here,” said Johnson. “I’m sure we’ll talk Championship at Whistling Straits, he was about it. At the end of the day, golf is golf. hit with a two-stroke penalty for grounding I’ve got my family and that’s most impor- his club in a bunker on the 18th hole and tant to me. missed out on a playoff for the trophy with “My trophy at the end of the day is hold- WASHINGTON: Jordan Spieth holds up the trophy after winning the final round of the US Open golf tournament at Chambers Bay. —AP Kaymer and Bubba Watson. ing up my little man. I couldn’t be more After a scrappy final round that included proud of myself and my family. “No matter three bogeys over four holes to kickoff his what I’m going to keep my head high and back nine, Johnson stepped onto the 18th I’m going to be happy.”—Reuters Spieth wins US Open

Salazar and Rupp in WASHINGTON: Masters champion Jordan Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Ben Hogan and Craig two strokes clear at the turn on a picture-post- Spieth added another chapter to golf’s record Wood as the only players to have won the card afternoon in the Pacific Northwest. books with a nerve-jangling, one-shot victory at Masters and US Open in the same year. However, he lost his way with bogeys at the spotlight at US trials the US Open on Sunday after Dustin Johnson “It’s cool to be able to have two legs of the 10th, 11th and 13th, leaving Spieth and Grace blew his chance to force a playoff by three- grand slam now, and to conquer golf’s hardest effectively duelling for the lead. Spieth then OREGON: Top American coach Alberto drugs. putting the last. test,” said Spieth. “The US Open is conquering benefited from a three-shot swing at the 16th Salazar and Olympic 10,000 metres silver The coach, a consultant for British American young gun Spieth sank a curling the hardest layout in all of golf. after he sank a left-to-right breaking birdie putt medallist Galen Rupp face tough ques- Athletics since 2013, has promised a 28-footer to birdie the 16th and forge three “The fact that we did it is amazing. We really from 28 feet and Grace ran up his double, before tions at this week’s US world champi- detailed response that will “show the ahead, then shrugged off a double-bogey at the grinded this week. Didn’t have my best stuff ball- further drama unfolded over the last two holes. onships trials after being accused of anti- accusers are knowingly making false 17th before becoming just the sixth player to striking at all and we really grinded over those doping violations. Rupp, coached by statements”, but so far he has not spoken slip into a green jacket and hoist the U.S. Open four or five-footers ... that was the difference.” THUNDEROUS ROARS Salazar, is favored to win both distance publicly. trophy in the same year. Spieth, who stunned the golf world with a World number one Rory McIlroy had earlier races at the trials, which begin on British Athletics are conducting a for- Though Spieth birdied the par-five 18th to wire-to-wire victory by four shots at the Masters sent a tremor of excitement across the course as end a wildly fluctuating final round of high dra- in April, became the youngest player to win he racked up six birdies in his first 13 holes to Thursday in Eugene, Oregon. mal review into the relationship between ma with a one-under-par 69, he then had to back-to-back majors since Gene Sarazen in 1922 reach two under for the tournament, just two off The American is scheduled to run the Salazar and Farah with a report due in watch as fellow American Johnson, in the last (U.S. Open and PGA Championship). the lead. 10,000 metres on the opening night and August. The queries come as Justin Gatlin pairing, had a 12-foot eagle putt to win it at the The Northern Irishman drained a 70-footer at the 5,000 on Sunday. A BBC documentary and Tyson Gay, who have both served 18th. FURTHER HEARTBREAK the par-four 13th to spark thunderous roars from and a U.S publication last week accused doping bans, are favoured to claim top Johnson’s putt slid past the cup and he then Johnson, seeking his first major crown, had to the grandstands but bogeyed the 15th and 17th Salazar, who also coaches British double sprint honors on the US team for the Aug. missed a four-foot birdie putt coming back to settle for a share of second place with South on the way to 66 and a tie for ninth at level-par. Olympic champion Mo Farah, of anti-dop- 22-30 world championships in Beijing. squander the chance of forcing an 18-hole play- African Louis Oosthuizen, who sensationally “I hit some good shots early on, made some ing violations and unethical behavior. Gatlin, who has not lost a sprint final off yesterday at Chambers Bay. birdied six of the last seven holes, including five nice putts and just got a little bit of momentum Farah was not accused of wrongdoing. since 2013, has a bye into the world meet The 21-year-old Spieth posted a five-under in a row from the 12th, for a 67. It was further going there,” McIlroy, who won the 2011 US Salazar, in a statement, called the in the 100 as the 2014 Diamond League total of 275 on a challenging links-style layout major heartbreak for the big-hitting Johnson, a Open at Congressional by eight shots, told reports “inaccurate and unfounded jour- champion, and elected to compete in just that firmed up under a baking sun as he became nine-times winner on the PGA Tour who came reporters. “I feel like it’s sort of one that got away, nalism”. He, Rupp and Farah all have the 200 in Eugene. the youngest winner of the U.S. Open since desperately close in his title runs at the U.S. especially the way I putted this week. I don’t denied using performance-enhancing “I think I’ll have enough 100s under my Bobby Jones in 1923. “I’m still amazed that I won, Open and PGA Championship in 2010. think I’ve ever hit the ball as well in a major belt after nationals on the European cir- let alone that we weren’t playing tomorrow,” South African Branden Grace, who’s hopes championship.” cuit,” the year’s fastest man at both 100 Spieth told reporters. “So for that turnaround evaporated with a double-bogey at the 16th Low scoring was plentiful, especially for the right there, to watch that happen, I feel for where his tee shot ended up on railroad tracks early starters, on a par-70 layout made more and 200 metres said. Dustin. out-of-bounds, carded a 71 to share fourth place receptive by overnight watering and a set-up at His 100m clash with world record hold- “But I haven’t been able to put anything in with Australians Adam Scott (64) and Cameron its shortest yardage of the week. er Usain Bolt in Beijing is expected to be perspective yet. When I finished, I was just hop- Smith (68). The links-style venue became the longest the highlight of the world championships. ing to be playing tomorrow. I can’t seem to wrap Johnson, one of four players tied for the lead course to stage a U.S. Open when it measured Gay plans to run the 100 in Eugene, then my head around the finish of today.” overnight in the year’s second major, appeared 7,695 yards for the second round, but was cut make a decision on the 200. The victory saw Spieth join Tiger Woods, Jack to have the title within his grasp when he moved back to 7,384 yards for the final round.—Reuters “I am entered in both as of now,” he told Reuters. “If I do well enough in the 100, I may leave well enough alone and not put the extra pounding on my body.” Contador wins Route du Sud Along with Gatlin, 11 other US world and Diamond League champions have BERNE: Giro winner Alberto Contador slipped tory is incredible.” Tom Dumoulin of Giant- d’Huez,” said regional governor Jean-Pierre received byes into the world champi- nicely into gear ahead of the Tour de France with Alpecin won the stage, 18 seconds ahead of Barbier. “We’re just not sure how yet.” The prob- onship. The top three finishers in each victory in the four-day Route du Sud on Sunday. Katusha’s Spilak, to take overall third. lem lies with the section of the climb above Lake The Spaniard, bidding to become the first rid- Meanwhile, Tour de France planners are Chambon where a 250,000-tonne heap is mov- event qualify for the world champi- er since the late Marco Pantani in 1998 to claim scrambling to find a solution to a landslide ing forward at 10cm per day and which geolo- onships if they have met qualifying stan- the Giro-Tour de France double in the same year, threatening the 20th and penultimate stage, the gists predict will turn into a full blown landslide dards. defended his lead on the final stage to finish 17 feared climb to L’Alpe d’Huez, where 250,000 by early July. A plan for a five-million-euro alter- Veteran Mike Rodgers and newcomers seconds ahead of Nairo Quintana. tonnes of dirt and rock appear ready to fall. native road has been approved and work is due Marvin Bracy and Trayvon Bromell figure “I’m happy with this victory at the Route du “The stage itself is not under threat, that’s for to begin once central state authorities give it the to chase Gay in the 100, while Gay, if he Sud but this doesn’t change anything in view of sure, the Tour de France will get to l’Alpe- green light. —AFP runs, and Isiah Young, are Gatlin’s top the Tour de France,” the Tinkoff-Saxo team cap- 200m challengers. tain told reporters. “It would be a mistake to The men’s high hurdles should be a change the mindset right now, thinking that this highlight with world champion David win would give me more confidence.” “We still Oliver, Olympic winner and world record have another 13 days until the start of the Tour holder Aries Merritt and improving Aleec de France and I will keep my focus on my prepa- Harris all competing. ration in order to reach the start in the best The next world 400 metres hurdles shape possible,” he added. champion could come from the meeting, Simon Spilak of Slovenia won the Tour of with season leader Bershawn Jackson, Switzerland in Berne, five seconds ahead of Briton Geraint Thomas. Thomas, who began the Johnny Dutch and Michael Tinsley, the final time-trial as favourite to win the race, over- Olympic and world silver medallist, all in took the 34-second lead of overnight leader the field. A major clash also appears in Thibaut Pinot before Spilak closed down a 13- store in the women’s 400 with Olympic second gap on the Team Sky rider. “After a lot of 200 metres champion Allyson Felix taking second and third places, finally I have managed on London 400 metres gold medallist again to win a big race. Of course this is the Sanya Richards-Ross and Francena biggest victory in my career,” Spilak told McCorory before deciding whether to run reporters. “This was a main objective in the sea- Galen Rupp the 200 or 400 in Beijing.—Reuters son and I was very motivated, so to get this vic- Alberto Contador crosses the finish line in this file photo. TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2015 SPORTS Abu Dhabi team win Volvo Ocean Race

GOTHENBURG: Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing (Azzam), skippered by Briton Ian Walker, won the 12th edi- tion of the Volvo Ocean Race yesterday. Walker’s crew finished fifth in the ninth and final leg, the fleet having covered 38,739 nautical miles (74,000km) in just under nine months of rac- ing since it set sail from Alicante, Spain, in early October last year. The last stage of the triennial event, 1,000nm from Lorient, France, via a pit-stop in The Hague, was won by Turkish/American chal- lengers, Team Alvimedica. The Alvimedica victory ensured all but one of the seven-strong fleet won at least one stage in the race. Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing were the most consistent team, however, and secured top-three podium places in all but two of the legs and won two of them. It seals one of the greatest global sporting tri- umphs for the UAE and makes Walker, 45, the first British skipper to win the overall trophy which was first launched in Portsmouth, England in 1973 as the Whitbread Round the World Race. “I said at the start of the race that I was confi- dent, but there are 100 ways to lose this race but only one way to win it. And it just all came togeth- er for us perfectly,” a jubilant Walker told reporters on dockside. Walker has won two Olympics silver medals, in 1996 and 2000, but added: “This is spe- cial because we did it as a team.” He later told a press conference that the reac- tion back in Abu Dhabi had been overwhelming, with huge media and public interest. On a personal level, he was still waiting for the scale of his achievement to sink in. “It’s only when I get to share this with friends and family that I’ll really process it,” he said. Dutch campaign, Team Brunel, secured second place in the overall standings thanks to their run- ners-up spot in leg nine with Dongfeng Race Team (China) taking third after claiming fourth position in the last leg. MAPFRE (Spain) took third in the leg and are tied on 34 points with Alvimedica for fourth overall. That tie will be broken in the final act of the tri- ennial event, the Gothenburg In-Port Race, on Saturday. There is a separate trophy for the in-port SWEDEN: Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing team skippered by English Ian Walker celebrate with the trophy after arriving in Gothenburg at the end of Leg 9 of the Volvo Ocean Race from race series which Abu Dhabi are also leading by Lorient to Gothenburg to win the overall race yesterday. The Volvo Ocean Race 2014-15 is the 12th running of this ocean marathon. AFP six points. —AFP

‘Fearless’ Bangladesh Dhoni willing to quit celebrate steady run one day captaincy DHAKA: Bangladesh captain our head in the right place. I have Mashrafe Mortaza believes playing a always wanted to play attacking DHAKA: Mahendra Singh Dhoni is willing to cricket.” fearless brand of one-day cricket step aside as India captain and focus on his has brought about a “significant The Bangladesh batsmen went own game if it will help the team, the 33-year- change” in his team’s fortunes. hard at India’s bowling in both old said in the wake of their first ever one-day Over the last two years matches while left-arm paceman series defeat to Bangladesh. The long-serving Bangladesh lost home ODI series to Mustafizur Rahman ran through the leader, who will turn 34 next month, gave up Sri Lanka and India and were also vaunted Indian batting, picking up the test captaincy midway through the series in blanked 3-0 in West Indies, but an five wickets on debut and then six Australia in December before retiring from the upswing in performances has seen on Sunday. Both victories were com- longer format altogether. them win 10 ODIs at home in a row. fortably achieved and the margin of And with two humiliating ODI losses in the Bangladesh blanked Zimbabwe 5-0 the wins surprised even Mortaza. first two matches of the series against their in a five-ODI series before reaching “This is one of the biggest achieve- neighbors, Dhoni was asked if he still enjoyed the quarter-finals of the World Cup ments. Actually I think the boys are leading the Indian team. in Australia and New Zealand for the really confident. Maybe we didn’t “I am really enjoying my cricket,” Dhoni said first time, and proved that was no expect (to win) that way,” the medi- after his side’s six-wicket loss at Mirpur on fluke by thumping Pakistan 3-0 in a um paceman said. Sunday. “I know this question was coming. I ODI series at home. “But we always thought that we know the media really loves me. They followed that up with their are going to play to win and fight “Yes, if it is a justifiable thing that if you first ODI series win over two-time till the last ball. Obviously I know remove me and the Indian cricket will start world champions India on Sunday that if we play our best cricket, it doing really well, and if I am the reason for all the bad that is happening to Indian cricket, def- with a game to spare. “I think the will be competitive. But we can win initely I would love to step away and play as a as well.” While Bangladesh have sur- boys are playing fearless cricket,” player. Mortaza told reporters. “This is the prised top teams in the past, they “Ultimately you want India to win. It doesn’t significant change. “The boys are have suffered from a lack of consis- matter who is the captain. “I was never really in not scared to play shots. They are tency and Mortaza said he hoped line to become a captain. It was a job or not scared to put the slips on so I his team can continue delivering responsibility for me. I have taken that respon- think that sort of cricket has results. “Our biggest problem was sibility. If they want to take it away, I am happy changed. the consistency,” he said. “In cricket, to give it away.” DHAKA: India’s captain M S Dhoni, plays a shot in this file photo. —AP “Cricket is all about mind games. momentum is very important so The wicketkeeper-batsman took over the I think we are all playing good crick- hopefully the boys will keep it ODI mantle from Rahul Dravid after India’s India to the top of world test rankings. youngsters are coming in, they can come et at the moment, especially with up.”—Reuters group-stage exit from the 2007 World Cup in “What is more important is to play for the and perform. That will be the ultimate West Indies and is considered the country’s country and contribute to the team and try achievement for me. “Indian cricket had been greatest skipper in limited-overs format. to keep the dressing room atmosphere used to players coming in toned, ready for He has won a Twenty20 World Cup, the 2011 good,” said Dhoni, who promoted himself to international cricket. Now it has changed. Pakistan youngsters 50-overs World Cup at home and also the number four in the batting order on Sunday You have to grind it through. You can’t win Champions Trophy in England, as well as taking and made a labored 47. “So that whenever every series you play.” —Reuters impress skipper Billings keen to make his mark at Old Trafford GALLE: Pakistan have even more Saeed Ajmal has been Pakistan’s reason to cheer their first test victory main weapon in spin-friendly condi- MANCHESTER: Manchester United fan Sam United home ground. As a schoolboy, Billings cricketers, also enjoys golf but showed an apti- in Sri Lanka in nine years thanks to tions but the off-spinner has been Billings will be looking to star for England scored a hat-trick against the Tottenham tude for rackets, a sport he describes as “squash impressive performances from the dropped from the side after insipid against New Zealand at the ‘other’ Old Trafford Hotspur Academy side but turned down the on speed” and one in which his cousin, Tom team’s younger players, said captain performances since returning from a today after turning his back on a possible foot- offer of a trial with the London club because it Billings, is ranked number three in the world. Misbah-ul-Haq. ban for an illegal bowling action. The ball career. The 24-year-old Kent batsman made clashed with a cricket tour. “I dabbled in a bit of However, cricket remains the priority for Billings an important 41, the best innings of his fledgling football back in the day,” Billings told reporters at and he has been delighted to be involved in a The visitors fought back from 96-5 29-year-old Yasir, with just eight tests down in their first innings to register England career so far, as the hosts beat New Old Trafford yesterday. “I’d like to say I played thrilling one-day series, which has inspired under his belt, ensured Ajmal was Zealand by three wickets at Chester-le-Street on centre attacking midfield but that’s generous. I England fans disillusioned by the team’s miser- the win in less than four days after not missed. “It’s just a start for Yasir, Saturday to seal a 3-2 one-day international was up front, a show pony. “I scored a hat-trick able first-round exit at this year’s World Cup. rain had washed out four sessions of look at the way he has performed to series win. against Tottenham Academy and managed to “It’s been a great advert for one-day cricket the contest on the first two days at step up and become Pakistan’s main Now Billings is set to feature in today’s lone get a trial, but I didn’t go because I was on tour and a fantastic result,” he said. “It has been a phe- the Galle International Stadium. bowler and to contribute in Twenty20 against the Black Caps, the final match in Barbados with South of England Under-14s. nomenal experience and one that I will remem- The task of hauling Pakistan out of Pakistan’s victories,” Misbah said. of New Zealand’s tour, which takes place at Old “Cricket was always going to be the only ber for the rest of my life,” added Billings. trouble has usually fallen to Younus Trafford the headquarters of Lancashire which sport I was going to play to a professional level. “It is a childhood dream and it’s what you get “So we are getting a good bunch Khan, 37, and the 41-year-old Misbah shares its name with the nearby Manchester That was my first passion.” Billings, like many up every day for. It has been fun, a great two that is grabbing every opportunity but it was the emerging talents of weeks. “It is a great start but it is only a start. We and applying themselves as a unit. Asad Shafiq and Sarfraz Ahmed who want to take this team further forward. led them out of a precarious position The batting line-up is now getting “Hopefully it has generated a bit of interest mature and performing consistently.” around the country and got people behind the and laid the foundations for the win. England cricket team going into the Ashes, Leg-spinner Yasir Shah then Misbah still felt Yasir has to work harder to become one of the leading which can only be a good thing.” ripped through Sri Lanka’s batting in Although Kent’s wicket-keeper, Billings has the second innings with career-best spinners in world cricket. been played as a batsman only against New figures of 7-76 to complete a 10- “He is giving us a good advantage, Zealand, even when Jos Buttler was injured wicket victory. especially on these pitches where ahead of Saturday’s match in Durham. “It’s good to have youngsters per- other spinners are not getting any Instead, England opted for Jonny Bairstow forming, that actually takes away the sort of spin,” Misbah added. with the Yorkshireman scoring 83 not out and pressure from us (Younus and him- “Seven wickets against an oppo- sharing a stand of 80 with Billings after England self),” Misbah told reporters. nent who is good against spin is slumped to 45 for five at the Riverside. However, Billings had no problems in giving “This is the future we are building something that speaks a lot. To up the gloves.”Initially at Kent we had Geraint with these youngsters and these became one of the greats, I think he Jones and we all know how good a keeper he players are coming of age now to still has to improve a lot. was, so the only way I could get into the team take the team ahead. “He might be performing well in was as a batsman alone,” he said. “Sarfraz is a key player, Azhar (Ali) Asian conditions but there are a lot “It was my route into the team. You’ve got to is performing in the top, and the way more tests ahead of him when he suit what the team needs. If the team need you Sarfraz and Asad played it further will be abroad, like in England and batting at 11 and fielding third man to third man then I’ll do it.”—AFP stamps our faith in them.” Australia.”—Reuters Sam Billings Spieth wins Abu Dhabi US Open team win Volvo Ocean Race

TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2015 18 19

Dhoni willing to quit one day captaincy Page 19

CHILE: Brazil’s David Luiz does a bicycle kick during a Copa America Group C soccer match against Venezuela at the Monumental stadium in Santiago. Brazil won the match 2-1. — AP Brazil set up Paraguay clash

SANTIAGO: Thiago Silva and Roberto Firmino scored nine minutes. Thiago Silva, recalled to the side for this “Ramon is an experienced coach, he’s enjoyed success particularly since they had proved themselves by fighting either side of halftime to fire Brazil to a 2-1 win over match after being dropped, opened the scoring in spec- at many different places such at River Plate and Monaco,” back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Argentina in Venezuela at the Copa America on Sunday, sending the tacular style when he volleyed home a corner from for- Dunga said on Sunday after his side’s 2-1 win over their group. five-times world champions into a quarter-final meeting mer Real Madrid striker Robinho. Venezuela in their final group game. “Paraguay showed their strength against Argentina in with Paraguay. Firmino doubled their lead six minutes into the sec- “He’s my friend, we’ve shared good dinners together their first match,” Dunga added. The coach said he was The victory completed the quarter-final line up that ond half when he leapt to volley home a cross from and good wine. He’s special. As a player he had a special pleased with the way his side had played against will see hosts Chile face Uruguay tomorrow, Peru take on Willian on the left. Nicolas Fedor got a consolation goal talent and now as a coach he’s doing a very good job. Venezuela despite the absence of striker Neymar, who Bolivia on Thursday, and Colombia line up against for Venezuela six minutes from time when he stooped to “It’ll be a finely balanced match. It’ll be like a final.” The has been suspended for the rest of the tournament for Argentina on Friday. head home from close range after Jefferson had touched two sides will meet in the southern Chilean city of his role in a fracas at the end of Brazil’s second group Saturday’s tie between Brazil and Paraguay will be a a free kick from Juan Arango onto the post. The result Concepcion next Saturday in a repeat of the 2011 quar- game against Colombia. repeat of four years ago when the Paraguayans advanced takes Brazil’s goalscoring record against Venezuela in the ter-final, which Paraguay won on penalties after holding Dunga fielded Robinho in Neymar’s place and, for on penalties. “Paraguay is a hard opponent, anyone who Copa America to 27 goals for to two against. Brazil to a goalless draw. much of the game, the Brazilians played with a fluidity watched the last Copa America could see that they got to Menwhile, Brazil coach Dunga says he is good friends Dunga shrugged off comparisons with that encounter they had lacked against Colombia. the final and deservedly so,” defender Thiago Silva said on with his Paraguay counterpart Ramon Diaz and has and said he could not change the past. “We can’t go back “We always work on the basis that a team cannot be Brazilian television after the game. shared a bottle of wine or two with the Argentine, but in time. What happened at the last Copa America hap- based around just one player,” Dunga said. “I think Brazil Venezuela had never beaten Brazil in six Copa America only one of them will be in the mood to celebrate after pened. We weren’t there, we’re here now,” he said. will play better as the tournament goes on - each time games and their job was made all the harder after just their Copa America quarter-final this week. Brazil could not afford to take their opponents lightly, with more confidence.” — Reuters

