SHAWWAL 23, 1440 AH WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2019

28 Pages Max 50º Min 33º 150 Fils Established 1961

ISSUE NO: 17866 The First Daily in the Arabian Gulf www.kuwaittimes.net

Kuwait urges more efforts Critics hit out at millions spent Nicaragua puffing up status in Australia crush England to 3 against ‘forces of darkness’ 6 on Harry and Meghan’s home 22 rarefied world of premium cigars 28 reach World Cup semifinals

Kushner pitches ‘Opportunity of Century’, Kuwait boycotts meet

US insists Palestinian economic plan precondition to peace • UN seeks funds for UNRWA

MANAMA: Jared Kushner yesterday not possible without an enduring and fair Op-Ed called for the Palestinians to accept the political solution to the conflict - one that “Opportunity of the Century” that he guarantees Israel’s security and respects says will pump $50 billion into a stagnant the dignity of the Palestinian people,” he The wildfire economy but told them they must first said. But Kushner said that the political agree if they want a peace deal. Opening plan would come later - and that the the long-awaited Middle East peace ini- Palestinians should first embrace the eco- of hate speech tiative of his father-in-law, US President nomic component, which promises bil- Donald Trump, at a conference in Bahrain, lions of dollars in investment in infrastruc- Kushner insisted that the administration ture, tourism and education. has not “given up” on the Palestinians, “My direct message to the Palestinian whose leadership is boycotting the US- people, is that despite what those who led “economic workshop”. have let you down in the past say, “Agreeing on an economic pathway President Trump and America have not By Antonio Guterres, forward is a necessary pre-condition to given up on you,” he said. While dismiss- UN Secretary-General resolving the previously unsolvable politi- ing the mocking description of his peace cal issues,” Kushner said as he opened plan as the “Deal of the Century”, he the two-day event before a gala dinner. In quickly offered another label. “This effort round the world, hate is on the march. A a data-driven presentation in the style of is better referred to as the Opportunity of menacing wave of intolerance and hate- a corporate executive, the 38-year-old the Century, if the leadership has the based violence is targeting worshippers of adviser to Trump and family friend of courage to pursue it.” A Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Kuwait’s National Assembly Speaker many faiths across the globe. Sadly - and dis- turbingly - such vicious incidents are becoming all Netanyahu acknowledged the need for a Marzouq Al-Ghanem said yesterday the political solution. Kuwaiti parliament is defending fateful BEIRUT: Palestinians hold placards outside the United Nations headquarters to too familiar. In recent months, we have seen Jews protest against a US-sponsored Middle East economic conference in Bahrain murdered in synagogues, their gravestones “To be clear, economic growth and Arab and Muslim issues, upon HH the prosperity for the Palestinian people are yesterday. — AFP defaced with swastikas; Muslims gunned down in Continued on Page 24 mosques, their religious sites vandalized; Christians killed at prayer, their churches torched. Beyond these horrific attacks, increasingly loathsome rhetoric is being aimed not only at reli- gious groups but also minorities, migrants, No-confidence motion filed refugees, women and any so-called “other”. As the wildfire of hate spreads, social media is being exploited for bigotry. Neo-Nazi and white against Hajraf; Ghanem supremacist movements are growing. And incendi- ary rhetoric is being weaponized for political gain. warns of ‘hidden agendas’ Hate is moving into the mainstream in liberal democracies and authoritarian regimes alike - and By B Izzak called “hidden agendas” by some MPs casting a shadow over our common humanity. The and others who are spreading rumors United Nations has a long history of mobilizing the KUWAIT: Ten lawmakers yesterday that the Assembly will be dissolved and world against hatred of all kinds through wide- filed a no-confidence motion against that the minister had resigned. The ranging action to defend human rights and advance Finance Minister Nayef Al-Hajraf after speaker denied both. the rule of law. Indeed, the very identity and estab- a quick and surprising grilling debate Opposition Islamist MP Mohammad lishment of the Organization are rooted in the for refusing to abolish interest on loans Hayef on Monday filed to grill Hajraf, nightmare that ensues when virulent hatred is left taken by pensioners. Following the accusing him of not fulfilling a promise KUWAIT: Opposition Islamist MP Mohammad Hayef gestures during a session of unopposed for too long. motion, Assembly Speaker Marzouq to abolish interest on loans taken by Al-Ghanem warned against what he Continued on Page 24 the National Assembly yesterday. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat Continued on Page 24

Tehran was defiant yesterday, saying the new US Aqeel said special tests are being currently set for Tehran to ditch more sanctions against Iran showed Washington was “lying” Expat workers 20 technical jobs and crafts and stressed that the con- about an offer of talks. “At the same time as you call for ditions to be followed include commitment to the quali- negotiations you seek to sanction the foreign minister? fication degree and specialty, the activity practiced, nuke curbs as Trump It’s obvious that you’re lying,” President Hassan face new tests, passing the set tests and having the required certifi- Rouhani said. Rouhani, a pragmatist who won two elec- cates of experience. Aqeel added that transfers will be warns of ‘obliteration’ tions on promises to open Iran up to the world, said the transfer curbs allowed within the same sector from one technical pro- White House’s actions were “mentally retarded” - an fession to another based on certain regulations regard- TEHRAN: Iran said yesterday it will further free itself insult that other Iranian officials have used in the past less of the educational level or degree, if a worker had from the 2015 nuclear deal in defiance of new American By A Saleh about Trump, but a departure from Rouhani’s own com- entered Kuwait as a technician or craftsman. sanctions as US President Donald Trump warned the paratively measured tone over the years. “Tehran’s Islamic republic of “overwhelming” retaliation for any strategic patience does not mean we have fear,” he said. KUWAIT: The manpower authority issued a number Aqeel explained that professions for which workers attacks. Tensions between Iran and the US have spi- A top security official said Iran would “resolutely” of decisions to regulate the presence of expat workers will be subjected to tests initially include auto mechan- ralled since last year when Trump withdrew the United abandon more commitments under the nuclear deal on in Kuwait, namely those doing technical jobs as per ics, electrical technicians, safety and security supervi- States from the deal under which Tehran was to curb its July 7. Iran had announced on May 8 that it was sus- their work permits. Minister of State for Economic sors, pipefitters, land surveyors, aluminum technicians, nuclear program in exchange for relief from economic pending two of its 2015 pledges and gave Europe, Affairs Mariam Al-Aqeel said the regulations will limit welders, turnery operators, advertisement and publici- sanctions. China and Russia a two-month ultimatum to help it cir- all forms of manipulations and eventually put an end to ty representatives, salesmen, irrigation grid techni- The two archrivals have been locked in an escalating cumvent US sanctions and sell oil or it would abandon visa trafficking. cians, steel reinforcement workers, construction car- war of words since Iran shot down a US surveillance two more commitments. “The manpower authority has set very strict meas- penters, asphalt lab technicians, purchase officers, drone in what it said was its own airspace, a claim the “As of July 7, Iran will forcefully take the second step ures including banning the change of a worker’s profes- accountants, librarians, legal consultants and legal US vehemently denies. On Monday, Washington of reducing its commitments” to the nuclear deal, Rear sion or educational level except through certain meas- clerks. Aqeel explained that in case a worker desires to stepped up pressure by blacklisting Iran’s supreme Admiral Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme ures,” Aqeel said, adding that in case of changing pro- leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and top military chiefs, National Security Council, was quoted as saying by fessions to become an educator for persons with spe- change their profession, they will have to depart and saying it would also sanction Foreign Minister Fars news agency. This was so “countries who cial needs, a worker will be subjected to specific tests, a return with a new work visa matching the degree they Mohammad Javad Zarif later in the week. Continued on Page 24 measure that will be later applied to other professions. want to use for work.

has come under heavy regime and Russian eral gas stoves” up to the olive grove. But Homeless Syrians bombardment since late April, despite a truce under the summer sun in the makeshift camp, deal intended to protect the jihadist-run the merchandise soon plummeted in value. “I enclave’s three million inhabitants. The spike in was forced to get rid of it or sell it - even at a sell furniture violence in and around Idlib province has killed very low price,” the 35-year-old said, his chin hundreds of civilians, displaced 330,000 more, stubble already greying under a head of thick to survive and sparked fears of one of the worst humani- dark brown hair. tarian disasters in the eight-year civil war. For example, the going price for a fridge Abu Ali, his wife and their children fled their originally bought for 25,000 Syrian pounds ATME, Syria: For years, Abu Ali sold used fur- home in southern Idlib in early May, hitting the (more than $55) can be as low as a fifth of that niture and home appliances for a living. But he road north to seek shelter in the relative safety price. In Atme, some families have stored their never thought Syria’s war would one day make of the olive groves close to the border. “I used fridges and other appliances in a single tent to him homeless and force him to sell his own. His to have a shop to buy and sell used items,” such protect them from the elements. Outside, a family is one of dozens stranded in olive groves as fridges and furniture in the village of Maaret top-loader washing machine sits in the shade along the Turkish border, who say they have Hurma, he told AFP, sitting in the shade of a of a tree. had to sell their basic possessions to ensure tree near the border town of Atme. Awad Abu Abdu, 35, said he too was forced survival. “I sold them to provide food, drink and A few days after fleeing his home village, he to part with all his household items for a pit- ABYAN, Syria: Displaced Syrian men ride with their belongings in a truck as they head clothes for my children,” said the father of five, hired two trucks for 50,000 Syrian pounds tance. “It was very dear to me. It was all I had to sell them on the outskirts of this Syrian town in the rebel-held western Aleppo who now houses his family in a tent. (over $110) to bring “eight fridges, bedroom accumulated over a lifetime of hard work,” said province on June 13, 2019. — AFP An opposition bastion in Syria’s northwest furnishings, seven washing machines, and sev- Contiued on Page 24 2 Local Wednesday, June 26, 2019 Amir, Crown Prince meet Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah met His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah at Bayan Palace yesterday. Meanwhile, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad, as well as Deputy Chief of the Kuwait National Guard Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah at Bayan Palace. — KUNA

ATO conference supports Somalia’s 59th right of productive life

AMMAN: The 18th General Conference technological development in order to Independence Day of the Arab Towns Organization (ATO) intellectualize cities. yesterday acknowledged the right to a Arab cities have become the focus of Festival in Kuwait healthy and productive life in cities and achievements and competition to major human settlements, in accordance with cities in the world, with plans and pro- By Somalia’s Ambassador social values and religious principles of grams that are consistent with the sus- to Kuwait Abdullahi Mohammed Odowa justice, peace and respect. The confer- tainable development agenda until 2030, ence suggested the contribution of may- said ATO Secretary-General Ahmad he Embassy of the ors and secretaries of Arab capitals to Hamad Al-Sabeeh. Sabeeh said the Federal Republic of build local capacities as part of national development process can be achieved TSomalia and the development plans, underlining the job- through joining efforts, openness to gain Somali Community in intensive growth that integrates all sec- experience and benefitting from suc- Kuwait celebrate the 59th tors. They also recommended to adopt cessful experiences to cope with the Independence and voluntary work within programs and rapid changes surrounding social, envi- Unification Days. Perhaps strategies by ATO and its institutions, ronmental and economic transforma- unlike other countries, the considering that cities are essential for tions. The teamwork of Arab cities and government and the community service and platforms for municipalities will achieve sustainability, Somali people both inside innovation. prosperity, security and stability, making and in diaspora celebrate it safe and livable, he said. a week-long annual Effective role AMMAN: Arab Towns Organization Secretary-General Ahmad Al-Sabeeh (right) and Amman’s Mayor Yousef Al-Shawarbeh are seen during the conference. —KUNA Independence Day Local administrations played an Executive plans Festival; this is because effective role in reviving economic On another point, Amman’s Mayor three significant events development, providing the best servic- Yousef Al-Shawarbeh underlined the agenda of the sustainable development ATO is a regional non-profit, govern- took place during the last few days of colonial history in the Somali territories in the Horn of Africa. First, on es, achieving sustainable development, importance of adopting executive plans until 2030, which Arab cities will fol- mental organization, specializing in matters June 26, 1960, former British Somaliland got its strengthening social cohesion and estab- to promote Arab cities and services pro- low-up this methodology. Partakers of cities and municipalities, established in Independence from Great Britain. Secondly, four days lishing real partnerships that benefits the vided to inhabitants, pointing out the discussed issues of Arab cities, espe- Kuwait in 1967 to preserve the heritage of after and on July 1, 1960, the former Italian Somaliland communities and cities. Cities were also role of the ATO as an example of Arab cially regarding the objectives of sus- Arab cities, modernizing municipal and got its Independence from Italy. Thirdly, on the same encouraged to invest in technology and cooperation and partnership with the tainable development, challenges and local institutions, seeking to improve serv- day on July 1, 1960, the British and Italian Somali the digital economy through cooperation private sector. On the sidelines of the changes facing towns, as well as two ices and facilities to develop them and help colonies have united to form the Republic of Somalia. between the public and private sectors conference, ATO’s Secretary-General workshops on topics such as artificial member cities on achieving their develop- After 59 years of Independence, the Somali experience to contribute to the development of said that the results of the conference intelligence and the Internet to sustain ment projects by providing them with shows mixed results of success and challenges con- knowledge in the shadow of the huge are consistent with the vision and cities through knowledge management. loans and aid.—KUNA cerning state-building endeavors. The first nine years following Independence, Somalia was one of the first countries in Africa to suc- cessfully establish a vibrant multi-party democracy and the rule of law. Unfortunately, the military coup in October 1969 and subsequent years of military rule and dictatorship has resulted in a civil war and state collapse in the country. However, after years of national reconciliation efforts, and to address the grievances of different regions and districts across the country, the Somali people have opted to adopt a fed- eral system of government, and as a result, the country was renamed as Federal Government of Somalia. Furthermore, endowed with the enormous economic potential of untapped natural resources and an essen- tial strategic geopolitical location on the Gulf of Aden, which includes one of the longest coastlines of main- land Africa, and a large population of the Somali dias- pora in almost all parts of the world- including North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Middle East and Africa- the future of Somali, is one full of hope and brightness. The Somali community in Kuwait is one of the old- est community in the country with the first members of the community arriving in the late 1940th and 1950th. However, the majority of the Somali families and experts have arrived in the late 70th. Since then Somali community has been part and partial of the magnificent transformation and development that has Arabian oryx been taken places in Kuwait under the leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- Jaber Al-Sabah. It is important to note that two broth- thrives in Jordan erly people of Kuwait and Somalis share many cultural and traditional norms in common, hence Kuwait has become home far from home for many Somalis who wildlife reserve are born and educated in Kuwait. AMMAN: The Shaumari Wildlife Reserve in Zarqa Governorate, Jordan, is a safe haven for the thriving Arabian oryx. The reserve, built in 1975 and stretch- ing around 22 square kilometers, is mostly dedicated Palestinian Ambassador to the distinctively Arabian deer. The facility had earned the trust of regional and international Arabian Oryx protection organizations, leading to the thanks Kuwait for increase of herds from 11 to around 200. their ‘pivotal stances’ — Photos by Ghazi Qafaf (KUNA)

KUWAIT: The Palestinian Ambassador to Kuwait Rami Tahboub expressed gratitude to Kuwait and His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah for the pivotal stances Kuwait had been mak- ing since the Palestinian dilemma started. Palestinian Ambassador Tahboub issued a spe- Rami Tahboub cial statement in which he expressed his own gratitude and “that of each and every Palestinian living in Kuwait” to the Kuwaiti National Assembly and Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem for their support to the Palestinian cause. Established 1961 3 Local Wednesday, June 26, 2019 UNSC condemns attacks on oil tankers, urge maximum restraint: Kuwait’s envoy

Kuwait concerned over growing number of refugees: UN Representative

NEW YORK: The UN Security Council slapped new sanctions on Iran, targeting that Iran was behind recent attacks on oil members late on Monday condemned the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and tankers in the Gulf of Oman, using divers recent attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf eight Iranian commanders. who placed mines on the ship’s haul. Tehran region, which, according to them, repre- As the council met behind closed doors has denied responsibility for those attacks. sent a serious threat to maritime naviga- at Washington’s request, Iran’s UN ambas- The Security Council is set today to discuss tion and energy supply. It also is contra- sador told reporters that conditions were the Iran nuclear deal that the United States vening international rules on freedom of not ripe for dialogue with the United States. has exited and that the Europeans are navigation and maritime transport, as well “You cannot start a dialogue with some- struggling to salvage. as a threat to international peace and body who is threatening you, who is intimi- security. This came in a press statement by dating you,” said Ambassador Majid Takht Refugees’ numbers Kuwait’s Permanent Representative to the Ravanchi, who said the “atmosphere of such In the meantime, Kuwait expressed UN Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi fol- a dialogue is not ready yet.” concern over the growing numbers of lowing a closed-door meeting on the situ- Tensions have soared after Iran last refugees and internally displaced people, ation in the Middle East, which was calling for preventing conflicts to resolve briefed by UN Undersecretary General the situation. Otaibi made those remarks for Political Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo. during the UN Security Council’s Arria Otaibi’s remarks came in his capacity Security Formula session on meeting the needs of as Council President for June. The mem- refugees and displaced people, held late bers “urged concerned parties and all Council urges Monday. The international community countries in the region to exercise maxi- celebrated the World Refugee Day last mum restraint and take measures and dialogue Thursday as the numbers of refugees actions to reduce escalation and end and internally displaced persons jumped NEW YOKR: Kuwait’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi tension,” said Otaibi. The members also to about 70.8 million, according to a speaks to reporters following a closed-door meeting on the situation in the Middle East urged parties concerned to exercise report by the UN High Commissioner for on Monday. — KUNA maximum restraint in the Gulf region, Refugees (UNHCR), said Otaibi. Otaibi noted. “They urge that differences On this matter, the ambassador wel- Three key solution regional stability. must be addressed peacefully and through week shot down a US surveillance drone comed the announcement of the African Meanwhile, the Kuwaiti senior diplomat Moreover, Otaibi noted UNHCR’s efforts dialogue,” he said, noting that council that Tehran insists had ventured into its air- Union on making 2019 the ‘Year of presented three key solution to face the to help refugees adapt to their new environ- members “will continue to be seized on space — a claim rejected by Washington. Refugees, Returnees and Internally growing number of refugees, including pre- ment, while also aiding host countries in the matter.” Trump triggered international alarm when Displaced Persons: Towards Durable venting the breakout of conflicts at early meeting the needs of refugees. The Arria After a two-hour meeting, the council he said on Friday that he had called off US Solutions to Forced Displacement in stages, boosting international and regional Formula is an informal arrangement that agreed on a statement that did not single military strikes against Iran at the last Africa.’ He expressed full support to cooperation and improving the humanitari- allows the council greater flexibility to be out Iran but made clear that all sides should minute because he decided there would be Union in resolving this vital issue, as the an conditions for refugees. The growing briefed about international peace and securi- back away from a much-feared military too much collateral damage. continent celebrates the 50th anniversary numbers of refugees and displaced people ty issues. It has been used frequently and confrontation. That joint stance from world During the meeting, the United States of the 1969 Convention on protecting come with high political and financial costs, assumed growing importance since it was powers came just hours after Trump presented evidence which it says shows refugees in Africa. said Otaibi, adding that it also affects first implemented in March 1992. — Agencies

ity of the human rights does not mean Kuwait urges that “we accept the dictation of prin- ciples and approaches that contradict more effort with our values and culture and tenets of our religion, Islam.” Kuwait welcomes the commission- against forces er’s report concerning status of the human rights across the globe, he said, behind terrorism stressing that Kuwait will continue to support the commission for improving human rights throughout the world, GENEVA: Kuwait affirmed yesterday particularly concerning “our brothers its keenness on cooperating with in Syria, Palestine and Yemen, as well friendly and allied states to face the as concerning the Muslim Rohingya in spreading terrorism, urging the inter- Myanmar.” The commissioner has national community to double efforts indicated in her report at some in facing ‘forces of darkness’ behind achievements with respect of boosting the mushrooming peril. The Kuwaiti human rights, efforts that have been stand was expressed by the perma- exerted to safeguard these rights, par- nent representative to the United ticularly in shadow of huge challenges Nation Ambassador Jamal Al- this year in the face of global security Ghunaim, during the 41st session of and peace. the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). It was manifested Bulk of the challenges during interactive dialogue with the Ghunaim expressed regret that a UN High Commissioner for Human bulk of the challenges in this respect Rights, Michelle Bachlete, while exam- have been witnessed “in our region,” ining her regular report about human amid continuing strife, relocation and rights worldwide. Kuwait has present- killing of brotherly peoples, particu- ed to the world ‘an honorable image’ larly the most vulnerable. He renewed about Islam that rejects extremism and strong condemnation of Israeli occu- calls for tolerance with other religions. pation of the Palestinian territories, Moreover, it has reacted to baseless flagrant violations by the occupation charges targeting Muslim states, forces against the unarmed Palestinian accusing them of hosting and conceal- people, in defiance of international ing terrorism, he said. laws and resolutions of the human rights council. He called on the inter- Denouncing terrorism national community to shoulder its Ambassador Ghunaim affirmed responsibilities to ensure respect for Kuwait’s denunciation of terrorism and international humanitarian principles all forms of violent extremism for pos- and laws, expressed regret that these ing a threat to security and stability of breaches have been taking place amid the globe, noting necessity of facing noticeable diminishing of interest on this menace, regardless of motives and part of the international community justifications and victims’ identity, “for toward the peace process in the terrorism has no religion or identity.” Middle East. The world’s continuous suffering from With respect of the conditions in terrorism is painful, and what doubles Kuwait, he noted that the authorities the pain is the fact that the Arab and provide guarantees for human rights Muslim peoples are mostly targeted, for the Kuwaiti people, based on the thus there is a need to double efforts necessity to bolster democracy and and enhance international coordina- human rights. Respecting human rights tion to face the powers of darkness has become a main criterion, nowa- behind it, in shadow of respect for days, to measure political develop- basic human rights, Ghunaim added. ment and define international rela- The envoy explained Kuwait’s deep tions, he said noting that human rights belief that human rights are compre- have turned into a mark of Kuwait’s hensive, support for constructive dia- internal and external policies. logue among various states for boost- The 1962 Kuwaiti Constitution has ing and safeguarding the human rights, recognized these rights, in line with based on respect of communities’ the Islamic sharia (law) and interna- right for choosing values, principles tional covenants namely the Universal and approach for their peoples for declaration of Human Rights. The sake of safeguarding and enhancing Kuwait Constitution is largely in har- human rights. mony with the world human rights Kuwait favors such an approach declaration. Article 29 stipulates that despite polarization, often witnessed people are equal in terms of humani- within the Security Council quarters, tarian dignity, before the law and slowing down its performance; there- regarding rights and duties. He has fore everyone should respect other affirmed Kuwait’s diligent work for communities’ right to choose values safeguarding the human rights in a and principles and the approach that manner that respects the society cul- suit them for protecting and boosting ture and traditions, hoping that the human rights. The Kuwaiti ambassador international community would explained that some parties’ bids to shoulder the relevant responsibilities dictate their values and cultures at by lending support to the higher pretext of the human rights is unac- commission so it may fulfill its asks ceptable, thus accepting the universal- efficiently. —KUNA 4 Local Wednesday, June 26, 2019

KUWAIT: MPs and ministers hydrate during yesterday’s session, which featured a heated debate of a grilling motion filed against Finance Minister Dr Nayef Al-Hajraf while the outside temperature reached up to 50 C degrees. — Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat Coeducation ban canceled in new public universities law? Copyright law sends positive message to investors : US Envoy

KUWAIT: The National Assembly approved on Monday a ties shall be in line of a decree after taking the opinion bill on public universities’ establishment to help in the of the Council of Public Universities.” The law paved development of education and educational institutions, and way for establishment of colleges, research centers and encourage them to excel and reduce difficulties in all vocational centers, or merging, changing or canceling respects. Meanwhile, several reports came out yesterday them. It organized the nomination of the Rector, his suggesting that the new law canceled article 41 of the deputies, the deans, their assistants, the heads of the public universities’ law, which bans coeducation in state- scientific departments, as well as general rules and stan- run universities and colleges. The government did not con- dards for scholarships. firm however whether it had In the meantime, American plans to end segregation at Ambassador to Kuwait Kuwait University and Sabah Al- Lawrence Silverman said yes- Salem University City Fundamental terday that the copyright law, (Shadadiya) colleges in the which was passed by parlia- future based on the new law. pillar in ment on Monday, would send The draft law received a positive message to local and approval of 34 members out of university foreign investors. The the total attendance of 58. American Ambassador said in Minister of Education and education a statement that the legislation Minister of Higher Education would lead to economic diver- Dr Hamed Al-Azmi said this law sity in the country. He added is a ‘fundamental pillar’ in that this law is considered a Kuwait’s university education. positive step towards making One of the draft law articles states, “Universities are copyright in Kuwait equivalent to international standards. public bodies of scientific research, academic, adminis- Silverman noted that applying this law would help in trative and financial independence, guaranteeing the securing services and products provided by Kuwaitis and freedom of education and scientific research, exempt foreigners alike. Kuwait’s parliament on Monday approved KUWAIT: Lawmakers vote during a National Assembly session on a draft law on public universities’ estab- from taxes and fees.” Another article states, “The estab- a copyright law in a bid to protect exceptional works in lishment. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat lishment, consolidation or abolition of public universi- the fields of arts and science. — Agencies

Kuwait bourse Disease Institute at the clinic Matthew working towards making bariatric sur- Kuwait among Kroh said many patients are traveling geries safer, and modern technology will to lure $2.8bn abroad for treatment related to digestive help in this regard. The clinic conducted system diseases, “although now we see an 35 organ transplants by the end of 2018, top five obese increased number of patients who opt to 10 of which were liver transplants, and it with promotion remain in Abu Dhabi for advanced treat- is negotiating with the health sector in nations ments that are available without having to Kuwait to have experts participate in travel.” He said Kuwait is second over the complicated surgeries. It also shares its KUWAIT: Financial quarters are anticipating with worldwide number of patients who prefer treatment expertise in robotic surgeries, as it is interest promotion of Boursa Kuwait on Morgan at the hospital. considered a pioneer in the region by Stanely index for emerging markets, amid predic- He said 2-3 percent of obese patients using robots for colon, hernia and obesi- tions $2.8 billion might be lured into the national investors, as part of a strategy to create the proper By Abdellatif Sharaa undergo surgery, so Cleveland Clinic is ty surgeries. market. This is the third upgrade of the Kuwaiti environment for attracting liquidity. The scenario bourse after a similar move had been taken by according to Watani Investment Company is as fol- KUWAIT: Associate Surgery Professor FTSE Russel and Standard and Poor’s Dow Jones lowing: If the promotion does not materialize in 2019, and Head of the Organ Transplant for international indices. there will be very high chances that it will happen in Department at Kuwait University Dr The forthcoming promotion is forecast to lure June 2020. And, if the positive announcement is made Mohammad Jamal said obesity rates are inflow of idle funds estimated at $2.8 billion. The later today, the execution will begin in May 2020. high in Kuwait, adding that the country is process of elevating the national stock market However, it remains unknown whether the process among the top five obese nations world- kicked off in 2017, when FTSE Russel enlisted will be carried out in two stages. Liquidity is forecast wide. He warned that eating unhealthy Boursa Kuwait as an emerging market. The promo- to start flowing into the local market, simultaneously food and lack of exercise are among the tion that was executed in two phases, in 2019, had with the announcement, however active investors are causes of obesity. drawn $950 million of inactive liquidity. believed to have been ready in advance. The SMCI Jamal said Kuwait conducts 5,000 Simultaneously, Standard and Poor’s declared, in index is forecast to be used by active funds and port- bariatric surgeries annually, adding that December, uplifting the bourse as an emerging folios, involving $1.5 trillion, in addition to $500 bil- the number of patients who need liver market, effective in September. lion of stagnant assets. There are other factors that transplants in Kuwait is 80 per year. The Kuwaiti stock exchange had met all terms to need to be taken into consideration in the upcoming Currently, 20 are on the waiting list, he qualify for the promotion; enacting regulations and process, namely profits’ growths, transparency and said, reminding that the cost of a liver marketing new tools desired by local and foreign corporate governing. — KUNA transplant abroad is $1-2 million, while in Kuwait it is about KD 20,000. He said but no one was hurt. It added in a statement that there have been six liver transplants that Kuwait Airways the left wing of the Boeing hit a bridge extend- were ever performed in Kuwait. ing from the airport building, while the plane was Jamal was speaking during a press plane’s wing marshaled by a ground personnel “who commit- conference organized by Cleveland Clinic ted a mistake in guiding the plane to its parking Abu Dhabi, which is one of the healthcare slot.” All passengers and crew were disembarked facilities belonging to Mubadalah hits bridge at from the plane’s front door and no one was Investment Company. Jamal said the pres- harmed, it said. The return flight was cancelled, ence of this hospital in Abu Dhabi is Nice airport said Kuwait Airways, and alternative bookings something historic that adds to quality were arranged for the passengers. Repairs of the healthcare in the region, and it seeks to KUWAIT: Associate Surgery Professor and Head of the Organ Transplant Department at wing are underway in order to make sure the have fruitful cooperation with the health Kuwait University Dr Mohammad Jamal (right) and Head of the Digestive Disease KUWAIT: Kuwait Airways said on Monday that plane returns to Kuwait as soon as possible, it sector in Kuwait. Institute at the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi Matthew Kroh attend the press conference. one of its aircraft experienced an accident after said, and it was cooperating with the French Meanwhile, Head of the Digestive landing at an airport in the French city of Nice, authorities to investigate the matter. — KUNA Established 1961 5 Local Wednesday, June 26, 2019 Nearly 23 workers per each registered SME in Kuwait; authority fights ‘manipulations’