Aussies upset Brazil, Celtic drawn against Stjarnan France, Canada shine in Champions League qualifier PARIS: Celtic, the first British team to 10-time winners Real Madrid, five-time EDMONTON: Australia eliminated Brazil from forward,” said Australian coach Alen Stajcic. win the European Cup, have been champions Bayern Munich and hold- the Women’s World Cup on Sunday to advance to “With such a young team, you just see so the quarter-finals along with a convincing France much growth and development in such a short paired against Icelandic side Stjarnan ers Barcelona. and battling hosts Canada. space of time. If they keep growing, we can beat in the second qualifying round of the The winner between Celtic and A goal from substitute Kyah Simon 10 minutes anyone in the world.” Champions League, after the draw in Stjarnan will have to negotiate two from the end earned Australia a 1-0 win over a France certainly look capable of beating any- Nyon, Switzerland, yesterday. The further rounds to enter the group Brazil team who had won all three of their games one but will need to be at their very best in the Scottish champions, who upset Inter stage, with teams like Monaco-last in the group stage. last eight, where they will face Germany. Milan to win the tournament for the year’s surprise quarter-finalists-possi- France reinforced the view of many that they The Koreans, without their best player Ji So- first time in 1967, will be expected to ble opponents in the third qualifying are favourites for the title with a classy 3-0 win yun because of injury, were no match at all for ease past the side from Garoabaer- round. over South Korea, while a 52nd minute goal from Philippe Bergeroo’s team, who were 2-0 up with- “Garden City” in Icelandic-when they The final hurdle is the play-off Josee Belanger gave Canada a 1-0 victory over in eight minutes. Marie Laure Delie opened the meet in a two-legged tie next month. round, which contains teams such as Switzerland in front of a crowd of 53,855 in scoring in the fourth minute, ending a fast-flow- Ronny Deila’s men, who won the three-time winners Manchester Vancouver. ing passing move with a precise finish. Scottish title for the fourth year run- United and two-time runners-up Australia had never won a knock-out round Four minutes later Elodie Thomis fired home VANCOUVER: Canada’s Lauren Sesselmann ning last season, welcome Stjarnan to Valencia. Bundesliga side Bayer game in the World Cup and were up against a after racing into the box to pick up a pass from Celtic Park for the first leg on July 14 or Leverkusen and Serie A club Lazio are Brazil team that had not conceded a single goal Olympique Lyonnais team mate Eugenie Le (left) outjumps Switzerland’s Lara Dickenmann to get her head on the ball 15 before travelling to Reykjavik for among the other possible opponents in the group stage. Sommer. Delie added her second and France’s the second leg a week later (July 21 or in that round. But Australia’s combination of well-organised third in the 48th minute. South Korean coach during the first half of the FIFA Women’s World Cup round of 16 soccer match. —AP 22). The Bhoys failed to make the group defence, relentless work in midfield and pacy Yoon Deok-yeo said his side simply had not been Stjarnan, who are featuring in the stage last year after falling to a sur- counter-attacking paid off. able to deal with the fluid passing and move- Rhian Wilkinson crossed from the right and preliminary round for the first time in prise 2-1 aggregate loss to Slovenian The decisive goal came when substitute ment of the French. Christine Sinclair laid the ball off to Belanger, their history, are best known for their side NK Maribor in the play-off round. Katrina Gorry won the ball in midfield and “Their speed was incredible ... and our defend- whose first time shot beat Swiss keeper Gaelle sprayed the ball out wide to Lisa De Vanna, ers had trouble coping with that,” he said. Canada Thalmann. cult following on Youtube where their Stjarnan have played Scottish whose low shot was spilled out by Brazil keeper were pushed hard by World Cup debutants It was a tough loss to take for a Switzerland players post funny goal celebrations. opposition before-beating Motherwell Luciana to Simon who slotted home. “I think we Switzerland and struggled to find their rhythm team who had created more in the final third, It’s less than three months until the 5-4 on aggregate in the second quali- are one of the most dangerous teams at the but their endeavour was rewarded with largely thanks to the inspired individual skills of main group stage draw (August 27), fying round of the Europa League last World Cup if not the most dangerous team going Belanger’s winner. forward Ramona Bachmann. — Reuters featuring Europe’s biggest clubs like season. — Reuters Ferrero bids $178m for chocolate maker Thorntons Page 22

Business Egg shortage cutting into restaurant profits, menus TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2015 Page 23 French telecoms stocks VR sweeps shoppers into new retail dimension soar amid takeover talk Page 24 Page 22

ATHENS: A Greek flag waves as the sun’s rays shine through clouds at the ancient Acropolis hill yesterday. — AP ‘Reasonable’ Greek offer raises hopes Concessions prompt talk of ‘forceps delivery’ • Germany urges caution BRUSSELS: Euro zone officials welcomed Greek con- cessions yesterday as a possible step towards a deal on averting a default, but politicians dismissed Saudi Aramco may expectations of a breakthrough at a summit later in the day to secure the country’s future in the euro. shut Jeddah refinery Hopes rose on financial markets as the officials accepted the reform proposal for the first time as a “reasonable” basis for negotiating an aid-for-reforms KHOBAR, Saudi Arabia: State oil giant exported only about 40,000 tonnes per agreement between Athens and its creditors at the Saudi Aramco is considering whether month. The United Arab Emirates’ EU and IMF. to close its 90,000 barrel per day crude Ruwais refinery is to raise yearly naph- But Germany, the biggest European contributor oil refinery in Jeddah after several years tha exports to over 10 million tonnes to Greece’s bailout programs, warned that the meet- because of age and environmental from the current 7.5 million tonnes, ing in Brussels of euro zone leaders could be only “a concerns, industry sources said. The traders have said. summit of consultations” without a detailed technical refinery, which started operating in agreement. Chancellor Angela Merkel signalled that 1967, serves much of the country’s Impact on Luberef any settlement could take days to reach and her western region and its closure would The Jeddah refinery is next to, and Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said he had increase demand at other Saudi facili- supplies feedstock and power to, a seen nothing new from Athens, even though Greece ties. It produces liquefied petroleum base oil refinery run by Luberef, a joint faces a 1.6 billion euro repayment to the IMF on June gas, gasoline, diesel, asphalt and jet venture between Aramco and Jadwa 30 which it probably cannot make without help from BRUSSELS: Greece’s Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras (left) is welcomed with a friendly tap by fuel, and exports naphtha. Industrial Investment Group. Luberef its creditors. Aramco was originally considering makes a total of around 550,000 tonnes After months of acrimony, accusations and wran- European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker ahead of an emergency leaders’ summit on Greece at the European Commission yesterday. — AFP whether to close it in 2018 but now per year of oil lubricants from its two gling between Greece and its creditors, positive looks likely to postpone the closure to refineries at Jeddah and Yanbu. Luberef mood music in Brussels injected new hope that a are still a lot of days in the week in which decisions stem the outflow of billions of euros from banks by long-awaited aid agreement might be near. as late as 2022 because of growing said it was now considering whether to can be taken,” she told reporters in the eastern savers fearing they could be stuck with a sharply domestic demand for oil products and shut the Jeddah facility eventually and European shares surged and the Greek stock market German city of Magdeburg. But Schaeuble, who has devalued new currency should Greece be forced jumped nearly 7 percent while the borrowing costs since construction of a new refinery at expand Yanbu. “This is now in the plan- taken a consistently hard line with Athens, was pes- out of the euro. Jizan, also on the Red Sea coast, has ning phase and Luberef will be ready if of Italy, Spain and Portugal - the countries most likely simistic. “There is nothing new beyond many trying There were no immediate long queues or signs been delayed, said one source. Another Aramco’s Jeddah refinery closes, to be hit if Greece headed for the euro zone exit - fell to create expectations which are not supported by of panic outside Greek banks in the capital yester- sharply. substance,” he said. “Without substantial proposals day. The ECB, which has kept local lenders afloat said Jeddah’s growth had left the refin- Luberef said in an emailed statement. In the proposal sent early yesterday, Greece which can be examined seriously, we can’t seriously with infusions of liquidity, raised its emergency ery in the middle of the city, which cre- One source familiar with the matter moved to acquiesce to lenders’ demands for tax prepare a euro summit.” funding once more. “I believe there will be a deal ated environmental issues that con- said the Luberef shutdown could hap- increases and pension reform by offering to raise the Other European ministers played down the today. This is a normal visit to the bank,” said one tributed to a likely decision to close pen in 2020. Companies based in Saudi Greek retirement age gradually to 67 and curb early prospect of an agreement at the summit, saying Greek saver outside a bank branch. An exit from it.The sources declined to be named Arabia have received a request from retirements. It also offered to reform the value- there was too little time for officials to examine the the euro would create economic dislocation in because they were not authorised to Luberef to express their interest for added-tax system to set the main rate at 23 percent. proposal “There is always time, there is the will for a Greece and severe consequences for its banks’ liq- talk to media. In response to questions front-end engineering and design “This is now, for the first time, a reasonable paper on good agreement. Today an agreement is not possi- uidity and solvency, which could lead to the bank- by Reuters, Aramco said on Sunday work, industry sources said. “They want which you can have an informed and productive dis- ble,” said Spanish Economy Minister Luis de ing system being nationalised, credit ratings that it had no information to release at to build a new vacuum distillation unit cussion,” one euro zone official said. “I cannot predict Guindos. “We still need to analyse many details. agency Moody’s warned in a report yesterday. this time. with a capacity of 26,000 bpd - they it will lead to an agreement tonight, but it is what There are many versions of the Greek proposal. I Aramco has said it plans to bring the want to move some parts from the old was expected in form and in substance from such a don’t know which is the definitive one.” No Fear of Blackmail Jizan refinery online by 2018. However, plant,” said one. Luberef is already paper.” the official said. However, EU Economic Commissioner Pierre Comments by Greek Deputy Labour Minister Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras headed into a industry sources said this was now expanding its Yanbu plant by doubling Moscovici said he was “convinced” that euro zone Dimitris Stratoulis on a morning news show under- expected to be delayed by at least two capacity to produce a new, high-quali- series of talks with figures including European leaders would find a resolution on the basis of the scored the tightrope Tsipras must walk to reach an Central Bank President Mario Draghi and IMF head years for several reasons, including ty base oil. latest proposal. “If we get a deal tonight, that agreement that will win over both the creditors technical problems with building infra- The company originally said it Christine Lagarde before the summit which was due would be better, but if not, we’ll need to set the and his own leftist Syriza party. “We are not afraid to start at 7 pm (1700 GMT). European Commission foundation tonight so that a deal can be reached in of blackmail, and our priority is the public interest,” structure in the sea. A Singapore-based planned to start commercial produc- President Jean-Claude Juncker, a veteran EU deal- coming days,” French President Francois Hollande Stratoulis, a Syriza hardliner, told Antenna televi- trader said Saudi Arabia’s new Jubail tion of this oil in the fourth quarter of maker, gave Tsipras a warm welcome after he arrived said in Paris before he was due to travel to the sum- sion. “Let’s see if there will be a deal tonight.” Syriza and Yanbu refineries, operated by 2015, but its statement to Reuters last in Brussels, taking him by the shoulders and patting mit. stormed to power in January promising to roll Aramco, France’s Total and China’s week indicated the date would be later. him on the cheek. This contrasted to earlier this Underlining the urgent need for a deal yester- back years of austerity it says has worsened Sinopec, would likely supply gasoline “Production of the G-II expansion will month, when a frustrated Juncker rebuked Tsipras for day, Greece’s central bank last week warned Greece’s plight. Thousands gathered in central output lost by the eventual closure of commence by the second quarter of failing to observe the “minimum rules” of friendship. lenders to brace for a “difficult day” today if the Athens on Sunday to protest against a new round the Jeddah facility. He said the impact 2016 of which high quality G-II base oil summit ended without a breakthrough, banking of cuts, which was expected to be countered by a on the international naphtha market will be introduced in (the) local and ‘Nothing New’ sources have told Reuters. The country could be demonstration in favour of staying in the euro lat- would not be big as the refinery export market,” it said. — Reuters Merkel held open the possibility of a deal. “There forced to impose capital controls within days to er yesterday. — Reuters BUSINESS TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2015

Ferrero bids $178m for UK chocolate maker Thorntons

LONDON: Ferrero, the maker of Nutella spread, Mars and Hershey. warehousing problems at its UK commercial said that if the offer was successful it would has offered to buy British chocolate company However, the company has repeatedly business. Its chief executive said last month conduct a strategic and operational review of Thorntons Plc for £112 million ($178 million), a excluded the possibility of a sale, while Chief that he was stepping down. Thorntons’ business and operations to identify rare acquisition by the Italian group. The deal, Executive Giovanni Ferrero said it would con- Thorntons directors said the all-cash offer synergies. backed by the board of Thorntons, brings sider growing through acquisitions to gain criti- was “fair and reasonable” and said they intend- Thorntons started as a family-run busi- together two of Europe’s best-known chocolate cal mass and be more competitive internation- ed to unanimously recommended that share- ness when Joseph William Thornton opened makers. It marks the first move by the maker of ally. Shares in Thorntons rose as much as 42.9 holders accept the offer. Ferrero already owns his first store in the northern English city of Ferrero Rocher pralines since the death of its percent after the announcement, touching the 29.9 percent of Thorntons after buying stakes Sheffield in 1911. For many years, the compa- patriarch Michele Ferrero earlier this year. offer price of 145 pence. The company, a famil- from top shareholder Crystal Amber and for- ny grew by selling “luxury” chocolates along- Ferrero’s death rekindled speculation about a iar name in Britain, has been struggling in mer chairman John von Spreckelsen, as well as side cheaper toffee, but eventually came possible takeover of the company by larger recent months after an unexpected cut in part of the holding of Hotchkis & Wiley, the under pressure from increased competition rivals such as Mondelez International, Nestle, orders from two of its grocery partners and companies said in a joint statement. Ferrero on the high street. — Reuters Dubai property prices likely to fall 10-20%

DUBAI: Dubai residential property prices will also dampen prices. S&P cited fore- are likely to fall 10 to 20 percent this year casts from property analysts REIDIN that because of subdued demand, slower eco- 20,170 new units would be delivered in nomic activity and downbeat investor 2015, nearly double the annual average sentiment, credit rating agency Standard of 11,600 over the preceding three years. & Poor’s said yesterday. “Slightly lesser The real estate sector in Dubai, one of demand will come from non-residents,” seven emirates in the UAE, has been S&P said in a statement. “In early 2015, among the most volatile globally over the non-resident demand from Russia and past decade, swinging from boom to bust other member countries of the Gulf to boom again. Cooperation Council was particularly Prices have recovered to within about a French telecoms stocks subdued.” fifth of their peak values as of January, S&P expects oil prices to remain weak having fallen by more than half from their through to the end of 2016 so that eco- 2008 highs. They have since weakened soar amid takeover talk nomic growth in the United Arab again. Dubai’s property market crash led Emirates as a whole “is likely to slow to a debt crisis, but now property develop- markedly in 2015 and 2016”. The agency ers, many of them state-linked, are better also warned that a fall in Dubai’s stock placed to withstand market shocks, S&P French government against deal index would be likely to affect investor said. S&P predicted Dubai’s developers, PARIS: Shares in leading French telecoms Europe had shown telecoms mergers to have Analysts at Aurel BGC financial consultancy views on property. The index is down 10 including Emaar Properties and DAMAC operators soared yesterday, as one of the top a “negative” impact. said that the strategy of offloading some of percent over the past 12 months, accord- Properties, can absorb up to about a 20 players officially launched a takeover bid for a Finance Minister Michel Sapin also advised the assets to Iliad/Free might be to ease con- ing to Reuters’ calculations. That drop percent drop in home prices because of rival that would profoundly shake the sector. the players to take into account “the general cerns over competition. “Over and beyond the reflects doubts about the sustainability of stronger balance sheets and greater rev- The Altice group, owned by acquisition-hun- interest”. “If this is just to consolidate and raise question of financing - very important for a current property prices, S&P said. enue diversification into more reliable gry Franco-Israeli tycoon Patrick Drahi, all the prices, I don’t think anyone will win group that is already in heavy debt - Altice “General investor sentiment is key in income streams. S&P estimated property announced an offer for Bouygues Telecom out,” he told French radio RFI. “These are big and Numericable-SFR will have to convince Dubai real estate because a large majority developers’ debt to core earnings ratio was thought to be around Ä10 billion ($11.3 bil- deals between big French companies... in an the competition authorities but also the gov- of buyers are investors.” 1.9 on average at the end of 2014, versus lion). Bouygues Telecom confirmed it had area that is absolutely fundamental in daily ernment,” Aurel BGC said. Greater supply of new residential units 3.3 at the end of 2008. — Reuters received the “unsolicited” offer and said it life but also for the economic development of If the deal goes ahead, it will push would hold a meeting of its board today to our country,” noted Sapin. “Therefore, by defi- Numericable-SFR above Orange and bring the discuss the takeover bid. “There is no negotia- nition, the state is interested and should give French telecoms sector more into line with tion underway,” stressed Bouygues. its opinion,” stressed Sapin. the majority of European markets, which are Neither company disclosed the actual val- In addition, Sapin said he was concerned consolidating from four top players to three, Turkish economy minister ue of the takeover offer. But traders were jubi- about the financing of the deal - reportedly the analysts said. This aspect of the deal lant at the prospect of consolidation in the via a loan from top bank BNP Paribas - given caused concern with consumer group “UFC- renews call for lower rates French telecoms market and rushed to buy that Drahi has already piled up debt of around Que Choisir,” whose political director Cedric stock in both companies. At the opening bell, Ä30 billion with a frenzy of acquisitions. “We Musso told AFP the deal “raises several ques- ANKARA: Turkey’s economy minister an appropriate atmosphere will be Numericable-SFR, a subsidiary of the parent have to pay attention that this empire is not tions”. “Going from four to three operators renewed his call for lower interest established much more quickly and group Altice, was up more than 13 percent built on the sands of debt,” said Sapin. always leads to a hike in price for consumers. rates yesterday, signaling further gov- the central bank’s hand will be while Bouygues was trading more than 14 Macron’s office later announced he would We have seen this elsewhere in Europe, ernment pressure on the central bank strengthened.” percent higher. Another player, Iliad - which hold talks with Drahi over the offer today. notably in Austria,” said Musso. — AFP owns operator Free - was also up by more a day before it is expected to keep All 18 economists polled by than 10 percent. rates on hold at its monetary policy Reuters expect the central bank to Altice said in its statement that it would meeting. Investors have been hoping keep rates on hold, keeping the one- likely resell some of the assets to Iliad/Free if Abu Dhabi crown prince the governing AK Party’s election set- week repo rate at 7.50 percent and the deal went ahead. According to the Journal back this month could give the central the overnight borrowing rate at 7.25 de Dimanche weekly, which broke news of bank some much-needed breathing percent. “We think it’s too early to the possible tie-up on Sunday, Free would get new chairman of ADIC space. President Tayyip Erdogan had expect any move from (the central some of Bouygues’ mobile frequency, anten- repeatedly called for sharp rate cuts in bank),” financial services firm TEB said nas and shops, while some of its employees ABU DHABI: The board of the Abu Dhabi fund retains a global investment remit despite the run-up to the June 7 parliamen- in a note to clients. “While market may end up at market leader Orange. By the Investment Council (ADIC), an investment arm its local focus. It has assets under management tary election, even labeling those who expectation is also for no change in middle of the session, stocks were broadly of the Abu Dhabi government, has been of around $111 billion, according to industry defended high rates as traitors. rates, a more cautious tone will be unchanged, holding onto their strong gains revamped with the emirate’s crown prince tracker the Sovereign Wealth Center. from the open. The main French stock index, That unnerved investor confidence expected in the statement.” named as its chairman, state news agency The other board change announced on the CAC 40, opened up nearly three percent and has raised concerns about politi- Separately, data showed that con- WAM reported on Sunday. Sheikh Sunday saw Isa Mohammed Al-Suwaidi, who higher on optimism a deal could be found Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahayan, who is holds top positions in some of Abu Dhabi’s cal meddling in monetary policy. But sumer confidence ticked higher in over Greece but fell back to around 1.5 per- the AK Party Erdogan founded lost its June, rising to 66.45 points from 64.29 also deputy supreme commander of the financial institutions including chairman of Al cent higher by mid-session. United Arab Emirates’ armed forces, replaces Hilal Bank, named managing director of ADIC. single-party rule for the first time points in May, although that still decid- President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al- He replaces Khalifa Mohammed Al-Kindi. The since coming to power in 2002. It is edly negative as anything below 100 Sands of Debt Nahayan at the head of the fund, according to other board members have been retained, now looking for a junior partner to denotes a pessimistic outlook. Turkish But the French government immediately a royal decree carried by the agency. according to the decree. It is the second time form a coalition government. “Of markets were bolstered by optimism came out against the deal, with Economy ADIC, which holds majority stakes in some of in recent months that the board of a top Abu course we maintain to the end our about the possibility of a last-minute Minister Emmanuel Macron saying: Abu Dhabi banks including the largest, National Dhabi state-owned investment vehicle has view regarding lowering interest rates. deal that would allow Greece to avoid “Consolidation is currently undesirable for the Bank of Abu Dhabi, is responsible for investing been restructured. In April, the UAE oil minis- It would be beneficial for the econo- default. The lira was at 2.6720 to the sector.” “Now is not the time for opportunistic part of the government’s surplus financial ter Suhail Mohammed Al-Mazrouei was my for interest rates to fall in Turkey,” dollar, its strongest in about two tie-ups which may be of interest to some peo- resources. It was spun off in 2007 from the Abu named managing director of International ple but which are not in the public interest,” Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci told weeks, while the BIST 100 stock index Dhabi Investment Authority, the emirate’s main Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC), which Macron told AFP. “Jobs, investment and better reporters in parliament. “I think that was 1.5 percent firmer. — Reuters sovereign wealth fund, with all ADIA’s stakes in invests globally in energy and related sectors, customer service are the priority,” added local companies placed within it. However, the replacing Khadem Al-Qubaisi. - Reuters with the formation of a government Macron, who noted that recent cases in

EXCHANGE RATES

GOLD Saudi Riyals 81.390 US Dollars Mint 0.298650 0.302650 Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. 20 gram 241.650 Jordanian Dinar 426.550 10 gram 123.520 Asia ASIAN COUNTRIES Egyptian Pound 39.530 5 gram 62.440 Bangladesh Taka 0.003541 0.004141 Japanese Yen 2.463 Sri Lankan Rupees 2.253 Chinese Yuan 0.047295 0.050795 Indian Rupees 4.762 Indian Rupees 4.757 UAE Exchange Centre WLL Hong Kong Dollar 0.036902 0.039652 Pakistani Rupees 2.969 Pakistani Rupees 2.968 Indian Rupee 0.004495 0.004885 Srilankan Rupees 2.252 Bangladesh Taka 3.880 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000019 0.000025 Nepali Rupees 2.968 CURRENCIES TELEX TRANSFER PER 1000 Philippines Pesso 6.708 Japanese Yen 0.002373 0.002553 Singapore Dollar 227.600 Australian Dollar 213.44 Cyprus pound 741.790 Kenyan Shilling 0.003058 0.003058 Hongkong Dollar 38.992 Canadian Dollar 250.26 Japanese Yen 3.460 Bangladesh Taka 3.884 Swiss Franc 334.26 Syrian Pound 2.600 Korean Won 0.000264 0.000279 Philippine Peso 6.717 Euro 346.50 Nepalese Rupees 3.030 Malaysian Ringgit 0.077721 0.083721 Thai Baht 8.995 US Dollar 302.55 Malaysian Ringgit 81.820 Nepalese Rupee 0.003031 0.003201 Sterling Pound 483.02 Chinese Yuan Renminbi 49.190 Pakistan Rupee 0.002770 0.003050 GCC COUNTRIES Japanese Yen 2.50 Thai Bhat 9.965 Philippine Peso 0.006645 0.006925 Saudi Riyal 80.643 Bangladesh Taka 3.884 Turkish Lira 112.410 Sierra Leone 0.000070 0.000076 Qatari Riyal 83.070 Indian Rupee 4.763 Singapore Dollar 0.223423 0.229423 Omani Riyal 785.470 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.253 Bahrain Exchange Company South African Rand 0.018825 0.027325 Bahraini Dinar 803.110 Nepali Rupee 2.976 Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001820 0.002400 UAE Dirham 82.335 Pakistani Rupee 2.972 CURRENCY BUY SELL Taiwan 0.009694 0.009874 UAE Dirhams 82.25 Europe Thai Baht 0.008677 0.0009227 ARAB COUNTRIES Bahraini Dinar 803.04 Belgian Franc 0.007884 0.008884 Egyptian Pound - Cash 41.225 Egyptian Pound 39.54 British Pound 0.473344 0.482344 Arab Egyptian Pound - Transfer 39.533 Jordanian Dinar 429.81 Czech Korune 0.004603 0.016603 Bahraini Dinar 0.795261 0.803261 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.411 Omani Riyal 784.65 Danish Krone 0.042003 0.047003 Egyptian Pound 0.038962 0.041792 Tunisian Dinar 158.250 Qatari Riyal 83.32 Euro 0.338285 0.346285 Iranian Riyal 0.000084 0.000085 Jordanian Dinar 426.790 Saudi Riyal 80.60 Norwegian Krone 0.035118 0.040318 Iraqi Dinar 0.000185 0.000245 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 2.029 Romanian Leu 0.076539 0.076539 Jordanian Dinar 0.421995 0.429495 Slovakia 0.009000 0.019000 Syrian Lira 2.155 Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Kuwaiti Dinar 1.000000 1.000000 Morocco Dirham 31.883 Swedish Krona 0.033243 0.038243 Lebanese Pound 0.000150 0.000250 Swiss Franc 0.322486 0.332686 Moroccan Dirhams 0.021693 0.045693 Turkish Lira 0.110440 0.117440 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES Rate for Transfer Selling Rate Nigerian Naira 0.000916 0.001551 US Dollar Transfer 302.250 US Dollar 302.200 Omani Riyal 0.779052 0.784732 Australasia Euro 345.770 Canadian Dollar 249.185 Qatar Riyal 0.082309 0.083522 Australian Dollar 0.226907 0.238407 Sterling Pound 481.790 Sterling Pound 481.265 Saudi Riyal 0.079963 0.080663 Canadian dollar 247.440 Euro 345.260 New Zealand Dollar 0.202793 0.212293 Syrian Pound 0.001281 0.001501 Turkish lira 112.360 Swiss Frank 278.695 Tunisian Dinar 0.153294 0.161294 Swiss Franc 330.690 Bahrain Dinar 800.525 America Turkish Lira 0.110440 0.117440 Australian Dollar 236.510 UAE Dirhams 82.655 Canadian Dollar 0.241163 0.249663 UAE Dirhams 0.081310 0.082459 US Dollar Buying 301.150 Qatari Riyals 83.825 US Dollars 0.298150 0.302650 Yemeni Riyal 0.001366 0.001446 BUSINESS TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2015

North Korea’s fledgling markets buffer against drought

SEOUL: Despite a severe drought this year, 1990s famine, the state has been tolerant of ing in the shadows or private businesses wear- Food smuggled from neighbouring China will North Korea’s fledgling markets and private farmers maintaining small, privately-run plots ing masks of state-socialism,” said Sokeel Park likely help close gaps in supply, and Beijing has farm plots should provide a buffer against a on state farms and in their backyards. There, of LiNK, an NGO which supports North Korean said it is willing to offer aid to North Korea. famine of the sort that devastated the totalitari- they grow grains and vegetables, often more defectors. International aid for North Korea has decreased an nation in the 1990s. The 1994-1998 famine efficiently than on the sprawling state collec- in recent years, in part because of its curbs on killed hundreds of thousands of people, but tives, which they can consume or even sell. Cut by Half humanitarian workers and reluctance to allow experts say the emergence of grassroots mar- That means that while the country still The North’s KCNA news agency said last monitoring of food distribution. The country is kets and an unofficial economy since then mean retains a “military-first” system where food and week that paddies around the country, includ- also under UN sanctions for pursuing a nuclear most North Koreans can grow and trade food electricity is prioritised for the powerful armed ing the main rice farming regions of Hwanghae weapons program. independently of the state, decreasing the risk forces, the civilian population is not likely to and Phyongan provinces, were drying up for In February, Pyongyang expelled the local of widespread starvation. suffer as much. One NGO worker, citing a lack of rain. On Monday, KCNA said North Korea director of Welthungerhilfe, one of the few for- The isolated country has been hit by what it knowledgeable North Korean agricultural sci- had seen some rain, but it expects drought eign aid groups to operate in the country. While describes as its worst drought in a century. entist, estimated that farmers there spend an conditions to linger. Production in the country’s the risks of mass starvation are much reduced, While that may be an exaggeration, the United average of 30 percent of their time cultivating main growing region is expected to be cut in shocks to state food supply caused by drought Nations has warned of a potentially sharp rise their own plots. It is not uncommon to see rows half, the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation will cause market prices to rise. The cost of in malnutrition. “Agriculture is much less state- of corn or other crops growing in the gardens said recently. potatoes, an alternative staple to rice in times run and much more private than it used to be, of rural homes. On some collective farms, a Weak rainfall this year in North Korea comes of short supply, roughly tripled over the past and the farmers who work for themselves work small portion of fields is often cordoned into a on top of last year’s lacklustre rains. Parts of year at a market in the city of Hyesan, accord- better and with greater efficiency,” said Andrei grid system of plots privately cultivated and South Korea are also suffering this year from ing to the Daily NK website. Lankov, a professor at Kookmin University in managed by families. some of the lowest rainfall since records began. But even foreign food aid on which North Seoul. “North Korea is highly unlikely to experi- North Koreans who have been mobilised to Pyongyang has a track record of overstating the Korea has long relied is often distributed in ence another famine even remotely similar to work extra hours to combat this year’s drought significance of natural events on its food situa- unofficial markets, meaning food prices may what happened in the late nineties”. have also redoubled efforts to farm private tion, as doing so plays down the impact of its quickly return to normal. Poorer or isolated North Korean farms are collectives in which plots, according to the Daily NK, a Seoul-based outdated and state-controlled agricultural areas of North Korea are still vulnerable to less the state takes control of crops and distribu- website with market sources inside North methods while getting the attention of donors. state supply of food, however, where drought tion. There was previously little incentive for Korea. “Today’s North Korean economy is essen- There are no readily available figures of crop could contribute to or exacerbate pre-existing farmers to produce more. But as a result of the tially disguised capitalism - low-level trade hid- output or food reserves in the isolated country. cases of chronic malnutrition. — Reuters US egg shortage cuts into restaurant profits, menus Set-price contracts have been rescinded

OMAHA, Nebraska: Those who like to indulge in a good omelet or quiche at the local cafe should prepare to pay a little more - if it’s even on the menu. Restaurants are struggling to deal with higher egg prices and an inability to get enough eggs and egg products in the midst of a short- age brought about by a bird flu virus that wiped out millions of chickens on commer- cial farms this spring. Some restaurants are pulling especially eggy dishes off menus while others are contemplating raising prices until the supply returns to normal. Getting eggs from a smaller, local pro- ducer - which have largely been spared from the outbreak - has not protected Omaha restaurant owner Nick Bartholomew and other independently- DES MOINES, Iowa: Waitress Laura Haege carries a breakfast to be served at the Waveland Cafe. owned eateries. His supplier’s inventory has dwindled to meet demand and production is down because of testing by federal safe- ty officials. And the restaurant’s overall pro- duction costs have gone up by 15 percent Govt programs coax in recent weeks, so he says he’ll have to raise prices soon. “We’re now having to use three or four Argentines to shop different producers and call around to dif- ferent chicken farms to see what is avail- BUENOS AIRES: Two septuagenarians who Post-Election Uncertainty able and when it will be available,” said DES MOINES, Iowa: Dennis Howard cooks an omelet at the Waveland Cafe on June 19, have lived through countless ups and downs Just last year, Argentina was grappling Bartholomew, whose restaurant, Over Easy, 2015. — AP serves breakfast and lunch with a focus on in Argentina’s rollercoaster economy may with recession, inflation at 40 percent and a Peep menu item includes eggs. There are The uncertainty of how long the short- local ingredients. The restaurant has have different views on the government’s nosedive in the black-market peso. And then no plans to change that, Rhoads said, age will last is what’s most disconcerting already taken strata - an egg casserole simi- latest schemes to spur consumption, but early this year Fernandez faced one of the because eggs are “so much a part of who for restaurant owners, Rhoads said: “It’s one lar to quiche - off the menu. they both think it’s time to go shopping. biggest crises of her presidency when a state and what we are.” But the shortage is rais- of those things that, when you don’t know The H5N2 avian flu virus began showing ing the chain’s costs significantly, and as a how bad it’s going to get or when the end Rodolfo Ravioli, 72, is trading in his old prosecutor who had accused her of criminal up in Midwest commercial turkey and result, their prices are going up. is in sight.” — AP fridge for a new one at nearly half the price behavior was found dead. Yet voters’ memo- chicken farms this spring. To date, 48 mil- through the “Renovate Yourself” initiative. ries are short, say political analysts, and the lion turkeys and chickens have died or He says Cristina Fernandez is the first success of the government’s unorthodox were euthanized to prevent the virus from Argentine president he’s seen “really tackling measures to stabilize the economy and boost spreading further. The frequency of new Coveted and criticized, the problems in the economy.” consumption is boosting its popularity. cases has slowed dramatically in most Monica Padron, 78, bought a television Confidence in the government hit a three- states, though agriculture officials said last LatAm rich multiply through “Now12,” a credit program that year high in May, a survey by pollster week that an Iowa chicken farm with 1 mil- lion egg-layers tested positive for the virus. allows payment in 12 interest-free install- Poliarquia showed. MONTEVIDEO: They buy 10 Porsches a day Euromonitor, the Latin American luxury mar- ments. But she is skeptical of what she sees “Cristina’s campaign is focused like Because of the egg crisis, the US Department of Agriculture lowered its fore- and travel the world by private jet, toting their ket will total $26.5 billion in 2019, up 88.8 per- as a political tactic ahead of presidential (Brazilian President) Dilma (Rousseff’s) was: Louis Vuitton bags and leaving behind a faint cent from 2014 - the strongest growth in the cast for table egg production this year to elections in October. “You’d be an idiot if you on telling people that if another force wins scent of Chanel. They are Latin America’s world. The boom applies to big-ticket luxuries, 6.9 billion dozen, a 5.3 percent drop from super-rich, and they are multiplying faster too. Mexico is the world’s second-largest mar- were the only one who didn’t make the they could lose what they have,” local analyst 2014. By late May, the price for a dozen most of it,” she said. “But it’s not right. The Rosendo Fraga said, noting her popularity than anywhere in the world, coveted by luxu- ket for private jets, behind the United States, Midwest large eggs had soared 120 per- ry brands keen to tap their buying power, but with Brazil poised to surpass it within the next president thinks only of the present. The rating was around 40 percent. If that support cent from their mid-April, pre-bird flu criticized for paying low taxes in a region decade, according to a recent market study by next one will have to pay the price.” translated to Scioli, it would be enough for prices to $2.62, industry analyst group plagued by inequality. Latin America, a region Brazilian jetmaker Embraer. Fernandez, who is barred from running him to win in the first round of voting. Not Urner Barry said. of some 600 million people, is home to nearly for a third term in October, has defied dire everyone is keen, though. Many economists Prices began falling last week, but offi- 15,000 “ultra high net worth” individuals, or ‘Fiscal Justice’ economic predictions and kickstarted pri- say the government’s measures to stabilize cials say it could take up to two years to people with fortunes of at least $30 million, The ultra-wealthy have varied profiles, vate consumption. A more buoyant econo- the economy in the short term spell trouble return to normal production. “The best- according to luxury industry consultancy from Mexican telecoms magnate Carlos Slim, my could benefit Daniel Scioli, the ruling down the road. The fiscal stimulus, including case scenario, we’re talking about a year Wealth-X. whose $77 billion fortune is the second- The number rose five percent last year, largest in the world according to Forbes, to party’s candidate and the current frontrun- schemes like “Now12,” is unsustainable, they before the availability is more robust,” said John Howeth, the American Egg Board’s while the number of billionaires rose to 151, a Brazilian beer magnate Jorge Paulo Lemann ner. While some see an electoral ploy, the say, and could lead to another acceleration in senior vice president in charge of food 38 percent increase. That was the fastest (net worth: $25 billion), Chilean mining scion government says the policies just make inflation. Goldman Sachs last month revised service and egg product marketing. growth rate for billionaires of any region on Iris Fontbona ($13.5 billion), to Colombian good economic sense. “The state has to its estimate for 2016 inflation to 35.7 percent Earth. Natixis Global Asset Management, a banker Luis Carlos Sarmiento ($13.4 billion). implement countercyclical policies to com- from 32.5 percent. Price Increase Seen firm that specializes in managing large for- What is clear is that their numbers are grow- tunes, recently launched its first Latin ing, in some cases because family fortunes pensate for falls in private investment and Meanwhile the government has brought At Hi-Way Diner in Lincoln, Nebraska, American offices, in Mexico City and have been divided up among heirs, said exports amid a difficult international con- inflation down to 29 percent - according to owner Scott Walker said the surge in costs Montevideo. “We’ve clearly identified it as one Mykolas Rambus, the chief executive of text,” Commerce Secretary Augusto Costa private estimates compiled by Congress - may force him to pass it along to his cus- of the regions where individual wealth is in an Singapore-based Wealth-X. “The amount of told Reuters. partly by propping up the peso on the black tomers. The restaurant includes two eggs exceptional growth phase,” said Sophie del wealthy people globally is booming and that The government arranges nationwide market, which eases devaluation fears and with every breakfast order, and offers an Campo, head of the firm’s Iberian division in is true in Latin America: It’s growing at a very deals like “Renovate Yourself” and shops sign prevents pre-emptive price rises. It has also optional third egg for free. That comes out Madrid. good pace,” he said. up to offer them to consumers, Costa said. stalled its drive to reduce subsidies for utility to more than 5,000 eggs a week, and the Ensconced behind the high walls of their But the super-rich also face growing price per case has more than doubled to The main cost to the state is advertising the costs, keeping tariffs uncompetitively low. luxury villas, the mining magnates, telecoms scrutiny in countries like Nicaragua, where $37 since mid-April. “I’m absorbing it right tycoons, large landholders and others who 42.5 percent of the country lives below the initiatives. It partly subsidizes “Now12,” but Such measures make the economy feel more now, but I am due for a price increase,” make up Latin America’s uppermost crust can poverty line but 210 ultra-wealthy individuals Costa said he did not have figures for how stable and give Argentines more certainty Walker said. be less visible than the region’s poor. But they control a combined fortune of $30 billion, much that cost. “Now12” has financed 15.8 about the money in their pockets. A popular breakfast spot for more than are the flipside of its intractable inequality equal to 2.5 times the country’s annual eco- billion pesos ($1.7 billion) in retails sales But economists warn they cost the gov- 20 years in Des Moines, Iowa, is contem- problem. Their lavish lifestyles and growing nomic output. “The main characteristic of since its launch last September. He does ernment money, make exports uncompeti- plating a surcharge of 50 cents to $1 to numbers are attracting keen interest from the inequality in Latin America is not that there acknowledge a rise in public expenditure to tive due to the over-valued peso, and delay each of their egg-heavy dishes because global luxury industry, eager to expand to are a lot of poor people, but that there are a new markets and court new customers in few people who have a lot,” said Juan Pablo boost Latin America’s third largest economy. the inevitable upward price adjustments. The cases have rocketed from $18 to $40 in just existing ones. Jimenez, an economist at the UN’s Economic a few weeks. “It’s costing us between $400 Primary spending jumped 44 percent on the next administration may have leeway to Porsche is one example. Since arriving in Commission for Latin America. Moreover, the year in March, according to official data. make those adjustments and reduce fiscal and $500 a week,” Waveland Cafe owner Latin America 15 years ago, the German latter “pay very low taxes, both in internation- The strategy, which included an income stimulus without too much pain as long as David “Stoney” Stone said. It’s not just inde- sports car maker has increased annual sales to al terms and compared to what they are sup- tax cut in May, is paying off. The consumer the elections prompt an inflow of capital, said pendent restaurants being affected, either. the region from less than 300 vehicles to near- posed to pay”, he said. “Taxes on wealth are Restaurant chains, which typically have set- confidence index leapt to 55 last month, its Siobhan Morden, an analyst at Jefferies. In ly 3,900 vehicles, said George Wills, president very low in Latin America, and inheritance price contracts for food supplies, have seen highest level since Feb 2012, from 38 a year the meantime, Argentines are taking a carpe of Porsche Latin America, which is based in taxes are almost nonexistent.” those deals rescinded. Miami. The region’s largest economies, Mexico Last year, humanitarian group Oxfam earlier, a study by the University of Torcuato diem approach. Sales assistant May Coello, “Our contracts have been nullified until and Brazil, remain the “volume drivers”, he called for more “fiscal justice” in the region to Di Tella showed. Shop sales started climbing 35, said turnover in her clothes shop was up this is cleared up and the supply gets back said. “But if you look in terms of the markets fight inequality. But it is easier said than done. last December and are up 2 percent so far in 20 percent this year. “People are making the on track,” said Amy Rhoads, vice president themselves, the markets that are enjoying Ecuador’s socialist President Rafael Correa 2015 after three years of contraction, most of ‘Now12’ now because they don’t of licensing and human relations for the good growth are markets like Peru, Colombia, had to back down last week from plans to according to figures from the Confederation know what will come after the elections,” she parent company of Littleton, Colorado- Panama... with 60 percent growth in some of start taxing inheritances of more than of Medium-Sized Enterprises. said. — Reuters based Le Peep restaurants, which has 54 them.” $35,400 after an outcry from the business restaurants in 12 states. Nearly every Le According to market research firm world. — AFP BUSINESS TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2015 VR sweeps shoppers into new retail dimension

LOS ANGELES: A shopper in France gazes Inc’s Cardboard or Facebook Inc’s Oculus the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 phone, viewers Unity, a software company used by VR and become more personalized with fre- into a virtual reality headset and is trans- Rift. Marketing agency SapientNitro, owned can walk around the store and fix their gaze developers to create experiences. “The quent use. With more devices available, ported to the bustle of a Manhattan street, by Publicis Groupe , worked with luxury on hotspots to approach furnishings. They adoption will be slow, but this is building friends near and far could go “shopping” then steps into a high-end boutique to boutique The Line to develop a demonstra- then can hear a description through head- the technology for the future,” Mistry said. together in a virtual world, creating a more browse crystal chandeliers, a chaise lounge tion that takes people into the brand’s phones placed over the headset, see the Next year, virtual reality will become immersive social experience within the digi- draped with a sheepskin throw, and design- Manhattan store, The Apartment. It plans to cost, and explore different angles. A tap of more widely available when Oculus releases tal realm. er trousers. Virtual reality, the panoramic show the technology this week at the the headset adds the product to a virtual its consumer Rift headset that can be used Virtual reality shopping can be added to technology with roots in gaming, is being Cannes Lions marketing industry confer- shopping cart. The technology is still in its for multiple virtual reality experiences an existing e-commerce platform, such as a adapted for retail consumers within the ence in France that runs through Saturday. infancy, but Slobin says the experiences will including shopping. It will cost up to $1,500 website or app. Costs start from $5,000 next year, aiming to pair the ease of e-com- “This was about creating a vibe relevant to coincide with the release of consumer head- for the device and a computer that can run upwards, said Mistry. “People are still going merce with the thrill of real-life shopping. what the Apartment is doing,” said Adrian sets next year. it, Oculus Chief Executive Officer Brendan to want to physically buy something in a While no retailers have yet announced a Slobin, global innovation lead at The concept poses challenges, from find- Iribe has estimated. Sony Corp will also store, but virtual reality is the experience virtual storefront, developers are experi- SapientNitro. “It’s a SoHo-based, heavily ing early adopters to a potential to take launch its Morpheus headset. To interest where they can envisage (the item), and use menting with experiences that shoppers curated, high-end brand experience.” sales from brick-and-mortar stores, said customers, Slobin said virtual reality will it more as a planning tool than a purchasing could enter with devices such as Google Using a Samsung Gear VR headset with Sanjay Mistry, director of architecture at have to offer an experience over and above tool,” he said. what shoppers can do within a physical To avoid missteps, many retailers may store or on an e-commerce website. wait to see how the technology fares for Earlier this year, SapientNitro and virtual others before taking it on, said Marshal reality developers Sixense created a demon- Cohen, chief industry analyst at the NPD stration where a consumer could virtually Group. “Retail does have to change, and browse shoes from a display, “pick up” a virtual reality is a big part of it,” he said. product with their hands, try them on an But “a bad experience can affect your avatar with an outfit, and purchase. The reputation for your entire retail experi- platform can learn what the consumer seeks ence.” — Reuters TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2015 BUSINESS

Current account surplus narrows, investment income up

NBK ECONOMIC UPDATE KUWAIT: Latest data from the Central Bank While oil prices have recovered from lows The strong increase in inflows in invest- Capital and financial account record high of KD 11.7 billion. This came of Kuwait (CBK) revealed another large sur- seen in early 2015, they remain around 42 ment income helped offset some of the Capital and financial account out- as investments in foreign equity securi- plus in Kuwait’s current account for 2014. percent lower than a year ago. deterioration in the goods and services flows declined in 2014 to KD 15.4 billion ties and debt instruments were marked- However, at 32 percent of GDP the surplus The goods and services balance slid balance. This segment grew by 12 percent from KD 19.2 billion in 2013;the main ly higher in 2014, very likely at the was somewhat smaller than in 2013.The from KD 25.6 billion in 2013 to KD 22.0 bil- y/yin 2014 and climbed to a record high KD reason was lower net direct investments expense of a drop in foreign currency current account - a measure of net interna- lion in 2014 (Chart 1), mainly on the back 4.2 billion (Chart 3). A bulk of these inflows overseas and net ‘other investments’ and deposit holdings. Meanwhile, the tional trade in goods, services, factor of a 10 percent year-on-year (y/y) decline in originates from income-generating assets outflows (Chart 4). Net ‘portfolio invest- smaller capital account saw inflows ease income and transfers - saw its surplus nar- oil exports. Solid import growth and a mostly held by the government and the ments’ was the only component that slightly from an all-time high of KD 1.3 row from KD 20.2 billion in 2013 to 15.1 bil- widening of the net services deficit also sovereign wealth fund (KIA). The rise came witnessed an increase. Direct invest- billion in 2013 to KD 1.1billion in 2014. A lion in 2014 (Chart 1). The surplus was contributed to the decline in the trade bal- on the back of solid increases in all of the ment outflows were down by 17 percent bulk of this account is made up of UN mainly driven lower by a decline in the ance. The fall in oil exports was due to a 9 components, including direct and portfolio y/y and stood at KD 3.6 billion in 2014. compensation payments to Kuwait. goods and services balance, as oil export percent y/y drop in oil prices and a 2 per- investments both of which grew by a solid The deficit in net ‘other investments’ revenues declined and the deficit in net cent y/y decrease in production (Chart 2). 11 percent y/y. narrowed significantly from KD 9.1 bil- Balance of payments surplus services outflows swelled to a new high. Imports grew at a slower but still strong Higher worker remittances were anoth- lion in 2013 to KD 0.8 billion 2014. It was and foreign reserves Higher investment income though helped pace of 7 percent y/y in 2014, rising to KD er source of pressure on the current the single largest source of outflows Kuwait’s broad BOP balance, which offset some of that decline. 7.8 billion. Meanwhile, net services out- account. Outflows from current transfers between 2009 and 2013. This compo- includes net investment accounts of key We expect Kuwait’s external position to flows continued to rise and hit a new high also reached a new high of KD 6.1 billion in nent tends to be rather volatile and is government entities as well as changes narrow further to 9 percent of GDP in 2015, of KD 5.0 billion in 2014 (Chart 1). The rise 2014, after rising by KD 1.2 billion. (Chart mostly comprised of investments in for- in the reserves assets at CBK, saw its sur- as the impact of lower oil prices comes into was predominantly driven by a KD 0.4 bil- 1).This came as worker remittances rose by eign currencies and deposits. plus fall slightly from KD 16.6 billion in full effect and a relatively strong non-oil lion increase in travel spending, as travel 19 percent y/y and soared to KD 5.3 billion Portfolio investment outflows rose in 2013 to a still relatively high KD 15.7 bil- economy keeps import growth buoyant. keeps gaining in popularity. reflecting a healthy growing economy. 2014, from KD 6.0 billion in 2013 to a lion in 2014. Gold slips on dollar and equities strength

LONDON: Gold eased yesterday as the and bonds. dollar rose and as European equities Hedge funds and money managers jumped on possible signs of progress in lowered net long positions in gold and Greek debt talks, which curbed safe- slashed bullish bets on silver to the low- haven demand for the metal. Spot gold est level in seven months in the week had slipped 0.5 percent to $1,193.40 an ended June 16. The positioning reflects ounce by 1151 GMT, about 1 percent the stance of investors before a Federal below its highest level since May 26 at Reserve meeting last week, when poli- $1,205.50 hit last week after a dovish cymakers said a rate increase would be Federal Reserve message on the timing appropriate only after further improve- of a US interest rate rise. ment in the labour market and with Gold is typically regarded as a good greater confidence that inflation would bet in times of financial and economic rise. Prices rose following those com- uncertainty, but traders have seen mod- ments. est demand over the past few days from Non-interest-paying gold has benefit- investors concerned about the Greek ed from record low interest rates follow- debt crisis. “It is difficult to call on ing the 2007-2009 financial crisis. Higher Greece, we haven’t seen much buying rates would increase the opportunity above $1,200 and wider financial mar- cost of holding the metal. “(Fed Chair kets are hopeful that there will be a last- Janet) Yellen’s comments including the minute solution that will avoid a Greek need for decisive evidence, as well as the default,” Societe Generale analyst Robin heightened uncertainty surrounding Bhar said. “If a deal is reached, then we’ll Greece, have limited the downside risk see further sell-off in precious metals.” for gold in the absence of physical Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras demand,” Barclays said in a note. met the heads of the European The absence of top consumer China, Commission, European Central Bank which is shut for a public holiday, also and International Monetary Fund yes- hurt gold, traders said. Market players terday ahead of a summit of euro zone were also monitoring gold sector wage leaders later in the day aimed at reach- talks, due to start yesterday. Platinum ing a deal over debt talks. The dollar fell close to a six-year low hit last week, rose 0.2 percent versus a basket of lead- down 1.1 percent at $1,070.75 an ing currencies, while European equities ounce. Silver was up 0.6 percent at climbed 2 percent ahead of the meet- $16.17 an ounce, while palladium fell ing, reducing investors’ interest for to a 16-month low of $700.85 an TOKYO: Pedestrians are reflected on a share prices board yesterday. —AFP assets perceived as safe such as gold ounce. —Reuters Oil prices rise on Hopes for last-ditch Greek deal hopes Greek deal lift stocks