Public life expectancy increased from 50 to 78 years, report shows

By A Saleh In this regard, Kuwait University’s deputy for those included in the 1965 census and mili- rector for the medical sciences’ affairs center tary personnel. The sources said the condi- KUWAIT: There are 78,858 workers regis- Adel Al-Henayyan said despite its recent tions also include holding valid security cards Deaths reported in two tered on 3,465 small and medium licensed establishment, the faculty managed to issued by the central apparatus for illegal resi- enterprises in Kuwait, with an average of achieve a lot and stand side by side with oth- dents’ affairs and having recent security nearly 23 workers per company, a govern- er outstanding public health faculties. reports. separate road accidents ment official said yesterday. Meanwhile, the Henayyan elaborated that the achievements KUWAIT: An Iranian woman was Doctor insulted number of licenses for entrepreneurs regis- include launching two public health master 60 million gallons detained as she ran over an Asian man A doctor in Sabah Hospital said a tered with the Public Institution for Social programs in vocational and environmental The Ministry of Electricity and Water on Gulf Road, leading to his death. Kuwaiti man insulted her, as she lodged Security reaches 7,734, said Fahd Murad, health and health policies and management. (MEW) is scheduled to launch today the first Policemen and paramedics rushed to a complaint at Shuwaikh police station. manager of small and medium enterprises at He added that teaching staff members pub- phase of using reverse osmosis for water the scene and discovered the man was The doctor was surprised by the citizen the Public Authority for Manpower. lished 47 scientific papers in accredited inter- desalination at Doha plant, which is expected dead. The woman was arrested and - who was with his wife at the materni- Meanwhile, he admitted that some entrepre- national magazines and took part in 40 local, to add 60 million gallons of water to the taken to Dasma police station for ques- ty department - abusing her verbally, so neurs attempt to manipulate the privileges regional and international conferences and national grid on a daily basis. Informed tioning. Meanwhile, a juvenile was killed she called Public Relations, who they are given and illegally utilize them, which symposiums. “In addition to its dean, Harry sources said MEW had recently completed and two others were injured when the brought the situation under control. The he said calls for strict control from his Vanue, this recently-established faculty the project’s trial operation and that it will car they were in flipped over on doctor then went to the station and department jointly with the inspection and recently added 10 new members to its teach- today start by initially pumping 15 million Seventh Ring Road. The two injured lodged a complaint. Detectives are the manpower assessment departments to gallons into the national grid until it reaches juveniles were taken to hospital as the investigating. examine companies’ files periodically and the full capacity of 60 million gallons. deceased youth’s body was recovered make sure they respect the law. by forensics. Policemen offended On rumors that some small and medium Health insurance A Kuwaiti man escaped from a enterprise licenses were for visa trafficking, New procedures The Central Agency for Public Tenders Filipina beaten badly police station after insulting the head of Murad said files of companies or employers notified Kuwait Petroleum Corporation An alleged thief forced a Filipina the station while waiting for a traffic allowing their workers to work in locations for bedoons’ (KPC) that it was not within its liabilities to who was in a car he stole to get out accident report. A police source said other than the designated ones or sponsor passports demand extending the collective health after beating her badly. Police went to the citizen went to the station to get the workers they do not actually employ had insurance contract for KPC employees for the scene and learned that the engine report, then when he was informed the been frozen and referred to the Ministry of three more months, said informed sources. was running when it was stolen, and the report was not ready, he caused chaos Interior for further investigations pending The sources added that two thirds of the thief was surprised the woman was in it. and insulted a lieutenant colonel who taking legal actions against them. “The bureau’s members approved a request made The Filipina who was later found said asked him for his ID, but refused and authority will not allow SMEs to become by Kuwait Oil Company to make direct con- the suspect beat her and forced her out left. A police officer stopped him and backdoors for visa trafficking,” he stressed. ing staff,” Henayyan added, noting that the tracts to provide data system services at of the car. Detectives are working on asked for his ID again, so he pushed faculty will continue to enhance its academic Ahmadi Hospital. the case. him aside and ran out saying “I must go Improved health staff’s potentials. to a doctor...my blood pressure is high.” The 2018-2019 annual report issued by Ports profits Search for car thief Investigations are underway. the Faculty of Public Health at Kuwait Bedoons’ passports Kuwait Ports Authority’s (KPA) profits Police issued a travel ban and arrest University showed that public health has The citizenship department finalized a num- increased by 57 percent during the fiscal warrant against an Egyptian man Harasser at large greatly improved over the past two genera- ber of procedures to issue article 17 passports year 2018-2019, said informed sources. The accused by a Kuwaiti national of steal- Criminal detectives are looking for a tions, with a rise of life expectancy from 50 to bedoons (stateless residents), said informed sources added that after studying the author- ing his car in Salwa, but he refused to go Kuwaiti who blocked two girls in Sharq to 78 years. However, the report also showed sources, noting that the new measures include ity’s final statement, the finance ministry to the police station. The citizen told and deliberately hit their car, then beat that non-infectious diseases, namely cardiac prioritizing those travelling for medical treat- urged the authority not to keep the net prof- Salwa police that his car was stolen by a them after they ignored his harassment. diseases, diabetes and cancer, in addition to ment and students. The sources added that the its and deposit them to the state budget man he identified, and who he said had The girls went to the police station and injuries caused by traffic accidents, had regulations also include allocating Sundays to because of the financial circumstances the a spare key with him. Policemen spent filed a complaint. A police source said increased over the past decades. It also receive applications from children of Kuwaiti state budget suffers from due to fluctuating two days calling the suspect but he the girls presented medical reports and showed that despite the progress made in women and those who already have Kuwaiti oil prices. The ministry also urged KPA to fill ignored all calls. Detectives went to the gave them the license plate number of hospitalization and medical treatment, public relatives, Mondays to follow up, scrutinize and the 114 job vacancies it has, be more accurate suspect’s house, but were told that he the suspect’s car. — Translated by awareness remains significant to limit injuries do the transactions, Tuesdays for students and in setting its budget, conduct enough studies did not come to his apartment for days. Kuwait Times from Al-Rai and enhance public health. treatment abroad patients and Wednesdays and be more accurate in setting timetables. InternationalEstablished 1961 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2019 Scores ill, schools closed in Malaysia due to toxic fumes Student debt a ‘life sentence’ for millions of Americans Page 8 Page 9

HANOVER: People cool off in a swimming pool in Hannover, western Germany yesterday as temperatures topped 33 degrees Celsius. — AFP As Europe bakes, governments step in Unusual warm weather raises the risks of ‘blow-ups’

PARIS: As Europe started to sizzle yester- ‘Hell is coming’ northeastern city of Girona, and 44 degrees day at the start of a heatwave that could In Spain, TV weather presenter Silvia in Zaragoza at the weekend. Five northern break records, drivers on Germany’s Laplana riffed on the doom-filled catch- provinces were placed on an orange high famously-speedy motorways were ordered phrase “Winter is coming” from the block- alert for a heatwave on Wednesday, with to slow down and fans at the women’s World buster Game of Thrones franchise to another five to be added by the weekend. Cup were showered in health warnings. describe what lay in store for the country. Meteorologists blamed a blast of torrid air “El infierno (hell) is coming,” she tweeted ‘Overdoing’ the warnings? from the Sahara for the unusually early sum- alongside a weather map which showed Authorities were also taking no chances mer heatwave, which could send thermome- most of the country colored scarlet later in in France, which is still scarred by the ters up to 40 degrees Celsius in some the week. August 2003 heatwave blamed for the places on Thursday and Friday. deaths of 15,000 people, many of them Experts say such heatwaves early in the elderly who were left to fend for them- summer are likely to be more frequent as selves. In a highly unusual move, the planet heats up. In Germany, where Bad weather Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer forecasters have warned a June record of on Monday postponed national school 38.5 degrees could be smashed, speed causes exams to next week. Health Minister restrictions were placed on some stretches Agnes Buzyn denied the government was of the usually free-wheeling “autobahns” catastrophic being excessively vigilant. “For all those as the unusually warm weather raises the harvest who know (the risks), obviously it’s too LIEBEROSE: Wood burns during a forest fire in Lieberose, eastern Germany yesterday risks of “blow-ups”-the hot tarmac break- much, but if I can avoid unnecessary as temperatures topped 36 degrees Celsius. — AFP ing up and shredding tyres. deaths, I will continue to communicate A forest fire was raging north of about prevention,” Buzyn told LCI televi- Cottbus, the second-largest city in sion, referring to the warnings on radio, of water into the Paris stadium where astrophic” honey harvest this year after frost Brandenburg state. Police said it could take “Of course it’s hot in summer but when TV and public transport. Sweden took on Canada. Phil Neville, the damage in winter, an unusually rainy spring, days to put out the blaze in an area that you have a heatwave that is so extensive Players and spectators at the women’s England coach, was sanguine about the and, now, unusually high temperatures. “In was just recovering from a fire in 2018. The and intense, during which records are fore- football World Cup taking place in cities impact of the weather on the tournament, the hives, there is nothing to eat, beekeepers fire was deemed especially dangerous due cast to be beaten, it’s NOT normal,” she around France were also being inundated however. “There’s no excuse, the players are are having to feed them with syrup because to the risk of unexploded ammunition left in tweeted. Temperatures are expected to be with messages about keeping hydrated. In a ready for it.” they risk dying from hunger,” added the the area, which is home to a military train- particularly sweltering in the northeast, with rare gesture by FIFA on Monday evening, Meanwhile, French beekeepers and farm- union, which represents many small farms in ing facility. a stifling 45 degrees expected Friday in the fans were allowed to bring their own bottles ing groups said they were bracing for a “cat- honey-producing regions. — Agencies

year 2018-2019 was £67 million, including souping up contested airspace in mind,” said Arthur Holland Critics hit out at the 1801-built Frogmore Cottage - an increase of Iran drone downing Michel, co-director of the Center for the Study of the almost £20 million on the previous financial year. The Drone at Bard College. renovation and rise in overall spending provoked con- “If you looked at the operational history of the RQ- millions spent on demnation from campaigners who want to abolish the highlights limitations 4 Global Hawk, you’ll see that it generally avoids monarchy. “This year’s increases are outrageous at a denied-airspace environments,” he said. Michel said Prince Harry and time of widespread spending cuts,” Graham Smith, of unmanned aircraft that Predator drones had been shot down in the from the Republic campaign group, told The Sun news- Balkans and Iraq, while a stealthy RQ-170 was lost paper. “If even one school or hospital is facing cuts, we WASHINGTON: US drones have been a key tool in over Iran in 2011, with Tehran claiming to have used it Meghan’s home cannot justify spending a penny on the royals.” conflicts against insurgent organizations such as the to build a copy of its own. “There are some possibilities for operating in contested airspace, but generally no, LONDON: Prince Harry and his wife Meghan’s new Taleban and the Islamic State group, but Iran’s down- this is a system that if someone wants to shoot it down, home in Windsor cost £2.4 million ($3.05 million, 2.7 Buckingham Palace refit ing of one of the aircraft highlights their limitations million euros) of taxpayers’ money to renovate, royal Under a deal dating back to 1760, profits from the against more sophisticated adversaries. While drones they probably can,” he said. accounts showed yesterday, prompting criticism from Crown Estate - the monarch’s hereditary land and offer the significant attraction of not putting American anti-monarchy campaigners. Queen Elizabeth II’s property portfolio - are surrendered to the Treasury, lives at risk and can stay aloft for more than a day, ‘Tremendously important’ grandson and his wife moved into Frogmore Cottage which in return funds the monarchy’s running costs allowing for extended surveillance missions, they can But American drones have proved “tremendously on the Windsor Castle estate before the birth of their through the sovereign grant. The grant is not income be vulnerable to air defenses, are often expensive, and important” in “counter-terrorism and counter-insur- son Archie on May 6. for the royals but pays for the monarch’s household their loss can lead to sensitive hardware falling into the gency style operations,” said Michel. US forces have The residence, west of London, had been split into staff, property maintenance, official travel, housekeep- wrong hands. used drones to gather intelligence, monitor enemy five separate homes but was turned back into one ing and hospitality. The grant amounts to 15 percent of American drones “are generally not stealthy, they forces and watch battles and raids unfold in real-time in property in a six-month refurbishment ahead of their the Crown Estate profits. are generally not aerodynamically impressive,” said countries such as Iraq and Afghanistan. “They really move-in. “The property had not been the subject of For 10 years starting last year, there is an additional Michael O’Hanlon, a senior fellow and director of showed their value in being able to track individual, work for some years and had already been earmarked 10 percent to cover the reservicing of Buckingham research in foreign policy at the Brookings Institution. moving targets persistently over extended periods of for renovation,” said Michael Stevens, who runs the Palace, Queen Elizabeth’s official residence in London. “I believe sophisticated air defenses will continue to time,” he said. The loss of the US drone - coupled with monarchy’s accounts. The sovereign grant for 2018-2019 was £82.2 million have good chances to shoot down an aircraft like an attacks on tanker ships the US has blamed on Iran - has “The building was returned to a single residence — up from £76.1 million the previous year. The £82.2 RQ-4 whenever it is in position to do meaningful sur- seen already-high tensions between the two countries and outdated infrastructure was replaced to guarantee million comprised of a £49.3 million core grant plus a veillance of their territories or other assets,” he said, spike further, raising fears of an unintended slide toward the long-term future of the property. “All fixtures and further £32.9 million for the Buckingham Palace reser- referring to the type of drone brought down by Iran conflict that both sides have said they want to avoid. fittings were paid for by their royal highnesses,” added vicing, replacing old wiring, water pipes and boilers, near the strategic Strait of Hormuz last week. US President Donald Trump ordered strikes on Stevens, whose title is Keeper of the Privy Purse. The some of which has not been done since the 1950s. But “it takes quite a bit to target an American mili- Iranian targets last week but said he called them off “10 cost was revealed as the British monarchy published its “The 10-year reservicing program presents a tary asset, and most countries won’t do it just because minutes” before they were to have been launched, and accounts for the last financial year. The monarchy is unique opportunity for innovation and investment in Iran seems to have ‘gotten away with it’ here,” Washington has now imposed sanctions on Iran’s paid for using a slice of the profits from the land it one of the world’s most prestigious and iconic historic O’Hanlon said, noting that punishing US sanctions on supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and a string of owns, the rest of which go to the government. buildings, thereby preserving it for future generations,” the country mean it is not emerging unscathed. “These military leaders. In the event of a war, US drones might The monarchy’s official expenditure in the financial said Stevens. — AFP drones were not, generally speaking, designed with paradoxically be safer, O’Hanlon said. — AFP 7 International Wednesday, June 26, 2019 Downed US drone was in Iranian airspace: Moscow Iran silence on US talks offer ‘deafening,’ Bolton says

MOSCOW: The US drone shot down by Tehran last week Tensions are running high after Iran shot down a US was in Iranian airspace, the head of Russia’s Security spy drone last week and Trump considered, then cancelled, Council said yesterday, despite US claims to the contrary. a retaliatory strike. Bolton said Tehran has carried out “I have information from the defense ministry of the “attacks upon American personnel and assets in the Russian Federation that this drone was in Iranian air- Middle East” and accused the Islamic republic of seeking space,” Russian news agencies quoted Nikolai Patrushev nuclear weapons. Tehran denies it is seeking nuclear as telling reporters in Jerusalem. weapons and says its program is for civilian use only. Patrushev was in Jerusalem for talks with US and But more than a year after Washington pulled out of a Israeli officials, as tensions run high after Iran shot down landmark deal between Tehran and world powers, which the US spy drone on June 19 and US President Donald sought to limit Iran’s nuclear activities, Bolton said the US Trump considered, then cancelled, a retaliatory strike. remains open to negotiations. “All that Iran needs to do is Iran insists the drone violated Iranian airspace near the to walk though that open door,” he said. Iran’s president Strait of Hormuz, but the Pentagon denies it entered said Washington’s decision to impose sanctions on its top Iranian territory. diplomat and other senior officials proved the US was “lying” about talks. “At the same time as you call for nego- Iran silence ‘deafening’ tiations you seek to sanction the foreign minister? It’s Meanwhile, US National Security Advisor John Bolton obvious that you’re lying,” President Hassan Rouhani said yesterday described as “deafening” Iran’s apparent silence in a meeting with ministers broadcast live on TV. on an offer to negotiate with Washington. “The president has held the door open to real negotiations,” Bolton told Iranians mock Trump journalists in Jerusalem. “In response, Iran’s silence has In another development, US President Donald Trump been deafening,” he added. Bolton is in Jerusalem for what was mocked by Iranians yesterday after mixing up the Israel described as unprecedented talks with his Russian country’s current supreme leader with his predecessor and Israeli counterparts, along with meeting Prime who died 30 years ago. “The assets of Ayatollah Khomeini Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. and his office will not be spared by these sanctions,” This undated US Air Force file photo shows a photo of a RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned surveillance and reconnais- Speaking alongside the US advisor, Netanyahu said Trump said Monday as he announced new measures sance aircraft. The United States launched cyber attacks against Iranian missile control systems and a spy net- there was “a wider basis for cooperation between the against Iran’s supreme leader and top officials. But the work after Tehran downed an American surveillance drone. — AFP three of us than many believe.” Bolton’s comments come a Islamic republic’s founder and revolutionary leader day after the United States imposed sanctions on top offi- Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini died in 1989, and the country cials of Israel’s archfoe Iran. The measures against has since been led by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. for the reformist daily Etemad. “Has this narcissist been took revenge” for Khamenei reportedly mispronouncing supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and others have “Trump doesn’t know that Ayatollah Khomeini has waiting for (a dead man) to call him?” wrote another the president’s name as Ronald. But one Twitter user sug- led to a “permanent closure of the path to diplomacy” passed away and that Ayatollah Khamenei is the leader of Twitter user, after Trump last month said he would like Iran gested there was a plot in the White House to make the US according to Iran’s foreign ministry. Iran,” tweeted Sara Masoumi, diplomatic correspondent to phone him. One social media user suggested “Trump president “look like a lunatic!” — Agencies

results which must still be confirmed by the country’s con- “We have decided to postpone the marche that was to Mauritania opposition stitutional council. Ghazouani easily beat main opposition have taken place today, perhaps until Thursday,” Kane opponents Biram Ould Dah Ould Abeid, an anti-slavery said. The four are demanding that CENI publish a break- activist credited with 18.58 percent of the vote, followed down of the vote according to each polling station, so that rejects election results by Sidi Mohamed Ould Boubacar, a former prime minister, they can compare the figures with their own data. CENI Khashoggi fiancee calls with 17.87 percent, according to the official figures. said voter turnout was 62.66 percent. The 62-year-old NOUAKCHOTT: Mauritania’s opposition parties Monday Journalist Baba Hamidou Kane and political newcomer Ghazouani, who is also former head of the domestic secu- for international probe rejected the provisional results of the presidential election, Mohamed Lemine El-Mourteji El-Wavi, each garnered rity service, had already declared himself the winner in the won by a former general and ally of the outgoing head of under three percent. early hours of Sunday in the presence of Abdel Aziz. GENEVA: The Turkish fiancee of murdered Saudi state. Saturday’s election had been billed as an historic Second-placed Abeid told the opposition news confer- journalist and dissident Jamal Khashoggi yesterday event for the conservative Saharan desert nation, marking ‘Multiple irregularities’ ence: “We are launching an appeal to the Mauritanian appealed for an international investigation into his the first democratic transition in its coup-strewn history. Mauritania’s outgoing President Mohamed Ould Abdel people... to resist, within the bounds of the law, this “premeditated” killing amid evidence of high-level But opposition parties said flaws in the vote had Aziz, a general, came to power in a coup in 2008, and umpteenth coup d’etat against the will of the people.” Saudi involvement. Khashoggi, a Washington Post strengthened their fears of a power grab by the military. “We Ghazouani was his chief of staff for a decade. “Multiple Incidents broke out between protesters and police follow- contributor and US resident, was killed last are going to organize protest demonstrations, it’s our consti- irregularities... have eliminated any credibility” in the elec- ing Ghazouani’s declaration in the capital and in northwest October by Saudi agents while at Saudi Arabia’s tutional right,” Mohamed Ould Moloud, who joined three tions, said Boubacar. “We reject the results of the election Nouadhibou. consulate in Istanbul to obtain paperwork ahead of other losing candidates, told a press conference late Sunday and we consider that they in no way express the will of the The opposition is seeking the release of dozens of sup- his wedding to Hatice Cengiz. “There is an urgent after the CENI electoral commission published the results. Mauritanian people.” He vowed the opposition would use porters arrested during clashes between police and pro- need for an international investigation of this mur- The ruling party’s candidate, Mohamed Ould “every legal means” to challenge the outcome. However, testers on Sunday. The interior ministry also called for der,” Cengiz said at an event on the sidelines of the Ghazouani, won the presidency outright with 52 percent of the four losing candidates called off a planned protest at restraint and warned that any unauthorized assembly UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, speaking the vote in the first round of voting, according to the the electoral commission headquarters on Monday. could lead to criminal sanctions. — AFP through a translator. Her comments came after the UN special rap- porteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary exe- country, with Abiy’s democratic reforms cutions, Agnes Callamard, released a damning Ethiopia mourns having unleashed ethnic violence and tur- report that found “credible evidence” linking Saudi moil as different groups jockey for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the killing. resources and power. The independent rights expert, who does not speak murdered army for the United Nations but reports her findings to it, Lost forever called on UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres chief and others At the Addis ceremony, mourners began to initiate an international criminal investigation wailing and crying out long before proceed- into the case. ings began. “They have sacrificed a lot for this “I don’t think the world can afford to turn a blind ADDIS ABABA: Ethiopian military and reli- country,” one woman shouted in Amharic. eye or to turn the page on a killing such as that of gious leaders yesterday condemned the “We love them, but now we have lost them Mr. Khashoggi,” Callamard, who also took part in assassinations of the army chief and other forever.” The entire hall stood as the coffins of yesterday’s event, said. Riyadh initially said it had no top officials at an emotional funeral service the two men were carried in by generals and knowledge of Khashoggi’s fate, but later blamed the at which Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed wept draped in the Ethiopian flag. The wailing grew murder on rogue agents, and Saudi prosecutors openly throughout. Abiy, facing a monumen- louder when a screen showed Abiy, wearing have absolved the crown prince of responsibility. tal challenge to his leadership and reformist all black and sitting next to Ethiopian But Callamard’s report said probes by Saudi Arabia agenda, dried his eyes with a white handker- President Sahle-Work Zewde, sobbing and and Turkey “failed to meet international standards chief as mourners wailed around him but he bowing his head in prayer. regarding the investigation into unlawful deaths”. did not speak at the service. Soldiers strained to hold back tears as “The crime was not committed by for- speakers recounted the dead military lead- ‘Political murder’ eign forces but by our own people, and this ers’ long careers and battlefield triumphs. TEHRAN: An Iranian woman walks past a mural painting depicting the late founder The report said there was evidence of the crime makes it very painful,” Patriarch Abune Delivering a eulogy for Seare, a military of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini (right) and Iran’s supreme scene being “thoroughly, even forensically, cleaned” Mathias of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church commander described him as a fearsome leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the Iranian capital yesterday. — AFP by the Saudis, in what “may amount to obstructing said during the ceremony for army chief fighter who “knew how to win.” “He was justice”. “The investigation that is run in Saudi Seare Mekonnen and a retired general who Arabia is not legitimate,” Cengiz said, hailing very courageous and mentored many sol- first set of sanctions that target Iran’s was killed alongside him. The crowd of well Callamard’s report as “significant” and helped avoid diers after him,” the general said. access to US banknotes and key industries, over 1,000 people was composed primarily Souring Iran-US the case being “swept under the carpet”. “A country “It would be one thing if he were killed including cars and aviation. Major interna- of soldiers in military fatigues, while rela- is accused of a murder... It is really a huge scandal,” in battle or because of some dispute. But tional firms halt their activities or projects tives of the dead and government officials she said. what did he do to deserve this?” said ties and tension in Iran. On November 5, the United States wore mostly all black. Cengiz, who was standing outside the consulate deputy chief of staff General Birhanu Jula. reimposes a second package of sanctions Ethiopia has been left reeling after on October 2, 2018, waiting for her fiancee as he “We will continue the struggle that he aimed at significantly reducing Iran’s oil apparently co-ordinated attacks went after TEHRAN: Relations between Tehran and was being murdered inside, lamented that she had started.” A son of the retired general drew exports and cutting it off from international top leaders in what officials said was an Washington have gone from bad to worse “been a witness of horrendous murder, political applause when he said: “They are heroes finance. At the end of January 2019, Britain, “attempted coup” in northern Amhara since the United States unilaterally with- murder.” She said that she had yet to recover from and heroes never die.” France and Germany launch a trade mech- state. On Saturday, what the government drew from the international deal on Iran’s the experience, pointing out that Khashoggi’s body, At the end of the ceremony, Abiy anism in a bid to allow Tehran to keep described as a “hit squad” entered a meet- nuclear program in May 2018. Here are key which is known to have been dismembered, has not walked up to the two coffins and saluted trading with EU companies bypassing US ing of top Amhara officials and opened fire, developments in the bitter standoff. been found. “Since I couldn’t see his body, I still had them. As a brass band played, the coffins sanctions. No transaction has taken place killing regional president Ambachew a hope, like, is he really constrained somewhere.. is were placed in a black van that took under the system to date. Mekonnen, his top adviser and the state’s them to Bole International Airport. The US quits he alive?” she said. attorney general. On May 8, 2018, President Donald But she insisted that her fiance’s murder was far men are being flown to Mekelle in their ‘Terrorism’ A few hours later in Addis Ababa, some native Tigray region to be buried. Trump announces the US withdrawal from more than a personal trauma. “We are not talking 500 kilometers away, army chief Seare was the 2015 pact, saying “we cannot prevent On April 8, Washington designates Iran’s Ethiopian authorities have said the ideological army, the Revolutionary Guards, about a personal matter. We are talking about a shot dead by his bodyguard. The visiting attacks were masterminded by Amhara an Iranian nuclear bomb under the decay- massacre, we are talking about an assassination and general was also killed. Analysts have said ing and rotten structure of the current a “foreign terrorist organization”. Tehran security chief Asaminew Tsige, who was immediately declares Washington a “state premeditated murder” with international implica- that while the details are murky, the inci- agreement”. The move heralds the rein- gunned down by police while on the run sponsor of terrorism” and blacklists its tions, she said. “I don’t want this incident to remain dents highlight the political crisis in the statement of US sanctions. The US warns on Monday. — AFP forces in the region as “terrorist groups”. on a piece of paper,” she said, referring to other countries to end trade and invest- Callamard’s report. Initiating an international crimi- ment in Iran and to stop buying its oil or End of waivers nal investigation into the case would be “the recon- face punitive measures. But US allies On April 22, Trump announces his deci- firmation of the legitimacy of the United Nations”, Britain, France, Germany - who were also sion to cancel sanctions exemptions she said. — AFP parties to the deal alongside Russia and enjoyed by eight countries on oil imports. China - insist Iran has abided by its com- On May 8, Iran says it has decided to sus- mitments and say they are determined to pend commitments it made under the save the agreement. nuclear deal, some immediately and some after 60 days if no progress is made on Twelve conditions sanctions relief. They include restrictions Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says on the level to which Iran can enrich urani- Tehran would be within its rights to scrap um and modifications to Iran’s Arak heavy the curbs it agreed in the deal. But he calls water reactor that were designed to pre- on the remaining parties to save it. On May vent the production of plutonium as a 21, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo byproduct. Trump announces new meas- outlines 12 tough conditions from ures against Iran’s steel and mining sectors. Washington for any “new deal”. They On May 12, four ships, including three include not only new nuclear commitments oil tankers, are the target of mysterious but also a complete scaling back of Iran’s “sabotage” acts in United Arab Emirates GENEVA: Turkish writer and fiancee of the murdered ADDIS ABABA: Members of the army carry one of the coffins covered with the regional role. waters. The United States and Saudi Arabia Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi Hatice Cengiz Ethiopian national flag as they arrive at the millennium hole for the National funeral accuse Iran, which denies any involvement. attends a side event during the United Nations Human service of Chief of Staff of the Ethiopian defense forces Seare Mekonnen and of Sanctions On June 13, two oil tankers are attacked in Rights Council in Geneva yesterday. — AFP Major-General Geza’e Abera. — AFP On August 7, Washington reimposes a the Gulf of Oman. — AFP 8 Wednesday, June 26, 2019 International US Democrats head south to woo crucial demographic - black voters More than 20 candidates flock to US southeastern state

ROCK HILL: Breaking bread, attending church services or The victor here could benefit from strong black support visiting historically black universities, Democratic candi- throughout the campaign. Hence the political passion that dates descended on South Carolina last weekend appeal- seized the capital Columbia last weekend, when virtually ing to African-American voters, a potential key to victory all major Democratic candidates piled in to attend multiple in their race for the White House. More than 20 candidates large-scale events and host smaller meet-and-greets to seeking to challenge the Republican Donald Trump flocked reach out to voters one on one. On Friday, Kamala Harris, to the southeastern state courting a demographic that, the daughter of Jamaican and Indian immigrants, held while just 12 percent of the US population, could play an court with an intimate group of women. outsized role in picking the 2020 Democratic nominee. Senator Cory Booker, another prominent black candi- Addressing a cheering crowd of 600 in the small city of date in the historically diverse field, was warmly wel- Rock Hill on Sunday, liberal senator Bernie Sanders comed at a Columbia parish’s faith breakfast Saturday, accused Trump of seeking to “divide us up” along ethnic while Sanders delighted customers with a surprise stop lines-while his own campaign was bringing people Sunday at a Rock Hill restaurant. But it is Biden’s name “together.” “It brings us together in the struggle for eco- that currently resonates, largely due to the 76-year-old’s nomic justice, for social justice, for racial justice and for eight years as the right hand man to the nation’s first environmental justice.” African-American president Barack Obama, beloved The gathering was in a gymnasium on the campus of among black voters. Biden “can get the country back on Clinton College, founded in the late 19th century to track,” assured Eva Gordon, 75, who arrived in her accommodate black students, and 40-something voter Sunday finest at Zion Baptist Church, a center of Stephonia Wright appreciated Sanders’s choice of loca- Columbia’s 1960s civil rights struggle. tion. She has yet to decide among the two dozen Democrats in the field. They include ex-vice president Joe Exaggerated controversy Biden, who leads national polls and is a favorite among And what of the firestorm touched off by his recent African-Americans; Senator Kamala Harris, who is black; remarks recalling the “civility” with which he and two and Pete Buttigieg, the young mayor of South Bend, avowed segregationists worked together during Biden’s Indiana who faces a crisis back home after the killing of a early years in the Senate? “It seemed... blown out of black man by a police officer. proportion,” said 65-year-old Ida Washington, who ROCK HILL: Supporters of Senator Bernie Sanders, wait for their presidential candidate inside the gymnasium “This is so thick,” a smiling Wright told AFP of the came to listen to Biden and several other candidates at at Clinton College, a historically black college in Rock Hill, South Carolina. — AFP crowded race. “So we’re going to have to wait ‘til we get the famous fish fry hosted by popular African-American closer to the primaries (to see) who emerges from the ash- congressman James Clyburn, who also rushed to Biden’s of black voters. “A lot of African Americans identify as ing from platters of spicy chicken wings. But there are a es.” Until then, candidates are tripping over themselves defense last week. moderate as opposed to liberal and that may also be help- number of issues that draw attention across the black wooing voters in a state where blacks represent a majority The urgency confronting Buttigieg in Indiana, where a ful to Biden” at this early stage in the race, said Kyle electorate, including wealth inequality, criminal justice of the Democratic electorate. They could prove all the fatal shooting of a black man by a white police officer has Kondik of the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics. reform, and whether the US government should pay more decisive in choosing who faces Trump in November set his city on edge, has highlighted how the thorny issue The African-American electorate is “not a monolith,” reparations to Americans harmed by slavery and its 2020, as South Carolina is the fourth of 50 states to vote of race has crept into the 2020 campaign. The shooting explained Johnnie Cordero, chairman of South legacy. “Those are the issues that the candidates need in the nomination process, and the first with such a promi- forced Buttigieg to return home, missing Clyburn’s event, Carolina’s Democratic Black Caucus, at a gathering for to be addressing if they want the support of the black nent black population. and a prime opportunity to introduce himself to thousands millennial black voters where candidates joined in eat- community,” Cordero said. — AFP