LONDON: Oil prices rose towards gains. Around 10 million barrels of $64 a barrel yesterday, joining unsold crude, mainly from Nigeria, European stocks jump, peripheral yields fall stronger financial markets on specu- are held in offshore storage despite lation that European Union leaders strong summer demand, Morgan LONDON: Global stocks and peripheral euro respectively, with Britain’s FTSE 100 up 1.3 per- international creditors. Speculation is rife that, could avert a Greek bankruptcy. Stanley said in a research note on zone bonds rose yesterday, lifted by hopes cent at 6,796 points. Greek stocks were 6 per- if no deal were reached on Monday, Greece Global stocks, the euro and peripher- Monday, potentially creating a nega- that crunch meetings in Brussels between cent higher, while Greek bank shares surged would need to impose capital controls today al euro zone bonds all rose yesterday, tive outlook for oil in the second half Greece and its international creditors can still 16 percent. The broader EuroFirst300 index of to avert a banking crisis as savers keep with- lifted by a wave of optimism that of the year. “If there are this many produce a last-minute deal to help Athens leading European shares was up 1.7 percent at drawing funds from banks. The ECB on Greece and its international creditors challenged cargoes in this strong avert default. German stocks rose as much as 1,555 points, with prices also boosted by Monday raised the ceiling on emergency liq- will strike a last-minute deal that will demand environment, we worry 3.5 percent, the 10-year yield on Spanish and merger and acquisition activity. uidity Greek banks can draw from the coun- see Athens avert default. Brent crude about the outlook for physical oil this Italian bonds fell as much as 14 basis points, In Asia, MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific try’s central bank for a third time in six days. for August delivery was up 53 cents fall (autumn) when crude runs and and US stocks were called to open up 0.7 per- shares outside Japan rose 0.9 percent, its Bank of Greece Governor Yannis Stournaras at $63.55 a barrel by 1130 GMT, after gasoline demand fall seasonally,” the cent. Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras met biggest rise in more than two months, while met senior bankers on Friday and told them falling nearly 2 per cent on Friday note said. the heads of the European Commission, Japan’s Nikkei stock index added 1.3 percent. to brace for a “difficult day” on Tuesday if no over worries about a potential Greek High domestic US oil produc- European Central Bank and International Chinese mainland markets were closed on deal is reached, two bankers at the meeting debt default. Front month US crude tion, which has held up at around Monetary Fund yesterday ahead of an emer- Monday for a holiday, after posting their told Reuters. “The market is preparing for a gency summit of euro zone leaders aimed at biggest weekly loss since 2008 last week. relief rally regardless of good or bad news out was 40 cents higher at $60.01 a bar- 9.6 million barrels a day, the high- reaching a deal over debt talks. of Greece,” said Ipek Ozkardeskaya, market rel. est level since the early 1970s, con- The chief-of-staff to European Commission Sunny Day? analyst at London Capital Group. “Either way, Prices rebounded from early lows tinued to weigh on oil prices. US President Jean-Claude Juncker called the lat- In bond markets, Spanish and Italian 10- the clouds of uncertainty should dissipate to after the EU’s positive response to oil producers added a rig each in est proposals from Greece a “good basis for year yields were both down around 10 basis provide more visibility across the market. Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras’s the key Permian and Bakken shale progress”, while EU Economic Commissioner points at 2.19 percent, the lowest in 10 days. Whether a thundery or a sunny day, investors latest proposals to try to resolve the basins last week, fuelling worries Pierre Moscovici said he was “convinced” The flip side of investors’ renewed appetite for need to know what to wear.” country’s debt crisis ahead of a meet- over high domestic oil output, agreement will be reached. Spain’s finance risk was a fall in safe-haven German bonds, The euro rose as much as half a percent ing of European leaders on Monday even as the total number of active minister Luis de Guindos said a deal was not which pushed the 10-year Bund yield up earlier in the global session to trade above evening in Brussels. “Hopes that US rigs fell last week, data on possible yesterday, however, meaning it may around 10 basis points to 85 basis points, a 10- $1.14, before easing back to flat on the day at agreement could be reached in the Friday showed. Although US oil be the scheduled leaders summit on Thursday day high. Many investors were still cautious $1.1355. On Thursday last week, it hit a one- debt dispute with Greece at today’s production was expected to before any agreement is reached. about Prime Minister Tsipras’ proposals, how- month high of $1.1440. The dollar was up 0.5 EU summit are lending buoyancy to decline slightly between the sec- Investors appeared willing to give the pro- ever, because it was not immediately clear percent against the yen at 123.25 yen , and oil prices as the new week begins,” ond and third quarters of 2015, tagonists in the saga the benefit of the doubt. how far they yielded to creditors’ demands for up slightly on a trade-weighted basis. The Commerzbank analysts said in a note output “would continue to grow in “The odds seem to shift in favour of a compro- additional spending cuts and tax hikes, nor dollar index was last trading at 94.2. In com- to clients. 2016 by 150,000 barrels per day at mise,” said Rainer Guntermann, rates strategist whether creditors can stomach the offer. modities trading, crude oil futures rose. Brent But a crude oil overhang, particu- the current rig count,” Goldman at Commerzbank. At mid-session in Europe, Athens is running out of cash to repay a crude was up 0.9 percent at $63.57 a barrel, larly in the Atlantic basin, is limiting Sachs said in a note. —Reuters Germany’s DAX and France’s CAC 40 were up Ä1.6 billion IMF loan due at the end of the while US crude futures was up 0.7 percent at 2.8 percent at 11,353 points and 4,949 points, month unless it secures new financing from $60.02. —Reuters BUSINESS TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2015 BLME Group announces increase in Q1 profit

LONDON/DUBAI: BLME Holdings plc since 31st December 2014 as the Bank con- issued its Interim Management Statement tinues actively to manage its liquidity posi- relating to the first quarter from Jan 1, 2015 tion. Adel Al-Majed, Chairman of BLME to March 31, 2015. All statements in this Holdings plc, commented on the results: release relate to that time period, unless “BLME’s results for the first quarter of 2015 otherwise indicated. These results have not are as expected as we reposition the Bank been audited or reviewed by the Group’s and address some legacy positions. I am auditor, KPMG LLP. encouraged by the continued downward BLME has performed solidly over the trend in the Bank’s Cost to Income ratio and three months to 31st March 2015. Total the progress we are making in building the Operating Income was £13.7 million for the Bank’s asset management and private period with Net Fee Income of £1.0 million client services offerings.” and Net Operating Profit before Tax for the Michael Williams, CEO of BLME Holdings Group of £0.5 million. plc, said: “We have made a satisfactory start Operating Profit before Impairment to the year with Operating Profit before Charges for the quarter was £3.9 million, Impairment Charges holding up well given representing a 3 percent increase com- the increasingly competitive market envi- pared to the same period in 2014. Total ronment we are encountering in the UK.” Operating Expenses for the quarter were BLME is an independent wholesale Thales AVANT will fly on £9.8 million, resulting in a Cost to Income sharia compliant bank based in London ratio of 63.8 percent (after adjusting for and is a leading provider of finance to the operating lease depreciation). The impair- UK mid-market. BLME received FSA autho- ment charges for the period of £3.4 million risation in July 2007 and is the largest of its Kuwait Airways’ A330-200 included an additional £1.6m of provision peers in Europe. BLME is led by a manage- recognised against an exposure originally ment team that brings together a combina- PARIS: On the first day of the Paris Air Show, of on-demand entertainment and the latest gen- ence. It has been selected by 19 airlines; more booked before the financial crisis. tion of experienced international bankers Thales announced Kuwait Airways’ newest fleet eration of applications on the market including than 130 aircraft are flying with the AVANT sys- BLME’s Balance Sheet remains stable and leading experts in Islamic finance, of A330-200, line fit with the AVANT in-flight the Thales acclaimed 3D Maps. In Premium Class, tem with total orders exceeding 500 aircraft. The with Total Assets at £1.3 billion. As at 31st BLME has three key business areas; entertainment system. Kuwait Airways selected the 15.4 inch video system is offerable on all new generation Boeing March 2015, Total Deposits were £1.3 bil- Corporate Banking, Treasury and Wealth The program is part of a total order of five monitor to compliment the award winning and Airbus platforms. 750,000 passengers per lion of which £400 million were from BLME Management, providing a wide range of A330-200. This represents the newest wide body Touch PMU handsets. In Economy Class, 10.6 day across 75 partner airlines use Thales InFlyt Premier Deposit Accounts. The number of financing solutions and investment oppor- fleet being delivered to Kuwait Airways over the inch video monitors are available at each seat. Experience systems, making Thales one of the depositors was 5,290, a 5 percent reduction tunities. past 18 years. Passengers onboard the airline’s AVANT, a state-of-the-art Android system, most successful developers of in-flight entertain- newest A330 will have access to a wide selection features a highly customizable passenger experi- ment systems in the world. Burgan Bank announces daily lucky winners of Yawmi account

KUWAIT: Burgan Bank announced today 10 in the account, will entitle customers the names of the lucky winners of its to one chance of winning. If the Yawmi account draw, each taking home account balance is KD 500 and above, a prize of KD 5,000. The lucky winners the account holder will be qualified for for the daily draws took home a cash- both the quarterly and daily draws. prize of KD 5,000 each, and they are: Burgan Bank encourages everyone to open a Yawmi account and/or increase 1. FRAIMA ABDULMONEIM KAMAL their deposit to maximize their chances 2. MOHAMMAD LAFI ALRASHEEDI to becoming a winner. The more cus- 3. HANADI HUSSEIN MARAFIE tomers deposit, the higher the chances 4. MOHAMMAD NADI ABDULLATEEF they receive of winning. For more infor- 5. SAEED SHUKERALLAH SEYAH mation on opening a Yawmi account or To further add to the anticipation of about the new quarterly draw, cus- Yawmi account customers, Burgan Bank tomers are urged to visit their nearest now offers a quarterly draw with more Burgan Bank branch and receive all the chances to win higher rewards, entitling details, or simply call the bank’s Call one lucky customer to win KD 125,000 Center at 1804080 where customer serv- every three months. The Yawmi Account ice representatives will be delighted to now offers daily and quarterly draws, assist with any questions on the Yawmi the quarterly draw requires customers account or any of the bank’s products to maintain a minimum amount of KD and services. Customers can also log on 500 in their account for two months pri- to Burgan Bank’s www.burgan.com for KUWAIT: Back row (left to right) Fawzia Al-Musharrekh; Etihad Airways Sales Manager, Robert Hayek; Boodai Aviation Group, Abdulaziz; Al or to draw date. Additionally, every KD further information. Sayed Travel, Imad Omar; Barakat Travel Co; Ayman Zendah; Salhiah World Travel & Tourism, Nabil Matarweh; Etihad Airways General Manager in Kuwait, Rahma Al-Zaabi, UAE Ambassador to Kuwait, Maen Abdul Halim; Etihad Airways Area General Manager-GCC and Yemen, Sultan Al- Ghassab; Al Malek Travel, Mondher Kamoun; Alghanim Travel, P N Kumar; Badur Travel, Al Waseet Travel, Shamma Al Kendi, Etihad Airways Sales Manager. Front row (left to right): Malik Hayat; Qiblah Travel & Tourism, Ben Gabriel; Jumbo Travels, Nihal Rathnayeke; Travel Club, Ali Alghanim & Sons Automotive Dhayef; Ramsis Travel, Muzzafer Parker; KAPICO Travels & Tours, Hyder Ali; TVS Travels, Nadeem Zafar; Eternity International Travel & Tourism awarded at Rolls-Royce conference and Sukhvinder Singh Nindra; Caesars Travel Group.

KUWAIT: Following the announcement of the Impressive five accolades that Ali their win earlier this year, the sole author- Alghanim & Sons picked up at the annual Etihad Airways recognizes ized dealer of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Regional Dealer the official importer of BMW and MINI in Awards for the Middle East, Africa, Central Kuwait, received their award for ‘Regional Asia and South America which took place Dealer of the Year’ from Rolls-Royce Motor in Dubai, UAE last February. Kuwait’s top travel agencies Cars Ltd at the Annual Global Dealer Commenting on the award, Qatami said: Conference, in Los Angeles, California “It is with great honour that we receive this KUWAIT: Etihad Airways, the national airline City. Nabil Matarweh, General Manager of include The Residence, First Apartments, and recently. important accolade, but therecognitionnat- of the United Arab Emirates, recently hosted Etihad Airways in Kuwait, said: “Our agency Business Studios. The lower deck has the The award was presented to Yousef Al- urally extends to thewhole team of true an award ceremony to thank and honor the partners have performed extremely well, Economy SmartSeat with the innovative wing Qatami, General Manager of Ali Alghanim & professionals at Ali Alghanim & Sons top performing travel agents in Kuwait. A spe- especially when promoting the new Etihad headrest on each seat. Sons Automotive by Torsten Muller-Otvos, Automotive and theirdedication to contin- cial award went to the first agency to sell ‘The Airways cabins and product including The The Abu Dhabi based airline operates five Global CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Ltd uously delivering the best for our esteemed Residence by Etihad’ in Kuwait. More 20 Residence. We’re delighted to honor these daily flights between Kuwait and Abu Dhabi and Fintan Knight, Director of Sales and customers, in line with the unrivalled glob- awards were also presented to winners in partners on this occasion and look ahead to with convenient connections onwards to more Marketing at the gala ceremony attended al industry standards of Rolls-Royce Motor Gold, Silver, Bronze and Remarkable growth another successful 12 months in Kuwait.” than 100 destinations around the world. This by the company’s dealers from across the Cars.” categories. The Etihad Airways’ A380 premium cabins year, Etihad Airways has launched several new globe. The dealership has started 2015 with The ceremony was attended by Rahma Al- offer unprecedented levels of luxury, space destinations from its Abu Dhabi hubin 2015 It is the first time that Kuwait has been similarly effusive success, achieving 47 per- Zaabi, the UAE Ambassador to Kuwait, and and privacy. The upper deck of the A380 is including Kolkata, Madrid, Entebbe, Edinburgh presented with this prestigious accolade, cent sales increase in the first quarter of following a year of impressive growth 2015 compared to the same period in 2014, held in May at the JW Marriott hotel in Kuwait allocated for the premium cabins which and Hong Kong. across all areas of the brand that saw it out- as demand for the new Rolls-Royce Ghost shine its counterparts in Middle East, Africa, Series II remains strong following the vehi- Central Asia and South America. It follows cle’s launch late last year. flydubai invests in innovation for improved customer service

KUWAIT: As part of its strategy to enhance its options to pay for their travel through integra- and easily scalable platform both in terms of ability to manage with greater autonomy and- tion with a variety of payment partners. functionality and volumes which support our continued growth of its operations, flydubai has Commenting on the extension of the agree- deeply tailored,flexible customer offering that announced a new agreement with Radixx ment, Ghaith Al-Ghaith, CEO at flydubai said, “As meetsthe evolving needs of the business.” International that will allow it to take the cus- flydubai enters into its next stage of develop- “By taking control of core software capabili- tomer experience to a new high. The agreement ment, we seek partnerships that not only meet ties and moving away from a one-size-fits-all between flydubai and the provider of cloud- our current requirements but those that support approach, flydubai is leading the industry in based reservation and distribution systems for our future growth. Customers remain the core developing a bespoke software capability that is airlines, includes a license for flydubai to access focus of our business and consistently delivering more flexible to the changing requirements of a and modify the Radixx Air Passenger Services a seamless service is critical - this starts from growing airline. The extension of this agreement System (PSS) source code and ongoing customer booking their journey, to disembarking the air- demonstrates the scalability and robustness of service system. craft at their destination.Through this $50 mil- the Radixx platform,” said Ramesh Venkat, CIO at This is a pioneering move which effectively lion investment, we aim to create a customised flydubai. eliminates constrains of the more traditional one-size-fits-all softwaremanagement approach. It offers flydubai control over its core software solutions by integrating the best-of-breed sys- tems with Radixx’s robust and cutting-edge technological platform,thus resulting in signifi- cant cost efficiencies and ultimately enhancing the customer travel experience. The agreement will also see the formation of a dedicated team and facility within flydubai to further develop the capabilities of Radixx’s Air PSS and create the best PSS in the world, opti- mised for fast-growing airlines. Recently awarded the Best Regional Airline serving the Middle East at the 2015 Business Traveller Awards Middle East, flydubai continues to seek innovative means for further enhancing travellers’ experiences. Be this through its contin- ued commitment to serve previously under- served markets, its modern fleet, or the early adoption of new and innovative technologies. flydubai plans to further develop capabilities including offering the full suite of products across all distribution channels and provide more ancillary services as a part of the offering, to make travelling with flydubai an outstanding experience. Customers will also have numerous Ron Peri, CEO of Radixx, Ghaith Al-Ghaith and the flydubai and Radixx teams in Dubai. technology TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2015 Instagram users in N Korea warned ‘site on blacklist’

PYONGYANG: Warnings are appearing on Instagram Periscope. Besides Facebook, Twitter and other social accounts in North Korea that claim access to the media sites were also functioning normally. Other popular photo-sharing app is being denied and the websites were viewable as usual even on mobile site blacklisted for harmful content. Opening the app phones on which Instagram was not functioning. It is with mobile devices on the North Korean carrier estimated that more than 2 million North Koreans Koryolink has resulted in a notification in English say- now use mobile phones, but with few exceptions ing: “Warning! You can’t connect to this website they are not allowed to access the Internet, meaning because it’s in blacklist site.” A similar notice in the mobile service is available primarily to foreign Korean says the site contains harmful content, visitors, residents and businesspeople in the country. though that is not mentioned in the English version. Photos from the North on Instagram posted by Such warnings have also appeared when websites foreigners - though regular users are very few in that link to Instagram are accessed through desktops number - provide a rare window on daily life in North or laptops using LAN cables on the North Korean Korea. But they have also posed a quandary for Internet provider. The warnings have been appearing North Korean officials who are highly concerned on and off for at least five days. about the flow of information and images in and out Tech support staff at Koryolink said they were not of the country. Andrea Lee, CEO of Uri Tours, which aware of any changes in policy regarding Instagram. organizes tours to North Korea, said she was not There has been no notice from the government or aware of a policy shift toward blocking Instagram. from the mobile phone service to its customers that “We have been using Instagram to post photos from Instagram has been blacklisted. Officials with our DPRK tours since Koryolink, the local provider, Instagram had no comment when contacted by The announced that 3G SIM cards would be available to Associated Press. Instagram is owned by Facebook, foreigners for purchase,” she said. which is functioning normally in Pyongyang. It was “While I’m unaware of this recent shift in policy still possible to use the app, despite the warnings, on toward blocking Instagram, I hope this will be a tem- some mobile devices. But attempts on others to post PYONGYANG: A notification which reads, ‘Warning! You can’t connect to this website because it’s in porary policy as it’s been a great tool for our compa- photos or view user galleries through the standard blacklist site’ is seen on both a computer screen and on a smartphone screen in Pyongyang, North Korea. ny to show prospective travelers what our tours are Koryolink connection have been virtually impossible, Warnings are appearing on Instagram accounts in North Korea that claim access to the popular photo- like and to get people motivated in traveling there.” suggesting that some access was indeed being sharing app is being denied and the site is blacklisted for harmful content. — AP She added that the SIM cards are priced more for the obstructed. long-term frequent traveler, and usually tourists who It was unclear where the blockage was originat- around the world. But the fire has not yet been require a local SIM card to get onto the Koryolink are in the country for just a few days opt not to pur- ing, how widespread it was, whether it was a hack of reported by the North’s state-run media. Although mobile carrier network. chase it. “But those who do possess the SIM card some sort or if it had any connection to a fire on June the Internet and any kind of social media remain off- That opened the door for them to surf the net have near open access to the web, including social 11 at a luxury hotel often used by tourists and for- limits to virtually all North Koreans, North Korea and to post to social media such as Facebook, Twitter media sites like Facebook, Twitter, Google and many eign visitors in Pyongyang. Photos of the fire leaked decided in 2013 to allow foreigners in the country to and Instagram. More recently, even live-streaming other sites that have historically been blocked in out of the country and were carried widely by media use 3G on their mobile phones, which generally video had been posted using the new Twitter app places like China.”— AP

California ruling unlikely to dent value of Uber and other start-ups CALIFORNIA: A California ruling requiring “This problem can be routed around,” said Uber to classify a San Francisco-based driver James McQuivey, an analyst at Forrester as an employee instead of an independent Research who has studied the sharing econo- contractor could potentially change how my for several years and does not foresee any sharing-economy companies operate, but it is immediate hit to Uber’s valuation as a result unlikely to dent their value, investors said. If it of the ruling. Uber is currently valued at more holds up on appeal, the California Labor than $40 billion, making it the most richly val- Commissioner’s decision, which came to light ued venture-backed company in the United last week, may have a limited impact on Uber States, according to CB Insights. One caveat: and other companies that rely on networks of the Labor Commissioner’s Office awarded the on-demand workers. That’s because the ben- driver involved in the case, Barbara Ann efits of treating workers as contractors rather Berwick - who said she drove for Uber for than employees are more important in a nearly two months - around $4,000 for start-up’s early days and less so now that expenses such as mileage and tolls. Uber has Uber and many similar companies have appealed the ruling to a state court in grown, investors say. California. Smaller companies need more flexible work forces and contractors solve that prob- Pace-setter state lem. Larger companies with more predictable The company’s chief executive, Travis demand for their products or services can Kalanick, said in a speech earlier this month benefit from having employees scheduled to that in San Francisco alone Uber has 22,000 work regular shifts. “If they had to change (to) drivers. The California ruling applies only to that, it would be just fine,” said an Uber the one driver, but the state often sets a path investor who declined to be identified due to followed by regulators and courts elsewhere. sensitivity around the ruling. The expenses Uber and rival Lyft are facing separate law- that would stem from classifying drivers as suits in federal court in San Francisco that employees, including paying workers’ com- seek class-action status by drivers who say pensation, Social Security and other costs, they should be classified as employees. If a WASHINGTON: In this photo, a view of Apple iPhone displaying the Facebook app’s splash screen in front of the login page on a computer are shown in could be offset to a large extent by the lower court makes a sweeping ruling that allows Washington, DC. Facebook has unveiled a new feature that allows smartphone users to privately share photos of friends, by sifting through images wages Uber could pay to drivers compared workers to retroactively claim expenses, that with facial recognition technology. The standalone app, called Moments, allows users to share photos with friends who are in them, and to get images with contractors, the investor argued. could result in a large hit. But that would like- of themselves. — AFP ly hurt valuations of weaker sharing-economy companies more, investors said. Bigger, market-dominating start-ups with lots of cash on hand are better positioned to Facebook gaining ground handle such setbacks. Smart investors are aware of the risks, said Jeremy Levine, a ven- ture capitalist at Bessemer Venture Partners, whose portfolio includes several companies on YouTube in video ads with on-demand labor pools. “You never know how judges are going to rule, or how lawmakers are going to think about this,” he Fastest growing category of Internet ads said. But laws and regulations tend to gradu- ally evolve in a direction that benefits con- sumers, and because Uber and other sharing- FRANKFURT: Facebook is gaining ground on al ad spending by 2017, separate research by video ambitions are to be realized, and if it is to economy companies offer better value for Google’s YouTube as an outlet for big companies media-buying firm ZenithOptimedia said on convince content owners it is a viable alternative their users, the rules likely will adjust to to market their products via online videos, the Monday. Ad spending is projected to reach to YouTube, it must deliver comparable returns,” accommodate them, he added. fastest growing category of Internet ads, a $531 billion this year. Online video is now grow- Ampere Research Director Richard Broughton He and others base their thinking on the report published yesterday said. The competi- ing faster than any other digital category or sub- said. history of start-ups that operated in legal tion for video viewers opens up a new front in category, rising 33 percent in 2014, and is fore- Differences in ad formats translate into gray areas before the law evolved to encom- the clash between the two web giants that cast to grow 29 percent a year through 2017, the rates the Internet platforms can charge pass them, including online-payments com- already compete in other types of advertising Zenith said. The two reports were released as the advertisers. While YouTube charges advertis- pany PayPal and online video-service given their appeal to young and international week-long Cannes Lions international advertis- ers when an advertisement has been YouTube. Despite the optimism, words of consumers, Ampere Analysis said in a study. ing conference opens this week. viewed, Facebook offers the less advertiser- caution emerged. Forrester’s McQuivey London-based Ampere predicts a new advertis- Ampere Analysis argues that Facebook is friendly model of charging once three sec- warned that Uber’s valuation could suffer if ing “arms race” between the two rivals, neck and morphing from a platform most advertisers use onds of the video have been delivered, other regulators in important jurisdictions neck in terms of audience sizes with around 1.4 for building general brand awareness to one Ampere noted. Most content providers now PARIS: A person uses the French version followed the lead of this latest ruling. And billion to 1.3 billion monthly active users, respec- that can deliver “pre-roll” advertisements that use Facebook for branding and awareness of the Uber app to order a UberPop cab Bessemer’s Levine said that when it came to tively for Facebook and YouTube. That means marketing companies prefer for ensuring their purposes, but trial revenue-sharing deals in Paris. European regulators have pres- the valuations of sharing-economy start-ups consumers are likely to be forced to see more messages are actually viewed. Currently, with the National Football League and Fox sured France over a new law designed to and others, “We’re nowhere near the fear ads, but also enjoy a richer range of video pro- YouTube remains a more flexible marketing plat- Sports in the United States pose a serious halt the meteoric rise of Uber, the popu- land now,” but added, “As a litany of not-so- gramming as a result, it said. form, offering advertisers the full range of video challenger to YouTube’s lead, said Ampere, a lar taxi app that is facing fierce opposi- positive news happens, we may see that The Internet will overtake TV advertising in ads which run before, during or after a video research firm that serves media companies tion from traditional cabs. — AFP shift.”— Reuters 12 key markets, representing 28 percent of glob- program is shown. “If the social network’s own and investment banks.— Reuters Telescope backers to resume construction

HAWAII: Construction of a $1.4 billion telescope lenging the telescope’s construction permit, said on land considered sacred by some Native Sunday she was shocked by Yang’s announce- Hawaiians will resume tomorrow, according to the ment. “I believe that it demonstrates a lack of nonprofit company behind the project. Henry good faith,” she said. The announcement came a Yang, chairman of the Thirty Meter Telescope day after the Supreme Court of Hawaii Observatory Board, said in a statement that the announced it will hear oral arguments Aug. 27 on board decided to move forward after more than the case challenging the telescope permit, she two months of consultations. said. Yang in his statement said most of Hawaii’s “Our period of inactivity has made us a better people support the TMT project. organization in the long run,” Yang said. “We are Pisciotta said protests will continue. “It means now comfortable that we can be better stewards that our people are going to have to be arrested, and better neighbors during our temporary and and arrested for actually trying to get the TMT to limited use of this precious land, which will allow follow the law, not arrested for disobeying the us to explore the heavens and broaden the law,” she said. The Mauna Kea site provides a clear boundaries of science in the interest of humanity.” view of the sky for 300 days a year, with little air The telescope is planned for the summit of Mauna and light pollution. The telescope project was Kea on Hawaii’s Big Island. It would be one of the developed as a collaboration between US and world’s largest telescopes. Canadian universities and national institutes of The company suspended construction in April Japan, China and India. Gov David Ige in April said after law enforcement arrested protesters for the Thirty Meter Telescope board is legally enti- blocking the road to the summit and refusing to tled to “use its discretion to proceed with con- This artist rendering provided by Thirty Meter Telescope, shows the Thirty Meter Telescope. The construction of a $1.4 billion leave the construction site. Kealoha Pisciotta, one struction.” He said he respected the rights of pro- telescope on land considered sacred by some Native Hawaiians will resume tomorrow, according to the nonprofit company of the protesters, and one of six plaintiffs chal- testers to appeal in court.— AP behind the project. — AP TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2015 HEALTH & SCIENCE Cigna rejects Anthem’s latest merger deal

NEW YORK: Cigna said Sunday it had rejected billion from Anthem. “We are deeply disap- able economic returns to shareholders.” Conversations between the two companies have also grown through acquisition as differ- a multibillion-dollar buyout deal from rival pointed with your recent actions,” the letter It also listed “a number of major issues,” came amid a wave of consolidation through- ent stakeholders seek to bulk up to improve health care giant Anthem, saying it was “deeply read. “A combination involving Anthem and including Anthem’s lack of a growth strategy, out the health care industry in the wake of the their bargaining positions with other parties. disappointed” in the group’s actions. The board Cigna under the right circumstances has the complications due to Anthem’s membership in US Affordable Care Act. Market leader Anthem, the second biggest US health care was unanimous in its decision, calling the offer potential to bring together our complementa- the Blue Cross Blue Shield association and a UnitedHealth, with a market share in excess of company after UnitedHealth Group, had rev- “inadequate” in a letter to Anthem, which had ry strengths in a manner that would provide data breach the group experienced in $110 billion, is seeking a merger with Aetna, enues of $73.8 billion in 2014 and works as the estimated the deal at $53.8 billion including substantial benefits to both consumers of February. The letter was signed by Cigna’s which has a market capitalization of $42 bil- licensee for Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in debt when it made it public Saturday. Cigna healthcare services and health care profession- chairman, Isaiah Harris, and David Cordani, the lion. several US states. Cigna had 2014 revenues of had previously rejected an offer exceeding $45 als, while delivering immediate and sustain- president, chief executive and director. Pharmaceutical companies and hospitals $34.9 billion. —AFP

CHILE: View of Santiago de Chile City covered by smog on June 21, 2015. —AFP photos Chilean capital in first Medical tourism expertise pollution emergency in 16 years SANTIAGO: Dangerously high pollution lev- percent of vehicles must stay off the roads, helps Thailand cope with MERS els have Chile’s capital on the brink of issu- while 3,000 factories and other businesses ing an environmental emergency, the first must shut down in the capital area of 6.7 such time the measure is to be implement- million. ‘Thailand is a well prepared travel and medical hub’ ed in 16 years. “Tomorrow Environmental Student sports will be put on hold for Emergency” Santiago regional governor now, and public bus-only lanes will be BANGKOK: Thailand’s status as a hub for medical battling the largest MERS outbreak outside Saudi more than 25 million visitors to Thailand each Claudio Orrego tweeted Sunday, after three opened on local roads under the measures. tourism could be helping the country contain the Arabia, reported two more deaths and three new year, Bangkok is also one of the region’s main avi- days at pre-emergency levels. The emer- The extremely high pollution has hit just as spread of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome cases yesterday, bringing the number of fatalities ation hubs. At the city’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, gency status-the highest-level alert allowed- Chile hosts the Copa America, with the capi- (MERS), government and health officials said, after to 27 and the total infections to 172. face masks were handed out to passengers at the is earned when the air quality index, consid- tal one of the main venues. The regional confirming its first case of the deadly virus last In Thailand, although authorities said 176 peo- weekend, while Thailand’s health and tourism ered good at 0-50, reaches hazardous levels federation does not allow matches to be week. Tourism accounts for about 10 percent of ple had been exposed to the MERS patient, ministers showed reporters thermo scanning as it tops 500. Orrego’s move means that 40 cancelled because of air quality. —AFP the Thai economy, and the country is also the top Deputy Health Minister Vachira Pengchan said equipment and special airplane parking bays set destination in Southeast Asia for patients seeking yesterday there were no new cases. “It is the very aside for flights coming in from high-risk coun- low-cost, quality healthcare, with an average 1.4 fact that we are a travel and medical hub that tries. The airport has ordered heightened screen- million medical tourists a year, compared with works in our favor and that allows us to be pre- ing of arrivals from South Korea and the Middle 600,000 for Singapore, a Thai medical tourism pared,” Tourism Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul East, general manager Sirote Duangratana told association said. told Reuters. “It is our experience handling foreign reporters. That meant the stakes were high for Thailand visitors and medical tourists from high-risk regions when the health ministry reported on Thursday like the Middle East and South Korea. Thailand is ‘Flawless’ response the first case of MERS in a 75-year-old man from also prepared because we saw what happened in The unidentified man whom laboratory tests Oman, who had travelled to Bangkok for treat- South Korea, we had time.” confirmed on June 18 had MERS was a patient at ment for a heart condition. South Korea, currently As well as being a gateway for many of the the high-end Bumrungrad Hospital. Popular with international visitors, it says 20 percent of its patients are from the Middle East. The sick man was later moved to an infectious disease institute. Doctors at Bumrungrad Hospital said on Friday that 58 staff had been quarantined and were under observation. Prasert Thongcharoen, an advisor to Thailand’s Disease Control Department, said he had investigated Bumrungrad’s handling of the MERS case and found it to be “flawless”. “They put the patient in an isolation room and everything that was needed for infectious control was done,” Prasert said in a telephone interview. The Geneva-based World Health Organization, in an e-mailed response to Reuters, also com- TOKYO: Joji Morishita, director-general of National Research Institute of Far mended Thailand’s response. “Thailand diag- Seas Fisheries, Fisheries Research Agency and Japanese commissioner to nosed and isolated the MERS patient in a desig- the International Whaling Commission (IWC) speaks to the media. —AFP nated, well-equipped facility,” said Doctor Poonam Khetrapal Singh, regional director, WHO South East Asia Region. Josef Woodman, CEO of Japan confirms plan Patients Beyond Borders, a US-based website that offers consumers information about medical trav- el, said Thailand could see a temporary drop in to resume whale hunt visitors but, as with the impact of last year’s coup, it was likely to be short-lived. “I believe, as with TOKYO: Japan’s chief whaling negotiator Morishita added. social and political unrest in Thailand ... a tempo- rary drop in tourism and medical tourism may be confirmed yesterday its ships would return Asked whether Japanese ships would experienced, usually with a rapid recovery to nor- to the Antarctic this year, despite a call by hunt in the Southern Ocean later this year, mal levels,” he said. Josephine Guillot, 28, a French global regulators to provide more evi- he said Tokyo’s position had not changed postgraduate student travelling around dence that the hunt has a scientific pur- since an announcement on Friday. Japan Southeast Asia, said she had come to the pose. Joji Morishita said the whole debate does not need permission from the IWC to Bumrungrad Hospital for a health check-up about whether or not Japan should be press on with its “lethal sampling” hunt in despite knowing that Thailand’s first MERS patient killing the mammals had long since moved December, as it is ultimately up to individual was treated there. “I’m comfortable getting treat- SEOUL: A woman wearing a face mask walks through Namdaemun market yes- ment here,” she told Reuters. “The news does not away from science and into politics. The countries to issue permits for whaling on sci- terday. —AFP deter me.” —Reuters scientific committee of the International entific grounds. However, Tokyo is always Whaling Commission said Friday that keen to appear to be complying with inter- Japan had failed to give enough detail to national rules. Japan believes the world’s explain why it wanted to kill almost 4,000 whale population, especially the minke Ancient Romanian jawbone sheds minke whales in the Antarctic over the stock, is sizeable enough to accommodate a next 12 years. Despite international disap- return to sustainable whaling, putting it at light on Neanderthal interbreeding proval, Japan has hunted whales in the odds with campaigners and anti-whaling Southern Ocean under an exemption in nations. It accuses opponents of being emo- WASHINGTON: You may not six generations back in his family before our species, arising in humans into Europe,” Reich said. the global whaling moratorium that allows tional about whales and disregarding what it know it, but you probably have tree,” said geneticist Svante Africa, trekked into Europe, Asia The robust, large-browed for lethal research. says is evidence to support its position. some Neanderthal in you. For P‰‰bo of Germany’s Max and beyond. “Modern humans Neanderthals prospered across It makes no secret of the fact that meat Last year, the highest court of the United people around the world, except Planck Institute for Evolutionary arrive in Europe after 43,000 Europe and Asia from about from the mammals-killed ostensibly for Nations, the International Court of Justice, sub-Saharan Africans, about 1 to Anthropology. years ago, and Neanderthals 350,000 years ago till shortly 3 percent of their DNA comes “He carries more Neanderthal went extinct by 39,000 years after 40,000 years ago, disap- research-is processed into food, and says ruled that the annual Southern Ocean expe- from Neanderthals, our close DNA than any other present-day ago,” Reich said. The scientists pearing in the period after Homo the whale population in any case is big dition was a commercial hunt masquerad- cousins who disappeared roughly or ancient modern human seen said a Neanderthal was among sapiens arrived. enough to allow sustainable whaling. ing as science to skirt the international 39,000 years ago. Scientists said to date.” Harvard Medical School the individual’s ancestors as Despite an outdated reputa- “There is no definite conclusion in the moratorium. Morishita said regardless of yesterday a jawbone unearthed geneticist David Reich said 6 to 9 recently as perhaps 100 to 150 tion as our dimwitted cousins, sci- report itself... which is not so surprising in whether or not there was a market for in Romania, of a man who lived percent of this individual’s years. Reich said genetic analysis entists say Neanderthals were the IWC, because as we know very well the whalemeat in Japan, the principle of hunt- about 40,000 years ago, boasts genome derived from a showed the individual, a hunter- highly intelligent, as shown by IWC is a divided organization,” Morishita ing whales was important because banning the most Neanderthal ancestry Neanderthal ancestor. The study, gatherer, was from a “pioneer their complex hunting methods, told reporters. “Because of this division, the killing of one animal instead of another ever seen in a member of our published in the journal Nature, population” that entered Europe likely use of spoken language and even the scientific committee is always was “strange logic”. “If you keep on like this, I species. The finding that also indi- indicates that our species inter- but did not contribute much or symbolic objects, and sophisticat- having difficulty of coming up with some worry that a country which has internation- cates that interbreeding with bred with Neanderthals in Europe anything at all genetically to later ed use of fire. The lower jawbone kind of a conclusion. “Still... we will try to al political power could impose its stan- Neanderthals occurred much as well, not just in the Middle East Europeans. was found in 2002 in Oase Cave more recently than previously as previously thought, P‰‰bo “This is interesting because it in southwestern Romania. provide as much scientific research as pos- dards and ethics on others,” he said, calling it known. “We show that one of the said. means that Europe has not been Previous attempts to extract DNA sible and try to get” approval from the sci- “environmental imperialism”. “For example, if very first modern humans that is Previous research suggested continuously occupied by the were unsuccessful but recent entific committee for their go-ahead. “But India becomes the world’s number one known from Europe had a this interbreeding occurred same lineages ever since the first technological advances facilitat- this could be a never-ending story. Well power and starts to say ‘Don’t eat beef’, Neanderthal ancestor just four to 50,000 to 60,000 years ago, waves of migration of modern ed the new findings. —Reuters this has been a never-ending story,” what shall we do?” —AFP TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2015 HEALTH & SCIENCE Lasers, magnetism allow glimpses of the human brain at work ‘Most of what your brain is doing, it’s doing it all the time’

NEW HAVEN: To the untrained eye, it looked like a and told to discuss it. Results showed that students brain-cell activity. But it penetrates much deeper dredths of an inch on a side, each cube can still con- The connectome effort is still in its early phases, seismograph recording of a violent earthquake or who emerged as leaders showed greater synchro- into the brain, using powerful magnetic fields. That tain hundreds of thousands of brain cells. If a cube he said. But it has already gained one unusual dis- the gyrations of a very volatile day on Wall Street - nization of brain patterns with their followers than lets it seek subtle magnetic signals to track blood shows up as active, you can’t tell which of its cells tinction: A colorful scientific depiction of brain con- jagged peaks and valleys in red, blue and green, dis- pairs of followers did. The better the leader’s com- oxygen levels on a tiny scale; a bump in oxygen lev- are working. And if fMRI shows two brain regions to nections made the cover of an album by the band played on a wall. But the story it told was not about munication skills, the more profound this link was. els indicates active brain cells nearby. be active at the same time, it can’t reveal which one Muse. Beyond that, one aspect is mapping out what geology or economics. It was a glimpse into the The result is visually striking: detailed brain is turning on the other. Still, fMRI can detect changes parcels of tissue do what jobs in the brain’s outer brains of Shaul Yahil and Shaw Bronner, two Zig-zag lines images with bright blotches of color that indicate in brain activity that are associated with particular layer, the cerebral cortex. The maps that show up in researchers at a Yale lab, as they had a little chat. Such studies are unusual in that they monitor where the action is. That’s not a direct picture, like tasks, and they are vanishingly tiny. You may think textbooks are about as sophisticated as 16th-centu- “This is a fork,” Yahil observed, describing the image multiple brains simultaneously. Usually, experi- an X-ray showing a broken bone, but rather a you are busting your brain to solve a difficult cross- ry maps of the Earth, Van Essen said. “What we know on his computer. “A fork is something you use to ments examine just one at a time. Researchers have reconstruction that involves some key assumptions word puzzle or recall somebody’s name. But such now but isn’t yet in the textbooks is more like a 17th stab food while you’re eating it. Common piece of caught glimpses of human brain activity since the and a lot of sophisticated number-crunching. How activities make only a tiny difference in the brain’s century map ... reasonably accurate in some places cutlery in the West.” “It doesn’t look like a real fancy 1920s, when scalp electrodes first eavesdropped on sophisticated? Consider the researchers who put a overall energy consumption, says Dr Marcus Raichle and humorously off track in the so-called unex- sterling silver fork, but very useful,” Bronner of the Washington University School of Medicine. plored continents,” he said. The Human Connectome responded. And then she described her own screen: project should bring the maps up to the equivalent “This looks like a baby chimpanzee ...” The jagged, Mental task of 18th- or 19th-century Earth maps, he said. multicolored images depicted what was going on in That’s because “most of what your brain is That’s a long way from Google-like precision. the two researchers’ heads two brains in conversa- doing, it’s doing it all the time,” Raichle said. So what “Navigating your brain or my brain down the level of tion, carrying out an intricate dance of internal activ- are our brain circuits doing when we aren’t focused this neuron or that neuron as we are thinking and ity. This is no parlor trick. The brain-tracking technol- on anything? That is “probably one of the most talking, some of those things are way out of scope ogy at work is just a small part of the quest to researched topics right now” in brain mapping, says for what we can do or even predict,” Van Essen said. answer abiding questions about the workings of a John Darrell Van Horn of the University of Southern “Some of us (think) that may be beyond what the three-pound chunk of fatty tissue with the consis- California. Brain scans show that when people are human brain can ever achieve.” Some brain-scan- tency of cold porridge. at rest, without a particular mental task to perform, ning research rises from the informative to the truly How does this collection of nearly 100 billion their brains continue to hum along as particular startling, like decoding - looking at brain activity densely packed nerve cells, acting through circuits regions communicate with each other. Research patterns to figure out what somebody is seeing, or with maybe 100 trillion connections, let us think, suggests that more often than not, people are even thinking about. feel, act and perceive our world? How does this thinking about humdrum matters like taking the In 2011, for example, researchers reported that complex machine go wrong and make people car for an oil change or a bothersome conversation, they could reconstruct very rough visual replicas of depressed, or delusional, or demented? What can be Van Horn said. Scientists are studying what these movie clips that people were watching while their done about that? These are the kinds of questions patterns of brain activity at rest can reveal about brains were scanned. And two years later, Japanese that spurred President Barack Obama to launch the the brain and its illnesses. Altered patterns have scientists reported evidence that they could get BRAIN initiative in 2013. Its aim: to spur develop- shown up in such conditions as panic disorder and some idea of what people were dreaming about - at ment of new tools to investigate the brain. Europe depression. least, better than chance under highly controlled and Japan are also pursuing major efforts in brain Older adults show less activity than younger conditions. Such findings are valuable for learning research. The mysteries of this organ, which sucks people in one particular pattern, and the decline how the brain is organized. And in the near term, up about 20 percent of the body’s energy, are many NEW HAVEN: Shaw Bronner, left, and Shaul Yahil, two researchers at the Yale Brain seems more pronounced in people with decoding technology might help people whose and profound. But with a collection of sophisticated Function Lab, describe images on their computer screens to each other while their Alzheimer’s disease, said Mara Mather, professor of medical condition prevents normal conversation, devices, scientists are peering inside the working brain activity is mapped during a demonstration of the technology. —AP photos gerontology and psychology at USC. People with said Jack Gallant of the University of California, brains of people for clues to what makes us tick. autism also show less activity in that network, she Berkeley. said. And people with schizophrenia also show dif- Autism and schizophrenia ferent patterns in the resting state than healthy Monitoring technology After all, while a lot can be learned from dissect- people do, says Peter Bandettini of the NIH. That As brain-scanning machines and know-how ing brains after autopsy or studying animal brains, lets researchers cast a wide net in looking for specif- progress, scientists expect more discoveries. Already, there’s nothing quite like watching a human one ic differences in brain function, without having to a technology that lets MRI machines capture brain work. A brain is like a car motor, says researcher Joy search for specific mental tasks to assign people to images several times a second rather than less than Hirsch. You can study it at rest, but “until you start do in order to make the differences apparent, he once per second is becoming more widely used, Van that car up and run it, you don’t really see how all said. While the brain at rest is not completely under- Horn said. It’s already clear that the faster sampling the working parts work together and what the stood, “everyone is jumping into this now,” provides new information, and scientists are just dynamics are.” The Yale Brain Function Lab, which Bandettini said. It holds promise for mapping out beginning to understand how to interpret it, he said. she directs, is investigating how our brains let us which parts of the brain work with which others to And while fMRI can’t reveal now whether a particular engage with other people. That’s one of the most perform key tasks, he said. activated area is stimulating another one, that may basic questions in neuroscience, as well as an ability The emphasis in brain mapping these days is change in the future, Bandettini said. The key impaired in autism and schizophrenia, she said: “It’s not so much about finding particular places that do advances would be if scientists can better measure probably one of the most fundamental functions of particular tasks, but rather delineating the circuitry tiny lags in activity between different places in the the human species, and yet we know very little that lets the brain operate. “No region works in iso- brain, or get higher resolution images that distin- about it.” lation. It’s all being communicated across networks,” guish between brain cells that are sending signals Hirsch turned to a decades-old brain mapping Mather said. Communication flows along an esti- and those that are receiving them. technique that only recently has developed far mated 150,000 miles of nerve fibers in the average Hirsch, meanwhile, is testing whether the moni- enough for her task. As Yahil and Bronner chatted brain. Individual fibers are too fine to see in brain- toring technology she uses to track two brains in con- to demonstrate the technology, each wore a black- scanning machines, but they form bundles that can versation can be made portable. If so, she could move and-white skullcap from which 64 slender black be detected as they cross the deep central portion her experiments out of the lab and into more natural cables trailed away like dreadlocks. At the tip of half of the brain. settings. “It would be easier to image people when of those fiber optic cables, weak laser beams they’re walking and talking, or exercising or walking slipped through their skulls and penetrated about Internal communication down an aisle in a grocery store, or making decisions an inch into their brains. There, the beams bounced NEW HAVEN: Dr Joy Hirsch, director of the Yale Brain Function Lab, describes her Those bundles are one focus of researchers who on the fly - driving a car, for example,” she says. off blood and reflected back to be picked up by the research. are mapping out the brain’s “connectome,” the com- Making portable devices to replace huge MRI other half of the cables. plex web of these connections between areas of gray machines could open new possibilities for brain Those reflections revealed how much oxygen the electrical chatter of brain cells to produce the four-pound dead Atlantic salmon in an MRI scanner, matter, where thinking takes place. “Any one patch of decoding. And not just for scientists. Gallant foresees that blood was carrying. And since brain circuits use zig-zag lines of EEG. Early images appeared in the and asked it to determine what emotions were gray matter in the brain is literally communicating a future in which composers write music just by more oxygen when they’re busier, the measure- late 1970s and 1980s through other techniques, like being experienced by people in some photos. It with hundreds of other distant locations, in ways that imagining it. Or “you can just think about the picture ments provided an indirect index to patterns of PET scans. sounds absurd, but some raw results indicated actually are very different from how modern comput- you want to paint” and let a computer do the rest. brain activity as Bronner listened to Yahil and But the coming-out party for the brain-mapping brain activity in response. The lesson, the er circuits are wired,” says David Van Essen of Writing a letter, he says “would be like dictation, replied, and vice versa. The technique monitors technique most widely used today came at a 1991 researchers said, is to be careful about statistical Washington University. While computers use their except you would just be talking to yourself.”And in only areas close to the brain’s surface, and so misses meeting in San Francisco. Scientists watched what analysis of the complicated data that goes into pro- lightning speed to crunch numbers, the brain’s the future, why be confined to your own language? “I signals from its emotional centers, for example. But one observer called a “jaw dropping” movie that ducing brain images. “squishy hardware,” works with far slower internal can think in English and my little brain hat would read it does show, for example, that watching a conver- showed activation of a part of the brain that han- Even when that’s done right, fMRI is not perfect. communication, he said. “We’re able to do analyses my thoughts, send it to Google and it would come sational partner’s face makes a difference in what dles visual information. That movie was created It usually samples the brain less than once per sec- and make inferences in ways that still way outperform back in Japanese,” he says. “You’d talk out of a little brain circuits turn on during a chat. Using a similar through functional magnetic resonance imaging, or ond, which is glacial compared to the rapid fire of computers, because the wiring is different and in speaker in your hat.” “There’s nothing theoretically setup, researchers in China recently created groups fMRI. Basically, fMRI does what Hirsch’s laser system activity. And while its resolution is high, with data some ways just incredibly clever. But we don’t under- challenging about that. It’s just a matter of getting of three college students who were given a topic does: It uses oxygen levels in blood as tracers of coming from cube-shaped volumes a few hun- stand the rules, the strategies in sufficient detail.” good enough data.” —AP WHAT’S ON TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2015 Indian Embassy celebrates International Day of Yoga

he Indian Embassy organized the celebrations of the House and Isha Foundation and the Indian Doctors Forum First International Day of Yoga (IDY) at its premises presented talks on the occasion. The Art of Living yoga Twith participation of over 600 Kuwaiti and Indian experts gave live demonstrations on breathing exercises nationals from 6-8 am. Sheikh Nasser Sabha Al-Ahmad Al- and Yoga asanas on the stage while members of Harmony Sabah, Minister of Amiri Diwan attended the function as House presented the essence of Raja Yoga and meditation. Chief Guest and expressed his deep appreciation over the Simultaneously, some participants joined in Yoga asanas large participation of people to mark the IDY. in the nearby Consular hall specially arranged for this pur- The event commenced with Indian Prime Minister pose. The three Yoga foundations and the Indian Doctors Narendra Modi’s message on the occasion, followed by Forum set up stalls in the embassy for distribution of the video presentation on Common Yogic Protocol. The books and pamphlets relating to Yoga and its health bene- participating organizations viz, Art of Living, Harmony fits.