her,” he said. Carroll’s account, revealed last week in an News in brief Trump on rape excerpt of her new book that was published by New York magazine, makes her at least the 16th woman to Car rams into US embassy have accused Trump of sexual misconduct before he accuser: ‘She’s became president. SEOUL: A vehicle carrying over two dozen dispos- She said that in a chance encounter at the Bergdorf able gas canisters rammed into the US embassy in not my type’ Goodman store in Manhattan, Trump - then a real estate central Seoul yesterday just days before US developer — asked her for advice on buying lingerie for President Donald Trump’s scheduled visit, Seoul an unnamed woman. Then jokingly, they each suggested WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Monday police said. The 40-year-old driver, who has not that the other should try it on. “The moment the dress- once again vigorously denied allegations by a magazine ing-room door is closed, he lunges at me, pushes me been identified, was arrested on the scene, they advice columnist that he sexually assaulted her in the said. Police said the car was carrying 28 butane against the wall, hitting my head quite badly, and puts his 1990s in a New York department store dressing room, mouth against my lips,” wrote Carroll, who works for Elle canisters when it ploughed into the embassy’s main adding: “She’s not my type.” Trump made the comment in gate, partially damaging it. Trump travels to the magazine. an interview with The Hill, a political news outlet, that Pinning her against the wall, Carroll says, Trump pro- South Korean capital this weekend after attending touched on the allegations from E. Jean Carroll, who says ceeded to pull down her tights, unzip his pants and pene- the G20 summit in Japan. Earlier this week, a Seoul in her new book that the alleged rape occurred in the trate her - all while himself fully dressed - until she finally official told reporters that Trump was considering a mid-1990s. managed to push him out and run from the dressing visit to the demilitarized zone that divides the two “I’ll say it with great respect: Number one, she’s not room. On Monday, Carroll told CNN that he “just went at Koreas. — AFP my type. Number two, it never happened. It never hap- it” after he cornered her. “It was a fight,” she said. “With pened, OK?” Trump said in the interview, which was con- all the 15 women or 16 who have come forward, it’s the ducted in the Oval Office. The president added that same. He denies it. He turns it around. He attacks. And he Drone sightings disrupt flights Carroll was “totally lying” when she made her claims. “I threatens.” Carroll never went to the police because, she US Journalist E Jean Carroll know nothing about this woman. I know nothing about said, she was afraid of repercussions. — AFP SINGAPORE: Drone sightings have disrupted flights at Singapore’s main airport for the second time in a week, authorities said, as the devices increasingly affordable repayment programs,” he ents.” Walters said she hopes student cause havoc for air traffic worldwide. About 18 Student debt a said. “By doing that, my loan balance debt will be a key issue in the 2020 Abused as ‘dirty’, arrivals and departures were delayed and seven is actually increasing. I’m not covering White House race. For some candidates, flights diverted at Changi Airport late Monday “due even the entire interest that’s it is already front and center. to bad weather and unauthorized drone activities”, ‘life sentence’ accrued.” “I’m paying every month,” gay newlyweds the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore said. The he added, “just to be more in debt.” ‘The system isn’t working’ disruption lasted about an hour, it said. Last week for Americans Sanders’s “revolutionary” bill aims fear backlash Changi, one of Asia’s busiest hubs, closed one of its ‘System isn’t working’ to erase all student loan debt and runways for short periods due to unauthorized drone Several experts interviewed said make public colleges tuition-free — LOS ANGELES: Haley Walters is five ZHONGLI: Although Jovi Wu and Mindy Chiu made histo- flying, disrupting dozens of flights. It is against the it’s not unusual to have two genera- and he wants the financial industry to years away from earning her law ry last month as one of the first lesbian couples in Asia to law in Singapore to fly a drone within five kilometers tions in one family burdened with stu- help pay for it. “The American people degree. If everything goes according marry legally, they are fearful that conservatives may of an airport without a permit. Drones are increas- dent debt. That’s the case for Walters, bailed out Wall Street,” Sanders said, to plan, she will be under a mountain who just graduated with a two-year referring to lenders deemed “too big reverse Taiwan’s landmark law. The businesswomen and ingly disrupting flights at airports around the world. of $100,000 in student debt by the their six-year-old daughter, Allison, were verbally abused London’s Gatwick was paralyzed for 36 hours in degree in political science from to fail” during the late 2000s reces- time she enters the work force. Like Pasadena City College, near Los sion. “Now it is time for Wall Street to when they demonstrated in support of same-sex marriage December following repeated drone sightings, with millions of Americans, Walters is pay- last year, ahead of a referendum that came after the top tens of thousands of passengers affected. — AFP Angeles. While she managed to go come to the aid of the middle class.” ing a steep price for an education that through that school without accumu- Democratic candidate Elizabeth court set a two-year deadline for legalization. will likely weigh her down financially lating debt, come autumn she will be Warren also has a debt cancellation One woman took a leaflet from Allison, looked at it, for much of her adult life. “I think the entering the prestigious - and much and free public college plan. “My dad threw it on the ground and then called their family “sicken- Bulgaria busts smuggling ring student debt crisis is truly a life sen- more expensive - University of grew up in an extremely poor family ing and dirty”, 36-year-old Chiu said from her home in a suburb of Zhongli district, an hour’s drive from Taiwan’s tence,” the 19-year-old Californian California Berkeley, with a law degree in southern California,” said Walters. SOFIA: Bulgarian authorities have broken up a major capital, Taipei. “(I asked her) do you have to say this in said. With 45 million borrowers owing the ultimate goal. “The only reason he went to universi- front of a child - that we are sickening, we are dirty? What organized crime ring thought to have smuggled thou- some $1.6 trillion, the debt burden of Despite being awarded scholar- ty was because it was free.” we are trying to say is that we’re just the same, like you,” sands of migrants from Afghanistan en route to west- American college graduates has ships, Walters said she will still have Tuition, however, is not the only she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. Hundreds of ern Europe, prosecutors said yesterday. The gang exploded in recent years. to take out loans to pay for nearly financial burden of students. In smuggled the migrants - predominantly boys under It has emerged as a key issue in the same-sex couples married on May 24 after President Tsai $20,000 in annual fees. “That is basi- California, for example, housing and Ing-wen signed into law a bill endorsing same-sex mar- the age of 16 - over the Maritsa river bordering 2020 presidential campaign, with can- cally going to turn into loan after loan living expenses represent more than Turkey and helped them cross illegally through the didate Bernie Sanders unveiling an riage - a controversial move which has divided the self- after loan... each with individual inter- half of the $35,000 needed annually ruled island, seen as a beacon of liberalism in Asia. forests into Serbia, prosecutor Siyka Mileva told ambitious plan Monday to erase all est rates and individual payments,” on average for public university. journalists. While authorities have not given an exact student loan debt. “Somebody who Although two-thirds of Taiwanese voters - some 7 mil- Walters sighed. She said she grew up Hounanian said it was crucial to lion people - rejected the proposed reform in the figure of how many people were smuggled, they graduates from a public university this listening to her mother, 58, bemoan address those issues to ensure stu- year is expected to have over $35,000 November referendum, parliament passed a law legalizing believe the gang was active since early 2017 and the student debt that still haunts her. “I dents don’t end up saddled with heavy gay marriage to beat the constitutional court deadline of in student loan debt on average,” said Mileva said “there were transfers every week” in would hear my mom talk about... how debt before starting their professional May 24. Far from signaling a shift towards broader accept- Cody Hounanian, program director of groups of “30-40 people at a time”. In total, eight it was basically crippling our finances,” lives. “The system isn’t working for ance of homosexuality, the couple fear the legal victory Student Debt Crisis, a California non- men have been indicted: an Iraqi man alleged to be she recalled. “You know, we couldn’t students,” he said. “It’s working for will spark a backlash from conservatives who believe mar- profit that assists students and fights the ringleader, one Syrian, four Afghans and two go on vacation, sometimes I didn’t get profiteers, for big companies and for riage should remain between a man and a woman. Bulgarians. — AFP for reforms. According to official sta- school supplies for the new school year, those who are making money off of “It will be messy at the start,” said 38-year-old Wu, tistics, 71 percent of US students are sometimes we got fewer birthday pres- students and borrowers.” — AFP who gave birth through in vitro fertilisation (IVF) in burdened by such debt, with minorities Thailand - using an egg from her former partner and a Sri Lanka execution fears the hardest hit. sperm donor - as Taiwan does not allow surrogacy. “Anti- “Black women particularly are the homosexual groups will continue to argue how can we COLOMBO: Amnesty International raised yesterday most impacted group with the highest enjoy the same rights? How can we change Taiwan’s tradi- fresh concerns that Sri Lanka may soon end a 42- student debt total per graduate,” tions and values? They will intensify their smear campaign year moratorium on capital punishment and hang 13 Hounanian said. Despite scholarships and continue to hurt us.” and financial aid available to many, the men convicted of drug offences. The London-based Wu’s concerns highlight how socially conservative atti- cost of higher education is such that the rights group said it was “alarmed” over media tudes prevail across much of Asia, five decades after the majority of students are unable to reports of preparations to resume hangings although Stonewall riots in the United States that are widely regarded repay their loans on schedule. “When as the birth of the LGBT+ rights movement. The Coalition the country still does not have a qualified hangman. borrowers leave school, they’re in a “Sri Lanka’s President Maithripala Sirisena must for the Happiness of Our Next Generation, one group seek- program that’s supposed to take 10 ing to overturn Taiwan’s gay marriage law, said the public immediately halt his plans to resume executions for at years... but more and more are enrolling will “strike back” as it mobilised support to vote against Tsai least 13 prisoners convicted of drug-related crimes,” in federal programs that are actually 20 in January elections, when she seeks a second term. Amnesty said in a statement. Sirisena in February or 25 years in length,” Hounanian said. “If we can oust these legislators who supported same- announced he would carry out the first executions in In the long term, the loan balance sex marriage, there is a likelihood for change after 2020,” 42 years within less than two months, but he is yet to for such people increases, interest said the group’s president Tseng Hsien-ying. “The only sign any death warrant, officials said. He said this was accrues, and the debt burden just type of marriage people in Taiwan can accept is between a in response to spiraling narcotics-related crime keeps going upwards, he added. man and a woman. This (same-sex union) is destroying the inspired by President Rodrigo Duterte in the Hounanian spoke of his own experi- institution of marriage and distorting our family values.” Philippines. The president has also appealed to ence as an example. “I had $30,000 Growing up in an abusive family in Taiwan’s rural west, human rights organizations not to pressure him on in student loan debt, I pay over $150 PASADENA: Haley Walters (center) marches with her class at the Pasadena City repeatedly beaten up by her father, Wu wanted to give her his decision. — AFP a month, and that’s in one of these College graduation ceremony in Pasadena, California. — AFP own daughter the best she could. — Reuters 9 International Wednesday, June 26, 2019 Turkey court lifts house arrest on US consulate staff Canturk Turkey to lose F-35 warplane if Russia arms deal goes ahead ISTANBUL: A Turkish court yesterday lifted organization”. They are suspected of links to we cannot have the F-35 affected or destabi- the house arrest of a US consulate staffer US-based Muslim preacher Fethullah Gulen, lized by having this Russian system in the charged with terrorism offences, just days whom Ankara blames for orchestrating the alliance,” she told reporters. before President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is failed coup. The United States says the jets, made by due to meet US counterpart Donald Trump, an Russia arms deal Lockheed Martin Corp., give NATO forces a embassy official said. Mete Canturk is one of Meanwhile, the US envoy to NATO said number of technological advantages in the air, three consulate staffers arrested for links to a yesterday that US will stop Turkish forces fly- including the ability to disrupt enemy commu- group accused of an attempted coup in 2016. ing and developing its F-35 stealth jets if nications networks and navigation signals. Canturk, a Turkish citizen, still faces trial and Ankara goes ahead with the purchase of a Turkey produces parts of the F-35s fuselage, is barred from leaving the country, with his Russian air defense system. Washington and landing gear and cockpit displays. Hutchison next hearing set for October 2. US charge its allies have urged fellow NATO member said Ankara was an important partner in that d’affaires Jeffrey Hovenier welcomed the deci- Ankara not to install the S-400 system, saying production but that security concerns about sion to release him from house arrest. that would let the technology learn how to Russia were paramount. “So many of us have “We continue to see no evidence to sup- recognize the F-35s, which are built to avoid tried to dissuade Turkey,” she said. port the charges brought against him and we tracking by enemy radars and heat sensors. reiterate our call for this process as well as But Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan Problems with alternatives other processes involving our unjustly vowed anew yesterday to press on with the S- The United States offered Turkey the more detained staff to be resolve quickly, transpar- 400 purchase despite allies’ concerns. “We expensive Patriot anti-missile defense system, ently and fairly,” said Hovenier. Relations will hopefully start to receive the S-400 sys- and then with a discount, but there were between Ankara and Washington have been tems we purchased from Russia next month,” issues with the US ability to deliver the strained over several issues, including Turkey’s Erdogan told members of his AK Party in par- Patriots quickly. Turkey also says that NATO purchase of a Russian missile defence system liament. “Turkey is not a country that needs to allies have not helped it during times of ANKARA: Turkish President and leader of Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party and US support for a Kurdish militia in Syria. seek permission or bow to pressures. The S- heightened security concerns, and it therefore Recep Tayyip Erdogan makes a speech during his party’s parliamentary group meeting at the Erdogan is due to meet Trump this week on 400s are directly linked to our sovereignty had to seek alternatives, and Russia came into Grand National Assembly of Turkey in Ankara yesterday. — AFP the sidelines of the G20 summit in Osaka, and we will not take a step back.” the picture. Germany and the United States Japan. Turkey has said its S-400 deal with Russia stationed Patriot surface-to-air missile batter- measures to avoid complications, and pro- last chance of finding a solution. NATO A Turkish-American former NASA scien- is final, exacerbating a diplomatic rift with the ies in Turkey on a temporary basis in 2013 but posed to form a joint working group with defense ministers, who meet for two days tist, Serkan Golge, detained in Turkey for United States already widening over conflict- moved them out in 2015, citing demands on Washington to assess concerns. It has said US in Brussels from today, are not planning to nearly three years on similar terrorism ing strategy in Syria, Iran sanctions and the assets elsewhere. officials have yet to respond to the offer. The formally raise the issue, but there could be charges, was released in May. Another detention of US consular staff. “Everything Washington also warned Ankara that it will Pentagon has already stopped training Turkish some diplomacy in informal meetings, Istanbul consulate staffer, Metin Topuz, who indicates that Russia is going to deliver the face US sanctions over the agreement with pilots on the jets. diplomats said. “It’s not over until its over, also faces espionage charges, is due back in system to Turkey and that will have conse- Moscow, a move that could deal a significant Erdogan is expected to discuss the issue but so far Turkey has not appeared to court this week. A third staffer, Hamza Ulucay, quences,” Kay Bailey Hutchison, the US blow to Turkey’s ailing economy and its with US President Donald Trump at the G20 retract from the sale,” Hutchison. “The con- from the Adana consulate, has already been ambassador to NATO, said in Brussels. “There defense industry. Turkey has dismissed the US summit in Japan later this week. One senior sequences will occur, we don’t feel there’s sentenced to 4.5 years for “aiding a terror will be a disassociation with the F-35 system, warnings, saying it would take the necessary NATO diplomat said that was probably the a choice in that.” — Agencies

Scores ill, schools dates from 1990, when Qadri was one Indian police of nine journalists to publish a state- closed in Malaysia ment by a militant group fighting against Indian rule in Kashmir. An arrest publisher arrest warrant for Qadri was issued in due to toxic fumes 1993, but it was never served. in midnight raid Qadri had visited the police station involved in the arrest multiple times KUALA LUMPUR: Scores of people have fallen since the warrant was issued, most ill and hundreds of schools have been closed in SRINAGAR: Police arrested the pub- recently in 2017 to apply for a pass- Malaysia due to toxic fumes believed to have lisher of one of the most widely read port, his brother added. come from a chemical factory, authorities said newspapers in Indian-controlled Asked why Qadri was arrested at yesterday. It was the second serious incident Kashmir in a midnight raid over a night, Srinagar police chief Haseeb involving poisonous gas in Pasir Gudang district, decades-old case, the police and his Mughal told Reuters, “Police were in southern Johor state, in three months after brother said yesterday, highlighting busy during the day.” The Kashmir thousands of people became sick in March the difficulties facing media in the Union of Working Journalists con- when waste was dumped in a river and emitted region. Tension has run high in the demned the arrest, saying it seemed noxious fumes. Himalayan region since more than 40 to be aimed at muzzling the press. Residents first noticed the fumes wafting Indian police were killed in a February “Qadri was attending the office on a across the industrial area late last week and many suicide car bomb attack by a militant daily basis and there was absolutely people, including schoolchildren, started vomiting group based in Pakistan. no need for carrying out a midnight and developing breathing difficulties. Johor chief Muslim-majority Kashmir is at the raid at his residence,” it said in a minister Sahruddin Jamal said 75 people had so heart of more than seven decades of statement. far been sent to hospital for treatment, according hostility between nuclear archrivals Journalists in Kashmir find them- to official news agency Bernama. PASIR GUDANG: Emergency personnel wearing protective suits check the air quality in Pasir India and Pakistan. Each claims it in selves caught in the crossfire Authorities have now ordered the closure of Gudang yesterday, after toxic fumes were reported in the area. — AFP full but rules only a part. Ghulam between the Indian government and all 475 educational institutions in the area until Jeelani Qadri, 62, a journalist and the militant groups battling for inde- Thursday, including three institutes of higher said. “We have to identify those responsible for old trader, told The Star newspaper. “I hope the publisher of the Urdu-language news- pendence. Both sides are stepping up education, 111 public schools, 14 private schools causing the pollution and take stern action authorities will take this seriously.” It was not paper Daily Afaaq, was arrested at his efforts to control the flow of informa- and 347 kindergartens. The latest incident is not against them.” clear what had caused the latest incident. home in the region’s main city of tion, with the situation at its worst in believed to be linked to the first. Prime Minister Residents expressed anger over the latest Sahruddin said authorities were investigating 30 Srinagar, half an hour before midnight decades, dozens of journalists have Mahathir Mohamad vowed to act against those toxic leak. “This is also affecting our livelihood chemical factories in the area. After the March on Monday. said. India is one of the world’s worst responsible. “It seems like there are factories as many people are shying away from buying incident, three men were arrested and charged “It is harassment,” his brother, places to be a journalist, ranked 138th that are not very concerned about safety,” he food in this area,” Normah Ahmad, a 63-year- over dumping waste. — AFP Mohammad Morifat Qadri said. “Why among 180 countries on the press is a 1993 arrest warrant executed freedom index of international moni- today? And why against him only?” tor Reporters Without Borders, with Qadri was released on bail after a conditions in Kashmir cited as a key Parents of Indian girl court appearance yesterday. The case reason. — Reuters who died in US desert ‘desperate’ for asylum ARIZONA: The parents of a 6-year-old migrant girl from India who died of heat stroke in an Arizona desert said they sought asylum in the United States because they were “desperate.” “We wanted a safer and better life for our daughter and we made the extremely difficult decision to seek asylum here in the United States,” said the girl’s mother, Ms Kaur, 27, and her father, Mr Singh, 33, in a joint statement released through the US Sikh Coalition that did not give their first names. “We trust that every parent, regardless of origin, color or creed, will understand that no mother or father ever puts their child in harm’s way unless they are desperate.” The girl, identified as Gurupreet Kaur, died in a remote desert area west of Lukeville, Arizona, a US border town 50 miles southwest of Tucson, after her mother left her with other Indian migrants she was traveling with to go in COLOMBO: A Sri Lankan Special Forces soldiers perform as they demonstrate their search of water, a medical examiner and US Border Patrol skills at Maduroya Special Forces training camp, some 314 km east of Colombo. — AFP said. The girl’s death earlier this month, the second recorded fatality of a migrant child this year in Arizona’s southern stay away, saying their presence could deserts, highlighted the danger of summer heat as a surge Sri Lankan police trigger violence in the region. of migrant families, mainly from Central America, cross the The region has a high concentration of US-Mexico border to seek asylum. Gurupreet’s father has overturn council Christians who suffered the most in the been in the United States since 2013 with a pending asy- April 21 suicide bombings that targeted lum application before the New York immigration court. three churches and three hotels. At least Singh and Kaur, both Sikhs, had not seen each other since ban on Muslims 258 people were killed and nearly 500 2013, approximately six months after Gurupreet was born, wounded in the attacks. However, police according to the statement. said there was no basis for yesterday’s COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s police yesterday According to Indian media reports, the parents are action by the council when communal ten- from Punjab. Gurupreet’s body is being flown to New York stepped in to prevent a local council sions had eased and the region was return- from banning Muslim traders from a City for her funeral. An increasing number of Indian ing to normality after several days of anti- nationals are entering the United States from Mexico, weekly fair in another backlash from the Muslim riots last month. devastating Easter attacks blamed on according to immigration officials. Indian asylum seekers “We have asked courts to take range from Sikhs claiming political persecution to lower Islamic extremists. The local government action against the council chairman for body had ordered minority Muslims not caste “untouchables” facing death threats for marrying causing tension between communities,” outside their class, according to immigration lawyers. to participate in the farmer’s market in Kumarapeli said adding that a hearing They are among thousands of African and Asian the town of Dankotuwa, 47 kilometers has been scheduled for Friday. Sri migrants also making the arduous journey, led by smug- north of the capital. Lanka has been under a state of emer- gling cartels. Gurupreet’s mother was released from an “We got a court order against the gency since the Easter Sunday suicide Arizona ICE processing facility on June 18 and allowed to Wennappuwa Pradeshiya Saba (council) bombings blamed on a local jihadi because we can’t allow this Islamophobia,” group which pledged allegiance to the travel by bus to New York City, where she has a notice to local police Superintendent KAB Islamic State group. At least one appear before an immigration court. Up to May 30, the Kumarapeli told AFP by telephone. He said Muslim man was killed and hundreds of Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner, which the local council chairman representing a Muslim-owned businesses, homes, records migrant deaths in much of Arizona’s southern political party affiliated to former president vehicles and mosques were destroyed deserts, counted 58 such fatalities, most due to heat. It Mahinda Rajapakse ordered Muslims to in the riots last month. — AFP recorded 127 deaths in 2018. — Reuters 10

Wednesday, June 26, 2019 Analysis

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Kenya tribe divided over women’s land rights after ruling

few months ago, the idea of coming home with a hoe in one hand and a sack of freshly harvested Apotatoes in the other was only a dream for Rachel Korir. When her father died in 2012, his land in the village of Kapcheboi, in western Kenya, automati- cally went to his two sons, in line with the customary law of the Kipsigis tribe to which the family belongs. Because Korir, now 70, and her five sisters were all married, tribal rules dictated that they were not enti- tled to any of their father’s land. “Even when I tried to work for (my brothers) pluck- ing tea on the farm for money, they refused to offer me the job and gave it to other people from the village,” This combination of pictures shows Democratic presidential candidates Marianne Williamson, former governor John Hickenlooper, former US vice president Joe Biden, Andrew said the mother of seven, sitting on a bench outside her Yang, Sen Bernie Sanders, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Sen Michael Bennet, Rep Eric Swalwell, Sen Kamala Harris, Sen Kirsten Gillibrand, Rep Tim Ryan, Rep Tulsi Gabbard, Sen Amy small hut. But in April, after a legal battle that lasted Klobuchar, Gov Jay Inslee, Julian Castro, Sen Cory Booker, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, former representative John Delaney, Beto O’Rourke and Sen Elizabeth Warren. almost 20 years, Korir and her sisters got the title Democrats will hold the first and second group primary debates of the 2020 presidential campaign season today and tomorrow in Miami. — AFP deeds to five acres (two hectares) of land each, in a case that land rights groups are calling a landmark vic- tory for the women of Kenya’s indigenous tribes. “This is a welcome ruling that allows not only women but married women for that matter to inherit Biden vs rest of Dems in 1st 2020 debate their father’s land,” said Pauline Vata, executive direc- tor at Hakijamii, a Nairobi-based advocacy group or Democrats seeking to challenge Donald Trump in vice president. With 24 Democratic contenders now in the Senate. The comments earned rebukes from rivals Booker fighting for social and economic justice. Land owner- 2020, the rubber meets the road in Miami this week, race, the debate will have a freewheeling feel. Party organ- and Harris, the two prominent African Americans in the ship in Kenya is usually vested in fathers who custom- Fwhere Joe Biden will defend his frontrunner status as izers chose the top 20 based on poll numbers and race. They and the other younger candidates - Buttigieg, arily pass it on to their sons, making it hard for women presidential candidates finally square off face to face. fundraising, splitting them into two groups of 10. O’Rourke, Castro, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and con- to secure rights except through their husbands. Americans are bracing for the nation’s biggest political Warren, polling third, will take center stage on the first gresswoman Tulsi Gabbard - will be looking to draw con- Women and their children are often evicted if the hus- debate since the slugfests of 2016, a two-night showdown night at 9:00 pm (0100 GMT Thursday), inheriting a prime trasts with their elders at the debate broadcast on NBC, band dies or they divorce. beginning today with 20 Democrats vying for a breakout spot to make her case as she debates ex-congressman MSNBC and Telemundo. Women in the East African nation were allocated moment that could showcase their talents, or see them Beto O’Rourke, senators Cory Booker and Amy Klobuchar, less than 2 percent of about 10 million hectares of land stumble on the world stage. New York Mayor Bill de Blasio and former San Antonio ‘Defeat Donald Trump’ that was registered between 2013 and 2017, according Former vice president Biden, now in his third White mayor Julian Castro, each of whom is trying to breathe Like Biden, Buttigieg enters the event singed with race- to research by the Kenya Land Alliance, an advocacy House bid, is the candidate to beat in the most crowded, new life into their campaigns. But the main event is likely related controversy, after the fatal shooting of a black man network. However, the country’s constitution states most diverse field in modern US election history. The 76- to be Day 2, when the more moderate Biden goes head to by a white officer in South Bend led to black residents that all women have equal rights to own property, year-old leads comfortably in all polls, and will be under head with Sanders, 77, and Buttigieg, an up-and-coming jeering the mayor at a town hall meeting. It is the first regardless of whether they are married or not, Vata pressure to convince millions of voters watching in prime mayor of South Bend, Indiana who is half Biden’s age. national-scale test for Buttigieg, a military veteran who noted. “The case affirms what our laws have been say- time that he deserves to remain in pole position despite an On issues like healthcare and economic inequality, the rose from virtual unknown earlier this year to a top-tier ing all along,” she said. Korir said ever since she and uproar over his recent comments about the “civility” Democratic socialist Sanders pushed the party towards contender. Some lesser known non-politician candidates her sisters won the case, many women have come to between him and avowed segregationists in the US Senate. more progressive positions following his protracted 2016 could spark interest including entrepreneur and automa- her for advice on their own struggles to get a share of Like most of his rivals, Biden spent much of last week- nomination battle with Hillary Clinton. He has pledged to tion soothsayer Andrew Yang. Tension has simmered on their families’ land. But the ruling has divided tribes in end sharpening his message ahead of the debate by woo- use the debate as a platform to emphasize his support for the party’s left flank, where Sanders and Warren are the parts of Kenya’s Rift Valley, with some people seeing it ing residents of early-voting South Carolina. “I’m here to universal healthcare, his opposition to the Iraq war and to two flag bearers. Each has called for stronger controls on as a positive step toward equal access to land and oth- tell you, I hope to be your nominee,” Biden told applaud- “disastrous trade agreements.” In short, he will emphasize financial markets, expanded healthcare, and partial or total ers fearing it undermines the traditional laws that have ing voters in Columbia. “But here’s the deal: whomever the his differences with rival Biden. elimination of student loan debt. “Whether it’s Biden or guided generations. Democratic nominee is, we have to stay together and elect “For Biden the debates are a good test of how secure Elizabeth Warren or anybody else, what I believe is that in a Democrat president of the United States.” his support is,” Kyle Kondik, of the University of Virginia’s fact I am the strongest candidate to defeat Donald Trump,” ‘Milestone decision’ Nipping at Biden’s heels is a pack of candidates includ- Center for Politics, told AFP, adding that he believes Biden Sanders told CNN last week. The president himself will Korir said her fight for a share of the family land ing liberal Senator Bernie Sanders, who is polling second; has a “tenuous” early lead in the nomination battle. not be involved in the biggest political showdown yet in started in 1999. After separating from her husband, she progressive rising star Senator Elizabeth Warren; young Tensions have simmered recently after Biden’s controver- 2019, although he hinted he’ll be watching and could weigh moved back into her parents’ home. Her brothers had gay mayor Pete Buttigieg; and others desperate to emerge sial remarks about the “civility” he shared with two segre- in via Twitter. “I wasn’t thinking about it, but maybe I will come of age and married by then, so their father had as a viable alternative to the man who was Barack Obama’s gationist senators decades ago, when he first joined the now,” Trump teased to Fox News recently. — AFP already given them their share of his 42-acre farm, in line with Kipsigis tradition. With no source of income, No Mother Theresa Korir asked her brothers to give her one acre of the Boris for premier? Ed Costelloe, the chair of farm so she could grow crops to sell and pay for her the group Conservative Libyan women children’s school fees. Grassroots, says most party But they refused, she said. Instead, they tried to It’s a love-hate members want Johnson evict her from the house, and several of their fights because they see him as a set up businesses ended with them calling the police on her. She was thing, say voters savior who can deliver Brexit arrested and jailed four times. “My father bailed me amid opposition from the against the odds out, promising to give me a portion of the land,” she political establishment. said. “But he never did.” Korir eventually filed a court elyth Miles should hate Boris Johnson but she “Brexit cannot be achieved case against her brothers for her share of the family’s loves him. The 66-year-old who worked as a by a civil service, adminis- hen inflation began eating into her state- land, convincing her sisters to join her in the lawsuit. Dschool’s careers adviser and volunteers at her local trative approach. It has to be paid salary Libyan architect and assistant When her father died in 2012, a friend advised her church says the most important principles in her life are achieved like big guns blaz- Wprofessor Seham Saleh started selling to seek help from the Kenyan Federation of Women honesty, family values and morality. She abhors drug tak- ing a la Trump,” Costelloe drawings over the internet to help pay the bills. She Lawyers (FIDA) advocacy group to speed up her case ing and adultery. Miles knows Johnson, the frontrunner to said, referring to US joins a growing number of Libyan women launching Boris Johnson against her brothers. According to the customs of the be Britain’s next prime minister, has been fired twice for President Donald Trump’s start-ups in the conservative Arab country, where Kipsigis, an unmarried woman can inherit land, but it lying, including once for failing to tell the truth about an unconventional, combative many still think a woman’s place is in the home but must be less than her brothers. If a woman is married, it extra-marital affair. She knows he has been accused of approach to politics. “Boris is a flawed character and flaky where the strains on personal and family income fol- is assumed she has access to land through her hus- paying for a lover to have an abortion and has admitted but most politicians are underneath,” he added. lowing years’ of political chaos have forced women to band, so she has no right to her father’s land, explained taking cocaine. Costelloe said former prime minister David Lloyd look for more work. Vata, the social justice advocate. But when she votes in the Conservative leadership con- George, who led Britain to victory in World War One, and Libya has only a tiny private sector, which means A father can leave land to his married daughter in test next month she will enthusiastically back Johnson, US President John F Kennedy were examples of successful there is a market for locally-produced goods. The his will, she said, but to do so is considered such a saying that leaving the European Union and reviving the politicians with flawed personal lives. “It would be lovely economy is dominated by the state, which employs taboo that few men dare. In 2014, a High Court judge party’s flagging fortunes are more important than concerns to have Mother Theresa as prime minister, but it ain’t most adults under a structure set up by Muammar ruled in favor of the six sisters. According to land about his character. “It is complex, I sometimes struggle to going to happen,” he said. Hunt, Johnson’s rival, has also Gaddafi, who was toppled in 2011. Men are the tradi- rights experts, this was the first time married Kipsigi explain it to myself,” said Miles who is originally from promised to deliver Brexit but - like May - he voted tional breadwinners, although around 30 percent of women had been given the legal right to an equal share Wales but now lives in the English seaside town of Clacton ‘Remain’ in the 2016 referendum and says he would con- women were in the labor force as of 2015, according of their father’s land. After years of delays as the near London. “You either love him or you hate him. If you sider a delay to ensure a smooth exit - two factors that to a UN report. “I cannot live on my assistant profes- brothers filed a series of appeals, all of them denied, do love him you see past his faults, and I am one of them. I make party members suspicious about his commitment. sor salary of 1,000 dinars ($256) even if it is paid the sisters were officially given their land in April. The don’t particularly like his lack of morality.” By contrast, Johnson was the public face of the ‘Leave’ out,” said Saleh. She has been selling drawings of judge’s “milestone decision” to challenge customary Britain is looking for a new prime minister because campaign and says Brexit will happen on Oct. 31 “deal or people in Libyan dress or book marks she created on law and uphold the equal right to property that Theresa May has said she will step down after failing to no deal”. Some members certainly see Hunt, 52, as a safer a computer. “Thank God... people wanted to buy the Kenya’s constitution gives all citizens has set a prece- unite the nation behind her plan to leave the EU on sched- bet. Mary Douglas, a Hunt supporter and Conservative products,” she said. She also does freelance work as dent that “should be protected at all costs,” said Janet ule in March. Britons voted by 52 percent to 48 percent in councilor in Wiltshire, southern England, draws a parallel an architect. Anyango, legal counsel at FIDA. a 2016 referendum to leave. Her successor will lead a frag- with the United States, where she thinks voters made a Once one of the richest countries in the region, the Some fear the ruling undermines their traditional ile minority government. He will face a deeply split parlia- mistake in backing Trump despite concerns about his char- chaos and civil war that ensued after the fall of laws and customs, however. “Our culture and identity ment where there is no consensus on what Brexit should acter. “I am so keen that we do not repeat that mistake Gaddafi has seen Libya’s living standards erode. Little as the Kipsigis is at stake when such a ruling is made, look like, and a negotiating partner in Brussels whose because it is my strong view that you get the ruler you is now produced in Libya other than oil, even milk is oblivious of our customary law,” argued Bishop Paul patience with British politics has worn thin. deserve. I would hate for us to be in the same position as imported from Europe. Cumulative inflation over the Leleito, chairman of the Myoot Kipsigis Council of The ruling Conservative Party’s 160,000 members, America,” she said. last four years has seen real incomes lose more than Elders. Leleito said the council is calling on the gov- mostly pro-Brexit and rightwing, will choose between But many members think only a charismatic, unambigu- half of their purchasing power, and the government ernment to amend the constitution’s protections Johnson and foreign minister Jeremy Hunt. The result will ously pro-Brexit leader like Johnson can ensure victory in effectively devalued the dinar last September. against gender discrimination, noting that the constitu- be announced on July 23. Johnson, 55, a former mayor of an election - which may come quite soon, given the dead- A cash crisis means public servants often do not tion also guarantees the protection of culture as “the London, is the overwhelming favorite to win despite a lock in parliament - over left-winger Jeremy Corbyn’s get their salaries paid out in full. Lenders have no foundation of the nation”. — Reuters chaotic private life and a reputation for lies, exaggerations, Labour Party and Nigel Farage’s new Brexit Party, which cash deposits as the rich prefer to hold their cash a lack of seriousness and discipline. topped the European Parliament election in Britain last themselves, rather than deposit it in a bank. Women Over the weekend, Johnson faced fresh questions about month mainly at the Conservatives’ expense. “Corbyn, like rarely had jobs outside of sectors such as teaching, his suitability to be prime minister after reports emerged it or not, is a popular figure who can energize crowds, get although the need for more family income has All articles appearing on this page are the that he had an argument with his girlfriend. She was heard headlines and make people stop and follow him,” Stephen changed the situation, said Jasmin Khoja, head of a saying “get off me” and “get out of my flat”. The fallout Canning, a Conservative councillor in south-east England. women’s business support venture. Her organization, personal opinion of the writers. Kuwait from the altercation has dominated headlines in the British “We need a leader of the Conservative Party who can do the Jusoor center for studies and development, has Times takes no responsibility for views press for days. Some of his opponents have asked him to exactly the same, and to me Boris Johnson is the only one trained some 33 would-be female entrepreneurs, offers legal advice and office space as women often expressed therein. explain what happened and criticised the way he treats of the two of them ... who could really electrify audiences women in relationships. and build a following.” — Reuters can’t afford their own. — Reuters Established 1961