Abdul Shanith, 15th raffle draw winner of ‘The Great Gold Rush’ campaign by Malabar Gold and Diamonds receives the prize of 1 kilograms of gold from Abdul Basheer, Zonal Head - Malabar Gold and Diamonds, in the presence of officials from Ras Al Khaimah Municipality and other well-wishers.

New English School celebrated the graduation class of 2015 in a ceremony held recently at Regency Hotel. Shaikha Shayma Al-Sabah attended the event as a guest of honor.

Sable opens 29th branch able, a leading sweets company in Kuwait, opened its new branch in Ishbelia area, bringing the total Snumber of its branches to 29. The company will fur- ther expand by opening other branches until the end of the year.

Canadian embassy Ramadan hours he Working hours at the Embassy of Canada during the holy month of Ramadan will be from 08:30 to T14:30, Sunday to Thursday. Consular Services for Canadian Citizens are provided from 09:00 until 12:00, Sunday through Wednesday. Brazilian embassy Ramadan hours n the occasion of the Holy Month of Ramadan, the Embassy of the Federative Republic of Brazil extends Oits sincere wishes to the people of Kuwait. During Ramadan, the timings at the Embassy and Consulate sec- tion are from 9:00 am to l:00 pm, Sunday to Thursday. WHAT’S ON TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2015

Sheikha Fraiha Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah hosted a ‘Graish’ event for International Women Group members recently. —Photos by Joseph Shagra TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2015 TV PROGRAMS

04:10 THS 18:00 Hot In Cleveland End Of The World-PG15 05:05 E!ES 18:30 Mulaney 21:00 Peace, Love & 06:00 Keeping Up With The 19:00 Big Time In Hollywood, Fl Misunderstanding-PG15 Kardashians 19:30 Marry Me 23:00 McCanick-PG15 06:55 Keeping Up With The 20:00 The Tonight Show Starring 00:20 Come Dine With Me Kardashians Jimmy Fallon 01:10 Masterchef: The 07:50 Style Star 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon Professionals 08:20 E! News Stewart 02:05 Antiques Roadshow 09:15 Giuliana & Bill 21:30 The Nightly Show With Larry 02:55 Come Dine With Me 10:15 Giuliana & Bill Wilmore 03:20 Lorraine’s Fast, Fresh And 11:10 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 22:00 Modern Family 00:00 Maladies Easy Food 11:35 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 22:30 Black-Ish 02:00 Jack And The Cuckoo Clock 03:50 New Scandinavian Cooking 12:05 E! News 23:00 The Simpsons Heart 04:15 Masterchef: The 13:05 House Of DVF 23:30 Late Night With Seth Meyers 04:00 Next Goal Wins Professionals 14:05 Extreme Close-Up 05:45 One Chance 05:10 Lorraine’s Fast, Fresh And 14:30 Style Star 07:30 Straight A’s Easy Food 15:00 Keeping Up With The 09:00 Swing Kids 05:35 New Scandinavian Cooking Kardashians 11:00 One Chance 06:00 Masterchef: The 16:00 Keeping Up With The 00:00 Top Gear (US) 13:00 Jack And The Cuckoo Clock Professionals Kardashians 01:00 Graceland Heart 07:00 Come Dine With Me 17:00 Giuliana & Bill 02:00 True Detective 15:00 Maladies 07:25 Antiques Roadshow 18:00 Fashion Bloggers 03:00 The Night Shift 17:00 Swing Kids 08:20 Come Dine With Me 18:30 Fashion Bloggers 04:00 Scandal 19:00 The Damned United 08:45 Home Cooking Made Easy 19:00 THS 05:00 The Blacklist 21:00 Kon-Tiki 09:10 Ty Pennington’s Homes For 20:00 New Money 06:00 Top Gear (US) 23:00 Up Close And Personal The Brave 20:30 New Money 07:00 Survivor: Worlds Apart 09:55 Antiques Roadshow 21:00 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 09:00 The Blacklist 10:50 Come Dine With Me 22:00 E! News 10:00 Scandal 11:15 Antiques Roadshow 23:00 Keeping Up With The 11:00 Graceland 12:10 Masterchef: The Kardashians 12:00 Emmerdale 01:00 The Expendables 3-PG15 Professionals 12:30 Coronation Street 03:00 Quartet-PG15 13:00 Come Dine With Me 13:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 05:00 Grace Of Monaco-PG15 13:30 Come Dine With Me 15:00 Top Gear (US) 07:00 Epic-PG 13:55 Masterchef: The 16:00 Emmerdale 09:00 Rio 2-FAM Professionals 16:30 Coronation Street 11:00 At Middleton-PG15 14:50 Antiques Roadshow 17:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 13:00 Admission-PG15 00:10 The Jonathan Ross Show 15:00 Moms’ Night Out-PG 15:40 Come Dine With Me 01:05 Tricked 19:00 The Blacklist 16:10 Ty Pennington’s Homes For 20:00 State Of Affairs 17:00 Rio 2-FAM 02:00 Emmerdale 19:00 Straight A’s-PG15 The Brave 02:25 Tales From Northumberland 21:00 Chicago Fire 16:55 Home Cooking Made Easy 22:00 The Americans 21:00 Life Of Crime-PG15 With Robson Green 23:00 Runner Runner-PG15 17:20 Antiques Roadshow 02:55 Coronation Street 23:00 Once Upon A Time 18:15 Antiques Roadshow 03:25 Black Work 19:10 Rachel Khoo’s Kitchen 04:20 Cilla Notebook: London 05:15 Big Star’s Little Star 19:35 Antiques Roadshow 06:10 Tricked 20:25 Masterchef: The 07:05 Coronation Street 01:00 Good Morning America Professionals 07:30 Black Work 03:00 House Of Cards 01:15 Space Dogs 21:20 Antiques Roadshow 08:25 Cilla 05:00 Good Morning America 02:45 Earth To Echo 22:10 Come Dine With Me 09:20 Peter Andre’s 60 Minute 07:00 Emmerdale 04:30 Hatching 22:35 Baking Mad With Eric Makeover 07:30 Coronation Street 06:00 Otto Is A Rhino Lanlard 10:15 Tales From Northumberland 09:00 Parenthood 07:30 Renart The Fox 23:00 Antiques Roadshow With Robson Green 10:00 Emmerdale 09:30 Garfield’s Pet Force 23:55 Rachel Khoo’s Kitchen 10:40 The Jonathan Ross Show 10:30 Coronation Street 11:00 Ghatothkach - Master Of Notebook: London 11:35 Tricked 12:00 Perception Magic 12:30 Big Star’s Little Star 13:00 Resurrection 12:45 Earth To Echo 13:25 Emmerdale 14:00 Live Good Morning America 14:30 Ploddy Police Car 13:50 Tales From Northumberland 16:00 Parenthood 16:00 Astro Boy With Robson Green 17:00 Perception 18:00 The 7th Dwarf 14:15 Coronation Street 18:00 Resurrection 20:00 Blue Elephant 00:20 Fast N’ Loud 14:40 The Jonathan Ross Show 19:00 Parenthood 22:00 Ploddy Police Car 01:10 Ice Cold Gold 15:35 Peter Andre’s 60 Minute 20:00 Perception 23:30 Astro Boy 02:00 Ice Cold Gold Makeover 21:00 Resurrection 02:50 Yukon Men 16:30 Agatha Christie’s Marple 22:00 House Of Cards 03:40 Storage Hunters 18:20 Big Star’s Little Star 23:00 American Idol 04:05 Extreme Collectors 19:10 Coronation Street 04:30 Auction Kings 19:35 Peter Andre’s 60 Minute 05:00 How It’s Made Makeover 00:00 The Pretty One-PG15 05:30 How Do They Do It? 20:30 Agatha Christie’s Marple 02:00 Labor Day-PG15 06:00 Railroad Alaska 22:20 Coronation Street 04:00 I, Frankenstein-PG15 06:50 Overhaulin’ 2012 22:50 Emmerdale 00:00 Enemies Closer 06:00 Marvel’s Ultimate Avengers I- 07:40 Fast N’ Loud 23:15 Big Star’s Little Star 02:00 ATM 08:00 Call Me Crazy: A Five Film- 08:30 Storage Hunters 04:00 Double Take PG15 08:55 Extreme Collectors 06:00 Befriend And Betray 10:00 Marvel’s Ultimate Avengers 09:20 Auction Kings 08:00 The Recruit II-PG 09:45 How It’s Made 10:00 Double Take 12:00 I, Frankenstein-PG15 10:10 How Do They Do It? 12:00 Babylon A.D 14:00 Appleseed: Alpha-PG15 10:35 Ice Cold Gold 00:20 World’s Deadliest 14:00 Crimson Tide 16:00 Call Me Crazy: A Five Film 11:25 Ice Cold Gold 01:10 World’s Deadliest Animals 16:00 The Recruit 18:00 Getaway-PG15 12:15 Yukon Men 02:00 Evolutions 18:00 Shadow Conspiracy 20:00 The Worricker: Turks & 13:05 Storage Hunters 02:50 Dangerous Encounters 20:00 Babylon A.D Caicos-PG15 13:30 Extreme Collectors 03:45 Alaska Fish Wars 22:00 Memorial Day 2011 22:00 The Purge-PG15 13:55 Auction Kings 04:40 Alaskan Killer Shark 14:20 Railroad Alaska 05:35 Evolutions 15:10 Overhaulin’ 2012 06:30 Dangerous Encounters 16:00 Fast N’ Loud 07:25 Alaska Fish Wars 07:00 Golfing World 16:50 How It’s Made 08:20 Is Your Dog A Genius? 00:00 ATM-PG15 08:00 US Open 17:15 How Do They Do It? 09:15 America The Wild 02:00 Double Take-PG15 16:00 Super Rugby Highlights 17:40 Survive That! 10:10 Jobs That Bite! 04:00 Befriend And Betray-PG15 17:00 AFL Premiership Highlights 18:30 Running Wild With Bear 11:05 Ultimate Animals RIO 2 ON OSN MOVIES HD 06:00 The Recruit-PG15 18:00 Golfing World Grylls 12:00 Fish Warrior 12:55 I, Predator 08:00 Double Take-PG15 19:00 NRL Full Time 19:20 Dual Survival 08:05 19 Kids And Counting Spinjitzu Island 10:20 Forensic Detectives 13:50 Dangerous Encounters 10:00 Babylon A.D-PG15 19:30 US Open 20:10 Extreme Collectors 08:30 19 Kids And Counting 04:00 Teen Titans Go! 16:20 Steven Universe 11:10 On The Case With Paula 14:45 Alaska Fish Wars 12:00 Crimson Tide-PG15 20:35 Auction Kings 08:55 Sister Wives 04:45 Grojband 16:33 Steven Universe Zahn 15:40 Is Your Dog A Genius? 14:00 The Recruit-PG15 21:00 Running Wild With Bear 09:45 Cake Boss 05:05 Total Drama World Tour 16:45 Teen Titans Go! 12:00 Blood Relatives 16:35 America The Wild 16:00 Shadow Conspiracy-PG15 Grylls 10:10 Little People, Big World 05:30 Adventure Time 17:10 The Amazing World Of 12:50 True Crime With 17:30 Jobs That Bite! 18:00 Babylon A.D-PG15 21:50 Dual Survival 10:35 Extreme Couponing 06:00 Uncle Grandpa Gumball Aphrodite Jones 18:25 Ultimate Animals 20:00 Memorial Day 2011-PG15 03:00 Live WWE Raw 22:40 Dive Wars Australia 11:00 Toddlers & Tiaras 06:11 Uncle Grandpa 17:35 Clarence 13:40 Who On Earth Did I 19:20 Alaska Fish Wars 22:00 The Wolverine-PG15 07:00 AFL Premiership Highlights 23:30 World’s Scariest 11:50 Love, Lust Or Run 06:20 Clarence 17:47 Clarence Marry? 20:10 Is Your Dog A Genius? 09:00 Golfing World 12:15 Love, Lust Or Run 06:32 Clarence 18:00 Adventure Time New 14:05 Who On Earth Did I 21:00 America The Wild 14:30 Super Rugby Highlights 12:40 Bakery Boss 06:45 The Amazing World Of 18:10 Adventure Time Marry? 21:50 Jobs That Bite! 15:00 WWE Raw 13:30 Oprah’s Next Chapter Gumball 18:25 Adventure Time 14:30 On The Case With Paula 22:40 Ultimate Animals 18:00 WWE Experience 14:20 Oprah Presents: Master 07:10 Steven Universe 18:50 Regular Show Zahn 23:30 Fish Warrior 00:00 Wallace & Gromit: The Curse 19:00 WWE Afterburn Class 07:23 Steven Universe 19:40 Uncle Grandpa 15:20 I Was Murdered Of The Were-Rabbit 15:10 Cake Boss 07:35 Adventure Time New 19:52 Uncle Grandpa 15:45 Stalked: Someone’s 02:00 So Undercover 00:00 Violetta 15:35 Little People, Big World 07:47 Adventure Time 20:05 Teen Titans Go! Watching 04:00 She-Devil 00:50 Sabrina: Secrets Of A 16:00 Toddlers & Tiaras 08:00 Ben 10: Omniverse 20:55 Ben 10: Omniverse 16:10 Fatal Encounters 06:00 The Benchwarmers Teenage Witch 16:50 Say Yes To The Dress 08:25 Ben 10: Omniverse 21:20 Ben 10: Omniverse 17:00 Blood Relatives 08:00 A Valentine’s Date 01:15 Sabrina: Secrets Of A 19:30 5th ODI H/L : ENG v NZ 17:15 Something Borrowed, 08:50 Ninjago: Masters Of 21:45 Johnny Test 17:50 I Almost Got Away With It 00:00 The Goldbergs 10:00 So Undercover Teenage Witch 20:30 Live ENG v NZ Twenty20 Something New Spinjitzu 23:10 Regular Show 18:40 Forensic Detectives 00:30 The Daily Show With Jon 12:00 Life 01:40 Wolfblood International 17:40 18 Kids And Counting 09:15 Regular Show 23:55 Teen Titans Go! 19:30 True Crime With Stewart 14:00 The Adventures Of Rocky 02:05 Wolfblood 18:05 Extreme Couponing 09:27 Regular Show 00:40 Grojband Aphrodite Jones 01:00 Last Week Tonight With John And Bullwinkle 02:30 Violetta 18:30 The Undateables 09:40 The Amazing World Of 01:00 Grojband 20:20 The Will Oliver 16:00 A Valentine’s Date 03:20 Sabrina: Secrets Of A 19:20 Something Borrowed, Gumball 01:25 Total Drama World Tour 21:10 Who On Earth Did I 01:35 Veep 18:00 Friends With Kids Teenage Witch Something New 10:05 Uncle Grandpa Marry? 02:00 Black-Ish 20:00 AmeriQua 03:45 Sabrina: Secrets Of A 19:45 Something Borrowed, 10:17 Uncle Grandpa 21:35 Who On Earth Did I 02:30 The Simpsons 22:00 Every Day 00:45 Pawn Queens Teenage Witch Something New 03:30 Mulaney 01:10 Pawn Queens 10:30 Johnny Test Marry? 04:10 Wolfblood 20:10 Ultimate Shopper 04:30 The Tonight Show Starring 01:35 Extreme Cheapskates 11:20 Total Drama: Revenge Of 22:00 Extreme Forensics 04:35 Wolfblood 21:00 My 600lb Life Jimmy Fallon 02:00 Mob Wives The Island 22:50 Deadly Women 05:00 Violetta 21:50 Nine Months Later 07:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 02:50 Say Yes To The Dress 11:45 Total Drama: Revenge Of 03:00 Dr G: Medical Examiner 23:40 Fatal Encounters 05:50 Mouk 22:40 Extreme Cheapskates 09:30 About A Boy 03:15 Something Borrowed, The Island 03:45 Fatal Encounters 00:30 Blood Relatives 06:00 Lolirock 23:05 Mob Wives 10:00 Cougar Town 01:00 Shadow Witness-PG15 Something New 12:10 Steven Universe 04:30 Deadly Sins 01:20 The First Kill 06:25 Hank Zipzer 23:55 My 600lb Life 12:35 Regular Show 02:10 Extreme Forensics 06:50 Girl Meets World 11:00 The Tonight Show Starring 03:00 The Railway Man-PG15 03:40 Secret Eaters 05:20 Nightmare Next Door Jimmy Fallon 05:00 Chalet Girl-PG15 04:30 Cake Boss 13:25 Clarence 06:10 True Crime With 07:15 H2O: Just Add Water 13:50 Uncle Grandpa 07:40 Jessie 13:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 07:00 There Be Dragons-PG15 05:00 Little People, Big World Aphrodite Jones 14:00 Mulaney 09:00 Lockout-PG15 05:30 Extreme Couponing 14:15 Matt Hatter Chronicles 07:00 Nightmare Next Door 08:05 Wizards Of Waverly Place 14:40 Ben 10 08:30 Wizards Of Waverly Place 14:30 About A Boy 11:00 Chalet Girl-PG15 06:00 18 Kids And Counting 07:50 Fatal Encounters 15:00 Cougar Town 13:00 A Secret Promise-PG15 06:25 Bakery Boss 15:05 Ben 10 08:40 I Almost Got Away With It 08:55 Sabrina: Secrets Of A 15:30 Ninjago: Masters Of Teenage Witch 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon 15:00 Stand Off-PG15 07:15 Say Yes To The Dress 03:15 Ninjago: Masters Of 09:30 I Was Murdered Stewart 17:00 Lockout-PG15 07:40 Something Borrowed, Spinjitzu Spinjitzu 09:55 Stalked: Someone’s 03:10 Henry Hugglemonster 09:20 Sabrina: Secrets Of A 15:55 Total Drama: Pahkitew Teenage Witch 17:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 19:00 Seeking A Friend For The Something New 03:35 Ninjago: Masters Of Watching 03:20 Calimero 09:45 Austin & Ally 03:35 Zou 10:10 Austin & Ally 03:45 Loopdidoo 10:35 Wizards Of Waverly Place 04:00 Art Attack 11:00 Wizards Of Waverly Place 04:25 Henry Hugglemonster 11:25 Jessie 04:35 Calimero 11:50 Jessie 04:50 Zou 12:15 Sabrina: Secrets Of A 05:00 Loopdidoo Teenage Witch 05:15 Art Attack 12:40 Sabrina: Secrets Of A 05:35 Henry Hugglemonster Teenage Witch 05:50 Calimero 13:05 Good Luck Charlie 06:00 Zou 13:30 Good Luck Charlie 06:15 Loopdidoo 13:55 Dog With A Blog 06:25 Limon And Oli 14:20 H2O: Just Add Water 06:35 Art Attack 14:55 Lolirock 07:00 Calimero 15:20 Liv And Maddie 07:10 Zou 15:45 Girl Meets World 07:25 Nina Needs To Go 16:10 Jessie 07:30 Jake And The Never Land 16:35 Austin & Ally Pirates 17:00 Dog With A Blog 07:55 Sofia The First 17:25 The Next Step 08:20 Doc McStuffins 17:50 I Didn’t Do It 08:45 Loopdidoo 18:15 Violetta Top 5 Tracks 09:00 Limon And Oli 18:40 Gravity Falls 09:10 Sheriff Callie’s Wild West 19:05 The Next Step 09:35 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 19:30 Lolirock 10:00 Sofia The First 19:55 Hank Zipzer 10:25 Jake’s Buccaneer Blast 20:20 Binny And The Ghost 10:30 Jake And The Never Land 20:45 H2O: Just Add Water Pirates 21:10 Good Luck Charlie 10:55 Runaway Shuffle/Surfin’ 21:35 Wizards Of Waverly Place The Whirlpool 22:00 Wizards Of Waverly Place 11:25 Doc McStuffins 22:25 Sabrina: Secrets Of A 11:50 Henry Hugglemonster Teenage Witch 12:05 Henry Hugglemonster 22:50 Sabrina: Secrets Of A 12:15 Sofia The First Teenage Witch 12:40 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 23:10 Wolfblood 13:05 Sheriff Callie’s Wild West 23:35 Wolfblood 13:30 Loopdidoo 13:45 Limon And Oli 13:55 Jake’s Buccaneer Blast 14:00 Jake And The Never Land Pirates 14:25 Doc McStuffins 14:50 Runaway Shuffle/Surfin’ The Whirlpool 00:00 The Grace Helbig Show 15:15 Sofia The First 00:30 The Soup 15:40 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 00:55 Extreme Close-Up 16:05 Nina Needs To Go 01:25 Keeping Up With The 16:10 Lilo & Stitch Kardashians 16:35 Adventures Of The 02:20 E! News Gummi Bears 03:15 Escape Club THE WOLVERINE ON OSN MOVIES ACTION HD Classifieds

TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2015

Kuwait KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (18/06/2015 TO 24/06/2015)

SHARQIA-1 ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 11:15 PM 360º- 11 ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 9:15 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 9:00 PM SAN ANDREAS 11:15 PM AVENUES-5 JURASSIC WORLD 11:15 PM JURASSIC WORLD 9:00 PM SHARQIA-2 JURASSIC WORLD 11:30 PM 360º- 12 SURVIVOR 9:00 PM JURASSIC WORLD 9:15 PM JURASSIC WORLD 11:15 PM AVENUES-6 ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 11:45 PM SURVIVOR 9:30 PM SHARQIA-3 SURVIVOR 11:45 PM 360º- 13 JURASSIC WORLD 9:00 PM JURASSIC WORLD - 3D IMAX 9:00 PM finds it shall send it to Block ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 11:30 PM AVENUES-7 JURASSIC WORLD - 3D IMAX 11:30 PM MATRIMONIAL LOST 6, Street 106, Farwaniya, THE QUIET ONES - Re Release 9:30 PM Kuwait or call on the No. MUHALAB-1 RUSH - Re Release 11:30 PM 360º- 14 Tamil Christian Doctor +965 50966857. (C 5001) ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 9:00 PM (MD) 30 yrs - 165 cm tall I, Waqar Ahmad Son of 16-6-2015 ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 11:00 PM THE HOMESMAN 9:30 PM AVENUES-8 MANGLEHORN 11:45 PM working in Ministry of Zulfiqar Ahmad resident of MANGLEHORN 9:30 PM Kuwait announce through MUHALAB-2 Health, seeks qualified THE HOMESMAN 11:30 PM 360º- 15 groom (doctors, engineers Kuwait Times that my HSSC Prayer timings JURASSIC WORLD 9:00 PM certificate bearing Roll No. SAN ANDREAS 11:30 PM JURASSIC WORLD 10:30 PM etc) from Tamil Christian AVENUES-9 550074 of the year 1999 BOYCHOIR 9:00 PM community from Kuwait or MUHALAB-3 AL-KOUT.1 issued by Federal Board of JURASSIC WORLD 11:00 PM India. Write to SURVIVOR 9:15 PM JURASSIC WORLD 9:00 PM [email protected] Intermediate and JURASSIC WORLD 11:15 PM THE QUIET ONES - Re Release 11:30 PM (C 5002) Secondary Education AVENUES-10 Islamabad has been lost ABCD 2 - Hindi 9:15 PM 20-6-2015 FANAR-1 AL-KOUT.2 during transit. Whoever PRESSURE 12:05 AM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 9:00 PM SURVIVOR 9:15 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 11:15 PM JURASSIC WORLD 11:15 PM AVENUES-11 JURASSIC WORLD 9:00 PM FANAR-2 AL-KOUT.3 THE PUBLIC AUTHORITY SAN ANDREAS 9:15 PM JURASSIC WORLD 11:30 PM RUSH - Re Release 9:00 PM SURVIVOR 11:30 PM SAN ANDREAS 11:15 PM FOR CIVIL INFORMATION Fajr: 03:14 360º- 1 Shorook 04:49 FANAR-3 SURVIVOR 9:45 PM AL-KOUT.4 OUT OF THE DARK 9:15 PM SURVIVOR 11:45 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 9:30 PM Automated enquiry about RUSH - Re Release 11:15 PM Duhr: 11:51 ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 11:30 PM 360º- 2 Asr: 15:24 FANAR-4 the Civil ID card is COCONUT: THE LITTLE DRAGON 9:30 PM BAIRAQ-1 JURASSIC WORLD 9:00 PM Maghrib: 18:52 BOYCHOIR 11:15 PM JURASSIC WORLD 9:00 PM SAN ANDREAS 11:30 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 11:30 PM Isha: 20:21 360º- 3 1889988 FANAR-5 ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 9:30 PM BAIRAQ-2 THE QUIET ONES - Re Release 9:00 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 11:30 PM JURASSIC WORLD 11:00 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 9:00 PM JURASSIC WORLD 11:15 PM 360º- 4 MARINA-1 No: 16560 SAN ANDREAS 9:15 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 9:15 PM BAIRAQ-3 ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 11:30 PM SAN ANDREAS 11:45 PM ABCD 2 - Hindi 9:30 PM