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2019

Investors rushing to safety Future of Kuwaiti economy under Nissan shareholders approve 12on rising US-Iran tensions 13 the microscope at London event 13 post-Ghosn governance overhaul

WASHINGTON: Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell speaks at a news conference after a Federal Open Market Committee meeting. —AFP Trump bashes ‘stubborn child’ Fed US to mark its longest period of expansion on record

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump (...) Now they stick, like a stubborn child, when along with that of last year’s fiscal stimulus. case for looser monetary policy, he said. The United States has not seen back-to- on Monday lashed out at the Federal Reserve, we need rate cuts & easing, to make up for Growth in the second quarter is forecast to be Oxford Economics on Monday predicted the back quarters of GDP growth greater than accusing the central bank of standing in the what other countries are doing against us. Blew about half the pace of the first, manufacturing Fed will in fact cut rates three times by next five percent since 1999, a time when the Fed way of major economic expansion by refusing it!” According to Trump, if not for the Fed, the has continued to weaken and business invest- year, noting that “with fiscal stimulus dissipat- had interest rates around five percent — or to cut interest rates. The president’s Twitter US economy would be expanding by an annual ment has declined. ing and global growth waning amid elevated twice what they are now. And many econo- outburst was only his latest episode of rock rate of four or five percent while the Dow Jones And Trump has threatened to jack up tariffs trade tensions, the risk of a pronounced slow- mists say returning to such levels is simply not throwing at policymakers who are meant to be Industrial Average, a marquee of Wall Street on another $300 billion in Chinese imports, down into 2020 is non-negligible.” in the cards, given the country’s aging popula- shielded from political pressure but who have success, would be “thousands of points higher.” which could send shockwaves through the The specter of higher and higher tariffs has tion and sluggish productivity growth. Holtz- contended with his barbs since last year. With 10 years of growth, the world’s largest global economy. As a result, the Fed last week weighed on investment decisions, dented confi- Eakin, who publicly argued in favor of con- However, economists say it is in fact in large economy next month will mark its longest peri- left benchmark US lending rates untouched for dence and helped slow global manufacturing. gressional Republicans’ 2017 tax cuts, doubt- part because of Trump’s own trade policies that od of expansion on record. At the same time, it the fourth time this year and the bank is signal- Douglas Holtz-Eakin, a Republican economist ed the Fed was blocking the breakout of the central bank is now considering cutting has begun to give off mixed signals. ing it could cut soon rates exactly as Trump and former director of the Congressional growth that Trump described, describing five rates for the first time in a decade as the risks On one hand, surveys of consumer confi- wants. But, rather than aiming to unleash pent- Budget Office, told AFP the US economy has percent growth as “implausible.” “When the of recession grow. “Despite a Federal Reserve dence and business activity are running hot, up US economic might, a cut will be warranted seen a sudden and unexplained bout of weak- prior administration had rates at zero percent that doesn’t know what it is doing... we are on unemployment is still near 50-year lows, and if the economic outlook deteriorates, according ness in the first half or 2019. “The biggest thing for a decade, why didn’t the economy grow at course to have one of the best Months of June consumer spending has been strong in recent to Fed Chairman Jerome Powell. Persistent that’s happened in there is a whole series of seven percent?” he said. “This is convenient in US history,” Trump tweeted. “Think of what months. But other more worrisome signs are trade friction and slowing global growth, tariff moves by the president,” said Holtz-Eakin. logic but I don’t think it is grounded by any- it could have been if the Fed had gotten it right. afoot, as the boost from 2017’s tax cuts fades among other factors, had “strengthened” the “That’s the only real policy move we’ve had.” thing in fact.” —AFP

vendors to create an unfair marketplace in India warns foreign e-commerce which they offered major discounts. Such practices are now prohibited. The rules led to Johnson urges EU to abstain a brief disruption of Amazon’s online opera- firms like Amazon, Flipkart tions in February and shocked Walmart, which had just months before invested $16 billion in from tariffs in no-deal Brexit NEW DELHI: India has told foreign e-com- protested against the rules in January, saying acquiring control of India’s Flipkart in its merce firms such as Amazon and Walmart’s they would force firms to change their business biggest ever deal. LONDON: Boris Johnson, the leading con- members next month. Flipkart that they must ensure compliance with structures, Reuters has reported. The United States government and tender to become Britain’s next prime min- The 55-year-old said he wants to “take new foreign investment rules aimed at deter- Goyal during the Monday meeting defended American firms have voiced concerns about ister, said yesterday it would be “bizarre” if the serviceable bits” of May’s withdrawal ring them from providing steep online dis- the government’s new FDI policy, saying the several recent Indian policies. Other than the EU opted to impose tariffs on British agreement, while scrapping the “backstop” counts, three sources familiar with the discus- rules should in no way be violated by any com- stricter e-commerce rules, India has demanded goods in the event of a no-deal Brexit. provision — hated by ardent Brexiteers — sions told Reuters. Commerce Minister Piyush pany, both in letter and in spirit. The govern- companies to store more of their data locally. Johnson, vying with foreign secretary intended to keep the Irish border open. Goyal has said that while the government was ment will not allow e-commerce firms’ dis- In 2017, the United States lodged a written Jeremy Hunt to replace outgoing premier Johnson said he would withhold paying the prepared to listen to concerns about its new counting practices to affect small shopkeepers, protest against India’s decision to cap medical Theresa May, insisted her divorce deal EU Britain’s £39 billion ($50 billion) bill foreign direct investment rules (FDI), it was Goyal said, according to three industry execu- device prices. struck with the bloc but repeatedly rejected while the two sides negotiate a free trade committed to protecting small traders from tives in attendance. “The minister was clear and Goyal has had a series of meetings since last by MPs was “basically dead”. agreement during an implementation period The ex-London mayor told a radio prolonging current terms. However predatory behavior by foreign-funded compa- direct,” said one of the executives. week with foreign and Indian e-commerce phone-in that Britain must “get ready to European leaders have vowed they will not nies, the sources said. Flipkart CEO Kalyan Krishnamurthy in a firms and technology companies with an aim to come out without an agreement” and the allow London to cherry-pick only the parts The comments were made by Goyal during statement said the company looked forward to iron out policy issues. He has also discussed European Union should match his plan not of the divorce deal it likes, and that the a closed-door meeting on Monday with several working with the government and Goyal had what government press releases describe as to impose any tariffs under such a scenario. backstop must remain in place. e-commerce companies. It comes in a week engaged “in a candid, positive & progressive” “threats” local firms face from “large foreign “It would be very bizarre if the EU should If Brussels maintains that stance, when U.S. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, is discussion. Amazon said it welcomed the “open competition”. On Monday, concerns around decide on their own — we wouldn’t put up Johnson said he would ask EU leaders to due to visit New Delhi - he is expected to & candid discussions & the promise of contin- online discounts available on Amazon and tariffs — to impose tariffs on goods coming agree to freeze existing arrangements for arrive late on Tuesday - and trade tensions uing engagement” with the government, adding Flipkart were discussed specifically during the from the UK,” he told LBC talk radio. “It up to 10 years while they negotiate their have heightened between the two countries. it was committed to supporting various Indian meeting, with both companies asked by gov- wouldn’t be in the interests of their busi- future relationship. That could happen India from Feb 1 imposed new e-commerce government initiatives. In a statement yester- ernment officials about how they price prod- nesses, let alone their consumers. under a provision in World Trade FDI rules to help hundreds of thousands of day, the commerce ministry said it had formed ucts online, the sources said. “It would be a return to Napoleon’s Organisation (WTO) rules, but he acknowl- small traders, but small businesses and a right- a committee to hear grievances on issues relat- Amazon and Flipkart argued they provide continental system,” he added, invoking edged “there has to be agreement on both wing group close to Prime Minister Narendra ed to FDI in e-commerce, adding it will ensure logistics support and other services to small the 19th-century French emperor who sides” for such an arrangement. Johnson Modi’s ruling party say there are still issues. small retailers thrive in the country. It did not Indian retailers who use their e-commerce attempted to blockade Britain in the insisted a way could be found through the They allege big online retailers use complex detail discussions around the question of steep platforms to boost their businesses, said the Napoleonic Wars. During the radio phone- political impasse that has led Brexit to be business structures to circumvent federal rules, online discounts. third source who attended the meeting. “Goyal in, former foreign secretary Johnson delayed twice already. “Let’s be more posi- and still burn billions of dollars to offer dis- The government brought in the new policy said he doesn’t want uncertainty for businesses delved further into his Brexit strategy if he tive about this,” he said. “It’s time this coun- counts. Amazon and Flipkart say they’ve com- in February after complaints from small Indian ... he talked about having an inclusive policy were to be elected Conservative leader — try frankly stopped being so down about its plied with the rules and deny any wrongdoing. traders who said the e-commerce giants used that protects interests of all stakeholders,” said and therefore prime minister — by party ability to get this thing done.” — AFP Both companies, and the US government, their control over inventory from affiliated one of the sources. — Reuters 12 Established 1961 Business Wednesday, June 26, 2019 Investors rushing to safety on rising US-Iran tensions ‘Investors (are) switching their attention once again to gold’

LONDON: Rising tensions between the United States and Iran dampened the mood in equity markets yesterday as investors turned to safe havens the yen and gold, with the lat- ter striking a near six-year high. Oil prices steadied despite the US imposing further sanctions on key crude producer Iran, with investors biding their time ahead of next week’s key OPEC meeting on output. Traders looked ahead also to crucial trade talks due this week between US President Donald Trump and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. “Geopolitical tensions weighed on the (stock) markets on Tuesday after the US imposed new sanctions on Iran,” said Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell. “Investors (are) switching their attention once again to gold as a safe-haven asset.” KARACHI: Pakistani stock brokers monitor share prices on computer monitors during a trading The precious metal struck $1,439.65 an session at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX). — AFP ounce yesterday, its highest level since September 2013, with a softer dollar lending additional support, according to traders. republic’s foreign ministry said. Trump phone talks with Xi. Japan’s currency, viewed also as a haven unveiled the new restrictions on Monday, days Yesterday, Chinese state media said top-lev- investment, jumped to a near six-month high after Iran shot down a US drone that Tehran el negotiators for both sides had held more dis- at 107.41 yen to the dollar. Meanwhile the said had entered its airspace. cussions ahead of the meeting, and “exchanged return on 10-year German government bonds, Foreign ministry spokesman Abbas opinions on economic and trade issues”. The another safe haven investment, hit a record Mousavi’s tweet provided a catalyst to sell call took place “at the request of the US side” low of -0.33 percent, which means investors Asian shares yesterday. However European and they agreed to maintain contact, the Xinhua are paying Berlin to hold their money. stock markets were steady in afternoon news agency said. “The prolonged trade war Bitcoin held above $11,000 after breaking deals, with Wall Street also little changed at between the two largest economies has down- the marker on Monday for the first time in 16 the opening. Traders were keeping tabs on graded global growth as more barriers to trade months. The latest round of US sanctions developments in the China-US trade standoff means higher prices,” said OANDA senior mar- against Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali as both countries’ leaders prepare for crunch ket analyst Alfonso Esparza. “Optimism remains Khamenei and military top brass meanwhile talks on the sidelines of this week’s G20 high, but more details need to emerge before meant the “permanent closure of the path to summit in Japan. World stock markets last the market can fully price in how far apart the diplomacy” with Washington, the Islamic week rallied after Trump flagged positive two sides really are.” — AFP Canada cryptocurrency exchange founder stole funds before death OTTAWA: A trustee’s audit of bankrupt Canadian cryptocurrency exchange QuadrigaCX has discovered that its late founder siphoned millions of dollars from clients and spent it on himself and his wife. Court-appointed monitor Ernst & Young said in a report that QuadrigaCX’s late president Gerald Cotten had transferred the funds from customers’ accounts to other cryptocurrency exchanges and then used the money to buy luxury goods, real estate and travel-and to cover his trading losses. According to the report, “significant vol- umes of cryptocurrency were transferred off platform outside Quadriga to competitor exchanges into personal accounts controlled QUEBEC: In this file photo taken on March 19, 2018 a technician inspects by Mr Cotten.” the backside of bitcoin mining at Bitfarms in Saint Hyacinthe. —AFP “It appears that user cryptocurrency was traded on these exchanges and in some circumstances used as security for a margin trading account established by Mr. Cotten,” it said. “In addition, sub- Skeptics had suggested Cohen faked his death. The report doesn’t stantial amounts of cryptocurrency were transferred to wallet holders delve into that question but notes that Cohen had not maintained any whose identity the monitor has been unable to confirm.” proper accounting records over the past three years, and transferred Cotten’s wife Jennifer Robertson had previously said in an affidavit large amounts of money without any oversight. At the same time, he that the company had been unable to access encrypted computers and his wife “acquired significant assets including real (estate) and that her late husband was believed to have used to store the cryp- personal property” and “frequently travelled to multiple vacation des- tocurrencies, putting millions of dollars out of reach. The files, for tinations often making use of private jet services.” QuadrigaCX had which Cotten alone had the passwords, were referred to as cold wal- announced mid-January that Cotten died of complications from lets. Ernst & Young said it had identified 76,000 QuadrigaCX users Crohn’s disease on December 9 while volunteering at an orphanage in that are owed a total of Can$215 million (US$163 million), but the firm India. He was 30. Nova Scotia’s high court in February granted his has been able to recover only Can$33 million to date. wife’s bankruptcy application on behalf of the company. — AFP

steep tariffs on hundreds of billions in exports. second spat between the two companies in less FedEx sues US The US has also sought to bar Chinese than a month. FedEx CEO Fred Smith told US telecom giant Huawei from the American mar- broadcaster Fox News that “Huawei is just ket and limit its ability to purchase US tech- emblematic of this problem,” referring to what govt over nology. A statement by the delivery firm said he described as the “confusing situations” that the restrictions placed “an unreasonable bur- can emerge when employees sought to comply restrictions den on FedEx to police the millions of ship- with the restrictions. ments that transit our network every day” or “Under the Department of Commerce’s reg- NEW YORK: American logistics giant FedEx face heavy fines. The company said it was ulations, we are expected to be the policeman sued the US government on Monday, saying impossible for employees to determine “the for these export and import controls,” he said. Washington’s restrictions on exports and origin and technological make-up of contents “Despite the fact that we handle 15 million ship- imports due to growing trade disputes and of all the shipments it handles and whether ments a day, if we make an error on any one of sanctions created an “impossible burden” for they comply with” US laws. them... we can be fined $250,000 per piece.” IT delivery firms. The announcement of the lawsuit The statement was released hours after publication PC Mag said on Friday a FedEx comes as Beijing and Washington face off in a China called on FedEx to explain why a parcel package to the US that contained a Huawei trade war that has seen both sides exchange from Huawei to the US went undelivered, in the phone was returned to the UK. — AFP

EXCHANGE RATES

Thai Bhat 10.875 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 18.204 Hong Kong Dollar 0.036821 0.039571 Turkish Lira 52.595 AL-MUZAINI EXCHANGE CO. Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.220 Indian Rupee 0.003772 0.004544 Singapore dollars 221.307 Tunisian Dinar 106.950 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000017 0.000023 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES Jordanian Dinar 429.180 Japanese Yen 0.002753 0.002933 US Dollar Transfer 303.750 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 0.203 BAHRAIN EXCHANGE COMPANY WLL Korean Won 0.000253 0.000268 Euro 347.950 Syrian Lira 0.000 Malaysian Ringgit 0.069825 0.075825 Morocco Dirham 32.211 Sterling Pound 389.560 Nepalese Rupee 0.002672 0.003012 CURRENCY BUY SELL Canadian dollar 231.340 Pakistan Rupee 0.001396 0.002166 Europe Turkish lira 52.690 Philippine Peso 0.005785 0.006085 DOLLARCO EXCHANGE CO. LTD British Pound 0.380010 0.393910 Swiss Franc 313.790 Singapore Dollar 0.219017 0.229017 Czech Korune 0.005523 0.014823 US Dollar Buying 296.400 Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001348 0.001928 Rate for Transfer Selling Rate Danish Krone 0.042292 0.047292 Taiwan 0.009659 0.009839 ASIAN COUNTRIES US Dollar 303.590 Euro 0. 338689 0.352389 Thai Baht 0.009540 0.010090 Japanese Yen 2.839 Canadian Dollar 230.080 Georgian Lari 0.107085 0.107085 Vietnamese Dong 0.00013 0.00013 Indian Rupees 4.375 Sterling Pound 388.065 Hungarian 0.000977 0.001167 Pakistani Rupees 2.021 Euro 346.750 Norwegian Krone 0.031695 0.036895 Arab Srilankan Rupees 1.720 Swiss Frank 297.770 Romanian Leu 0.056353 0.073203 Bahrain Dinar 807.360 Bahraini Dinar 0.791133 0.807633 Nepali Rupees 2.737 Russian ruble 0.004842 0.004842 UAE Dirhams 83.060 Egyptian Pound 0.018184 0.021544 Singapore Dollar 225.580 Slovakia 0.009069 0.019069 Qatari Riyals 84.295 Iranian Riyal 0.000084 0.000085 Hongkong Dollar 38.909 Swedish Krona 0.028847 0.033647 Saudi Riyals 81.855 Iraqi Dinar 0.000209 0.000269 Bangladesh Taka 3.583 Swiss Franc 0.305940 0.316940 Philippine Peso 5.910 Jordanian Dinar 429.480 Jordanian Dinar 0.423513 0.432513 Egyptian Pound 18.185 Kuwaiti Dinar 1.000000 1.000000 Thai Baht 9.905 Australasia Sri Lankan Rupees 1.718 Lebanese Pound 0.000150 0.000250 Malaysian ringgit 77.685 Australian Dollar 0.203014 0.215014 Indian Rupees 4.362 Moroccan Dirhams 0.021302 0.045302 New Zealand Dollar 0.195407 0.204907 Pakistani Rupees 1.934 Omani Riyal 0.782643 0.788323 GCC COUNTRIES America Saudi Riyal 81.054 Bangladesh Taka 3.596 Qatar Riyal 0.079165 0.084105 Canadian Dollar 0.224827 0.233827 Qatari Riyal 83.482 Philippines Pesso 5.895 Saudi Riyal 0.079913 0.081213 US Dollars 0.299650 0.304950 Omani Riyal 789.474 Cyprus pound 18.065 Syrian Pound 0.001288 0.001508 US Dollars Mint 0.300150 0.304950 Bahraini Dinar 807.090 Japanese Yen 3.825 Tunisian Dinar 0.100409 0.108409 UAE Dirham 82.754 Syrian Pound 1.590 Turkish Lira 0.045888 0.055733 Asia Nepalese Rupees 2.731 UAE Dirhams 0.081275 0.082975 Malaysian Ringgit 74.235 Bangladesh Taka 0.002999 0.003800 ARAB COUNTRIES Yemeni Riyal 0.000987 0.001067 Egyptian Pound - Cash 21.750 Chinese Yuan Renminbi 44.635 Chinese Yuan 0.042709 0.046209 Established 1961 13 Business Wednesday, June 26, 2019 Future of Kuwaiti economy under the microscope at London event ‘We welcome cooperation with the UK and Kuwaiti private sectors’

LONDON: Some of Kuwait’s top public- role in the economy. He said Kuwait boasts and private-sector leaders, as well as a great potential to be a significant destina- range of international investors, came tion for attracting investment in the region, together in London on June 17 to bring new pointing to progress in the field of develop- momentum to Kuwait’s development vision ing and streamlining investment-bearing at the latest The Business Year event, The legislation and procedures. Sheikh Meshaal Role of the Private Sector in the Future of also said the holding of the conference in the Kuwaiti Economy. The event coincided London comes within the framework of with 120 years of UK-Kuwait friendship, achieving Kuwait’s 2035 development plan, and sought to bring new energy to Kuwait’s and of promoting Kuwait’s advantages. He plans for a diversified future and its bold noted that the aim of these conferences in Vision 2035. major capitals is to attract direct added- After a welcome address by The value investments that provide jobs to Business Year CEO Ayse Valentin, HE Dr young Kuwaiti people. Nayef F Al-Hajraf, Kuwait Minister of Among other speakers were Sir Roger Finance, kicked off the event, discussing the Gifford, City of London Corporation and significance of 120 years of UK-Kuwaiti Chair of Green Finance Institute, Sylvain finance, while also delving into the future of Broyer, Chief Economist EMEA a tS&P Officer at Zain Group, spoke on behalf of development goals, the privatization story cussed the significance of blockchain in the Kuwait and highlighting the significance of Global, Vomic Shah, Head of Origination at Vice Chairman and Group CEO Bader of Boursa Kuwait, Islamic finance, and how future of logistics and praised the public- young Kuwaitis in a post-oil environment. UK Export Finance (UKEF), Mazin Saad Al Nasser Al-Kharafi. Alkhashti spoke about foreign investors evaluate the current private dynamics on show in Kuwait. On the role of the ministry, he stated that, Nahedh, Group CEO of Kuwait Finance the expansion of the role of Zain and its landscape. Discussing the role of women in the “We will continue providing all necessary House, and Baroness Morris of Bolton, UK focus on digital transformation, innovation, sector, she drew attention to the fact that financing to make sure all projects are com- Trade Envoy to Kuwait. the creation of ecosystems together with Public-private dynamics over 50% of Agility’s venture capital team pleted and infrastructure upgraded.”On the public sector, and the role of women. Finally, a panel on digital economy and are women. Fahad AlSharekh, discussing Kuwait-UK relations, he said; “We welcome Digital connectivity He emphasized the need to encourage entrepreneurship gathered Fahad Al the need to create more private-sector cooperation with the UK and Kuwaiti pri- Mazin Saad Al Nahedh concentrated on more people from the public sector into Sharekh, Founder & General Partner at jobs, stated that, “The biggest problem is a vate sectors. With the help of the UK pri- the two main pillars he suggests will change the private sector. Tech Invest Corporation, Abdullah Al lack of meaningful jobs. An accountant in vate sector, we hope we can achieve anoth- Kuwait’s financial landscape, namely digital Later, Kuwait’s financial sector and its Mutawa, former CEO of Carriage, Athbi the public sector will be doing relatively er 120 years of friendship between our two transformation in the banking sector and role in continuing privatization was the Alenezi, Co-founder & Managing Partner of the same thing as an accountant in the pri- countries.” goals contained within Kuwait’s Vision focus of a second panel. Participants Just Clean, and Henadi Al-Saleh, vate sector. But if we can create more Director-General of Kuwait Direct 2035. “The 2030s will be the age of ‘me,’ included Sheikh Ahmad Duaij Al-Sabah, Chairperson of Agility. Discussing the tech niche, meaningful jobs, such as digital mar- Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA) with personalized services offered via the Chairman of the Commercial Bank of start-up ecosystem, Fahad Al Sharekh keting or branding roles, which do not Sheikh Meshaal Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah help of digital connectivity and AI models.” Kuwait (CBK), Faisal Mansour Sarkhou, talked about the difficulty of creating a suf- exist in the public sector, we can encour- made a presentation on Kuwait’s advan- He continued, “this trend will enhance the CEO of KAMCO, Adel Abdul Wahab Al- ficient ecosystem, suggesting that even age more people into the private tages and potential, primarily highlighting role of the private sector in the economy as Majed, Chairman of the Kuwait Banking London was struggling compared to places sector.”Athbi Alenezi spoke of changing the legislative and legal atmosphere and it is a key part of Kuwait’s efforts to Association (KBA), and Roger Winfield, like Silicon Valley. “I think Kuwait needs a attitudes, with young Kuwaitis slowly get- available investment opportunities, which become a finance hub.” CEO Kuwait at HSBC Bank Middle East lot of work in terms of the legislation sector, ting used the pace of the private sector, are aimed at achieving economic diversifi- Waleed Khaled Alkhashti, Chief Ltd. Under the microscope was the role of the banking sector, and the education sec- reflecting on his own experiences of run- cation and promoting the private sector’s Corporate Communications & Relations Kuwait’s banks in financing Kuwait’s lofty tor,” he summarized. Henadi Al-Saleh dis- ning a successful start-up. Nissan shareholders approve post-Ghosn What a ‘No-deal governance overhaul Brexit’ means for YOKOHAMA: Nissan shareholders yesterday approved an overhaul intended to strengthen governance at the cri- the UK economy sis-hit Japanese automaker, still reeling from the Carlos Ghosn scandal and facing tensions with its French partner Renault. Shareholders voted in favor of a series of LONDON: Boris Johnson, the front-runner to be reforms, including the establishment of three new over- Britain’s next prime minister, has raised the sight committees responsible for the appointment of sen- prospect of a shock for the world’s fifth-biggest ior officials, pay issues and auditing. economy by pledging to leave the European Union They also approved the election of 11 directors as the on Oct 31 without a transition deal if necessary. firm restructures, among them two Renault executives as Johnson’s rival, foreign minister Jeremy Hunt, says well as current Nissan CEO Hiroto Saikawa. The reforms YOKOHAMA: Shareholders enter the Nissan shareholders general meeting. —AFP he too would be prepared to lead Britain into a no- are designed to put Nissan on a more stable footing after deal Brexit, but would be more flexible about the the shock caused by former boss Ghosn’s arrest on multi- departure date. Here is an outline of the potential ple financial misconduct charges. over the tumult that has engulfed the firm in recent noted Tatsuo Yoshida, an analyst at Sawakami Asset economic impact for Britain of leaving the EU Adding to the company’s operational woes, net profit months. Saikawa assured shareholders he would protect Management. without the cushion of a transition. fell to a near-decade low in the last business year and it the independence of Nissan, part of a three-way alliance Senard told shareholders the FCA merger talks were has already warned of “a difficult business environment” with Renault and Japan’s Mitsubishi Motors. meant to strengthen Renault’s alliance with Nissan. “I beg UK economy for the next 12 months. But the reform plan nearly fell Ghosn has accused Nissan executives of seeking to you to believe me on that. There was no aggressive inten- The Bank of England estimates a worst-case apart after Renault, which owns 43 percent of Nissan, block his plans to more closely integrate the Japanese tion towards the company I am the director at,” he said. Brexit - involving border delays and markets losing complained it did not have enough of a say in the new firm with Renault. And Saikawa said yesterday that Senard told a small group of journalists after the meeting confidence in Britain - could shock the economy structure. “autonomy” would remain important for Nissan, while that the recovery of Nissan was “the absolute priority.” into a 5 percent contraction within a year, nearly as Crisis was averted when Nissan suggested Renault vowing to work with Senard to keep the alliance going in “In the state the company finds itself, you would have much as during the global financial crisis. Output in chairman Jean-Dominique Senard sit on the appoint- “the most sustainable way”. to be blind or deaf not to understand that it is the main a less severe but still disruptive no-deal Brexit - in ments committee, and CEO Thierry Bollore on the audit He said the sensitive issue of the current structure of priority. The rest is secondary,” said Senard. Ghosn, who which Britain and the EU avoid snarl-ups at the bor- committee. However, Renault will not be represented on the tie-up could need to be reconsidered “if imbalance has been sacked from all his roles at the auto firms, awaits ders, for example - would fall by around 3 percent. the new committee on pay — possibly reflecting long- becomes a factor of instability”. The three-way alliance is trial in Japan on charges of under-reporting millions of Over the longer term, Britain’s finance ministry standing rancour in Japan over Ghosn’s high compensa- the world’s biggest-selling auto group, but it has been dollars in salary and of using company funds for personal says the economy could be 8 percent smaller by tion compared to most Japanese CEOs. seriously strained by November’s shock arrest of Ghosn, expenses. Ahead of the meeting, 67-year-old shareholder 2035 after a no-deal Brexit than if it stayed in the considered one of the auto industry’s most powerful Hideo Yamada said he thought “there will be another EU. The hit would be bigger if migration slowed Under pressure executives. round of tensions ahead” between Renault and Nissan, as sharply. The BoE also sees a risk in Britain’s wide Saikawa has himself come under pressure, both for the Since then, Nissan has accused Renault of having too they struggle to rebuild their relationship. Kiyoshi current account deficit which leaves Britain reliant disastrous financial performance of the firm and because much weight in the group, and of keeping it in the dark Shimizu, 70, said he was “70 percent in favor” of the pro- on “the kindness of strangers,” in the words of Bank the Ghosn protege is seen as a legacy of that era. He over its tie-up plans with Fiat Chrysler (FCA), which col- posed governance reforms, but “30 percent worried that Governor Mark Carney. A no-deal Brexit could opened the meeting Tuesday at Nissan’s headquarters in lapsed over reservations expressed by the French gov- it may slow the (management) speed”. “It will be impossi- turn foreign investors off British assets. Brexit sup- Yokohama outside Tokyo by offering “sincere regrets” ernment. “Rebuilding a bond of trust is not very easy,” ble to make quick top-down decisions,” he said. — AFP porters have accused the BoE of scare-mongering but acknowledge the economy is likely to take a short-term hit. Former BoE Governor Mervyn King has said Brexit’s long-term costs might not be very Tax us more: different from staying in the bloc. Bombardier sells Trade US billionaires Brussels says a no-deal Brexit would mean regional jet division British exports would be hit with import tariffs NEW YORK: “Tax us more!” was the message on which stand at around 2-3 percent for non-agri- Monday from about 20 super-wealthy Americans who cultural goods but are higher for some goods to Mitsubishi urged presidential candidates to back higher taxes on such as cars and farm products. Johnson says the wealthiest to confront climate change and other MONTREAL: Canadian manufacturer Britain could avoid those tariffs, under world priorities. “America has a moral, ethical and economic Bombardier announced yesterday the sale of its trade rules. That claim has been rejected by the responsibility to tax our wealth more,” said the group, CRJ Series regional jet program to Japan’s BoE’s Carney, trade minister Liam Fox and the which included George Soros, Facebook co-founder Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) for US$550 mil- EU’s top trade official who say it would need an Chris Hughes, descendants of Walt Disney and the lion, effectively exiting the commercial passenger agreement with the EU. owners of the Hyatt hotel chain. aircraft sector. For its part, Britain plans to eliminate import “A wealth tax could help address the climate crisis, DAVOS: In this file photo taken on January 24, 2019 The deal with Mitsubishi, which has been seek- tariffs for many products for up to a year in the improve the economy, improve health outcomes, fairly Hungarian-born US investor and philanthropist George ing to break into aviation, comes after Bombardier event of a no-deal Brexit. That would help reduce create opportunity, and strengthen our democratic Soros delivers a speech on the sidelines of the World recently sold a majority stake in its new medium- the inflationary hit to consumers but would freedoms. Instituting a wealth tax is in the interest of Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting. — AFP range C Series jetliners to Airbus, which has been expose many British companies to tougher com- our republic.” Signers pointed out that fellow billion- renamed A220, and its Q Series turboprop line to a petition. Manufacturers are worried about border aire Warren Buffett has said he is taxed at a lower rate Canadian investment fund. The sale of the 75- to group have been associated with progressive initiatives delays which would hurt their just-in-time pro- than his secretary. The letter alluded to support among 100-seat CRJ line — along with its service and on issues such as climate change and the growing duction schedules. Democratic presidential candidates for higher taxes on support networks in Montreal, Quebec City and wealth gap. Of about 40 countries, the United States is Britain’s auto industry group has said delays the super-wealthy, including Pete Buttigieg and Beto Toronto; Bridgeport, West Virginia; and Tucson, the sixth highest in terms of wealth concentration, could cost 50,000 pounds ($64,000) every O’Rourke. Arizona — is expected to close by the end of 2020. according to data from the Organization for Economic minute in a worst-case scenario. Brexit supporters But the letter noted broad bipartisan support for In a statement, Bombardier said Mitsubishi will Co-operation and Development. Taxing the super- say the use of cameras and tracking technology taxing the super-wealthy, saying “some ideas are too also assume liabilities totaling $200 million, and wealthy “would slow the growing concentration of would ease any border problems and that exports important for America to be part of only a few candi- take over all maintenance, support, refurbishment, wealth that undermines the stability and integrity of would flow freely once Britain gets an EU free- dates’ platforms.” It praised a proposal by Senator marketing and sales activities for the aircrafts. our republic,” the letter said. “Today, major policies trade deal. Deals with faster-growing nations such Elizabeth Warren that would lift taxes on those with Mitsubishi president Seiji Izumisawa said the CRJ seldom come to pass without the prior support of as the United States, India and China would be a more than $50 million in taxes, a measure expected to will compliment the development and production of wealthy elites or other wealthy interests. Division and big boost for Britain, they say. But Britain’s official affect the 75,000 wealthiest families. its SpaceJet family of commercial jets as it pursues dissatisfaction are exacerbated by inequality, leading budget forecasters say the benefits of such trade The letter was signed by 18 people representing 11 future growth in this sector. —AFP to higher levels of distrust in democratic institutions- deals are likely to be small. — Reuters families, plus one anonymous person. Many in the and worse.” — AFP 14 Established 1961 Business Wednesday, June 26, 2019 Meet the HUAWEI P30 Pro packed with a super camera and super performance

KUWAIT: Over the years, smartphone photography has come a long way. From clicking pixelated pictures that can take long processing times to today’s filters and effects. Nevertheless, it is safe to say that photography has become a key element in the modern smartphone. Keeping this as a primary focus, Huawei recently unveiled the latest members of the HUAWEI P series, a lineup known for its emphasis on photogra- phy called the HUAWEI P30, with the HUAWEI P30 Pro leading the trio of smart- phones boasting a super powered camera setup and hardware that boosts perform- ance to the next level.

Not one, or two, or three, but four cameras! Huawei did not shy away from incorpo- state-of-the-art design uses a prism ele- image stabilization technologies that brings Huawei SuperCharge, users can charge up smoother gameplay. The HUAWEI P30 Pro rating more than one camera into the ment that bends light at a 90-degree angle, together Optical Image Stabilization and approximately 70 percent in just 30 min- comes with 8GB of RAM, ensuring faster HUAWEI P30 Pro. The all-new Leica quad allowing for 5x optical zoom, 10x hybrid HUAWEI AI Image Stabilization (AIS). This utes. Additionally, the HUAWEI P30 Pro processing and shorter load times. In terms camera setup features a 40MP primary zoom and an impressive 50x digital zoom. delivers the best stabilization offered by also supports 15W Wireless Charging and of storage, users can opt between 256GB or camera with the new HUAWEI This is complemented by Huawei’s Optical Huawei, be it a long exposure shot, snap- houses a unique Wireless Reverse Charge 512GB options, perfect for saving all those SuperSpectrum Sensor, a 20MP ultra-wide Image Stabilization and on board AI Image shot, low light shot or even a video. feature. Thanks to this, users can place their precious memories. angle camera, an 8MP telephoto camera Stabilization, minimizing camera shakes at friend’s phones or other devices, even from with SuperZoom and HUAWEI’s ToF high zooms. Thanks to this stabilization, Twice the fun with HUAWEI other brands, including earphones and No compromise on looks Camera. Upfront the HUAWEI P30 Pro images and videos taken even at extreme Dual-View Video wearables on the phone to instantly start As powerful as this hardware can be, rocks a 32MP camera, all packed into the zooms will not be blurry or pixelated, mak- On the HUAWEI P30 Pro, users can charging it, provided it supports the Qi Huawei ensure that there was no compro- HUAWEI P30 Pro’s sleek body. ing nothing is too far for the HUAWEI P30 enjoy a brand new way of shooting videos Wireless Charging Standard. mise on design, with its engineers fitting One of the key innovations seen on the Pro, even the moon. with the HUAWEI Dual-View Video1. By At the heart of the HUAWEI P30 Pro lies everything into a sleek, stylish body. HUAWEI P30 Pro is the new HUAWEI The HUAWEI ToF Camera, an exclusive using multiple cameras, users can now cap- the Kirin 980, HUAWEI’s flagship processor Boasting a new design with the concept of SuperSpectrum Sensor, built into the 40MP to the HUAWEI P30 Pro is also a key part of ture a close-up and wide angle video at the and its most powerful smartphone chipset “The Aesthetics Design”, the HUAWEI P30 main camera. This new sensor supports one the new camera module. With its rich bokeh same time, on one screen. While shooting on yet. The Kirin 980 is capable of enhancing Pro come packaged in an IP68 rated body of the highest ISO ratings seen on smart- and sophisticated depth information-cap- this mode, the display will be split into two performance and efficiency it’s new and that keeps it safe from dust or water while phones at 409,600 resulting in stunning turing capabilities, the ToF camera supports screens, both of which can have their mag- improved hardware focused on performance showcasing the beauty of salt flats. photos even in difficult conditions. Thanks to multi-level, depth of field effects and por- nification adjusted. Not only does this mode and efficiency. Along with improving per- Meanwhile, up front the HUAWEI P30 the combined powers of the phone’s f/1.6 trait segmentations capable of identifying spark creative ideas to shoot videos, but formance and efficiency, the Kirin 980 can Pro features an all-new 6.47 inch FullView aperture, 1/1.7 inch RYYB CFA on the main even the smallest details, delivering one of also helps while capturing sporting matches also adapt to AI scenes such as face and display with a curved OLED screen, which camera which adopts Red, Yellow and Blue the best portrait shots on a smartphone. and concerts, where the user can have the object recognition, object detection, image bends into the edges of the screen for a pixels letting in red and green light to the The HUAWEI P30 Pro houses a 32MP wide-angle screen focused on the match or segmentation and intelligent translations. borderless viewing experience. The screen sensor. This results in up to 40 percent more front camera, which is paired with deep- stage, and the close-up screen focused on This allows users to take perfect shots, even supports a resolution up to 2340x1080, fill- light entering the sensor, thus creating learning algorithm-assisted facial recogni- the player or performer. of moving subjects with clear focus. ing out the entire display with sharp details brighter photos and videos with higher pho- tion and image segmentation support. By The chipset also uses Mali-G76 as its and bright colors. The display also houses tosensitivity, even in conditions with no light. having these technologies work in tandem, Super powered hardware GPU, which works with the new GPU Turbo the In-Screen Fingerprint sensor that allows The camera setup also includes the photos come out crisp and more natural, The HUAWEI P30 Pro is powered by a 3.0 to maximize gaming performance. The users to unlock their phone by just placing HUAWEI SuperZoom, a periscope styled even in tough-to-shoot conditions. In addi- large 4,200 mah battery that is capable of new graphics solution greatly improves the their finger on the screen. The HUAWEI P30 lens cleverly designed to fit in the sleek and tion to the high-end camera hardware, the providing users with almost an entire day of efficiency of games, enhancing gaming Pro is now available at all major retail out- elegant body of the HUAWEI P30 Pro. This HUAWEI P30 Pro also features powerful extensive use. Complemented by the 40W graphics and removing lag ensuring lets and HUAWEI stores.

hope our 3 new outlets make their access to GBK announces Joyalukkas one of the Joyalukkas Exchange centers more convenient. At Joyalukkas Exchange, we are committed to serving our customers with the winners of Exchange opens fastest, convenient, most innovative and best value in Money Exchange services.” Said Al Danah branches in 3 new Antony Jos, Director, Joyalukkas Exchange. The new Joyalukkas Exchange Centers are locations conveniently located in Jleeb Al Shuyoukh, weekly draw near Olive Hypermarket; Mahboula, opposite KUWAIT: Joyalukkas Exchange, the money Grand Hypermarket and Farwaniya opposite KUWAIT: Gulf Bank held its weekly draw on exchange arm of Joyalukkas Group, further Police Station. With the new branches, 23rd June 2019 announcing the names of the enhanced its presence in the Kuwait region Joyalukkas Exchange now has a strong pres- winners for the week of 16th until 20th June with the inauguration of 3 new branches. The ence with 14 branches spread across various 2019. The weekly draw consists of five win- new branches were inaugurated by Mr Antony parts of Kuwait. Joyalukkas Exchange is com- ners who receive KD 1,000 each, every week. Jos, Director, Joyalukkas Exchange in the mitted to providing its customers with a The winners this week are: presence of other dignitaries and customers. world-class experience in foreign exchange Abdullah Khaleel Rayes Kamal “Kuwait is a key market for Joyalukkas and cross-border remittances with fast credit Naser Mesfer Abdullah Alhubaini Account holders can also calculate their previous year which are added to the cus- Exchange, we have a strong history here with at best rates. Patrons can also earn reward Ali Motlaq Khalaf Alazmi chances of winning the draws through the tomer’s chances the following year. Terms our jewelry business and the response to our points with every transaction, which gives Veerendra Mohan Lal Rathore ‘Al Danah Chances’ calculator available on and conditions apply. Exchange business has been as positive. I take them access to value-added services in the Ebrahim Mohammad Ahmad Alawadi the Gulf Bank website and app. The Al Danah draws are all approved by this opportunity to thank the residents of partnered premium brands and can also be Gulf Bank’s second Al Danah quarterly Gulf Bank’s Al Danah account is open to and held in the presence of a representative Kuwait for their patronage and support and redeemed for periodic gifts. draw for the prize of KD 250,000 will hold Kuwaiti and non-Kuwaiti residents of from the Ministry of Commerce. today, 26 June 2019, and the third quarterly Kuwait. Customers require a minimum of Furthermore, Gulf Bank have partnered draw for the prize of KD500,000 will be KD200 to open an account and the same with Ernst and Young Kuwait (EY) with ref- held on 25 September 2019. The final Al amount should be maintained for customers erence to “Al Danah Prize Draw” system in Danah draw for KD 1,000,000 will be held to be eligible for the upcoming Al Danah order to assist in assessing processes, tech- on 16 January 2020, where the Al Danah draws. If the customer’s account balance nical controls considering relevant parame- millionaire will be announced at a live event. falls below KD200 at any given time, a KD2 ters and provide recommendations in-line Gulf Bank encourages customers to fee will be charged to their account month- with industry leading practices. The study increase their chances of winning with Al ly until the minimum balance is met. was conducted in line with industry stan- Danah by depositing more into their Gulf Customers who open an account and/or dards and control requirements relevant to Bank accounts using the new ePay (Self- deposit more will enter the weekly draw similar prize draw schemes wherein, a Pay) service, which is available on Gulf within two days. To take part in the Al detailed review of prize draw management Bank’s online and mobile banking services. Danah 2019 upcoming quarterly and yearly system along with draw scheme parame- Al Danah offers a number of unique draws, customers must meet the required ters, data extraction for draw, filtration of services to customers, including the Al hold period for each draw. Furthermore, customers as per defined business criteria Danah Deposit Only ATM card, which loyal Al Danah customers are rewarded and necessary system interactions was allows account holders to deposit money with loyalty chances. Loyalty chances are conducted to advise on any potential areas into their accounts at their convenience. the total chances accumulated from the of improvements. AUB congratulates winners of Al-Tijari first Al Hassad weekly draw KUWAIT: Ahli United Bank announced on the winning customers will receive the Eid bank in Kuwait the 19th of June 2019 the winners of its weekly prizes of KD 100,000 each. May the Eid draw of Al Hassad Islamic account which is always bring prosperity and blessings to the the very first draw account in Islamic banking Islamic nation. to accept in Kuwait that has reshaped the lives of thou- Al-Hassad Islamic Account presents also 21 sands lucky winners. Al Hassad has have over weekly prizes comprised of a grand prize of ‘UnionPay’ cards 850 prizes, over a 12 month period. The week- KD 10,000 and 20 prizes of KD 1,000 each In ly draw announced the grand prize winner of addition to the highly attractive package of the KUWAIT: In coping with “New Kuwait KD 10,000 as Kefayah Kadhem Saleh. prizes, there will be the annual expected prof- Vision 2035” aiming to transform Kuwait 20 other winners won prizes of KD 1,000 its on, which makes the Al Hassad account a into a regional financial hub and with a and are as follows: Abdulrahman Y Al Saif useful tool; for family and other savings, both view to streamline the trade traffic the only payments company that links by using this card that will be immediately ,Walid Imad Khamaane, Nazmi Mulla Yousef, for the short term and for the longer term - a between China & Kuwait which is growing China with the rest of the world and it is accepted across all stores in China. Bader M Ahmad, Jawad Ali Hassan, Hanan fact which well appreciated by a large multi- and expanding and within its ongoing the world’s largest payment card issuer From his part, Mr Abdulaziz Malak Mohammad Al Mulla, Mona Abdul Wahab Al tude of new and old customers. efforts to provide the best banking servic- with nearly 6.69 billion cards. Abdulaziz Malak/Assistant General Terkait, Malallah MohammadAl Kandari, Reem To be eligible to participate in the draw, the es, the Bank announced that UnionPay During the official launch of the agree- Manager - Card Center -Retail Banking A Zaman, Fahad Ali Al Sulaiti, Qablan customer should have a minimum balance of Cards can be accepted via the Bank’s POS ment that was attended by UnionPay’s Division, said that all point of sale terminals Mohammad Al Ebayyan, Zainab Abdulla Al KD 100, whereby the customer has two terminals and in-branch ATMs & those Regional Country Manager, Mr Hany Al with merchants dealing at present with Haddar, Ahmed Ali Al MalIiki, Santhanam chances to participate, with a maximum of located in shopping centers and commer- Deeb, Mr Hameed Ibrahim Salman/General Commercial Bank of Kuwait or those Anand, Fathiya Hasan Al Alwanti, Martina 30,000 chances per draw, in addition to annu- cial complexes. Manager -Retail Banking Division stated intending to obtain their point of sale ter- Horan, Janet Paton Langley, Khurshid Jewan al profits for all participants. Every KD 50 This step comes in view of the agree- that the cooperation with UnionPay for minals from Commercial Bank of Kuwait Mohammad, Sasikumar Korangode invested for at least 15 days entitles the cus- ment signed between the Bank and acceptance of the cards issued by would be able to accept payments from Balakrishnan and Isa Jaber Ebrahem. tomer to one chance in the each draw. The “UnionPay International” - one of the UnionPay International comes as a part of any customer holding any card with Al-Hassad Islamic Account presents also 4 longer the customer keeps his balance the world’s leading payment brands. This step the cooperation agreement between the UnionPay international logo issued from quarterly mega prizes of KD 250,000 that bigger the changes of participation in the will also allow the Chinese visitors & busi- Bank & the Company, explaining that there any institution around the globe empathiz- will help the lucky winners achieve their draw. Draws are held every Wednesday at nessmen holding UnionPay cards issued in will be subsequent and additional steps ing that merchants wishing to obtain point dreams and aspirations in addition the month- AUB Kuwait or AUB Bahrain depending on the about 48 countries across the world to where the Bank will issue cards bearing of sale terminals from Commercial Bank ly draw to win a prize of KD 100,000. One draw plan. On the occasion Ahli United Bank financially transact and pay the value of the logo of “UnionPay” to enable mer- may contact the Merchants Relation Unit powerful new aspect of the Al-Hassad Islamic congratulate its winning customers, and com- their purchases in Kuwait in an easy and chants and visitors to pay the value of their in the Bank’s Head Office branch or may Account is the prize draws on the holy occa- mented that there are many chances to win secured manner. UnionPay International is purchases in China effortlessly and easily visit the Bank’s website sion of both Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha, when waiting for our customers Established 1961 15

Wednesday, June 26, 2019 What’s On

360 Mall launches region’s first-of-its-kind AI Chatbot

uwait’s 360 Mall has become the region’s first are usually just a re-run of website text,” added benchmarks for luxury, facilities, dining and entertain- shopping and leisure destination to launch an Mkrtchyan. “Nouf goes much beyond this, just as 360 ment and are now adopting the very latest in techno- KAI-driven, bilingual chatbot - ‘Nouf’ - available Mall has gone beyond the norm to ensure the utmost logical advancements to thrust our customer’s journey on customers’ most used and favorite platforms, which convenience. What’s more, ‘Nouf’ has a bright and witty forward,” said Mkrtchyan. makes it easier than ever for customers to engage with personality, which makes her fun to talk to.” Though ‘Nouf’ is a beta-chatbot under test mode the iconic retail and entertainment centre. For instance, on learning of a customer’s food prefer- with 360 Mall, there are already plans to further extend Nouf was introduced to the public last week through ences, ‘Nouf’ can make dining recommendations, or she her range. “We are embracing the convenience of the an interactive activation at 360 Mall where the mall ini- can suggest brands for certain items and give directions conversational commerce era ensuring customers will tiated a call-out for all Noufs in Kuwait. With the par- to any store, restaurant or facility from the precise no longer have to send enquiries via emails or call our ticipation of over 360 Noufs, the announcement of the place in the mall the visitor is communicating from. customer service to obtain information from the mall. launch of the Nouf Chatbot was made to a crowd of ‘Nouf’ can also direct customers to specific outlet We are committed to providing customers with a more anticipating customers who were also celebrated by the types, provide their contact numbers and website interactive experience as a first stop on the way to full mall through branded giveaways and gifts. addresses and guide shoppers through 360 Mall’s many digitisation and gamification of shopping,” he added. 360 Mall customers now have instant access to event and entertainment options. ‘Nouf’s’ chat channels were chosen because of ‘Nouf’ who can talk to them in both Arabic and English, explained Aram Mkrtchyan, Deputy General Manager - “It’s almost like having a personal assistant that is their high penetration in Kuwait and the wider via a range of the region’s most popular social media Marketing. “Nouf is currently in its beta version and entirely dedicated to you on the other end of the line,” region. WhatsApp has the Middle East’s highest and digital platforms without having to download apps. will continue to evolve and develop to better serve our said Mkrtchyan. “Nouf will hugely improve the shop- active user penetration rate, averaging three hours a Once Nouf’s number is stored, customers can immedi- customers.” ping experience for all 360 Mall visitors, which is also a day. 360 Mall Facebook followers can also interact ately talk to her, at any time of the day or night, on Chatting to ‘Nouf’ is almost like talking to a friendly, big boost for our tenants. She knows where specific with ‘Nouf’ on Facebook Messenger and the bot is WhatsApp or via Facebook and Webchat. human personal assistant, through the use of artificial brands can be found and can direct shoppers to their available via 360 Mall’s website - www.360mall.com. “We’re using transformative and game-changing AI intelligence. “This means ‘Nouf’ can listen carefully to websites to discover the latest deals.” “Customers can start chatting with ‘Nouf’ by simply technology to make our customer-experience and jour- customers, understand their precise needs and provide 360 Mall’s investment in ‘Nouf’ is part of its ongoing visiting www.360mall.com/nouf and choosing their ney as simple and easy as possible, which is a winning far greater insight on the brands and services available aim of setting a new standard for the shopping experi- preferred social media messaging platform,” combination for our visitors and our tenants alike,” than is provided on standard, script-fed chatbots, which ence and the entire customer’s journey. “We have set explained Mkrtchyan. GUST Computer Science students recognized for outstanding Capstone projects

ulf University for Science and standing achievements on their capstone Technology (GUST) recognized projects last semester. The students were Gits Senior Computer Science stu- praised by the President and faculty dents in a ceremony led by GUST alike, and were awarded certificates and President, Professor Walid Bouhamra a cash prize of KD50 for each student as and university management for their out- a token of encouragement and apprecia- tion. The projects divided 27 students into eight different groups to work on varying projects. In addition to using posters and fliers, seniors conducted live tests of their apps to the audience to ful- ly explain the idea behind their creations, and how they could be used to benefit their communities. The university contin- uously strives to support its students’ talents and hone them into practical skills to use as tools for a successful future.

The outgoing German Ambassador Karl Berger hosted a luncheon for local media at Babel restaurant.

Greetings

appy birthday to our little princess Aamina Imran who His turning 3 today. God Bless you and may you have a prosper- Jabriya to be listed among healthy cities ous future ahead. Best wishes and love from Papa, Mama, Grand he ‘Positive Kuwaiti’ voluntary team recently societies, adding that the program also helps achieve Parents, Aunties, Uncles and responded to the wishes of Sheikha Azza HH the Amir’s vision in turning Kuwait into an inter- Cousin Brothers Abdullah, Osama, TJaber Al-Ali and of Jabriya residents to regis- national financial hub as part of Kuwait’s 2035 vision. Ali, Umar, Hassan, Mohsin, Talha ter their area on the list of healthy international cities. The team also explained the conditions of registra- and Sisters Fatima, Ayesha, Headed by Narjis Al-Shatti, the team explained the tion and the coordination needed amongst various Meeqat. significance of healthy cities on both individuals and government bodies to do so. 16 Health & Technology Wednesday, June 26, 2019 Russian and North American astronauts return to earth Russians dominate the rankings for cumulative days spent in space DZHEZKAZGAN: The first crew to blast off to the Soviet history and a new setback for the country’s March on a fresh mission. Russians dominate the International Space Station following a launch acci- once proud space industry. rankings for cumulative days spent in space, with dent that deepened doubts over Russia’s space pro- the Kononenko reaching 737 days. gram returned to earth safely yesterday. NASA Record-breakers, space tourism That leaves the 55-year-old sixth in the all-time astronaut Anne McClain, veteran cosmonaut Oleg McClain, Kononenko and Saint-Jacques had been standings and just a typical ISS mission short of Kononenko of Roscosmos, and Canadian Space optimistic ahead of their successful launch and remained beating the 879-day record set by 60-year-old Agency record-holder David Saint-Jacques upbeat throughout their time aboard the orbital lab Roscosmos colleague Gennady Padalka in 2015. emerged from the space craft to applause from sup- which is seen as a rare example of cooperation between Since 2011, Russia is the only country to oversee port crews, after touching down near the Kazakh Russia and the West. “A beautiful night pass over Africa manned launches to the ISS. But last year’s failed city of Dzhezkazgan. on my last night on @Space_Station,” tweeted 40-year- launch, multi-billion dollar corruption scandals at Live footage from the landing site broadcast on old McClain, who completed two spacewalks during her Roscosmos and the emergence of private sector NASA television showed the three sitting in chairs virgin mission to the ISS. Fellow first-time flyer Saint- competitors like Elon Musk’s SpaceX have combined smiling as they were attended to by staff ahead of a Jacques broke the record for the longest single space- to put into question Moscow’s future dominance. journey back to Moscow for Kononenko and flight by a Canadian astronaut, previously held by NASA said earlier this month that it will be Houston for McClain and Saint-Jacques. Arriving at Robert Thirsk. Thirsk clocked 187 days at the ISS in opening the ISS up to space tourists for the first 0247 GMT to warm conditions, Kononenko joked 2009 during a typical six-month mission, while 49- time next year with 30-day visits expedited by that he was “happy to see any kind of weather” after year-old Saint-Jacques’ mission will stand at 204 days. SpaceX and Boeing expected to cost around $58 coming back from space. The trio’s launch on The record was helped along by the fact that the million per person. Russia has flown seven tourists December 3 was the first after a Soyuz rocket car- launch was moved forward to December 3 from to the ISS but is set to increase that number begin- rying Russia’s Aleksey Ovchinin and US astronaut December 20 for operational reasons - possibly as a ning in 2021, according to Roscosmos, which struck Nick Hague failed in October just minutes after confidence booster after the accident. The returning a deal with American company Space Adventures blast-off, forcing the pair to make an emergency trio were given a ceremonial send off Monday as earlier this year. US businessman Dennis Tito was DZHEZKAZGAN: Ground personnel carry NASA astronaut Anne McClain landing. They escaped unharmed but the failed they exited the ISS by Ovchinin, Hague and NASA the first space tourist to the ISS, paying Russia shortly after landing in a remote area outside the town of Dzhezkazgan launch was the first such incident in Russia’s post- astronaut Christina Koch, who arrived at the lab in around $20 million for the trip. — AFP (Zhezkazgan), Kazakhstan yesterday. — AFP 17

Wednesday, June 26, 2019

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Call: 24833199 ext:101,102 or Direct line: 24835616 / 24835617 or email: [email protected] 18 Established 1961

Stars Wednesday, June 26, 2019

CROSSWORD 2241 STAR TRACK

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

It seems as if your sexual needs are one of the issues you seem to place If an emotional argument is what you are seeking today may just in fact be great focus on today. You desire power and control. These desires may lead to greater your day. You may feel a lack of support and blocked at every turn. Use your imagina- interest in healing and investing. The great mysteries of life and death seem to intrigue tion and ability to think outside of the box to find your answers. Others may see you you. You may feel much support and harmony in your life now. Surrounded by friends detached or cool on a personal level today. Your tolerance levels may be low and your and loved ones is the place for you. You may find yourself having a great time this temper short. You are drawn now to the unique and unusual in this world. Make your evening surrounded by the children and younger people in your life. It seems these ides count. Now is a great time to try new things and visit new places. You should find younger people look at you with much admirations and strive to be more like you. today as one where you are able to make new friends and have great conversations Continue to set a good example for these children, Aries. Great reward could come with everyone you cross paths with. from investing in the lives of others.

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

You know who and what are the priorities in your life. Your sense of All eyes are on you today and that is just what you crave. You have a appreciation is heightened. This is a time you are able to beam with pride when you great desire to be the center of attention. You crave appreciation for your gifts and tal- look at your life situation. You are highly respected and others admire you for what a ents. This will be a time you are able to look back on with pride. You are drawn to success you have become. Be sure to appreciate the fact that others seem to always romance. This is a great time to spend with a special someone. Share your passion, look to you for advice and guidance. Remember to take time for you. You may tend to whether it be cooking a meal together or painting a picture. Involve the one you love take the problems of those you love to personally. You can not carry the weight of the in a project tonight. This may bring you closer and the results good be amazing. world on your shoulders alone. Spend time this evening to unwind. This could prevent you from becoming overwhelmed.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21)

Gemini (May 21-June 20) If an emotional argument is what you are seeking today may just in fact be your day. You may feel a lack of support and blocked at every turn. Use your imagination and ability to think outside of the box to find your answers. ACROSS 6. A port and fashionable resort city on This seems to be a time of great focus on your relationship. You may Others may see you detached or cool on a personal level today. Your tolerance levels find yourself searching for and discovery all of the beauty this world has to offer. You 1. A French abbot. southern Mexico's Pacific coast. may be low and your temper short. You are drawn now to the unique and unusual in find beauty in your surroundings each today, but today you seem to have a greater this world. Make your ides count. Now is a great time to try new things and visit new 5. A long hooded overcoat. 7. A promise. appreciation for it. This is a very satisfying experience for you. Peace and harmony places. You should find today as one where you are able to make new friends and have 11. One of the common people. 8. Canadian hockey player (born 1948). are great desires in your world and you are entering a phase where you will feel this great conversations with everyone you cross paths with. 15. A sudden short attack. 9. The third day of the week. way often. You may find that your relationships are the key to your emotional suc- 16. A mite of the genus Acarus. cess. You may find yourself surrounded with love and support today. Focus on your 10. Physicist honored for advances in solid loved one today and you may find this is where your needs will be fed. 17. The capital and largest city of Fiji (on Viti state electronics (born in Japan in 1925). Levu island). 11. A genus of Bothidae. Capricorn (December 22-January 19) 18. In bed. 12. A Bantu language. 19. Xerophytic evergreen shrubs. 13. A member of the Tungus speaking people Cancer (June 21-July 22) Details are important today. Be aware of what you say. Be sure anything 20. Having an eye or eyes or eyelike feature of Mongolian race who are a nomadic you put on social media communicates what you intended. Words can be misinterpret- especially as specified. people widely spread over eastern ed, and you may not have an opportunity to correct a misunderstanding. Written words 21. A room or establishment where alcoholic Things really seem to be going your way. It is your time to shine. You are a permanent record, and they can come back to haunt you. Relationships can be Siberia. may feel as if the world is revolving around you. Enjoy each breath you take. Live life drinks are served over a counter. permanently damaged because the reader did not get the message that was intended. 14. An emblem (a small piece of plastic or to the fullest and seek the beauty in all that surrounds you. You are beaming with Choose your words wisely today. 23. The sport of gliding on skates. cloth or metal) that signifies your status pride and a sense of accomplishment and others will be drawn to you today. Enjoy 26. (Norse mythology) One of the Aesir (rank or membership or affiliation etc.). this feeling and spread joy wherever you go. known for his beauty and skill with bow 22. A gradual decline (in size or strength or and skis. power or number). Aquarius (January 20- February 18) 27. The process of taking food into the body 24. A former copper coin of Pakistan. through the mouth (as by eating). 25. A wind from the north. Leo (July 23-August 22) You may be feeling a need for change. A deep desire for emotional securi- 28. Not capable of movement or of being 29. The capital and largest city of Equatorial ty takes hold now and you feel your most content when surrounded by family and moved. Guinea on the island of Bioko in the Gulf those closest to you. Relationships are a priority in your world now. You feel as if 32. A silvery soft waxy metallic element of If an emotional argument is what you are seeking today may just in fact things in your life are monotonous and you are ready to spice things up. This may of Guinea. be your day. You may feel a lack of support and blocked at every turn. Use your the alkali metal group. mean a shiny new car purchase, a vacation, or simply surrounding yourself with a new 30. (Roman Catholic Church) A book con- imagination and ability to think outside of the box to find your answers. Others may group of friends. Any direction you choose, this will be a time of excitement and give 33. A set of two similar things considered as taining all the prayers and responses see you detached or cool on a personal level today. Your tolerance levels may be low you a fresh start and a more focused outlook. We all need a bit of change from time to a unit. and your temper short. You are drawn now to the unique and unusual in this world. needed to celebrate Mass throughout time. Keep life interesting and exciting. 34. A radioactive element of the actinide Make your ides count. Now is a great time to try new things and visit new places. the year. series. 31. The United Nations agency concerned 41. Other than what is under consideration or with atomic energy. implied. Pisces (February 19-March 20) 35. A crystalline rock that can be cut and Virgo (August 23-September 22) 42. From 40 million to 58 million years ago. polished for jewelry. 45. Any of several plants of the genus You may feel an emotional distance to your loved ones at this time. You 36. (Irish) Mother of the ancient Irish gods. Manihot having fleshy roots yielding a Out with the old and in with the new. Your focus is on ambition, security, are deeply focused on your ideas at this time. Personal concerns are trivial to you as 37. Area around the altar of a church for the nutritious starch. and responsibility are areas in your life where you have placed major focus. There are your level of thinking and focus deepens to that which is new, edgy, and unusual. An abstract way of thinking. You are fascinated by the more eccentric things in life. You 47. (Islam) The man who leads prayers in a clergy and choir. big decisions in your life concerning these areas that need to be made. Knowing you 38. Type genus of the Phocidae. have fallen short of goals in the past has you extremely determined at this point in may find that you are surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals as you have mosque. no tolerance for those who do not appreciate your points of views on matters. Within 39. (Norse mythology) Race of ancient gods your life. The easy way is not always the best way. You may reap great reward from 48. A whetstone made of fine gritstone. your determination. Remember, you can only count on yourself to accomplish your the company of these individuals you find your communication skills to be on point 49. Lower in esteem. sometimes in conflict with the Aesir. goals. We live in a “what’s in it for me” kind of world. today and feel as if you are in your element. 51. Any of various spiny trees or shrubs of 40. Thick like cream. the genus Acacia. 43. An independent agency of the United 53. A pass between mountain peaks. States government responsible for col- 54. A radioactive transuranic element. lecting and coordinating intelligence and Wordsearch Puzzle Yesterday’s Solution 56. Fear resulting from the awareness of dan- counterintelligence activities abroad in ger. the national interest. 59. The highest level or degree attainable. 44. A Swiss house. 61. Relating to or lying near the palate. 46. A region of northeastern Italy on the 64. Of or relating to a septum. Adriatic. 68. An involuntary vibration (as if from illness 50. Made of fir or pine. or fear). 52. The shape of a bell. 71. (often followed by `of') A large number or 55. A sheet or band of fibrous connective tis- amount or extent. sue separating or binding together mus- 72. Someone who works (or provides work- cles and organs etc. ers) during a strike. 57. A Bantu language spoken by the Kamba 73. Of or relating to the Iberian peninsula or people in Kenya. its inhabitants. 58. Of or relating to or containing barium. 75. A Turkish unit of weight equal to about 60. Of or like a cecum. 2.75 pounds. 62. Type genus of the family Arcidae. 76. An informal term for a father. 63. A soft heavy toxic malleable metallic ele- 77. An esoteric or occult matter that is tradi- ment. tionally secret. 65. Absent without permission. 78. A rapid escape (as by criminals). 66. The basic unit of money in Bangladesh. 67. Mild yellow Dutch cheese made in balls. DOWN 69. A young woman making her debut into 1. An Arabic speaking person who lives in society. Arabia or North Africa. 70. Someone who engages in arbitrage (who 2. A small cake leavened with yeast. purchases securities in one market for 3. A coffin along with its stand. immediate resale in another in the hope 4. A doctor's degree in education. of profiting from the price differential). 5. A white crystalline oxide used in the pro- 74. A soft silvery metallic element of the duction of calcium hydroxide. alkali earth group.