MARINA-2 360º- 5 PLAZA JURASSIC WORLD 9:00 PM RUSH - Re Release 9:45 PM PREMAM - Malayalam 9:00 PM SURVIVOR 11:30 PM THE QUIET ONES - Re Release 12:05 AM PRESSURE 12:05 AM JURASSIC WORLD 9:00 PM MARINA-3 360º- 6 ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 11:30 PM SAN ANDREAS 9:00 PM ABCD 2 - Hindi 9:30 PM JURASSIC WORLD 11:15 PM LAILA 360º- 7 ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 9:00 PM AVENUES-1 PRESSURE 9:45 PM JURASSIC WORLD 11:15 PM COCONUT: THE LITTLE DRAGON 9:15 PM PRESSURE 11:45 PM SAN ANDREAS 11:00 PM AJIAL.1 360º- 8 PREMAM - Malayalam 9:00 PM AVENUES-2 PREMAM - Malayalam 9:00 PM PRESSURE 12:05 AM PREMAM - Malayalam 9:00 PM OUT OF THE DARK 12:05 AM OUT OF THE DARK 12:05 AM AJIAL.2 360º- 9(VIP-1) ELI- Tamil 9:15 PM AVENUES-3 ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 9:30 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 9:45 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 11:45 PM AJIAL.3 ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 11:45 PM ABCD 2 - Hindi 9:00 PM 360º-10(VIP-2) AVENUES-4 JURASSIC WORLD 9:00 PM AJIAL.4 ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 9:00 PM JURASSIC WORLD 11:30 PM PREMAM - Malayalam 9:30 PM

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

Arrival Flights on Tuesday 23/6/2015 GFA 221 Bahrain 14:20 Departure Flights on Tuesday 23/6/2015 FDB 076 Dubai 13:10 Airlines Flt Route Time FDB 057 Dubai 14:20 Airlines Flt Route Time JZR 176 Dubai 13:10 QTR 1084 Doha 00:05 SVA 500 Jeddah 14:30 AIC 976 Goa/Chennai 00:05 AGY 691 Alexandria 13:25 BBC 143 Dhaka 00:05 KNE 472 Jeddah 14:55 RBG 556 Alexandria 00:05 MSR 611 Cairo 14:00 THY 772 Istanbul 00:15 KAC 788 Jeddah 15:00 JZR 562 Sohag 00:20 UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 JZR 239 Amman 00:20 OMA 645 Muscat 15:05 JAI 573 Mumbai 00:25 KAC 741 Dammam 14:40 JZR 267 Beirut 00:30 ABY 127 Sharjah 15:35 MSR 615 Cairo 00:30 MSR 576 Sharm el-Sheikh 14:40 FDB 068 Dubai 00:55 KAC 1802 Cairo 15:35 FDB 072 Dubai 00:30 FDB 058 Dubai 15:05 JAI 574 Mumbai 01:30 UAE 857 Dubai 15:45 PIA 206 Lahore 00:40 GFA 222 Bahrain 15:05 JZR 539 Cairo 01:30 NIA 251 Alexandria 15:50 KLM 411 Amsterdam 00:55 JZR 1774 Jeddah 15:05 PGT 858 Istanbul 01:40 RJA 640 Amman 15:55 JZR 502 Luxor 01:10 KAC 617 Doha 15:15 RJA 642 Amman 01:45 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 16:00 DLH 635 Frankfurt 01:35 KAC 673 Dubai 15:20 ETH 620 Addis Ababa 01:50 KNE 469 Taif 16:00 BBC 144 Chittagong/Dhaka 01:35 SVA 501 Jeddah 15:45 GFA 211 Bahrain 02:15 JZR 535 Cairo 16:05 THY 773 Istanbul 02:05 KAC 773 Riyadh 15:55 KKK 6507 Istanbul 02:15 FDB 051 Dubai 16:10 ETH 621 Addis Ababa 02:50 JZR 124 Bahrain 15:55 UAE 853 Dubai 02:25 QTR 1072 Doha 16:20 JAI 525 Abu Dhabi/Chennai 02:55 KNE 473 Jeddah 16:00 OMA 643 Muscat 02:35 AXB 393 Kozhikode 16:55 PGT 859 Istanbul 02:55 OMA 646 Muscat 16:05 ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 03:05 KAC 562 Amman 17:00 KKK 6508 Istanbul 03:10 ABY 128 Sharjah 16:15 QTR 1076 Doha 03:05 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15 OMA 644 Muscat 03:35 NIA 252 Alexandria 16:50 RJA 644 Amman 03:10 UAL 982 IAD 17:25 UAE 854 Dubai 03:45 ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 16:50 MSR 612 Cairo 03:15 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 RJA 645 Amman 03:55 RJA 641 Amman 16:55 FDB 067 Dubai 03:15 JZR 177 Dubai 17:45 FDB 068 Dubai 04:00 KNE 467 Riyadh 17:00 KAC 1544 Cairo 03:35 KAC 742 Dammam 17:45 QTR 1077 Doha 04:05 JZR 266 Beirut 17:05 MSC 401 Alexandria 04:00 JZR 777 Jeddah 17:50 ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:05 FDB 052 Dubai 17:10 JZR 555 Alexandria 04:15 FDB 065 Dubai 18:05 MSR 613 Cairo 04:15 QTR 1073 Doha 17:25 THY 770 Istanbul 04:40 KAC 786 Jeddah 18:35 THY 765 Istanbul 04:55 UAE 858 Dubai 17:40 THY 6376 Istanbul 05:05 KAC 502 Beirut 18:35 MSC 406 Sohag 05:00 AXB 394 Kozhikode 17:55 DHX 170 Bahrain 05:10 JZR 125 Bahrain 18:50 JZR 560 Sohag 05:00 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15 AGY 690 Alexandria 05:15 KAC 542 Cairo 18:55 QTR 1085 Doha 05:20 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 KAC 416 Jakarta/Kuala Lumpur 06:00 KAC 618 Doha 18:55 AGY 695 Sohag 06:15 KAC 287 Dhaka 18:35 KAC 412 Manila/Bangkok 06:15 QTR 1080 Doha 18:55 RJA 643 Amman 06:35 UAL 982 Bahrain 18:40 BAW 157 London 06:35 KAC 166 Paris/Rome 19:00 THY 6376 Dubai/Istanbul 06:35 JZR 538 Cairo 18:40 JZR 1541 Cairo 06:40 KAC 104 London 19:00 GFA 212 Bahrain 06:50 JZR 238 Amman 18:45 JZR 563 Sohag 06:45 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:05 THY 771 Istanbul 06:50 FDB 066 Dubai 18:55 JZR 503 Luxor 07:20 UAE 875 Dubai 19:05 FDB 070 Dubai 07:05 FDB 064 Dubai 19:50 KAC 382 Delhi 07:30 FDB 063 Dubai 19:10 JZR 240 Amman 07:05 GFA 218 Bahrain 19:50 KAC 206 Islamabad 07:45 ABY 123 Sharjah 19:20 KAC 411D Bangkok/Manila 07:30 QTR 1081 Doha 19:55 FDB 053 Dubai 07:50 JAI 572 Mumbai 19:35 BAW 156 London 08:30 ABY 124 Sharjah 20:00 SVA 512 Riyadh 07:50 KAC 774 Riyadh 19:40 FDB 054 Dubai 08:30 KAC 361 Colombo 20:00 KAC 302 Mumbai 07:55 FDB 061 Dubai 19:50 SVA 513 Riyadh 08:50 UAE 876 Dubai 20:35 KAC 352 Kochi 08:15 KAC 674 Dubai 20:00 KAC 1801 Cairo 09:00 JAI 571 Mumbai 20:35 UAE 855 Dubai 08:25 OMA 647 Muscat 20:00 KAC 513 Tehran 09:15 FDB 062 Dubai 20:35 KAC 362 Colombo 08:30 MEA 402 Beirut 20:15 JZR 534 Cairo 09:15 KAC 351 Kochi 20:45 ABY 125 Sharjah 09:05 DLH 636 Frankfurt 20:20 KAC 787 Jeddah 09:30 KAC 1543 Cairo 20:55 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 09:10 JZR 1775 Jeddah 20:40 KAC 619 Doha 09:30 KAC 343 Chennai 20:55 KAC 284 Dhaka 09:25 MSR 618 Alexandria 20:40 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:45 OMA 648 Muscat 21:00 FDB 055 Dubai 09:40 JAD 301 Amman 20:55 UAE 856 Dubai 09:50 DLH 636 Dammam 21:00 IRA 675 Lar 09:40 ALK 229 Colombo 21:10 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:00 MEA 403 Beirut 21:15 KAC 350 Kochi 09:40 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:15 KAC 333 Trivandrum 10:00 JZR 554 Alexandria 21:15 QTR 1070 Doha 10:00 UAE 859 Dubai 21:15 KAC 101 London/New York 10:00 JAD 302 Amman 21:35 KNE 464 Riyadh 10:05 KLM 415 Amsterdam 21:25 IRA 674 Lar 10:40 MSR 607 Luxor 21:40 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 FDB 073 Dubai 21:30 FDB 056 Dubai 10:40 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 UAE 873 Dubai 10:40 QTR 1074 Doha 21:30 KAC 501 Beirut 11:00 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:05 MEA 404 Beirut 10:55 KAC 334 Trivandrum 21:40 QTR 1071 Doha 11:00 FDB 074 Dubai 22:10 MSC 405 Sohag 11:20 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:45 KNE 468 Taif 11:05 ALK 230 Colombo 22:20 JZR 561 Sohag 11:25 THY 764 Istanbul 22:10 KAC 165 Rome/Paris 11:25 KAC 381 Delhi 22:20 RBG 553 Alexandria 11:30 ETD 309 Abu Dhabi 22:10 KAC 561 Amman 11:25 UAE 860 Dubai 22:25 FDB 075 Dubai 12:25 AIC 987 Chennai/Hyderabad 22:25 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:35 KLM 415 Dammam/Amsterdam 22:25 AGY 694 Sohag 12:25 PIA 239 Sialkot 22:35 MEA 405 Beirut 11:55 KAC 301 Mumbai 22:30 JZR 241 Amman 12:40 UAL 981 Bahrain 22:40 KAC 541 Cairo 12:05 KAC 349 Kochi 22:30 UAE 871 Dubai 12:45 BBC 044 Dhaka/Dammam 22:40 UAE 874 Dubai 12:10 QTR 1075 Doha 22:40 MSR 610 Cairo 13:00 FDB 059 Dubai 22:50 RBG 554 Alexandria 12:10 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:45 KAC 620 Doha 13:10 JAI 526 Chennai/Abu Dhabi 23:00 JZR 776 Jeddah 12:15 ETD 310 Abu Dhabi 23:00 KAC 514 Tehran 13:45 MSR 614 Cairo 23:30 MSC 402 Alexandria 12:20 KAC 205 Islamabad 23:05 MSR 575 Sharm el-Sheikh 13:55 FDB 071 Dubai 23:55 KAC 785 Jeddah 13:00 KAC 203 Lahore 23:10 DIAL161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION stars34 TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2015 CROSSWORD 942 STAR TRACK

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

Trivial facts can be annoying today, especially if they get in the way Containing yourself is nearly impossible today even if you’re not of your ambitious goals. However, you’re in a hurry to produce results and quite ready to let others know your feelings. Ironically, keeping your emotions could judge others harshly if they can’t keep up with your accelerated pace. quiet now can heighten your spiritual awareness as long as you don’t slip into Naturally, practicing patience might alleviate tension before it even arises, but denial about what’s going on in your relationships. Don’t succumb to external you just don’t have the time to wait. You’ll take the faster speed, along with the pressures; you’ll know exactly when to act if you trust your intuition more than complications. Thankfully, the cosmos will reward your independent thinking anyone else’s advice. Listening to your heart is the most direct path to happi- now as long as you have a solid plan in place. Being a leader doesn’t always ness. mean the pack will follow.

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

You don’t have a lot of bandwidth for frivolous activities today; Socializing with your friends and coworkers in an unconventional however, a bit of fun isn’t out of the question. You are ready to temporarily set setting offers the change of pace you seek today. But don’t try to micromanage your responsibilities aside, especially if you believe it’s possible to learn some- the situation and shift the energy to your advantage. Instead of wasting time by thing valuable from an extracurricular experience. Find out in advance how attempting to create a memorable event, just stay flexible; there’s nothing to much time you need to allow for play so you can finish up your chores later on. be gained now by trying to control the current dynamics. Ultimately, you have It will be easier to escape with a clear conscience if you already have all of your more fun and are more authentic when you are acting spontaneously, instead bases covered. of working from a script.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Unrealistic attempts to juggle one-too-many tasks today could lead You aren’t necessarily the most meticulous worker in the world, to giving a poor performance across the board. Tread lightly in all yet you can move very quickly once you start a job. Unfortunately, you might of your interactions because understating your responses is the most efficient ACROSS 5. Line of defense consisting of a barrier of put too much attention on the details if you are trying to impress someone 1. Experiencing or showing sorrow or felled or live trees with branches (sharp- use of your energy now. Just take care of every problem in a calm and collected today. But even with the very best of intentions, your work may not bring the manner as soon as it pops up. Your confidence suddenly returns when others unhappiness. ened or with barbed wire entwined) emotional satisfaction you seek. Nevertheless, don’t be too self-critical; just do 4. Genus of scapose herbs of North and toward the enemy. acknowledge how well you are handling a complicated situation. Reining in the best you can at every turn. You may be quite pleased with how quickly your your enthusiasm just a little allows your competence to shine. South America having large edible bulbs. 6. Tropical American bird resembling a blue efforts bear fruit if you maintain a positive attitude. 12. Standard temperature and pressure. jay and having greenish and bluish 15. An accountant certified by the state. plumage. 16. Relating to the abomasum (the fourth 7. Italian violin maker in Cremona. compartment of the stomach of rumi- 8. Income (at invoice values) received for ) Capricorn (December 22-January 19) nants). goods and services over some given period Cancer (June 21-July 22 17. A period marked by distinctive charac- of time. You can accomplish more today if you prepare in advance instead Powerful forces are at work today, yet they may be lurking in the ter or reckoned from a fixed point or event. 9. The compass point midway between of making everything up on the fly. Attending to your work commitments early shadows, leaving you on edge. However, it’s not your smartest move to accept 18. A resource. south and southeast. allows you to have time to get in touch with your feelings. Meeting your obliga- the adage, “out of sight, out of mind.” You might be tempted to overlook a 19. (Mexican) Corn and cornmeal dough 10. A state in midwestern United States. tions is honorable, but don’t be so focused on the clock that you miss a truly minor detail now, but the tiniest thing could be the catalyst that turns your day stuffed with a meat mixture then wrapped 11. Of or pertaining to or written in Altaic. wonderful chance to connect with your heart. Ultimately, it’s not your worldly around. Instead of jumping from one task to another, stick with each one until in corn husks and steamed. 12. Any of various plants of the genus success that matters; it’s the love you cultivate in your life that counts. you are sure that the energy has run its course. Determination is your friend. 20. Having or characterized or distin- Senna having pinnately compound leaves guished by tone or a specific tone. and showy usually yellow flowers. 22. An official language of the Republic of 13. Forced to turn and face attackers. South Africa. 14. A genus of Ploceidae. 24. A capacious bag or basket. 21. English scholastic philosopher and Leo (July 23-August 22) Aquarius (January 20- February 18) 25. (of complexion) Blemished by imperfec- assumed author of Occam's Razor (1285- tions of the skin. 1349). You want to catch up on financial matters today while your mental There are numerous benefits to working in close collaboration with 26. Inflammation of the gums. 23. City in eastern Belgium. acuity is sharp. However, the best application of your analytical skills isn’t to pay a partner now, whether you’re starting a new endeavor or just running through 29. Chipmunks of eastern North America. 27. A Loloish language. bills or balance your accounts. The current issues are more significant and affect your regular tasks. Someone might reveal important information that widens your 33. A virtually extinct Caucasian language 28. A block of solid substance (such as soap nearly every aspect of your world. If you must make a choice about allocating perspective. However, you may be so quick to judge the contributions of others spoken exclusively in Turkey. or wax). funds now, use your resources in the most practical way possible. Avoid making today that you shut them down before you hear what they have to say. Giving 36. A master's degree in library science. 30. A port city in southwestern Iran. quick assessments; instead, reflect on what’s of most value to you before gam- your peers a chance to express their ideas not only improves your work but also 40. A tax levied on the difference between 31. Relating to or having the nature of bling with your future. strengthens an important relationship in the process. a commodity's price before taxes and its myth. cost of production. 32. A civil or military authority in Turkey or 41. Without braces or props. Egypt. Virgo (August 23-September 22) 45. The habitation of wild animals. 34. Being three in one. Pisces (February 19-March 20) 46. Hormone secreted by the posterior 35. Any of various large keen-sighted diur- pituitary gland (trade name Pitressin) and nal birds of prey noted for their broad You might be uncomfortable with your irrational mood swings You may feel as if everything you do today doesn’t quite meet other also by nerve endings in the hypothala- wings and strong soaring flight. today while the emotional Moon visits your pragmatic sign. Avoid tasks that people’s standards. But the fact of the matter is someone might be highly critical of require high levels of concentration now, for you may not be able to prevent your actions if he or she doesn’t understand you or your behavior. Rather than mus. 37. (Babylonian) A demigod or first man. your mind from wandering. Even if you want to take the day off, you’re unwill- responding as if you are a victim, carefully explain your intentions one more time. 47. Have a certain weight. 38. Established by or founded upon law or ing to disappoint those who depend on you. However, scheduling short breaks Even if you’re heading back over familiar territory, it’s still more advantageous to 48. God of wealth and love. official or accepted rules. throughout the day improves your ability to capitalize on the brilliant ideas that share your hurt feelings instead of hiding them. Initiating an honest dialogue pro- 50. Concerning those not members of the 39. Make off with belongings of others. light up your mind. vides an opportunity to clear the air once and for all. clergy. 42. The compass point midway between 52. A Russian prison camp for political pris- north and west. oners. 43. Call upon in supplication. 54. South American armadillo with three 44. A logarithmic unit of sound intensity. WORD SEARCH PUZZLE Yesterday’s Solution bands of bony plates. 49. A large estate in Spanish-speaking 55. Having removed clothing. countries. 58. A colorless odorless gaseous element 51. Of or relating to or functioning as a that give a red glow in a vacuum tube. clause. 59. Young of domestic cattle. 53. English writer (born in Scotland) of chil- 60. Lower in esteem. dren's stories (1859-1932). 64. An Iranian language spoken in Pakistan 56. The elementary stages of any subject and Iran and Afghanistan and Russia and (usually plural). the Persian gulf. 57. The longer of the two telegraphic sig- 67. Large open car seating four with folding nals used in Morse code. top. 61. A member of a group of North 71. Collect or gather. American Indian peoples who spoke a 72. A member of the Siouan people for- Siouan language and who ranged from merly living in the Missouri river valley in Lake Michigan to the Rocky Mountains. NE Nebraska. 62. A British doctorate. 75. Plant with an elongated head of broad 63. A white soft metallic element that tar- stalked leaves resembling celery. nishes readily. 76. A narrow elongated opening or fissure 65. Type genus of the Amiidae. between two symmetrical parts. 66. A Tibetan or Mongolian priest of 78. A notable achievement. Lamaism. 79. Any of numerous local fertility and 68. A unit of weight used in east Asia nature deities worshipped by ancient Semitic peoples. approximately equal to 1.3 ounces. 80. Expel air. 69. An organization of countries formed in 81. Type genus of the Alcidae comprising 1961 to agree on a common policy for the solely the razorbill. sale of petroleum. 70. A quantity of no importance. DOWN 73. A hormone secreted by the anterior 1. Singing jazz. pituitary gland that controls the degree of 2. The capital of Western Samoa. pigmentation in melanocytes. 3. An informal term for a father. 74. A flat wing-shaped process or winglike 4. Feline mammal usually having thick soft part of an organism. fur and being unable to roar. 77. A state in New England. Yesterday’s Solution

Daily SuDoku Yesterday’s Solution TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2015 information

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Models present creations for fashion house Bottega Veneta at the Men Spring-Summer 2016 Milan’s Fashion Week. —AFP photos

Models present creations for fashion house Salvatore Ferragamo. ilky comfort is emerging as a trend on the second day of Smenswear previews for next spring and summer during Milan Fashion Week. Bottega Veneta designer Tomas Maier joined col- leagues Versace and Dolce&Gabbana in offering silken pajama-inspired looks, down to the classic stripe, to handle the warm weather. The out- fits surprisingly can sometimes take the form of suits, becoming office wear for the style-minded. Here’s some highlights from the shows Sunday by Bottega Veneta, Salvatore Ferragamo, Calvin Klein, Missoni and Prada.

Returning to nature Maier’s spring/summer collection for Bottega Veneta took it outside - with looks and gear suitable for strolling in the Bavarian Alps or along the coast, if not all trail ready then at least lodge appropriate. Models present creations for fashion house Calvin Klein Collection. Maier said the collection “is about the fascination of a journey back to nature.” Tapping his Teutonic origins, the German designer incorporated details from Lederhosen on lambskin suede trousers, from the drawstring waist closures to the button-down calves. He wisely eschewed the tradi- tional checked button-down shirt, pairing the bottoms with, say, a cot- ton sweater and Gabardine jacket. The looks were finished with san- dals featuring rope details or hiking boots, both worn with two-tone ribbed wool socks. And then Maier took his duffel or quilted backpack and headed for the seaside with cot- ton-pull-on pants that gathered on the calf, ready to wade right in, and crochet caps in bright purple and peacock blue. The collection culmi- nated with silken suits with a comfy pajama feel made out of cupro, a regenerated cotton fiber often used as a silk substitute, and paired with flip-flops. Models present creations for fashion house Prada. The outdoor looks tended toward lifestyle TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2015 Fashion

natural and washed-out colors, while the suit jackets and matching trousers were stronger shades of olive green, blue and maroon, often in stripes. Menswear star model Lucky Blue Smith continued his Milan run, taking a turn for Bottega after Versace and Philipp Plein. While Plein singled him out with a ride on the back of a stunt motor- cycle, the 17-year-old American model was just one of the blokes for Bottega, No. 40 in the lineup.

Ferragamo whimsy for the youthful dresser Massimo Giornetti reached for a youthful audience with an idiosyncratic collection that included off-kilter graphic prints of cacti and monkeys, bold color panels on suits and pinstripes dressing up bomber jackets. Menswear is a big part of Ferragamo’s heritage and rep- resents 40 percent of its business, a rare event in the female-oriented fashion universe. Signaling the collec- tion’s eclecticism, Ferragamo dressed up its showroom with art deco furniture, hot house plants and a life-size carved gorilla - the dwelling of an eccentric adventurer. For the more traditional customer, there were double- breasted and single-button suit jackets, often paired with more adventurous color-block tops. Giornetti tapped the brand’s leatherwear DNA with an ultra-luxuri- ous graphic shirt that appeared to be panels of brightly colored crocodile. Its more interesting, and updated, read of the classic suit included shorter jackets and contrasting stitching. The most obsequious bag was a belted wallet, and shoes included sandals and sneakers with Velcro-closures cov- ering the tongue. Baseball caps underlined the collec- tion’s everyday nature. The oft-overlooked belt is actual- ly the brand’s big seller and came in rich black and brown combinations.