Yesterday’s Solution

Daily Sudoku Yesterday’s Solution Established 1961 Lifestyle

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2019

A woman forms bubbles at Lhoknga beach, Aceh province.— AFP

million fans of K-pop boy band BTS mobile-app creator-to plan a new game ormer “Baywatch” star Pamela Anderson has have signed up to have the singers featuring the septet which is in its “early Frevealed she has broken up with France World Cup- Aat their fingertips when a mobile stages”, a company executive told AFP. winning defender Adil Rami, calling him a “monster” game about them is released this week, Netmarble could not disclose the num- who “scammed” her. Anderson’s two-year romance with according to reports. “BTS World”-set to ber of users who have pre-registered for the Marseille player 18 years her junior has been closely be released in 176 countries in 14 lan- the game, the official said, but South followed in France, especially when Rami became a cult guages on Wednesday-is a role-playing Korean reports estimated the figure to be hero of the 2018 World Cup campaign in Russia despite game where the user is the band manager, around one million. The verified Twitter not playing a single minute. But the couple’s romance recruiting and training the musicians and account of “BTS World” has 1.3 million fol- appears to have ended abruptly, with Anderson accusing guiding the group in their quest for star- lowers, with each of its 90 posts retweeted Rami of cheating on her. dom. Managers and agents are the driving hundreds of thousands of times. “I don’t “The last (more than) 2 years of my life have been a force behind the K-pop industry, exerting play mobile games but I can’t wait for BTS big lie,” Anderson, 51, said on Instagram. “I was extensive control over their stables of World,” said Jessica Kim, a 33-year-old fan scammed, led to believe... we were in “ big love “?” “I’m stars, rather than musicians forming bands in Vancouver who travelled twice to Los devastated to find out in the last few days that he was liv- themselves and working to get spotted. Angeles to attend BTS concerts. The game ing a double life.” The actress and model said Rami “used BTS have developed a global following is free to download, but users can pay to to joke about other players who had girlfriends down the in recent years, becoming the first K-pop speed up the process-each time a mission street in apartments close to their wives. He called those group to top charts in the US and Britain is cleared, a new BTS video or photo is men monsters. But this is worse. He lied to all... He is the with a string of sold-out shows in Los unlocked. BTS-or Bangtan Sonyeondan, monster.” Rami’s representatives did not reply to AFP Angeles, Chicago and London’s Wembley which translates as Bulletproof Boy when asked to respond to Anderson’s claims. Anderson Stadium. The floppy-haired musicians, Scouts-maintain close relationships with has two sons from a previous relationship with Motley whose ages range from 21 to 26 and who their fans, flooding social media with self- In this file photo Marseille’s defender Adil Rami (left) and US actress Pamela Anderson arrive Crue rocker Tommy Lee. — AFP often sport earrings and lipstick, appeal to ies, videos and tweets in Korean and to take part in a TV show in Paris.— AFP a generation that feels comfortable with English. the idea of fluid gender identity. Their popularity has translated into bil- Their hit single “Boy With Luv” broke lions of dollars in profits for their company, the YouTube record for the most views in Big Hit, which is even collaborating with 24 hours, with 74.6 million hits when it was Barbie maker Mattel for BTS dolls. South released in April. “BTS World” includes Korean performers such as Psy-whose exclusive photos and videos of BTS and 2012 hit “Gangnam Style” became the first video calls with the band members. Using video to top a billion views on YouTube- another mode within the game, a player have previously broken into Western mar- can select a BTS member to go back to his kets, but none have achieved BTS’ sus- rgentine filmmaker Lucrecia childhood and a life away from the stage - tained success. — AFP Martel will chair the jury of the perhaps even as a strawberry farmer. The A76th edition of the Venice Film -list star Bill Murray is to receive a Lifetime demand for the app has prompted its pub- Festival, organizers of the world’s old- lisher Netmarble-South Korea’s biggest Achievement Award at the Rome Film Festival while est movie gala said Monday. “It is an director Ron Howard will unveil a documentary honor, a responsibility and a pleasure A about Italian opera singer Luciano Pavarotti, organizers to participate in this celebration of cin- said Monday. Murray, 68, who starred in films including ema, of humanity’s immense desire to Ghostbusters (1984), Groundhog Day (1993) and Lost in understand itself,” Martel said in a Translation (2003), will also host a public talk at the festi- statement. The 52-year-old has direct- val, which runs from October 17 to 27 in the Italian capital. ed four critically acclaimed feature The award will be presented by American Wes films: 2001 drama “The Swamp”, ado- Anderson, who directed the actor in “The Grand lescent flick “The Holy Girl” (2004), Budapest Hotel” and “The Life Aquatic”. The festival, psychological thriller “The Headless now in its 14th year, will also feature a talk with director Woman” (2008) and period drama Argentine filmmaker Lucrecia Martel and producer Ron Howard, the man behind “Apollo 13” “Zama” (2017). “Four feature films and (1995) and “The Da Vinci Code” (2006), who will present a handful of short films, in just under he added. The jury chaired by Martel his documentary on legendary tenor Pavarotti, who died 20 years, have made Lucrecia Martel at the festival, which opens August 28, in 2007. His flick will be released this summer in US and the most important Latin American will award eight prizes including the British cinemas. — AFP director and one of the greatest in the famous Golden Lion. In the past few world,” said the festival’s director years Venice has played host to several Alberto Barbera. films that have gone on to win at the “In her films, the originality of her Oscars, including Alejandro Inarritu’s stylistic research and the rigour of her “Birdman” (2014), Thomas McCarthy’s staging are at the service of an uncom- “Spotlight” (2015) and Alfonso promising vision of the world, dedicat- Cuaron’s “Roma” (2018).—AFP ed to exploring the mysteries of female A man walks past an advertisement for the role-playing game ‘BTS World’ at a subway station sexuality, group and class dynamics,” in Seoul yesterday. — AFP 20 Established 1961 Lifestyle Awards Wednesday, June 26, 2019

Cardi B accepts the Album of the Year award onstage during Nipsey Hussle’s family accepts the Humanitarian Award in honor of Nipsey Hussle onstage. Lil Baby accepts Best New Artist onstage. the 2019 BET awards at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California. — AFP photos

he most popular group at Sunday night’s BET Awards has never had a record deal. TThe men, who as boys were known as the Central Park Five, took the stage to intro- duce Grammy Award-winning singer H.E.R. Kevin Richardson, Antron McCray, Raymond Santana, Korey Wise and Yusef Salaam are now known as the Exonerated Five, and they received a standing ovation. Their story was the basis of the Netflix limited series “When They See Us,” which dramatized their experiences of being wrongly convicted in a 1989 rape case in New York. The show has stoked strong feelings about Lil Baby performs onstage. how they were mistreated, subsequent struggles and eventual exoneration. Korey Wise, Raymond Santana Jr, Yusef Salaam, Antron McCray, and Kevin Richardson speak onstage at the 2019 BET Awards The 19th annual event celebrates the best in African-American cul- ture. The show kicked off with a performance by the most-nominated artist of the night, Cardi B. The rapper kept it hot with a lap dance for her husband, fellow artist and Migos member, Offset, as she and a host of dancers turned it out.

(From left) Takeoff of Migos, Mustard, and Quavo of Migos perform onstage.

country or hip hop. Yler Perry turned the stage into a pulpit while receiving the Ultimate Icon Award. Mary J. Blige Perry, who went from writing and starring in performs onstage. plays to owning his own studio, spoke about learning to turn pain into powerful stories. “When Reverend Al Sharpton accepts the Dr. Bobby I built my studio, I built it in a neighborhood that Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award spon- is one of the poorest black neighborhoods in sored by State Farm onstage. Atlanta, so that young kids could see that a black man did that and they can do it, too,” Perry said. “The studio was once a Confederate army base, which meant that there were Confederate soldiers on that base plotting and planning on how to keep 3.9 million Negroes enslaved. Now that land is owned by one Negro.” Mary J. Blige was presented a lifetime achieve- ment award from Rihanna and performed a med- ley of her hits. There were tributes to the late director John Singleton, who died in April follow- ing a stroke, and rapper Nipsey Hussle, who was gunned down March 31 in Los Angeles near a Marsai Martin accepts the Youngsters Award clothing store he owned. onstage. Hussel’s family accepted his award, and DJ Khaled and singer John Legend participated in a musical tribute.” Host Regina Hall gave the audi- ence a little BeyoncÈ/”Homecoming” parody at the There were several buzz-worthy moments dur- beginning of the show, which played off Hall being ing the show. Rapper Snoop Dogg had Twitter a native of Washington D.C. Singer Sugar Bear scratching its head with his win for the Dr. Bobby kicked off a tribute to D.C.’s go-go music with the Jones gospel award. Billy Ray Cyrus sealed his invi- classic 1980s song, “Da Butt.” Hall’s friend and fel- tation to the family cookout with his performance low D.C. native Taraji P. Henson hopped on stage to with Lil Nas X, who is now the reigning rapper of join her in the energetic dance. country music with his viral hit, “Old Town Road.” — https://edition.cnn.com The audience was on their feet singing along to the Ella Mai accepts the Coca-Cola Viewers’ song, which has stoked debate about whether it’s Choice Award for ‘Trip’ onstage. Host Regina Hall speaks onstage.

Billy Ray Cyrus (left) and Lil Nas X perform onstage. Mary J. Blige performs onstage. Mary J. Blige accepts the Lifetime Achievement Award. Established 1961 21 Lifestyle Awards Wednesday, June 26, 2019

Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Raymond Santana, Korey Wise and Yusef Salaam (the Exonerated Five) speak onstage. (From left) DJ Khaled, John Legend and Cobby Supreme perform onstage. List of winners Video of the year Childish Gambino, “This Is America” Best female R&B/pop artist Beyonce Best male R&B/pop artist Bruno Mars Best female hip-hop artist Cardi B Best male hip-hop artist Nipsey Hussle Best new artist Lil Baby Best group Migos Best collaboration Travis Scott featuring Drake, “Sicko Mode” Album of the year Cardi B, “Invasion of Privacy” Marsha Ambrosius performs onstage. Viewers’ choice award Takeoff (left) and Offset perform onstage. Ella Mai, “Trip” Dr Bobby Jones best gospel/inspirational award Snoop Dogg featuring Rance Allen, “Blessing Me Again” Best actress Regina King Best actor Michael B. Jordan Best movie “BlacKkKlansman” Young stars award Marsai Martin Sportswoman of the year Serena Williams Sportsman of the year Stephen Curry BET HER award H.E.R., “Hard Place” Video director of the year Karena Evans Best international act Burna Boy (Nigeria) Best new international act Sho Madjozi (South Africa) .

(From left) Taraji P. Henson and Regina Hall speak onstage. H.E.R. performs onstage. Raphael Saadiq speaks onstage. Johnny Gill performs onstage.

ens of thousands of rock fans gathered this weekend pointing the finger at each other. Swedish rockers Sabaton Tfor the 14th edition of the Hellfest rock festival in stepped in to fill the gap. The Eagles of Death Metal, the Clisson, western France, which included the last band that was playing the Bataclan concert venue in Paris French appearance of with veteran rockers Kiss. The in November 2015 when jihadists launched a deadly attack open-air festival featured an eclectic range of acts, from there, also played Hellfest this year. For a while the band the painted rockers Kiss, on their farewell world tour, to was not welcome in France after lead singer Jesse Hughes Texan blues specialists ZZ Top and German rock band Def suggested in an interview that Muslim staff at the venue Leppard. Accompanying them were a range of lesser- might have cooperated with the attackers-remarks for known acts blasting out everything from punk rock to which he subsequently apologized. Grammy award-win- thrash-, death- and straight-ahead heavy metal. ning US rock band Tool were due to close out the festival Fans made their contribution to the atmosphere with a Sunday evening. — AFP range of outrageous costumes to rival those of the per- formers on stage. Organizers say around 60,000 attend- ed the three-day event, which ended on Sunday, many of them camping at a nearby site before spending the day moving between the venue’s six stages. As well as the big names from the United States and Europe, Japanese rockers Envy made it over and a string of French acts also performed. Kiss, whose trademark look includes the performers’ painted faces, were playing their last-ever concert in France as they complete a farewell tour after 50 years in the business. Not far behind them came US thrash metal specialists Slayer, who are also winding up their careers after 40 years on the road. No festival would be complete without a no-show and mutual recriminations. This time it was Manowar, another rock group on a farewell tour, who pulled out of their scheduled appear- ance Friday. The band and the festival organizers each French band Khaos Dei performs as part of the Hellfest metal Two persons crowd surf during the 15th edition of the Hellfest metal music festival. — AFP photos issued statements insisting it was out of their hands and music festival.

Norwegian singer Hank Von Hell performs during the 15th edition Swiss singer Thomas Laszlo Winkler of the British band A performer poses during the 15th edition of the Hellfest met- Festival goers pose during the 15th edition of the Hellfest of the Hellfest metal music festival in Clisson, western France. Gloryhammer performs on stage. al music festival. metal music festival. 22 Established 1961 Wednesday, June 26, 2019 Lifestyle Features

A worker carries boxes with tobacco leafs at a tobacco farm in Esteli, Nicaragua. A worker smokes a cigar at a cigar factory in Esteli, Nicaraguan Sergio Torres, marketing manager of the company Plasencia Cigars, looks at Nicaragua. tobacco leafs at a tobacco farm in Esteli.

rom “rich and full-bodied” to “complex with hints Fof licorice,” aficionados exhaust the lexicon to cap- ture the essence of Nicaragua’s most highly-prized produce-not wine, but cigars, which are especially pop- ular in the United States. The recognition turns the vibrant green hills of Esteli, in the troubled Central American country’s northwest, into a hive of activity come harvest time. Here, 800 meters (2,620 feet) above sea level, half of the population of 110,000 is employed in the tobacco industry-picking, drying or curing, or rolling cigars in factories. “No one has soil as good for tobacco as Nicaragua,” explains Nestor Plasencia, whose family business is one of the country’s leading cigar exporters, as he sits and savors the sweet aroma of one of their creations. Nutrient-rich volcanic soil and know-how imported from Cuba more than 50 years ago, as well as a knowl- edgeable workforce have set Nicaragua apart when it A worker puts tobacco leafs to dry at a tobacco farm in A worker of a tobacco factory smokes a cigar. A woman works at a cigar factory in Esteli. comes to growing flavorful top-quality tobacco. Apart Esteli. from Esteli, the two other tobacco-growing regions are the Condega and Jalapa valleys in the north, each with “My family started in tobacco in Cuba in 1865. Today we As for the Best Cigar of the Year, the “E.P. Carrillo Plasencia, who runs two factories in the Central their own distinct soils and minerals. Part of the lure of operate in Nicaragua and Honduras,” says Plasencia, Encore Majestic” is made in the Dominican Republic, but American country and exports 15 million cigars a year Nicaraguan tobacco is that “the same seeds planted in whose father hails from the Caribbean island. with Nicaraguan tobacco, the magazine says. “The to the United States. different soils and climatic regions give different flavors,” strength of the Nicaraguan tobacco industry is our focus The cigar industry has had to do more that resist cli- Plasencia said, between spiraling puffs. Cuban know-how - on quality, which is why we are today the largest matic changes to survive. It’s one of the few to emerge Cuban cigars may easily outsell the lesser-known Today, the country has 70 factories producing more exporter of premium cigars to the United States,” Castillo largely unscathed from the political and economic crisis Nicaraguan product in Europe, but Nicaraguan brands than 5,000 brands, says the director of the Nicaraguan says proudly. that has rocked Nicaragua for more than a year, after a have taken advantage of the crippling US embargo on Chamber of Tobacco Producers, Wenceslao Castillo. violent crackdown on anti-government demonstrations Havana-in place since 1961 — to sell to the Americans. Karina Rivera, a quality control supervisor at Plasencia Fermentation and aging left more than 325 people dead and forced 62,000 into Nicaraguan cigar exports to the US have increased by Cigars, tests an average of eight cigars a day. “If I see It’s clear that in the rarified world of premium cigars, exile. It also put 400,000 out of work in an economy 40 percent since 2008, reaching 140 million cigars in that it’s not at the level of quality demanded by customers, names are important. To the aficionado, in clubs and the that had enjoyed annual 4.0 percent growth, according 2018, outstripping the Dominican Republic and Honduras, we report immediately to find out where the problem is,” best bars, they trip off the tongue-La Opulencia Toro, to the private sector. “If it weren’t for these factories, according to figures from the Cigar Association of she said. Smokers say a lot is going on in a cigar during La Imperiosa, Villiger La Vencedora Churchill... “We Esteli would surely be deserted,” says 43-year-old America (CAA). puffs, tasting richness, balance and complexity-a variety believe that 60 to 70 percent of our success is due to Silvia Moreno, who has worked in the tobacco industry Nicaragua’s industry is a young one-it was started by of flavors and aromas that have helped several the way tobacco is dried and the time spent on fermen- for half her life. — AFP Cuban exiles who fled Fidel Castro’s revolution in 1959. Nicaraguan brands conquer the US market. In 2018, tation and aging-we don’t rush things,” says Castillo. When the Central American country’s civil war ended at American trade magazine Cigar Aficionado named seven “The trilogy of this success is the soils, the microclimate the start of the 1990s, the industry started to flourish. Nicaraguan brands in the top 10 of its annual ranking. and the people, the care they put into their work,” says

he Swiss watchmaker OMEGA has awarded four unique Sedna gold. The model is known as the “First OMEGA in Space,” TSpeedmaster watches to the winners of this year’s Stephen and is based on the iconic watch that astronaut Walter Schirra Hawking Medal for Science Communication at the 2019 wore during the Sigma 7 mission of the Mercury program in 1962. Starmus V Festival in Zurich, Switzerland. On stage were the win- Today’s updated design features a brown polished ceramic bezel ners including Brian Eno, for his contribution to the popularization ring and a matt chromium nitride tachymeter scale, as well as of science; Apollo 11, a documentary by Todd Douglas Miller, for brown PVD subdials and a central opaline silvery dial. The watch is its breakthrough look at the famous space mission; and a special distinguished by its caseback, which includes the words, “WIN- Lifetime Achievement Award for OMEGA ambassador Buzz Aldrin, NER OF THE STEPHEN HAWKING MEDAL FOR SCIENCE whose legendary passion for space continues to inspire us today. A COMMUNICATION”, as well as a laser-engraved medallion that medal and watch will also be separately presented to Elon Musk, follows the exact design of the medal itself. This includes the for his accomplishments in space travel and for humanity. Starmus logo and images of Alexei Leonov during the first human The Stephen Hawking Medal for Science Communication is one spacewalk and the “Red Special” guitar of Queen’s Brian May. of the world’s most celebrated science communication awards. The Starmus Festival, a combination of science, art and music, With its partnership of the Starmus Festival, OMEGA is proud to helps the general public understand and appreciate science. Since align itself with the prize and contribute specially crafted time- 2011, it has included performances and presentations from astro- pieces for the annual winners. nauts, cosmonauts, Nobel Prize winners and prominent figures Presenting the watches on stage was Raynald Aeschlimann, from science, culture, the arts and music. For the 50th anniversary President and CEO of OMEGA. He later said, “It’s a great honor to year of the Apollo 11 mission, this year’s festival included a remark- be here amongst so many esteemed names in the science commu- able roster of science and space luminaries, including Apollo astro- nity. I know these winners are truly deserving of the medal and nauts such as OMEGA ambassador Charlie Duke - the youngest they have all shown a great commitment to human understanding person to walk on the moon. Also joining the speaker roster was and progress. OMEGA has its own pioneering history and future in Nicole Stott, also an OMEGA ambassador and veteran astronaut space, so we are thrilled to join the celebrations and share in this who has worked on both the International Space Station and the common quest for excellence. Space Shuttle. The winning watch is a Speedmaster Moonwatch crafted in 18K

Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin (left) and President and CEO of OMEGA, Raynald Aeschlimann. Classifieds Wednesday, June 26, 2019

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Arrival Flights on Wednesday 26/6/2019 RJA 644 Amman 13:20 Departure Flights on Wednesday 26/6/2019 RBG 554 Alexandria 13:10 Airlines Flt Route Time KAC 774 Riyadh 13:35 Airlines Flt Route Time JZR 115 Doha 13:25 FEG 441 Asyut 00:05 FDB 8191 Dubai 13:50 JZR 713 Sohag 00:10 SAW 702 Damascus 13:30 IGO 1757 Kochi 00:10 RBG 213 Sohag 13:55 MSC 412 Asyut 00:15 MSR 611 Cairo 13:45 THY 772 Istanbul 00:20 KAC 672 Dubai 14:00 JZR 707 Luxor 00:20 UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 JZR 254 Amman 00:20 KNE 231 Riyadh 14:10 MSR 615 Cairo 00:30 RJA 645 Amman 14:15 DLH 625 Dammam 00:50 SVA 500 Jeddah 14:15 FDB 072 Dubai 00:30 CLX 7912 Hanoi 14:20 KAC 102 London 00:50 GFA 221 Bahrain 14:15 BBC 044 Dhaka 00:40 RBG 218 Asyut 14:35 JZR 722 Alexandria 01:00 FDB 059 Dubai 14:20 FEG 342 Sohag 01:05 FDB 8192 Dubai 14:50 JZR 734 Cairo 01:00 QTR 1078 Doha 14:25 JZR 409 Delhi 01:10 GFA 222 Bahrain 15:00 MSR 618 Alexandria 01:35 KAC 364 Colombo 14:35 IGO 1758 ochi 01:10 KAC 191 Tbilisi 15:00 UAE 853 Dubai 01:40 KAC 286 Dhaka 14:35 KAC 677 Dubai 01:50 KAC 673 Dubai 15:00 KLM 446 Bahrain 01:45 JZR 222 Riyadh 14:45 THY 773 Istanbul 01:50 KNE 382 Taif 15:00 PGT 858 Istanbul 01:50 KAC 304 Mumbai 14:45 DLH 625 Frankfurt 01:50 FDB 060 Dubai 15:05 THY 1464 Istanbul 01:50 KAC 540 Sharm el-Sheikh 14:50 KAC 285 Dhaka 02:00 JZR 103 Bahrain 15:05 KKK 1268 Istanbul 01:55 KAC 562 Amman 14:50 KAC 363 Colombo 02:00 QTR 1079 Doha 15:30 JZR 262 Beirut 02:05 KAC 618 Doha 14:50 KAC 417 Manila 02:00 SVA 501 Jeddah 15:45 ETH 620 Addis Ababa 02:15 KAC 788 Jeddah 14:55 JZR 705 Asyut 02:00 JZR 125 Dubai 15:50 KAC 512 Mashhad 14:55 JZR 111 Doha 02:10 KAC 105 London 15:55 QTR 1086 Doha 02:40 MSR 619 Alexandria 02:35 KNE 530 Jeddah 15:55 KAC 414 Bangkok 02:40 KAC 118 New York 15:00 THY 765 Istanbul 02:50 KAC 563 Amman 16:00 THY 1404 AYT 02:45 KNE 529 Jeddah 15:05 PGT 859 Istanbul 02:50 JZR 405 Kochi 16:00 PGT 860 Istanbul 02:50 KAC 412 Bangkok 15:10 KKK 1269 Istanbul 02:55 KAC 743 Dammam 16:05 GFA 211 Bahrain 02:50 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 15:15 ETH 621 Addis Ababa 03:05 KAC 775 Riyadh 16:05 THY 768 Istanbul 02:55 OMA 645 Muscat 15:20 KLM 446 Amsterdam 03:10 ABY 128 Sharjah 16:15 JZR 502 Lahore 02:55 ABY 127 Sharjah 15:35 UAE 854 Dubai 03:30 KAC 785 Jeddah 16:20 KAC 156 Istanbul 02:55 UAE 857 Dubai 15:45 THY 769 Istanbul 03:50 ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 16:20 ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 03:05 KAC 546 Cairo 15:50 ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:00 OMA 646 Muscat 16:20 OMA 643 Muscat 03:05 SVA 504 Madinah 16:00 OMA 644 Muscat 04:05 KAC 619 Doha 16:25 RJA 648 Amman 03:05 FEG 341 Sohag 16:00 QTR 1087 Doha 04:15 FEG 242 Alexandria 16:55 MSR 612 Cairo 03:15 FDB 051 Dubai 16:10 MSR 613 Cairo 04:15 MSR 576 Sharm el-Sheikh 16:55 KAC 418 Manila 03:20 JZR 732 Cairo 16:10 JZR 1735 Cairo 04:40 SVA 505 Madinah 17:00 QTR 1076 Doha 03:30 MSR 575 harm el-Sheikh 16:10 QTR 1077 Doha 05:00 FDB 052 Dubai 17:10 OHY 352 Istanbul 04:00 QTR 1072 Doha 16:15 OHY 351 Istanbul 05:00 QTR 1073 Doha 17:25 IGO 1751 Chennai 04:10 KAC 502 Beirut 16:15 IGO 1752 Chennai 05:10 KAC 361 Colombo 17:35 KAC 796 Madinah 04:25 SAW 705 Damascus 17:00 JZR 251 Amman 05:10 KAC 155 Istanbul 17:35 KAC 784 Jeddah 04:25 JZR 116 Doha 17:05 KAC 303 Mumbai 05:15 KAC 283 Dhaka 17:40 JZR 404 Hyderabad 04:50 SVA 510 Muscat 17:20 KAC 103 London 05:20 KAC 503 Beirut 17:40 KAC 382 Delhi 04:55 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 THY 1465 Istanbul 06:00 UAE 858 Dubai 17:40 FDB 069 Dubai 05:05 JZR 214 Jeddah 17:35 FDB 070 Dubai 06:00 KAC 343 Chennai 17:50 DHX 170 Bahrain 05:05 JZR 124 Dubai 17:40 THY 771 Istanbul 06:30 KAC 381 Delhi 17:55 THY 770 Istanbul 05:20 JZR 104 Bahrain 18:00 GFA 212 Bahrain 06:50 SAW 706 Damascus 18:00 JZR 402 Mumbai 05:25 KAC 158 Istanbul 18:00 RJA 649 Amman 07:00 OMS 226 Muscat 18:00 KAC 344 Chennai 05:30 QTR 1080 Doha 18:10 KAC 167 Paris 07:15 KAC 615 Bahrain 18:10 KAC 552 Cairo 05:45 JZR 302 Istanbul 18:20 JZR 121 Dubai 07:15 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:10 JZR 112 Doha 05:50 JZR 716 Sohag 18:20 JZR 113 Doha 07:30 JZR 721 Alexandria 18:15 BAW 157 London 06:10 MSR 620 Cairo 18:30 RBG 550 Alexandria 07:30 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 JZR 708 Luxor 06:15 UAE 875 Dubai 19:05 KAC 165 Rome 08:00 JZR 127 Dubai 18:20 KAC 284 Dhaka 06:15 FDB 063 Dubai 19:05 KAC 171 Frankfurt 08:00 JZR 403 Hyderabad 18:25 JZR 714 Sohag 06:20 RJA 640 Amman 19:05 BAW 156 London 08:00 JZR 733 Cairo 18:35 KAC 678 Dubai 06:40 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:05 MSR 602 Cairo 08:00 JZR 253 Amman 19:10 RBG 559 Alexandria 06:50 ABY 123 Sharjah 19:20 IGO 1756 CNN 08:10 JZR 261 Beirut 19:10 KAC 206 Islamabad 06:50 JZR 306 Istanbul 19:20 JZR 151 Mashhad 08:15 QTR 1081 Doha 19:20 MSR 601 Cairo 07:00 KAC 744 mmamq 19:25 FDB 054 Dubai 08:35 MSR 621 Cairo 19:30 KAC 302 Mumbai 07:05 KAC 674 Dubai 19:45 KAC 545 Cairo 08:50 FDB 064 Dubai 19:45 KAC 776 Riyadh 19:45 KAC 539 Sharm el-Sheikh 08:50 GFA 218 Bahrain 19:50 IGO 1755 CNN 07:10 KAC 501 Beirut 08:50 KAC 331 Trivandrum 19:55 KAC 358 Kochi 07:25 FDB 057 Dubai 19:50 KAC 561 Amman 08:55 ABY 124 Sharjah 20:00 FDB 053 Dubai 07:50 KNE 381 Taif 20:00 KAC 613 Bahrain 09:00 RJA 641 Amman 20:05 QTR 1084 Doha 08:00 KAC 166 Rome 20:00 KAC 511 Mashhad 09:05 KAC 351 Kochi 20:30 KAC 354 Bengaluru 08:00 KAC 104 London 20:00 KAC 117 New York 09:05 FDB 058 Dubai 20:30 KAC 332 Trivandrum 08:05 OMA 647 Muscat 20:05 QTR 1085 Doha 09:10 JZR 401 Mumbai 20:30 UAE 855 Dubai 08:25 DLH 624 Frankfurt 20:10 KAC 787 Jeddah 09:15 UAE 876 Dubai 20:35 JZR 706 Asyut 08:25 MEA 402 Beirut 20:15 KAC 671 Dubai 09:15 KAC 353 Bengaluru 20:40 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 08:50 JZR 126 Dubai 20:20 KAC 157 Istanbul 09:20 KNE 232 Riyadh 20:50 ABY 125 Sharjah 09:00 RBG 1154 Alexandria 20:30 KAC 773 Riyadh 09:40 DLH 624 Dammam 20:55 OMA 641 Muscat 09:00 MSC 401 Alexandria 20:30 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:40 OMA 648 Muscat 21:05 GFA 209 Bahrain 09:05 KAC 620 Doha 20:30 JZR 731 Cairo 09:45 MEA 403 Beirut 21:15 KAC 384 Delhi 09:10 QTR 1088 Doha 20:40 UAE 856 Dubai 09:50 RBG 1155 Alexandria 21:20 IRA 665 Shiraz 09:15 RBG 217 Asyut 20:55 JZR 301 Istanbul 09:55 MSC 402 Alexandria 21:30 QTR 1070 Doha 09:20 KLM 445 msterdam 21:00 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 09:55 RBG 214 Sohag 21:35 IGO 1753 Ahmedabad 09:40 KAC 172 Frankfurt 21:00 OMA 642 Muscat 10:00 KAC 301 Mumbai 21:50 FDB 055 Dubai 09:40 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:10 KAC 101 London 10:05 QTR 1089 Doha 21:50 IAW 157A Al Najaf 10:00 KAC 192 Tbilisi 21:10 GFA 210 Bahrain 10:05 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 SYR 341 Damascus 10:00 UAE 859 Dubai 21:15 IRA 664 Shiraz 10:15 KAC 205 Islamabad 21:55 AXB 889 Mangalore/Bahrain 10:20 ALK 229 Colombo 21:15 QTR 1071 Doha 10:30 KLM 445 Bahrain 22:10 JZR 252 Amman 10:20 KAC 168 Paris 21:20 KAC 617 Doha 10:40 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:15 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 THY 764 Istanbul 21:30 FDB 056 Dubai 10:40 ALK 230 Colombo 22:20 MEA 404 Beirut 10:55 KAC 616 Bahrain 21:40 IGO 1754 Ahmedabad 10:40 THY 1413 Trabzon 22:25 QTR 1074 Doha 11:00 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:50 SYR 342 Damascus 11:00 KAC 383 Delhi 22:35 JZR 1736 Cairo 11:05 KAC 564 Amman 21:55 IAW 158A Al Najaf 11:00 UAE 860 Dubai 22:35 JZR 114 Doha 11:10 QTR 1082 Doha 22:05 JZR 221 Riyadh 11:20 JZR 407 Ahmedabad 22:40 KIS 6032 Mashhad 11:30 JAV 621 Amman 22:15 AXB 890 Mangalore 11:20 KAC 547 Alexandria 22:45 JZR 122 Dubai 11:45 ETD 309 Abu Dhabi 22:15 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:35 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:50 TBZ 6605 Mashhad 11:55 KAC 786 Jeddah 22:20 JZR 305 Istanbul 11:45 KAC 783 Jeddah 22:55 IAW 157 Al Najaf 12:00 AIC 975 Chennai/Goa 22:25 MEA 405 Beirut 11:55 KAC 551 Cairo 23:00 JZR 410 Delhi 12:00 SVA 514 Riyadh 22:25 JZR 213 Jeddah 12:05 KAC 411 Bangkok 23:00 SAW 701 Damascus 12:30 SVA 502 Jeddah 22:45 JZR 715 Sohag 12:10 ETD 310 Abu Dhabi 23:05 RBG 553 Alexandria 12:30 JZR 128 Dubai 22:50 QTR 1075 Doha 12:10 JAV 622 Amman 23:15 KAC 614 Bahrain 12:30 MSC 411 Asyut 23:15 KIS 6033 Mashhad 12:30 QTR 1083 Doha 23:20 UAE 871 Dubai 12:45 MSR 614 Cairo 23:30 TBZ 6606 Mashhad 12:55 SVA 515 Riyadh 23:25 MSR 610 Cairo 12:45 FDB 071 Dubai 23:35 IAW 158 Al Najaf 13:00 SVA 503 Jeddah 23:45 CLX 7912 Luxembourg 12:45 LZB 7787 Varna 23:55 JZR 123 Dubai 13:10 JZR 701 Asyut 23:45 24 Established 1961 News Wednesday, June 26, 2019 Iran air defense missiles must be taken seriously: Experts DUBAI: The shooting down last week of a sophisti- aircraft,” Iran’s navy commander Rear Admiral Hossein cated US drone by an Iranian missile demonstrates Khanzadi said on Monday. “I say confidently that this that Tehran’s air defense capabilities can pose a chal- crushing response can be repeated and the enemy lenge to US air superiority, experts say. The Global knows this,” he said. Hawk, an advanced US navy surveillance drone, was The former head of a French intelligence service, flying at high altitude - it can reach 60,000 feet (18 who asked to remain anonymous, said that if the US km) - early Friday local time when it was struck by a air force sends large numbers of aircraft over Iran, ground-to-air missile by Iran’s elite Revolutionary they should be prepared for some losses, because Guards. Iranian forces will be prepared. “That said, in the case “The shooting down of the drone shows Iran is of the drone, it may not have had sufficient counter- revealing a capability and choosing to message it to measures - to deceive, deflect or outmaneuver the the United States,” said Becca Wasser, an analyst at missile - and the Americans thought that the Iranians Rand Corp. “The fact that Iran was able to shoot would not dare” shoot it down, he told AFP. down the drone demonstrates that they have devel- Dan Gettinger, co-director at the Center for the oped or purchased fairly significant capabilities and Study of the Drone at Bard College, New York, said are skilled at employing these systems.” Wasser not- the Global Hawk is a large plane that flies slowly. The ed an Iranian claim that it had used a home-made plane “is not a stealthy aircraft - it’s very large” with a surface-to-air missile (SAM) system to shoot down wingspan of 40 m, similar to a Boeing 737, Gettinger the drone. “If true, this would be significant because said. The drone’s fate is “definitely going to be taken it is a domestically produced capability that Iran into account in future operations,” Gettinger told AFP. could replicate and potentially provide to proxy He said the incident is also reminiscent of the time the groups throughout the region to threaten US and Soviet Union shot down a U-2 spy plane in 1960. That partner militaries,” she told AFP. event, targeting a piloted craft, “is a large part of the According to the Military Balance - an annual pub- reason why the US started developing drones in the lication by the International Institute for Strategic first place”, Gettinger said. TEHRAN: An Iranian woman walks past a mural illustrating ancient Persian poetry yesterday. — AFP Studies (IISS) - Iran has 32 batteries of Russian-made Experts however say that the latest incident does S-300 ground-to-air missiles that have been delivered not mean Iran is capable of building a firewall against by Moscow since 2016. They are seen as posing a the air force of the world’s largest military, whose serious threat. The Islamic Republic has also devel- superior firepower and electronic warfare capabilities organization” and nearly launched a military strike in oped Iranian versions of these missile systems, includ- are overwhelming. At the end of 2015, just after Tehran to ditch more retaliation to Iran downing the US spy drone. ing the Bavar 373, SAM Tabas and SAM Raad which Moscow agreed to sell the S-300 systems to Tehran, a Zarif said the drone had violated Iranian airspace, a are regularly displayed at military parades. The move Israel tried in vain to prevent, the head of the nuke curbs as Trump... claim the US denies. But Russia, a key ally of Tehran, Revolutionary Guards claim that they shot down the Israeli Air Force General Amir Eshel said the missiles backed Zarif’s version of events. Washington has also US drone with a Khordad 3 missile, a version of the posed “a significant but not insurmountable challenge”. blamed Iran for mid-June attacks on two tankers in sen- Continued from Page 1 SAM Raad. Douglas Barrie, senior fellow for military aero- sitive Gulf waters, a claim Iran hotly refutes. Trump has Senior Iranian officials and military officers have space at IISS, said Iran had shown it is capable of said he is ready to negotiate with Iran “with no precon- welcomed the strike and warned against a possible US shooting down a large drone. But, he said, “this is a intepreted Iran’s ‘patience’ with weakness and inac- ditions” and that Iran could have a “phenomenal future”. tion realise that Iran’s answer to the American drone’s retaliation. “The enemy dispatched its most advanced, long way from being able to sustain air defense oper- “We do not ask for conflict,” he said, adding that smartest and most sophisticated surveillance and ations in the face of a significant attack involving mis- violation of its airspace will be no different than its reac- depending on Iran’s response, sanctions could end tion to devious political efforts to limit Iranian people’s reconnaissance aircraft to the forbidden area and sile strikes and counter-measures to degrade its air tomorrow or “years from now.” everyone saw the shooting down of this unmanned defenses.” — AFP absolute rights,” he added. But Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Abbas The statements came as US national security adviser Mousavi said the new sanctions meant “permanent clo- John Bolton, on a visit to Iran’s archenemy Israel, said sure of the path to diplomacy with Trump’s desperate Washington had “held the door open to real negotia- government”. Rouhani also mocked the logic of black- planned cordon. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, an alliance led by tions” but that “in response, Iran’s silence has been deaf- listing the supreme leader, who has few assets and no Homeless Syrians Syria’s former Al-Qaeda affiliate, took over administrative ening”. Bolton also warned Iran against disrupting a plans to visit the US. “To sanction (the supreme leader) control of the region in January. Bahrain conference on Middle East peace that got for what? Not to travel to America? That’s cute,” he In the town of Atareb - about 30 km from Atme, in underway yesterday night. “Iran has engaged over the said. Rouhani noted there had been chances for talks sell furniture... Aleppo province - Abu Hussein received a new deliv- past couple of months in a long series of unprovoked and between the two sides. ery at his shop of second-hand household appliances unjustifiable attacks,” he said. “In that kind of environ- Zarif met former US secretary of state Rex Tillerson Continued from Page 1 and furniture. “Every day, more than ten cars arrive ment, threatening the conference in Bahrain is always a several times before Washington unilaterally withdrew loaded up with items the displaced try to sell us,” possibility,” he said. “It would be a big mistake for Iran to from the nuclear deal in May 2018 and reimposed sanc- the former construction worker, who fled the village of said the 35-year-old. “This means we have to pay continue this kind of behavior.” tions. “You do not seek to negotiate. If you did, we could Tramla with his wife and six children. “I sold all our relatively low prices, because the supply is so high” In a series of tweets, Trump warned Iran against any have,” Rouhani said. Zarif, a political moderate, was a key home’s furniture for just 50,000 Syrian pounds,” he said, and it’s hard to then sell them all, he said. dressed in a faded grey t-shirt fraying around the collar. attack on US interests. “Any attack by Iran on anything architect of the deal under which Iran agreed to curb its Back in Atme, 50-year-old Waleeda Derwish said After transport costs, he was left with only half that she hoped she would find someone to buy her fridge, American will be met with great and overwhelming force. nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. But amount to feed his family, he said. Abu Abdu accused washing machine and television, to help her provide In some areas, overwhelming will mean obliteration,” both he and Rouhani have accused Washington of wag- said the US president. Iran and the US broke off diplo- buyers of “cheating us, exploiting the displaced”, but said for her eight children. The widow transported the ing an “economic war” on Iran since pulling out of the he had no other choice. “Everything’s so expensive... and electrical items to “save them from bombing or loot- matic relations in 1980 over the hostage crisis at the US accord. Amid a flurry of diplomatic activity, the UN embassy in Tehran following Iran’s Islamic revolution. there are no organizations looking out for us,” he said. ing” in Maaret Hurma, she said, a bright blue scarf Security Council on Monday issued a unanimous call for The Idlib region is supposed to be protected by a Since quitting the nuclear deal and reimposing sanctions wrapped around her wrinkled face. Now the appli- dialogue to address the standoff between the United buffer zone deal signed by Russia and rebel backer ances represent the family’s only lifeline, she said. on Iran, Trump has moved to choke the country’s econo- States and Iran. China yesterday urged “calm and Turkey in September. But the accord was never properly “I’m forced to sell them. How else are we supposed my, blacklisted its Revolutionary Guards as a “terrorist restraint” as tensions grew. — Agencies implemented as militants refused to withdraw from the to live?” — AFP

vincing more MPs to support the no-confidence friend of Netanyahu. No-confidence motion. He said dissolving the Assembly is in the hands Kushner pitches Saudi Arabia, which sent its finance minister, in a of HH the Amir, adding he is confident the Assembly, statement said it supported “all international efforts aim- elected in 2016, will complete its four-year term. ing to achieve prosperity in the region”. But it also called motion filed against... Hajraf denied reports that he had submitted his resig- ‘Opportunity of... for a “comprehensive and just peace” and reiterated its nation, saying that the grilling had finished and he did not call for an independent Palestinian state with east Continued from Page 1 quit. Ghanem said the voting on the motion will take Continued from Page 1 Jerusalem as its capital. Jordan and Egypt, the only two place on July 3 in accordance with the law, and after that Arab nations to have signed peace deals with Israel, retired people from the social security agency. The the Assembly’s term will come to an end, which means Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s were attending but only sent mid-level officials. grilling was placed on the agenda of the first session in that the closing date has been delayed by one day. directives. Ghanem’s remarks were made regarding an Prominent figures taking part in the Bahrain confer- the next term starting in October but the minister sur- During the debate, Hayef accused the minister of emergency statement issued on Monday by the National ence included International Monetary Fund chief prised the Assembly yesterday by asking that his grilling providing MPs with false information and pledges over Assembly calling on the government to boycott the Christine Lagarde, World Bank President David Malpass be debated immediately, and the Assembly agreed. the cancellation of the interest, and that he failed to ful- Bahrain workshop. and former British prime minister Tony Blair. Richard The minister categorically denied that he had prom- fill his promise. The minister categorically denied that he This statement represents the Kuwaiti people, and the LeBaron, a former US diplomat in the Middle East, said ised during a grilling two weeks ago to abolish the con- had made the promise, saying that he cannot concede government has translated its content on the ground, that the Trump administration fully expected that the troversial interest because this can be done only public funds and any measure like this needs a law from Ghanem said. “All of us follow His Highness the Amir’s Palestinians would stay away. But Bahrain allows Kushner through legislation. But Hayef and at least one lawmaker the Assembly. directives in this matter that we are proud of,” he noted. to portray Palestinian leaders as not caring about their insisted that the minister made the pledge as part of After the grilling, the Assembly debated and He stressed that the statement issued by MPs expresses own people as he keeps advancing Israeli interests, said efforts to convince Hayef to withdraw his name from a approved the budgets and final accounts of eight gov- principles of the Kuwaiti society, and its historical, sharia LeBaron, now a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council list of lawmakers who had planned to file a no-confi- ernment bodies that include the authorities of ports, and constitutional commitment, in line with the desire of think tank. “The ‘failure’ of the Manama workshop will be dence motion against the minister after the first grilling. industry, telecom, roads, youth and printing the Holy the Kuwaiti people and most Arab nations in this regard. success for the Trump strategy,” he wrote in an analysis. Hayef withdrew his name at the last minute and Quran, in addition to the budgets of the Assembly and Ghanem thanked the Kuwaiti government for its hon- “It will permit Kushner and his colleagues to claim that foiled the motion, because he was the tenth MP on the the Credit Bank. MPs however clashed over demands by orable stances towards Arab and Muslim issues, lauding they tried their best to address the situation and allow list who signed the motion. Under Kuwaiti law, 10 MPs some to abolish the Quran printing authority, saying it its decision on boycotting any meetings in which any them to blame others for not cooperating.” are needed to file a no-confidence motion against min- was functioning. Islamist MPs strongly defended the Zionist entity attends. He also commended the Kuwaiti Meanwhile, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres isters. Ghanem said some circles have been circulating authority and recounted its achievements. The Assembly government’s stances at the UN Security Council. called on UN member states yesterday to fund the that the Assembly will be dissolved as a way of con- continues to debate budgets today. The Palestinian Authority and its rival Hamas have agency that works to help Palestinian refugees as he both denounced Kushner’s so-called “Peace to opened a donors’ conference for the body, which is boy- Prosperity” initiative, saying it amounts to a bid by the cotted by the US. The conference was being held the munities, we must say: Diversity is a richness, never a unabashedly pro-Israel Trump to buy them off in return same day the Trump administration was presenting in The wildfire threat. A deep and sustained spirit of mutual respect for not enjoying their own state. Saeb Erekat, secretary Bahrain the economic part of the long awaited Middle and receptivity can transcend posts and tweets fired off general of the Palestine Liberation Organization, said East peace plan. More than a year ago the Trump admin- in a split second. We must never forget, after all, that that the Trump administration “is insinuating that they istration stopped sending money to the UN agency for of hate speech... each of us is an “other” to someone, somewhere. There know what is best for the Palestinian people” without the Palestinians, called UNRWA and called for it to be can be no illusion of safety when hate is widespread. addressing the underlying issue of Israeli occupation. dissolved, saying it was no longer justified 70 years after Continued from Page 1 As part of one humanity, it is our duty to look after “Such inciting campaigns aim at making the people and the start of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the cre- each other. Of course, all action aimed at addressing leadership of Palestine accept the dictations, threats and ation of Israel. We recognize hate speech as an attack on toler- and confronting hate speech must be consistent with tyranny of both the US and Israel - and they are doomed “Today, I humbly ask all donors to maintain their sup- ance, inclusion, diversity and the very essence of our fundamental human rights. Addressing hate speech to fail,” the veteran Palestinian negotiator said in a state- port for UNRWA at last year’s level,” said Guterres. “We human rights norms and principles. More broadly, it does not mean limiting or prohibiting freedom of ment earlier yesterday. know what is at risk: education for a half million children; 8 undermines social cohesion, erodes shared values, and speech. It means keeping hate speech from escalating Hundreds of Palestinians took to the streets in the million healthcare visits a year; emergency relief for 1.5 mil- can lay the foundation for violence, setting back the into something more dangerous, particularly incitement occupied West Bank to denounce the conference, burn- lion. In Gaza alone, one million Palestine refugees depend cause of peace, stability, sustainable development and to discrimination, hostility and violence, which is pro- ing pictures near Hebron of Trump and the king of on UNRWA for food,” he said. Last year, UNRWA relied human dignity. hibited under international law. Bahrain. In unprecedented scenes, the kingdom wel- on extra money from member states and internal savings to In recent decades, hate speech has been a precur- We need to treat hate speech as we treat every comed dozens of Israelis including academics and jour- cover a $446 million budgetary hole. This year it unveiled a sor to atrocity crimes, including genocide, from malicious act: by condemning it, refusing to amplify it, nalists despite the lack of diplomatic relations. The budget of $1.2 billion, unchanged from 2018. Rwanda to Bosnia to Cambodia. I fear that the world is countering it with the truth, and encouraging the per- United States has hailed the workshop as bringing Unless enough money is pledged yesterday, the reaching another acute moment in battling the demon petrators to change their behaviour. Now is the time to together the Israelis with Gulf Arabs due to their mutual agency could fall back into the red by the end of the of hate. That is why I have launched two United step up to stamp out anti-Semitism, anti-Muslim hostility towards Iran. month, Guterres warned. And that could mean delaying Nations initiatives in response. First, I have just hatred, persecution of Christians and all other forms of Netanyahu, who has also criticized the Palestinian school openings in late August or September, the agency unveiled a Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech racism, xenophobia and related intolerance. boycott, has spoken in recent months of annexing parts says. Founded in 1949, UNRWA runs schools and pro- to coordinate efforts across the whole United Nations Governments, civil society, the private sector and the of the West Bank, a move that could effectively end vides health care for some five million Palestinian system, addressing the root causes and making our media all have important roles to play. Political and reli- hopes of a two-state solution. The Trump administration refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank, and response more effective. gious leaders have a special responsibility to promote has hinted that its political plan will not mention a the Gaza Strip. Israel and the United States do not like Second, we are developing an Action Plan for the peaceful coexistence. Hatred is a danger to everyone - Palestinian state - a sharp shift from the goal of years of the fact that Palestinian refugees can pass on refugee UN to be fully engaged in efforts to support safeguard and so fighting it must be a job for everyone. Together, US diplomacy. Trump has already taken landmark steps status to their children and want to reduce the number of religious sites and ensure the safety of houses of wor- we can put out the wildfire of hate and uphold the val- to support Israel including recognizing bitterly contested people receiving aid from UNRWA. The Palestinians say ship. To those who insist on using fear to divide com- ues that bind us together as a single human family. Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, and Kushner is a family this violates their rights. — Agencies 25 Sports Wednesday, June 26, 2019 Yankees tie homer-streak record in win over Jays

Greinke homers, D-backs stop Dodgers’ win streak

NEW YORK: Giancarlo Stanton hit his first homer of the one. Yoan Lopez (1-1) pitched a scoreless eighth inning season to highlight a seven-run sixth inning, and the for his first career victory in 45 appearances, and Greg New York Yankees tied a major league record by home- Holland got the last out for his 11th save of the season ring for the 27th straight game Monday night before and the 200th of his career. holding on for a 10-8 victory over the visiting Toronto Blue Jays. The Yankees matched the mark set by the ROCKIES 2, GIANTS 0 Texas Rangers in 2002 and won for the ninth time in 10 Jon Gray combined with three relievers on a six-hit games by holding off a late Toronto comeback attempt. shutout, and David Dahl provided all the offense with a Aaron Hicks connected for the record-tying drive when two-run home run, giving Colorado a victory at San he got a hold of a fastball by Aaron Sanchez (3-10) and Francisco. Gray combined with Jairo Diaz, Scott Oberg lined it into the right field seats for a three-run shot that and Wade Davis on Colorado’s fourth shutout of the gave New York a 3-2 lead in the fifth inning. Stanton’s season, all of which have been recorded on the road. 445-foot drive to a social gathering area beyond the The Colorado foursome outdueled Drew Pomeranz and center field fence put the Yankees up 10-2. CC Sabathia two Giants relievers, who combined to allow just five (5-4) allowed two runs and six hits in six innings while hits while striking out 13. Pomeranz tied a career high striking out a season-high nine hitters and issuing two with 11 of those strikeouts. Dahl delivered the game’s walks. Aroldis Chapman gave up an unearned run in the only scoring after a one-out single by Charlie Blackmon ninth before sealing his 22nd save. in the third inning. The left-handed hitter went the opposite way to left field against Pomeranz. INDIANS 3, ROYALS 2 (10 INNINGS) Jason Kipnis homered to lead off the 10th inning, RED SOX 6, WHITE SOX 5 and host Cleveland recorded a victory over Kansas Marco Hernandez beat out an infield single with the City. Kipnis deposited a 1-0 slider from Wily Peralta bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning to lead (2-4) over the wall in right-center field for his sixth host Boston past Chicago. Hernandez beat the throw of homer of the season and his third career walk-off shortstop Tim Anderson, who got to the ball in the hole shot. Rookie Bobby Bradley and Jose Ramirez each but couldn’t get the runner on a jump throw to first. had an RBI double for the Indians, who have won four Andrew Benintendi came home after starting the inning NEW YORK: Giancarlo Stanton #27 of the New York Yankees hits a three run home run against the Toronto in a row and nine of their past 11 games. Brad Hand (4- with a double off Jace Fry (1-3) as the Red Sox battled Blue Jays in the sixth inning at Yankee Stadium in New York City. — AFP 2) picked up the win after retiring the side in order in back to tie the score on three separate occasions in the the 10th inning. late innings. Eduardo Nunez was responsible for two of three hits. Scott Kingery also had three hits for the a five-run rally that put the game away with a fifth- the rallies, including an RBI single grounded through Phillies, who snapped a season-long seven-game losing inning single, leading Chicago to a win over visiting DIAMONDBACKS 8, DODGERS 5 the infield in the eighth inning to knot the score at 5. streak. Bryce Harper added a pair of doubles and two Atlanta. Lester (7-5) allowed two runs, both David Peralta drove in the go-ahead run in a four- Brandon Workman (7-1) got the win, striking out RBIs. The Phillies, who had a season-high 19 hits, had unearned, on five hits with no walks and seven run eighth inning, pitcher Zack Greinke hit a home run, Anderson (four K’s) with a runner on second to end the scored 12 runs combined in their previous five games. strikeouts. Lester singled with one on and none out and Arizona stopped Los Angeles’ six-game winning top of the ninth. It was the only batter Workman faced. Philadelphia starter Zach Eflin (7-7) tied his career high in the fifth, then the next five batters each drove in a streak with a victory in Phoenix. Arizona’s Ketel Marte, by giving up 11 hits to go along with six runs in five run to make it 7-0 — all runs charged to Atlanta returning to the lineup after missing two games PHILLIES 13, METS 7 innings. Michael Conforto, Todd Frazier, Wilson Ramos starter Julio Teheran (5-6). During the outburst, because of a groin cramp, went 2-for-4 to tie Luis Jean Segura, Rhys Hoskins, Jay Bruce and Maikel and Dominic Smith homered for the Mets. Chicago got an RBI double from Kyle Schwarber, Gonzalez’s franchise record with seven consecutive Franco homered to lead host Philadelphia past New run-scoring singles from Kris Bryant and Anthony multi-hit games. Greinke gave up four runs and seven York. Segura led the way with four hits, Franco added CUBS 8, BRAVES 3 Rizzo, an RBI double from Javier Baez and a run- hits in six-plus innings. He struck out six and walked three hits and three RBIs, and Cesar Hernandez had Jon Lester pitched six strong innings and sparked scoring grounder by Willson Contreras. —Reuters

Refreshed Kerber relishing emotional Federer looks to return to Wimbledon turn number nine

LONDON: Angelique Kerber was born on Germany’s Baltic coast, but for her Wimbledon feels like the green, Wimbledon green grass of home. Especially this year when she will walk back through the All England Club gates as dream into reality defending champion. It is not new territory for the 31-year-old former LONDON: Historically, emotionally and statisti- world number one who on two other occasions arrived cally, Roger Federer remains the man to beat at for the start of a Grand Slam having won it the year Wimbledon even at the 21st time of asking. Forget before. But she has never experienced that at the creaking knees and advancing years-the Swiss Wimbledon-the title she cherishes the most. will be 38 in August-not many in SW19 will bet “I think maybe it’s the same but different in some against their adopted favourite achieving ways because Wimbledon was the tournament I was Wimbledon history with a ninth men’s title to looking forward to win one day,” left-hander Kerber equal Martina Navratilova’s record singles mark. said at Eastbourne this week. “I think when I get there Victory would consolidate his position as old- it will be very emotional and I will have a lot of great est male champion, a record he set in 2017 when memories. I’m really happy to go back there and enjoy he won his eighth title without dropping a set at the memories, the people, the place. the age of 35 years and 342 days. Federer’s cheer- “It’s always really special, but especially this time.” leaders will point to the confidence gleaned from Kerber won the Australian Open and US Open in a 2019 tournament wins on the hard courts of remarkable 2016, but struggled the following year. She Dubai-his 100th ATP title-and Miami. was back to her best last year, reaching the semi-final This year’s Wimbledon lead-up has been wrin- of the Australian Open, the quarters in Paris, before kle-free after a positive showing at the French convincingly beating Serena Williams in the Wimbledon Angelique Kerber Open, where he lost in the semi-finals to Rafa final when many had already given the title to the Nadal, and his traditional grass tune-up at last American. week’s Halle Open, where he triumphed for the This year there has again been a slump although ill- grass last week, beating former Wimbledon champion pleted a 6-3 6-3 defeat of Williams having played near- ness and injuries, rather than the loss of drive of 2017, Maria Sharapova and grasscourt threat Caroline Garcia perfect tennis. 10th time. have been the root cause. An ankle injury during the before losing in the semi-final to Swiss Belinda Bencic. “I’ve watched the video of the match a couple of But look through the glass differently and 2019 claycourt season left her struggling and she lost in the Few players move better on grass than Kerber and times,” she said. “I took all my chances that day.” While may tell a whole new story. Perhaps Federer’s first round of the French Open. That, she says, may have her stock Wimbledon photograph could be one of her the pressure will be amped up in a few days when decision to compete at Roland Garros for the first been a blessing. getting low, knees almost scraping the grass, to fire a Kerber leaves the chilled out surrounds of Eastbourne time in four years was actually an acknowledge- “I feel much better after Paris, I had 10 days off for backhand. “Grass is more natural for me than clay,” the and heads to Wimbledon, she believes she is well- ment that his great powers are waning. recovery and rehab, and right now I’m feeling good, the world number five, who owns a 30-10 record from her equipped to handle it and start another title quest. Federer knows that every opportunity to pain has gone, I’m not sick and I feel ready again,” she 11 Wimbledon, said. “Everything starts from zero and everyone would boost his Grand Slam tally of 20 trophies must said. “That’s the most important thing for me, to be able “The serve is a big thing on grass. You have to play like to beat me,” Kerber said. “It is a pressure but I be grasped or risk being eclipsed by the rejuve- to be ready to fight, I’m in match mode. I’m hungry different on the first two balls after the serve or the learned from the other two times I was defending slams nated Nadal. after having a little break, I feel motivation and the return. The next few shots must be really aggressive.” that I must just focus on the next opponent, the next The Spaniard’s victory in Paris took his Grand energy. “It’s a good sign.” After the drudgery of clay, The other image would be her collapsing to Centre step, the next practice, same as when I won the slams. Slam total to 18 while Novak Djokovic has won Kerber looked immediately at home on the Mallorca Court that sunny Saturday a year ago when she com- Keep it simple.” — Reuters three of the last four blue-riband events to bring his career tally to 15. It is possible to make a strong case for all three, with Nick Kyrgios last week making special mention for Federer, whom said that, the only thing that doesn’t seem right about he predicted will “be hard to beat” on his Wimbledon seeding this issue is that it is only Wimbledon that does it. If favourite surface. they all did it, it would seem more correct. Former French Open finalist Alex Corretja is “It’s not only about my particular case. There have another who has flagged up Federer. “Federer system disrespects been many occasions when players have played well played a great claycourt season, which gives him all year on all surfaces but Wimbledon does not the belief he can win Wimbledon again,” said the world rankings: Nadal respect the ranking they have earned. “And for this Spaniard. reason they get more complicated draws.” Grass has always suited Federer’s aggressive Nadal is yet to play an official match on grass this style, which is based on footwork, pace and ability MADRID: Rafael Nadal has complained about year while Federer warmed up for Wimbledon last to find sharp angles. Perhaps the only remaining Wimbledon’s seeding system after the Spaniard was week by winning his 10th title at the grass-court tour- question is whether the Swiss has the stamina to placed at number three, behind Roger Federer, for nament in Halle. Federer and top seed Novak Djokovic slug it out against the game’s young guns. next week’s grand slam in London. The other three will be at opposite ends of the Wimbledon draw, sep- As always the aim remains to win but now it is major tournaments all match their seeding to the offi- arated until the final, but Nadal is guaranteed to have to do so without expending too much energy. Last cial world rankings but Wimbledon uses its own for- either Federer or Djokovic in his half, and could meet year there were signs that the balance is more dif- mula to dictate the order, combining ranking points them in the semis. ficult to achieve and the eight-times champion with form in grass-court competitions. “For me personally, it means if I am three, to get to squandered match points against Kevin Anderson It means Nadal will be seeded three and Federer the final, Djokovic or Federer will be in my half,” before exiting in the quarter-finals. Despite two at the All England Club this year, despite their Nadal added. “But that can only happen in the semi- Anderson’s raw power, few at Wimbledon expect- positions being the reverse in the rankings list. finals and to get there I have to win five matches. ed Federer to lose that day because for so many “Wimbledon is the only tournament of the year that Today I’m far away.” years Wimbledon victories came so naturally. does it like this,” Nadal told Spanish television chan- Nadal claimed his 18th major title earlier this All that can be said with certainty is that should nel Movistar on Monday night. month by winning the French Open for a record- anyone beat the man who has already pocketed “Obviously it would be better to be two than three extending 12th time. He now sits behind only $124 million in prize money, he should consider but if they think I have to be three I will accept three Federer’s 20 grand slam triumphs in the all-time list himself champion in waiting. — Reuters and fight to win the matches I have to win. “Having of male champions. — AFP Rafael Nadal 26 Sports Wednesday, June 26, 2019 Pakistan’s Azhar questions New Zealand toughness ahead of clash Pakistan must win the match for a chance to reach semi-finals