Back to basics Is there anything more refreshing to the fashion palate than blue jeans, a white T-shirt and a pair of well- cut Khaki colored trousers that aren’t chinos? It’s back to basics at Calvin Klein, where men’s creative director Italo Zucchelli presented a utilitarian collection for spring/summer 2016 that works for the man, and not the other way around. The mainly monochrome looks fea- tured T-shirts or sweaters with suit jackets and tailored trousers, or for more casual outings simply T-shirts with jeans or trousers, usually cuffed. Staple T-shirts were plain or with a faded graphic palm tree. There were a series of sleeveless tops in black-red-and-gray waves for the more fantasy-minded. For evening, simply add a little sheen to the fabric and you are off. In keeping with the uniformity theme, models’ hair was cut short and worn sleek. —AP Models present creations for fashion house Missoni. lifestyle TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2015

Music & Movies Jazz and classical musician Gunther Schuller dies at 89

unther Schuller, a horn player, educator and Pulitzer sical techniques. He would go on to perform and record with which earned a Grammy Award for best chamber music per- DC, dedicated to performing and preserving American jazz Prize-winning composer who was the leading propo- such jazz greats as JJ Johnson, Eric Dolphy, Dizzy Gillespie, formance in 1973 for the album “Joplin: The Red Back Book” masterpieces. He also helped put together an all-star orchestra Gnent of the Third Stream movement fusing jazz and Ornette Coleman and Charles Mingus. In the mid-1950s, he and helped spur a ragtime revival. Schuller won two more and conducted a 1989 performance of the late jazz bassist classical music, died Sunday at age 89. His son, Ed Schuller, said teamed up with the classically trained jazz pianist John Lewis, Grammys for writing liner notes. Charles Mingus’ epic work “Epitaph,” which was also released his father died Sunday morning at a hospital in Boston. He said musical director of the Modern Jazz Quartet, to form the on record. He regularly appeared as a guest conductor with his father had several medical conditions. “He was a great Modern Jazz Society in an effort to bring jazz and classical Educational works orchestras. As writer, Schuller authored both educational works musician. I loved him and we will miss him,” Schuller, a bassist, music together. Schuller felt musicians from both genres could In 1990, Schuller and David Baker founded and conducted and jazz histories, including “Early Jazz: Its Roots and Musical said. “He had a great life, he lived his dream.” As a composer, learn from each other. the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra in Washington, Development” (1968) and “The Swing Era: The Development of Schuller wrote more than 200 compositions, including solo During a 1957 lecture at Brandeis University, Schuller Jazz, 1930-1945.” In 2011, he published the first volume of his and orchestral works, chamber music, opera and jazz. His coined the term “Third Stream” to describe his vision of what autobiography, “Gunther Schuller: A Life in Pursuit of Music orchestral work, “Of Reminiscences and Reflections,” dedicated would result if the two main streams of music in the US got and Beauty.” to his wife Marjorie Black, won the 1994 Pulitzer Prize for Music. married and begat a child. Schuller and Lewis introduced their Schuller’s major orchestral works include “Symphony” Schuller, who was born on Nov 22, 1925, in New York, came Third Stream compositions on two Columbia albums, “Music (1965), “Seven Studies of Paul Klee” (1959) and “An Arc from a family of classical musicians. His grandfather was a con- for Brass” and “Modern Jazz Concert” in 1957-58. “When I start- Ascending” (1996). He composed two operas: “The Visitation” ductor in Germany and his father was a violinist with the New ed the whole thing in 1957 with the Third Stream ... it was (1966), based on a Franz Kafka story; and the children’s opera York Philharmonic. Schuller developed into a virtuoso on extremely controversial,” Schuller said in a 2010 interview with “The Fisherman and his Wife” with text by John Updike, derived French horn. As a teenager, he began playing with the jazz writer Mark Myers. “I was vilified on both sides. Classical from the Grimm fairy tale. His noted Third Stream-style compo- American Ballet Theater and Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra in musicians, composers and critics all thought that classical sitions include “Transformation for Jazz Ensemble” (1957, the ‘40s, and then joined the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, would be contaminated by this lowly jazz music, this black “Concerto for Jazz Quartet and Orchestra (1959) and “Variants where he remained until 1959. Schuller discovered a whole music. And jazz musicians and critics said, ‘My god, classical on a Theme of Thelonious Monk (1960). In 2008, Schuller was new musical world when he heard Duke Ellington on the radio music is going to stultify our great, spontaneous music.’ It was named a Jazz Master by the National Endowment for the Arts, one night while doing his high school homework. “I said to my all nonsense and ignorance, of course. Eventually the two the nation’s highest jazz honor. Earlier this year, the MacDowell father, ‘You know, Pop, I heard some music - Duke Ellington - came together anyway.” Schuller and Lewis also founded the Colony, a prestigious artists’ residence program, awarded him last night and that music is as great as Beethoven’s and Lenox School of Jazz in western Massachusetts, which brought its lifetime achievement award “for setting an example of dis- Mozart’s,’” Schuller said in a 2009 NPR interview. “And he almost over Coleman from the West Coast for its summer program in covery and experimentation” as a composer and teacher. — AP had a heart attack because that was a heretical thing to say.” 1959 shortly before the free jazz pioneer made his history- making New York debut. Describe the vision By the 1960s, Schuller had largely given up performing to Schuller’s newfound passion led him to frequent New York focus on composing, teaching and writing. He served as presi- jazz clubs, where he became involved in the burgeoning dent of the New England Conservatory in Boston from 1967- This June 28, 1967, file photo shows bebop scene in the late 1940s. Although French horn was 77, where he established the first degree-granting jazz pro- Gunther Schuller, who wrote and rarely used in jazz ensembles, Schuller began his jazz career as gram at a major classical conservatory and instituted the Third directed the opera ‘Visitation,’ at the part of trumpeter Miles Davis’ group that recorded the seminal Stream department with pianist Ran Blake as its chair. He also Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln 1949-50 “Birth of the Cool” sessions, which fused jazz and clas- founded the New England Conservatory Ragtime Ensemble, Center in New York City. — AP Richard Gere to receive Crystal Globe at Karlovy Vary Film Festival This undated recent he Karlovy Vary Film Festival, which is Central and Reinhard Heydrich by Czechoslovak paratroopers. Dornan will handout picture Eastern Europe’s leading film event, is to honor Richard play the role of one of them, Jan Kubis. received yesterday by TGere. The actor will receive the festival’s highest award, Also at Karlovy Vary will be director Ryan Fleck, who will be the Bavarian State the Crystal Globe for outstanding contribution to world cine- presenting the poker road movie “Mississippi Grind,” which he Opera shows Russian ma. The festival, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this directed in tandem with Anna Boden. Director Saverio conductor Kirill year, will open with Oren Moverman’s “Time Out of Mind,” in Constanzo and actress Alba Rohrwacher will introduce their Petrenko. — AFP which Gere plays a homeless person in today’s New York, film “Hungry Hearts” at the festival. George A Romero, creator whose only hope in an otherwise desperate existence is to try of cult horror films such as “Night of the Living Dead,” will also to find reconciliation with his long estranged daughter. Gere be a guest at the fest, where he will present a screening of will be joined on the red carpet by Moverman and actress Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger’s “Tales of Hoffmann. Jena Malone, who plays Johanna Mason in the “Hunger The film adaptation of Jacques Offenbach’s opera will be Games” franchise. screened in a newly restored version. Berlin Philharmonic chooses Among Gere’s standout movies cited by the festival include his breakthrough performances in Paul Schrader’s “American Gigolo” and Taylor Hackford’s “An Officer and a Gentleman,” which brought him his first nomination for a Golden Globe; Russia’s Petrenko as new chief Francis Ford Coppola’s jazz-era film “Cotton Club”; the role of he prestigious Berlin Philharmonic, Wagner’s massive four-opera “Ring” cycle in villain in Mike Figgis’ crime drama “Internal Affairs”; and a sec- regarded as one of the world’s best 2001. After that, he moved to Berlin’s Komische ond Golden Globe nomination for the role of millionaire Torchestras, tapped 43-year-old Russian Oper (Comic Opera) from 2002 until 2007 when Edward Lewis in Garry Marshall’s romantic hit “Pretty Woman.” Kirill Petrenko as its new chief conductor, it he was invited to conduct some of the world’s Other films mentioned by the festival included Jon Amiel’s announced in a surprise move yesterday. In a leading orchestras. Extremely modest and self- romantic drama “Sommersby,” the musical “Chicago,” for which secret vote the day before, the orchestra’s 124 effacing, Petrenko has a reputation for being a he received a Golden Globe, and Robert Altman’s “delicate musicians picked Petrenko “by a big majority” as perfectionist, a fanatically meticulous “musi- study of relationships” “Dr.T & the Women.” a successor to Britain’s Sir Simon Rattle, who is cian’s conductor”, painstaking in his preparation The festival will also screen Gere starrer “Franny,” Andrew stepping down in 2018, orchestra leaders said in and rehearsals and with the ability to can draw Renzi’s drama about a philanthropist who gets involved in the a hastily-arranged news conference. out the very best from his orchestra. He never lives of a young married couple in an attempt to compensate Petrenko, currently general music director gives interviews and has made few recordings. for traumas of the past. Renzi will be at the festival to present (GMD) at the Bavarian State Opera in Munich, Despite effusive praise heaped on his “Ring” in the film with Gere. The festival will close with “Sleeping with was not at the news conference but said in a Bayreuth-which he conducts for the last time Other People,” one of the hits of this year’s Sundance festival, statement released by the orchestra that words this year-he refuses to allow a live recording to presented by the director, Leslye Headland. The romantic could not sum up the emotions he felt on tak- be made. With an infectious smile, he has quick- comedy centers on Jake and Lainey, who spend one crazy ing over. His start date is still being negotiated. ly wowed critics and audiences alike in Munich. night together in a college dorm room, the first such affair for “I will mobilize all my strength to be a worthy He was named Conductor of the Year by both of them. When they run into each other in New York 12 leader of this extraordinary orchestra and am Germany’s leading opera magazine Opernwelt years later, they find out that in the meantime both of their aware also of the responsibility and the high in 2014. love-lives have been dogged by problems with infidelity. They US actor Richard expectations,” he said in a statement. make a deal to form a strictly platonic friendship in spite of a The festival unveiled its international juries on Monday. Gere arrives for the The announcement was unexpected after Secret vote strong mutual attraction for the sake of helping each other The grand jury will include US theater operator and film dis- 61st Taormina Film members of the orchestra failed to elect a new The Berlin Philharmonic is unique in the find a healthy relationship. tributor Tim League of Alamo Drafthouse. He co-founded Festival, in Taormina, chief conductor in May but said they would try world of classical music in that it chooses its Fantastic Fest, and runs distribution label Drafthouse Films. Sicily Island, Italy, again “within a year”. While Petrenko’s name was chief conductor itself. On May 11, the 124 voting Newly restored version Also on the jury are Russian director, screenwriter and produc- Wednesday, June 17, frequently mentioned as a possible candidate, members had been called to a church building Among other guests at the festival will be Harvey Keitel, er Angelina Nikonova, Icelandic actor and producer Olafur 2015. — AP he had been seen as having only an outside in the southwest of the German capital at who was awarded the Crystal Globe for outstanding artistic Darri Olafsson, Iranian-born French-based producer-sales chance because he is notoriously media-shy, a around 0800 GMT. Members are sworn to contribution to world cinema in 2004. Keitel will be accompa- agent Hengameh Panahi, who is the president of Celluloid trait which would not seem to sit well with such secrecy and are even required to leave their nying Paolo Sorrentino’s new film “Youth,” in which he plays a Dreams, and Ondrej Zach, senior VP for programming, HBO a high-profile appointment. mobile phones and any recording devices out- lead role alongside Michael Caine. Another guest will be “Fifty Europe, and head of programming and acquisitions for HBO side for the conclave, often likened to a papal Shades of Grey” star Jamie Dornan. He will accompany direc- Europe in the Czech Republic. — Reuters ‘ Musician’s conductor’ election, minus the white smoke. But the vote tor Sean Ellis to present their new film, “Anthropoid,” which Petrenko was born in Omsk, in southwest was delayed several times through the evening, begins filming in the Czech Republic next month. The World Siberia, in 1972. The son of a violinist and musi- as musicians huddled inside the red-brick build- War II action adventure, which is being produced by US studio cologist, he studied piano at the local conserva- ing, a space which the orchestra has repeatedly LD Entertainment, deals with the assassination of Nazi chief tory and performed as a soloist with the town’s used for performances and recordings since orchestra at the age of 11. He first came to inter- World War II.—AFP national attention while GMD in the tiny town of Meiningen in the east German state of Thuringia for his interpretation of Richard

‘Jurassic World’ to become fastest film to cross $1 billion urassic World” is poised to cross $1 The film has shattered expectations. billion at the global box office Going into the summer, analysts expect- “J more quickly than any film before ed that the picture would be overshad- it. The dinosaur blockbuster should eclipse owed by “Minions” and “Avengers: Age of that mark on Monday after 13 days in the- Ultron.” Now, it has a chance of being the aters, trumping the record set earlier this highest-grossing release of the year, A group of musicians from the National Palace wait to perform at the Haitian President, Michel Martelly with the First Lady Sophia Martelly year by “Furious 7,” which took 17 days to potentially giving “Star Wars: The Force rebuilt Cine Triomphe.— AFP photos attend to the inauguration of the rebuilt CineTriomphe in Port-au-Prince. pass that barrier. Currently, the Universal Awakens” a run for its money when it release’s worldwide total sits at $981.3 mil- debuts this December. — Reuters lion, after topping foreign charts this weekend with a $160.5 million haul from Haiti’s Triomphe cinema reopens after decades in the dark 66 territories. t’s been nearly three decades since Haiti’s Emmelie Prophete, director of Haiti’s copyright day, when it was the largest theater in the Caribbean Triomphe cinema shuttered its doors, but the sto- office. “We’ve missed this.” and attracted big-name entertainers such as French- Iried theater is back-and with a bit of Hollywood The audience filed into the refurbished theater- Armenian singer Charles Aznavour and Spanish swag to boot. With the red carpet rolled out and an newly outfitted with classic velvet seats, spotlights crooner Julio Iglesias. official photographer in place, some of Haiti’s top and a heavy curtain on stage in front of the big entertainers celebrated Triomphe’s grand reopen- screen. The theater, on the main Champs de Mars Cinema nostalgia ing, a sign for many that things might finally be turn- square, was rebuilt with funds from the government, For Prophete, the theater’s reopening has deep ing after the devastating earthquake in 2010. The which took over the crumbling structure. The nostalgic significance too. “It’s a part of childhood theater closed its doors in 1987, and like so many reopening marks a new chapter for the cinema, for people of my generation that is coming back to iconic Port-au-Prince buildings, was destroyed in the whose ruins had been occupied by squatters, home- life,” said Prophete, in her 40s. And now, Triomphe massive quake that killed more than 250,000 people less children and merchants for several years. Now, will shape a new set of memories for Haiti’s youth, and shattered much of the country’s infrastructure. Haiti’s leaders hope the space will usher in a new era many of whom have never been to the movies. No films have been publicly screened anywhere of cultural production, artistic creativity and, above “Many teenagers will be able to discover what it for six years, in a country where access to basics- all, hope for Haiti’s young people. means to go to the cinema... this is another way of such as clean water and electricity-are a daily strug- “We are very happy to return this space to the enjoying art, another life.” As the evening’s program gle, let alone film projectors and screens. The sym- people of Haiti, a country where young people are gets underway, the theater is plunged into darkness bolic re-opening of Triomphe, which means “tri- looking for entertainment and safe spaces where and the heavy curtain is drawn.—AFP umph” in English, is an important turning point for they can have fun,” President Michel Martelly, a for- the impoverished island nation. “It gives us the feel- mer pop star, said at the inauguration. Many hope ing of being somewhere very normal on Earth,” said Triomphe’s rebirth will allow for a return to its hey- lifestyle TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2015

Awards MuchMusic Video Awards winners 2015: Ed Sheeran, One Direction and more

Video of the Year The Weeknd - Often

Best Post Production Zeds Dead Ft Twin Shadow And D’Angelo Lacy - Lost You

Best EDM/Dance Video Grandtheft & Keys N Krates - Keep It 100

Best Director The Weeknd - Often, Director Sam Pilling

Best Pop Video The Weeknd - Earned It

Best Rock/Alternative Video Arcade Fire - We Exist Sarah Hyland, left, speaks as Ed Sheeran holds a cat as he hosts the 2015 Much Music Video Awards in Toronto on Sunday. — AP/AFP photos Best Hip Hop Video P Reign Ft Drake & Future - DnF

Bella Thorne, left, screams on stage with Ed Sheeran. Best MuchFact Video Majid Jordan - Forever

Best International Artist Ed Sheeran - Thinking Out Loud

Most Buzz worthy International Artist or Group Ed Sheeran - Thinking Out Loud

Most Buzzworthy Canadian The Weeknd - Earned It

Fan Fave Artist or Group Justin Bieber

Fan Fave Video Tyler Posey does a hand stand in the press room. Shawn Mendes - Something Big

Fan Fave International Artist or Group One Direction — hollywoodlife.com Shawn Mendes performs on stage.

Nick Jonas performs on stage.

Carly Rae Jepsen arrives at the Much Music Video Awards. The Weeknd performs on stage.

Ed Sheeran and Emil Nava pose in the press room. The Weeknd poses in the press room. Cody Simpson arrives at the Much Music Video Awards.

OMI arrives at the Much Music Video Awards. Jason Derulo performs on stage. Scott Helman performs on stage. MuchMusic Video Awards winners 2015: Ed Sheeran, One Direction and more

TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2015 39

An Egyptian dawn awakener or ‘Mesaharati’ beats his drum as he rides his donkey to wake up Muslims for a meal before sunrise during the holy month of Ramadan, in Cairo, Egypt, yesterday. Ramadan is the time Muslims believe God started to reveal the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). — AP Benin smartphone app Hungarian supergranny brings museums into homes closes in on world dmiring paintings or photographs by Africa’s greatest realized that like many other African countries, there were no chess record contemporary artists is a luxury in Benin, where muse- museums in Benin to showcase the continent’s contemporary Aums are scarce and most people lack money to travel far- art, despite its growing popularity elsewhere. Leading African n 87-year-old Hungarian woman aims this weekend to ther afield. But a new application developed by a foundation artists were virtually absent from art sales just a decade ago but set a world record by beating 1920s Cuban chess grand- based in Cotonou, the largest city in this West African state, is now contemporary works feature strongly in several interna- Amaster Jose Raul Capablanca at his own game: simulta- seeking to bring art to the masses by allowing anyone with tional auction houses. Bonhams in London recently described neous play. Since the 1950s, Brigitta Sinka, a former top ama- access to a printer and smartphone or tablet to turn their place the continent as “one of our hottest properties on the art block”. teur player, has played around 13,000 documented games of into a museum. “For 10 years, the Zinsou Foundation has been Since 2005, the foundation’s show room in Cotonou puts on simultaneous chess across Hungary, usually on dozens of striving to bring contemporary art to people who don’t have free exhibitions of Beninese and foreign artists, and once show- boards at the one time, taking on all-comers, many of them schoolchildren. With preparations underway for a weekend- access to it because we think culture is a right, not a luxury,” said cased US legend Jean-Michel Basquiat-a first in Africa. In 2013, it Hungarian chess master, the 87-year-old Brigitta Sinka, Marie-Cecile Zinsou, the Franco-Beninese head of the founda- opened a museum in an old building of the former slave trade long event she calls a “final push”, she hopes to play the final few hundred games needed to overtake a total 13,545 — presents a game in her home in Budapest as she has tion that created the “Wakpon” app. hub of Ouidah, some 40 kilometers (25 miles) away from recently played her 12000th simultaneous game that is Cotonou. All in all, nearly five million people have visited both attributed to Capablanca (1888-1942), one of the world’s best- ever players. the highest number of games ever completed by a places in a decade most of them them children who often woman master in simultaneous play.— AFP photos come the first time with their schools, return on their own and “Chess is my life, simultaneous play is my passion,” grey- then bring their families. Zinsou said the Wakpon app-which haired Sinka said during a short break from a playing excited once downloaded does not need to be connected to the teenagers inside a circle of 16 tables in a Budapest high school. Internet-aims to widen access to a broader population. “In one hour, I’ve gone round 30 times, you can count how many meters that is, soon it will be kilometers,” she laughed. ‘Tomorrow’s museum’ Sinka, whose nickname is Auntie Bici (pronounced “Bitzi”), Mobile phone penetration has been low in Benin, particular- clocked up thousands of games around Hungary playing at ly for smartphones, because of poor infrastructure. But compe- summer camps for schoolchildren hosted by her employer for tition from international mobile operators and under-sea cables many decades, a communist-era metal recycling firm. “I love is increasing take-up, as prices come down for both handsets seeing the twinkle in the children’s eyes when they play, chess and Internet services. “This application is amazing,” said develops their brains like no other game,” says Sinka, who gives Beninese artist Romuald Hazoume, whose work has been each of her young opponents a miniature rosette she sews at showcased abroad and is also available on the app. “African home as a memento. people will be able to have access to their culture, to their artists who are known around the world but whom they cannot Practice makes perfect Picture of a new smartphone application that allows peo- see due to a lack of exhibition sites, of money or visas. Thirteen-year-old Martin is impressed.”She always sees ple to view pictures and works of art at the Zinsou “It’s like a bait. People will know works of art, their story, and ahead where I’m going to move, it seems the older you are, the Foundation for modern art in Ouidah. they will want to see them for real. It’s tomorrow’s museum and better player you become,” the schoolboy said. Neither Sinka’s Brigitta Sinka, presents a game in her home. it’s what all big collections should be doing.” In the Cotonou energy nor ambition has been deterred by three heart opera- Budding art enthusiasts need only print out colorful images showroom, those who visit are given a Wakpon demonstration tions in recent years. In hospital-where she recorded 14 simulta- available on the app’s website onto pieces of A4 paper and at the end of their tour. “Wakpon” means “come and see” in Fon, neous games with the nurses-she recalls the doctors advising hang them on the walls of their home, school or government the most widely spoken local language in Benin. “It’s great. My her to quit playing. “They gave me a walking stick, but it kept building-just like paintings in a museum. Visitors can then aim cousin has a good telephone, I’m going to plead with him to falling over when I leant on the tables with one hand and made at these images with their smartphones or tablets using the activate the application and our entire district will take a look,” my moves with the other, then they realized chess keeps my app, and a painting by Benin’s voodoo artist Cyprien says Obed, 15, who came with his class. Zinsou said people in body strong and my mind sharp”. Tokoudagba or a photo of Nigerian hairstyles by J.D. Okhai Africa had a tendency to think that culture will emerge only In 2010, with her total around 9,000 games, a chess historian Ojeikere will pop up, alongside information on the work of art. once their countries are developed. “But no, culture is essential told her that he had spotted Capablanca’s total in a biography All in all, 44 pieces by 10 artists are available on the app, all tak- for development,” she added. — AFP of the Cuban great. “I was unaware of it before then, so I en from the foundation’s collection. thought I’d have a go at beating it,” she said. Around a century ago Capablanca played high-speed simultaneous exhibition Low visibility for African art chess for money but his games, despite being counted, were Zinsou said she convinced her father, who has just been undocumented. Sinka however has meticulously recorded in named Benin prime minister, to set up the foundation after she scrapbooks every game she has played-where, when, oppo- nent, and result-each signed off by a witness. She hopes the Guinness Records adjudicators will acknowledge her feat as an Brigitta Sinka poses for a picture as she plays her simul- official world record. taneous chess game. Born in 1928 and raised on a remote farm on the Great Hungarian Plain, her father taught her the chess moves by the age of four. She was twice selected to play at the women’s Chess Olympiads, but missed out both times. At the inaugural event in 1957 her passport to leave her then-communist home- land was delayed in the post, then in 1960 Hungary was part of an Eastern Bloc boycott. Arriving too late to compete in the 1957 event in the Netherlands had a silver lining however, as she was invited to play in a sidelines chess event, her first ever six simultaneous games. “She’s been unstoppable ever since,” smiles Eszter Erdei, her childhood friend now helping her document the game details. And her victory rate? A whopping 86 percent, with your correspondent-although it won’t count for the record-added with impressive ease to her many scalps. — AFP

Brigitta Sinka plays her simultaneous chess game in the A man holds a new smartphone application that allows people to view pictures and works of art at the Zinsou Budenz school. Foundation for modern art.— AFP photos