BIRMINGHAM: Pakistan bowling coach Azhar South Africa and the West Indies in tight finishes. Mahmood questioned New Zealand’s ability to win the But Pakistan have a good record in matches biggest matches ahead of today’s World Cup clash in between the two sides, winning six of their eight World Birmingham. Kane Williamson’s side are undefeated at Cup encounters, including semi-final victories in 1992 the tournament in England and Wales, with five wins in and in the 1999 edition, also in England. six games, plus one no result. Pakistan started their campaign slowly at the 1992 In contrast, Pakistan must win the match at World Cup in Australia and New Zealand but beat Edgbaston if they are to maintain a realistic chance of New Zealand twice and went on to lift the trophy for reaching the semi-finals after a poor start to the tour- the first and only time. “If you see the 1992 World nament in England and Wales. Mahmood, a former all- Cup and this one, there are a few similarities,” said rounder who played in three World Cups for Pakistan, Azhar. “But we’re not thinking like that. Australia said New Zealand had a good record early in tourna- were in a similar situation in the 1999 World Cup ments but often wilted under pressure at the business (which they won). end. “New Zealand’s history is such that they get there “If they lost any games, they would have been out. winning, winning and then when a crunch situation We are in that situation now. But for us, every match is comes up, in the semi-final, or quarter-final, they don’t a final, that is how we are looking at it. We know that if do that well,” Mahmood said yesterday. “It can happen we perform poorly anywhere, we could be out.” to any team. Everyone has to have a bad day. Hopefully Mahmood praised in-form paceman Mohammad New Zealand have it tomorrow.” Amir, who has taken 15 wickets in five matches. “Amir New Zealand, who have never won a World Cup, has started pushing his lengths up a little, allowing have reached the semi-finals six times and lost to himself to swing the ball,” he said. “That has been key BIRMINGHAM: Pakistan bowling coach Azhar Mahmood addresses media representatives at a press conference Australia in the 2015 final in Melbourne. During the for us. It’s very important for us that he gives us early at Edgbaston in Birmingham, England yesterday on the eve of the ICC World Cup match between Pakistan and current tournament they have coped well in pressure breakthroughs and he has that ability. “His skills and New Zealand. — AFP situations, coming out on top against Bangladesh, ability have always been exceptional.”— AFP Less crash, bang, Afghan poster boy wallop need of the Rashid buckling hour for Windies, under weight says Lloyd

of expectations LONDON: West Indies need to rethink their tactical approach and pace their innings better at the Cricket World Cup if they are to get the best out of a side full MANCHESTER: No other spinner headed into the of talent, according to cricketing great Clive Lloyd. World Cup with a burden of expectation heavier than West Indies are eighth in the standings after six the one on Rashid Khan’s shoulders but seven matches matches having won just one game-a seven-wicket into the tournament and the poster boy of Afghan demolition of Pakistan in their opening match. cricket is buckling under the weight. His reputation, earned largely in franchise cricket, Jason Holder’s side, however, could have been in a preceded him in England but success has eluded him in much stronger position heading into their next match a tournament he was supposed to set alight. England is against India in Manchester on Friday had they not not exactly a spinner’s paradise though. lost to front-runners New Zealand narrowly or let South African old warhorse Imran Tahir and Australia off the hook. Bangladesh talisman Shakib Al Hasan are the only two “West Indies could be one of the best teams spinners among the tournament’s top 10 bowlers. around-they have the talent,” Lloyd said in his col- Right-arm quick Gulbadin Naib is the highest placed umn for the International Cricket Council. MANCHESTER: West Indies’ Chris Gayle stretches during a training session at Old Trafford in Manchester, north- Afghan with nine wickets from seven matches-all of “Ultimately, the difference has been that the West west England yesterday, ahead of their 2019 Cricket World Cup group stage match against India. — AFP which his team have lost to be rooted to the bottom of Indies just aren’t settling in and making big scores the standings. (and) they’re not putting the clinical finishing touches With just four wickets from seven outings, Rashid, necessary to win games.” ity to buckle down. more games in England. “Had the West Indies bats- currently the top ranked Twenty20 bowler, is not even The Guyanese, who captained the West Indies to Holding said that some of the top-order batsmen men turned some of those 50s, 60s and 70s, 80s the best spinner in his team. Mohammad Nabi has sev- the first two World Cup titles in 1975 and 1979, said seemed to have the mentality that if they scored into hundreds they would have been in a better en from seven and Mujeeb Ur Rahman-another off- the five-run loss to New Zealand was the perfect “80-odd” before they got out they had done their position in the points standing,” Lloyd said, high- spinner-has five from five. illustration of his argument. job and it was then up to the rest of the side to get lighting the fact that six West Indies players, besides Batsmen initially treated Rashid with respect before The West Indies had a blistering start, but suffered the team home. Holding’s fellow Jamaican Chris Brathwaite, had passed 50 during the tournament. Eoin Morgan destroyed him in Manchester where the a top-order collapse and only a rearguard maiden Gayle raced to 87 against New Zealand but was dis- “Against New Zealand, they were well aware of the leg-spinner’s 9-0-110-0 went down as the worst fig- century from all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite meant missed in the 24th over to leave his side at 152 for asking rate; all they had to do was knock it around. ures in World Cup history. No bowler in the tourna- they got close to New Zealand’s 291 for eight. five. Lloyd added that if his former side had a player It wasn’t about playing big shots. ment has been hit for more sixes than the dozen he has “I just hope that they’ve learned from their mis- conceded so far. The approach was criticised by fast bowling great like New Zealand captain Kane Williamson, who “He is not bowling (at the level) where I want him,” Michael Holding during his commentary of the New scored 148 by accumulating runs and waiting for the takes and that they can rectify them because they are captain Naib, who defended Rashid after the Zealand match, stating he felt the side lacked the abil- bad ball he could put away, they would have won talented cricketers.” — Reuters Manchester mauling saying it was a one-off day, said after Monday’s loss to Bangladesh. “But he is trying hard, he is giving his 100 percent.” The 20-year-old endured another wicketless day at Banks ready to Shakib keeps flag the Hampshire Bowl on Monday, even as Mujeeb got three while Shakib returned the tournament’s best fig- ures of 5-29 on the same slow track. fill Folau void in flying for World The closest he came to tasting success was when he trapped Shakib leg before. The batsman instantly reviewed it and eventually got the decision overturned Wallabies backline Cup all-rounders with ball-tracker suggesting the delivery would have MELBOURNE: Tom Banks has long been known for just sailed over the stumps. MANCHESTER: All-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is a rare His frustration was evident too as Rashid remon- his blistering pace and the ACT Brumbies fullback is talent who could command a place in the Bangladesh strated with team mates who put up another shabby also showing a knack for timing as his strong run of team as either a batsman or a bowler in an age of fielding display marked by spilled catches, misfields form leaves him well placed to grab Israel Folau’s increasing specialisation in cricket. and overthrows. Naib, who reckoned his team bled vacant Wallabies jersey ahead of the Rugby World The 32-year-old has others for company at the extra 30-40 runs on field, said he could sympathise Cup in Japan. World Cup, including West Indies captain Jason with Rashid. With the Brumbies the only Australian team to make Holder and England’s Ben Stokes. But today’s all- “I’m also disappointed with our fielding like him. the Super Rugby playoffs, the 25-year-old rounders do not have the same profile as they did dur- There was an occasion when he was very angry with Queenslander has had the perfect stage to impress ing a golden era in the 1980s when England’s Ian a fielder,” Naib added. “If we do not field well, it Wallabies coach Michael Cheika with his rivals for the Botham, Pakistan’s Imran Khan, Kapil Dev of India and upsets the bowlers. Rashid is one of those players, number 15 shirt left on the sidelines. New Zealander Richard Hadlee vied for top-dog sta- who is trying to do well in all three departments. But A couple of Banks line-breaks helped set up two of tus in the global game. again, we gave away extra runs, and naturally he was the Brumbies’ tries in their 38-13 quarter-final win over Shakib, the world’s top-rated all-rounder in one-day very upset.— Reuters the Sharks in Canberra over the weekend and he will internationals, inspired Bangladesh to a convincing win look to sustain his strong form against the Jaguares in over Afghanistan with his five wickets and 51 runs on Buenos Aires on Friday. Monday, matching Yuvraj Singh’s feat for India at the A win over the Argentine side would secure the 2011 World Cup. Dan McKellar-coached Brumbies their first final since Shakib has scored 476 runs with two centuries and Lara admitted to 2013 and a shot at their first championship since the three fifties in six games in England and Wales and has last of their two titles in 2004. Banks has every reason also picked up 10 wickets. to believe he can play a meaningful part in Buenos Israel Folau Stokes and New Zealand’s Colin de Grandhomme Mumbai hospital Aires, having proved himself something of a road war- have also caught the eye during the round-robin phase rior this season. New South Wales Waratahs utility back Kurtley Beale but Shakib, a left-arm spinner and left-handed batsman, MUMBAI: West Indies batting legend Brian Lara was He has scored a try in seven of the Brumbies’ last are also in the running for the Wallabies number 15 jer- has been the standout all-rounder. admitted to a hospital in Mumbai yesterday after com- eight matches outside of Australia, including one in the sey and both have experience wearing it. Former West Indies paceman Ian Bishop said such plaining of chest pain, Indian media reports and sources 20-15 defeat by the Jaguares in April, the last time the But with their teams eliminated from Super Rugby, players remained sought after. “Everyone wants an said. The 50-year-old Trinidadian was rushed to hospital teams met. Banks has plenty of fans among past neither have another chance to stake their claim Imran Khan (the current Pakistan prime minister who after he complained of discomfort during a promotional Wallabies players and media pundits, including former before Cheika picks his squad for the abridged led his team to a 1992 World Cup triumph) or Shakib Al event, the Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency said, Australia and Brumbies outside back Joe Roff, who Rugby Championship. The Wallabies won only four of quoting a source close to the player. Hasan but they don’t fall out of the trees,” he said. rates him the “complete” package. “He is fine and will be discharged soon,” the source told their 13 tests last year, their worst season in decades, “Every team wants one of those (all-rounders). You PTI. Lara was in Mumbai to take part in events organised But Banks, who made his test debut last year, is and their prospects of winning a third World Cup in don’t go out and buy those. The core of the team is by Star Sports, the official broadcasters of the ongoing reluctant to look too far ahead.”You’ve probably got to Japan seem gloomy. always built around the specialist but the all-rounder cricket World Cup. put (the World Cup) aside,” he said. “It’s in a lot of peo- However, Banks says Cheika need only look to the still has its place. “If you look at New Zealand and Colin “He complained of chest pain and uneasiness this morn- ple’s minds at the moment but my sole focus at the Australian capital to find players ready to bring a de Grandhomme chipping in. England have a number of ing and was sent for a routine check-up. He is fine now,” a moment is definitely the Brumbies and inadvertently if winning mindset into Wallabies camp. “It’s been a guys who are specialist bowlers but they can also bat source at the broadcaster, who asked not to be named, we can do really well as a team and get deep into the really good journey for me, my time down here in and that is what makes them such a strong unit.” told AFP. One of the best batsmen of all time, Lara holds finals that will really help our World Cup chances.” Canberra has been really enjoyable,” said Banks, who India have unearthed Hardik Pandya as a genuine all- two world records-the highest Test score of 400 not out, Folau was Cheika’s go-to fullback for most of his 73 joined the Brumbies in 2017 after managing only two rounder to follow in Kapil’s footsteps but he is yet to and the highest first class knock of 501 that he scored in tests but the dual international was sacked last month appearance in two seasons for the Queensland Reds. fire fully at the World Cup. England star Stokes made the English county championship in 1994. The former skip- for a controversial social media post and has launched “I think the culture down here is the best team culture his presence felt in a losing cause against Sri Lanka per retired in 2007 after a dismal West Indies campaign in legal proceedings against Rugby Australia. I’ve been a part of. “They probably bring the best out when he hit an unbeaten 82 and bowled five overs for the World Cup. —AFP Melbourne Rebels captain Dane Haylett-Petty and of players.”— Reuters just 16 runs.—AFP 27 Sports Wednesday, June 26, 2019 USA, Sweden reach quarter-finals as women’s World Cup heats up Sweden will face Germany on Saturday PARIS: Megan Rapinoe scored two penalties as decided the game left a bitter taste in their mouths. defending champions the United States beat Spain on “I didn’t touch her... they blew for that penalty Monday to set up a mouthwatering quarter-final because it was the United States,” a distraught against hosts France at the women’s World Cup, with Torrecilla said. Sweden joining them in the last eight. In Paris, more than 38,000 fans saw Sweden edge On another day in the limelight for VAR, Sweden’s out fifth-ranked Canada 1-0 at the Parc des Princes goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl made a brilliant second-half thanks to a solitary second-half goal scored by Stina penalty save as her country edged out Canada 1-0 in Blackstenius, superbly set up by Kosovare Asllani. Paris, meaning they advance to a similarly enticing tie Sweden then held on for the victory thanks to against Germany. Lindahl, who dived to her right to keep out Janine The showdown between the holders and the hosts Beckie’s 69th-minute penalty awarded after a VAR had seemed inevitable from the moment the draw was review showed Asllani had stopped a Desiree Scott made back in December, but after France laboured to shot with her arm. beat Brazil in extra time on Sunday, the USA did not “I was so happy, just pure joy, and my teammates felt find the going easy against Spain in Reims. the same way,” said Lindahl, when asked to describe Rapinoe’s first penalty gave Jill Ellis’s team an early her emotions after saving the spot-kick. lead after Tobin Heath was brought down in the box by That was the 22nd penalty awarded at this World Maria Leon. Cup, equalling the total tally from the 2015 tournament However, Jennifer Hermoso pounced to equalise and underlining the influence of Video Assistant moments later after Becky Sauerbrunn had been caught Referees, although VAR later intervened to overturn a in possession, and Spain held their own after that spot-kick awarded to Sweden. against the World Cup favourites. They were undone, Sweden will face Germany on Saturday in a repeat though, by another penalty awarded for what looked a of the gold medal match at the 2016 Olympics, which very slight touch on Rose Lavelle from Virginia the Germans won 2-1. “I had the best preparation today Torrecilla. that you could have for a match like that. I listened to The penalty was confirmed after a VAR check and four albums by Neil Young, who is Canada’s top per- Rapinoe smashed the ball into the same corner with 15 former,” said Sweden coach Peter Gerhardsson. PARIS: Sweden’s forward Stina Blackstenius (C) celebrates after scoring a goal during the France 2019 minutes left to give the USA the tightest of wins and Asked what music he would listen to before facing Women’s World Cup round of sixteen football match between Sweden and Canada, at the Parc des line up the French. “I hope it’s wild and crazy and the Germany, Gerhardsson went for some industrial metal. Princes stadium in Paris. — AFP fans are crazy and that there’s tonnes of media around “It will be Rammstein. They released a new album and it it and it’s just a big spectacle,” Rapinoe said of Friday’s will be heavy going on Saturday so that will work just match. “I think it’s going to be incredible for the fine.” Today the last two quarter-final places will be could be a particular concern in the first of those kicked off at 9pm local time, and it is set to get hotter women’s game. You have two heavy hitters meeting in decided as Italy take on China in Montpellier before matches as a heatwave grips much of France. In Paris in the coming days. FIFA said that “cooling breaks” the knockout rounds and this is everything you want.” European champions the Netherlands meet 2011 on Monday night, the temperature remained close to may be needed during games to protect players from It is not what Spain wanted, and the penalty that World Cup winners Japan in Rennes. The temperature 30 degrees Celsius (86 Fahrenheit) after the match the effects of the heat. — AFP

and Barcelona, according to reports in the Spanish Neymar claims he was due the amount before Neymar accepts press. leaving as a loyalty bonus. Barcelona sports newspa- PSG are yet to sanction the sale of their star strik- per Mundo Deportivo has reported Neymar will also er, who they paid a world record 222 million euros to have to make a public apology to the club’s fans for pay-cut in ‘verbal sign from Barca only two years ago. the manner of his departure. Salah seeks first But Neymar is reportedly eager to return to Spain The 27-year-old had spent four years at Camp agreement’ and Barcelona are prepared to take him back, with Nou, winning the Champions League in 2015 and Spanish sports newspaper Diario Sport claiming a two La Liga titles. He had formed a brilliant attacking goal at Cup of five-year contract has been agreed. trio alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. Any with Barca: Reports The newspaper says the terms include Neymar return for Neymar would likely require Barca to raise Nations in Egypt reducing his salary from around 36 million euros at funds through sales. Antoine Griezmann is expected MADRID: Neymar is ready to cut his salary by 12 PSG to the 24 million euros he received at Barca in to join from Atletico Madrid for 120 million euros million euros to leave Paris Saint-Germain as part of 2017, while also dropping his 26-million euro court while Frenkie de Jong has already signed for 75 mil- CAIRO: Superstar Mohamed Salah gets a second a “verbal agreement” reached between the Brazilian case against the Catalan club. lion euros from Ajax. — AFP chance to score his first goal at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations when hosts Egypt face the Democratic Republic of Congo in Group A today. The recent Champions League winner with Liverpool was unable to convert several chances against Zimbabwe last Friday as Egypt won 1-0 in the opening match of the Qatar future bright tournament. “Mohamed Salah was among those who missed after tough Copa chances, but I was satisfied with our performance,” admitted Mexican coach Javier Aguirre. Victory over the Congolese, who performed poorly when losing 2- America debut 0 to Uganda, could clinch a last-16 place for the Egyptians with one match to spare. PORTO ALEGRE: Qatar may have fallen at the first Here, AFP Sport previews the Group A double- hurdle in their South American adventure but the header with Uganda playing Zimbabwe in the first 2022 World Cup hosts showed enough in Brazil to match in Cairo, and the Group B showdown between suggest the future is bright for the Maroons. Nigeria and Guinea in Alexandria. They arrived at the Copa America as an unknown quantity as far as the locals were concerned but Egypt v DR Congo despite losing two of their three matches, Qatar After four days of small crowds, a capacity proved competitive enough to ensure they won’t be a 75,000 crowd is expected in Cairo to cheer Egypt as surprise package next year when making their second they seek a third win in four Cup of Nations meetings appearance in the South American showpiece. with the DR Congo. There will be contrasting pres- “There were times that we played well. We have to sures on the teams with the Pharaohs eyeing a sec- keep working hard,” said Qatar’s Spanish coach Felix Sanchez. “It’s a young team looking at the next three ond-round place and the Leopards fighting for sur- years. We need to work hard to be strong when we vival after a horror first outing. “We must learn to get there.” handle the pressure of being among the favourites in Qatar have never qualified for the World Cup and order to realise our goal of becoming African cham- will take part for the first time as hosts in 2022. pions,” said Aguirre. DR Congo came to Egypt as one Despite their modest history and tiny indigenous of the most unpredictable qualifiers having finished population, the gas-rich Gulf state has lofty ambitions third in 2015 only to make a timid quarter-final exit and took a pair of important steps this year. BELO HORIZONTE: Ecuador’s Angel Mena (C) is marked by Japan’s Ayase Ueda (L) as Japan’s Ko Itakura two years ago. “We let our country down against In February in the United Arab Emirates, they look on during their Copa America football tournament group match at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Uganda,” confessed captain Youssouf Mulumbu. “It overcame a hostile home crowd-provoked by a politi- Horizonte, Brazil. — AFP was a bitter lesson for us and we plan to correct the cal spat in the Gulf region-to win the Asian Cup for situation quickly.” the first time, having never before gone beyond the quarter-finals. Kubo but it was Nakajima who proved the Blue Samurai’s Uganda v Zimbabwe And their participation in the Copa America-the Heartache for Japan, most potent weapon, at one point trying to chip Ecuador’s Having won a Cup of Nations match for the first oldest continental national team competition in the goalkeeper from halfway. He and Ecuador’s Enner Valencia time in 41 years, Uganda coach Sebastien Desabre world-has exposed Qatar to a higher level of tourna- both fired early shots over before Nakajima gave Japan a has warned his Cranes against overconfidence when ment than they’ve ever faced before. 15th minute lead with a shot from outside the box. Ecuador as draw they confront Zimbabwe. “It was wonderful to win Despite a positive start when they fought back It was originally disallowed but then validated following after such a long time, but we must keep our feet on from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Paraguay, it proved a a VAR review. Japan’s Eiji Kawashima saved a shot from chastening experience following defeats by Colombia sends Paraguay into Valencia but Ecuador were level on 35 minutes after the the ground and remain humble and focused,” warned (1-0) and Argentina (2-0). But Colombia’s Portuguese veteran goalkeeper failed to hold a Robert Arboleda effort, the Frenchman. “I was very impressed by Zimbabwe coach Carlos Queiroz, who has a lot of experience allowing Angel Mena to tuck home the rebound. against Egypt and nothing less than a top-class per- playing against Qatar having coached Iran for eight Copa quarters Almost immediately, new Real Madrid signing Kubo formance from us will deliver three more points.” years, feels there is more to come. came to life and forced a save out of Dominguez. Japan Should Uganda and Egypt triumph, both will be guar- “Qatar are here to show that there’s football in RIO DE JANEIRO: Japan and Ecuador were left heartbro- impressed with their pace and team-work in the first half anteed last-16 places, leaving Zimbabwe and DR Asia and if you don’t respect their characteristics, ken as their 1-1 draw in Belo Horizonte on Monday saw but Ecuador’s outfit of strapping, muscular specimens had Congo to try and fill one of four spots reserved for their teamwork... look what happened with Paraguay,” them miss out on the Copa America quarter-finals, with a clear physical advantage. the best third-place finishers. “Our brave perform- said Queiroz before his side played the Qataris. Paraguay qualifying instead. Nakajima turned provider for Naomichi Ueda in the ance against Egypt is history and only a victory over “They go to 2-2 and Qatar could have won it.” Uruguay, meanwhile, topped Group C as Edinson second half but Dominguez saved the Japan midfielder’s Uganda will bring us back into contention for auto- Although Colombia dominated, Qatar held on Cavani’s goal eight minutes from time gave them a 1-0 win header while Kawashima denied Ayrton Preciado. Maeda matic qualification,” said Zimbabwe coach Sunday grimly for 86 minutes and created several chances on over champions Chile, who also qualify, at Rio de Janeiro’s had a chance to win it in the dying moments when put Chidzambwa. the counter-attack before eventually falling to a Maracana stadium. through by Kubo but couldn’t beat Dominguez. And Kubo, Duvan Zapata header. Japan and Ecuador faced a must win match in their bid nicknamed the “Japanese Messi” saw his hopes of becom- Guinea v Nigeria “It was a very difficult match and it was very to reach the knock-out stages as one of the two best ing the nation’s hero dashed by VAR. Neither team impressed in their Group B openers important to be patient,” said Colombia midfielder third-placed finishers. Peru had already secured their spot In Rio, Chile knew they needed only a draw to keep with Nigeria one-goal winners over debutants Gustavo Cuellar after the game. “We managed to from Group A while Paraguay, in Group B, were left sweat- hold of top spot in Group C and avoid Colombia-the only counter their threat which was the rapid transition ing on Monday’s result having finished their campaign on team with a perfect group stage record-in the quarter- Burundi and the defensive weaknesses of Guinea from defense to attack.” Qatar’s has been a patient Sunday with two points from three games. finals. They took no risks and began with a back three, exposed when held by Madagascar, another new- project, and many years in the making. Shoya Nakajima gave Japan the lead on 15 minutes with recalling Gonzalo Jara-no stranger to Uruguay’s forwards. comer. Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr blamed illness for Sanchez, a product of Barcelona’s renown La a goal validated by VAR, but 10 minutes from half time, He was involved in a pair of controversial incidents in a lacklustre showing and it took an exquisite back- Masia training center, joined Qatar’s Aspire Angel Mena equalized for Ecuador. Japan substitute 2013, when he touched Luis Suarez’s testicles during a heel pass from Ola Aina to set up substitute Odion Academy-which aims to develop elite athletes-in Daizen Maeda was put clean through late on but saw his match, and two years later when he tried to insert a finger Ighalo for a late 1-0 win. “Some players started train- 2006. Having coached Qatar’s under-19, under-20 effort saved by goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez. in Cavani’s backside. Chile, playing with greater urgency, ing only a few days before the match after becoming and under-23 teams he took over the top job from Deep into stoppage time teenage sensation Takefusa were on top for the first 20 minutes with Alexis Sanchez ill due to the change in climate from wet Nigeria to Uruguayan Jorge Fossati in July 2017. And it’s been an Kubo had the ball in the net but a dramatic winner was lashing an early shot over the bar and Uruguay goalkeeper hot Egypt,” said Rohr. “We are thrilled to be here immediate success with Qatar beating Japan 3-1 to ruled out for offside after consulting VAR. Fernando Muslera saving from Charles Aranguiz and after failing to qualify for the last two Cup of Nations win the first major title in their history in February. But It meant Japan missed out on goal difference while Eduardo Vargas. Uruguay found their feet, though, and and I expect a much better performance against a for bouts of naivety, Qatar could realistically have Ecuador came up a point short. Paraguay will play hosts Suarez pounced on a defensive mistake to nip around very good Guinea side.” — AFP made the knock-out stages in Brazil.—AFP Brazil in the first quarter-final tomorrow in Porto Alegre. goalkeeper Gabriel Arias, but he was forced wide and the Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu had recalled 18-year-old chance was snuffed out.—AFP Established 1961 Sport

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2019

Refreshed Kerber relishing Pakistan’s Azhar questions New USA, Sweden reach quarter-finals 25emotional return to Wimbledon 26 Zealand toughness ahead of clash 27 as women’s World Cup heats up

Australia crush England to reach s-finals Second straight defeat for England after their shock 20-run loss to S Lanka

LONDON: England’s Ben Stokes plays a shot during the 2019 Cricket World Cup group stage match between England and Australia at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London yesterday. — AFP

LONDON: Australia captain Aaron Finch hit a hundred “There are teams that you have confidence playing but the worry for Morgan’s men is that too many of over and effectively ended the contest. Starc ended the before left-arm quicks Jason Behrendorff and Mitchell against but I have had plenty of low scores against their top-order appear to know only one way to bat. match when he dismissed Adil Rashid. Starc shared nine wickets as the reigning champions England as well,” said man-of-the-match Finch. Earlier Finch, dropped on 15, and fellow opener thumped England by 64 runs at Lord’s yesterday to “It was nipping around first thing. We were as tight CARELESS ENGLAND David Warner (53) came through some testing early book their place in the semi-finals of the World Cup. as we could be and then took advantage of any width.” Jonny Bairstow, for example, fell next to a careless overs to share a stand of 123 as too many of England’s Finch made exactly 100 in a total of 285-7 before England’s reply saw them lose a wicket off just the hook off Behrendorff before Stokes and Jos Buttler (25) pacemen, with the exception of Chris Woakes, dropped England slumped to 221 all out with 32 balls left. The second ball of their chase, with the struggling James repaired some of the damage with a fifth-wicket stand short. The skipper’s exit sparked a late flurry of wick- recalled Behrendorff took 5-44 — his first five-wicket Vince-only playing because Jason Roy was out with a of 71. Buttler was well caught by Usman Khawaja, run- ets but Australia had enough runs on the board. haul in a one-day international-while Starc became the hamstring injury-bowled by a Behrendorff inswinger. ning round and staying just inside the deep square leg Both Warner, the World Cup’s leading run-scorer, leading bowler at the tournament with 19 scalps thanks Starc then took two wickets in nine balls. boundary off Marcus Stoinis. and Steve Smith were booed as they entered and exited to a haul of 4-43. Test skipper Joe Root was plumb lbw to an Stokes defiantly hit Glenn Maxwell for two sixes in the field following their recent return from year-long For England, who entered the showpiece event as inswinger for eight before England captain Eoin three balls but, shortly before completing his fifty, the bans for ball-tampering. the top-ranked side in ODI cricket, this was a second Morgan (four) fell into a hooking trap when a top-edge all-rounder pulled up with a calf injury. Finch went to his century thanks to a misfield by straight defeat after their shock 20-run loss to Sri was held safely by Pat Cummins at fine leg. Starc was brought back to take a key wicket and Woakes but next ball he miscued a hook off Jofra Lanka. The host nation, bidding to win a first World Australia, who had lost 10 of their previous 11 ODIS duly obliged with a thunderbolt yorker, his 18th wicket Archer and Woakes held the catch at fine leg. Cup title, can still qualify for the semi-finals but they against England, were in complete charge with the of the tournament, that ended Stokes’s 115-ball innings The skipper faced 116 balls, with 11 fours and two are likely to need to beat at least one of India and New hosts now 26-3. England have surged to the top of the of 89, including eight fours and two sixes. sixes in his second century of this World Cup following Zealand in their remaining two group games. ODI rankings on the back of aggressive run-scoring Stokes’s dismissal left England 177-6 in the 37th his 153 against Sri Lanka. — AFP

when I was 18 years old back in Greece.” 1994-95 season. champions Golden State in a 118-109 Tearful Antetokounmpo named Antetokounmpo struggled to get the Doncic was widely expected to scoop game-one victory in the championship words out as he also gave thanks to his the award despite a late-season surge by series. late father, Charles Antetokounmpo, who Atlanta point guard Trae Young, the player Siakam, who beat out D’Angelo Russell NBA’s Most Valuable Player died in 2017. “Every day I step on the for whom Doncic was traded on draft and De’Aaron Fox for the award, averaged floor, I always think of my dad,” he said. night in 2018. 16.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists LOS ANGELES: Milwaukee Bucks star record in the league with 60 wins and 22 Antetokounmpo became the first Bucks Doncic averaged 21.2 points, 7.8 per game in 2018-19. That was up from forward Giannis Antetokounmpo was defeats. They reached the Eastern player named MVP since 1974 when rebounds and 6.0 assists for the 33-49 7.3 points per game, 4.5 rebounds per named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player for Conference finals where they fell to the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - a three-time Mavericks, compared to Young’s averages game and 2.0 assists per game the previ- the 2018-19 regular season on Monday. Toronto Raptors, who would go on to lift MVP in Milwaukee - took home the of 19.1 points, 8.1 assists and 3.7 rebounds ous season. He made 79 three-pointers in The 24-year-old from Greece wept as the title. award. NBA legend Abdul-Jabbar intro- for the 29-53 Hawks. the regular season compared to 29 in the he accepted the honor at the glitzy NBA “I want to thank my team, my team- duced Antetokounmpo as a finalist during He became the second player, after previous campaign. Awards show broadcast from Santa mates,” Antetokounmpo said. “It takes the show. Antetokounmpo also joined 1961 Rookie of the Year winner Oscar The Los Angeles Clippers’ Lou Monica, California, becoming the more than one person to win 60 games. Hakeem Olajuwon (Nigeria), Tim Duncan Robertson, to average at least 20 points, Williams won the Sixth Man of the Year youngest MVP since Derrick Rose was Every time I walked to the locker room I (US Virgin Islands), Steve Nash (Canada) seven rebounds and six assists per game award as top reserve for the second the youngest winner ever in 2011. saw my teammates were ready to fight, and Dirk Nowitzki (Germany) as the only in his first year. His eight triple-doubles straight year and third time in his career. Antetokounmpo beat out 2018 MVP they were ready to go to war with me.” international MVPs. were third-most by a rookie behind He won in 2015 with the Toronto Raptors. James Harden of the Houston Rockets and He also thanked a coaching staff led by Slovenia’s Luca Doncic won the Rookie Robertson’s 26 and Ben Simmons’ 12. Defensive Player of the Year went to Oklahoma City Thunder forward Paul head coach Mike Budenholzer, who was of the Year award after a stellar campaign Cameroon’s Pascal Siakam, who starred in Utah’s French center Rudi Gobert. The George for the honor. Antetokounmpo, in named Coach of the Year earlier in the for the Dallas Mavericks. Doncic, 20, his NBA Finals debut for Toronto, was “Stifle Tower” won the award for the sec- his sixth season with the Bucks, averaged evening. joined Jason Kidd as the only Mavericks named Most Improved Player. Siakam, 25, ond straight season, beating 27.7 points and 12.5 rebounds as he led And he cited the management and to win Rookie of the Year, Kidd sharing scored a playoff career-best 32 points in Antetokounmpo and George in the final Milwaukee to the best regular-season ownership of the club “for believing in me the honor with Detroit’s Grant Hill for the powering the Raptors over defending voting. — AFP